Austin news

• 'Just used': TDCJ behind on paying employees overtime for hours worked

  09-12-2024 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is behind on paying employees overtime pay, KXAN confirmed on Monday.
  One former employee said he's been waiting around six months for hundreds of dollars he was never paid.The former employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he worked for TDCJ on and off for eight years."[I feel] just used and taken for granted," the former employee told Reporter Jala Washington.
  After quitting in October, the former employee said he grew
  
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• Who is Luigi Mangione? Police arrest person of interest in CEO killing

  09-12-2024 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) – A man arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been identified as Luigi Mangione, officials said Monday.Mangione, 26, was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday. He was arrested by the Altoona Police Department on unrelated firearms charges after a McDonald’s employee recognized him, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference."Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting su
  
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• New lighting, safety features coming to southeast Austin corridor

  09-12-2024 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New safety enhancements are coming down the pipeline for a portion of southeast Austin, following initial work earlier this year.The Bluff Springs Road Safety Project began work in fall 2023 to upgrade pedestrian and cyclist safety in the project corridor, running from William Cannon Drive to the Austin city limits mark in the 8300 block of Bluff Springs Road.Work included reconfiguring travel lanes and adding new protected bikeways, pedestrian crossings and upgraded transi
  
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• Meet the candidates in a runoff for AISD's remaining school board seat

  09-12-2024 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After no one candidate in the Austin Independent School District At-Large Position 8 race secured more than 50% of the vote in the general election, AISD residents will be asked to head back to the polls this December to select a school board member.There are two at-large members for AISD, the remaining seven represent specific districts. Members are elected to a four-year term.
  Dec. 10: Last day of early votingDec. 14: Election DayYou can check your sample ballot here
  The two c
  
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• Holiday pop-up bars, festive menus in Central Texas

  09-12-2024 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Whether you are looking for a holly jolly holiday meal or an assortment of winter wonderland drinks this month, Austin has it all. Here is a curated list of festive menus around Central Texas.AbaAustin's Aba Restaurant located on South Congress Avenue celebrates the holiday with customers by offering Hanukkah specials. Aba plans to offer an assortment of menu options like shawarma-spiced brisket confit with pumpkin puree on Thursday, Dec. 26. This special menu is available for d
  
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• Texas police officer shot and killed during late night traffic stop

  09-12-2024 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  TERRELL, Texas — The Terrell Police Department confirmed police officer Jacob Candanoza died after he was shot and killed during a traffic stop late Sunday night.Terrell is in Kaufman County about 40 miles east of downtown Dallas.TPD said Candanoza initiated a stop around 11 p.m. in the 1600 block of South State Highway 34. Police said Candanoza requested a cover unit, and more officers were sent to the scene. Moments later, police received two 911 calls about an officer being shot. Author
  
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• Health officials say bird flu risk is low for Texans, caution those who work closely with animals

  09-12-2024 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The state's chief epidemiologist said the risk of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 Bird Flu, spreading among the general population in Texas is very low. Still, he cautioned farm workers and people with backyard chicken flocks to be extra careful around animals.Dr. Varun Shetty, the chief epidemiologist at Texas Department of State Health Services, agreed to speak with Nexstar about the risks of HPAI as more scientists around the country expres
  
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• WATCH: Round Rock hospital staff serenades patients with Christmas carols

  09-12-2024 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Patients at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center were treated to a special holiday performance this past Friday.
  Physicians, nurses and other staff members at the hospital lined up to sing festive holiday carols that echoed the halls.
  The staff ensemble was complete with guitar players and tambourines.They covered holiday classics including "Winter Wonderland," "Feliz Navidad" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" — sometimes even changing the words to include one
  
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• Austin's vote on multi-million-dollar I-35 capping program delayed

  09-12-2024 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council will no longer vote this week on potentially spending hundreds of millions of dollars to kickstart work on capping Interstate 35, based on a council memo shared on Thursday.The Texas Department of Transportation had originally set a Dec. 12 meeting deadline for council to decide on its funding commitments for its Our Future 35 initiative. That program is centered around adding deck plazas over the highway and community amenities on top. PAST COVERAGE: Au
  
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• UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: Man with gun, fake ID, large sum of cash arrested in Pennsylvania

  09-12-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) – A man in Pennsylvania has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, officials said Monday.Luigi Mangione, 26, was identified as the New York Police Department’s person of interest in last week’s slaying, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. He was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after being recognized by a McDonald's employee.According to court documents, Mangione was sitting at a table in the rear
  
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• UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: Man who had gun, fake ID, mask arrested in Pennsylvania

  09-12-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) – A man in Pennsylvania has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, officials said Monday.Luigi Mangione, 26, was identified as the New York Police Department’s person of interest in last week’s slaying, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. He was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on a firearms charge after he was recognized by an employee of a McDonald's.The man had a fake New Jersey ID tha
  
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• Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing charged with murder, court records show

  09-12-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) –A man in Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after being recognized by a McDonald's employee.Manhattan prosecutors filed murder and other charges against Luigi Mangione, 26, late Monday, according to an online court docket. He remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.Accor
  
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• Man in Pennsylvania being questioned over UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: sources

  09-12-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: This video above was filmed during a Dec. 4 news conference concerning the investigation into the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.NEW YORK (WPIX) – A man in Pennsylvania was being questioned Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, sources told Nexstar's WPIX.The man is in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 233 miles west of New York City, according to sources. He's believed to have a gun similar to the one used to kill Th
  
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• LIVE: Police give update on suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing

  09-12-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) – A man in Pennsylvania has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, officials said Monday.Luigi Mangione, 26, was identified as the New York Police Department’s person of interest in last week’s slaying, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. He was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on a firearms charge after he was recognized by an employee of a McDonald's.He was carrying a "ghost gun" — which ma
  
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• Longhorns stats: Texas heads to College Football Playoff averaging 34 points per game

  09-12-2024 18:04 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topics including weather and climate, politics, education, sports and growth in Texas. Each story in the KXAN Data Hub is updated as new data becomes available.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Touchdowns, third down conversions, penalty yards. When it comes to Longhorn football, there are a lot of numbers to keep track of.Follow along with the charts below as we trac
  
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• ACL announces 2025 festival dates, 3-day presale

  09-12-2024 17:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Already itching for the return of the Austin City Limits Music Festival? You're in luck: Organizers confirmed the festival will return Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12 in 2025.Those interested in securing their tickets early can purchase them in a presale beginning at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday. Three-day general admission tickets start at $320, while GA+ will cost attendees at least $650.VIP weekend tickets run for $1,610, while platinum tickets range around $5,150 for the whole weeke
  
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• Rep. Doggett slams 'short notice' ground delay at Austin airport Sunday

  09-12-2024 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A ground delay was in effect at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport following an implementation from the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday morning.The FAA confirmed flights into AUS were slowed down on Sunday due to staffing. In a statement Monday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) slammed the "short notice" delay for impacting multiple flights traveling into Austin, with some lasting as long as two-and-a-half hours, he alleged.“Yesterday, th
  
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• Ground delay in effect at Austin airport, impacting departure times

  09-12-2024 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A ground delay is in effect Monday morning at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport following an implementation from the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday morning.
  Ground delays result in impacts to airplanes' departure times and are enacted "when the projected traffic demand is expected to exceed the airport's acceptance rate," per the Federal Aviation Administration. Factors like poor weather, airline operation problems, technology hiccups, and operational is
  
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• Ground delay impacted flight schedules at Austin airport Sunday

  09-12-2024 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A ground delay was in effect at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport following an implementation from the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday morning.The FAA confirmed flights into AUS were slowed down on Sunday due to staffing.An FAA spokesperson did note the agency hired more than 1,800 air traffic controllers in 2024, hitting its targeted goal. More than 2,000 additional air traffic controllers are expected to be hired come 2025."We are accelerating air traff
  
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• Ground delay impacted Austin airport operations Sunday

  09-12-2024 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A ground delay was in effect at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport following an implementation from the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday morning.The FAA confirmed flights into AUS were slowed down on Sunday due to staffing.An FAA spokesperson did note the agency hired more than 1,800 air traffic controllers in 2024, hitting its targeted goal. More than 2,000 additional air traffic controllers are expected to be hired come 2025."We are accelerating air traff
  
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• Strong demand for real Christmas trees boosts Texas economy

  09-12-2024 15:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Demand for real Christmas trees continues to rise in Texas, thanks partly to behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, which sent families outdoors seeking safe and fun experiences.More than four million Christmas trees are sold each year in Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service."People were looking to get out of the house, have family experiences," said Fred Raley, the Texas A&M Forest Service tree improvement coordinator. "Nothing is better to do that than to
  
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• USPS holding job fair Wednesday, hiring for several positions

  09-12-2024 15:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Job seekers in Austin can look to the United States Postal Office for career opportunities this week.
  USPS is hiring for several positions in various departments, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment, according to its website.
  There are immediate openings for Automotive Technicians, Maintenance Technicians, City Carrier Assistants, Rural Carrier Associates, and Assistant Rural Carriers, according to USPS. Starting salary ranges from $19.33 - $31.28 per hour, p
  
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• Bastrop ISD town halls present changes to attendance zones, ask for feedback

  09-12-2024 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — The Bastrop Independent School District is planning to change attendance zone boundaries to accommodate a student population projected to more than double in the next 10 years.The district will host two town halls this week so families can give their feedback before the school board officially takes up approving the new boundaries next year.Cedar Creek Middle School Cafeteria
  Date: December 9, 2024Address: 125 Voss Parkway, Cedar Creek, Texas
  Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  
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• How UT Austin's new protest response team handles student demonstrations

  09-12-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It has been nearly three months since the University of Texas' Office of the Dean of Students opened the Event Readiness and Response Team, a unit dedicated to balancing free speech rights while upholding university policies, according to its website. Its opening comes months after the pro-Palestinian protests that left some students questioning the current state of free speech on a major university campus.The unit offers support and educational guidance on student rights a
  
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• Temperatures spike ahead of tonight's cold front

  09-12-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We start the new work week with a temperature roller coaster as today's near-record highs tumble more than 20° by tomorrow afternoon. NEW: First Warning Weather Team releases winter outlookToday will feature plenty of sunshine, dry skies and unseasonably warm temperatures. Afternoon highs will soar to the upper 70s and low 80s - Austin's forecast high of 82° coming within 1° of the daily record set in 2019.Unseasonably warm Monday afternoonBut enjoy the warmth while
  
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• From tees and shorts to jackets and coats

  09-12-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today is much warmer than at any time during the weekend. Afternoon temperatures will peak in the upper 70s to low 80s under a sunny sky. Austin will flirt with a high temperature record today. The record is 83° set five years ago.Unseasonably warm air today with a normal high of 65°This warmth will be short-lived as the next cold front arrives late tonight through the overnight hours. It should be south of Flatonia and Luling by 4 a.m. Tuesday.Another cold front coming
  
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• A record broken Monday, a cold front arrives for Tuesday

  09-12-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Well, there goes the record temperature set back in 2019. We hit an official temperature of 84° which just passes the 83° set five years ago. This is the hottest we will be for the forecast period.Record temperature set at Camp MabryThis warmth will be short-lived as the next cold front arrives late tonight through the overnight hours. It should be south of Flatonia and Luling by 4 a.m. Tuesday.Another cold front coming late tonight NEW: First Warning Weather Team releas
  
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• Llano ISD increases law enforcement presence after potential campus threat

  09-12-2024 04:51 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Llano ISD officials said students and staff will see an increased law enforcement presence Monday after a potential threat was made toward a campus.Multiple agencies investigated the threat made Saturday, and the district said it does not believe the threat posed a risk to any campus, according to a Sunday update.Agencies included the Llano ISD Police Department, Llano County Sheriff's Office, Horseshoe Bay Police Department, Marble Falls Police Department and
  
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• Juan Soto agrees to record $765 million, 15-year contract with Mets, AP source says

  09-12-2024 04:48 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Star outfielder Juan Soto and the New York Mets have agreed to a record $765 million, 15-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press, believed to be the largest pact in team sports history.
  The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, first reported by the New York Post, was subject to a successful physical.
  He would have the right to opt out of the contract after the 2029 season if the Mets don't at that time raise the contra
  
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• No. 4 Texas gets off to fast start, hammers James Madison 93-62

  09-12-2024 02:31 via kxan.com
  
  HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) — Madison Booker scored 21 points, Jordan Lee added 20 and No. 4 Texas shook off its first loss of the season by routing James Madison 93-62 on Sunday.Rori Harmon had 19 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Longhorns (8-1), who scored the most points ever for a visiting team in the 4-year-old Atlantic Union Bank Center. No. 25 UConn gets Karaban back, rolls by Texas 76-65Ro Scott scored 22 points for JMU (7-3) for her sixth straight game in double figures.
  
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• Jay-Z accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old in 2000 with Sean 'Diddy' Combs

  09-12-2024 02:25 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Rap mogul and entrepreneur Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000, alongside defamed music star Sean "Diddy" Combs, an amended complaint obtained by NewsNation alleges.The victim, identified as "Jane Doe," alleges that the pair of stars assaulted her at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty. She was invited by a limousine driver after the Video Music Awards in Manhattan in September 2000.
  Originally filed in October 2024, the suit named only
  
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• No. 25 UConn gets Karaban back, rolls by Texas 76-65

  09-12-2024 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Connecticut built a big lead early behind the return of forward Alex Karaban to down Texas 76-65 Sunday at Moody Center.Karaban had been in concussion protocol since the Maui Invitational and sat out two games, and in his first game back he delivered a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds on 6 of 14 shooting in 38 minutes. Solo Ball hit four 3-pointers and poured in 16 points for the 25th-ranked Huskies while Hassan Diarra dished out 11 assists.Texas guards Tre John
  
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• 5 takeaways from Trump's 'Meet the Press' interview

  09-12-2024 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  Related video: How Trump's tariffs could impact consumers(The Hill) -- President-elect Trump's first sit-down interview since winning a second White House term aired Sunday, giving the public a view into his mindset as he prepares to return to office.Trump spoke with "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker, and the two discussed Trump's plans for his first day in office, some of his controversial Cabinet choices, and whether he would like the Justice Department to go after his critics and riva
  
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