Austin news

• Texas falls to Creighton in NCAA volleyball regional semifinals

  13-12-2024 23:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas volleyball team lost in four sets to Creighton on Friday, bowing out of the NCAA tournament in the regional semifinals.Texas made a great comeback to win the first set 26-24 but then dropped the next three 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 at the Penn State Rec Hall in University Park, Pennsylvania.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersCreighton, seeded No. 2 in the reg
  
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• Texas GOP tells members to unite in House Speaker race

  13-12-2024 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas House Republicans remain split on who to support in the Speaker of the House race one week after Speaker Dade Phelan removed himself from contention and was replaced by Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock.Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, was able to secure enough votes to earn the Republican House Caucus nomination this past weekend, even after Burrows and more than 20 other House members walked out of the vote. That same day, Burrows declared victory in the race saying he
  
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• Ken Paxton sues New York doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills to Texas woman

  13-12-2024 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit accusing a New York doctor of prescribing abortion drugs to a Texas resident in violation of state law.This lawsuit is the first attempt to test what happens when state abortion laws are at odds with each other. New York has a shield law that protects providers from out-of-state investigations and prosecutions, which has served as implicit permission for a network of doctors to mail abortion pills into stat
  
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• Watson, Greco ethics complaints dismissed a month after Austin's mayoral election

  13-12-2024 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's re-elected mayor and another candidate for the position did not break campaign finance rules related to donations, according to Austin Ethics Review Commission decisions that came more than a month after the election.Mayor Kirk Watson and Doug Greco were accused of exceeding the amount of money they can accept from those outside the city: $46,000. Because there's no requirement for donors to tell campaigns their home address, tracking whether campaigns are in compl
  
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• Texas Senate bill seeks to expand access to state misconduct records after KXAN investigation

  13-12-2024 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A group of Texas lawmakers filed a bill on Thursday to expand access to state misconduct records. The move is in response to a KXAN investigation uncovering a former juvenile corrections officer who was able to work inside a Central Texas high school after a state agency investigated him for sexual misconduct.Senate Bill 571 – filed by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston – will give contractors whose employees work on school campuses access to a state search engine
  
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• Opening 6th Street to cars? City working on pilot program

  13-12-2024 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A group of city departments is looking at options related to a pilot program that would open historic Sixth Street up to vehicle traffic.Currently, police and barricades block the road from Red River to Congress on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and during special events.
  According to an email sent from city staff to Sixth Street stakeholders, the pilot is set to take place during the "winter months" and wrap up before SXSW, but no official dates have been announced.Busin
  
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• 117M American adults expected to travel for December holidays, survey finds

  13-12-2024 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Approximately 117 million American adults are expected to vacation or travel to a destination for the holidays this year, according to a survey analysis from online travel resource site The Vacationer.That 117 million travelers figure equates to just over 45% of adults, per The Vacationer's survey findings. That December holidays travel number marks a decrease from Thanksgiving data, which found nearly 51% of American adults intended to travel for the November holiday. What
  
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• Austin man gets 2 years in prison for cryptocurrency tax fraud, a DOJ first

  13-12-2024 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man was sentenced Thursday morning to two years in prison for fraudulently underreporting $4 million in bitcoin sales, according to a U.S. DOJ press release.Frank Ahlgren III, who the DOJ calls an "early adopter" of cryptocurrency, pled guilty to the charges on Sep. 12. An IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) agent said in the release that the conviction is "the first criminal tax evasion prosecution centered solely on cryptocurrency.""Ahlgren will serve time beca
  
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• UPDATE: Family says Tyler boys found after AMBER Alert

  13-12-2024 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  UPDATE: Two Tyler boys reported missing on Friday have been found and are on their way back home, their family told KETK.Tyler PD said the boys are unharmed and in safe condition. A Tyler PD investigation is ongoing.TYLER, Texas (KETK) - The Tyler Police Department has issued an AMBER Alert in the search for a 3-year-old boy and a 4-year-old boy who were reported missing on Friday. UPDATE: Missing Jacksonville man found safeLegend Sandford, 3, and Kannon O'Neal, 4, were last seen at the Evergree
  
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• AMBER Alert issued for missing Tyler boys, suspect vehicle

  13-12-2024 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KETK) - The Tyler Police Department has issued an AMBER Alert in the search for a 3-year-old boy and a 4-year-old boy who were reported missing on Friday. UPDATE: Missing Jacksonville man found safeLegend Sandford, 3, and Kannon O'Neal, 4, were last seen at the Evergreens Apartments located at 4123 S Park Dr in Tyler at around 10 p.m. on Thursday. Legend was last seen wearing a blue Paw Patrol shirt and black, red and white pants and Kannon was last seen wearing a black shirt and b
  
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• Austin Community College graduated its largest class in history this week

  13-12-2024 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Just shy of 4,000 people celebrated graduating from Austin Community College this week, the school's largest class in its history.
  ACC held its Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremony for over 3,940 graduates Thursday evening. According to the college, number made for a record-breaking year for the number of candidates, up 5% from last fall’s graduation.This was ACC's first graduating class since it approved the Free Tuition Pilot Program, which was announced in April for the
  
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• UT Board greenlights $106M contract for I-35 highway coverings near Austin campus

  13-12-2024 19:14 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from May 16, 2024 covering the UT System Board of Regents' approval of a $13.5 million design contract for highway coverings.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas System Board of Regents is advancing work on capping the highway near UT Austin's campus, approving an estimated $106 million contract with the Texas Department of Transportation Wednesday.Wednesday's vote authorized contracts that will cover the creation of a 100% plans, specifications and est
  
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• Montgomery Co. Constables charge former Leander ISD principal with possession of child sexual abuse material

  13-12-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Montgomery County Constables arrested a former Austin-area educator Thursday morning for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material, according to a press release issued Thursday evening.Curtis John Locklear, 73, is charged with one count of child pornography, a third-degree felony. KXAN reached out to Locklear for comment on his arrest.Photo of Curtis John Locklear, published by the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office on Dec. 12, 2024.The release describes
  
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• Montgomery Co. Constables charge former Austin-area educator with possession of child sexual abuse material

  13-12-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Montgomery County Constables arrested a former Austin-area educator Thursday morning for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material, according to a press release issued Thursday evening.Curtis John Locklear, 73, is charged with one count of child pornography, a third-degree felony. KXAN reached out to Locklear for comment on his arrest.Photo of Curtis John Locklear, published by the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable's Office on Dec. 12, 2024.The release describes
  
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• Austin's 37th Street Lights return Dec. 13 through New Year's

  13-12-2024 17:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin holiday tradition spanning four decades has returned once again.Opening night for the light display on 37th Street begins at 6 p.m. Friday, and the tradition will continue until New Year's.The neighborhood display, widely known in Austin for its untraditional holiday décor, is free to the public.Light displays on 37th Street in 2024 (KXAN photo/David Delgado)Light displays on 37th Street in 2024 (KXAN photo/David Delgado)Light displays on 37th Street in 202
  
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• Why shooting spree case delay highlights Texas-wide issue | Inside the Investigation

  13-12-2024 17:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The man police say is responsible for going on a violent killing spree last December is incompetent to stand trial, according to a Texas judge. This week on Inside the Investigation, Senior Investigative Producer David Barer explains how Texas’ mental health hospital waitlist will impact this case and why it will likely delay justice.Join Kelly Wiley and Esmeralda Zamora every Friday at 11 a.m. for a recap of the latest headlines and in-depth reporting from the KXAN I
  
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• Austin ranks among the best cities for singles for 2025

  13-12-2024 17:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin ranks No. 10 in a new WalletHub study searching for the best cities for single people.Other notable Texas cities joined Austin on the list with Houston at No. 33, Lubbock at No. 66, Corpus Christi at No. 78 and San Antonio at No. 79.Texas cities with less favorable single scenes are Garland at No. 168, Grand Prairie at No. 175 and the worst Texas city to be single in is Brownsville at No. 180.Source: WalletHubThe study reviewed 182 cities across the country, includin
  
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• 2 teens arrested, accused of shooting a 17-year-old at a Kyle party in November

  13-12-2024 17:17 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Two teenagers were arrested in Kyle for their alleged involvement in a shooting at a party last month where a 17-year-old was shot in the leg.
  According to the Kyle Police Department, the shooting happened in the early morning hours of Nov. 26 in the 400 block of Old Stagecoach Road.Kyle Police identified one of the suspects as Christian Jeffery, 18, of Kyle. Police said Jeffery is a "documented gang member." In Texas, 17-year-olds are typically treated as adults for crimin
  
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• Ice skating, trail of lights at Dripping Springs' holiday event

  13-12-2024 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS (KXAN) - Back for its second year, Dripping Springs' "Western Wonderland" has holiday fun for everyone this year.The holiday event, hosted at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, is free for spectators with no tickets needed. The park offers a free walk through a trail of holiday light displays created by local non-profit organizations and businesses.Currently home to one of the biggest ice rinks in Central Texas, those wanting to skate can get on the ice with rentals for $15. A special
  
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• Salvation Army Austin sees increased demand for Angel Tree donations

  13-12-2024 15:08 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Rows of red mesh bags lined shelves at the Salvation Army Austin's warehouse, toy cars and boxes of dolls bulging the sides of some bags into rounded red corners. Each one going home with recipients of the agency's Angel Tree program, giving 8,000 local children gifts to unwrap this holiday.Friday morning, families who signed up for this year's Angel Tree picked up their respective bags, each holding at least two toys and two items of clothing per child.Salvation Army Angel
  
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• Salvation Army Austin preps for Angel Tree donation pickup, sees increased need

  13-12-2024 15:08 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Rows of red mesh bags line shelves at the Salvation Army Austin's warehouse, toy cars and boxes of dolls bulging the sides of some bags into rounded red corners. Each one will go home with recipients of the agency's Angel Tree program, giving 8,000 local children a toy to unwrap this holiday.Starting Friday morning, families who signed up for this year's Angel Tree will pick up their respective bags, each holding at least two toys and two items of clothing per child.Major L
  
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• Under pressure! How the weight of air changes our weather

  13-12-2024 14:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The air around us isn't weightless. In fact, it's pushing down on us at all times, and not just us, but the world around us too.
  All that pressure plays a big role in whether the weather is sunny or stormy.In this First Warning Weather University lesson, Chief Meteorologist Nick Bannin takes a closer look at pressure systems and the role they play in forecasting the weather.In this FWWU lesson you will learn:
  How much does air weigh?What do the symbols on a forecaster's map mean
  
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• Central Texas shooting spree case delay highlights state hospital struggles

  13-12-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Justice could be a long time coming for victims of the December 2023 Austin shooting spree, and not just because of how complicated the capital murder case is – with six killed and more wounded in multiple seemingly random acts of violence across two counties.Shane James in court Aug. 23, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Tim Holcomb)
  The suspect, 35-year-old Shane James, was found incompetent to stand trial in November. That means his case is paused until he is sent to a state hospit
  
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• Texas blisters the net to blow out New Mexico State 91-67

  13-12-2024 05:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas connected on nearly 60% of its field goals to run away with a 91-67 win over New Mexico State in men's college basketball action Thursday at Moody Center.Arthur Kaluma led the Longhorns with 18 points and seven rebounds while Tramon Mark chipped in 14 points with seven rebounds. Texas shot 34-for-58 and scored 25 points off of 15 New Mexico State turnovers. Texas outrebounded the Aggies 36-24 and held a huge advantage in bench points 31-15. Texas’ Jahdae Barron
  
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• Texas' Jahdae Barron captures Jim Thorpe Award, Banks named Outland Trophy winner

  13-12-2024 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pair of Texas Longhorns were honored as part of the College Football Awards ceremony Thursday.Jahdae Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the country's most outstanding defensive back, and Kelvin Banks Jr. picked up another award as he was named the Outland Trophy recipient. Texas football’s 2025 schedule is all set, highlighted by trips to Ohio State and Georgia, will host Texas A&MBarron is the first Longhorn to win the award since Michael Huff and Aaron
  
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• Bastrop's Blue Saints and Blue Santa toy drive helps those in need during the holiday season

  13-12-2024 03:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's the season of giving, and not everyone in Central Texas can get that perfect present without help. That's where Bastrop's Blue Saints and Blue Santa toy drive comes in, which gives toys to those who need them for the holiday season.Bastrop Independent School District Police Department Sgt. Kayla Barner and Bastrop Police Department Sgt. Chris Chavez interviewed with KXAN's Will Dupree to talk about the program and how both departments are able to provide gifts for those in
  
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• A little belief goes a long way for the Texas volleyball team ahead of Sweet 16

  13-12-2024 02:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas volleyball team and Ted Lasso's AFC Richmond soccer club have something in common.They believe. Texas football’s 2025 schedule is all set, highlighted by trips to Ohio State and Georgia, will host Texas A&MThe Longhorns won a hard-fought second-round match in the NCAA tournament against Southern California in three sets Dec. 6, marking the last time they'll play in Gregory Gym this season. Texas hits the road for State College, Pennsylvania, to take on C
  
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• No 'unified process' to track Austin criminals who shouldn't have guns

  13-12-2024 01:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Digging through court records to learn more about the 10 homicides that occurred in November, KXAN found extensive criminal histories for several suspects.Of the seven suspects police arrested in last month's cases, four had prior convictions that contained various levels of bond and parole conditions stating the individuals could not be in possession of firearms. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2024?Several defense attorneys KXAN spoke with said there's no
  
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• Austin ISD will transition to new special education data system

  13-12-2024 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Independent School District leaders said on Thursday they plan to get a new data system to track more than 13,000 students who receive special education services. The change comes as the district's special education department enters its second year under state intervention.The district said on Thursday it has completed 75% of the requirements to rehabilitate its special education department under the agreement with the Texas Education Agency and in February, the dis
  
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• 'You're an idiot': Man gets stuck in chimney while allegedly attempting to flee Massachusetts police

  13-12-2024 01:03 via kxan.com
  
  FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) – A man is facing charges after attempting to evade detectives in Massachusetts by hiding in a chimney — and becoming stuck there — on Tuesday night.Robert Langlais was removed from a chimney after police say he attempted to evade arrest. (Fall River Police Department)
  The detectives were executing a search warrant at a house in Fall River when two men reportedly fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The Fall River Police Department said one man managed t
  
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• Equifax settlement: Additional payments are coming, here's who is eligible

  13-12-2024 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – It's a good time to check your junk mail.According to an email sent Monday, some people will be receiving another piece of the $700 million Equifax data breach settlement.The initial settlement set aside $425 million for consumers, and the upcoming payments are being made to distribute what's left of the money to eligible recipients.The email, sent from an address verified by the Federal Trade Commission, states: "You have a valid claim and are eligible for an additional paymen
  
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• APD: One person dead after 2-vehicle crash in southeast Austin

  13-12-2024 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a two-vehicle crash that happened in southeast Austin Monday, the Austin Police Department said in a news release. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2024?APD officers responded to the intersection of East Riverside Drive and Clubview Avenue around 6:08 p.m. for the crash. A passenger in one of the vehicles was transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Police identified her as 62-year-old Regina Natalie Reyes
  
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• 'This will save lives:' New Austin law will make hospitals safer, KXAN credited

  13-12-2024 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop cr
  
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