Austin news

• Austin FC opens 2025 MLS season at home Feb. 22, hosts all-star game July 23

  19-12-2024 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With a new coach and the league's spotlight in the middle of the season, Austin FC hopes 2025 will bring different results than last season.Austin FC will host the MLS All-Star Game on July 23 and kick off its 2025 season under new manager Nico Estevez at home Feb. 22 against Sporting Kansas City. Verde and Black will play 28 of its 36 matches against Western Conference opponents, a home-and-home series versus all 14 members, plus six matches against Eastern Conference oppo
  
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• Commercial auto insurance rates up, despite lawsuit reform law intent

  19-12-2024 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Commercial auto insurance rates rose for the second year in a row, new data shows. This comes despite a 2021 state law's goal of bringing down costs by making it harder to sue trucking companies, critics argue.In the three years since a law targeting civil lawsuits against trucking companies passed (through June 30 of this year), commercial insurance rates for all vehicle types increased, on average, nearly 28%, according to a weighted rated change calculation and a new report r
  
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• How are COVID, flu levels looking in Texas?

  19-12-2024 22:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the year winds down, respiratory illness activity tends to rev up. But how are conditions looking here in Texas?"This is prime time respiratory season here in Travis County, and so it's kind of like December and January when everything peaks," said Rannon Ching, president and chief pharmacy officer at Tarrytown Pharmacy.The Texas Department of State Health Services' respiratory virus surveillance report tracks seasonal ebbs and flows of respiratory illnesses like the flu
  
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• Our coldest month: Here's the new January forecast

  19-12-2024 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We're working our way through the first month of meteorological winter (December), and we're getting our first look at January.A "weak and short duration" La Niña is expected to develop, and the weather patterns should largely follow what is typical for La Niña, which is a storm track to the north and a warmer and drier pattern for the south. KXAN FIRST WARNING WEATHER TEAM'S WINTER OUTLOOK 2024-2025The latest forecast release for January from the Climate Predictio
  
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• Border Report Live: Abbott announces billboard campaign to help stop illegal immigration

  19-12-2024 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  EAGLE PASS, Texas (Border Report) -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, unveiled a billboard campaign to deal with illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border.
  Speaking from a remote ranch on Thursday just north of Eagle Pass, Abbott was joined by Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, and Rose Luna, CEO of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. Abbott was also joined by the owners of the ranch,
  
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• USPS weighing new east Austin site amid 'postal desert' concerns

  19-12-2024 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is KXAN coverage from Dec. 11, 2024, on residents' concerns about a "postal desert" emerging in east Austin.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The United States Postal Service is weighing a possible new post office station in east Austin, following the closure of a site on East Sixth Street earlier this year.KXAN reported last week about concerns from residents over a "postal desert" emerging in east Austin, with commenters on an Austin Reddit post expressing frustrations over
  
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• Banks, Bond could be back for Longhorns in time for CFP 1st round

  19-12-2024 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is "optimistic" about the return of two key players from injury for Saturday's first round of the College Football Playoff against Clemson.All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and wide receiver Isaiah Bond are recovering from ankle injuries. Banks' injury kept him out of the Southeastern Conference championship game Dec. 8 against Georgia and Bond got hurt early in the game.Taaffe, Ewers and company aim to spoil Clemson QB Klubnik&rsquo
  
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• ACC purchases historic Ford building in downtown Lockhart to develop education, training location

  19-12-2024 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- In November, Lockhart Independent School District voters approved an annexation ballot item to join the Austin Community College District. Now, the college has purchased the historic Ford building in downtown Lockhart to develop into a permanent education facility in the town.
  ACC announced the purchase in a press release Thursday, saying the building will be a "key part of ACC’s efforts to expand educational access in the area," and it will "support the community
  
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• This Texas city surpassed Austin as 4th largest in the state

  19-12-2024 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is no longer the fourth largest city in Texas, according to finalized population estimates released last month.The Texas Demographic Center shared its final 2023 Population Estimates report in November, which included population figures for Texas counties and communities for July 1, 2023, and Jan. 1, 2024. When reviewing data compiled for Jan. 1, 2024, TDC reported Fort Worth had edged ahead of Austin and claimed the title of the fourth most populous city in the Lone
  
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• Operation Lone Star, officer safety gear, other programs to benefit from $500M in public safety grants

  19-12-2024 19:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Border security, police officer safety gear, and crime victim/survivor support are some of the focuses of programs that will benefit from more than $500 million in grants provided through the governor's Public Safety Office this year.
  Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced that the office would administer the funding to several public safety programs and services across Texas.
  “Ensuring the safety and security of Texans is our top priority in Texas," Abbott said in th
  
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• How many potholes, paved roads, bridge repairs did Austin tackle in 2024?

  19-12-2024 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As 2024 comes to a close, the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department is reflecting on thousands of repairs and improvements completed on city streets, sidewalks, bridges and intersections.TPWD maintains nearly 8,000 lane miles of pavements and roads citywide, the department's director, Richard Mendoza, told KXAN. Each year, the department works to treat between 8% and 10% of those miles.For 2024, more than 630 lane miles underwent pavement surface treatments in A
  
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• More than 100 unhoused residents sheltered ahead of holidays

  19-12-2024 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In an announcement Thursday, the City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) said it transitioned more than 100 of the city’s unhoused residents to housing in time for the holidays.According to the HSO, 50 unhoused residents went to the Northbridge and Southbridge Shelters as part of the Housing-focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative. Another 55 individuals were offered safe accommodations at the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter. How Austin i
  
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• Gov. Abbott unveils new border security strategy to deter migrants

  19-12-2024 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  EAGLE PASS (Nexstar) -- Gov. Greg Abbott will be at the southern border Thursday afternoon to unveil the latest border security strategy to deter migrants from crossing into Texas.He will be joined by Texas Department of Public Safety Director Col. Freeman Martin, Rose Luna, the CEO of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, ranchers Kimberly and Martin Wall, and other state border officials.
  In a post to X Thursday morning, the Governor said, "Texas is fighting to stop illegal immigration
  
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• Gov. Abbott unveils new billboards meant to deter possible migrants south of the border

  19-12-2024 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  EAGLE PASS, Texas (Nexstar) -- Gov. Greg Abbott announced the state is placing billboards in cities south of the international border to deter potential migrants from making the trek north. Abbott said the messaging on the billboards is a dose of "tough medicine" to hopefully prevent people who might be on a trek north now.The governor made the announcement on private ranchland in Eagle Pass near the U.S.-Mexico border. The ranch is owned by Kim Wall and her husband, Martin. The Wall family said
  
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• KXAN explains its approach to AI in response to viewer input

  19-12-2024 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN viewers helped shape our newsroom’s guidance related to using and disclosing our use of artificial intelligence tools.KXAN was part of a cohort of 10 newsrooms that partnered with Trusting News earlier this year on a survey and deep-dive interviews to better understand our audience’s comfort level with artificial intelligence and journalism. Trusting News is an organization that works to “inspire and empower journalists to evolve their practices in or
  
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• 'Very scary situation': Central Texas woman says snake in toilet bit her

  19-12-2024 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Central Texas woman is describing something most people only have nightmares about -- sitting on her toilet in the middle of the night and being bit by a snake. She's got the photos to prove it.
  Maria Jaimes, a woman who lives in Cedar Creek near Bastrop, said earlier this month, she woke up early in the morning to use the restroom, didn't flip the lights on and felt something."The rat snake bit me in my leg when I sat on it," she said. "Very scary situation on a Sunday mornin
  
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• 'Very scary situation': Central Texas woman says she was bit by snake in her toilet

  19-12-2024 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  A Cedar Creek woman says this snake was in her toilet (courtesy: Maria Jaimes)
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Central Texas woman is describing something most people only have nightmares about -- sitting on her toilet in the middle of the night and being bit by a snake. She's got the photos to prove it.
  Maria Jaimes said earlier this month, she woke up early in the morning to use the restroom, didn't flip the lights on and felt something."The rat snake bit me in my leg when I sat on it," she said. "Very sc
  
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• More tall buildings could be coming to North Austin near The Domain

  19-12-2024 17:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — Taller buildings and denser development are on tap for another big parcel of land in North Austin that could lead to more housing options.A 38-acre site at 11800 Stonehollow Drive — which is near The Domain and in the North Burnet/Gateway District — has been rezoned to allow for buildings up to 350 feet tall with floor-to-area ratios, or FAR, of up to 10:1.Prior to the rezoning, which was approved by the Austin City Council during its Dec. 12 meeting, buildings a
  
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• Mother facing capital murder charge related to death of her 6-week-old child

  19-12-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was arrested Wednesday related to the death of her baby, according to the Austin Police Department.APD said 21-year-old Jacqueline Mendoza-Ramirez was charged with capital murder in connection with the death of her nearly 6-week-old baby Marcello Hernandez-Mendoza.Austin police said officers responded to a children’s hospital Nov. 27 for a deceased person call.“The parents of a 6-week-old baby had transported their baby, later identified as Marcello Hern
  
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• Kyle police arrest man related to the stalking of 13-year-old girl

  19-12-2024 16:33 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Kyle Police Department said it arrested a man on Dec. 10 related to the stalking of a 13-year-old girl at a local convenience store.KPD said 29-year-old Daniel Duran was being held at the Hays County jail on charges of stalking and resisting arrest.According to police, video footage showed Duran following the victim through the store before leaving and waiting for her outside.“The footage then shows him chasing the victim as she exited the store,” KPD s
  
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• APD arrests 2 burglary suspects linked to additional crime

  19-12-2024 16:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said two arrests were made related to a Dec. 4 burglary call that occurred in east Austin.According to police, a woman was inside her apartment when multiple suspects unlawfully entered the unit. The witness said she hid in a closet and called her boyfriend to help.Austin police said the witness’ boyfriend chased the four burglars away but was shot at in the process; however, he was not injured. Police were able to find an expended 9MM she
  
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• 1 'critically' hurt after crash in north Austin, ATCEMS says

  19-12-2024 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was 'critically' hurt after a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian Thursday morning at North Creek Drive and East Rundberg Lane in north Austin, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  That's near the intersection of South Interstate 35 Frontage Road and East Rundberg Lane.ATCEMS said that the person was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center. The call came in at 6:50 a.m.
  This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN.com for updates.
  
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• Weekend Watch: Longhorns vs. Clemson while 'Golden Girls' returns

  19-12-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- All eyes will be on University of Texas this weekend as the Longhorns take on the Clemson Tigers, a game to determine who will advance in the playoffs. If football is not for you, catch the last show of the "Golden Girls" tour right here in Austin.Let's go LonghornsThis is what Texas fans have been waiting for, the chance to see the Longhorns become champs in their first year of the Southeastern Conference. Sports analysts are flip-flopping on who could win, but a few more are pr
  
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• LIVE: Weekend Watch: Longhorns vs. Clemson while 'Golden Girls' returns

  19-12-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- All eyes will be on the University of Texas this weekend as the Longhorns take on the Clemson Tigers, a game to determine who will advance in the playoffs. If football is not for you, catch the last show of the "Golden Girls" tour right here in Austin.Let's go LonghornsThis is what Texas fans have been waiting for, the chance to see the Longhorns become champs in their first year of the Southeastern Conference. Sports analysts are flip-flopping on who could win, but a few more ar
  
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• How to keep pests out of your home this winter

  19-12-2024 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Pests often show specific behaviors or patterns during the winter months due to the changes in temperature, humidity, and food availability.Meteorologist Tommy House sat down with Alan Brown, a Board-Certified Entomologist, to discuss effective ways to keep pests out of your home.Meteorologist Tommy House: As the winter months approach, what types of pests enter your house when the temperatures drop?Alan Brown: We see a lot of the same pests that you might encounter in the summer
  
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• Traffic: William Cannon bypass bridge opens on eastbound US 290

  19-12-2024 14:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A temporary bypass bridge opened on eastbound U.S. Highway 290 this week, giving drivers a chance to opt out of the traffic light at William Cannon Drive.
  The bridge opened Wednesday, Dec. 18, according to the Texas Department of Public Transportation (TxDOT). It's part of the Oak Hill Parkway project.Oak Hill ‘Y’ construction project breaks ground, future US 290 and SH 71 improvements plannedLocal traffic heading to William Cannon Drive, McCarty Lane, and Old Freder
  
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• South Texas environmental groups sue TCEQ over SpaceX wastewater

  19-12-2024 12:58 via kxan.com
  
  BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Texas environmental groups have sued the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for allegedly allowing SpaceX to pour polluted water into Boca Chica wetlands without a permit.
  According to the lawsuit, the TCEQ has approved an order to allow SpaceX to dump industrial wastewater from the deluge system at the Starbase launch pad site in Cameron County until it receives a new permit.Plaintiffs in the suit are Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Inc.
  
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• DAA to introduce new Austin police downtown commander at monthly meeting

  19-12-2024 12:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Downtown Austin Alliance will introduce Mark Clemens, the new Austin Police Department downtown commander, at its monthly virtual meeting on Thursday.
  Clemens will provide an update on downtown crime trends and APD staffing, according to a press release.
  The DAA said it will also share the October Downtown Public Improvement District's unsheltered homeless count results and updates on Downtown Alliance safety programs.Austinites can register to attend the virtual meeting onl
  
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• 'End of an Era': Dreamland Dripping Springs closing its doors for good Dec. 31

  19-12-2024 04:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dreamland Dripping Springs announced it will close its doors at the end of the year, according to an email from the Dreamland team.Dreamland, located at 2770 U.S. 290 in Dripping Springs, has everything from pickleball, to mini golf, a food and bar and more, according to the Dreamland website.
  "After a period of tremendous success and growth over the past several months, the owners have made the difficult decision to take Dreamland in a new direction," the email said.Dreamland w
  
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• One killed, four injured following crash, train derailment in Pecos

  19-12-2024 04:02 via kxan.com
  
  PECOS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) -- One person is dead, and four others were injured after a tractor trailer was struck by a train in Pecos on Wednesday, Pecos City Manager Charles Lino said. The crash happened shortly before 5 p.m.The train derailed near Oak Street and Dot Stafford Street, hitting the Chamber of Commerce building.One person was seriously injured and transported to Odessa, while three others were treated at Reeves Regional Health.Lino said there were three cars with "potentially hazmat
  
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• Frito-Lay chip recall: Here's what to know

  19-12-2024 03:18 via kxan.com
  
  (WJW) - Frito-Lay has issued a recall on certain bags of their Lay’s Classic Potato Chips.According to the alert shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the recall applies to a "limited number" of 13 oz. bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips that may contain an undeclared milk allergen. Holiday horror: 6 scary movies you can stream nowThe company says it learned about the issue from a consumer.Frito-Lay Issues Limited Recall on Undeclared Milk in Lay’s Classic Potato Chip
  
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• UT Austin researchers study future use of hydrogen energy

  19-12-2024 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- It is the least busiest gas station in all of Texas because there is only one person in the state who can buy what it's selling. It's a hydrogen vehicle fueling dispenser and it's located on University of Texas at Austin's J.J. Pickle Research Campus in north Austin.The facility is known as a hydrogen proto-hub. The team at the hub is studying multiple forms of hydrogen production and uses, like how to fuel up hydrogen-powered vehicles. It is the only facility of its kind and
  
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• Seniors see higher fall, concussion rates in winter

  19-12-2024 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— Central Texas may not get the most snow, but winter still brings dangers, especially for older adults. Grandma's simple slip and fall on a patch of ice could land her in the hospital."We do see higher rates of concussions in people that are older, particularly over the age of 65," said Dr. Chris Davlantes, senior medical director at healthcare company Abbott. "In fact, falls account for over half of the concussions that we see in the emergency room." MORE SENIOR HEALTH: Nati
  
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