Austin news

• Tiny colorful flags spotted along MoPac near Braker Lane — what do they mean?

  24-12-2024 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A stretch of MoPac in north Austin is about to get a lot more scenic.
  Drivers may have noticed hundreds of tiny colorful flags dotting a dirt patch along the expressway near Braker Lane. The Texas Department of Transportation told KXAN Tuesday these flags are tied to a landscaping project.
  TxDOT said it's planting "a variety of native perennials, shrubs, and trees around and between the retaining walls," which will "significantly reduce mowing and stabilize the slope."
  The
  
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• TXDOT reminds drivers to not drink and drive during holiday season

  24-12-2024 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Department of Transportation launched a campaign this year to remind drivers of the dangers of drinking and driving after an uptick in alcohol-related traffic deaths last holiday season.
  According to the agency, one in every four traffic deaths is caused by a drunk driver, but during the holiday season that ratio ticks up to 28%. The issue is impacting thousands of Texas families like Yolanda Carson.
  Carson's daughter, Jade Jiles, was hit and killed by a drunk drive
  
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• Pro baseball player helps Round Rock family's recovery after devastating fire

  24-12-2024 21:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Mendez family recently lost their first home in Round Rock to a house fire. They lost a lot of their belongings and two of their three pets in the flames. But their path to recovery has been made easier thanks to help from their community and a donation from a Washington Nationals prospect.
  Travis Sykora, a Round Rock native and graduate of Round Rock High School, plays for the Fredericksburg Nationals, the Minor League, Single-A affiliate team of the Washington Nationals. H
  
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• Central Texas organization expands EMS training across the state

  24-12-2024 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- A new Central Texas organization is focused on getting more emergency medics out on the streets and responding to calls.Texas Rescue Med travels to different parts of the state and provides life-saving training."They learn everything that's required by the national curriculum. Our goal is to make sure that they are a fully functioning EMT that can step on an ambulance tomorrow and actually go to work," said Texas Rescue Med Owner Dan Kramer.Texas Rescue Med's goal in the future
  
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• Downtown homelessness pilot program expanding, receiving city funding

  24-12-2024 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A pilot program aimed at both improving safety on Sixth Street and connecting people experiencing homelessness with necessary resources is expanding.The Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) launched the HEART initiative in February. HEART stands for "Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team." The program involves outreach teams with Urban Alchemy who walk the streets trying to connect people experiencing homelessness with shelters and other such resources."People who work this pro
  
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• US House members want answers on Texas’ decision to not review maternal deaths after near-total abortion ban

  24-12-2024 18:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Members of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability are asking Texas’ maternal mortality committee to brief them on the controversial decision to not review pregnancy and childbirth-related deaths from the first two years after the state banned nearly all abortions.The maternal mortality committee announced in September that it would not review deaths from 2022 and 2023, instead jumping ahead to 2024. At a recent meeting, committee chair and H
  
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• New Texas laws taking effect in 2025

  24-12-2024 18:28 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – While communities across the state of Texas gear up to celebrate the new year, they should also be aware of a few new state laws taking effect as soon as the ball drops for 2025.The 88th Texas Legislature sent more than 1,095 laws into immediate effect during 2023 and about 55 others went into effect during 2024, but several others are set to go into effect in 2025.
  These laws cover subjects such as vehicle safety inspections, property taxes and data privacy,
  
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• Moody Center named as top-grossing venue for its size in Billboard ranking

  24-12-2024 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's Moody Center was named the top-grossing arena of its size in Billboard's 2024 year-end venues ranking, the venue announced on social media.The center also received the honor in 2022 — its first year open — for venues between 10,001 and 15,000 seats. RELATED: How Austin became the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’The venue hosted an array of performers in 2024 including Usher, Vampire Weekend, Mariah Carey, Peso Pluma, Megan Thee Stallion, P!NK, B
  
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• Chick-fil-A planning first southeast Austin restaurant

  24-12-2024 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Chick-fil-A has plans to expand its restaurants to southeast Austin.State permitting records show Chick-fil-A plans to build a restaurant at 7300 Mckinney Falls Pkwy., near William Cannon Drive, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
  Construction estimates, which are subject to change, show construction will start in May and finish in November. The new restaurant is expected to cost $2.5 million to build.Chick-fil-A has more than a dozen locations in Cent
  
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• Where is Santa? How to track his Christmas 2024 journey

  24-12-2024 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — The stockings have been hung by the chimney with care, and St. Nicholas will soon be there. Unlike Christmases of yore, you no longer have to listen for a clatter on your lawn to know Santa Claus has arrived — there's a tracker for that.
  The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is again tracking Santa and his eight tiny reindeer as they make their trek around the world this Christmas.The organization — a joint effort between the U.S. and Canada &mdash
  
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• End-of-year wrap on Austin-area road, highway projects

  24-12-2024 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As 2024 comes to a close, we want to update you on a few significant road and highway projects underway in the Austin area — what crews are doing, how projects are coming along and what's next.138A Phase ThreeIn Williamson County, northwest of Austin, you'll find the 138A Phase Three project, which is wrapping up soon. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is constructing two tolled lanes in each direction between Hero Way in Leander to just north of Highway 2
  
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• Austin mother receives sentence related to 6-year-old's death in 2021

  24-12-2024 15:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin mother was sentenced to 10 years deferred adjudication on Dec. 17 in connection with 6-year-old Stavian Driver's death due to severe burns from boiling water in 2021.In Texas, deferred adjudication is a type of probation granted by a judge that allows the person sentenced to keep the conviction off their criminal record as long as they follow the conditions set by the court.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin mother, boyfriend charged after 6-year-old dies due to severe burns fr
  
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• How to properly dispose of your holiday waste

  24-12-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People produce more waste during the holiday season, according to conservation experts. This year, while you take time to enjoy the company of friends and family, here are some ways you can reduce and repurpose waste.The City of Austin has set a goal to reach zero waste by 2040, lowering the number of trash it sends to landfills around Austin by 90%.
  Texas Disposal Systems is one entity in Central Texas striving to help reach this goal. TDS Sustainability Supervisor Greg Be
  
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• 'I wish I would have discovered him': Sarkisian praises versatile Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo

  24-12-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is preparing his team to play against "a monster" Jan. 1 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.Frankenstein? No. Swamp Thing? Wrong again. Bigfoot? Both have facial hair, but again, no. Will Texas’ offensive line be at full strength for the Peach Bowl?It's Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, a human battering ram with surprisingly nimble feet who has helped the Sun Devils to new heights as fi
  
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• American Airlines 'technical issue' resolved after temporary ground stop on Christmas Eve

  24-12-2024 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- American Airlines experienced delays on the morning of Christmas Eve due to what the airline called a "technical issue" that impacted systems needed to release flights. The issue was resolved after the airline experienced a temporary ground stop.
  The Fort Worth-based international airline posted on X at 5:37 a.m. that it was "currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights." The post was in response to a passenger reporting their plane, headed from St
  
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• American Airlines experiencing 'technical issue' with all flights on Christmas Eve

  24-12-2024 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- American Airlines is reportedly experiencing delays on the morning of Christmas Eve due to what the airline called a "technical issue."The Fort Worth-based international airline posted on X at 5:37 a.m. that it was "currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights." The post was in response to a passenger reporting their plane, headed from St. Louis to Miami, was delayed.
  The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for all American Airline
  
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• American Airlines experiences 'technical issue' with all flights on Christmas Eve

  24-12-2024 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- American Airlines reportedly experienced delays on the morning of Christmas Eve due to what the airline called a "technical issue."The Fort Worth-based international airline posted on X at 5:37 a.m. that it was "currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights." The post was in response to a passenger reporting their plane, headed from St. Louis to Miami, was delayed.
  In another reply, the airline said, "Our team is currently working to get this done.
  
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• Shop local this holiday? Here are ways Austin supports those businesses year-round

  24-12-2024 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you were scrambling to find last minute holiday gifts Monday and found yourself shopping local, 70 cents out of every dollar you spent will go back into our local economy, according to Austin's Economic Development Department.Blue Suede on South 1st Street is one of those local, small businesses that says it was benefiting from holiday shopping. The shop was started by a pair of best friends who love wine and shoes and sell those very things."We've been hosting a lot of event
  
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• Man sentenced to 45 years in connection to 2023 road rage murder

  24-12-2024 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- A man was sentenced on Dec. 13 in connection to a Jan. 2023 road rage incident.RELATED: APD investigating homicide on East Stassney LaneAccording to Travis County court documents, 21-year-old Manolo Gonzalez was convicted by a jury of murder and sentenced to serve 45 years in state prison.Documents said he pleaded not guilty to the charge related to the Jan. 6, 2023, death of 24-year-old Elizabeth Lopez.RELATED: APD says woman in south Austin homicide may be victim of road rageTo
  
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• Lighting of the Menorah in Fredericksburg symbolizing start of Hanukkah

  24-12-2024 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- December 25 marks the first night of Hanukkah, the 8-day Jewish festival celebrating freedom from oppression. Also known as the festival of lights, a candle is lit each night on the menorah.In the City of Fredericksburg, the community is invited to participate in lighting the Menorah, traditional sufganiyot, and other festivities to celebrate nights one and two of Hanukkah.Rabbi Yossi Marrus, Executive Director of Chabad of Boerne, told KXAN he feels world events should bring Je
  
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