Austin news

• Rent prices drop more than 12% in Austin

  27-12-2024 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For those looking for a new place to live, right now may be a good time to find a deal on an apartment.Recent analysis from Redfin showed that Austin had the biggest drop year over year in rent prices. As of November, the median asking rent price in Austin is just over $1,400. That's down more than 12% since November 2023.KXAN's Will DuPree spoke with Cindi Reed with the real estate software company MRI Software.Read a transcription of the interview below or watch in the video p
  
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• Badly injured bald eagle recovering in the care of Austin Wildlife Rescue

  27-12-2024 22:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bald eagle is on the road to recovery after it was found in bad shape in a field near Smithville, Texas.
  Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR) took the bald eagle under its wing on Dec. 15 after Texas Parks and Wildlife delivered the bird to its facility. When it arrived, the rescue said it had a fractured wing and a large open wound.
  AWR Executive Director Jules Maron suspects it was attacked by another bald eagle based on the injuries.
  Those injuries will need months of intensiv
  
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• 'Really sad': Friend of Austin man killed days before Christmas hopes for justice

  27-12-2024 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As police continue to investigate the death of Mario Damian-Rayas, who was shot and killed on Dec. 21 outside of his southeast Austin apartment, the victim's friend is trying to help Damian-Rayas' family get his body back to Mexico.Homicide victim Mario Damian-Rayas. (Courtesy: Ulises Castro)
  "Really sad, really shocking," said Ulises Castro, who said Damian-Rayas was his best friend of 12 years. "He was a really nice guy, he was never involved in drugs or anything where people
  
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• Georgetown ISD adding new schools as city grows

  27-12-2024 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Georgetown is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, and with all that growth, the city is planning ahead."We have to plan for the future," said Georgetown Independent School District Superintendent Devin Padavil.As more people move to the city, which is about 30 miles north of Austin, some are bringing their kids or plan on starting a family. Past Coverage | Georgetown ISD proposes new attendance zones to keep up with growthPadavil says preparing
  
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• The year in review: Influential people who died in 2024

  27-12-2024 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  It was a murder case almost everyone had an opinion on. O.J. Simpson 's “trial of the century” over the 1994 killings of his ex-wife and her friend bared divisions over race and law enforcement in America and brought an intersection of sports, crime, entertainment and class that was hard to turn away from.
  In a controversial verdict, the football star-turned-actor was acquitted in the criminal trial but later found civilly liable in the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldm
  
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• Travis County Tax Office says they've seen uptick in property tax checks stolen out of mail

  27-12-2024 17:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County Tax Office is recommending people pay their property tax bill online instead of depositing a check in the mail this winter. One of the reasons? Mail theft."We would encourage people to pay online by e-check so they get an immediate receipt," said Bruce Elfant, the outgoing Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar. "Over the past several years we've seen more property tax checks stolen out of the mail."Average property tax bill in Travis County e
  
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• Why Bevo cannot attend Texas vs. Arizona State Peach Bowl game

  27-12-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Peach Bowl is on New Year’s Day in Atlanta, and Texas is playing Arizona State in the college football playoff game. But the big question is—What about Bevo? Will he be there? Will Texas’ offensive line be at full strength for the Peach Bowl?Peach Bowl President and CEO Gary Stokan said he keeps getting asked why the beloved, real-life mascot has been banned from the Texas vs. Arizona State bowl game.“When I was at the game on Saturday, the secur
  
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• Toll roads in Austin: A breakdown of who owns what

  27-12-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Commuters in and around the Austin area have likely encountered their fair share of toll roads. They are a common staple here in Central Texas, with 10 toll roads primarily overseen by two operators: the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).Here's a breakdown of where those toll roads are and who's responsible for their operations and maintenance.Central Texas Regional Mobility AuthorityCTRMA has six toll roads curr
  
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• Florida woman arrested after allegedly breaking in, stabbing person over pizza delivery tip

  27-12-2024 04:02 via kxan.com
  
  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (WFLA) – A 22-year-old woman from Florida was arrested on Monday after allegedly breaking into a motel and stabbing someone over a tip she received while delivering pizza, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said.Deputies responded to reports of a home invasion and stabbing at the Riviera Motel located in Kissimmee on Sunday. Upon arrival, deputies found a victim with multiple stab wounds, according to the sheriff's office.The victim was transported to the hospital, and is
  
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• Ohio corrections officer killed by inmate on Christmas morning: 'Tragedy beyond comprehension'

  27-12-2024 03:56 via kxan.com
  
  CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) – A corrections officer in Ohio was killed on Christmas morning by an inmate at a facility in Ross County, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced Wednesday.Officer Andrew Lansing died Wednesday morning after being assaulted by an inmate at the Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe.Bill Clinton discharged after hospitalizationLansing, 62, had been a corrections officer in Ohio for more than two decades, Nexstar's WCMH reported. The Ohi
  
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• 'Family dispute' at Phoenix airport leaves 3 people shot, 1 stabbed

  27-12-2024 03:52 via kxan.com
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — Authorities are investigating a Christmas shooting at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix that left three people injured by gunfire and another person stabbed. Police said the incident was related to a family dispute.Phoenix police said the evening shooting happened at around 9:45 p.m. at an airport restaurant that is outside the security checkpoints in Terminal 4.An adult female and two adult males were shot, leaving the female with injuries police describe as life-threatening. T
  
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• Why is it hard to identify drones?

  27-12-2024 03:47 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Drones have been spotted for more than a month in multiple states.
  Although the number of sightings around the United States has dropped recently, and the FBI has dismissed many of the 5,000 reported as manned aircraft, the agency told reporters there are still more than 100 sightings that need to be investigated.
  Concern grew after a large number of drones began flying over sensitive military sites in New Jersey in mid-November. White House and Pentagon officials have
  
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• Retailers, chains that announced closures in 2024

  27-12-2024 03:41 via kxan.com
  
  CLEVELAND (WJW) – It was another tough year for restaurants and traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Several national chains announced closures and bankruptcies in 2024 – not to mention the local small businesses that quietly shuttered around the country.Stores ranging from Advance Auto Parts, to JOANN Inc., have announced closures as well as restaurants, including Red Lobster and Wendy's.Retail closures were up 69% in 2024 when compared to last year, according to Coresight d
  
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• 'Wicked' stars announce movie's digital release date: 'Sing your heart out'

  27-12-2024 03:37 via kxan.com
  
  (WGN) – Can't wait for "Wicked" to work its way to the VOD market? The release date may defy expectations — coming a lot sooner than fans may have expected."Wicked," the mega musical movie of the season, will be available for digital purchase or rental on December 31. A future ‘SNL’ star was almost cast in ‘Home Alone,’ but he blew his auditionUniversal Pictures, as well as the movie's stars, made the announcement Thursday online and on Instagram."Invite all y
  
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• Amazon driver dumped 80 packages in the woods, told police they were 'stressed'

  27-12-2024 03:09 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEVILLE, Mass. (WJW) -- An Amazon driver who reportedly dumped dozens of packages in the Massachusetts woods told police they did it because they were stressed.
  According to a post on the website for the police in Lakeville, Sgt. Shawn Robert was on a routine patrol around 2 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 when he noticed the items in a wooded area. A closer look revealed "three large totes" of Amazon packages that had been spread out in the woods. ‘Nosferatu’ review: Robert Eggers’ vam
  
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• Virginia hospital stops NICU admissions after babies found with 'unexplainable fractures'

  27-12-2024 03:02 via kxan.com
  
  HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A hospital in Virginia has announced that it will no longer admit any babies into its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after several babies were found with "unexplainable fractures."According to Henrico Doctors' Hospital, in late November and December, the hospital discovered that three babies in its Henrico Doctors' Hospital NICU had unexplained fractures, similar to an incident involving four babies in the summer 2023. ‘Babygirl’ review: Nicole Kidm
  
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• JonBenét Ramsey’s father to meet with police, urge new DNA tech

  27-12-2024 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — The Boulder Police Department says it plans to use new DNA technology in hopes of solving the killing of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey in 1996.Ramsey’s body was found 28 years ago in her family’s Boulder home. Now, her father is planning to meet once again with local police to discuss new DNA testing technology that may hopefully fill in the forensic gaps and bring closure to the Ramsey family.“They have the ability to separate DNA — mixed DNA sam
  
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• Woman, child dead after Christmas Eve fire in Driftwood

  27-12-2024 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed a woman and young child died following a fire that occurred in Driftwood during the morning hours of Christmas Eve.The Fire Marshal said 911 dispatch got a call regarding a shed or barn fire in the 700 block of South Creekwood Drive. Fire crews responded and later found two victims during fire suppression efforts.According to officials, the victims were found in an apartment inside the horse barn
  
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• Texas lawmaker files bill to regulate artificial intelligence

  27-12-2024 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- A Texas lawmaker proposed a bill that would regulate artificial intelligence in the state.State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) filed House Bill 1709 for the upcoming legislative session.According to a press release, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA) would "establish a comprehensive framework for the ethical development, deployment, and oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within Texas." KXAN’s approach to AIPr
  
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