Austin news

• North Austin church providing overnight shelter amid freezing temperatures

  07-01-2025 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A north Austin church is opening its doors to people experiencing homelessness overnight as temperatures drop to dangerous levels in Austin. They started Monday night and will continue through Thursday night.St. Mark United Methodist Church is working with some of its neighbors and Austin Mutual Aid to make the overnight shelter happen. Austin Mutual Aid already does extreme weather support, outreach and transport."We have so many unhoused neighbors and neighbors that are strugg
  
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• Could no more annual inspections for most vehicles in Texas lead to higher insurance rates?

  07-01-2025 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—Effective on Jan. 1, commercial vehicles no longer have to undergo an inspection before getting a vehicle registered.House Bill 3297 passed during the 88th Texas Legislative Session, which eliminated most mandatory vehicle inspections.Emissions tests will still be required. But some are leery about possible unintended consequences.Emery Williams with Austin's Automotive Specialists walks KXAN through emissions testing process. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).
  "What people do ne
  
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• Researchers find only .1% of US minors receive gender affirming care

  07-01-2025 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Gender-affirming care was rarely provided to minors from 2018 through 2022, according to new research out of Harvard University. Researchers from the university and  FOLX Health, an LGBTQIA+ healthcare service provider, analyzed private insurance claims from those five years, which represented more than five million patients ages 8 to 17. They found that puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones were seldom prescribed – to around one and 1,000 adolescen
  
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• Austin awarded $15M for 200+ EV charging ports

  07-01-2025 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy received a $15 million federal investment to add electric vehicle charging ports throughout the city, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) shared in a Tuesday announcement.The dollars will go toward publicly accessible charging resources within neighborhoods, community centers, public schools and other sites across Austin. The funding came courtesy the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Doggett confirmed in the release.The funding comes as city officials contin
  
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• Trump muses about renaming Gulf of Mexico 'Gulf of America'

  07-01-2025 22:22 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - President-elect Trump on Tuesday told reporters he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America as he bemoaned that Mexico was taking advantage of the United States on trade and immigration."We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America," Trump said. "What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country."Trump made the co
  
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• Austin selects delivery partner to lead light rail construction

  07-01-2025 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Infrastructure firm AECOM will work with the Austin Transit Partnership to construct and deliver the first phase of light rail in Austin, the firm announced in late December.ATP selected AECOM to serve as its construction delivery partner. The firm will help oversee and initiate the first phase of light rail, working on environmental services, design management, rail activation and operational readiness, per AECOM's announcement. The first phase of light rail is a 9.8-mile
  
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• Water utility says preparations are in place following 2021 winter storm

  07-01-2025 21:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As this week's frigid temperatures wrap their cold boney fingers around Central Texas, many locals are worried about one thing: water.During the winter storm in 2021, Austin Water reported 381 water line repairs, 1,500 customers requested an emergency water shut off following a burst pipe and 1,200 work orders were completed in just 10 days."It's very scary, I have a family of five so it feels a little nerve wracking to have to deal with this," said Jill Price, an Austin residen
  
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• State emergency response resources activated ahead of winter weather closing in on Texas

  07-01-2025 21:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of severe winter weather expected to impact the state this week.Abbott's office said the National Weather Service expects temperatures at or below freezing across large areas of the state this week. Some areas may face disruptive snow, ice and freezing rain.According to KXAN meteorologists, rain and a few thunderstorms will arrive from t
  
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• CapMetro Pickup expands to Decker Lane, Colony Park next week

  07-01-2025 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro's newest Pickup zone will launch next week, bringing expanded services to the northeast Austin areas near Decker Lane and Colony Park.On Jan. 13, CapMetro will begin service to the Decker Pickup zone, bordered by Springdale Road to the west, U.S. Highway 290 to the north, Decker Lane to the east and East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard down south. Those operations will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, per CapMetro document
  
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• Austin's Glen Powell look alike winner attends Golden Globes red carpet

  07-01-2025 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Glen Powell fans were seeing double at the Golden Globes Sunday, as the Austin native and Golden Globes nominee joined his Lone Star doppelgänger on the red carpet.Austin resident Kate Carpenter hosted a Glen Powell look alike competition at Auditorium Shores in downtown Austin in late November. Powell's mother, Cyndy, served as one of the event's judges, and physician's assistant Maxwell Braunstein was crowned its winner.PAST COVERAGE: Austin native Glen Powell to sta
  
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• UT President Jay Hartzell to step down, lead Southern Methodist University

  07-01-2025 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After spending more than two decades at The University of Texas at Austin, UT President Dr. Jay Hartzell will now serve as the next president of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, SMU announced Tuesday.Hartzell will officially take over as SMU's president on June 1, following approval by SMU's board of trustees Tuesday. The announcement comes after Hartzell has spent 23 years as a UT faculty member, joining the university in 2001, per SMU's announcement.The University
  
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• Cotton Bowl travel forecast

  07-01-2025 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thursday is the day Central Texas faces its day of rain and, perhaps for some, a wintry mix. The local forecast calls for mainly rain but KXAN meteorologists are not ruling out the potential for freezing rain or freezing drizzle or sleet in some of the area, primarily in the Hill Country.This forecast is based on the current data being analyzed. Precipitation looks to begin on Wednesday nigh
  
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• Cotton Bowl Classic travel forecast

  07-01-2025 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thursday is the day Central Texas faces its day of rain and, perhaps for some, a wintry mix. The local forecast calls for mainly rain but KXAN meteorologists are not ruling out the potential for freezing rain or freezing drizzle or sleet in some of the area, primarily in the Hill Country. NEXT: First Warning Weather forecastThis forecast is based on the current data being analyzed. Precipita
  
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• Comparing this week's wintry mix to previous storms

  07-01-2025 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the potential for a wintry mix for at least part of Central Texas, we thought it would be worth looking back on previous haunting storms to give you some level of comparison.Snowmageddon 2021
  Wintry weather period: Feb. 11-18144 consecutive hours below freezing in Austin6.4" snow at Camp MabryWind Chill WarningColdest low temperature in Austin: seven degreesColdest high temperature in Austin: 25 degreesERCOT grid near-failure with most losing power
  Ice Storm 2023
  Jan. 30-Fe
  
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• You think it's cold? The winter storm is nothing compared to these icy worlds

  07-01-2025 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, TX (KXAN) -- Crippling cold weather is moving across the country, dropping temperatures to 16 degrees below zero in places like Forest Center, Montana, and 30 degrees in Austin.An illustration of planets in our solar system showing their mean temperatures. Planets and dwarf planet Pluto are not to scale.(Credit: NASA)Compared to other worlds, these low-freezing temperatures are actually kind of pathetic. In our solar system alone, Earth is one of only three worlds that sees temperatures
  
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• Widespread cold rain, spotty wintry mix late week

  07-01-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures remain far below normal this week as all eyes remain on an approaching winter storm, expected to bring impacts to our area Thursday. Winter weather preps discussed at public safety meetingToday should be similar to Monday with mostly sunny skies, a few high clouds and temperatures in the mid to upper 40s. There are no wintry weather concerns today.WednesdayRecent data shows a slightly slower approach to our next winter storm which will likely keep most of Wednesday
  
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• Thursday storm brings soaking rain and limited icing

  07-01-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After yet another widespread freeze, we've seen sunshine along with scattered clouds warm us only into the middle and upper 40s today.Despite a gradual increase in clouds tonight, there will be enough clear sky to allow for another widespread freeze by Wednesday morning. Winter weather preps discussed at public safety meetingWednesdayWednesday looks mostly cloudy and dry with the exception being a few flurries or sprinkles that won't cause any issues. Temperatures have trended s
  
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• Closing in on rain and, for some, a wintry mix

  07-01-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned sunny for much of the area. The sunrise temperatures will mostly in the 20sbut with not much of a wind chill. The wind speeds were much lower this morning than Monday morning.
  Lows included 24° at Austin-Bergstrom (13° below normal) and 30° at Camp Mabry (11° below).This afternoon will be sunny with a few thin cirrus clouds in some areas. Most all high temperatures will rise to the middle to upper 40s. Winter weather preps discussed at public safet
  
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• Austin FC makes big splash in adding to roster

  07-01-2025 04:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - After a disappointing 2024 campaign, Austin FC won't look the same in 2025. Management decided changes needed to be made to the staff and roster.Josh Wolff, the first manager in club history, is out and Nico Estévez is in. The Verde and Black announced a major addition to the roster Monday.The club announced the acquisition of Brandon Vazquez who will occupy a Designated Player slot. Vazquez joins Austin FC via CF Monterrey of Liga MX.The 26-year-old forward spent the firs
  
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• Nonprofit takes emergency kits to homeless community during freeze

  07-01-2025 03:50 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- Cities throughout Central Texas began preparing to handle what the possible wintry weather will bring this week. H.O.M.E Center took matters into its own hands and passed out emergency kits to the unhoused community in San Marcos."We'll be out tonight on the streets looking for individuals who are unhoused. We'll hand them bags. We received a donation of bags from the Red Cross that already had some emergency supplies in them," said H.O.M.E Center Director Hannah Dur
  
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• Winter weather preps, communication discussed at public safety meeting

  07-01-2025 02:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Freezing or near-freezing temperatures are expected all week, and on Monday, the city's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HESM) addressed winter preparedness at the monthly Public Safety Commission Meeting.
  The 15-page presentation addressed preps, activation triggers, alert systems and streamlined operations regarding getting important information out to the public. Austin to open cold-weather shelters Sunday through ThursdayThe meeting began with addressing
  
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• Ewers facing program he reclassified to join in CFP semifinals at Cotton Bowl Classic

  07-01-2025 01:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day offered Quinn Ewers a scholarship when Ewers was in eighth grade, not sure if it was legal, after seeing him at a camp on campus as a "boy who just had a tremendous release." From there, a wild path began.With the prospects and profits of name, image and likeness emerging and a hype train fueled by recruiting rankings and social media, Ewers decided to graduate from Southlake Carroll High School a year early. He skipped his senior season as qu
  
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• First US bird flu death reported in Louisiana, health officials say

  07-01-2025 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  BATON ROUGE, La. (WVLA) — The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirmed the first U.S. human death from bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1.
  The patient, who has not been identified, was over the age of 65 and had underlying health conditions. Health officials previously confirmed the person had contracted the virus after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.The individual had been hospitalized before their d
  
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• Travis County to host spay/neuter clinic Jan. 8-12

  07-01-2025 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County and the city of Austin have partnered with Greater Good Charities to host a free spay and neuter clinic for dogs and cats. The clinic will be held at the Travis County Expo Center at 7311 Decker Lane from Jan. 8-12.Appointments will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration and pet drop-off will begin at 7:30 a.m. each day and continue until 10:00 a.m. or when appointments fill up. There is no limit on the number of pets for each person, cou
  
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• Lakeway Police warn against 'virtual kidnapping scam'

  07-01-2025 00:05 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Lakeway Police Department on Monday warned the public about a "virtual kidnapping scam" that exploits a parent's fear for their child's safety.
  LPD said it came to their attention when they got a call about a parent's daughter who had been kidnapped and the scam caller was attempting to meet at a Walmart or Target in the area.The scam caller then suggested they had obtained some information about the parent and their family. LPD said officers were able to determine t
  
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• Abbott appoints new chief justice to Supreme Court of Texas

  07-01-2025 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Justice Jimmy Blacklock to serve as chief justice on the Supreme Court of Texas, the governor's office announced Monday.Blacklock's term as chief justice runs through Dec. 31, 2026. Alongside his chief justice selection, Abbott also appointed James P. Sullivan to serve as a justice on the state's highest court.Justice Jimmy Blacklock has been selected as the 28th chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. (Courtesy Supreme Court of Texas)A Houston na
  
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