Austin news

• 'Need to do something now': President of AFA warns Austin could experience fires similar to LA

  14-01-2025 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks has a stark warning for Austin leaders and residents: What you're seeing play out in Los Angeles, is not out of the question for our city.
  "I think that they [Austinites] should internalize that what we see in LA...could happen to a large degree here in Austin, in the right conditions, and most conditions exist today," Nicks said.Nicks pointed to Austin's topography, specifically in northwest and west Austin where fuel loads ar
  
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• First Warning: Wintry mix may follow arctic blast

  14-01-2025 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The First Warning Weather Team continues to track even colder air arriving into Central Texas that will bring several nighttime freezes and days where temperatures may struggle to rise above freezing.Our arctic cold front is looking to arrive earlier on Saturday now as more data points to colder temperatures this weekend.Colder temperaturesOur highest confidence continues to revolve around the much colder temperatures. Morning temperatures in the 50s on Saturday will start
  
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• First Warning: Odds leaning toward snow next week

  14-01-2025 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The First Warning Weather Team continues to watch both the arrival of arctic air this weekend followed by the chance for some wintry precipitation early next week.Our arctic cold front is on track to arrive Saturday morning, but the much colder air won't arrive until Sunday morning.Colder temperaturesOur highest confidence continues to revolve around the much colder temperatures.Sub-freezing mornings begin Sunday morning and continue through Wednesday or Thursday morning. W
  
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• First Warning: Even colder air brings wintry mix chance

  14-01-2025 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We're fresh off our most recent round of cold that brought lows in the 20s and highs in the upper 30s and low 40s to Central Texas.The First Warning Weather Team is tracking even colder air than that due to arrive later this weekend with the biggest impacts possible on Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and Tuesday of next week.Colder temperaturesRight now our highest confidence is with the colder air. Morning temperatures in the 50s and 60s on Saturday will turn much cold
  
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• First Warning: Colder first, then light wintry mix possible

  14-01-2025 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The First Warning Weather Team continues to track even colder air arriving into Central Texas that will bring several nighttime freezes and days where high temperatures may not get out of the 30s.Our arctic cold front is on track to arrive Saturday morning, but the much colder air won't arrive until Saturday night.Colder temperaturesOur highest confidence continues to revolve around the much colder temperatures.Much colder than normal temperatures arrive early next week
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• Foxtrot reopening shop in Dallas after nationwide closures

  14-01-2025 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After closing its stores in 2024, Foxtrot Market is reopening a few locations, including one in Texas.
  Foxtrot abruptly closed its coffee shops nationwide in April, which included four Austin locations on Burnet Road, Guadalupe Street, West Second Street and South First Street. The company also had locations in Chicago, Dallas and Washington D.C.The company announced Tuesday it would reopen one Dallas location in the Knox Henderson area Friday. "See you on Friday, Knox St!"
  
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• East Austin thrift shop raising money to help relocate after lease ends

  14-01-2025 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An east Austin thrift shop is asking for community help to fund its relocation after over a decade on East Seventh Street.Treasure City Thrift, a nonprofit-run thrift store, is moving from its current space after its current lease will not be renewed due to redevelopment, said Alma Libre with Treasure City Thrift. Its current lease ends in March."We're just trying to accommodate and adapt to the situation, and we definitely want to keep Treasure City open," Libre said.Treas
  
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• Texas lawmakers sworn in for 89th legislative session

  14-01-2025 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The House of Representatives was busting at the seams Tuesday afternoon as all 150 lawmakersand their families crowded in for the ceremonial swearing-in of the 89th legislative session.
  It was a brief moment of celebration with loved ones after members were sworn in before the chamber floor was cleared and the Texas lawmakers got to business. The biggest vote of the day is picking the next Speaker of the House.
  State Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, D - Richardso
  
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• Dustin Burrows voted as next Texas House Speaker after second vote

  14-01-2025 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, was voted as next Texas House Speaker after a runoff on Tuesday as the 89th legislative session kicked off Tuesday.State Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, D - Richardson, State Rep. David Cook, R - Mansfield, and State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R - Lubbock, were all nominated for the position by their colleagues.Several members spoke to the chamber in favor of all three nominees. Each nominee is allowed to have three speeches each in fav
  
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• Dustin Burrows voted as next Texas House Speaker after runoff

  14-01-2025 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, was voted as next Texas House Speaker after a runoff on Tuesday as the 89th legislative session kicked off Tuesday.State Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, D - Richardson, State Rep. David Cook, R - Mansfield, and State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R - Lubbock, were all nominated for the position by their colleagues.Several members spoke to the chamber in favor of all three nominees. Each nominee is allowed to have three speeches each in fav
  
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• Austin's new pro women's volleyball team gears up for first home game

  14-01-2025 21:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's newest professional sports team is set to play its first home game of the season on Wednesday.LOVB Austin Volleyball is a part of the new professional women's indoor volleyball league, LOVB Pro, which started its inaugural season last week. League One Volleyball (LOVB), the organization that formed the league, was founded in 2020.The league currently consists of a total of six teams located Houston, Salt Lake, Atlanta, Madison and Austin.LOVB Austin has played
  
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• Blanton Museum sees record attendance in 2024, despite half of US museums reporting low numbers

  14-01-2025 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's Blanton Museum of Art welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors in 2024, contrasting a struggle that nearly half of all museums in the country are facing.
  According to a release from the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin, the museum welcomed 260,899 visitors during the 2024 calendar year. That number exceeds numbers seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, something many other museums across the country are struggling to bounce back from.
  A rece
  
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• Texas' first woman engineer honored with new historical marker in Bastrop

  14-01-2025 20:15 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- Texas' first woman engineer was honored in her hometown of Bastrop on Monday.
  Leah Moncure was the first woman in Texas to earn a professional engineering license. She went on to work for TxDOT for 32 years. (Photo courtesy: TxDOT)Leah Moncure made history in 1938 by becoming the first woman in Texas to earn a professional engineering license.
  She went on to work for the Texas Highway Department -- now called the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) -- for 32 years
  
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• More native plants coming to popular Austin trail

  14-01-2025 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A popular trail in downtown Austin is about to get a bit greener. The Trail Conservancy will introduce more native plant species to the Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. The Trail Conservancy is an organization solely dedicated to protecting and improving the 10-mile trail.The new plants coming to the trail include big bluestem, Turk's cap, Gregg's mistflower and the Texas lantana.Goats return to Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail"We're planting native grasses a
  
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• Thomas Rhett, Megan Moroney part of iHeartCountry Festival lineup at Moody Center

  14-01-2025 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2025 iHeartCountry Festival is returning to Austin's Moody Center this spring, and the lineup has just been released.
  The festival happens on Saturday, May 3, and will include performances from Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith, according to an announcement from iHeartMedia.
  The festival will be hosted by iHeartMedia's top on-air country personality Bobby Bones. A couple of a
  
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• Costco store planned in Liberty Hill

  14-01-2025 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County shoppers may have a new place to buy bulk groceries and $1.50 hot dogs.
  A new Costco Wholesale store is in the works in Liberty Hill, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project plans filed Monday. The store will be at the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and Seward Junction Loop, which is south of State Highway 29.The estimated $62.6 million store will span about 160,000 square feet. In addition to the store, a fuel faci
  
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• 36-year-old man identified as victim in Austin's 1st fatal crash of 2025

  14-01-2025 15:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin police identified the person who died in the city's first fatal crash of 2025.
  The Austin Police Department responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 11800 block of Research Boulevard shortly before 1 a.m. on Jan. 10.PREVIOUS: Man dies in single-vehicle crash on Research Boulevard at Duval RoadAPD said a man hit a barrier in the area and was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. APD identified him as Anthony David Jones, 36.
  This incident is being investi
  
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• Eminent Domain: 100-year-old pipeline deal disrupts Round Rock neighborhood

  14-01-2025 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK (KXAN) — The grassy lot behind Orlena Mehrabian's home has looked more like a construction site than a rural landscape since work on an Atmos Energy pipeline started last year. She says the project and the outdated deal it's based on have unearthed new concerns about landowners' rights."I've been living here almost 30 years, and that's when they came out here. And they just showed up one day out of the blue," Mehrabian said.Mehrabian said the first visit from Atmos crews happene
  
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• Los Angeles price gouging is 'inhumane': Real estate agent

  14-01-2025 13:56 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Officials are warning landlords in the Los Angeles area against price gouging, which is prohibited in California during a state of emergency.Nikko Santo Pietro, Los Angeles real estate agent and son of "Wheel of Fortune’s" Vanna White, said the supply of housing is “so limited” and that he can only imagine what the fires will continue to do to prices across Los Angeles County.  California law prohibits raising the cost of goods and services over 1
  
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• Electrical tower eyed as possible cause of deadly Eaton Fire in Los Angeles area: reports

  14-01-2025 13:54 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — An electrical tower in Eaton Canyon is being investigated as the possible origin of the deadly fire that shares its name.According to the Los Angeles Times, investigators from CalFire are looking at an electrical transmission tower where the first flames from the Eaton Fire were reportedly spotted."Video and images from four residents and obtained by The Times appeared to show that before the Eaton fire exploded ... the first flames of the fire burned behind Pasadena h
  
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• What to make of the final polling of the Biden years

  14-01-2025 12:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video player above features an analysis of the latest Emerson findings on public sentiment at the end of the Biden Administration.
  (NEXSTAR) – On the eve of President Trump's return to the Oval Office, Emerson College Polling conducted a survey to gauge public sentiment on a swath of issues including the popularity of Presidents Joe Biden and Jimmy Carter, the criminal proceedings against former President Trump and the potential expansion of United States territories.
  A
  
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• Poll: Do Americans want more states? Are we on the right track now?

  14-01-2025 12:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: Beginning at 11 a.m. ET, the video player above will feature live analysis of the latest Emerson findings on public sentiment at the end of the Biden Administration.
  (NEXSTAR) – On the eve of President Trump's return to the Oval Office, Emerson College Polling conducted a survey to gauge public sentiment on a swath of issues including the popularity of Presidents Joe Biden and Jimmy Carter, the criminal proceedings against former President Trump and the potential expansion o
  
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• Live: What to make of the final polling of the Biden years

  14-01-2025 12:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video player above features a live analysis of the latest Emerson findings on public sentiment at the end of the Biden Administration.
  (NEXSTAR) – On the eve of President Trump's return to the Oval Office, Emerson College Polling conducted a survey to gauge public sentiment on a swath of issues including the popularity of Presidents Joe Biden and Jimmy Carter, the criminal proceedings against former President Trump and the potential expansion of United States territories
  
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• BBB reports Texans lost $10M in fraudulent report in 2024

  14-01-2025 05:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Better Business Bureau reported on Monday it analyzed over 6,000 "BBB scam tracker" reports by Texans throughout 2024, according to a BBB press release.The analysis revealed Texans reported losing over $10 million to fraud, setting an all-time high since the "BBB scam tracker" was created in 2014.The BBB said that one-third of reports included an average loss of $150, a slightly higher average loss than in 2023.
  The Better Business Bureau reported on Monday, it analyzed over
  
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• Taquitos sold at Aldi recalled after customer complains of 'dental injury': USDA

  14-01-2025 05:20 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Nearly 25,000 pounds of frozen taquitos sold at Aldi have been recalled after complaints that the food item contained pieces of metal, according to a notice published by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).In one case, a consumer claims to have suffered a “dental injury” after biting into a taquito, the notice said. What’s up with Aldi’s ‘trippy’ barcodes?The recall specifically concerns 20-ounce p
  
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• Is Rednote the new TikTok?

  14-01-2025 05:15 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With the U.S. TikTok Ban having an unknown status, users are on the hunt for a new app to log in to.TikTok has become a worldwide phenomenon, welcoming communities, and connecting them in real-time. However, the United States Congress has expressed concern about user-data privacy and is currently in the process of banning the app in the U.S. EXCLUSIVE: Bobby Pulido represents 956 at Houston Texans Halftime showThis new generation of tech users found an ap
  
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• Sheriff calls on wildfire evacuees to be patient amid 'grim' search for bodies

  14-01-2025 05:09 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna asked community members to be patient with local officials, as residents eagerly await permission to return to their homes in southern California, where tens of thousands of acres have been decimated by wildfires in the past week.At a press conference on Monday, Luna said officials are still searching for remains, which he said is a “grim” task that takes time.“We are still, for the Altadena area, we are in the third day
  
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• Mike McCarthy won't return as the Cowboys' coach. Deion Sanders could be a candidate to replace him

  14-01-2025 04:34 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Mike McCarthy will not return as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, who are going on three decades since their last Super Bowl title, owner Jerry Jones said Monday.
  Jones said the organization and McCarthy mutually agreed to part ways. A search for the team's next coach begins immediately, he said.
  “I have great respect for Mike, and he has led the team through some very unique and challenging times during his tenure,” Jones said in a statement.
  McCarthy’s contrac
  
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• Texas Supreme Court to decide legal battle over El Paso migrant shelter’s future

  14-01-2025 03:35 via kxan.com
  
  (The Texas Tribune) -- Texas Supreme Court justices on Monday heard oral arguments in Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down an El Paso migrant shelter network he has accused of violating state law by helping undocumented migrants.The case began in February 2024 when the attorney general’s office demanded documents from the shelter, Annunciation House, related to its work with immigrants. Annunciation House, which opened its first shelter at a Catholic church nearly 50 yea
  
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• Austin cold weather shelters opens overnight Monday

  14-01-2025 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As temperatures drop in Austin, the city of Austin will open overnight cold weather shelters on Monday.Registration to stay at the shelters will occur Monday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center, located at 505 Barton Springs Road, the city said.Bus routes to the One Texas Center are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142 and 801. The city said those needing a ride to a cold-weather shelter without a way to pay will still be given a ride.For more information about using a co
  
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• Texas AG accuses Allstate, Arity of using tracking software to raise insurance rates

  14-01-2025 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit Monday accusing Allstate and Arity of collecting more than 45 million consumers' driving data nationwide without their knowledge, according to a news release from the attorney general's office.Paxton claims Allstate and Arity embedded "secret" software on consumers' cellphones as a way to "justify raising Texans' insurance rates.". Arity, Allstate's subsidiary data analytics company, paid app developers "to incorporate its so
  
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• LIST: Texas Longhorns in the transfer portal or declaring for the NFL draft

  14-01-2025 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the college football season winds down with the College Football Playoff national championship game between Notre Dame and Ohio State on Jan. 20, many players are considering their options on where to keep playing football. Matthew Golden declares for NFL draft after 1 year with Texas LonghornsSome will stay where they are, some will head into the transfer portal and some will take a leap of faith and declare for the NFL draft.With Texas' season ending Jan. 10 following
  
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• County attorney files court brief supporting Annunciation House

  14-01-2025 00:53 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez has filed an amicus curiae or "friend of the court" brief with the Texas Supreme Court in support of El Paso's Annunciation House, her office announced on Sunday, Jan. 12.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been seeking to shut down Annunciation House since last February, alleging that the El Paso-based network of migrant shelters encourages illegal immigration and is a de facto stash house.Texas AG sues Annunciation House, see
  
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• Texas enters budget cycle with nearly $24B surplus

  14-01-2025 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- For the second time in a row the Texas Legislature will enter a new session with a significant surplus that will boost the amount of money they have for the next budget. Glenn Hegar, the Texas Comptroller, announced Monday afternoon the surplus is nearly $24 billion.
  This cycle's $23.76 billion surplus is less than the $32.7 billion the state started with last session, but the money available is still very robust.
  "The legislature can take pretty significant bites out of seve
  
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• Property where south Austin homeless encampment fire occurred in violation of dumping, trash code

  14-01-2025 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The private property where the Saturday homeless encampment fire occurred has four active complaints for illegal dumping, trash, and debris, according to Austin’s Development Service Department. The code compliance department first issued a notice of violation at the property in March 2024, but the property owners received an extension to comply the following month.  PREVIOUS: ‘Our neighborhood could burn down’: Neighbors worry after fire starts
  
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• City of Austin proposes overhaul to short-term rental regulations

  14-01-2025 00:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Over the next couple of months, the city of Austin will collect public input on proposed changes to short-term rental (STR) regulations."As you may recall, this overhaul is needed because recent court decisions have made the cornerstone elements of the City’s STR regulations unenforceable," the city's Development Services Department (DSD) wrote in a memo Friday. Court rules Austin short-term rental ordinance unconstitutionalThat includes a 2023 lawsuit a Houston couple fil
  
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• The Longhorns outscored opponents 2:1 in the 2024 season

  14-01-2025 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topics including weather and climate, politics, education, sports and growth in Texas. Each story in the KXAN Data Hub is updated as new data becomes available.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Touchdowns, third down conversions, penalty yards. When it comes to Longhorn football, there are a lot of numbers to keep track of.Follow along with the charts below as we trac
  
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• Matthew Golden declares for NFL draft after 1 year with Texas Longhorns

  14-01-2025 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — He spent two seasons with the Houston Cougars before transferring to Texas, but one year in burnt orange was all Matthew Golden needed to stand out.Golden, a junior, declared for the NFL draft Monday, and in an Instagram post, he said the timing "couldn't be any better."NFL draft declarations beginning for Texas Longhorns with Banks, Blue, Conner"What I have learned is that if you choose, every single day, to believe in yourself, stay the course and have faith that God will
  
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