Austin news

• Austin hears feedback on proposed 'overhaul' of short-term rental regulations

  04-02-2025 23:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin is collecting public input on proposed changes to short-term rental (STR) regulations. The first of three public hearings happened Tuesday.
  What is the community saying?
  Tuesday, the Planning Commission and Austin City Council members heard from members of the short-term rental community, rental hosts and neighbors plagued by nuisance short-term rentals (STRs)."We need the planning commission and the council to understand that these un-staffed hotels are not a
  
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• Where to watch the Super Bowl LIX in Central Texas

  04-02-2025 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- This weekend football fans all over Central Texas are gearing up for the big game and looking for the best spot to enjoy some Super Bowl bites while keeping their eyes on the big screen. Here is a list of spots around the Austin area offering views of the games and a Super Bowl-curated menu.Armadillo DenEnjoy the big game with three acres of dining space, a 13-foot LED TV wall, and 5 Austin-based food trucks at the Armadillo Den.Armadillo Den is offering a Super Bowl special, in
  
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• Queen Bey at the Texas Lege? Resolution filed to honor Houston native

  04-02-2025 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This is how they made me, Houston, Texas, baby: A new resolution filed in the Texas Legislature could pay homage to Beyoncé after her historic wins at the 2025 Grammy Awards.Several lawmakers joined State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, a south Houston representative who authored the resolution to formally congratulate her fellow H-Town native on the three awards earned at the 2025 ceremony.On Sunday, Beyoncé took home the coveted Album of the Year award, marking
  
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• Discurso del Gobernador Greg Abbott sobre el estado del Estado

  04-02-2025 23:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — El siguiente es una transcripción traducida del Gobernador Greg Abbott sobre su discurso del Estado del Estado que ocurrió el domingo, 2 de febrero. Abbott earmarks session priorities, calls on Texas Lege to be ‘guardians of freedom’Buenas noches a los miembros del Senado y la Cámara de Representantes de Texas ...... Funcionarios estatales ......miembros del Poder Judicial...… FL Cecilia Abbott …...y a MIS COMPAÑEROS tej
  
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• Round Rock ranks as 26th safest city in America, study says

  04-02-2025 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new study ranked Round Rock the 26th safest city in America for 2025, according to a news release from the city of Round Rock.The survey found the cost of crime per resident in Round Rock was $575, compared to national average of $2,178. The personal finance site MoneyGeek calculates and ranks U.S. cities cost of crime per capita based on violent crimes -- such as murder and aggravated assault and property crimes -- including home burglary and motor vehicle theft, the release
  
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• Could Jacob's Well be closed for another summer?

  04-02-2025 22:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Popular swimming hole Jacob's Well could be closed for another summer if conditions don't change.Park officials likely won't decide until summer — or possibly in March or April — if swimming will open this year. Katherine Sturdivant, Hays County parks education coordinator, said they are looking for a continuous flow with at least four cubic feet per second, which hasn't happened in years. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Why water flow continues to slow at Jacob’s Well
  
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• APD identifies woman involved in deadly northwest Austin hit-and-run

  04-02-2025 21:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified a woman involved in a deadly hit-and-run that happened over the weekend in northwest Austin, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.That woman was identified as Beth Wynne, according to police. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2025?APD officers responded to the crash around 2:45 a.m., Jan. 31, which happened in the 13000 block of Pond Springs Road. Wynne was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead on
  
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• Got a roach of an ex? How to kiss them goodbye at the San Antonio Zoo this Valentine's Day

  04-02-2025 21:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Let's be real: Many people have exes who are the human equivalent of roaches. This Valentine's Day, the San Antonio Zoo is helping people "ex-terminate" their exes — all while supporting the zoo's conservation efforts.The San Antonio Zoo has six festive events this Valentine's Day for those in love, falling out of love or seeking their next match. Among those is the return of the zoo's "Cry Me a Cockroach" event, a fundraiser where guests can bid adieu to former flame
  
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• City closes homeless encampments off East Riverside, relocates 28 people into shelters

  04-02-2025 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two homeless encampments in southeast Austin were closed and cleaned out this week, and nearly 30 people were moved to three of Austin's shelters.
  The city of Austin said in a press release Tuesday morning that its Homeless Strategy Office and the Austin Watershed Protection Department "compassionately closed an encampment within a high flash flood risk area of the Country Club Creek watershed near the intersection of Wickersham Lane and East Riverside Drive."Acco
  
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• Austin plan details road reconfigurations, expanded bike, pedestrian access downtown

  04-02-2025 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council is expected to vote this spring on a new vision plan for downtown mobility — one that could reconfigure streetscapes along several key corridors, if approved.The Austin Core Transportation Plan is in its finalization stage, with presentations to city boards and commissions underway ahead of the council's weigh-in. The plan analyzes the downtown sector, bordered by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, North Lamar Boulevard, Lady Bird Lake and Interstat
  
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• Austin Community College officially starts offering classes in Lockhart

  04-02-2025 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- Austin Community College (ACC) has officially started offering classes in Lockhart, which are set to begin later this month.
  This comes just months after voters approved an annexation ballot item to join the ACC District.  PAST COVERAGE: Lockhart voters to decide on joining ACC district in November after board approves annexation election callEvening and weekend classes will be held at Lockhart High School starting Feb. 17 and running through May 18. Regi
  
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• National Wear Red Day brings attention to women's heart health

  04-02-2025 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An annual day of recognition on Friday aims to bring attention to women's heart health.
  'National Wear Red Day' happens this year on Feb. 7 and is organized by the American Heart Association.
  Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Everyone is encouraged to wear red Friday to bring awareness to this and potentially help save lives.The CDC goes on to say heart disease can affect
  
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• Devon Pryor came to Texas to 'get a jump start,' and his risk is being rewarded

  04-02-2025 18:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Devon Pryor gave up his senior season of high school basketball at PSAT Academy in Houston to attend Texas a year early. He didn't get much playing time in his freshman year with the Longhorns, but rather than pout about it, he did something about it.After playing in just seven games last season, Pryor has worked himself into the rotation in the middle of Southeastern Conference play, undoubtedly the toughest conference in the country. He's logged double-digit minutes the p
  
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• Man facing murder charge in death of 22-year-old caused by fentanyl, other drugs, TCSO says

  04-02-2025 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man is facing a murder charge for his alleged connection with the August 2024 death of a 22-year-old man that was caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl and other drugs, according to the Travis County Sheriff's Office.TCSO said it secured a fentanyl-related murder warrant in what it said was a months-long investigation stemming from a homicide that occurred on Aug. 4, 2024. TCSO said this is the first fentanyl-related murder warrant it has filed on the state level.According t
  
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• Hamilton Pool Preserve closed for swimming again for bacteria in water

  04-02-2025 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As temperatures look up, one Central Texas swimming spot will be closed for swimmers temporarily.
  Hamilton Pool Preserve is closed for swimming due to recent rain and high bacteria levels, according to Travis County Parks. Part of the pool is also closed due to falling rocks.RELATED: 10 spots to take a swim this summer around AustinThe earliest date swimming could reopen is Thursday, according to the county."As always, whether swimming will be allowed depends on factors beyond o
  
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• APH contact tracing STI's connected to child sex assault arrest

  04-02-2025 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said there may be more victims following the arrest of a 20-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting at least three children between November and December of 2024.Police and Austin Public Health held a press conference Tuesday to ask for additional victims to come forward and to offer support and resources to those victims.
  APH will also provide contact tracing to possible victims, though neither it nor APD confirmed whether French-Burton has an S
  
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• APD talks about arrest of suspect in child sexual assault cases

  04-02-2025 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is holding a press conference Tuesday to talk about the arrest of a suspect connected to child sexual assault cases.
  APD's Child Abuse Unit and Victim Services will hold a conference with Austin Public Health at 11 a.m., according to APD.
  APD said it is seeking the community's help identifying child sexual assault survivors.
  Police did not provide any other details in the release, but this story will be updated with information from the conference.
  C
  
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• APD asks for additional victims to come forward after child sex assault arrest

  04-02-2025 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said there may be more victims following the arrest of a 20-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting at least three children.Police and Austin Public Health held a press conference Tuesday to ask for additional victims to come forward and to offer support and resources to those victims.APH will also provide contact tracing to possible victims.Keshawn French-Burton, 20, has been charged with one count of continuous sex abuse of a child, a first-deg
  
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• February Weather: Four more weeks of winter

  04-02-2025 17:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This winter has been hard to sum up in a sentence. December was the second warmest December on record, followed by a much colder-than-normal January with snow.February is here and odds seem primed to flip us back to the warm side of the scale, at least for the majority of the time.Winter so farDecember was 6.0 degrees warmer than normal and yet January was 5.3 degrees colder than normal. Both December and January were drier than normal.What does that mean for the first two month
  
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• Hill Country emergency service agencies to showcase what they do

  04-02-2025 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc. is hosting an emergency preparedness day in late March. The event is being held in partnership with the Burnet County Office of Emergency Management."Ready As One" will be held Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marble Falls High School.Beth Koennecke is the External Relations Representative with PEC. She says this is the first event of its kind in her area.
  The focus of the event is to provide more educational outreach on emergenc
  
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• Cardiologist talks staying active as study shows increased risks from sedentary lifestyle

  04-02-2025 16:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A recent study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  The JACC study said that cardiovascular risks increase for people who sit for more than 10.5 hours a day. The study was based on the results of nearly 90,000 people.
  Other research has shown that higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature d
  
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• El Salvador offers to accept deportees from US of any nationality, including Americans: Rubio

  04-02-2025 13:56 via kxan.com
  
  SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said late Monday that El Salvador's president has offered to accept deportees from the U.S. of any nationality, including violent American criminals now imprisoned in the United States.President Nayib Bukele “has agreed to the most unprecedented, extraordinary, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world,” Rubio said after meeting with Bukele at his lakeside country house outside San Salvador for s
  
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• Warm, muggy through start of the weekend

  04-02-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our spring-like weather continues today but our next cold front will soon snap us back to reality.We start today with cloudy to overcast skies and a few pockets of fog. It's possible we see a few spots of sprinkles or drizzle get squeezed this morning out but no meaningful or accumulating rain is expected.Sunshine will break through late in the day. Afternoon highs will return to the low 80s - Austin's forecast high of 81° likely to come within 1° of the record last set
  
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• The heat continues this week before cooler weather arrives

  04-02-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The unseasonably warm weather continues through the start of the weekend... but don't put away the coats just yet.Morning clouds will thin through the day with mainly sunny skies expected by late afternoon. Any patchy fog or spots of drizzle will also disappear later today. High temperatures will warm well above average with most of us topping out in the upper 70s to low 80s.Tuesday afternoon forecastWe'll repeat this pattern, more or less, through Saturday.While drizzle is poss
  
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• Springtime warmth leading up to weekend cold front

  04-02-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The unseasonably warm weather continues through the start of the weekend... but don't put away the coats just yet.Morning clouds will thin through the day with mainly sunny skies expected by late afternoon. Any patchy fog or spots of drizzle will also disappear later today. High temperatures will warm well above average with most of us topping out in the upper 70s to low 80s.Tuesday afternoon forecastWe'll repeat this pattern, more or less, through Saturday.While drizzle is poss
  
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• Cloudy mornings and warm afternoons until Sunday

  04-02-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Unseasonably warm temperatures continue again with highs heading for the mid 80s again today. The record high in Austin is 85º set in 2021 at Camp Mabry and we'll be close to that again today.Tonight will be a similar story to the last few nights with low clouds rushing back in giving us a cloudy start to Wednesday. The difference may be a higher chance of drizzle and sprinkles Wednesday morning. Sun may take a tad longer to come out Wednesday afternoon, but temperatures sh
  
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• New bill seeks to protect "preborn life"

  04-02-2025 05:19 via kxan.com
  
  SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — A new bill has been introduced into United States Legislature that would grant rights to all humans born or not.
  Missouri Representative Eric Burlison introduced House Resolution 722, which is titled as: To implement equal protection under the 14th article of amendment to the Constitution for the right to life of each born and preborn human person.Republican representatives introduce bill targeting women’s healthcare
  The resolution was introduced in
  
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• Salvage crews remove large portion of commercial jet from river after deadly air collision near DC

  04-02-2025 05:17 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Salvage crews have removed a large portion of a commercial jet from the Potomac River near Washington’s Reagan National Airport on Monday, five days after a midair collision last week that killed 67 people.Authorities have said the operation to remove the plane will take several days and they will then work to remove the military helicopter involved in the crash.The crash between the American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over Washington D.C. on Wednesday
  
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• Beloved park volunteer found dead after hike in Great Smoky Mountains

  04-02-2025 05:10 via kxan.com
  
  GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — A hiker, who had been reported as missing, was found dead in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sunday.Ann Houghton, 73, was reported missing on Saturday, Feb. 1, prompting a search effort that involved at least six area fire and rescue organizations. Her body was found the next day at 1:53 p.m. Flu map: These states are now at CDC’s highest activity levelThe remains were found a quarter of a mile from Enloe Creek Trail, one of the trails where Houg
  
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• Border patrol agent answers questions about ICE operations in Texas

  04-02-2025 05:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Ever since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed “enhanced targeted operations” in Austin as part of a nationwide effort, the agency has not answered many of KXAN's specific questions about the operations.Gov. Greg Abbott has also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to assist federal officials.“These teams will coordinate with Homeland Security agencies to track down the thousands of illegal immigrants with active warrants ac
  
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• Recall for broccoli sold at Walmart in 20 states upgraded to highest risk level: FDA

  04-02-2025 03:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded its classification of a broccoli recall initially reported in late December, labeling it as “Class I” — the agency’s most serious recall category.Braga Fresh, of Salinas, California, had initially issued an “advisory” for a specific lot of Marketside Broccoli Florets in late December, after Health and Human Services workers discovered Listeria monocytogenes in “multiple samples” from a
  
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• Protest in north Austin opposing Trump immigration policies

  04-02-2025 03:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Protesters gathered in north Austin Monday night in a demonstration against President Trump's immigration policies and enhanced ICE operations, including in the Austin-area.Protesters could be seen with Mexican flags and signs.Pflugerville community protests potential ICE facilityAt roughly 7 p.m. the Austin Police Department (APD) posted on X that they were "aware of a large group gathering near N Lamar Blvd. and Rutland Dr." The department asked drivers to avoid the area if po
  
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• APD responds to continued immigration protests in north Austin

  04-02-2025 03:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department responded to continued immigration protests in north Austin Monday night in a demonstration against President Donald Trump's immigration policies and enhanced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including in the Austin area.Protesters could be seen with Mexican flags and signs.Pflugerville community protests potential ICE facilityAt roughly 7 p.m. the Austin Police Department (APD) posted on X that they were "aware of a large g
  
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• Texas shortstop Viviana Martinez out for season with knee injury

  04-02-2025 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas shortstop Viviana Martinez will miss the 2025 season due to a knee injury, the program announced Monday.The injury happened in the offseason and needed surgery to repair, a statement from the program said. Martinez tallied a slash line of .376/.431/.586 with five home runs and 70 hits in 186 at-bats last season. She was named an all-Big 12 infielder and a second-team All-American as a utility player by D1Softball.com.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stor
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 person critically injured after vehicle, pedestrian crash near Barton Springs

  04-02-2025 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person suffered critical injuries after a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian near Barton Springs, according to Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS).The crash happened on Barton Springs Road and Azie Morton Road, ATCEMS said around 5:20 p.m. on social media.One adult was taken to a "local trauma center with critical injuries," according to ATCEMS.No other details were available Monday.
  
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• APD investigating 5th homicide of the year after crash near Barton Springs

  04-02-2025 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating its fifth homicide of the year after a crash near Barton Springs, APD Detective Leah Ratliff said during a media briefing Monday evening.Around 3:20 p.m., APD officers responded to an emergency crash hotshot call in the 700 block of Azie Morton Road, Ratliff said. Officers arrived on the scene around five minutes later.Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media it responded to a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestri
  
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• APD conducting death investigation after vehicle, pedestrian crash near Barton Springs

  04-02-2025 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is conducting a death investigation after a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that happened near Barton Springs Monday, the agency said on social media.Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) previously said one person suffered critical injuries in that crash shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Barton Springs Road and Azie Morton Road.One adult was taken to a "local trauma center with critical injuries," according to ATCEMS.One person was critically injur
  
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• How Trump’s tariffs could impact Texas grocery shoppers

  04-02-2025 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on goods from Canada, China and Mexico could have an impact on your upcoming grocery store trip.Last week, Trump announced tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China. The tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada were paused Monday for one month. The tariffs against China are expected to go into effect Tuesday.The Trump administration said these tariffs aim "to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable to their promises of haltin
  
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• What will teacher pay raises look like in Texas?

  04-02-2025 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- In his State of the State address on Sunday evening, Gov. Greg Abbott made teacher pay raises an emergency item for this session as he hopes to make Texas number one in education. His emergency item allows the state legislature the ability to pass a teacher pay raise in the first two months of the session.
  "We must fund and train the best teachers," Abbott said during his speech. "That starts with giving our teachers a pay raise this session. To increase teachers' average sal
  
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• Austin Resource Recovery proposes $1.2M plan for encampment cleanup at city parks

  04-02-2025 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As a way to prevent litter in city parks, Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) proposed creating a team dedicated to performing encampment cleanups regularly at all city of Austin parks, according to a city memo.In order for the regular cleanups to happen at city parks, ARR's recommendations will cost around $1.2 million per year, according to the memo. This will cover staffing, as well as "on-going operational funds."As of now, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has tw
  
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