Austin news

• New Department of Transportation order could have trickle-down effect for Austin projects

  06-02-2025 23:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As a new federal administration under President Donald Trump makes rapid changes, local policy makers said they're consistently working to respond.Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes talked about the importance of her elevated role this year on the Austin City Council for that reason, saying she's closely watching "what's happening at the federal government and at the state level."One set of possible changes handed down from the Department of Transportation (DOT) last week in the form
  
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• City adding more resources to nab car burglars, but repeat offenders still an issue

  06-02-2025 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- You've probably seen the shattered glass at parks all across Austin at places like Mount Bonnell, Zilker Park or Bull Creek -- but what's being done to stop this from happening?Since Jan. 1 there have been more than 70 car burglaries at Mount Bonnell, according to crime data. Woman arrested after vehicle burglaries reported at Mount Bonnell: APDKXAN sat down with APD to find out if they are making arrests and why these break-ins continue."We are making arrests, especially with t
  
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• Forensic facility expansion to address autopsy demand in Williamson County

  06-02-2025 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- A forensic facility under construction in Williamson County may help to address the growing number of autopsies. The county currently does not have a medical examiner, which means the Justice of the Peace is responsible for that position.In March 2024, KXAN Investigator Arezow Doost spoke with a family that waited months for answers. Cindy Dennis-Pollard said it took eight months to get the autopsy back for her 63-year-old father."My dad was in a freezer at the funera
  
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• Police, family hope more tips can bolster homicide case of 24-year-old man

  06-02-2025 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  Cristian Rangel, 24. (Courtesy: Misty Moon)
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In April of last year, 24-year-old Cristian Rangel's body was found in the greenbelt near a southeast Austin neighborhood 11 days after he was last seen at a south Austin Walmart, according to the Austin Police Department. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man missing in south Austin found dead, police sayIn September, Rangel's family offered $9,000 in reward money to help bring about murder charges in the case.This week, his mother Misty Moon spoke
  
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• SWAT responding to scene in northeast Austin

  06-02-2025 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department SWAT officers are responding to a scene in northeast Austin in the Harris Ridge area.
  APD posted on X at 1:21 p.m. that SWAT officers were on the scene of a "barricaded subject" in the 12800 block of Bartholdi Street. That area is just north of East Parmer Lane near Dessau Road.Police said roadways in the area may be blocked off and drivers should plan their route accordingly.
  This is a developing story. Refresh this page to follow updates.
  
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• APD asks public to avoid continued SWAT response in northeast Austin

  06-02-2025 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a media briefing Wednesday afternoon, the Austin Police Department is urging the community to avoid a northeast Austin neighborhood as a scene with the SWAT unit continues to respond to a barricaded subject.APD Public Information Officer Austin Zarling said there is no call to shelter-in-place, and "people are free to come and go as they wish.""We just ask that people try and remain in a safe location if they do decide to stay," he said.Around 9:18 a.m., officers responded to
  
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• APD: 1 person in custody after SWAT response in northeast Austin

  06-02-2025 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is in custody after the Austin Police Department SWAT unit responded to a report of a barricaded subject in northeast Austin, the agency said on social media.APD said in a media briefing around 3 p.m. that the community needed to avoid the area until that person was in custody. Then, around 4:30, police said the person was in custody.APD Public Information Officer Austin Zarling said during the briefing there was no call to shelter-in-place.Around 9:18 a.m., officers
  
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• Texas school district warns Border Patrol may board buses and question students about citizenship

  06-02-2025 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (The Texas Tribune) -- The Alice Independent School District in South Texas warned parents in a letter Wednesday that U.S. Border Patrol agents may be checking the immigration status of students on school buses traveling for extracurricular activities — then pulled the letter down. The Border Patrol's chief on Thursday said agents would not board school buses to check papers.“We want to bring to your attention an important matter regarding student travel for extracurricular act
  
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• Despite stressful school drop off and pick ups, 56% of parents don't utilize school bus

  06-02-2025 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sometimes the most stressful part of the school day has nothing to do with the classroom. A new survey revealed how some parents feel about the drop-off and pick-up lines and bus transportation for school.The survey by ValuePenguin found that 63% of parents think the bus is the best option for their kid, but more than half don't utilize it."I was spending on average, five hours a week driving, yeah, because the traffic," parent Marissa Fisk said.Fisk, a personal chef and mo
  
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• Texas arts, music scene generates $7.3B economic impact over past decade

  06-02-2025 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' arts and culture industry helped generate $7.3 billion for the state's economy over the past 10 years, according to findings in the 2025 State of the Arts Report released Wednesday.Nonprofit organization The Texas Cultural Trust produced the report as part of its efforts to bolster "access and awareness for the arts across the state," the reported noted.
  From its findings, the Texas arts and culture industry grew more than 60% in the same timespan, producing almost $
  
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• Super Bowl weekend fatalities have risen 33% in US since 2019

  06-02-2025 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An average of 17 people are killed in Texas each year over Super Bowl weekend, according to data shared by AAA Texas Thursday.The analysis reviewed fatal crashes between Friday and Monday of Super Bowl weekend from 2019 to 2023. In 2023, there was a slight dip to 14 fatal crashes resulting in 14 fatalities in Texas; however, looking at national figures, impaired driving fatalities have grown 33% in the U.S. since 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHT
  
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• Malibu Barbie Café experience rolls through Austin this April

  06-02-2025 18:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Hi Barbie lovers! Central Texas Barbie enthusiasts grab those roller skates and prepare to roll through the ultimate Barbiecore experience coming to Austin this April.Bucket Listers and Mattel are bringing The Malibu Barbie Café experience to Downtown Austin on Friday, April 4.Malibu Barbie Café Pop-up
  The fabulous experience is inspired by the 'groovy beachside energy' of 1970s Malibu, a time when the iconic Malibu Barbie was first introduced and made waves across
  
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• Austin HSEM talks about how to prepare for any natural disaster

  06-02-2025 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management recommends everyone have a plan to stay prepared in case of a natural disaster.Meteorologist Tommy House sat down with David Wiechmann, Acting Public Information and Marketing Manager for Austin's HSEM, to learn more about the resources HSEM offers.House: What items should viewers gather for a go-bag in case of a natural disaster?Wiechmann: Well, thank you for having me, and thank you for the question. A lot of p
  
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• Weekend Watch: A trilogy 30 years in the making and the big game

  06-02-2025 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the sunshine back in the sky, this weekend is filled with fun things to do around Central Texas. From the big football match-up to a chance to watch a film trilogy filmed over 30 years.Weekend Watch Title GraphicWeather this weekend will be a tad warmer on Saturday with temperatures expected to reach mid-80s while a front arrives overnight into Sunday taking our temperatures down to end the weekend.Weekend forecast"Before" Trilogy at Austin Film SocietyA movie trilogy spann
  
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• LIVE: Weekend Watch: A trilogy 30 years in the making and the big game

  06-02-2025 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the sunshine back in the sky, this weekend is filled with fun things to do around Central Texas, including Super Bowl watch parties and a chance to watch a film trilogy filmed over 30 years.Weather this weekend will be a tad warmer on Saturday with temperatures expected to reach mid-80s while a front arrives overnight into Sunday taking our temperatures down to end the weekend.Weekend forecast"Before" Trilogy at Austin Film SocietyA movie trilogy spanning almost 30 years wi
  
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• WATCH: Crews save unresponsive man in spinning boat on Florida lake

  06-02-2025 05:28 via kxan.com
  
  DELEON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA)— A man found unresponsive inside a boat, spinning in circles on Florida's Lake Dias, was saved by Volusia Sheriff's Office and Volusia County Fire Rescue.Crews responded to the lake on Tuesday and spotted an unresponsive man on a boat that was driving in circles. VSO said they quickly came up with a plan to rescue him. Large chunk of ice falls from sky, smashing through roof of Florida homeThe video shows the crew moving in close enough for VCFR Activing Divisio
  
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• What's new on Netflix in February 2025?

  06-02-2025 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  (KSWB/KUSI) — For those who prefer spending Valentine's Day cuddled up on the couch with a movie, Netflix is releasing plenty of new content this month.For instance, the romantic comedy "La Dolce Villa" will be available for streaming in the nick of time with a Feb. 13 release date. As described by Netflix, the movie is about a successful businessman who travels to Italy to stop his daughter from restoring a crumbling villa, only to find himself in the midst of a magical romance.Just a day
  
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• CIA shares new employee names through unclassified email

  06-02-2025 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  Related video: White House says Elon Musk is a "special government employee"(The Hill) – The CIA used unclassified email to share a list of employees hired within the last two years to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).The agency sent a list of first names and last initial of employees still on probation — a status that makes them easier to dismiss as the CIA pushes ahead with plans to shrink its workforce.The nature of the communication risks compromising the identifies of th
  
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• 100,000 eggs stolen from Pennsylvania distributor's truck, police say

  06-02-2025 05:08 via kxan.com
  
  FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania State Police are searching for suspects after 100,000 eggs were allegedly stolen from an egg distributor in Franklin County.According to police, officers responded to Pete & Jerry's Organics in Antrim Township for a reported theft of 100,000 eggs. The eggs were stolen from the back of a distribution trailer on Feb. 1, at 8:40 p.m.Police said the stolen eggs hold a retail value of $40,000.A spokesperson for Pete & Gerry's told Nexstar in a
  
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• Photos: 37 live beetles disguised as Japanese snacks seized at Los Angeles airport

  06-02-2025 04:57 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials intercepted dozens of live beetles concealed in Japanese snack packages at the Los Angeles International Airport last month.Agriculture specialists assigned to the airport discovered 37 live beetles hidden inside packages of Japanese snacks, chocolate, and potato chips, the CBP said.The beetles will be likely donated to local Zoos that have permits for such live insects. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)Sold online and undergrou
  
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• Moontower Comedy Festival announces full lineup

  06-02-2025 03:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Moontower Comedy Festival announced its full lineup on Wednesday ahead of the event happening from April 9 through April 19.At the Paramount Theatre, guests can expect to see Chris Distefano, who hosts the "Chrissy Chaos" and co-hosts "Hey Babe!".
  The Paramount will also host performances from Alex Edelman, known for his performance in "Just for Us" -- which earned him a Special Tony Award and Emmy Award -- and Jenelle James, known for her role in "Abbott's Elementary."Over
  
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• Austin surgeon, UnitedHealthcare dispute over cancer patient's hospital stay

  06-02-2025 01:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—An Austin surgeon and insurance company UnitedHealthcare are going head to head, over a dispute between a cancer patient's overnight hospital stay after a procedure.Dr. Elisabeth Potter, a plastic surgeon, said the patient's claim for the overnight stay last month was initially denied.
  UnitedHealthcare said this was due to an error on Potter's office end, and is now accusing the surgeon of defamation after a series of her videos on TikTok and Instagram, have gotten milli
  
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• APD: 43-year-old man arrested in connection with homicide after crash near Barton Springs

  06-02-2025 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 43-year-old man was arrested on a murder charge in connection with a homicide that happened Monday near Barton Springs, according to an Austin Police Department news release.That man was identified as Arthur Robert Richter, according to police. He was booked into the Travis County Jail, where he remained as of Wednesday, according to online court records.Arthur Robert Richter, 43 (Austin Police Department Photo) APD investigating 5th homicide of the year after crash near
  
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• Leander ISD announces budget cuts, staffing adjustment

  06-02-2025 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Leander Independent School District on Wednesday said to meet budget demands due to slow growth it will see a staffing reduction of 6% at the central office level and 5.8% at the campus level for the 2025-2026 school year, the district announced in a press release Wednesday.The change has led the district to use a "reduced growth" enrollment projection, leading to less revenue than anticipated and a reduction in staffing positions, according to the district.The district cite
  
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• Facing deficit, Leander ISD announces teacher cuts

  06-02-2025 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Leander Independent School District on Wednesday said to meet budget demands due to slow growth it will see a staffing reduction of 6% at the central office level and 5.8% at the campus level for the 2025-2026 school year, the district announced in a press release Wednesday."This is not the way that it should be, we should not be in this position," said Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing. "Most of those cuts have to come out of personnel. We announced close to $16 mill
  
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• Callers swamp Senate offices in Trump's first weeks, leading to busy signals and full voicemail

  06-02-2025 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Callers are getting busy signals and voicemail inboxes are full at many U.S. Senate offices as people try to reach out and voice their opinions on President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, executive orders and moves to dismantle various federal programs.
  A memo distributed to Senate staff on Tuesday said there was a higher number of calls than usual and that some callers were having trouble getting through.
  “The Senate is experiencing an unusually high volum
  
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• Woman arrested after vehicle burglaries reported at Mount Bonnell: APD

  06-02-2025 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department arrested a 21-year-old woman, alleging she's connected with vehicle burglaries that happened at Mount Bonnell on Jan. 31, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.According to an arrest warrant affidavit, officers responded to reports of people attempting to open car doors at Mount Bonnell, which APD describes as a "hot spot for vehicle burglaries."Austin adding cameras in parks to stop break-insAPD arrested an Armynie White, 21, on Jan. 31, accordi
  
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