Austin news

• AISD high school experiencing 'heating issues' due to extreme weather

  21-02-2025 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin Independent School District high school is experiencing a "heating issue" due to "extreme weather conditions," the district confirmed in a statement to KXAN Friday.KXAN received emails from people in the community who said temperatures inside some of the classrooms at Bowie High School were uncomfortably cold, as an arctic blast brought below-freezing temperatures to the city this week. One viewer said there were reports of classrooms that had temperatures in the 40s.
  
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• Texas 11-year-old dies by suicide after alleged bullying over family’s immigration status

  21-02-2025 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  GAINSVILLE, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) — An 11-year-old Texas girl died by suicide after reportedly being bullied at school over her family's immigration status, according to media outlets. The girl, identified in an online obituary as Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, was a sixth-grader at Gainesville Intermediate School.Prior to her death, Jocelynn had been bullied by classmates who allegedly threatened to call immigration authorities because of her family’s Hispanic background, her mother, Marbella
  
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• Trump administration reassigns acting ICE director

  21-02-2025 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  The Trump administration is replacing the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid simmering from some officials about deportation numbers.A Department of Homeland Security official confirmed that Caleb Vitello was being reassigned within the agency."He is no longer in an administrative role, but is overseeing all field and enforcement operations: finding, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens, which is a major priority of the President and the Secretary Noem,” the s
  
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• Former Austin police officer's murder charge dismissed in Michael Ramos death

  21-02-2025 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The District Attorney's Office dismissed murder charges Friday for former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor in the 2020 shooting death of Mike Ramos during a confrontation Ramos had with police, according to Taylor's attorneys.That weeks long 2023 murder trial ended in a hung jury.
  The District Attorney's Office brought the case back to a grand jury after that mistrial, and that grand jury ruled not to move the case forward.Taylor's attorney Doug O'Connell said the case s
  
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• 'Broken': Georgia woman who gave birth to someone else's baby sues fertility clinic

  21-02-2025 21:38 via kxan.com
  
  SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — A Georgia woman says her journey to motherhood has left her "emotionally and physically broken," and now she is suing the company responsible.Even as a child, Krystena Murray, 38, of Savannah, always told people it was her dream to be a mom. Two years ago, she became pregnant after undergoing in vitro fertilization, a life-changing procedure for people trying to have a child.
  She said her joy was taken away within seconds of delivery after discovering that the fertil
  
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• USPS warns of fraudulent text messages about unclaimed packages

  21-02-2025 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) warned people about fraudulent text messages being circulated.“If you receive a text claiming to be from USPS about a package ‘awaiting action,’ please delete it immediately and do not open the link. These messages have no affiliation with USPS and compromise your personal data if clicked,” USPS said in a social media post.The postal service said it does not send text messages about unclaimed packages.“
  
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• Openers announced for Billboard's 'The Stage' at SXSW

  21-02-2025 21:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Billboard's "The Stage" at South By Southwest is gearing up for big performances at Waterloo Park.
  Billboard announced its return to SXSW last month along with the three-night concert series' headliners, which include Texas country star Koe Wetzel, and Texas-based Latin band Grupo Frontera. Dance music artist John Summit will also headline the series.Billboard announces SXSW performances for 2025The concert series will be at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park March 13-15. B
  
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• City council asking people to apply to Municipal Civil Service Commission

  21-02-2025 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin City Council is once again seeking applicants for the city's Municipal Civil Service Commission (MCS Commission), which serves as the ruling body on appeals of disciplinary actions by covered City of Austin employees.The applications will be reviewed for an unexpired term (ending May 2027) and may also be considered for a full three-year term that will run through May 2028.
  The commission consists of five members. There is currently one vacancy and two
  
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• Austin expected to house 2K people in overnight shelters amid cold snap

  21-02-2025 19:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin is expecting to provide around 2,000 shelter beds for those seeking reprieve from this week's cold snap, officials with the city of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office told KXAN Friday.Greg McCormack, program manager for Austin's Homeless Strategy Office, said the overnight shelters experienced peak numbers throughout the week, with more than 400 people staying most evenings.The city's overnight shelters will again open Friday night as freezing temperatures
  
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• LCRA considering more outdoor watering limits in March

  21-02-2025 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Due to ongoing drought conditions, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) said it would consider moving to Stage 2 of its drought response March 1.The switch would require LCRA customers to increase water-saving measures and limit outdoor watering to once a week. The restriction would impact cities, businesses, industries and lakeside property owners that draw water directly from the Highland Lakes.LCRA said it was last in Stage 2 of its drought response from August 2023
  
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• New grocer coming to Bastrop, targeting 2026 opening

  21-02-2025 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new grocer is sprouting up in Bastrop, according to state licensing documents.Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market is setting up shop off State Highway 71 in Bastrop, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings. The storefront will be located at 655 W. SH 71, Ste. 101, as part of the first phase of the Burleson Crossing East project.Project work is expected to begin March 1 and wrap in March 2026, per project filings. The approximately $6 million pro
  
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• Texas measles outbreak: 90 cases in state as of Friday

  21-02-2025 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas -- The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported that as of Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, 90 cases of measles were identified in the South Plains region of Texas. Measles outbreak sickens dozens of kids in Texas: What’s your state’s vaccination rate?Sixteen of the patients have been hospitalized and five of the cases were vaccinated, said DSHS. The rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.The number of cases in each county was:
  Dawson - 6E
  
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• Rolling detours underway on downtown Austin trail

  21-02-2025 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Heads up, joggers and cyclers: The Trail Conservancy is cautioning rolling trail detours are underway on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail through Feb. 28.The detours and reduced trail access that kicked off earlier this week are due to trail maintenance repairs, The Trail Conservancy said in the announcement. Those improvements are happening just west of Lamar Boulevard.The Trail Conservancy is cautioning rolling trail detours are underway on the Ann and Roy Butle
  
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• Austin airport to start building 7,000-spot garage

  21-02-2025 17:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction on a new, 7,000-spot parking garage will soon be underway at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, officials announced Friday.The upcoming Yellow Garage will celebrate its groundbreaking Feb. 28. The project comes as part of the airport's multi-billion-dollar Journey With AUS program, a decade-long overhaul of current airport operations. AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals, busiest months and new flights in 2024The Yellow Garage will replace the existing Red G
  
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• Better sidewalks show 22% reduction in serious injury and fatal crashes

  21-02-2025 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Making the streets of Austin safer for people to feel better about walking, biking or catching the city bus in their neighborhood is a priority for the City of Austin.
  The City of Austin recently wrapped up construction improvements to the intersection of Stassney Lane and South First Street in South Austin. It now has separated bikeways, a shared-use path, high-visibility crosswalks and it's now ADA-compliant.The intersection is one identified as a high-crash intersection
  
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• Man gets 8-year prison sentence in international conspiracy defrauding elderly victims

  21-02-2025 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin on Thursday for conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
  The DOJ said court documents showed that Moinuddin Mohammed, 34, "engaged in a conspiracy to launder proceeds of a scheme to defraud elderly victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold."Mohammed was sentenced to 97 months in prison, or eight years and one month.
  According to the DOJ, he was part of an internatio
  
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• Netflix to invest $1 billion on Mexican films and series

  21-02-2025 16:27 via kxan.com
  
  SAN DIEGO (Border Report) -- Over the next four years, Netflix has pledged $1 billion to develop and produce films and series in Mexico, according to Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-executive director.The company's investment was announced Thursday morning during Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum's daily news conference in Mexico City.Sarandos said about 20 productions per year will be the goal.The agreement is expected to generate thousands of jobs and career opportunities in Mexico.New Mexico celebr
  
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• Inside the Investigation: In one month, 17 Texas school districts reported 56 threats

  21-02-2025 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- A 12-year-old student was arrested after texting her mom she saw a person with a gun at school. Records show she is one of many Central Texas students who were arrested during an uptick in school threats, believed to be both real and fabricated. This week on Inside the Investigation, Senior Investigative Producer David Barer explains the flurry of violent threats from one month of the school year.Join Kelly Wiley every Friday morning for a live recap of the latest headl
  
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• CapMetro adds 2 new rapid service lines

  21-02-2025 16:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro announced it would launch two new rapid service lines beginning Sunday.The new routes include the Pleasant Valley Line, which runs from the Mueller area to Slaughter Lane, and the Expo Center Line, from Loyola and Decker Lanes to Republic Square downtown.CapMetro said the lines would help improve mobility and connections for east and southeast Austin. Here’s when CapMetro’s new rapid bus lines debut this yearThe new routes, which are components of Proje
  
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• Capitol Context: How the Texas Senate's 'school choice' plan compares to other states

  21-02-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  With the elections behind us, we’re shifting from providing you with context from the campaign trail to context from the Texas State Capitol as the Texas legislature gets to work. Keep up with Capitol Context this legislative session as we examine bills being debated, the messages we’re hearing from elected leaders and how their votes impact us all.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Senate recently passed its version of a school choice program with Senate Bill 2. The proposed legislatio
  
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• Capitol Context: How the Texas Senate 'school choice' plan compares to other states

  21-02-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  With the elections behind us, we’re shifting from providing you with context from the campaign trail to context from the Texas State Capitol as the Texas legislature gets to work. Keep up with Capitol Context this legislative session as we examine bills being debated, the messages we’re hearing from elected leaders and how their votes impact us all.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Senate recently passed its version of a school choice program with Senate Bill 2. The proposed legislatio
  
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• RRPD: One arrested in shooting involving officer in Round Rock

  21-02-2025 12:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with a shooting involving an officer that happened earlier this week in Round Rock, according to the Round Rock Police Department.That man was identified as Alexander Tolentino, of Round Rock, according to police.RRPD said on social media that on 4 a.m. Monday, officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at the MAA apartment complex, 1800 Plateau Vista Blvd, according to police."A 9-1-1 caller reported hearing an argument
  
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• Winter Weather Advisory until 9 a.m. for four of our counties

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Most of the freezing drizzle/freezing rain reports are coming from our I-35 counties into our eastern viewing area. We continue to monitor area reporting stations for any icing issues.A Winter Weather Advisory continues until 9 a.m. for Blanco, Caldwell, Hays, and Travis Counties.
  Temperatures are fairly constant in the low 30s to a few upper 20s in some of the Hill Country as of this report.
  We are forecasting a 50% chance of continued freezing precipitation until around 9 to 1
  
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• Winter Weather Advisory issued south of Austin

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cloudy, cold, and raw conditions are expected this afternoon, with an increasing risk of icing later in the evening. A few rounds of freezing drizzle will lead to slick surfaces, possibly causing minor travel disruptions through Saturday morning.A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Hays and Caldwell Counties from 6 P.M. tonight until tomorrow at 9 A.M.A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for portions of our area
  Temperatures will remain in the 30s over the next 24
  
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• Winter Weather Advisory for light icing risk tonight

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cloudy and mostly dry weather will continue as we wrap up in the afternoon into the early evening with temperatures in the mid 30s.As we head later into the evening the potential for drizzle gradually increases. As temperatures drop, we'll be watching for the threat for freezing drizzle which could lead to spotty and light icing.
  A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Hays and Caldwell Counties from 6 P.M. tonight until tomorrow at 9 A.M.A Winter Weather Advisory has been
  
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• Winter Weather Advisory expanded to include Austin

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we head through the night the potential for drizzle gradually increases. As temperatures drop, we'll be watching for the threat for freezing drizzle which could lead to spotty and light icing.
  A Winter Weather Advisory has been expanded to include Travis and Hays Counties in addition to the previous advisory for Hays and Caldwell Counties. The Winter Weather Advisory continues until Saturday 9 a.m.Winter Weather Advisory expanded to include Travis and Blanco Counties in addit
  
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• Sunshine and warmth return today

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawns with an overcast sky and areas of fog. Visibility is between one and three miles at several locations.
  The clouds and the fog will slowly ease out during the morning leaving a partly cloudy to mostly sunny sky for the afternoon. Most highs this afternoon will peak in the low to mid 60s.
  There may be some low 70s in some of the western Hill Country where the clouds will clear first. Meanwhile, highs in the upper 50s are forecast in our eastern counties (Fayette, Lee
  
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• Icing risk overnight into the start of the weekend

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds have taken over and we won't see much (if any) sun until Sunday afternoon (at the earliest!)An Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect until 9AM this morning. We won't see much of a warm up with afternoon highs not likely to get above the mid-30s today. Cloudy to overcast skies will hold up above with a few spots of drizzle/freezing drizzle possible by late evening.More on the icing risk below.Potential wintry mixLate this afternoon, but especially this evening, moisture
  
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• Cold and occasionally wet the rest of the day

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- By 10 a.m. all of the freezing precipitation had turned over to rain.
  The first reports of ice accumulation came in shortly before 9 a.m. A report from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport showed a measurement of 0.04". A report from a station three miles north-northwest of downtown Austin had a measurement of 0.02". All other reports from stations that did provide information were 0.00".One ramp in Mustang Ridge (SW of Austin) was closed due to icing.This was the fifth straig
  
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• Cold and cloudy, light freezing drizzle overnight

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cloudy, cold, and raw conditions are expected this afternoon, with an increasing risk of icing later in the evening. A few rounds of freezing drizzle will lead to slick surfaces, possibly causing minor travel disruptions through Saturday morning.Temperatures will remain in the 30s over the next 24 hours, with a 50% chance of precipitation by Saturday morning.Ice totals- few hundredths expected
  A few hundredths of an inch of ice accumulation are expected, with isolated areas rece
  
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• Cold & raw Saturday night, a big warm up is coming

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High temperatures on Sunday were significantly cooler than usual. Austin Bergstrom reached 41°F, while Camp Mabry was slightly milder at 42°F. Minimal ice accretion was recorded in the area, with Austin Bergstrom measuring 0.04" of ice and Camp Mabry recording 0.02". The normal high temperature is 68°F. East of I-35, temperatures were much colder, with drizzle falling in the region. The Hill Country saw temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Saturday was characterized b
  
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• Areas of dense fog overnight, sunny & warmer Monday

  21-02-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High temperatures today were in the mid 60s, with Camp Mabry (ATT) and Austin Bergstrom (AUS) reaching 65°. Cloud cover decreased throughout the day.Overnight, temperatures will dip into the low 40s in the metro area and the 30s in the Hill Country. Expect areas of dense fog to develop late tonight and linger through the morning hours tomorrow.Fog forecastMonday will be sunny with highs in the mid 70s for the metro area and 80s in the Hill Country. Winds will be light, comin
  
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• ‘We’re ready’: Frank McCourt on possibility of buying TikTok

  21-02-2025 05:28 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — American billionaire Frank McCourt said his nonprofit initiative Project Liberty would create a more secure TikTok if it were to purchase the social media platform.“We started a project five years ago by the name of Project Liberty to redesign and reimagine how the internet works so that rather than have individuals surveilled and have their data scraped and stolen from them and be microprofiled and be taken advantage of, why not have an internet where individuals own
  
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• Could Los Angeles become the rattiest city in the United States?

  21-02-2025 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — California is the only state to ban the most lethal type of rat poison, so more rodents are living large these days, especially in Los Angeles.According to pest control experts, the rat population is booming, and service calls are way up.NewsNation headed out with rodent expert Louis Rico, and it took just 30 seconds for him to spot a rat burrow in someone’s front yard. The rodent residents were not home. Michael Strahan leaving GMA by summer: NewsNation exclusive
  
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• Speaker Johnson discourages DOGE stimulus checks idea

  21-02-2025 05:18 via kxan.com
  
  NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (The Hill) — Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) threw cold water on the idea of using savings from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) government-slashing activities to send checks to Americans. That marks a break from President Trump and tech billionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk, who have floated the idea in recent days. Asked about the idea by Newsmax host Rob Finnerty on the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPA
  
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• CVS offers measles vaccine as cases rises in Texas

  21-02-2025 05:14 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic are offering measles immunizations at over 875 locations across Texas with nearly 60 cases confirmed in the state.Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from measles, CVS said.Patients ages 14 and older can receive the MMR vaccine and children ages 4 to 6 can receive the second vaccination.
  The first dose is given at the recommended age of 12 to 15 months old and cannot be administered at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic.Th
  
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• Texas Rep. Doggett confirms Austin IRS workers among those let go in layoffs

  21-02-2025 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Thousands of IRS workers are being let go. Some of them are right here in Austin, according to U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas.Starting on Thursday, the IRS will fire roughly 7,000 workers around the country. The layoffs impact probationary employees with about one year or less at the agency. They include workers in compliance departments. Compliance work includes ensuring that taxpayers are abiding by the tax code, filing their returns and paying their taxes, among other duti
  
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• Austin ISD to upgrade high school fields with new turf

  21-02-2025 03:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When will Austin Independent School District upgrade high school fields?From puddles of standing water to divots, ant mounds and even rocks, AISD field conditions around the district have been a talking point for years.In 2022, before the 2022 bond passed, KXAN spoke with a coach from Travis Early College High School about the conditions he was dealing with."I have broken my foot twice on this field right here and once on the bottom field," said head football coach Joe
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 dead after vehicle, pedestrian crash in Lakeway

  21-02-2025 03:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian that happened in Lakeway Thursday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATCEMS medics said on social media around 7:30 p.m. that it responded to the crash at 400 N. Farm-to-Market Road 620, which is near Lexus of Lakeway. The Lake Travis Fire Department also responded to the crash, medics said.Shortly before 8 p.m., medics said one person was pronounced dead on the scene.The Lakeway Police Department said
  
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• Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to miss remainder of season after blood clot diagnosis

  21-02-2025 02:57 via kxan.com
  
  San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama's season is over after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder, a condition that will sideline one of the league's brightest stars and is the second massive health-related hit for the Spurs in a matter of months.
  Wembanyama is beginning treatment immediately and the Spurs are working under the expectation that the 7-foot-3 center from France will fully recover, a person with knowledge of the situation said Thursday, speaking to The Associated P
  
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• Texas Exes announces 100 of the fastest-growing Longhorn-run businesses for 2025

  21-02-2025 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Exes, the University of Texas at Austin’s alumni organization, announced the 100 fastest-growing Longhorn-run businesses for 2025.The alumni organization said the Longhorn 100 awards help recognize and celebrate the entrepreneurial achievements of UT’s alumni.“Longhorns are always innovating, leading, and succeeding––when an alumni-run company is named among the 100 fastest-growing Longhorn businesses in the world, we all feel a great
  
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• Companies ready to 'capitalize on the action' as South by Southwest returns in March

  21-02-2025 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal/KXAN) -- Marketing is ramping up as Austin's biggest annual event returns in March—South by Southwest (SXSW).SXSW happens annually every March in Austin and features film and television screenings, music and comedy showcases, awards ceremonies and more, according to the SXSW website.In addition to the event bringing the conference and festival aspects, companies have found a way to "capitalize on the action," according to The Austin Business Journal. The pub
  
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• Pride Month event Queerbomb may not happen due to lack of volunteers

  21-02-2025 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local community-organized event Queerbomb is at risk of not happening this year due to a lack of volunteer organizers, according to a long-time organizer of the event.The event is one of the first during LGBTQ+ Pride Month. It features a rally, march and party—all of which typically take dozens of labor hours to set up.The event began 15 years ago to "counter the whitewashed, reductionist, corporate, 'family-friendly' pride that has become the status quo across the co
  
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• Texas Senate discusses pay raises for teachers

  21-02-2025 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- For the first time since Gov. Greg Abbott declared raising teacher pay an emergency item, the Senate laid out exactly what new teacher pay guidelines would look like.The bill's sponsor, State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R - Montgomery, said 80% of the new funding for school districts to pay teachers will come in the form of across-the-board raises -- with 20% dedicated towards bonuses -- specifically expanding the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. Creighton said the prog
  
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