Austin news

• 'Minuscule' gas leak at Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's home not a factor in their deaths, investigators say

  05-03-2025 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico Gas Company found five issues during their investigation at the home of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, but none are "believed to be a factor in the deaths," the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog were found dead inside their home on Old Sunset Trail in Santa Fe on Feb. 26. New Mexico Gas Company was called to the home that night to investigate and run tests on the property's gas line.The company told the sh
  
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• Red Flag Warning definition and criteria

  05-03-2025 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Red Flag Warning falls under Fire Warning Criteria, which is issued by the National Weather Service. These warnings are designed to inform people when there are imminent wildfire dangers in their area.
  A Red Flag Event is when the current weather conditions create a high risk of wildfires, while watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when those weather conditions are expected to occur in a particular timeframe.
  A Fire Weather Watch is issued when there
  
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• Goodyear Blimp to fly over Austin for SXSW

  05-03-2025 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The famed Goodyear Blimp is turning 100 this year, and to celebrate, it's taking to the skies above the city of Austin for South by Southwest (SXSW).The flight on March 14 will mark the first time the blimp has visited the capitol city in more than a decade, according to a news release.The Goodyear Blimp is prepared for takeoff, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Long)A Century of FlightThe Goodyear Blimp's planned Austin flight is the latest in a
  
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• Goodyear blimp flies over Austin during SXSW

  05-03-2025 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The famed Goodyear blimp is turning 100 this year, and to celebrate, it's taking to the skies above the city of Austin for South by Southwest (SXSW).The blimp was spotted over the downtown Austin skyline Thursday. This is the blimp's first visit to the capitol city in more than a decade, according to a news release.Goodyear blimp seen over the downtown Austin skyline on March 13, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)A Century of FlightThe Goodyear blimp's planned Austin flight is the l
  
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• Lester Holt's 'NBC Nightly News' replacement announced

  05-03-2025 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — "NBC Nightly News" will soon have its first anchor in roughly a decade after Lester Holt confirmed last month that he plans to step down this summer.
  Holt — who will continue to anchor NBC's "Dateline," a position he has held since 2011 — succeeded former anchor Brian Williams, who left NBC News amid controversy in 2015.On Wednesday, NBC News announced journalist Tom Llamas has been tapped as the next anchor and managing editor for its "Nightly News." Like Holt
  
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• New Antone's location opens at the Austin Airport

  05-03-2025 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you're planning on flying out of the Austin airport soon, you may consider immersing yourself in some uniquely Austin history at the airport's new Antone's venue.Antone's - founded in 1975 - has been a longtime staple of the Austin music scene, and the new location serves as an opportunity to provide a slice of the Live Music Capitol of the World to a wide range of travelers, according to a news release from Antone's.“It is truly an honor for our Antone's airport locati
  
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• Trump admin may sell J.J. Pickle Federal Building, Austin buildings used by Veterans' Affairs, Treasury

  05-03-2025 20:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over a million square feet of federal property in Austin may come up for sale soon, according to a now-deleted list from the US General Services Administration (GSA), which manages the government's real property.According to the GSA, the list includes properties "not core to government operations" that it has marked for a disposal process.The Hill: GSA identifies hundreds of ‘non-core’ federal properties amid Trump admin’s DOGE cuts"Selling ensures that ta
  
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• Austin's vote on I-35 cap and stitch funding delayed again amid federal funding uncertainty

  05-03-2025 20:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The deadline for the city of Austin to commit to funding that will ensure caps and stitches are added to the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) I-35 expansion project has been extended, according to a memo sent to the mayor and city council members which was obtained by KXAN.Caps and stitches are the green spaces, pedestrian access and infrastructure over and through TxDOT’s I-35 expansion project.Though the expansion project is TxDOT’s, the city of Austi
  
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• LIVE: Inside Austin's Agenda: Mayor looks to beef up budget process amid financial uncertainty

  05-03-2025 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced his intention to change the way Austin looks at its budget as ongoing federal and state cuts impact local governments. That announcement was made at the annual Real Estate Council of Austin mayors luncheon on Wednesday.Mayor Kirk Watson at RECA's annual mayoral luncheon (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)
  Watson sat down with "Inside Austin's Agenda" host Grace Reader prior to that announcement to discuss why he thinks it will lead to a more transparen
  
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• Inside Austin's Agenda: Mayor looks to beef up budget process amid financial uncertainty

  05-03-2025 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced his intention to change the way Austin looks at its budget as ongoing federal and state cuts impact local governments. That announcement was made at the annual Real Estate Council of Austin mayors luncheon on Wednesday.Mayor Kirk Watson at RECA's annual mayoral luncheon (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)
  Watson sat down with "Inside Austin's Agenda" host Grace Reader prior to that announcement to discuss why he thinks it will lead to a more transparen
  
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• VIDEO: Texas cancer survivor made honorary Secret Service member during Trump's speech

  05-03-2025 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A young Texas cancer survivor got what many might consider the honor of a lifetime — when he was sworn in as an honorary member of the Secret Service during Tuesday night's Presidential address.Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, 13, has been on a mission to be sworn in as an honorary police officer at law enforcement agencies since 2018 -- when he was diagnosed with terminal brain and spine cancer."The doctors gave him five months, at most, to live. That was more than six
  
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• Texas congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner dies

  05-03-2025 16:53 via kxan.com
  Then-Houston mayor Sylvester Turner describes his bout with cancer in an interview at City Hall in Houston on Nov. 15, 2022. {Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune)
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner died Tuesday evening, according to two sources who had been notified of the news.The Houston Democrat was 70. He was two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the seat long occupied by Turner’s political ally, former U.S. Re
  
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• First responders work to extricate pinned patient after rollover

  05-03-2025 16:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Travis-County EMS said it was responding to a vehicle rescue in northwestern Travis County. Lake Travis Fire Rescue and the Austin Fire Department were also responding.ATCEMS said the incident involved a two-vehicle collision near the intersection of Farm-to-Market 620 and Ranch Road 2222.According to first responders, one of the vehicles rolled over and there was a patient pinned inside.ATCEMS reported extrication was in progress, and drivers should expect traffic d
  
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• First responders extricate pinned patient after rollover

  05-03-2025 16:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Travis-County EMS said it responded to a vehicle rescue in northwestern Travis County. Lake Travis Fire Rescue and the Austin Fire Department also responded.ATCEMS said there was a two-vehicle collision near the intersection of Farm-to-Market 620 and Ranch Road 2222.According to first responders, one of the vehicles rolled over, and a patient was pinned inside.In an update, ATCEMS said the adult patient was removed from the vehicle and medics took them to a hospital
  
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• Kristen's Classroom: Tornado truths & tales

  05-03-2025 15:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Tornadoes are arguably some of the most terrifying weather phenomena observed here in Central Texas. Although not as frequent as hail or wind, they can and do occur where we live.
  Despite being a well-known weather event, some facts about tornadoes might surprise some... and more so, some misconceptions that need to be corrected.Below are some common tornado MYTHS:
  Tornadoes have eyes.Tornadoes don't have eyes in the way hurricanes have "eyes". Although the center of a tornado is
  
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• Red Cross honors volunteers, gears up for Amplify Austin

  05-03-2025 15:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The American Red Cross, known for their worldwide work during disasters and support in local communities, celebrates their thousands of volunteers in the month of March every year.In combination with Red Cross Month, our local chapter, serving Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Milam, Travis, and Williamson counties, is hoping to raise funds during Amplify Austin. This area-wide fundraiser for local non-profits kicks off March 5 at 6 p.m. and continues until March 6th
  
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• 'This is no longer a free-for-all': APD makes multiple arrests in Austin park vehicle break-ins

  05-03-2025 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least nine people are facing charges in connection with a string of car burglaries at popular Austin parks.On Wednesday, the Austin Police Department announced the arrests and revealed new details about an ongoing operation, targeting what it's calling a "large criminal enterprise."
  The department said it partnered with several city of Austin and Travis County departments over the last four weeks to make 12 arrests, including multiple people who were arrested twice.
  Acco
  
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• APD arrests multiple suspects in Austin park vehicle burglaries

  05-03-2025 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department (APD) said it recently made multiple arrests related to burglary of vehicle incidents in the city.APD said it would host a conference Wednesday at 11 a.m. to provide an overview of its enforcement response to the ongoing vehicle burglaries occurring at Austin parks.The conference will be livestreamed in this story.APD said the reason for the conference was to help the department demonstrate its commitment to transparency with a focus on building
  
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• APD investigating fatal motorcycle crash, city's 9th fatal crash

  05-03-2025 14:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department identified a man who died Sunday following a collision involving a single motorcycle in north Austin.APD said officers responded to the 8600 block of Research Boulevard at approximately 4:15 a.m. for the crash.According to police, the motorcyclist, who was identified as 33-year-old Vincent Wade Drum, died at the scene. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2025?APD said this incident was being investigated as Austin’s ni
  
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• Schaefer, Booker earn SEC honors for No. 1 Longhorns

  05-03-2025 05:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - As Texas moved to the SEC, their women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer was very used to the new conference. He'd been coach of the year in the SEC three times already in his time at Mississippi State.Tuesday it was announced that Schaefer earned his fourth coach of the year honor in the SEC. He helped led the Longhorns to a share of the SEC regular season championship in their first year in the conference. Schaefer reflected not just team success, but on individual performances a
  
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• Central Texas crews respond to multiple fires, increased staffing due to high winds

  05-03-2025 04:44 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Multiple fires popped up across Central Texas on Tuesday. According to fire officials, strong winds contributed to the flames spreading.KXAN drove to multiple different fire scenes. We first dispatched to one in the Manor area.BLOG: Wildfires spark in Central Texas amid extreme fire dangerThe Austin Fire Department said it got the call around 2:30 p.m. about a fire next to a roadway near a neighborhood. AFD Division Chief Mark Bridges said the fire grew because of the stron
  
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• Joann store closures: See the list of nearly 800 locations headed for sale

  05-03-2025 04:31 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – After more than 80 years, national fabric and craft retailer Joann is another step closer to being erased from shopping centers across the U.S. after the release of nearly 800 locations going up for sale in the coming months.Related video above: What to know before you sign up for a store credit cardThere is no fixed auction date pending bankruptcy court approval, but Mike Matlat, senior managing director with A&G Real Estate Partners, provided Nexstar with a list of 790 re
  
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• Democrat Al Green removed from House after interrupting, heckling Trump

  05-03-2025 03:55 via kxan.com
  
  Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was removed from the House chamber where President Trump was giving his address to a joint session of Congress after the congressman heckled the president early in his speech. Green responded to Trump’s declaration that his 2024 electoral victory was a “mandate like has not been seen in many decades” by asserting that Trump did not have a mandate.
  Trump sought to continue with his address without answering Green, but the Democratic congressman did n
  
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• Trump's speech to Congress will offer divided nation an accounting of turbulent first weeks

  05-03-2025 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will stand before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday to give an accounting of his turbulent first weeks in office as a divided nation struggles to keep pace, with some Americans fearing for the country's future while others are cheering him on.It will be the latest milestone in Trump’s total takeover of the nation's capital where the Republican-led House and Senate have done little to restrain the president as he and his all
  
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• Emboldened Trump praises his 'swift action' in address to Congress

  05-03-2025 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump took credit for “swift and unrelenting action” in reorienting the nation’s economy, immigration and foreign policy Tuesday in an address to Congress and the American people about his turbulent first weeks in office, as Democratic legislators immediately registered their dissent with stone faces, placards calling out ’lies,” and one legislator’s ejection.Trump's joint address to Congress was the latest ma
  
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• 'People are seeking miracles today': Recovery home offers free services for Marble Falls women

  05-03-2025 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  We asked you to tell us about inspiring women in your life. We went through the nominations in our Remarkable Women contest, and leading up to the announcement of the 2025 winner, we’re catching up with our previous nominees and winners. You can read more about the contest and these Remarkable Women, here.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- What began with small recovery meetings in a church nearly 15 years ago has grown into a mission that is changing lives in Marble Falls.
  Open Door Recover
  
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• 'We value public servants': Austin targeting federal staff let go by Trump administration

  05-03-2025 01:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As President Donald Trump's administration works to slash the federal workforce, the city of Austin is hoping to take advantage.According to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, the city is reimplementing a program that has helped it attract employees in the past.
  "At any given point in time in any year, we're probably looking to hire around 2,400 people with a staff of about 16,000," Watson said. "When I first got here in January of '23 you may remember, we really pushed on, 'why do we ha
  
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• Despite 'ban,' two lottery couriers still operating in Texas

  05-03-2025 01:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Feb. 24, the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) decided to ban lottery couriers — mobile and online applications that buy lottery tickets on people's behalf for a service fee. Eight days later, Lotto.com and Jackpot.com are still taking orders in Texas.The policy statement said "the TLC believes couriers are not legal under Texas law and the TLC will exercise its discretion under the SLA to take all appropriate action to stop this activity from occurring, including
  
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• Can you freeze eggs?

  05-03-2025 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — It might not be something you’ve considered yet, but with the price at a record high and experts projecting the trend to continue, freezing your egg products might be something worth taking a crack at.So, can you freeze eggs?Egg prices could jump 41% this year, USDA says, as Trump’s bird flu plan is unveiledThe USDA says yes. But there are a few conditions to follow before throwing them in the freezer.
  According to the USDA, eggs can be safely frozen for u
  
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• Florida man swallows $769K in stolen jewelry from Tiffany & Co.: police

  05-03-2025 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — One Florida man is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando and swallowing the evidence.On Feb. 26, Jaythan Lawrence Gilder, 32, allegedly impersonated a representative working for an Orlando Magic basketball player in order to gain access to the pricey jewelry, according to an arrest report from the Orlando Police Department. Cat food recalled over risk of bird flu weeks after pets euthanizedPoli
  
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• Senate committee discusses bills on prayer, Ten Commandments in school

  05-03-2025 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — The Texas Senate Committee on Education discussed two bills that could bring religious materials into public school classrooms.Senate Bill 10 would require all public schools to display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The text specified in the bill is the same as the text on the Ten Commandments Monument behind the Texas Capitol.As he introduced the bill, Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, called the Ten Commandments "one of the most recogniz
  
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