Austin news

• San Antonio superintendent worries his district could potentially close amid Department of Education cuts

  28-03-2025 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Nexstar) -- The Lackland Independent School District is by far not the biggest school district in Texas, but it is unique. It's located within the Lackland Air Force Base in west San Antonio serving roughly 1,000 military-connected students.
  Because of its location the school can not collect any local property taxes, meaning half of its budget comes from Impact Aide -- a federal educational grant program that reimburses school districts for any loss of revenue because of nont
  
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• What is defined as domestic terrorism, and what does it actually mean?

  28-03-2025 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police have not shared what kinds of devices they found outside of a northwest Austin Tesla facility, or how they could have started a fire earlier this week.Though the bomb squad safely removed the devices without any damage, the situation mirrors arson and vandalism targeting the electric vehicle company across the country and the world. ‘Incendiary’ devices found at Austin Tesla showroomThe FBI created a new task force this week to investigate threats against the
  
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• APD identifies body pulled from Lady Bird Lake

  28-03-2025 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage of the incident.AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the Austin Police Department identified the woman who was pulled from Lady Bird Lake following a water rescue Thursday. MAP: Tracking deaths in Lady Bird Lake in downtown AustinThe person was identified as 49-year-old Jennifer Lynn Atkinson, according to police.On Thursday morning, police responded to a welfare check call after a body was seen facedown in the water near the 90 block of Con
  
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• Anonymous hacker group 'co-founder' arrested, tied to 2021 Texas GOP web hack

  28-03-2025 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Unsealed federal court records revealed "a security researcher and co-founder of Anonymous," which is a worldwide hacking group, has been arrested in Canada and accused of allegedly hacking the Texas GOP website (texasgop.org) on Sept. 11, 2021.According to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, Aubrey Cottle, 37, is being charged with "unlawfully transferring, possessing, or using a means of identification with the intent to commit, or aid or abet, or in
  
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• Ex-NFL player charged after 190 dogs seized from Oklahoma dog fighting venture

  28-03-2025 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic content.TULSA, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former NFL player and Oklahoma native is facing federal charges after officials seized 190 dogs from an alleged animal fighting venture, according to court documents.LeShon Eugene Johnson is facing 20 counts of possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture and one count of sale, transport, and delivery of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture.An unsealed indictment in the Eastern Di
  
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• Why is it called the 'Sweet 16' and 'Elite Eight'?

  28-03-2025 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – It's the most exciting time of year for fans of the NCAA Men's and Women's Division I Basketball Tournaments — better known as "March Madness" to the majority of sports fans.Each begins with 68 of the best teams in college basketball until one team is left standing as the National Champion.To get there, seven rounds of play are held, during which the winners advance and the losers go home.The first three rounds have rather simple names. It begins with the "First Four," du
  
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• Austin Police search for 3 suspects in commercial burglary investigation

  28-03-2025 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department asked for help identifying three burglary suspects related to a March 21 commercial burglary.According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 7 a.m. in the 300 block of San Antonio Street.APD said the three suspects arrived in a dark four-door pickup truck, broke into a storage unit and stole multiple items by loading them onto the truck before leaving the scene.Suspects in commercial burglary investigation (APD photo)Suspect 1 in com
  
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• After years of disappointment at the polls, Texas Democrats will select new party leader

  28-03-2025 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  (The Texas Tribune) -- After a morale-shattering performance at the 2024 ballot box, a panel of Texas Democrats are about to choose the party’s next leader, someone who they hope will put back the pieces and restore faith in its future.The State Democratic Executive Committee will meet on Saturday to elect the successor to party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa and complete the remainder of his term. He served nearly 13 years as the party figurehead leading Democrats’ efforts to end more than
  
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• 2 arrested in Cedar Park Valentine's Day 'jugging' robbery

  28-03-2025 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Cedar Park Police Department announced that two people who were allegedly involved in an aggravated robbery "jugging" that happened on Valentine's Day were arrested earlier this week.
  The police department shared details about the case and arrests on Thursday, announcing that it had arrested and charged two suspects in the case. APD: 2 suspects arrested, accused of robbing $8K in jugging incidentPolice said officers responded to an aggravated robbery on Friday, Fe
  
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• Austin Police now dispatching officers to lower-priority calls, chief says

  28-03-2025 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is now sending officers to calls that are considered lower priority, Chief Lisa Davis said.The change started about a month ago."That is just going to give us better outcomes when it comes to those investigations," she said.Classifying callsAPD classifies calls based on priority levels 0-4, with 0 being the highest priority and 4 being the lowest.
  Below is a breakdown of the types of calls associated with those classifications, according to APD.
  
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• Austin working early to address 'budget asteroids'; it may mean a tax rate election

  28-03-2025 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced the city would change the way it works on its budget, the Audit and Finance committee met Wednesday to better understand Austin's financial landscape.The city is starting its budget conversations with elected leaders earlier than usual this year so it can plug holes created by federal funding cuts -- not just the loss of grant funding but also congressional earmarks and the possible elimination of federal tax exemption on municipal bonds.
  
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• Why the Austin Police Association is suing APD Chief Lisa Davis

  28-03-2025 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Association (APA) filed a lawsuit against Austin’s Chief of Police Lisa Davis, claiming she has overstepped her position.According to the lawsuit, APD claimed Davis was breaking attorney-client privilege with a change in how the department looks into complaints against officers.KXAN reached out to the Austin Police Department for comment regarding the lawsuit, but it said it had not been served with the lawsuit yet.When the department investigates a
  
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• Multiple state agencies set to return-to-work in-person on Monday

  28-03-2025 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In a follow-up to a story we ran earlier in the month, we asked many of Texas's biggest agencies if they plan to return remote workers to the office. We found at least eight agencies have already returned at least some of their remote workers, or plan to return at least some of their remote workers on Monday, March 31.Legislative Budget BoardA spokesperson with the agency said on Wednesday, "No guidance has recently been provided to our staff regarding telework policies.
  
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• Austin Police arrest man related to multiple indecent exposure cases

  28-03-2025 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it arrested a man March 9 related to three counts of indecent exposure.APD said 22-year-old Jacob Anthony Rodriguez was arrested after an “extensive investigation by the APD Sex Crimes Unit."According to police, on Feb. 7, between 5 and 6 p.m., Rodriguez was driving near the area of South Congress Avenue and E. Oltorf Street when he exposed himself to women out for a walk.“Rodriguez exposed himself to at least three separate fem
  
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• Sheppard AFB released from lockdown amid active shooter

  28-03-2025 16:26 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect the most recent information.
  SAFB gate line when they went on lockdown 
  Final Update: As of 11:29 a.m., a release from Sheppard AFB said that the base has been released from lockdown.
  Update: As of 10:46 a.m., a release from Sheppard AFB said that nothing had been found to indicate a shooting, but the base remains on lockdown as the sweeps continue.WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Early reports from Sheppard Air Force Base reported
  
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• Sheppard AFB on lockdown amid active shooter

  28-03-2025 16:26 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect the most recent information.
  WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — According to early reports, Sheppard Air Force Base is on lockdown for an active shooter.On Friday, March 28, at around 9:50 a.m., early reports alerted to an active shooter on the base at the golf course.SAFB is currently on lockdown.According to early reports, the suspect could be a white male with a blue ball cap and a blue shirt, but that has not been confirmed at this time.We
  
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• US Marshals arrest 4th suspect in Austin homicide nearly a year later

  28-03-2025 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was arrested earlier this week and charged in connection with a murder that happened in north Austin nearly a year ago.
  This marked the fourth arrest made in the investigation, according to a press release from United States Marshals.Previous coverage: Three arrested in connection with north Austin homicideDarwin “Condon” Samir Salinas-Martinez, 28, was a suspect wanted by the Austin Police Department for a homicide that happened on Apr
  
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• 1 injured after shooting in north Austin

  28-03-2025 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said officers responded in north Austin to reports of a shooting.According to police, a victim was found in the 900 block of Payton Gin Road and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Officers respond to shooting near Peyton Gin Road in north Austin (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)Officers respond to shooting near Peyton Gin Road in north Austin (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)Officers respond to shooting near Peyton Gin Road in north Austin (KX
  
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• Head of Austin Animal Center retiring after being put on leave

  28-03-2025 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's Chief Animal Services Officer, and the effective director of the Austin Animal Center, will not return to the role after being put on administrative leave, according to a memo from City Manager TC Broadnax obtained by KXAN.Don Bland was put on administrative leave on March 7. The city of Austin did not give a reason for that leave, telling KXAN then:The City of Austin can confirm that Don Bland has been on administrative leave since Friday, March 7.  Deputy Ch
  
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• How to clear unpaid citations, warrants in Austin

  28-03-2025 14:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Those with unpaid citations and/or outstanding warrants were encouraged to come and take care of them without the threat of arrest during the Austin Municipal Court (AMC) 2025 Warrant Amnesty program.No appointments are needed for the program, which runs from March 31 to April 25. However, the program only applies to active cases in front of AMC or the Downtown Austin Community Court.“No officers will be sent out to take defendants into custody, and those who come to
  
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• Inside the Investigation: Why Texas might need more medical examiners

  28-03-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After decades of justices of the peace with minimal training handling death investigations across the state, Texas lawmakers are advancing a bill that would create a new system. This week on Inside the Investigation, Senior Investigative Producer David Barer explains the challenges that could come with reform. Related reading: 
  Bill to expand medical examiner access in Texas closer to lawA Hanging on Backbone Creek: A Catalyst Project
  Join KXAN Investigative Reporter K
  
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• Meet Williamson County's next top leader, Steven Snell

  28-03-2025 13:57 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County Commissioners have appointed the next county judge. On Thursday night, in a three-to-one vote, commissioners approved Steven Snell.Russ Boles, commissioner for Precinct 4, voted against Snell's appointment.Steven Snell is currently the superintendent for the Liberty Hill Independent School District and has served the district for the past six years. A press release from Williamson County noted that the district has grown by 126% in enrollme
  
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• PHOTOS: Austin fire crews respond to bus fire in southeast Austin

  28-03-2025 13:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin firefighters responded to the scene of a fire Friday morning in Southeast Austin.According to the Austin Fire Department, a bus was on fire, with some fire extension into a nearby building in the 4400 block of E St. Elmo Drive.Crews respond to bus fire (AFD photo)Crews respond to bus fire (AFD photo)Crews respond to bus fire (AFD photo)Crews respond to bus fire (AFD photo)Crews respond to bus fire (AFD photo)Crews respond to bus fire (AFD photo)People were told to av
  
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• Charley Crockett 'can't be neutral on a moving train'; mentee Noeline Hofmann seems of the same mindset

  28-03-2025 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Charley Crockett has been around the country music scene for a while, but he's arguably built up more steam in recent years than in his first decade or so of pursuing a life as a full-time musician. The self-proclaimed drifter knows a thing or two about starting from the ground up and taking his trajectory into his own hands, even when the steam forces the train full speed ahead. Crockett seems to be imparting that wisdom onto up-and-coming country artist Noeline Hofmann, whose
  
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• Person hit, killed by vehicle on MoPac southbound near Parmer Lane

  28-03-2025 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person died early Friday morning after being hit by a vehicle on MoPac.
  This happened on the southbound side of MoPac near West Parmer Lane. All southbound lanes of MoPac were closed shortly before 7 a.m. for the crash investigation.
  The Texas Department of Transportation Austin office posted on X at 6:48 a.m. about the crash, noting the lane closures.
  Austin-Travis County EMS posted on X at 7:01 a.m. that medics had responded to an auto vs. pedestrian crash, and a person was
  
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• Artwork 'Austin' gets an entrance worthy of those seeking its splendor

  28-03-2025 13:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In art, as in life, how you make an entrance leaves an impression.
  This had become a problem at the front of the chapel-like building known as 'Austin', the gem of the Blanton Museum of Art's collection.
  The building on the University of Texas campus is the only one ever designed by the celebrated artist Ellsworth Kelly, attracting nearly 69,000 visitors through its doors last year alone.But those visitors were having trouble getting in.
  The doors on the outside of 'Austin' need
  
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• School's out!: When do local districts end classes for the 2024-25 school year?

  28-03-2025 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topics including weather and climate, politics, education, sports and growth in Texas. Each story in the KXAN Data Hub is updated as new data becomes available.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students and teachers across Central Texas are approaching the end of the school year. MAP: More than 100 Texas school districts have switched to four-day school weeksThe last
  
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• Harmon's competitive spirit driving top-seeded Longhorns into Sweet 16

  28-03-2025 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It took Texas senior point guard Rori Harmon a while to feel like herself again after tearing her right ACL last season. She had to watch her teammates make it to the Elite Eight from the sideline, and as a fierce competitor, that's not easy to do.But when she recovered from her injury physically, doing her rehabilitation workouts and gaining strength in the joint again, that was just the beginning of her journey back to leading the Longhorns through the NCAA Tournament. Se
  
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• 'More people need to be aware of it.' Crime survivors spread awareness about compensation program

  28-03-2025 04:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – In East Austin, crime survivors gathered to tell their stories, or those of their loved ones, in order to bring awareness to the Texas' Crime Victim Compensation Program (CVC) on Thursday.The CVC is a financial support program that helps pay for medical bills, lost earnings, therapy, relocation, funerals for crime victims or dependents of victims. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Crime victim’s payment woes among worsening wait in TexasAsward Thomas was one of those at the event. T
  
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• 'Are you delusional?': 2026 Texas Senate race heats up

  28-03-2025 04:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — While the re-election of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz over former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred remains fresh in voters' minds, the primary election for Texas' other seat held by Sen. John Cornyn is less than a year away.On Wednesday, Cornyn released a video on X formally announcing his re-election campaign. The video highly features President Donald Trump, highlighting the ways Cornyn helped Trump implement his agenda in his first term."Now I'm running for re-election, and I'm asking
  
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• Abreu's homers lift Red Sox to 5-2 win, spoil Rangers' home opener

  28-03-2025 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Wilyer Abreu hit a three-run shot in the ninth inning for his second homer of the opener, powering the Boston Red Sox past the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Thursday.Abreu had a part in every run for Boston. He singled and scored on a fielder’s choice grounder in the third. He homered in the fifth off Nathan Eovaldi and his game-winner was a 394-foot liner to right-center off new Rangers reliever Luke Jackson. Nexstar Media Group to air some Texas Rangers games on KBVO
  
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• Insurance company accused of spying on customers, lawmakers faces Texas Attorney General investigation

  28-03-2025 02:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - A health insurance company managing the care of sick and disabled children in Texas faces accusations of spying on state lawmakers and private citizens.On Thursday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Superior HealthPlan, one day after a heated public hearing at the Capitol. Lawmakers on the House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, grilled the company's CEO over surveillance practices, they say, crossed a line.During Wednesday's
  
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• Teacher arrested on child porn charges taught as substitute at 20 Austin ISD schools

  28-03-2025 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District said a teacher arrested on child pornography charges taught as a substitute at 20 schools in the district.On March 11, the Texas Department of Public Safety alerted the Austin Independent School District Police Department that Carl Innmon, 50, was under investigation for possession of child pornography, a first-degree felony, according to AISD.Police documents from March 14 show the teacher at Baranoff Elementary School now faces
  
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• Teacher arrested for child porn subbed at 20 AISD schools

  28-03-2025 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin ISD says the teacher arrested for child pornography charges subbed at 20 schools in the district.
  On March 11, the Texas Department of Public Safety alerted the Austin Independent School District Police Department that Carl Innmon, 50, was under investigation for possession of child pornography, a first-degree felony, according to AISD.Police documents from March 14 show the teacher at Baranoff Elementary School now faces charges of possession of child pornograp
  
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