Austin news

• School enrollment in Central Texas: Which districts are the largest?

  02-04-2025 23:20 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) — Almost 420,000 students are enrolled in school districts and open charters across the KXAN viewing area, as of the 2024-25 school year.KXAN is keeping track of enrollment data
  
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• Huston-Tillotson HBCU AI conference promotes diversifying tech spaces

  02-04-2025 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— Artificial Intelligence is a part of our everyday lives, and it's not going anywhere. In fact, we're seeing more of it.It's why Huston-Tillotson University is hosting an HBCU AI conference and training summit this week.Huston-Tillotson University hosts inaugural HCCU AI conference and training summit. (KXAN photos/Timothy Holcomb).Huston-Tillotson University hosts inaugural HCCU AI conference and training summit. (KXAN photos/Timothy Holcomb).Huston-Tillotson University host
  
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• US House Minority leader says it's 'very likely' they sue Abbott over Turner replacement

  02-04-2025 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — At the tail end of a 30-minute press conference on Wednesday, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, D-New York, told reporters the House Democrats would likely sue Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over not holding a special election for House District 18.The district was represented by former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner until his death on March 5. Turner's death and the death of his Democratic colleague Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Arizona, turned the U.S. House from a t
  
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• Teen dead, student arrested in stabbing at Frisco track meet, police say

  02-04-2025 22:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 16-year-old is dead, and the suspect is in custody after an altercation between two students escalated to a stabbing at a track meet in Frisco, the Frisco Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.Officials responded around 10 a.m. to the track meet in the 6900 block of Stadium Lane in Frisco and discovered the altercation led to one of the students stabbing the other.A spokesperson for the Frisco Independent School District said the 11-5A championship track meet took
  
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• Pokeworks wants to add more than 10 locations in Austin

  02-04-2025 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  (Austin Business Journal) -- Pokeworks wants to grow in Austin, but the biggest challenge it faces is real estate.The California-based poke franchise, which has four locations in the Austin area, wants to expand its footprint regionally and across the state with the help of current franchisee Marcos Blanco. Pokeworks could add at least another 10 locations in the metro, said Maria Frazelle, director of franchise development for Pokeworks.However, finding real estate in Austin isn’t easy. T
  
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• Austin Humane Society helps rescue 30+ dogs, including 19 doodles, from 1 home

  02-04-2025 20:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Humane Society (AHS) said it helped rescue more than 30 dogs Tuesday, including 19 doodles, from a single property in Bastrop County.AHS said the dogs, which were between 3 months and 5 years old, were living outside “as part of a breeding operation of ‘doodle’ type dogs,” and were “suffering from flea infestations, fur matting, and … heartworms.”For those interested in adopting, the fees range from $85 to $200. Donation
  
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• Leander PD working 'possible attempted child abduction', suspect at large

  02-04-2025 20:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Leander Police Department said it was working a "possible attempted child abduction" Wednesday. The suspect is still at large, a post from the police department said.The incident happened at 3000 N. Lakeline Blvd. at an apartment complex, the police department said in a post. There may be police presence in the area.
  Police are looking for a white male, roughly 5'9", thin build, short curly hair or bald. Police say he was described as wearing light colored shorts, a black sh
  
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• Texas A&M can’t ban “Draggieland” drag show, federal judge rules

  02-04-2025 20:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas A&M University System from enforcing a ban on drag shows being held at its special event venues.The ruling allowed Draggieland, an event scheduled for March 27 at the flagship university’s Rudder Theatre in College Station, to go on as planned.Draggieland is an annual pageant where contestants wear clothing or makeup that often, but does not always, run counter to their expected gender identity. The contestant
  
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• Texas A&M can’t ban 'Draggieland' drag show, federal judge rules

  02-04-2025 20:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas A&M University System from enforcing a ban on drag shows being held at its special event venues.The ruling allowed Draggieland, an event scheduled for March 27 at the flagship university’s Rudder Theatre in College Station, to go on as planned.Draggieland is an annual pageant where contestants wear clothing or makeup that often, but does not always, run counter to their expected gender identity. The contestant
  
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• More than 40 people possibly linked with Venezuelan gang taken into custody in Hays County

  02-04-2025 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — More than 40 people, who law enforcement officials believe may be affiliated or connected with the Venezuelan transnational gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), were taken into custody near a Hays County home Tuesday,
  The FBI said it recently discovered information about a "possible gathering of suspected TdA members or TdA associates in Hays County," according to a press release from the FBI San Antonio Division.On Tuesday morning, the Texas Department of Public Safety'
  
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• Why Tesla may avoid the blow of Trump's auto tariffs

  02-04-2025 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- Elon Musk’s focus on American-made products at Tesla could shield his company from the brunt of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on foreign vehicles and automobile parts.While foreign automakers and American consumers anticipate climbing car prices, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer — led by Musk — may be safe from Trump’s 25 percent tariff because of its domestic production.  “Tesla made a business model choice that has served
  
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• Musk could be headed for a Washington exit after turbulent times at Trump's DOGE

  02-04-2025 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — DOGE’s days appear to be numbered.
  Elon Musk recently suggested that he will be done with his work in the near future. President Donald Trump told reporters this week that “at some point, he’s going to be going back” to running his companies. As far as the Department of Government Efficiency, Trump said “it will end.”
  All of that talk was before Musk faced a setback Tuesday in Wisconsin, where voters rejected his choice for a state Supr
  
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• Elon Musk's work in Washington, DOGE could be ending soon

  02-04-2025 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — DOGE’s days appear to be numbered.
  Elon Musk recently suggested that he will be done with his work in the near future. President Donald Trump told reporters this week that “at some point, he’s going to be going back” to running his companies. As far as the Department of Government Efficiency, Trump said “it will end.”
  All of that talk was before Musk faced a setback Tuesday in Wisconsin, where voters rejected his choice for a state Supr
  
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• TCSO seeks crisis response volunteers to help with victim services

  02-04-2025 19:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit said it was searching for volunteers to help those in crisis.TCSO said the volunteers would provide assistance to victims of various criminal and crisis circumstances, including:
  family violencesexual assaultschild/elder abuseaggravated assaultsrobberies/burglariessuicidesstructure firesdeath notificationsnatural/accidental deathsmajor traffic accidents
  According to TCSO, the VSU volunteers are required to comple
  
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• Earn $1K to eat Peeps — here's how

  02-04-2025 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — With the Easter season in full bloom, nowhere is that more apparent than in the candy and seasonal aisles of your grocery stores. And there's one particular — and controversial — Easter candy that always tends to get a little more attention than others.Love them or hate them, it's the season of Peeps. Does flirting with ‘sticky eyes’ work? Here’s what a dating expert has to sayA display of marshmallow Peeps in the Easter Candy section of the Port C
  
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• What's going on with the hotels Austin bought to house the homeless?

  02-04-2025 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several years ago, the city of Austin purchased several hotels and motels to serve people experiencing homelessness. They spent tens of millions of dollars on the properties and renovations, collectively.
  Northbridge and Southbridge sheltersTwo of the hotels the city of Austin previously purchased are being used as bridge shelters, which provide a temporary unit for people to get on their feet before being moved to permanent supportive housing or other more permanent housing.
  Th
  
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• Texas memorial honors 11 volunteer firefighters lost in the line of duty

  02-04-2025 17:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday morning, the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshalls' Association of Texas (SFFMA) will host a memorial service to honor volunteer firefighters who have died in the line of duty.A release from SFFMA said the memorial service will be held at the Volunteer Firemen’s Memorial monument on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.The release said that throughout legislative years, it has held memorial services like this one
  
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• LIVE: Texas memorial honors 11 volunteer firefighters lost in the line of duty

  02-04-2025 17:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday morning, the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshalls' Association of Texas (SFFMA) will host a memorial service to honor volunteer firefighters who have died in the line of duty.A release from SFFMA said the memorial service will be held at the Volunteer Firemen’s Memorial monument on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.The release said that throughout legislative years, it has held memorial services like this one
  
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• LIVE: Inside Austin's Agenda: City Council Member Mike Siegel

  02-04-2025 15:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday’s Inside Austin’s Agenda episode, host Grace Reader will sit down with Austin City Council Member Mike Siegel at 3 p.m. Siegel is one of three new members on the council.
  Reader and Siegel will discuss the council member's first few months in the role, how local government is responding to recent state and federal policy, and upcoming city council action.The city of Austin is facing mounting financial pressure as the Trump administration's federal budget
  
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• Inside Austin's Agenda: City Council Member Mike Siegel

  02-04-2025 15:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday’s Inside Austin’s Agenda episode, host Grace Reader will sit down with Austin City Council Member Mike Siegel at 3 p.m. Siegel is one of three new members on the council.
  Reader and Siegel will discuss the council member's first few months in the role, how local government is responding to recent state and federal policy, and upcoming city council action.The city of Austin is facing mounting financial pressure as the Trump administration's federal budget
  
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• SWAT responds to call in southeast Austin

  02-04-2025 15:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said its SWAT team responded to a call regarding a barricaded subject Wednesday morning in southeast Austin.APD said officers responded near the area of 5300 Jimmy Clay Drive, and the scene remained active as of 8 a.m.The department asked that people avoid the area and find alternate routes.A briefing is expected to be held later in the day, according to APD.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Aggressive sea lion attacks 15-year-old girl in Southern California waters

  02-04-2025 04:34 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – A 15-year-old in Long Beach, California, is recovering after a terrifying and unexpected ocean encounter with a sea lion that attacked her over the weekend.  The incident happened Sunday in front of a lifeguard tower on what was supposed to be a big day for Phoebe Beltran and her family. She was at the beach to complete her swim test for the cadet lifeguard program in Long Beach.  “Out of nowhere, I feel something biting my arm,” the teen told Nexstar's KTLA.
  
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• Man sentenced to 60 years over 'invalid DNA evidence' sues city of Austin

  02-04-2025 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to 60 years in prison, who later had his conviction overturned because of "invalid DNA evidence", filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Austin.The lawsuit is a "civil rights action...arising from several problems that ultimately caused Plaintiff to be convicted of aggravated assault—and sentenced to 60 years, of which he served more than 10—based on invalid DNA evidence. This use of invalid evidence was in t
  
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• Man sentenced to 60 years over 'faulty DNA evidence' sues city of Austin

  02-04-2025 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to 60 years in prison, who later had his conviction overturned because of "invalid DNA evidence", filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Austin.
  The lawsuit is a "civil rights action...arising from several problems that ultimately caused Plaintiff to be convicted of aggravated assault—and sentenced to 60 years, of which he served more than 10—based on invalid DNA evidence. This use of invalid evidence was in
  
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• Watch: Potential albino pygmy killer whale spotted off Hawaii

  02-04-2025 04:12 via kxan.com
  
  HONOLULU (KHON) — Whale watchers around Hawaii are crossing their fingers for another glimpse of what could be an albino whale.This particular whale species known as Blackfish resides in Hawaii year round, but what divers saw on March 28 off Makaha was an extremely rare sighting, according to marine biologists."We noticed there was a white baby with them," said Travis Woo, a safety diver on Iruka Hawaii Dolphin Snorkeling Tours. "My initial reaction was euphoria.""It's one of four species
  
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• Dressing sold at Trader Joe's in 17 states recalled over undeclared allergens

  02-04-2025 03:59 via kxan.com
  
  (WHTM) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the voluntary recall of Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing that was sold in 17 states and Washington, D.C.Fresh Creative Foods, the California-based company that manufactured the dressing for Trader Joe's, first issued the recall on March 30, notifying consumers of undeclared allergens in the product."The incorrect label does not include allergen callouts for peanuts, soy, sesame, or wheat," reads a copy of the recall
  
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• WATCH: Send-off for Texas women's basketball

  02-04-2025 03:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - It's been quite the whirlwind as of late for the Texas women's basketball team. The Longhorns clinched their first Final Four appearance in over 20 years Monday night with an Elite Eight win over TCU. Tuesday brought a brief moment at home with the Longhorns faithful.Texas had the emotional win over TCU in Birmingham and arrived home early Tuesday morning. Later that afternoon, the Longhorns took off for Tampa, Florida and the Final Four.As they left their practice facility on ca
  
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• DOGE checks? Elon Musk claims 'progress' has been made, but says it isn't his decision

  02-04-2025 03:29 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Waiting for a stimulus check funded by the cuts the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) says it's making? It could be a while.While speaking in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday, Elon Musk was asked whether he had any update on "DOGE checks" being sent out to Americans.He noted that though it is "somewhat up to the Congress and maybe the president as to whether specific checks are cut," reducing "wasteful spending" will leave the economy "better off."He claimed this would
  
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• School choice and school finance meeting postponed; will not be streamed

  02-04-2025 01:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Tuesday morning, members of the Texas House Committee on Public Education were set to meet to discuss two of the biggest bills of the session -- education savings accounts and school finance. Less than 10 hours before they convened, Chair Brad Buckley, R-Salado, postponed the meeting for Thursday morning."Throughout the House Public Education Committee's work on House Bill 2, I made a commitment to members that they would have ample time to review and digest the chang
  
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• Cory Booker sets a record with marathon Senate speech. Will it rally anti-Trump resistance?

  02-04-2025 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — In a feat of determination, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted all night and into Tuesday evening, setting a historic mark to show Democrats’ resistance to President Donald Trump’s sweeping actions.
  Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening, saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able.” More than 24 hours later, the 55-year-old senator, a former football tight
  
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• Maryland strikes quickly, hires Texas A&M's Buzz Williams after Kevin Willard's exit

  02-04-2025 01:29 via kxan.com
  
  Maryland moved on quickly after Kevin Willard's departure, hiring another coach with plenty of experience at a high level.
  Buzz Williams is changing jobs again.
  Maryland hired Williams as its men's basketball coach Tuesday, bringing in an accomplished candidate following Willard's exit to take the Villanova job. Williams arrives after six seasons at Texas A&M. He has also coached at Virginia Tech, Marquette and New Orleans.
  He'll be the first to coach in the Big East, ACC, Southeastern Confe
  
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• Texas House debates legislation for first time this session

  02-04-2025 01:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- For the first time since gaveling into session on Jan. 14, members of the Texas House of Representatives debated and voted on bills, but not before a Republican member motioned for Speaker Dustin Burrows, R - Lubbock, to vacate his position.State Rep. Brian Harrison, R - Midlothian, stood at the back podium in the House chamber at the beginning of Tuesday's House session and began a line of questioning against Burrows. Harrison took the opportunity to raise his concerns with
  
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• Manor neighbors fight beaver eviction 

  02-04-2025 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, TEXAS (KXAN) – ShadowGlen is a master-planned community just over a dozen miles from downtown Austin. While its affordable homes have compelled many to move to Manor, Texas, the community’s management has made it clear that not everyone -- or thing -- is welcome. “We got a manager's report that [the community management] had found a wildlife removal company, and they were going to be using that company to remove the beavers,” said Alana Webre, who has liv
  
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• More Central Texas school districts making cuts due to funding issues

  02-04-2025 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—As legislators discuss changes to private and public education in Texas during the 89th Legislative Session, there's a growing challenge for many Central Texas districts financially struggling.A number of districts have already cut programs that some students and families depend on.Now, there's a continued forced shift, further impacting the community.
  Del Valle ISD ends free dual-language Pre-K for some studentsParents in the Dell Valle Independent School District recently f
  
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• Cory Booker tops 23 hours in a Senate speech. Will it rally anti-Trump resistance?

  02-04-2025 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted all night and into Tuesday afternoon in a feat of endurance to show Democrats’ resistance to President Donald Trump’s sweeping actions.
  Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening, saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able.” More than 23 hours later, the 55-year-old senator, a former football tight end, was plainly exhausted b
  
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