Austin news

• Texas guard Rori Harmon wants to 'run it back' with Longhorns

  09-04-2025 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN(KXAN) -- Texas senior guard Rori Harmon announced Wednesday she will return for her fifth season with the Longhorns basketball program. Harmon will use a medical redshirt season after going down with a season-ending knee injury in December 2023, playing in just 12 games during her junior season.Harmon said in a social media post that she is pursuing a Master's degree after graduating in three years, writing "why wouldn't I want to run it back?"Harmon averaged 9.3 points, 5.9 assists, 3.5
  
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• Commissioners approve DWI, drug court program in Hays County

  09-04-2025 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There is a new effort to help people break the cycle of going to jail for repeat drug and alcohol related offenses. This is part of the Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Drug Court program in Hays County that commissioners approved on Tuesday.According to the county, the program will focus on rehab rather than incarceration and will target "non-violent offenders with substance abuse disorders," according to a news release from Hays County.Hays County District Attorney Kelly Hi
  
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• Austin's China Town shoppers react to Trump's 125% tariffs

  09-04-2025 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— President Trump is lowering tariffs for imported goods to 10% for all countries, except China.That tariff rate for Chinese good imports has gone up to 125%. And it's something that will be felt here in Austin with a number of Chinese American businesses. Trump announces pause in tariffs; markets jumpAustin's China Town shoppers react to Trump's 125% tariffs. (KXAN photos/Tim Holcomb).
  KXAN spoke with shoppers and businesses in China Town in north Austin. It's a center with m
  
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• Texas Supreme Court Justice announces plans to retire, Abbott to appoint replacement

  09-04-2025 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd announced his plans to retire this summer before the end of his second term. Boyd's decision to step down means Gov. Greg Abbott will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of his term.Boyd was appointed in 2012 by former Gov. Rick Perry, and won reelection in 2014 and 2020. He did not give a reason for his retirement.“Throughout his service on the Supreme Court, Justice Boyd has been a model of integrity, impartial
  
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• Texas lottery player claims he was cheated out of $95 million in 2023 jackpot win

  09-04-2025 20:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A Texas lottery player filed a lawsuit in Travis County on Tuesday alleging his May 2023 Lotto Texas jackpot prize was severely diminished by $95 million because a group of lottery retailers and a London-based sports gambling company conspired to rig a lottery drawing less than a month before his win.
  The plaintiff's name is Jerry B. Reed of Hood County, Texas. On May 17, 2023, the lawsuit says Reed won the Lotto Texas jackpot which, at the time, was worth $7.5 million. Less
  
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• Man gets 20 years in prison for murder following fatal 2021 shooting

  09-04-2025 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was convicted and sentenced March 19 after pleading guilty to a first-degree murder charge related to a February 2021 fatal shooting. RELATED | 4 face capital murder charges in connection with deadly February shootingAccording to Travis County court documents, 28-year-old Sammie Spencer received a 20-year prison sentence for the murder charge, which was related to the death of 27-year-old Marcel Pimpton.Three others were also arrested and charged related to Pimpton's
  
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• Are dire wolves de-extinct? Genetically engineered pups spark controversy

  09-04-2025 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  Three genetically engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.Dire wolves, which went
  
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• Wall Street surges to one of its best days since WWII after Trump pauses most tariffs

  09-04-2025 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks soared to one of their best days in history on a euphoric Wall Street Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he would back off on most of his tariffs temporarily, as investors had so desperately hoped he would.The S&P 500 surged 9.5%, an amount that would count as a good year for the market. It had been sinking earlier in the day on worries that Trump’s trade war could drag the global economy into a recession. Bu
  
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• Stocks soar after Trump pauses some of his tariffs

  09-04-2025 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are surging on a euphoric Wall Street Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he would temporarily back off on some of his tariffs, as investors had desperately hoped he would.The S&P 500 was up 7.8% in afternoon trading. It had been down earlier in the morning amid worries about Trump's trade war and whether it would cause a recession as economists fear. But it spiked immediately after Trump sent the social-media posting that investors have been waiting
  
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• S&P 500 soars 9.5%, one of its largest gains since WWII, after Trump pauses most tariffs

  09-04-2025 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks surged to one of their biggest gains since World War II after President Donald Trump paused his tariffs against most other nations, as investors had desperately hoped he would. The S&P 500 soared 9.5% Wednesday. The index is still below where it was when Trump announced his sweeping set of tariffs last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average flew nearly 3,000 points higher, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 12.2%. Trump, though, did raise tariffs further on China. T
  
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• Trump announces pause in tariffs; markets jump

  09-04-2025 19:38 via kxan.com
  
  President Trump on Wednesday jacked up tariffs on China to 125 percent and implemented a 90-day pause on his previously announced tariffs against all other trading partners, causing a major surge in the markets.“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping o
  
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• Athena's owlets are hatching, so what's next for them?

  09-04-2025 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's been a month of egg watch 2025 for Athena the owl and now her eggs are hatching at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The first owlet broke out of its shell on Wednesday, marking its journey into this world.For years, Athena has made her nest at the southwest Austin center and thanks to our partnership with the center and Cornell Lab, we have been able to see every moment this year. Camera captures owlet hatching at Austin wildflower centerAccording to Benjamin W
  
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• Athena's owlets are hatching, so what's next?

  09-04-2025 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's been a month of egg watch 2025 for Athena the owl and now her eggs are hatching at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The first owlet broke out of its shell on Wednesday, marking its journey into this world.For years, Athena has made her nest at the southwest Austin center and thanks to our partnership with the center and Cornell Lab, we have been able to see every moment this year. Camera captures owlet hatching at Austin wildflower centerAccording to Benjamin W
  
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• Tre Johnson entering NBA draft after one season with Texas Longhorns

  09-04-2025 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Southeastern Conference freshman of the year Tre Johnson said he's one-and-done at Texas and will enter the NBA draft.Johnson, who made his announcement on ESPN on Tuesday, averaged 19.7 points per game to lead the SEC and broke Kevin Durant's school freshman record with 39 against Arkansas late in the regular season. LIST: Texas Longhorns men’s basketballtransfer portal updates, players returning to programThe 6-foot-6 guard shot 39.7% on 3-pointe
  
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• Historic tank completes trip home to Japan thanks to Fredericksburg museum

  09-04-2025 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The National Museum of the Pacific War, which is located in Fredericksburg, helped return a World War II-era tank to Japan following an exchange for an authentic replica of the Type 95 Ha-Go Light Tank.According to the museum, the exchange marked the end of a bilateral agreement signed in March 2024.“Unlike its predecessor, this newly acquired replica will be actively utilized in the Museum’s immersive living history programs, significantly enhancing visitor exp
  
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• New 183A Toll is open between Leander and Liberty Hill

  09-04-2025 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority has wrapped up the 183A Toll Extension that now connects Leander to Liberty Hill.The new portion of the 183A Phase 3 expansion is a five-mile stretch of 183A that will cost you $2.38 to take.So that means you now have the option to bypass the traffic lights at Hero Way, San Gabriel Parkway, Bryson Ridge Trail. Whitewing Drive and SH 29.In addition to the toll lanes, CTRMA added a shared-use path that runs alongside the newly con
  
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• Man will serve no prison time after sentence in 2023 fatal crash

  09-04-2025 17:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced March 5 in connection with a February 2023 fatal crash.According to Travis County court documents, 31-year-old Miguel Villanueva-Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of collision involving death. He was convicted on the lesser charge of collision involving injury and received a 315-day prison sentence. RELATED | Man charged nearly a year after fatal rollover in east AustinToward his sentence, Villanueva-Ramirez received a jail credit of 323 days, so he wi
  
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• Trump's latest round of tariffs have taken effect — and more retaliation is coming. What we know

  09-04-2025 17:02 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has launched tariff wars with nearly all of America's trading partners. And there's no end in sight.
  A number of sweeping new taxes on goods from other countries are already here — and more took effect on Wednesday. Trump implemented higher rates for his latest and most severe volley of duties, which he calls “reciprocal” tariffs. Further escalation is set to soon follow. China has vowed to roll out a heightened set of counter tariff
  
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• Thom's Market sells Austin stores as owner opts for retirement

  09-04-2025 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — Austin-based Thom’s Market has been sold, and its three stores will be getting name changes.Bill Thom, owner of the 18-year-old business, said he has opted to retire as he nears 70. He declined to disclose the name of the buyer but described it as a local company with convenience stores and other businesses around Austin.New sales tax permits for the markets trace back to Austinite Lahzat Khanjae, who has a history with convenience stores in the Austin area, according
  
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• Trump's latest round of tariffs have taken effect — and China is retaliating. Here's what we know

  09-04-2025 15:40 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has launched tariff wars with nearly all of America's trading partners. And there's no end in sight.
  A number of sweeping new taxes on goods from other countries are already here — and more took effect on Wednesday. Trump implemented higher rates for his latest and most severe volley of duties, which he calls “reciprocal” tariffs. In response, China has vowed to roll out its own heightened set of counter tariffs on U.S. goods startin
  
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• Kristen's Classroom: New weather satellite goes live

  09-04-2025 15:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Meteorologists use many tools to help analyze weather data and develop a forecast. One of those tools is weather satellites, and there's a familiar yet new one orbiting our planet that has just become operational this week.GOES-R satellite seriesNOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)– R Series is known as the Western Hemisphere’s "most sophisticated weather-observing and environmental-monitoring system"(NOAA). Made up of 4 weather satel
  
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• Man gets prison time on charge of tampering with corpse in Austin park

  09-04-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced April 3 after pleading guilty to a charge related to the death of a man found in an east Austin park in September 2023. PAST COVERAGE | APD investigating after body found at parkAccording to Travis County court documents, 46-year-old Jared Nelson was sentenced to serve four years in prison on a charge of tampering with physical evidence with the intent to impair – human corpse, a second-degree felony.Court records also showed a murder charge relate
  
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• Athena's owl cam captures egg cracking, owlet breaking free at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

  09-04-2025 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Athena, the Great Horned Owl who nests at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, surprised owl cam viewers Wednesday by displaying a cracked egg and later the first owlet fully hatching in her nest.According to the Wildflower Center, Athena first arrived at the nest on March 5, and by March 6, she had laid her first egg. Her second egg was laid on March 9.Owl eggs typically take around 30 to 37 days to begin hatching—a process that usually lasts several days and not
  
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• Ozone Action Day for today as temps hit 90

  09-04-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two dry cold fronts moves in tonight with little to no excitement.Afternoon highs will warm well above average today with highs soaring into the 90s. Sunshine, dry skies, light winds and stagnant air will be conducive for ozone formation at ground-level. That said, today is an Ozone Action Day. TCEQ says ozone levels will rise to unhealthy levels for sen
  
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• Lower air quality ahead of next cold front

  09-04-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two dry cold fronts moves in tonight with little to no excitement.Afternoon highs will warm well above average today with highs soaring into the 90s. Sunshine, dry skies, light winds and stagnant air will result in elevated ground-level ozone.Today is an Ozone Action Day. TCEQ says ozone levels will rise to unhealth levels for sensitive groups.Reducing c
  
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• Couple dry cold fronts over the next 7 days

  09-04-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our warming trend continues today with milder morning lows and warmer afternoon highs expected areawide.Plenty of sunshine can be expected our area today, helping to boost temperatures well into the 80s. Winds out of the south/southwest will be gusty at times, potentially reaching up to 25-30 mph. These gusty winds, in combination with dry air and ongoing drought, wi
  
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• Another hot day in Central Texas on Monday

  09-04-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sunday was the tenth 90° day in the Austin area since the start of the year. Camp Mabry reached 93°, and Austin Bergstrom climbed to 91°.
  A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 10 PM tonight with critical fire weather conditions. Winds will continue to gust up to 40 mph at times this evening.
  Red Flag Warning
  Overnight, temperatures will slowly drop to the
  
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• Another day of hot air, strong wind gusts and a wildfire risk

  09-04-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Stronger winds are forecast today with some gusts reaching as high as 30 to 35 mph. Most of these higher gusts will occur from I-35 westward. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 1 until 10 p.m.
  Strong wind gusts during the afternoon and eveningVery low humidity during the afternoonThe Wildfire Risk today is high to extreme for most of the KXAN viewing area. The
  
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• Another day of hot air and strong winds

  09-04-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Stronger winds are forecast today with some gusts reaching as high as 3 to 35 mph. Most of these higher gusts will occur from I-35 westward. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 1 until 10 p.m.
  The Wildfire Risk today is high to extreme for most of the KXAN viewing area. The extreme risk covers much of the Hill Country,Clouds are passing over the area and will c
  
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• 90s returning Thursday ahead of next front

  09-04-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our warming trend continues today with milder morning lows and warmer afternoon highs expected areawide.Plenty of sunshine can be expected our area today, helping to boost temperatures well into the 80s. Winds out of the south/southwest will be gusty at times, potentially reaching up to 25-30 mph. These gusty winds, in combination with dry air and ongoing drought, wi
  
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• Human remains found in 1973 identified as missing Kansas teen

  09-04-2025 05:43 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) – Human remains found near Garnett, Kansas, in 1973 have been positively identified more than 50 years later. The remains were determined to belong to a teenager from Kansas City, Kansas, who had disappeared in 1972.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) said the decomposing remains of an unidentified male were located three miles southeast of Garnett, off 1550 Road on April 18, 1973. He was found wearing a brown corduroy jacket, a green long-sleeved buttoned shir
  
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• Microsoft fires employees who protested its support for Israel at 50th anniversary event

  09-04-2025 05:40 via kxan.com
  
  Related video: Senate rejects resolution to block arms sales to Israel(The Hill) – Two Microsoft employees were fired for protests condemning the company’s support for Israel at a 50th anniversary event last week.Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was interrupted by shouts from software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad during his speech at the Friday celebration while Vaniya Agrawal, another engineer, interjected during a question-and-answer session with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, CEO Sat
  
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• National Weather Service no longer translating products for non-English speakers

  09-04-2025 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) – The National Weather Service is no longer providing language translations of its products, a change that experts say could put non-English speakers at risk of missing potentially life-saving warnings about extreme weather.The weather service has “paused” the translations because its contract with the provider has lapsed, NWS spokesperson Michael Musher said. He declined further comment.Lilt, an artificial intelligence company, began providing translations in late 2023, r
  
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• Travis County Sheriff's Office discusses illegal dumping concerns & dangers

  09-04-2025 03:08 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Across Travis County, you can find different areas with tires, trash and mattresses piling up.
  The Travis County Sheriff's Office said it's responding to more illegal dumping cases as the area grows. Environmental Detective Carlton Brown said no part of the county is immune to it."Dumping happens in the west side, the east side, north, south," Brown said. "It can grow really rapidly."The Travis County Sheriff's Office sent KXAN these photos of illegal dumping case
  
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• Texas AG Ken Paxton launches Senate primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn

  09-04-2025 02:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is running for the U.S. Senate in a primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn, setting up what is likely to become one of the GOP’s most contentious and expensive contests of 2026.
  Paxton, a close ally of President Donald Trump, announced his decision Tuesday in an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham after spending more than a year openly flirting with a Senate challenge. During that time, Paxton has sought to pos
  
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• Texas bill would force homeless service providers to relocate if too close to schools

  09-04-2025 01:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A bill designed to create a buffer zone between Texas public schools and the facilities that provide services to people experiencing homelessness received mostly positive feedback from the public, but some worry about unintended consequences.
  Senate Bill 2623, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R - Conroe, would create "school safety zones." A facility that provides homeless services would not be allowed to operate anywhere in a 1,500-foot radius from a public school propert
  
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• Arch Manning's competitive spirit affecting Longhorns defense during spring camp

  09-04-2025 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Only seven practices into spring camp but there are a lot of eyes on Texas as the Longhorns approach the 2025 football season. Junior quarterback Arch Manning will finally get his opportunity as the Longhorns starter.After sitting behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons, Manning is gearing up to take the reins in his third year and he's bringing his teammates along with him.Texas quarterback Arch Manning throws before an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Monroe in Austin,
  
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• Freshman lawmaker continues push for sickle cell registry in Texas

  09-04-2025 01:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A freshman Texas lawmaker is making a name for herself this legislative session, authoring a bill that has bipartisan support, and is now closer to becoming law.Houston Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons sits down with Jala Washington to talk about sickle cell registry legislation.(KXAN photos/Ed Zavala).
  The legislation would create a state registry for sickle cell. It's a rare, serious hereditary blood disorder most commonly seen in Black people. And it causes extreme i
  
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• CTRMA: 183A Toll extension opening Wednesday

  09-04-2025 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Drivers will soon have access to the newest extension on 183A Toll starting Wednesday, according to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.The new 183A Toll extension from Hero Way to State Highway 29 will now provide drivers with "16 miles of non-stop travel between Liberty Hill and northwest Austin," according to a news release from CTRMA.183A Toll to open Wednesday to drivers (Courtesy: Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority)Drivers will be able to bypass traffic si
  
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• Amber Alerts issued for missing Temple area girls

  09-04-2025 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (FOX 44) - Amber Alerts have been issued for two girls reported missing out of the Temple and Woodway areas.According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 15-year-old Aunastasia Herrera has black hair with brown eyes, is 5'2" and weighs 115 pounds. She was last seen at 1414 SW H K Dodgen Loop in Temple at approximately 12 a.m. Sunday. Aunastasia was last seen wearing a green hoodie, blue jean shorts, and black shoes.
  Aunastasia Herrera. (Courtesy: Texas DPS)Natalia Herrera. (C
  
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