Austin news

• Grand jury declines to indict man in fatal fire case, wants further investigation

  24-04-2025 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The grand jury in Hays County said there's not enough evidence for felony charges against a man who authorities accused of starting a fire that killed five people, according to the office of Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins. Former resident arrested after deadly 2018 apartment fire in San MarcosThe office said that the Grand Jury said they “failed to find a bill of indictment against the accused” but “encourage law enforcement to continue this i
  
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• Texas Senate sends education savings account bill to Gov. Abbott's desk

  24-04-2025 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) —The only thing left to create a $1 billion education savings account (ESA) program in Texas is a signature from Gov. Greg Abbott after the Texas Senate agreed to the changes mad by the Texas House on Senate Bill 2 in a 19-12 vote. The ESA program will set aside taxpayer dollars to help families pay for private education or homeschooling."It became our amendment" - Attempt to revive conflict of interest clauseOne of the biggest revelations in the House's version of SB 2 wa
  
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• Surveillance footage shows alleged burglary at Austin preschool

  24-04-2025 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police are investigating an apparent burglary at the Mariposa Family Learning Center in southeast Austin.
  The school provided APD with surveillance video from two separate incidents on April 12 and 13, a Saturday and Sunday, that shows a man getting into and out of the school. One video shows him hauling a cart full of items out of the building."We discovered they had taken our computers, they had taken other forms of technology, they took snacks and food, they took a wagon, the
  
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• 'An obsession': Attorney of suspect in south Austin home explosion points to mental illness

  24-04-2025 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage from the scene in south Austin.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The attorney representing Steven Aldrich, 66, said an initial competency evaluation report done by Travis County shows Aldrich was "found not to be competent.""That evaluation came back last Saturday and we filed a modified motion…you can see that I've stated he was found not to be competent," said William H. Russell, who has been representing Aldrich for a decade on various weapons
  
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• Gamers line up at The Arboretum for Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order

  24-04-2025 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Anticipation was in the air Thursday morning at The Arboretum in North Austin, as eager gamers lined up outside of the GameStop store for a chance to grab a pre-order of the Nintendo Switch 2.Sign showing number Nintendo Switch 2 preorders available at GameStop on 4/24/2025The GameStop store boasted a sign on its window saying it had 19 Nintendo Switch 2 base units available for pre-order, as well as 41 consoles with the Mario Kart bundle.The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to hit
  
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• Border Report Live: Mexico feeling the heat of the Trump presidency

  24-04-2025 21:17 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) -- U.S. pressure on Mexico has intensified in the past month.Trump has slapped tariffs on Mexican steel, aluminum, car parts and everything else not covered by a standing free trade agreement, and is pressing Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to fulfill a massive water delivery to the U.S. The U.S. is also tightening regulations on cash transfers on which many Mexican families depend.Despite high hopes last summer after the election of that country’s first
  
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• 50 Texas House Democrats refuse to vote on bipartisan constitutional amendment

  24-04-2025 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As the Texas House debated bipartisan House Joint Resolution 72, a proposed amendment to the Texas constitution, State Rep. Gene Wu, D - Houston, stepped up to the microphone with a unique question for the bill's author, State Rep. Candy Noble, R - Murphy."I fully support this resolution," began Wu, the chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said. HJR 72 grants property tax relief for family members of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), if
  
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• High-speed pursuit of smugglers leaves 3 dead near US border

  24-04-2025 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Three people, including a police officer, are dead and at least two others injured following a high-speed Wednesday morning pursuit of an SUV carrying suspected migrant smugglers.The pursuit ended around 3 a.m. with a crash that left multiple vehicles overturned or on their side on Juan Pablo II Boulevard overlooking the Rio Grande in Juarez, Mexico. Mexico urges TV stations to stop running ‘discriminatory’ DHS ads
  Chihuahua state police identif
  
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• What does the Austin Airport expansion entail?

  24-04-2025 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's airport was built to serve 15 million passengers a year, but over the last two years, it has clocked in more than 22 million travelers each year. But a multi-billion dollar expansion project underway at AUS aims to double its capacity.At the Austin Urban Land Institute's monthly breakfast Wednesday, a packed room of Austin area professionals were eager to learn more about the airport's growing footprint."Hopefully at the end is gained capacity and put some relief t
  
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• Why Pease Park visitors must now pay to park

  24-04-2025 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People enjoying Pease Park will now have to pay to park on weekends, according to the city of Austin.The change comes as the city installs paid parking spaces to “improve safety and create more availability for people visiting the high-demand area.”According to the city, the new paid parking areas are on Parkway between Enfield Road and Kingsbury Street.“The new regulations are now in effect,” the city said. “Parking enforcement officers will w
  
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• Join volunteers to clean up Austin trails this weekend

  24-04-2025 18:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Trail Conservancy, a nonprofit whose mission is to protect, enhance, and connect the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, is hosting a trail cleanup to celebrate Earth Day.Meteorologist Tommy House sat down with Julie Fisher, the CEO of The Trail Conservancy, to discuss the Earth Day Jubilee & Clean Up.Read an edited version of the conversation below or use the video player above to listen.Meteorologist Tommy House: I know Earth Day is coming up, and The Trail Conserv
  
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• 8 Texas cities rank in top 100 best places to live in 2025

  24-04-2025 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eight Texas cities were listed among the top 100 best places to live in 2025.Livability, a company that looks at what makes cities great places to live, compiled the list by analyzing categories such as education, amenities, economy, health, cost of living and safety. Each city received a score out of 1,000.Check out why each Texas city listed made the cut.Flower MoundWith a quality of life score of 875/1000, Flower Mound not only took the No. 1 spot in Texas but also in th
  
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• 2 Central Texas cities rank in top 100 best places to live in 2025

  24-04-2025 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eight Texas cities were listed among the top 100 best places to live in 2025, including two in Central Texas.Livability, a company that looks at what makes cities great places to live, compiled the list by analyzing categories such as education, amenities, economy, health, cost of living and safety. Each city received a score out of 1,000.Check out why each Texas city listed made the cut.Flower MoundWith a quality of life score of 875/1000, Flower Mound not only took the No
  
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• How did your school district do? 2023 A-F accountability ratings released

  24-04-2025 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – After years of legal battles and delays because of COVID-19 the Texas Education Agency has now released the 2023 A-F accountability ratings.The A-F ratings are based on multiple factors including graduation rates, the number of college, career, military-ready students and State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results.TEA Commissioner Mike Morath went over the data in a virtual interview pointing out how 2023 A-F ratings decreased overall from 2022, driven
  
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• Texas track star shows resilience after overcoming season-ending injury

  24-04-2025 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns hurdler Kendrick Smallwood was bound for a successful season before tearing his adductor tendon "completely off the bone"."Starting with Texas Relays last year, that fall itself wasn’t necessarily me knowing immediately that I was injured," Smallwood said. Steve Sarkisian weighs in on former Longhorns expected to be picked in 2025 NFL DraftHowever, it was the start of a road to recovery for the multi-event track star, who just so happened to excel in h
  
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• New building claims tallest in Austin mantle

  24-04-2025 14:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — One of Austin’s under-construction skyscrapers has become the tallest building in the city and could be the tallest in Texas in the next few months.The Waterline tower downtown, which will eventually stretch 74 stories into the sky, has surpassed the 66-story Sixth and Guadalupe tower as the tallest building in Austin, according to an April 22 social media post from Andrew Smith, a senior vice president for Lincoln Property Co.Lincoln is developing Waterline in partner
  
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• Office of Police Oversight releases 2023 report

  24-04-2025 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) released its 2023 report.OPO said the report provided an overview of the office’s activities and achievements.By the numbersOPO said it forwarded 578 complaints to the Austin Police Department and recommended 215 be investigated. APD investigated 138.Of the 138, OPO said 11 sustained policy violations, which resulted in minor discipline — 6 written and 8 oral reprimands.In 2023, OPO said no Austin police officer
  
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• Hegseth creates makeup studio in Pentagon

  24-04-2025 05:28 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refurbished a green room as a makeup studio in the Pentagon for high ranking officials to prepare before on-camera appearances.“Most of the changes in the Green Room were furniture modifications — a director’s style chair, mirror, and a makeup light — all of which were added from existing inventories," a Defense Department spokesperson told The Hill, confirming initial reports of the upgrade from CBS News."A countertop
  
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• TEA extends deadline for Dobie MS turnaround plan

  24-04-2025 05:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Education Agency on Wednesday issued an extended deadline for Dobie Middle School's federal accountability plan.
  The new deadline will be June 30 instead of the previous April 30 date, according to a letter from Austin Independent School District Superintendent Matias Segura."This new deadline gives us more time to consider the feedback we’ve received from
  both communities and to more deeply explore options for Dobie’s future," Segura said.Segura said the b
  
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• APD asks for help identifying man in April 8 assault

  24-04-2025 05:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a man involved in an aggravated assault on April 8 at around 6:30 a.m. at a business located at5312 Airport Boulevard.
  Authorities said the incident involved an escalated argument between two men in the parking lot of the business. During the confrontation, one of the men pulled out a gun towards the other.
  Due to the location, APD said it was likely that several witnesses observed the confrontation. How
  
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• NFL Hall of Famer Steve McMichael dies at age 67

  24-04-2025 04:53 via kxan.com
  
  HOMER GLEN. Ill. (WGN) — Chicago Bears great and legendary sports personality Steve "Mongo" McMichael died at age 67 on Wednesday.McMichael had recently been moved to hospice care on Wednesday, a source told Nexstar's WGN News, after being removed from a ventilator in the ICU. WGN's Jarrett Payton confirmed the passing on X, saying, "With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones. I’m grateful to have been
  
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• 'Surpasses anything we've had in the past': City of Elgin cuts ribbon on new police station

  24-04-2025 04:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After years of construction, the city of Elgin cut the ribbon on its new police station downtown Wednesday morning.It is the city's first police-designated building in its history, which replaced the 102-year-old building that previously housed the department. Elgin breaks ground on new police station to replace 102-year-old buildingThe building was under construction for a little more than two years. Elgin's Chief of Police, Chris Noble, said the building upgrade was long overd
  
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• Texas Senate votes for anti-trans bill restricts bathrooms use, other private spaces

  24-04-2025 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This article was corrected to clarify the status of the bill within the Texas Senate, the areas of enforcement covered by the bill, the penalties and to whom they will apply.TEXAS (KTAL/KMSS) — On Wednesday afternoon, the Texas Senate put Senate Bill 240, also known as the "Women's Privacy Act," on the verge of passage with a 20-11 vote on party lines.The bill's author State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, claims says SB 240 ensures women are safe in their bathrooms, lock
  
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• Texas Senate passes anti-trans bill restricts bathrooms use, other private spaces

  24-04-2025 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  This article was corrected to clarify the penalties and to whom they will apply.TEXAS (KTAL/KMSS) — Today, the Texas Senate passed the "Women's Privacy Act," ensuring women are safe in their bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. However, it explicitly prohibits trans people from sharing those spaces.Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, said, “The vote today in the Senate was a landmark vote for protecting women and girls in our state. No woman sho
  
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• Texas passes anti-trans bill restricts bathrooms use, other private spaces

  24-04-2025 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KTAL/KMSS) — Today, the Texas Senate passed the "Women's Privacy Act," ensuring women are safe in their bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. However, it explicitly prohibits trans people from sharing those spaces.Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, said, “The vote today in the Senate was a landmark vote for protecting women and girls in our state. No woman should have to be forced to share a vulnerable private space with a man and be depr
  
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• Liberty Hill ISD forecasting 19,000 students by 2034

  24-04-2025 03:35 via kxan.com
  
  LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — More and more people are moving to Williamson County and because of that places like Liberty Hill are seeing immense growth."When I moved out here 5 years ago it was very calm, very country,” said Natalie Menteer, who lives in Liberty Hill. "Apartments going up, homes going up, a lot of businesses."Her kids go to school in Liberty Hill ISD, which is also seeing the impacts from growth.“We seem to be averaging 12 to 15% growth each year, roughly 900
  
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• Two cases of canine distemper reported in Kingsland

  24-04-2025 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Hill Country Humane Society is urging pet owners to get their pets vaccinated after two cases of canine distemper were confirmed in owned pets in Kingsland, according to its social media post.According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA, canine distemper is a serious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs. The disease spreads through airborne exposure from an infected dog or animal, according to the AVMA. 
  
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• Most Texas homeowners not aware of right to protest property tax

  24-04-2025 02:59 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The transcript of this live Q&A has been edited for brevity and clarity.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The deadline is quickly approaching for Travis County homeowners to protest the market value of their property. That date is May 15 or 30 days after the notice has been mailed to you whichever is later, according to the Travis County Appraisal District.KXAN's Will DuPree and Avery Travis spoke to Ownwell CEO Colton Pace on new data released by the company that shows around half of ho
  
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• Ways to protect yourself against AI-assisted fraud 

  24-04-2025 01:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, people are getting smarter with its use too. AI tools allow bad actors to create realistic messages, clone voices and produce deepfake videos — all to deceive and defraud.Heather Massey with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) spoke with KXAN about how artificial intelligence is being used to trick people and how to protect yourself.“Well, AI is awesome, we love our new technology, but they’re also getting really b
  
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• 'One chance': Neighbor coalition pushes for city to fund its portion of Austin’s I-35 Cap and Stitch

  24-04-2025 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—A coalition of Austin area neighbors is making a final push to get the City of Austin to commit to funding some or all of the so-called "caps" that would run over the interstate. It's a part of the I-35 Cap and Stich expansion project.The city would need to pay for the caps, also known as green spaces, and pedestrian access over the road.
  Now, a coalition comprised of neighborhood association leaders and nonprofits is spreading awareness to get more people to speak up ahead o
  
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• Property tax cut for seniors passes Texas Senate

  24-04-2025 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A plan to cut property taxes for senior citizens and disabled Texans is moving forward at the State Capitol. The Texas Senate voted 30-1 Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 23, which raises the homestead exemption for those 65 and older."I've heard about aging in place and wanting to stay in your home, and that's what this bill will do," State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said before the vote. Senate approves $140K homestead exemption to increase property tax reliefThe
  
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