Austin news

• With AI on the rise, Texas House passes bill requiring more transparency in political ads

  30-04-2025 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  (The Texas Tribune) -- The Texas House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday requiring political advertisements to include disclosures if the image, audio, or video recording used were substantially altered.Former House Speaker Dade Phelan — who endured a barrage of political attacks last year during his reelection and speaker campaigns— said he authored the legislation to ensure voters understand when materials used in ads had been faked, as the use of generative artificial i
  
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• How to prevent injuries in student athletes

  30-04-2025 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN)—As spring turns to summer, student athletes across Texas prepare for playoffs and finals in sports like baseball and softball—but any kind of physical activity carries the risk of injury. Younger athletes are more prone to ankle, knee, and shoulder injuries. PHYSICAL FITNESS: Benefits of weekend workouts
  Dr. Clayton Skaggs is the founder and CEO of the Central Institute for Human Performance, working with both athletes and non-athletes to identify and solve the root caus
  
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• Five dogs graduate from inaugural Leashing Hope program

  30-04-2025 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A milestone for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) was achieved last week when five dogs graduated from its inaugural Leashing Hope program.The graduating ceremony celebrated dogs Zoey, Patron, Zoomy, Celes and Cocobell, according to news release from Williamson County.
  A milestone for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter was achieved last week when five dogs graduated from its inaugural Leashing Hope program. (Photo: Williamson County)A milestone for
  
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• New Jersey looks to poach Texas health care workers with abortion-focused billboards

  30-04-2025 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new campaign from New Jersey is taking aim at Texas' strict abortion laws in an effort to lure medical students and health care providers to the Garden State.The Choose New Jersey Reproductive Rights Campaign launched April 14. It includes billboards in Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio — all located near major medical schools and hospitals. The effort is designed to attract doctors and medical students facing restrictions on reproductive health care in southern st
  
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• Bill clarifying when doctors can perform medically necessary abortions clears Senate

  30-04-2025 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — The Texas Senate unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that aims to clarify when doctors can perform an abortion under the state’s near-total ban. The bill, which is backed by anti-abortion groups, medical and hospital associations and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, will go next to the House.Senate Bill 31 comes amid a deluge of stories of women dying or nearly dying after being denied medically necessary abortions by doctors who were confused by the law or too
  
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• East Austin bar, music venue closing after 12 years

  30-04-2025 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After more than a decade of offering drinks and live music, the Skylark Lounge is closing its doors.Austinites Johny LaTouf and Mary LaTouf first opened the bar and music venue in East Austin back in 2013.Now that they are in their 60s, Johnny and Mary are ready to close this chapter of their lives, according to a release from the venue. READ MORE: The Skylark Lounge named best dive bar in TexasThe Skylark Lounge spotlighted older blues and soul musicians, who mentored the
  
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• This is the wealthiest resident in Texas, new Forbes report shows

  30-04-2025 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — While you may feel a momentary flush of wealth after receiving an "extra" paycheck in May, there are others continuing to amass millions and billions of dollars thanks to investments, entrepreneurship, and inheritances — including some in your own state.Forbes has once again scoured the ranks of the richest people in America to find the wealthiest person in all 50 states. In all but three (Alaska, Delaware, and West Virginia), that title belongs to a billionaire. In five
  
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• Falcons, defensive coordinator fined after prank call to Shedeur Sanders

  30-04-2025 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have been fined $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been fined $100,000 as a result of Ulbrich’s son participating in a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the NFL draft.The NFL confirmed the fines on Wednesday for the roles of the Falcons and Ulbrich in failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL draft.The Falcons, who disclosed the role of Ulbrich’s 21
  
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• Severed rabbit's head left in Hutto HS restroom, district pressing charges

  30-04-2025 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A severed rabbit's head was found in a boy's bathroom at Hutto High School (HHS) on Monday, along with a message and a drawing of a dead rabbit, according to the school.In a letter to parents Tuesday, HHS Principal Ryan Burns acknowledged the incident and said administrators removed the items, but some students had already noticed them.“We want to assure you that this matter is being taken very seriously. We are working with campus security and Hutto Independent Schoo
  
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• Remember Big Mouth Billy Bass? This is how much he costs on eBay now

  30-04-2025 18:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — "Don't worry, be happy" — if you were around in the late 1990s and early 2000s, odds are Bobby McFerrin's 1988 hit by that name is probably inextricably tied to one singer — and it's not McFerrin, unfortunately. Likely, you remember an animatronic fish singing it.Debuting in 1999, Big Mouth Billy Bass was a novelty product created by Coppell, Texas-based company Gemmy that quickly became an international sensation. In fact, the popularity of the singing rubber fish
  
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• 'Botox party' bill step closer to becoming Texas law

  30-04-2025 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee heard Senate Bill 378 late Tuesday night. The proposed legislation pushes for patient safety and transparency on who can administer Botox injections and similar treatments. The bill authored by State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, was left pending in committee. It would prohibit estheticians, cosmetologists and barbers from administering injections and using prescriptive medical devices unless
  
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• LIVE: Inside Austin's Agenda: Council Member Krista Laine

  30-04-2025 16:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday’s episode of Inside Austin’s Agenda, host Grace Reader will sit down with Austin City Council Member Krista Laine about her first few months on the dais and upcoming city council action.The city of Austin is working to figure out how it will fund its “cap and stitch” enhancements to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) Interstate-35 expansion project, something Laine has previously said she wanted private partners to
  
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• Inside Austin's Agenda: Council Member Krista Laine

  30-04-2025 16:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday’s episode of Inside Austin’s Agenda, host Grace Reader will sit down with Austin City Council Member Krista Laine about her first few months on the dais and upcoming city council action.The city of Austin is working to figure out how it will fund its “cap and stitch” enhancements to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) Interstate-35 expansion project, something Laine has previously said she wanted private partners to
  
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• School bus involved in crash in southeast Austin near Del Valle

  30-04-2025 14:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department confirmed Wednesday morning that a school bus and another vehicle collided in southeast Austin near Del Valle.According to police, no injuries related to the crash were reported. Which Central Texas school buses have seat belts?The crash occurred off Angel Drive in a neighborhood near Pearce Lane around 6:40 a.m. Wednesday.APD did not confirm which district operated the bus.
  
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• Trump’s first 100 days: A timeline

  30-04-2025 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  The first 100 days of President Trump’s second term has moved at a breakneck speed, ushering in dramatic changes to the federal government and turbulent crackdowns on immigration, trade and culture war issues.Trump kicked off his return to the White House with a blitz of Day-One executive action, and the dizzying pace at which he’s wielded power in the weeks since has delighted allies and stoked critics’ fears about lasting harms. The president hits his 100-day mark amid a trou
  
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• Trump approval dips amid concerns over economy, foreign policy: Poll

  30-04-2025 11:01 via kxan.com
  
  President Trump’s approval has dipped 100 days into his presidency amid concerns over his handling of the economy and foreign policy, according to a new poll released on Wednesday.An Emerson College Polling national survey found approval of Trump split: 45 percent approve of the job he’s doing as president while 45 percent said they disapprove.Trump’s approval rating has dropped slightly compared to a poll conducted in mid-March, which found him at 47 percent approval rating, w
  
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• WATCH: Suspected drunk driver offers Florida deputy a vodka spritz mid-pursuit

  30-04-2025 05:44 via kxan.com
  
  SEBRING, Fla. (WFLA) — A suspected alcohol thief led Florida deputies on a wild pursuit over the weekend.When it was all over, he flashed a grin at deputies and commented, "You guys had fun though, right?"It all started just before 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, when employees at the Spring Lake Market in Sebring called 911 to report that someone had stolen several alcoholic beverages and walked out.VIDEO: Florida Delta flight catches fire during departureHillsborough County sheriff’s
  
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• 3 Longhorns, 3 UT recruits on MLB.com's top draft prospects list

  30-04-2025 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three Longhorns and three high school players verbally committed to Texas are sprinkled in new rankings of top Major League Baseball draft prospects.Max Belyeu, Jared Spencer and Jalin Flores are the current Longhorns on Jonathan Mayo's latest list of top 150 draft prospects on MLB.com. Belyeu is recovering from thumb surgery and hasn't played since late March against Missouri, but Mayo has the power-hitting corner outfielder as his No. 28 draft prospect. No. 1 Texas sweeps
  
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• South by Southwest names new director in charge

  30-04-2025 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- South by Southwest (SXSW) now has a new director in charge who will lead the festival.Jenny Connelly said on a post in LinkedIn that she will now work as the director in charge of SXSW, which happens annually every March in Austin."I'm traveling to Austin each week and working with a killer group of dedicated, creative & skilled people who throw the world's most influential festival. We are dreaming up the evolution of this event, so that SXSW never stops helping creative pe
  
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• Round Rock Fire Department surprised with new gear to fight wildfires

  30-04-2025 05:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Williamson County Emergency Services District Nine surprised the Round Rock Fire Department's Wildland Team with new equipment on Tuesday.The wildland team specializes in fighting wildfires in Round Rock, whose work has become especially relevant with wildfires in recent months. Continuing drought conditions could increase the risk of wildfires this summer according to RRFD.Round Rock Fire Chief Shane Glaiser said wildfires are more common in the area than people might think, and
  
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• City, county officials warn of wildfire dangers ahead of summer

  30-04-2025 05:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we near the hot summer months and May marks National Wildfire Awareness Month, Austin and Travis County officials held a press conference on Tuesday to encourage Austinites to take precautions to protect themselves and their homes from wildfires.Leaders highlighted that the number of people who could be impacted by a wildfire has increased as Austin continues to see population growth. The city has moved to fifth in the nation for the number of homes at risk of wildfire, offic
  
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• 'Hazing on steroids': DA demands 11 New York high school lacrosse players surrender

  30-04-2025 04:16 via kxan.com
  
  SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) – The boys varsity lacrosse season is over at a New York high school, as authorities have ordered at least 11 of the team's players to turn themselves in to police within 48 hours.Following reports of an incident of hazing within the Westhill High School team in Syracuse, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick says he's decided his office will prosecute charges against the students who allegedly victimized teammates. Westhill boys lacrosse team will miss s
  
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• Beloved Busch Light flavor is back — but for a limited time

  30-04-2025 04:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Flavored beer is nothing new. From peach to frozen pizza, a quick walk through any beer cooler or liquor store may present you with any number of unique options. There is one flavor, beloved but limited in supply, that is making a comeback: Busch Light Apple.Busch rolled out the apple option in 2020 but hasn't been on shelves since 2022 — something Busch fans have not been quiet about.Citing a slew of comments on its social media posts, as well as entire online communitie
  
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• 'We're citizens!': Family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren’t suspects

  30-04-2025 03:55 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A woman said her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops and life savings — even though they were not the suspects the agents were looking for.The agents had a search warrant for the home, the woman said, but the suspects listed on the warrant do not live in the house. Las Vegas ice cream truck mistaken for ICE vehicle: ‘I’m an ice cream man, that
  
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• Gov. Abbott threatens San Marcos after city considers resolution targeting Israel

  30-04-2025 02:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued a stark warning to the San Marcos city council regarding its consideration of a resolution calling for the transfer of “permanent sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories” and an “Embargo on the State of Israel.”In a letter to San Marcos, Abbott said that the city is required to comply with state law when entering into a grant agreement with the state of Texas, which includes laws that prohibit a local gover
  
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• Vandegrift falls short in UIL 6A girls golf state finals

  30-04-2025 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Vandegrift made its way back to the state finals but fell short to Coppell in the UIL Class 6A girls golf championships at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.The Vipers were looking for a three-peat since winning in 2023 and 2024. Coming into the final day, Vandegrift was tied for the lead.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersIt came down to the wire at the 18th ho
  
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• Woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for intent to distribute meth

  30-04-2025 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Hays County woman was sentenced on Tuesday for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, according to the Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins' Office.According to a press release from the DA's office, 30-year-old Breana Nicole Smith was found guilty by a jury on March 13 and sentenced by a judge to 20 years in prison.At trial, evidence showed that Smith was also a member of a criminal street gang. Smith also had previously committed aggravated assault with a d
  
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• Driver connected to deadly I-35 crash out of jail after bond reduced

  30-04-2025 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The truck driver police arrested last month in connection with a deadly 18-vehicle pileup on I-35 in north Austin bonded out of jail Wednesday after having his bond dropped to $1,000 per charge, according to Travis County online jail records.The crash killed five people and injured 11 others, according to APD.Solomun Weldekeal-Araya, 37, still faces seven DWI-related felony charges, which came after field sobriety tests and drug recognition examinations APD conducted in its prel
  
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• Bond reduced for driver arrested following deadly I-35 crash in north Austin

  30-04-2025 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The truck driver police arrested last month in connection to a deadly 18-vehicle pileup on I-35 in north Austin had his bond dropped to $1,000 per charge, according to online court records.The crash killed five people and injured 11 others, according to APD.
  Solomun Weldekeal-Araya, 37, still faces seven DWI-related felony charges, which came after field sobriety tests and drug recognition examinations APD conducted in the its preliminary investigation. But weeks later, a toxico
  
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• Sarkisian recaps NFL draft, says recruiting will 'hammer' state of Texas at Houston event

  30-04-2025 00:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With spring practices in the rear view mirror, Steve Sarkisian and the rest of the Texas coaching staff are on the recruiting trail, trying to find the rest of the 2026 class and beyond.Sarkisian took some time to talk with the Touchdown Club of Houston on Monday, covering his thoughts on the NFL draft, how the spring practice period went and what's on the horizon before the players reconvene for summer conditioning in June ahead of full camp.Texas head coach Steve Sarkisia
  
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