Austin news

• Parks over I-35: In final push, some Austin city council members pitch new $143M plan

  21-05-2025 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day before Austin City Council is set to vote on how much money it will commit to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the roadway elements of future covers over TxDOT's I-35 expansion project, some council members are putting forward a new plan.As of Wednesday, there are two sub quorums of five city council members -- each with different ideas on how to proceed. The council is made up of 10 members, meaning the vote is split right down the middle. That leaves
  
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• Empathy in mental health: Intersection with Substance Use Disorder

  21-05-2025 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—Navigating life with a mental health disorder is no easy task, and is even more difficult when paired with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). The National Mental Health Institute describes SUD as a treatable disorder, where a person cannot control their substance abuse. Addiction is the most severe form."50% of patients that have a substance use disorder will have a co-occurring mental health disorder," said Dr. Sherma Morton, national medical director of Eleanor Health. "If you'r
  
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• Texas restaurants cheer changes to permits, fees from new law

  21-05-2025 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill intended to standardized the regulation of the state's food service industry.Senate Bill 1008 passed in the Senate on April 9 and in the House of Representatives on May 5, with bipartisan support in both chambers. The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) called its "signature bill" of the legislative session in a Tuesday press release.“This new law...improves transparency and predictability for our industry, which is r
  
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• Is your insurance on the line if your robotaxi ride gets in a crash?

  21-05-2025 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A KXAN viewer asked us to look into what happens to a rider if their robotaxi ride is at fault for a crash."On your news tonight you mentioned Tesla driverless vehicles in Austin. I have been told by law enforcement that if a driverless car is in a traffic accident and is at fault, the passenger is liable since they are the only one in the car. Is this true?" asked the viewer. "I think many would like to know if this is the case before they take one of these instead of a dr
  
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• Motorcyclist dies following May 6 hit-and-run

  21-05-2025 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said a motorcyclist died Monday after being involved in a May 6 hit-and-run crash on North MoPac Expressway.Police identified the motorcyclist as 47-year-old Shawn Oveisi.The crash occurred at approximately 11:38 p.m. on May 6 in the 2900 block of North Mopac Expressway NB.APD said Oveisi was seriously injured in the crash and taken to the hospital, where he later died from the injuries sustained during the crash. The other driver involved in th
  
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• Hays County man to serve 298 years in prison on 7 child sex crime charges

  21-05-2025 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man in Hays County was sentenced to serve nearly three centuries in prison Monday after being convicted on seven charges related to child sex crimes.According to the Hays County District Attorney’s Office, 57-year-old Vincente Gonzalez was convicted of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a young child and five counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.The DA’s office said Gonzalez was a "multi-generational predator" who sexually assaulted minors
  
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• Traffic Alert: MLK Jr Blvd at I-35 closure warning at 1 pm

  21-05-2025 14:59 via kxan.com
  
  Austin, TX (KXAN) -- Heads up, afternoon drivers!On Wednesday, beginning at 1 p.m., the MLK Jr Boulevard bridge over Interstate 35 will close for about 15 minutes, along with the Southbound I-35 Service Road from Manor Road to MLK Jr. Boulevard.Rendering of the future MLK Jr Blvd bridge over I-35 (TxDOT image)
  TxDOT is working on the I-35 Capital Express Central Project, and this temporary closure will likely cause delays in the vicinity, so plan accordingly!
  
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