Austin news

• Border Report Live: Smugglers get creative with cargo

  22-05-2025 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — Smugglers got a little creative when they hid migrants inside giant bales of hay, but it was wasn't enough to thwart authorities.
  The discovery happened on Interstate 10 some 275 miles north of the border in the Texas town of Flatonia. Four charged with possession of $175,000 in stolen Nikes
  The sheriff of Fayette County told Nexstar's KWKT that one of his deputies stopped a pickup pulling a loaded hay trailer on about 90 miles east of San Antonio
  
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• Google search data reveals most misspelled word for Texas

  22-05-2025 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Research conducted by WordUnscrambler.pro analyzed Google search data from Jan. 1, 2025, to May 19, 2025, and revealed the most misspelled words searched for in Texas and the rest of the United States.The organization said the search data was taken from Google Trends for "How do you spell" and "How to spell."The word that was the most misspelled word searched in the state of Texas was the word "protect", according to the data.The organization also revealed America's most mi
  
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• Pair of bills would crack down on sale of dogs, cats in outdoor public spaces in Texas

  22-05-2025 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two bills aimed at cracking down on the sale of pets in outdoor public spaces in Texas are making their way through the legislative process.House Bills 2012 and 2731 were both voted on by the Texas House of Representatives in the last couple of weeks.HB 2731 was referred to the Senate Committee on Local Government on Monday. Last week, the House voted to refer HB 2012 to the Senate Committee on Transportation, and a public hearing for the bill is scheduled for Friday, May 2
  
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• Several Central Texas counties receive trail grants from the state

  22-05-2025 20:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $6.8 million in grants Thursday for trail construction and maintenance projects, and a few Central Texas counties received funding.Travis County TPWD approved $300,000 for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. This funding is expected to create the Onion Creek Greenbelt trailhead and trail expansion.TPWD said the project included the construction of a .6-mile trail, parking area and utilities, as well as
  
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• Texas lawmakers move to ban legal THC, hemp amid medical marijuana expansion

  22-05-2025 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  Texas lawmakers have passed a ban on non-medical sales of THC, the intoxicating ingredient in cannabis, sending the measure to Gov. Greg Abbott (R).“If it gets you high, it is not legal anymore” state Rep. Tom Oliverson (R), who sponsored the House bill, told the Dallas Morning News.In passing the ban, Texas joins a wide array of states, including Colorado, Iowa, Arizona, Hawaii and Alaska, that have banned or heavily restricted intoxicating forms of hemp, or the compo
  
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• Sharolen Roque missing: Amber Alert issued for 15-year-old

  22-05-2025 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — An Amber Alert has been issued for a missing 15-year-old girl from Houston named Sharolen Roque, who was last seen in the company of a 20-year-old man.Sharolen is described as 4-foot-9 with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen with Mauricio Aaron Ramos. They were seen traveling in a black colored Mazda, unknown year and model.Reports from HCSO detail her last known whereabouts as the 2300 block of Hopper Road around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. However, an alert f
  
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• 15-year-old Houston girl found safe in Florida after Amber Alert issued

  22-05-2025 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — A 15-year-old girl from Houston was found safe by Florida authorities after an Amber Alert was issued on Wednesday.The Amber Alert was issued for a missing girl from Houston named Sharolen Roque, who was last seen in the company of a 20-year-old man.Sharolen is described as 4-foot-9 with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen with Mauricio Aaron Ramos. They were seen traveling in a black colored Mazda, unknown year and model.On Thursday afternoon, a Harris County She
  
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• Texas woman who won $83.5 million jackpot still not paid 3 months later, sues Texas Lottery Commission

  22-05-2025 18:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As state lawmakers decide the future of the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC), a Texas woman who won an $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot is asking a judge to order the acting executive director of the commission to pay out the winnings.The woman, known as "Jane Doe" in the lawsuit, purchased the winning ticket through a lottery courier service known as Jackpocket. A courier service allows players to purchase a ticket over the phone via an app without having to go into a physica
  
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• Georgetown Police warn of fraudulent callers posing as officers

  22-05-2025 17:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Georgetown Police Department warned residents after it received reports of fraudulent callers posing as law enforcement.GPD said the calls were meant to deceive people out of their money.The department said these callers used the names of GPD officers and made the calls look like they came from the department's phone numbers.“It is essential for the community to understand that our police department will NEVER reach out to you to request money,”
  
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• NOAA releases 2025 Atlantic hurricane season outlook

  22-05-2025 17:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, officially released its hurricane forecast for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, calling for an above-average season. Many factors go into this forecast, including the ENSO, or El-Niño Southern Oscillation, pattern, sea surface temperatures, and Saharan dust.NOAA forecastThe Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs June 1 through Nov. 30, is expected to be an above-average season, according to NOAA. This ca
  
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• TCSO Sheriff receives lifetime achievement, service award

  22-05-2025 16:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez received the American Jail Association Conference's highest honor — the Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award.The award recognizes professional excellence in the field of local corrections. Travis Co. corrections officers train to better handle inmates with mental health issuesTravis County said Hernandez has shown her dedication for 43 years:Sheriff Sally Hernandez and her husband, Ted (Courte
  
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• Texas bill to close sexual assault loophole scheduled for hearing before Senate committee

  22-05-2025 16:46 via kxan.com
  
  Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault. Please return to the homepage if you are not comfortable with the topic. If you are in distress and need to speak with someone, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas House bill to close a loophole in the state's sexual assault laws is on the Senate Criminal Justice committee's agenda for Thursday, after its supporters made a push Tuesday for its consideration.
  
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• Divided Supreme Court rejects public religious charter school in Oklahoma

  22-05-2025 16:18 via kxan.com
  
  The Supreme Court deadlocked 4-4 on whether to approve the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school on Thursday, leaving intact a lower ruling that voided the Oklahoma school’s contract. “The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided court,” the court wrote in its one-sentence, unsigned opinion. Only eight justices sat for the case, since Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused. The decision lets stand a ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court reje
  
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• Weekend Watch: Julius Caesar in the park, Margarita Fest, and a half marathon

  22-05-2025 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—There is plenty to do this weekend as we move into Memorial Day Weekend (a longer weekend for many, or the start of summer vacation for others). Even with hot conditions, it shouldn't stop you from getting out and about, and here are a few events you can enjoy with family or friends.Weekend ForecastTemperatures are sticking in the mid 90sJulius Caesar at Zilker Hillside TheatreIt's time to go back to the fall of Julius Caesar with Austin Shakespeare. Now running at Zilker Hil
  
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• Parks over I-35: Live blog of Austin city council vote

  22-05-2025 15:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thursday, the Austin City Council will decide whether it wants to commit funding to the roadway elements for park decks over the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) I-35 expansion project near downtown.
  Funding vote Thursday for park decks over I-35, Austin city council split on road forwardParks over I-35: Mayor to vote for more conservative plan amid council splitParks over I-35: In final push, some Austin city council members pitch new $143M plan
  For Austin to build
  
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• Report: Austin's tech scene is losing momentum

  22-05-2025 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — For decades, Austin has mostly seen itself climbing in the ranks as a startup hub and place where big tech is growing at a rapid pace.But a new report by a San Francisco-based venture firm shows that the local tech sector is cooling off.Austin has been losing startup talent due to lagging infrastructure, housing costs and return-to-office policies, according to the new report by SignalFire, a venture firm that recently raised over $1 billion for its startup investment fund.R
  
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• Unintended outcomes for teen in Travis Co. diversion program

  22-05-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  If you need help, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-799-7233AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A program meant to rehabilitate certain teens who get arrested in Travis County did not work as intended for one of the participants.
  We are not identifying the teen because he is a minor, but he has given both KXAN and his attorneys with the Juvenile Public Defender's Office permission to share his story.PREVIOUS: ‘Invaluable’: Giving Travis County teens accused of family
  
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• KXAN’s hourlong ‘Undocumented’ special highlights investigative team’s deportation-related discoveries

  22-05-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following the launch of KXAN’s “Undocumented” investigative project, our team saw high interest in and engagement surrounding the topic of deportations in Texas, leading us to produce a one-hour special highlighting some of the major takeaways and revelations in our stories. Watch the full special in the video on this page. Undocumented: Texas’ immigration impact in a new Trump eraUnder President Donald Trump’s renewed administration, Texas has emer
  
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• First Warning Weather Team releases Summer Outlook 2025

  22-05-2025 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When it comes to summer in Central Texas, most people want to know two things: (1) how hot will it be? and (2) will we have enough water?So much of what to expect in the summer can depend on what has happened in the preceding seasons. The KXAN First Warning Weather team researched the factors influencing our hottest season and discussed them together while boating around Lake Travis, still desperately in need of water going into the summer months.Winter and spring precipitation
  
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• Two Israeli embassy staff members shot and killed near DC Jewish museum

  22-05-2025 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed Wednesday evening while leaving an event at a Jewish museum in the nation's capital, and the suspect yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested, police said.The two victims, a man and a woman, were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when the suspect approached a group of four people and opened fire, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference.The suspect, id
  
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• Showers this evening with more in store this weekend

  22-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Humidity is back with a vengeance as it feels very muggy outside. Temperatures are heading back up as well ahead of a late season cold front.High temperatures will warm well into the 90s but will feel hotter with the addition of humidity - heat index values between 100° and 105°. Sunny skies will stick around most of the afternoon ahead of clouds returning this evening.Hotter than normal Thursday afternoonA few isolated storms could bubble up later today, particularly we
  
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• Isolated storms today, more to come this weekend

  22-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It was nice while it lasted (a whopping 48 hours) but we're back to more humid conditions today making for a pretty uncomfortable afternoon.High temperatures will warm well into the 90s but will feel hotter with the addition of humidity - heat index values between 100° and 105°.Morning clouds will clear to midday sunshine before partly sunny skies take over by late afternoon.Hotter than normal Thursday afternoonA few isolated storms could bubble up later today, particula
  
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• Bukari scores, assists to lift Austin to 3-1 US Open Cup win over Houston

  22-05-2025 05:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.It's the deepest the club has ever been in the tournament, and they'll find out who and where they'll play after Thursday morning's draw.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. Saturdays on CW Austin and KXAN throughout the season.Verde and Black jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Dynamo got on the board with 20 minutes l
  
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• Texas, Clemson to clash in Austin super regional, fight for berth in WCWS

  22-05-2025 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns are back in familiar territory, playing in an NCAA super regional for the fifth consecutive season and looking for the program's eighth trip to the Women's College World Series.They'll have to get by a tough Clemson team first, and the best-of-3 series begins at 8 p.m. Thursday from McCombs Field. The series winner advances to the WCWS. Texas lands 3 on Softball America All-America teamOKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 6:Head coach Mike White of the Texas Longhor
  
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• Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding deal

  22-05-2025 05:14 via kxan.com
  
  (The Texas Tribune) -- House and Senate lawmakers are poised to announce a deal on an $8.5 billion funding package for Texas public schools that would preserve the upper chamber’s push for a modest $55 per–student increase to districts’ base funding, while giving schools more than $1 billion to pay for fixed costs like utilities and transportation.The deal, confirmed by three lawmakers familiar with the discussions, appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers,
  
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• East Austin post office set to relocate near Manor Rd.

  22-05-2025 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The United States Postal Service has made its final decision to shut down its east Austin station and relocate its services elsewhere, according to a press release. This comes after a 30-day community feedback period.Postal services at the East Sixth Street location,1914 E. 6th St., will be moved to a new facility located at 3112 Manor Road. The tentative location is about a three mile drive from the east Austin station.However, that will only happen if an agreement is reached wi
  
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• Texas House signals it will ban THC products, exceptions for Compassionate Use Program

  22-05-2025 04:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House of Representatives voted to preliminarily approve a bill that will fully ban any consumable hemp products that contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gives its consumer a high.
  The members of the House had to address whether or not the state would remove products with THC or heavily regulate them, making sure they are not packaged in a way to entice children.State Rep. Ken King, R- Canadian, laid out his bill Wednesday night which would hav
  
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• School closures on the horizon for Austin ISD

  22-05-2025 04:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There is big change coming to Austin ISD as the district is beginning the process to close and consolidate schools.The district said the move comes after six years without an increase in school funding from the state, as well as declining enrollment.There were 74,645 students in Austin ISD in the 2021-22 school year and in the 2023-24 school year there were 73,707.AISD said they have about 25,000 empty seats in schools across the district.In December 2024, KXAN highlighted
  
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• Rouse High School student-teacher arrested, accused of inappropriate relationship with student

  22-05-2025 02:10 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN)-- An arrest was made after a Rouse High School student-teacher, Darian Rogers, was accused of having an improper relationship with a student, according to a letter from the Rouse High School principal.KXAN has reached out to Rogers' attorney. We will update this if a statement is received.
  Leander Independent School District was informed that officials received a report of an inappropriate relationship involving the student and student-teacher on April 9. Darian Rogers
  
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• Texas goes trophy hunting in 'mini Omaha' as No. 1 seed in SEC tournament

  22-05-2025 01:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The ultimate goal for any NCAA Division I baseball team is to play in Omaha, Nebraska, at the College World Series. For teams in the Southeastern Conference, however, playing in Hoover, Alabama, isn't too bad, either.The Texas Longhorns, seeded No. 1 in their first-ever SEC tournament, will take on Tennessee in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m. Thursday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The Volunteers beat Alabama in a 15-10 slugfest Wednesday in the second round, pitting the two s
  
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• Some online shoppers say they got tariff-related invoices

  22-05-2025 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Lauren Kirkpatrick said in recent weeks she has seen people on TikTok reporting getting tariff-related invoices after making international purchases.That’s why, after buying a new pair of boots from France, Kirkpatrick wasn’t surprised to find such a letter in her mailbox from FedEx. “I was like, ‘This is my moment.’ I’m getting my first tariff [bill],” she said. Kirkpatrick shared the note with KXAN. The FedEx letter had
  
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• 'We need adoptive families': Heart Galleries of Texas gives ways to support foster children after graduation

  22-05-2025 01:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Over the next few weeks, high school graduates will soon be celebrated all over Central Texas for their accomplishments.However, graduation season can be a scary time for hundreds of kids who are aging out of the Texas foster care system.Just last year, nearly 900 kids turned 18 and aged out of the system facing, in some cases, an abrupt independence without the safety nets most young people rely on.Erin Argue, the post-permanency director for Heart Galleries of Texas, joined KX
  
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• Bill requiring Ten Commandments be placed in every Texas classroom sent back to committee

  22-05-2025 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Senate Bill 10, aptly numbered for its requirement on public schools to place the Ten Commandments in every single public classroom, was sent back to committee after Democrats and Republicans debated the separation of Church and State on the House floor Wednesday evening.
  The Republican-backed bill would require every public classroom display a poster or framed copy of the Christian doctrine that is at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. No school would be exempt from th
  
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• Texas bill clarifying when doctors can perform life-saving abortions wins early House vote

  22-05-2025 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  (The Texas Tribune) -- The House voted 129-6 on Wednesday to preliminarily approve a bill to clarify Texas’ near-total abortion ban, after it passed the Senate unanimously last month. Despite wide bipartisan support for the bill, some conservative lawmakers raised concerns about whether this would create a loophole allowing doctors to “rubber stamp” otherwise prohibited abortions.Bill sponsor Rep. Charlie Geren, a Republican from Fort Worth, stressed that this was not a “
  
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