Austin news

• AFD respond to fire with 'multiple explosions'

  26-04-2024 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department said it was responding to reports of a structure fire with “multiple explosions” Friday morning near east Austin.AFD said there were reports of a disturbance inside a home in the 4600 block of Imperial Drive "associated with multiple explosions, fire and smoke" inside.AFD crews respond to fire near east Austin (AFD photo)AFD crews respond to fire near east Austin (AFD photo)AFD crews respond to fire near east Austin (AFD photo)AFD crew
  
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• Despite Texas' record budget surplus, schools face deficits

  09-05-2024 01:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Parents of Cy-Fair ISD students criticized state and district leaders this week, frustrated that their schools are some of many facing budget cuts due to widespread deficits after state lawmakers failed to increase basic school funding last year."The decisions being made by our governor, senators, TEA Commissioner, and CFISD Board of Trustees are stumping us both academically and inspirationally," one parent told the board.Cy-Fair fears they may have to remove nearly 300
  
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• Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, to plead guilty in sports betting case

  09-05-2024 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.The scandal surrounding Ippei Mizuhara shocked baseball fans from the U.S. to Japan when the news broke in March.Mizuhara will plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and o
  
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• Shoal Creek Conservancy wants people to be able to swim in the creek, trail to be 13 miles long

  09-05-2024 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Shoal Creek Conservancy celebrated its 10th anniversary Wednesday, remarking on all the improvement projects it has already accomplished and signaling what is to come. Shoal Creek is the oldest hike and bike trail in Austin. The Shoal Creek Conservancy was formed in late 2013 to enhance the trail and improve the creek’s water quality. “We are the active champions for Austin's oldest hike and bike trail,” said Ivey Kaiser, the executive direct
  
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• RECALL: Dog eyelid wipes may expose pets, owners to bacteria, fungi

  09-05-2024 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Pharmaceutical company Bausch + Lomb is recalling about 32,000 units of its Project Watson Eyelid Wipes for dogs over concerns that the products may unintentionally grow bacteria and fungi in their containers.According to the recall, Bausch + Lomb has received seven reports of growths in the product's containers, though there have been no reports of illness in either pets or humans.The recalled products can be identified by the following features:
  The words "Project Watson" and
  
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• 'High-end,' ultra rare pineapple coming to US

  09-05-2024 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  (WJW) – It’s being billed as an "ultra-premium luxury 'designer' fruit that appeals to high-end consumers."Yes, you read that right — we're talking about a piece of fruit.This week, Rubyglow pineapples, with their red, distinguishing shells, were officially introduced to the U.S. market. Fresh Del Monte Produce first debuted the fruit in China in January 2024, with demand quickly outpacing supply, prompting a "global waitlist," according to the company.This particular variety &
  
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• House blocks Greene’s resolution to oust Johnson

  09-05-2024 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to protect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from a conservative coup, torpedoing an effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to oust the GOP leader from the top job.The chamber voted 359-43-7 on a motion to table Greene’s motion to vacate, preventing the removal resolution from hitting the floor for a vote.The final vote — which was widely expected amid bipartisan opposition to the ouster gambit — deals a major blow to Greene, w
  
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• DPS sent 115 personnel on first day of protests at UT Austin

  09-05-2024 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three units with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) sent a total of 115 personnel to the University of Texas at Austin campus April 24 as people gathered at a protest in support of Gaza.KXAN obtained this information through a public information request to DPS. Leaked memo reveals inside details of UT’s protest responseDuring the first day of the protest, 57 individuals were arrested.San Antonio response sent the most with 50 DPS personnel, Capitol FFO Team s
  
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• 8 Longhorns named to All-Big 12 softball team, Atwood tabbed player of the year

  08-05-2024 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With team success comes individual awards, and by looking at the All-Big 12 and postseason award selections, the Texas Longhorns had a very successful season.Eight Longhorns were named to the conference's all-star team while three, including head coach Mike White, picked up superlative honors, the league announced Wednesday. Big 12 Conference softball tournament scheduleSophomore catcher Reese Atwood was named the player of the year, pitcher Teagan Kavan was tabbed the fres
  
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• Greene moves to oust Speaker Johnson

  08-05-2024 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) moved to force a vote on ousting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday, a momentous move that is all but certain to fail amid opposition from Democrats and conservative Republicans.Greene — who filed her motion to vacate against Johnson more than a month ago — called her resolution to the floor as privileged on Wednesday, forcing GOP leadership to move on the measure within two legislative days.Lawmakers are expected to quickly motion to t
  
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• Average childcare worker in Texas makes $11 hour; advocates push for change

  08-05-2024 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Every year, families spend thousands of dollars on childcare in Texas.
  According to research at the University of Texas at Austin, the cost adds up to nearly 14% of the state's average median household income.
  But even with the high costs, childcare advocates said caretakers are not paid a livable wage. It's a problem both local and national groups discussed on Wednesday. RELATED COVERAGE: Child care in Travis County is the most expensive in Texas, new data show'It's extremely
  
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• Texas House Speaker unveils interim work for lawmakers

  08-05-2024 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced Wednesday the priorities he wants lawmakers to work on during the off-legislative session season.
  The Republican speaker's list of interim charges includes dozens of assignments for House committees to work on before legislators return to Austin for the 89th session in January. Much of their charges include tracking new laws to "ensure the intended legislative outcome" of the bills.It comes after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made his lis
  
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• Parents of slain cyclist file lawsuit against Kaitlin Armstrong

  08-05-2024 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The parents of professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, who was shot and killed in Austin in 2022, have filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against the woman convicted of killing her. Jury finds Kaitlin Armstrong guilty of murdering Mo WilsonIn November 2023, a Travis County jury found Kaitlin Armstrong guilty of murder in Wilson's death. Wilson was staying with a friend ahead of a gravel race when she was shot and killed on May 11, 2022.In November 2023, Armstrong wa
  
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• Want to tour the Moody Center? How to get a behind-the-scenes look

  08-05-2024 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — From birthday events and anniversaries to everything in between, Austinites will soon have a new way to ring in special occasions with behind-the-scenes tours of the Moody Center, the venue shared online.Tickets for the 75-minute tours go on sale May 13 at 10 a.m. CT. Once available, tours will be offered every other Thursday in June, July and early August at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  Attendees will get an up-close look at back-of-house artist hallways, dressing rooms and the speci
  
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• Police search for suspect after sexual assault on Leander trail

  08-05-2024 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Police said they're asking for help to find a suspect who allegedly grabbed a girl riding her bicycle on a Leander trail and sexually assaulted her.
  Leander police said this happened Tuesday sometime between 4 and 4:26 p.m. along the wooded trail behind Benbrook Ranch Park, located at 1100 Halsey Drive. Officers could not locate the suspect, though, after conducting an extensive search of that area.
  Detectives described the suspect as a white man who's approximately
  
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• Recycling company CEO enters guilty plea in environmental pollution case

  08-05-2024 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The CEO of a recycling company based in Colorado County recently entered a guilty plea related to an environmental pollution case dating back to 2019, according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office.Inland Recycling, LLC CEO David Polston pleaded guilty to the offense of Intentional or Knowing Unauthorized Discharge.According to the DA's office, in April 2019 Polston allowed his Inland Recycling, an oil and gas recycling facility located in Colorado County, to discharg
  
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• Ascension warns of cyber security event amid 'unusual activity'

  08-05-2024 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 8, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ascension, a health care company with locations in Central Texas, said it detected unusual activity on select technology network systems Wednesday.The company said it believed it was due to a cyber security event.“At this time we continue to investigate the situation,” Ascension said. “We responded immediately, initiated our investigation and activated our rem
  
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• Trudy's announces closure of south Austin location

  08-05-2024 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 8, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Trudy's Authentic Tex-Mex announced Monday it closed its South Star location at 901 Little Texas Lane, Ste. C.The news came amid an announcement of possible new locations around the Austin area, along with expansions into both the Houston and San Antonio markets. PAST COVERAGE: Local artist worries about work hanging in Trudy’s, amid restaurant bankruptcy filing“We
  
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• Man convicted by jury, sentenced on 2022 murder charge

  08-05-2024 20:59 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 8, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was convicted and sentenced April 17 to 25 years in prison in connection with a 2022 homicide investigation.According to Travis County court documents, 45-year-old Deddrick Amerson was charged with first-degree murder. PAST COVERAGE | Police: Arrest warrant issued for man connected to stabbing death near Waterloo ParkThe sentence was related to the July 21, 2022, death of
  
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• UT professor receives Pulitzer prize for history

  08-05-2024 19:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A professor in the University of Texas at Austin's history department was awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for history for a book she authored on Black workers in Boston during the Civil War era.
  Jacqueline Jones is the Ellen C. Temple Professor of Women’s History Emerita in the Department of History, where she served as chair from 2014 to 2020, according to the university. She received the Pulitzer for her book “No Ri
  
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• Gov. Abbott directs Texas colleges, universities to ignore Title IX changes

  08-05-2024 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter Wednesday to the state's higher education leaders instructing them to ignore revisions to a federal anti-discrimination law that would extend protections to LGBTQ+ students.
  The governor's letter about Title IX went to the chairmen and regents at Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Women's University, University of Houston, University of North Texas and University of T
  
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• DWI, drug program in Williamson County receives $27K grant

  08-05-2024 18:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 8, 2024.WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Bar Foundation is expected to grant $27,215 to a DWI and drug program at Williamson County Court at Law #2.According to the county, the funds would help provide in-house therapy, various forms of mental health treatment and alcohol/drug use monitoring for eligible offenses.The program was established in 2006, and according to the county, has served 6
  
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• Man receives 5 years related to 2022 deadly east Austin crash

  08-05-2024 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 8, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced May 1 in connection with a deadly 2022 crash in east Austin.According to Travis County court documents, Reinaldo Rodriguez, 21, was sentenced on a count of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, a second-degree felony. PAST COVERAGE | Arrest made after fatal single-vehicle crash in east AustinRodriguez’s sentence was in connection with a July 18, 20
  
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• How to help monarch butterflies thrive in Central Texas

  08-05-2024 17:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas is an important part of the Lone Start State for monarch migration because it is a principal breeding ground for the butterflies. They come north from Mexico in both the fall and the spring.There has been a decline in the number of monarchs. Disappearing green spaces in favor of development are part of the reason. Monarchs need a suitable habitat providing host plants for breeding and flowering plants that provide nectar for the adults.
  Unfortunately, development e
  
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• SXSW to expand with a London edition in 2025

  08-05-2024 16:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Historically Austin-based festival South by Southwest is expanding across the pond next year.
  The conference, which is known for its convergence of music, film, education and technology, announced Wednesday that it's planning a European edition for June 2025.
  South by Southwest London will launch in June of next year, expanding the reach of the nearly four-decade-old festival, marking the first time it has gone outside of Austin.
  The festival started in Austin in 1987 with its h
  
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• Central Texas Food Bank brings pantry to elementary school in Bastrop

  08-05-2024 15:25 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- The Central Texas Food Bank on Tuesday celebrated the opening of a new food pantry at an elementary school in Bastrop.
  The nonprofit launched a new Feeding Futures School Pantry at Cedar Creek Elementary School.
  CTFB said the partnership between itself and Bastrop ISD is a "crucial aspect to the success of this program in nourishing the children and their families of the Bastrop community."According to the food bank, Bastrop County has a significant rate of food insecuri
  
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• LIVE: Inside the Investigations: Botox injections in Texas

  08-05-2024 15:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday morning with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree to break down one of this week’s top stories. People can watch the live stream starting at about 1:30 p.m. in this story or on the KXAN News Facebook page.Inside the Investigations: Austin ISD HVAC projectsThe story they’re talking about t
  
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• Inside the Investigations: Botox injections in Texas

  08-05-2024 15:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday morning with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree to break down one of this week’s top stories. People can watch the live stream starting at about 9 a.m. in this story or on the KXAN News Facebook page.Inside the Investigations: Austin ISD HVAC projectsThe story they’re talking about this
  
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• Trump tests Senate GOP leaders on election fraud claims

  08-05-2024 14:47 via kxan.com
  
  Former President Trump's refusal to commit to accepting the results of the 2024 election is putting GOP lawmakers in a tough spot, especially Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who are running to become next Senate GOP leader and have pledged to work closely with Trump.Both senators, allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), opposed Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who is in the mix to be Trump's running
  
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• What to expect at UT's commencement ceremony

  08-05-2024 14:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- University of Texas at Austin graduates will gather on Saturday, May 11 to celebrate getting their diplomas. Here's what to expect if you're planning to attend UT's commencement ceremony.
  UT Austin's 141st commencement ceremony will be held at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium from 7:30-10 p.m. on Saturday.
  Speakers include: retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt, a UT alum who was the first female fighter pilot for the U.S. Air Force; UT President Jay Hartzell; and Helen Getachew, UT's
  
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