Austin news

• After son’s suicide, family pledges to make others smile

  27-07-2017 02:26 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — After losing one of her own children to suicide after he was bullied for years, a San Marcos mom is making it her goal to educate the public about bullying and its consequences.
  However, for the week of his birthday she’s not doing that through seminars, her family has taken the pledge to make others smile.
  On July 26, Isaac Yocom would have celebrated his 16th birthday, it was a day the whole family took to be together. But now, the Yocom family is ce
  
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• Texas school board accepts separation agreement with superintendent over student banned from musical

  02-05-2024 21:57 via kxan.com
  
  SHERMAN, Texas (AP) — A school board in Texas has accepted a voluntary separation agreement with its superintendent who was suspended after removing a transgender student from a role in the musical “Oklahoma!”The school board said in a statement that it voted Wednesday “to accept a voluntary separation agreement with Superintendent Dr. Tyson Bennett,” who was suspended in March after the board opened an investigation into the decision to remove the student. Sherman
  
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• Who is the wealthiest person in Texas? Forbes releases new list

  02-05-2024 20:34 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the estimated total worth of the 54 people on Forbes' list.(NEXSTAR) — While many Americans may be struggling to stay in the "new" middle class, others are seemingly profiting from stocks, fast-food chains and past ventures.
  Nearly every U.S. state has at least one billionaire, according to Forbes' latest report on the richest people. This is the second time Forbes has produced this list since 2019.As of May 2024, only three states are
  
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• APH cautions about Zika, West Nile virus as temperatures heat up

  02-05-2024 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 2, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health officials are gearing up for what could be a busy mosquito season, testing and watching multiple mosquito pools in the area.The greater Austin area becomes ripe for mosquitoes from the springtime through the fall, as temperatures rise and precipitation falls to the ground. Despite their pesky annoyance, APH cautioned residents mosquitoes can carry a variety
  
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• Austin Trail of Lights dates announced for 2024

  02-05-2024 20:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This video was produced before the 2023 Austin Trail of Lights.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's Trail of Lights will celebrate its 60th anniversary when it returns to Zilker Park in December 2024.The Trail of Lights Foundation announced Austin's "longest-running holiday event" will run from Dec. 10 through Dec. 23, 2024. An estimated 400,000 people attend the festivities every year, the foundation said.This year's Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run presented by
  
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• Williamson County issues 'critical warning' after overdose spike in Austin

  02-05-2024 19:41 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 2, 2024.WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- After at least 70 suspected overdoses and multiple deaths from a Travis County outbreak earlier this week, Williamson County shared a "critical warning" with residents Thursday about fentanyl poisonings.The release addressed the "exceptionally lethal batch of drugs" in the greater Austin area and stressed Williamson County residents need to be aware of the possibili
  
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• Video shows private security guards administering Narcan in downtown Austin

  02-05-2024 19:24 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows private security guards administering Narcan in downtown Austin. The video contains sensitive material. Viewer discretion is advised.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The private security company hired by a group of downtown Austin businesses to patrol a portion of Sixth Street said guards helped administer Narcan this week amid a spike of overdoses.Overdose surge: 2 detained after 70+ overdoses, multiple deaths in AustinAs of Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS sa
  
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• Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over the war in Gaza

  02-05-2024 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face unrest over the war in Gaza.“Dissent is essential for democracy," he said at the White House. "But dissent must never lead to disorder.”
  Tensions have been building for days as demonstrators refuse to remove campus encampments and administrators turn to police to clear them by force, leading to clashes tha
  
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• Panhandle Wildfires Investigative Committee releases findings, recommendations

  02-05-2024 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  PAMPA, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - After three days of investigative hearings in Pampa during the first week of April, the five-member Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires released its initial report on Wednesday, which focused on the recent weeks-long outbreak of devastating wildfires across the High Plains.
  In the 43-page long initial interim report, the investigative committee discussed the history and causes related to the February-March wildfires that scorched the Texas Panhandle and
  
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• 1,000+ handbags collected through 17th annual Handbags for Hope campaign

  02-05-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 2, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 1,000 handbags were collected as part of the 17th annual Handbags for Hope campaign, a yearly initiative aimed at helping survivors of power-based abuse.The campaign is held by Zinda Law Group, per a Thursday release. This year's campaign collaborated with 51 partners in the Dallas, Houston and Austin areas.
  The 1,000-plus bags collected will go to 26 partner agencies to pr
  
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• First brainwide map shows how rodents find love. What does it mean for humans?

  02-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What can humans learn about love from other species?
  A fuzzy little prairie vole led researchers from the University of Texas at Austin to more answers on how to find lasting relationships.
  The researchers created the first map of the vole's brain that shows regions that are active during mating and pair bonding.
  "I don’t think folks appreciate just the extent to which this strange little fuzzy creature has shaped our understanding of human love," said Steven Phelps,
  
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• First brain-wide map shows how rodents find love. What does it mean for humans?

  02-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What can humans learn about love from other species?
  A fuzzy little prairie vole led researchers from the University of Texas at Austin to more answers on how to find lasting relationships.
  The researchers created the first map of the vole's brain that shows regions that are active during mating and pair bonding.
  "I don’t think folks appreciate just the extent to which this strange little fuzzy creature has shaped our understanding of human love," said Steven Phelps,
  
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• Luka Doncic scores 35 points, leads Mavericks to 123-93 victory and 3-2 series lead over Clippers

  02-05-2024 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic is playing on a sprained right knee that would probably sideline him in the regular season. The Dallas star also has been congested and ill for several days, fighting a bug that’s forcing him to blow his nose during timeouts.Doncic simply refused to be slowed in Game 5 — not by multiple ailments, and certainly not by any Los Angeles Clippers during a blowout victory that put his Dallas Mavericks on the brink of the second round.Doncic scored 20 of
  
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• Amid Foxtrot Market's fall, Austin bodega chain Royal Blue Grocery still going strong

  02-05-2024 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- The sudden closure of Foxtrot Market in Austin and elsewhere came as a shock to some, but it didn't faze a small Austin-based chain of bodegas, Royal Blue Grocery, that's going strong after 18 years.According to co-owner Craig Staley, the key for Royal Blue has been to understand its limits and its market, such as where to open and where it can't compete, and also that margins have a ceiling in the challenging industry.Royal Blue has seven stores spread across
  
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• Weekend Watch: What's in store for weather at Pecan Street Festival

  02-05-2024 16:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As temperatures start to increase in Central Texas, so do the number of events happening in the Austin area.
  Meteorologist Nick Bannin shares a few ideas for fun things to check out this weekend along with an updated look at what's in store with the forecast.
  Here are some events to potentially add to the calendar:49th Annual Spring Pecan Street Festival: This free arts and music festival is happening Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vendor
  
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• LIVE: Weekend Watch: What's in store for weather at Pecan Street Festival

  02-05-2024 16:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As temperatures start to increase in Central Texas, so do the number of events happening in the Austin area.
  Meteorologist Nick Bannin shares a few ideas for fun things to check out this weekend along with an updated look at what's in store with the forecast.
  Here are some events to potentially add to the calendar:49th Annual Spring Pecan Street Festival: This free arts and music festival is happening Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vendor
  
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• 4 Austin-area businesses make Yelp's Top 100 Local Businesses

  02-05-2024 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 2, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Four businesses in the Austin area made it onto Yelp's Top 100 Local Businesses, recognized as local businesses that "shape community identities, fuel economies" and more.The list included businesses from across the U.S., ranging from auto, beauty, fashion and more, according to Yelp.The first business highlighting Austin is auto business Dentworks. According to Yelp, the local busin
  
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• Austin hopes to increase pedestrian crossings with federal grant

  02-05-2024 13:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council will review and vote on submitting an application for federal dollars that would be used to increase pedestrian safety throughout some of the city's most dangerous roads.
  The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department is hoping to get a grant up to $14.5 million to install between 30 and 50 pedestrian crossings in strategic locations, according to city documents. If the city's application is approved, it would have to match 20% of the grant money, whic
  
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• Austin crews investigating oily sheen, fuel smells in Waller Creek

  02-05-2024 13:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin's Watershed Protection Department is investigating after an oily sheen and fuel smell were detected in Waller Creek this week.A KXAN viewer shared a video depicting the rainbow-colored sheen on the creek. It was spotted under the hike-and-bike trail's bridge near Trinity Street.The Watershed Protection Department told KXAN department crews along with the Austin Fire Department responded to the area around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday evening, after receiving a 3-1-1 call
  
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• Spotty storms continue through the weekend

  02-05-2024 11:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a soaking rain in many parts of Central Texas overnight, we'll be on the lookout for a few more storms and showers today through the weekend.Rain totals as of 5AM Thursday morning
  Updated 24-hour rain totals across Central Texas
  Isolated storms are redeveloping this morning and possible again later today in parts of our area. Although the storm count and intensity is likely to be lower than yesterday, any well-developed storm has potential to bring hail, damaging wind
  
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• More severe storms possible later today

  02-05-2024 11:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a soaking rain in many parts of Central Texas overnight, we'll be on the lookout for a few more storms and showers today through the weekend.Rain totals as of 5AM Thursday morning
  Updated 24-hour rain totals across Central Texas
  Isolated storms continue into the afternoon along with some thinning of the clouds in spots. Although the storm count and intensity is likely to be lower than yesterday, any well-developed storm has potential to bring hail, damaging winds and
  
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• No clothes? No problem: Nude cruise to set sail from Florida next year

  02-05-2024 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  Video above: Carnival cruise ship out of Tampa saves nearly 30 people stranded at seaTAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Cruise ship passengers can bare all on the "Big Nude Boat," which will set sail from Florida on a 10-day voyage to the Caribbean in 2025.Bare Necessities Tour & Travel is taking over the Norwegian Pearl from Feb. 3 to Feb. 14. Nude passengers will visit the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia. Coast Guard pulls Carnival cruise crew member from ship off
  
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• Overdose surge: 2 detained after 70+ overdoses, multiple deaths in Austin

  02-05-2024 04:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people believed to be persons of interest have been detained following an outbreak of overdoses that left multiple people dead, that's according to Austin-Travis County EMS.As of Wednesday, ATCEMS responded to about 70 suspected overdoses, but there could be more as the week continues.When ATCEMS was asked if all eight deaths involved in this outbreak were opioid-related, they told us, "I do know those eight were suspected of being opiate-related."ATCEMS said they
  
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• New Big 12 out to prove bigger bank accounts don’t always mean better football teams in 12-team CFP

  02-05-2024 02:53 via kxan.com
  SCOTTDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Before the realigned Big 12 — sans Oklahoma and Texas —even kicks off, the expanded College Football Playoff’s new revenue structure has created a perception that the conference is no longer the equal of the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference.Instead of a Power Five, college football now has a “Big Two,” with the expanded SEC, now home to the Sooners and Longhorns, and Big Ten at the top of the pack.Big 12 commissioner Brett
  
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• Paxton sues ATF over new gun sales requirements

  02-05-2024 02:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading a coalition of Republican states in suing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) over a new rule that will require licenses and background checks for private firearms sales.The ATF is expanding the definition of what is considered a firearm "dealer," subjecting private sellers to the same licensing and safety requirements as commercial stores.
  President Biden said the change "is going to keep guns out of the
  
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• Austin photojournalist facing two misdemeanor charges after UT protest

  02-05-2024 00:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin photojournalist who was arrested while covering a protest on the University of Texas Austin campus on April 24, is facing two misdemeanor charges-- assault and interference with public duties, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.Court documents previously showed he was facing a felony charge of assault on a peace officer. Additional documentation showed that warrant was canceled. Austin photojournalist faces felony charge after arrest during UT protest,
  
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• Over 600 UT Austin faculty sign letter of no-confidence in President Hartzell

  02-05-2024 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hundreds of University of Texas at Austin faculty signed a letter saying they "no longer have confidence in President Jay Hartzell," following a series of pro-Palestinian protests on campus over the last week. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: UT students, faculty demand university president resign after protest responseThe UT Austin chapter of the American Association of University Professors was behind the letter, which was signed by more than 620 UT faculty members.
  What did the letter say?
  
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• Longer speaking rules at Austin City Council meetings stand, for now, after ruling

  01-05-2024 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People at Thursday's Austin City Council meeting will once again get three minutes to speak on every single item they signed up for after a judge extended an order in a lawsuit against the City of Austin.
  That will be the case until July 1, according to Bill Bunch, the executive director of the Save our Springs Alliance, and the man suing the city.PREVIOUS: Austin City Council public comment rules in limbo after judge ruling“We appreciate the court’s time and will ab
  
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• Austin City Council to vote on transgender protections resolution

  01-05-2024 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the Austin City Council are set to vote Thursday on offering some protections to local transgender people seeking gender-affirming care.
  The council's agenda includes a resolution introduced by Council Member Chito Vela, who represents District 4. The measure would direct Austin police to make enforcement of Senate Bill 14, which bans certain treatment options for transgender minors in the state, as their lowest priority.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: First vote to happen on
  
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• Austin City Council approves transgender protections resolution

  01-05-2024 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the Austin City Council voted Thursday afternoon to approve offering some protections to local transgender people seeking gender-affirming care, though it may lead to more pushback by Texas Republican lawmakers.
  By a vote of 10-1, the council passed a resolution introduced by Council Member Chito Vela, who represents District 4. The measure directs Austin police to make enforcement of Senate Bill 14, which bans certain treatment options for transgender minors in
  
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