Austin news

• Austin City Council could vote to bury power lines after February storm

  19-03-2023 20:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After the February ice storm led to millions of damaged trees and hundreds of thousands of Austinites without power, city officials could pursue burying power lines.Austin City Council will consider the measure at its March 23 council meeting. If passed, the resolution would direct the interim city manager to create a plan for the conversion of overhead power lines to be relocated underground.If approved, the city will conduct a feasibility study and develop a long-term pla
  
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• Watch Live: Trump Rally in Waco

  25-03-2023 20:59 via kxan.com
  
  Waco (FOX 44/KWKT) -- Former President Donald Trump is holding the first rally of his 2024 Presidential campaign at the Waco Regional Airport.Waco leaders expect more than 15,000 people to attend the event that starts with guest speakers at 2 p.m.The former president is expected to take the stage at 5 p.m.Some of the Republican guests of honor are Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Representatives Pete Sessions, Ronny Jackson, and Marjorie Taylor Greene.Rock
  
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• 'A long time coming': Northeast Austin neighborhood gets new solar lights installed amid safety concerns

  25-03-2023 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The need for more lighting in some Austin neighborhoods has been top of mind recently, especially in areas where people have gone missing.
  It's raised safety concerns city-wide. In Northeast Austin, The African American Wellness Alliance of Central Texas got wind of neighbors feeling unsafe in one of its community parks and decided to do something about it.
  The process started back in 2020. Marva Overton, Executive Director of the alliance said they contacted the City of Au
  
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• What you need to prepare for disasters in Texas, from wildfires to severe weather

  25-03-2023 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - Hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, blizzards, and earthquakes have granted Texas the title of the most disaster-prone state in the country, according to studies in recent reports.
  This distinction has raised eyebrows and carried weight around the Lone Star State, especially as March 2023 marks the 17th anniversary of the deadly Panhandle wildfires of 2006 and the six-year anniversary of the devastating Panhandle wildfires of 2017.
  With the end of La Niña expected
  
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• Willie Nelson honored with Texas educational endowment

  25-03-2023 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — Weeks after winning more Grammys, Willie Nelson is getting a new kind of honor: a university endowment in Texas.The 89-year-old country music icon, who in the 1980s helped launch the Farm Aid benefit concerts, is the namesake of the new Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities at the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs, the school announced Wednesday.The endowment will fund research and student fellowships benefiting rural and farm
  
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• U.S. Marshals arrest woman in connection with north Austin homicide investigation

  25-03-2023 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested a woman Thursday morning on a murder charge out of Austin.According to the LSFTF, law enforcement officials arrested Brittney Curry, 32, of Pflugerville, in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred March 18 in the 300 block of Deen Avenue in north Austin. RELATED: Officials responding to fatal shooting in north AustinAt the scene, Austin police officers found a man, later identified as 20-year-old Barry D
  
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• Tornadoes ravage Mississippi, Alabama overnight

  25-03-2023 16:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — During our morning newscast Friday, we told you about the severe weather threat facing western Mississippi (along with northeast Louisiana and east/southeast Arkansas). That part of the Magnolia State was given a moderate risk of severe weather with a good probability of not only hail and strong winds but also tornadoes. A moderate risk is a Category 4 out of 5.That moderate risk was verified as 24 tornadoes were reported Friday night in Mississippi and Alabama. Mississippi
  
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• 1 of 6 remaining, identified suspects in Operation Burnout arrested

  25-03-2023 15:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One of the remaining six unarrested suspects charged during “Operation Burnout" was taken into custody Tuesday, according to Travis County court documents.
  Records showed 23-year-old Jose Leonidas Carcamos faces a charge of obstructing a highway and criminal mischief. Bonds for both charges totaled $60,000. RELATED: Operation Burnout: 17 more charged in February ‘street takeover’ investigation"Operation Burnout" is the law enforcement investigation into the Feb
  
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• Amber Alert issued for child abduction south of Fort Worth

  25-03-2023 14:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Amber Alert was issued Saturday by the Texas Department of Public Safety regarding a child abduction.The Everman Police Department said it was searching for Noel Rodriguez-Alverez, a Hispanic, 6-year-old boy with black hair and brown eyes.Law enforcement officials believe this child to be in grave or immediate danger.In connection to the abduction, police are looking for 37-year-old Cindy Cecilia Rodriguez-Singh, a 5’00” Hispanic woman weighing 140 pounds wit
  
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• A balmy weekend

  25-03-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas enjoyed a quiet overnight under a clear sky. Low humidity and gentle winds contributed to the pleasant weather.Today will be sunny. A few high clouds will arrive later this afternoon. Most highs will peak in the upper 70s to low 80s.
  Today's normal high is 76°The cold front that left dry air for Friday afternoon and night will return tomorrow. It brings back enough moisture to our eastern counties for a low rain chance Sunday afternoon.Sunday afternoon showers
  
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• Trump to rally in Waco Saturday with possible indictment, arrest looming

  25-03-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  WACO (Nexstar) — Months after announcing his third bid for the White House, former President Donald Trump will hold his first major rally of the presidential cycle in Waco on Saturday.
  The timing of the rally comes on the heels of a tumultuous news cycle for the former president, as he faces a series of investigations, including one in New York that appears to be nearing its conclusion. On Truth Social, Trump claimed he would be arrested this past Tuesday, which has not happened.
  Trump's i
  
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• Timmy Allen drains shot from halfcourt to close 1st half, Texas leads Xavier 42-25 in Sweet 16

  25-03-2023 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KXAN) — Texas senior forward Timmy Allen banked in a shot from halfcourt with less than a second remaining in the first half to give the Longhorns a 42-25 lead over Xavier in the Sweet 16 on Friday at T-Mobile Arena.The Longhorns were without Dylan Disu, who has been the team's star for the past five games, for most of the game. He came into the game with a bone bruise on his foot and tried to play on it but aggravated it early in the first half. He went to the locker roo
  
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• Longhorns are Elite: Texas runs away from Xavier in Sweet 16 with 83-71 win

  25-03-2023 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KXAN) — Down one of their stars in the postseason, the Texas Longhorns didn't waver and plowed past the Xavier Musketeers 83-71 in the Sweet 16 on Friday at T-Mobile Center.Texas, the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, will take on No. 5 seed Miami on Sunday in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four. The Hurricanes upset No. 1 seed Houston 89-75, and all four No. 1 seeds in the tournament were eliminated before the Elite Eight.
  Texas forward Timmy Allen drives to the
  
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• Dylan Disu, star Texas Longhorns forward, injured early in 1st half of Sweet 16 vs. Xavier, won't return

  25-03-2023 03:43 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu was sidelined with a foot injury just two minutes into Friday's Sweet 16 matchup against Xavier at T-Mobile Center.Coming into the game, Disu was nursing a bone bruise on his left foot and tried to play through it. While trying to grab a rebound underneath Xavier's basket, teammate Dillon Mitchell accidentally poked Disu in the eye and then Disu came down awkwardly on it.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories lik
  
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• Dylan Disu, star Texas Longhorns forward, injured early in 1st half of Sweet 16 vs. Xavier, considered day-to-day

  25-03-2023 03:43 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu was sidelined with a foot injury just two minutes into Friday's 83-71 win against Xavier in the Sweet 16 at T-Mobile Center.Coming into the game, Disu was nursing a bone bruise on his left foot and tried to play through it. While trying to grab a rebound underneath Xavier's basket, teammate Dillon Mitchell accidentally poked Disu in the eye and then he came down awkwardly on his foot.
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• Dylan Disu, star Texas Longhorns forward, injured early in 1st half of Sweet 16 vs. Xavier

  25-03-2023 03:43 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns forward Dylan Disu was sidelined with a foot injury just two minutes into Friday's Sweet 16 83-71 win against Xavier at T-Mobile Center.Coming into the game, Disu was nursing a bone bruise on his left foot and tried to play through it. While trying to grab a rebound underneath Xavier's basket, teammate Dillon Mitchell accidentally poked Disu in the eye and then he came down awkwardly on his foot.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stori
  
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• Louisiana worker fired, arrested after video shows him pee in drinking water supply

  25-03-2023 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  ASCENSION PARISH, La. (BRPROUD) - An employee at the Donaldsonville water plant in Ascension Parish, La. was fired after he was caught on video surveillance urinating into the water supply, officials said.Parish officials said authorities learned about the incident on Wednesday, March 22 and the employee was terminated by 2:45 p.m. that afternoon and arrested by the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office.The sheriff's office identified the employee as Michael Mastin, 57, and charged him with two coun
  
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• Lake LBJ community divided on proposed sand dredging operations

  25-03-2023 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  KINGSLAND, Texas (KXAN) — The Lower Colorado River Authority announced this week that an application on one of two sand and gravel processing plants on Lake LBJ is complete, after hearing from the public the LCRA decide whether to grant access to the lake.Collier Materials Inc. has submitted four applications for permits on its proposed Kingsland I Sand and Gravel Processing Plant and Kingsland II Sand and Gravel Processing Plant.The company's applications state it wants to dredge the lake
  
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• Want to be a teacher? Marble Falls ISD will pay for your degree

  25-03-2023 02:53 via kxan.com
  
  MARBE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — With just a few months left of school, districts across Central Texas will start holding hiring events to fill any vacant teaching positions that need to be filled.As many teachers leave the profession, Marble Falls ISD is looking at ways to attract teachers and keep them in the district. One way they hope to do that is through the Love Inspire Teach Scholarship.“We are actually funding as a district some of our para professionals to receive a bachelo
  
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• 2 dead, at least 10 hospitalized after immigrants found 'suffocating' inside a train car outside Uvalde

  25-03-2023 02:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two people are dead, and several others are injured after Uvalde Police said numerous undocumented immigrants were "suffocating" inside a train car, according to a UPD news release.At approximately 3:50 p.m. Friday, dispatchers received a 911 phone call from an unknown person about the immigrants and the US Border Patrol was able to stop the train 2-3 miles east of Knippa, Texas, the release said.Approximately 15 immigrants needed "immediate medical attention," UPD said. Five of
  
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• Austin's interim city manager reorganizes top leadership positions

  25-03-2023 02:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Late Friday night, the City of Austin announced in a news release Interim City Manager Jesús Garza is reorganizing the city's top leadership positions "to prioritize the public's needs and ensure reliability of services for Austinites."
  The changes made will be as follows, according to a memo from the city manager to the department directors:The city's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will now report directly to the city manager. That will also mean the Fleet Mobility Servic
  
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• Texas communities with the best public schools in 2023: report

  25-03-2023 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) –When it comes to buying a home, the quality of the area's public schools can play a major role in the planning decision – even if you don't have young children, proximity to quality districts can affect home values.Niche, a data site that specializes in education rankings, weighed a number of factors, including academic performance, diversity, parent/student surveys, sports, clubs and more to determine which communities in Texas have the best public schools in 2023. Chick-
  
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• WATCH: NASCAR driver Ross Chastain throws watermelons off COTA's 251-foot observation tower

  25-03-2023 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ross Chastain won NASCAR's EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix last year at Circuit of the Americas, and as a nod to his family's watermelon-farming roots, he threw a big green melon on the track near the finish line to celebrate his first-ever Cup Series victory.It's a celebration he's continued whenever he wins, but it started in Austin. On Friday, he took smashing fruit to a new level and threw a few off the 251-foot observation tower at COTA ahead of Sunday's race. There was
  
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• Public officials join Meals on Wheels Central Texas for annual campaign

  25-03-2023 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, local public officials teamed up with Meals on Wheels Central Texas to deliver meals as part of the annual March for Meals campaign.
  According to MOWCTX, the annual campaign is a nationwide effort to generate public awareness about senior hunger and isolation.During the event Friday, State Rep. Lulu Flores, D-Travis County, said, "This is important, because so many folks find themselves isolated in their homes and don't either have the ability, because they live in a
  
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• Austin ISD pride week concludes but not without pushback from a lawmaker

  24-03-2023 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District closes out its pride week Saturday. Each day this week, the district has put on different pride-themed activities, culminating in an event this Saturday with a keynote speaker, food trucks and a student dance. Eliza Layola, principal of Menchaca Elementary School for nearly a decade, said celebrating the week is especially important in Central Texas. “It's actually not about the event or even the week — it's about
  
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• Bill would remove city protections for 'cedar fever' Ashe Juniper trees

  24-03-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A short bill filed by Texas Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Austin, would remove municipal protections for Ashe Juniper trees across Texas, a move that ecologists warn could have a serious impact on Central Texas.House Bill 2239 would amend a section of state law that currently only prevents municipalities from preventing the removal of diseased, dead or dangerous trees. Troxclair's bill simply adds the Ashe Juniper to the list. Why can’t we get rid of the trees that cause &l
  
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• Bill would remove city protections for Ashe Juniper trees

  24-03-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A short bill filed by Texas Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Austin, would remove municipal protections for Ashe Juniper trees across Texas, a move that ecologists warn could have a serious impact on Central Texas.House Bill 2239 would amend a section of state law that currently only prevents municipalities from preventing the removal of diseased, dead or dangerous trees. Troxclair's bill simply adds the Ashe Juniper to the list. Why can’t we get rid of the trees that cause &l
  
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• Gorgeous weekend weather until clouds increase on Sunday

  24-03-2023 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a wet start to the day Friday, clear skies and low humidity have returned on a breezy west wind. Live updated rainfall totalsClear skies and dry air will allow for chilly mornings this weekend, with temperatures in the 40s in colder rural valleys.
  Saturday morning forecast temperaturesDaytime highs will be warm, and low humidity will make for comfortable conditions. Clouds will increase on Sunday along with a slim 10% chance of a rain shower, but both days look pleasan
  
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• Austin is experiencing a top 10 warmest start to the year

  24-03-2023 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Warmth has been no stranger to Central Texas so far in 2023.Through March 24, Austin (Camp Mabry) is experiencing its ninth-warmest start to the year on record. The average mean temperature, which accounts for the highs and lows of the day, is up to 59.2º year-to-date, which is over two degrees warmer than normal.Austin's weather statistics year-to-date
  Austin's Camp Mabry has broken six heat records so far in 2023 but set no cold records.Camp Mabry heat records
  Austin
  
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• Austin family in Paris amid protests of Macron's pension plan shift

  24-03-2023 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) -- More than a million people took to France's streets Thursday to protest a bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote in parliament, according to the Associated Press.
  Transportation, schools, restaurants, supermarkets, banks and trash collection are just some of the services being impacted by protests and strikes, the outlet reported.READ MORE: Violent French pension protests erupt as 1M demonstrate"We were out
  
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