Austin news

• Austin City Council to vote on 'HOME' part 2 Thursday, among other changes

  16-05-2024 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council will vote on major Land Development Code changes Thursday. The last time the body held a vote similar to this one, public comment lasted nearly 12 hours. Here's what you need to know:
  What is HOME Part 2?
  The HOME initiative -- which stands for Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment -- has been rolled out in two parts. The first part, which was approved by Austin City Council in December and put into place in February, allowed for more units to be built o
  
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• Playoff structure to change for some Texas high school sports

  11-06-2024 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some high school sports in Texas will have split divisions in the playoffs starting next school year to match the current structure for the 6A football playoffs and championship.The University Interscholastic League's Legislative Council approved the change Tuesday to use enrollment to split the playoffs for five sports. It will go into effect Aug. 1 and will not affect district alignments.RELATED: Austin ISD playing in College Station? UIL releases football districts for 2
  
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• Austin teen serves up pickleball lessons for older adults

  11-06-2024 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Anderson High School student is sharing his years-long love of pickleball with a wider audience, launching a service project teaching older residents the love of the sport.Kesh Gupta is a rising senior at Anderson High School. This spring, he launched The Pickled Age, a community initiative designed to offer older residents a social community and physical activity — courtesy pickleball. RELATED: Central Texas adding more pickleball venues as popularity continues to
  
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• APD searching for suspect connected to northwest Austin attempted sexual assault

  11-06-2024 21:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help finding a suspect connected with an "attempted" sexual assault, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.On March 30, around 9 p.m., a woman was walking her dog on Osmarea Drive in northwest Austin when police said the suspect "exposed himself" and then "attempted to sexually assault her."Police said the suspect left the area on foot.The suspect is described as a Black man, who is between 17-25 years old, 5 feet
  
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• Joey Chestnut won't compete in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

  11-06-2024 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) — Reigning hot dog champion Joey Chestnut will not compete in this year's Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest due in part to a plant-based competitor, officials have confirmed.Major League Eating "bent over backward to accommodate" Chestnut and keep him in the 2024 competition, including allowing him to compete in another hot dog eating contest on Labor Day, George Shea of Major League Eating told Nexstar's WPIX on Tuesday. But when Chestnut took on a new brand deal with
  
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• More game times released for Texas football's first SEC season

  11-06-2024 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— The University of Texas will have three 11 a.m. Central Time kickoffs for the 2024 season. The Southeastern Conference released several kickoff times for the upcoming season on Tuesday.Along with the previously announced 11 a.m. game at Michigan on Sept. 7, Texas will get the morning kickoff in back-to-back weeks — at home vs. Florida on Nov. 9 and the following Saturday at Arkansas. Southwest Airlines to fly nonstop to Detroit for UT-Michigan gameSeveral Texas start t
  
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• Search underway for swimmer who went missing in the Colorado River in Bastrop Monday

  11-06-2024 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- Recovery efforts are underway for a swimmer who went missing in the Colorado River in Bastrop on Monday evening, according to Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 2.
  A call came in around 7:45 p.m. as a water rescue/missing swimmer for a man in his 30s in the 400 block of East Riverside Drive in Bastrop.
  A witness stated that the swimmer appeared to be struggling and went under and didn't resurface.
  Bastrop County ESD 2 said search efforts are affected by rapid
  
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• Local family at center of new fentanyl education movement, a month after son's death

  11-06-2024 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Matthew Wright should have been enjoying his last summer before going off to Texas State University to study psychology.
  Instead, a little over a month ago, the 18-year-old and youngest of three died of fentanyl poisoning.
  His family said he passed unexpectedly at their home in Cedar Park. He had aspirations to help other young people with their mental health, as he had struggled himself.
  Matthew Wright, 18, passed away after fentanyl poisoning (Courtesy:
  
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• Presiding judge not dismissing removal petition against Travis County DA Jose Garza yet

  11-06-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dib Waldrip, the presiding judge assigned to oversee the petition to remove Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, filed a notice Tuesday morning in response to the state's recent motion to dismiss the case. The judge's notice indicated a dismissal is not happening without factual information supporting the motion.RELATED: County attorney files motion to dismiss removal petition against Travis County DAKXAN reached out to Waldrip about the notice and will update this s
  
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• Presiding judge not dismissing removal petition against Travis County DA José Garza yet

  11-06-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dib Waldrip, the presiding judge assigned to oversee the petition to remove Travis County District Attorney José Garza, filed a notice Tuesday morning in response to the state's recent motion to dismiss the case. The judge's notice indicated a dismissal is not happening without factual information supporting the motion.RELATED: County attorney files motion to dismiss removal petition against Travis County DAKXAN reached out to Waldrip about the notice and will update
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: Disturbance forms off Florida Gulf coast. Could it develop?

  11-06-2024 18:39 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- A tropical disturbance with a chance of development formed off the Florida Gulf coast on Tuesday morning.
  An area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms is expected to move across Florida over the next day or so, dumping several inches of rain on the region.
  Its chance of development, however, is low. The National Hurricane Center said the system has a zero percent chance of development in the next two days.It has a 20% chance of "slow" development over the next seven da
  
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• ACC Elgin closed due to water main break; boil water notice issued for part of Bastrop Co.

  11-06-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Austin Community College Elgin is closed on Tuesday due to a water main break, according to its social media.
  All classes and activities at ACC Elgin are canceled for the day. All other ACC campuses remain open.The Aqua Water Supply Corporation also issued a boil water notice for part of Bastrop County. The water supply said the notice was issued due to distribution system pressure losses caused by a line break that happened Tuesday. It didn't specify where t
  
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• Invasive tree-killing beetle spreading, moving south in Texas

  11-06-2024 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An invasive wood-boring beetle is quickly spreading in Texas, thanks to human interactions.Emerald ash borers are an invasive species that bores into ash trees—whether it's a healthy or stressed, dying tree. Wizzie Brown, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service senior extension program specialist, said entomologists are concerned because it's wiping out ash species.The emerald ash borer (EAB). (Courtesy: Texas A&M Forest Service)
  The beetles were firs
  
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• UT says it will discipline students who violated campus rules during pro-Palestinian protests

  11-06-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin issued a statement Tuesday morning stating that it will carry out disciplinary action against students who violated campus rules during pro-Palestinian protests on April 24 and 29.The University has made clear that we enforce institutional rules, and the conduct notices sent to students who violated our rules during protests on April 24th and 29th reflect that commitment. The actions and stated intentions of those participating in these protests
  
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• Which Austin food vendors will be at Blues on the Green this year?

  11-06-2024 17:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's back! After initial cancellation plans earlier this year due to rising costs, Austin City Limits Radio's Blues on the Green returns for its 33rd year Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Zilker Park. RELATED: How to get to, from 2024 Blues on the Green in AustinACL Radio credited action taken by Austin City Council along with H-E-B's financial assistance as reasons behind the concert series' return. As Austinites flock to Zilker, here's a look at some of the food vendors you c
  
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• Texas Senate panel to hear testimony on border security

  11-06-2024 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Senate's Committee on Border Security will hear invited testimony from state and local officials regarding their "participation in border security" Tuesday morning. It's part of the chamber's work to monitor the implementation of new laws before the next legislative session begins in January.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tasked the committee of three Republicans and two Democrats with three broad interim charges:
  "Securing the Texas-Mexico Border": Reviewing state and l
  
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• Wet times this afternoon and evening

  11-06-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Early afternoon thunderstorms, non-severe, were moving across San Saba and Lampasas Counties. There were pockets of heavy rain moving through these counties with only afew lightning strikes detected. A Flood Advisory will be in effect for northern Mason County until 3:45 this afternoon.The afternoon forecast calls for additional showers and thunderstorms with the possibility of a few of the stronger thunderstorms reaching severe limits.
  The Austin metro area is forecast to see s
  
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• Storms with heavy rain and gusty winds arriving

  11-06-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered storms continue to move from northwest to southeast through the area. Gusty winds and heavy rain will be our primary concern, but some hail is possible with any stronger storm. Of course, if you can hear thunder, you'll want to move indoors.Scattered storms will continue to move through the Hill Country and Austin Metro through the early evening commute. Our eastern counties should start seeing storms after 4 p.m. Area rain totalsThe potential for strong to severe thun
  
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• Scattered storms possible later today

  11-06-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Isolated to scattered storms will be possible over the next 48 hours before it's back to the summer-like heat & dryness. Check out some high rain totals in the southern Hill CountryLike what played out yesterday, isolated to scattered storms are likely to bubble up in spots this afternoon and evening. Not everyone will see storms - in fact, most will not - but those who do will need to be on the lookout for a strong or severe storm. A level 1 to 2 out 5 severe risk is in pla
  
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• Mysterious boat signals new age of watersports on Lake Austin

  11-06-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clad in space grey, a quiet boat quickly stalked its way across Lake Austin this month. Nearly silent when compared to its gas powered brethren, the Arc Sport is a fully electric wake boarding boat built by former Space-X engineers. Its arrival could be an early sign that the next age of boating will soon arrive in Central Texas."It's the first time you're getting into an EV car and you plant your foot. That feeling, that rush that you get? It's the same thing as driving th
  
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• Southwest Airlines to fly nonstop to Detroit for UT-Michigan game

  11-06-2024 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fans cheering on the Longhorns at this year's UT-Michigan game now have another nonstop option to make the journey.Southwest Airlines will offer two nonstop flights ahead of the game on Sept. 7. Flights will depart Austin at 11:40 a.m. on both Thursday and Friday, Sept. 5 and 6, and will land at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) at 3:35 p.m. local time. The airport is about 25 miles east of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday,
  
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• VIDEO: Body camera shows events leading up to police shooting in north Austin apartment

  11-06-2024 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Body camera video released by the Austin Police Department Monday shows the events before police shot a suspect they said was stabbing a woman in north Austin May 27.Officers initially responded to an apartment complex on Tech Ridge Boulevard shortly after 1:34 a.m. after neighbors called 911 reporting they heard yelling, banging and someone calling for help. When police arrived, they heard a commotion and forced their way into an apartment, where they saw a man "actively stabbi
  
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• Council member moves to ease burden of homeless camp cleanups on private property owners

  11-06-2024 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After spending roughly five hours cleaning an abandoned homeless camp in north Austin, Council Member Mackenzie Kelly is looking for ways the City of Austin can help people with homeless encampment cleanups on private property.
  "First and foremost, I learned that the conditions that individuals experiencing homelessness are in are absolutely abhorrent," Kelly said. "Secondly, I realized the actual burden that these property owners have to clean the trash out of that environment.
  
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• Northbound lanes of I-35 reopened after crash in Round Rock

  11-06-2024 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — All lanes of Interstate 35 northbound near Round Rock reopened Monday evening after a rollover crash shut down the road earlier in the afternoon, Round Rock Police said on social media. KXAN Traffic mapsTraffic had been diverted to the Westinghouse Road exit, which is just past the RM 1431 exit of the interstate.According to KXAN traffic cameras, vehicles were at a standstill on the interstate around 6:15 p.m. Monday.In an update posted to social media, RRPD said
  
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• All northbound lanes of I-35 closed in Round Rock after crash

  11-06-2024 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — All lanes of Interstate 35 northbound near Round Rock are shut down after a rollover crash Monday afternoon, Round Rock Police said on social media. KXAN Traffic mapsRRPD said traffic is being diverted to the Westinghouse Road exit, which is just past the RM 1431 exit of the interstate.Police said to expect delays and drivers should avoid the area, if possible.This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
  
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• Organizers in need of more support for Austin's Juneteenth celebration

  11-06-2024 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Organizers with an east Austin Juneteenth celebration say they need more help to maintain the event this year.The legacy celebration hosted by the Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA) gets support from the City of Austin, but its group leaders said it's still been difficult for them as demographics change with fewer Black people living in Austin. Harriet Tubman sculpture to be on display in Bastrop to honor JuneteenthWith more people moving out of Austin to surroun
  
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• ERCOT predicts up to 16% chance of emergency power conditions in August

  11-06-2024 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As Texans start to experience the beginning of another hot summer, the state's power grid operators are raising concerns about the heat, grid reliability and the prospect of rolling blackouts.
  In a Texas House State Affairs Committee hearing Monday, energy leaders testified to give updates about growth forecasts, the summer outlook and market design initiatives.
  It comes after a Friday report in which the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) said that by Augu
  
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• High schoolers with Longhorn Aquatics to compete at Olympic Trials

  10-06-2024 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least three Central Texas high schoolers who all train at the club Longhorn Aquatics have qualified for Swimming Olympic trials this weekend.
  Rowan Cox, 16, Julian Cox, 18, and Andrew Zou, 17, will be representing their team.
  The young athletes practice every day during the week, before the sun comes up, and before they go to school.
  A legacy swim clubOn the University of Texas at Austin campus, Longhorn Aquatics has been around for nearly 90 years and has grown in prest
  
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• Crews working to repair gas line leak in Pflugerville

  10-06-2024 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Emergency crews are on scene of a gas line leak in Pflugerville Monday afternoon.According to Pflugerville Police, the leak is happening near the 400 block of W. Custers Creek Bend. Traffic is being diverted away from the area.The Pflugerville Fire Department is on scene, as well as crews from Atmos Energy.The public is asked to avoid the area until the leak is repaired.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• More Customs and Border Protection officers coming to Austin's airport

  10-06-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) will get more help processing foreign passengers and inspecting cargo.
  Four additional Customs and Border Protection officers will be stationed at AUS by this fall. U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) made the announcement on Monday.A record number of flights diverted to Austin’s airport in MayCurrently, Rep. Doggett said AUS has 15 officers, which he said isn't enough to handle the increase in arrivals.
  For years,
  
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