Austin news

• Austin Energy puts up AI cameras to help fight fires with wildfire season ahead

  06-05-2024 21:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The recent rain in Central Texas could actually make our fire risk more dangerous this summer.Both city and county officials said all this wet weather is helping the grass grow, which adds more fuel for fires when the weather is drier.
  "We get into our summer setting where those grasses stop growing," Pflugerville Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark Moellenberg said. "They actually die off if we get into a drought. That becomes a fuel load."Artificial Intelligence detectin
  
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• Hotter days coming this week

  02-06-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A lone thunderstorm moved over western and northern San Saba County between 4 and 5 this morning. A gauge outside Richland Springs measured .31". The storm weakened to light rain over Lampasas County between 5 and 6 a.m.
  Central Texas 24-hour Rain Totals
  There will be a 20% chance of isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms later today with the majority of the rain forecast east of I-35.
  A few strong afternoon thunderstormsThe Storm Prediction Center does have sectio
  
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• Ticketmaster data breach? Hackers claim over 500 million users compromised

  02-06-2024 13:21 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- A notorious hacker group claims it has breached the data of about 560 million Ticketmaster users globally in a recent cyberattack, according to multiple reports.
  The group called ShinyHunters alleges it accessed a trove of data from the ticketing giant, including names, emails, phone numbers, addresses and credit card details. Mashable and Newsweek reported that the hackers are trying to sell the information online for $500,000.
  CyberDaily, an Australian-based tech outlet that first
  
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• Applesauce maker files Chapter 7 bankruptcy amid lead recall lawsuits

  02-06-2024 13:21 via kxan.com
  
  (WJET/WFXP) — After a major applesauce recall in late 2023, applesauce producer WanaBanna filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on May 15.Chapter 7 bankruptcy is different from Chapter 11; Chapter 7 is better known as a "liquidation" bankruptcy since there is no plan to restructure the company or any plans for repayment. The company will instead sell off assets to pay off their debts.This image provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2023, shows three recalled appl
  
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• New battery technology alerts parents if a child swallows it

  02-06-2024 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  JOPLIN, Mo. (KSNF) — Battery maker Energizer has designed a new safety system for their coin-sized lithium button batteries.In April, Energizer launched their 3-in-1 Child Shield which features three important child safety features. Most notably, the battery releases a blue dye upon interacting with moisture, such as saliva. For the first time, parents now have a visible way to determine if their children accidentally swallowed a toxic coin battery.A button cell, watch battery, o
  
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• Are portions getting smaller at Chipotle? Company responds to viral claims

  02-06-2024 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- If you think portion sizes are getting smaller at your favorite fast-food joint, you're not alone. Social media is filled with complaints from customers who say they're not getting enough bite for their buck these days.
  Chipotle is the latest company facing backlash over this common gripe. Just last month, food influencer Keith Lee -- widely known for his viral review of a quesadilla hack that landed on the Chipotle menu -- expressed dissatisfaction with a recent order from the rest
  
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• This is the best doughnut shop in Texas, according to Yelp’s ‘Elite Squad’

  02-06-2024 13:12 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Doughnuts are one of the few items that people often purchase by the dozen. And, as such, they’re 12 times more disappointing when they’re not quite as fresh as they should be.Knowing this, Yelp’s team of analysts have attempted to steer us away from any regrettable crullers, jelly sticks or Boston crème doughnuts by compiling a list of the “best” doughnut shops in every state.The list, released just ahead of National Doughnut Day on June 7,
  
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• What words do Americans have the hardest time spelling?

  02-06-2024 13:10 via kxan.com
  
  (KDVR/NEXSTAR) - Is the American-English version of the word spelled "canceled" or "cancelled"? Is Washington D.C. the "capitol" of the United States, or is it the "capital"?
  Spelling is not always easy, some people might find themselves running to a search engine a few times a day to make sure the word they're thinking of is actually spelled "aesthetic," or if the "i" goes before the "e" in a word like "field."
  Google put together a map of which words each state had the most trouble spelling ov
  
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• Chance to see northern lights returns: Here's where aurora may be visible

  02-06-2024 13:09 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The chance to view the northern lights returns for several U.S. states this weekend as a solar storm blasts magnetic material toward Earth.
  The solar storm expected to hit late Friday into early Saturday is categorized as a "G2" in strength, which is much weaker than the "extreme" G5 storms observed earlier this month.But even G2-level solar activity is enough to make northern lights visible in northern states. The aurora forecast for Friday night shows the best chances along t
  
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• Watch: Baby dolphin defies all odds, survives broken jaw after SeaWorld rescue

  02-06-2024 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — SeaWorld San Diego has announced a baby dolphin that was found stranded on the beach in Cardiff with severe injuries has defied all odds and is making a miraculous recovery.The SeaWorld San Diego rescue team responded to reports of a stranded male dolphin calf on Cardiff Beach in mid-January 2024. After rescuing the dolphin, the team found it was only a few months old and had a broken jaw in three places and head trauma.Named Cardiff, the long-beaked common dolphin
  
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• Tesla recalls 125K vehicles from four models over safety issue

  02-06-2024 13:04 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Tesla has announced yet another recall, this time to fix a potentially dangerous problem affecting the seatbelts.The recall involves more than 125,000 vehicles over four different models, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The seatbelt warning system is supposed to emit a visual and audible signal when drivers don't have their seatbelt fastened properly, but in some vehicles that warning may never happen, the NHTSA said.The recall incl
  
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• Elk attacks 8-year-old girl in Colorado

  02-06-2024 04:38 via kxan.com
  
  DENVER (KDVR) — A cow elk with a newborn attacked an 8-year-old girl Thursday in Colorado, wildlife officials said.It happened around 1 p.m. as the girl rode her bike in a neighborhood in Estes Park, according to a release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife."The female elk started charging the girl from approximately 60 yards away," the release said. "The elk caught up to the victim and stomped on her multiple times."The girl was treated at a hospital and released later in the day. Thursday&
  
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• ATCEMS: One seriously injured after vehicle-bicycle crash in north Austin

  02-06-2024 04:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One personsuffered serious injuries after a vehicle-bicycle crash in north Austin on Saturday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media.Around 5:22 p.m., ATCEMS medics responded to East Rundberg Lane and the North Interstate 35 service road northbound. When they arrived on the scene, one adult person was struck by the vehicle.That person was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center with "critical, life-threatening injuries," medics said.It wasn't immediately clear what led
  
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• Dripping Springs neighbors weigh in on changes to US 290

  02-06-2024 04:09 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation hosted an informal community meeting Saturday, getting input from residents about proposals it said would make U.S. Highway 290 more safe and help accommodate the growing population.According to TxDOT's information page on this project, the agency wants to make changes along 13 miles of US 290 from Ranch-to-Market Road 1825 to Rob Shelton Boulevard.Some of those changes include adding several lanes and frontage roads t
  
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• $1B enhancement and expansion plan approved for Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

  02-06-2024 03:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Thursday, the Austin City Council approved a $1 billion enhancement and expansion plan of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the city said in a news release.Construction is set to begin in 2025, according to the city. The plan includes an expansion to add an additional treatment capacity of 25 million gallons per day, as a way to serve population growth. Currently, the existing plant treats 75 million gallons per day, the release said.“With these investments,
  
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• Police: Man stole liquor truck in hope of selling off booze to pay drug debt

  02-06-2024 03:18 via kxan.com
  
  MUNCIE, Ind. (WXIN) — An accused thief in Indiana told Muncie police officers that he was sitting in his car when he spotted a delivery truck full of beer and liquor pull up outside the Cheers Bar.
  A plan reportedly came to his mind: Steal the truck. Sell the booze. Pay off his drug debts.
  But the plan didn't go as intended.
  Beau Burchel, 39, of Gaston was found by police officers hiding in a brush line near Meadowview Farms, an area mobile home community.What does it mean when your car ne
  
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• Texas softball bashes way into WCWS Final Four

  02-06-2024 03:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Behind an offensive outburst, Texas softball rolled past Florida in their second game of the Women's College World Series by a score of 10-0.
  The Longhorns won in just five innings via the run rule. Mac Morgan dominated on the mound, allowing one hit in five scoreless frames with five strikeouts.Offense was no issue either as Texas jumped out to a five-run lead in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Alyssa Washington.More power was flexed in the fourth as M
  
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• State of Texas: 'School choice' plan poised to pass after runoff wins for Abbott-backed candidates

  02-06-2024 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Gov. Greg Abbott is declaring victory in his 18-month-long fight for a school choice initiative, which would allocate state money to help families pay for private or homeschooling expenses. His primary challengers against skeptical Republican lawmakers were largely successful, and he appears to now have a majority in the House to pass his priority."The Texas legislature now has enough votes to pass School Choice," said Abbott on social media Tuesday night. "Congratulations to
  
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• CPPD: Body of teen swimmer recovered from lake

  02-06-2024 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- The body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered from the lake after he was reported missing at the Twin Lakes YMCA on Saturday, the Cedar Park Police said on social media.Around 4:45 p.m., CPPD responded to a 911 call of a possible drowning at the lake behind the YWCA, CPPD Lt. Justin Miller said during a media briefing.Miller said the teen was with a group of friends swimming in the lake, who told police he began to experience distress. Police said he drowned as a result
  
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• Cedar Park Police responding to missing swimmer at Twin Lakes YMCA

  02-06-2024 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Cedar Park Police Department said it is responding to a report of a missing swimmer at Twin Lakes YMCA, the agency said on social media Saturday.Around 5:33 p.m., CCPD said it, along with Cedar Park Fire and other agencies responded to the scene.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• CCPD: Recovery effort underway for missing teen swimmer at Twin Lakes YMCA

  02-06-2024 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- A recovery effort is underway for a missing teen who was swimming at Twin Lakes YMCA, the agency said on social media Saturday.Police said the 15-year-old boy went underwater while he was swimming with friends.
  CCPD said it, along with Cedar Park Fire and other agencies, responded to the scene.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• CCPD: Body of teen swimmer recovered from lake

  02-06-2024 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- The body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered from the lake after he was reported missing at the Twin Lakes YMCA on Saturday, the Cedar Park Police said on social media.Police said the 15-year-old boy went underwater while he was swimming with friends.
  CCPD said it, along with Cedar Park Fire and other agencies, responded to the scene.The Texas Game Wardens are now investigating the incident, according to CCPD. No other details were released Saturday.
  
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• RRPD responding to barricaded subject, residents asked to shelter in place

  01-06-2024 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Police Department is responding to a barricaded subject, and nearby residents are being asked to shelter in place until further notice, the agency said on social media Saturday.According to police, the call came in around 1:40 p.m. for a domestic violence situation in the 1200 block of Wilderness Path, and a person is isolated in the home.This is a developing story, and we will update this with more details as they become available.
  
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• RRPD: One person in custody after SWAT response

  01-06-2024 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- One person is in custody after Round Rock SWAT responded to a barricaded subject on Saturday, according to the Round Rock Police Department.Around 1:40 p.m., RRPD responded to the 1200 block of Wilderness Path, and residents nearby were told to shelter in place. However, that has since been lifted now that the person is in custody, police said.Round Rock Police responded to a barricaded subject on Saturday (Kevin Baskar/KXAN News)Around 3:05 p.m., police said Round Ro
  
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• Texas ranks at No. 2 for dog bites, according to US Postal Service

  01-06-2024 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After collecting data, the U.S. Postal Service released its annual dog bite rankings.The Lone Star State took the No. 2 spot in 2023, following California, for the most dog bites and attacks on letter carriers.“Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter. All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS Manager of Employee Safety and Health
  
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• What does it mean when your car needs 'blinker fluid'?

  01-06-2024 18:15 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — It's a phrase you've maybe heard around on social media — or maybe even had someone tell you: "Your car is low on blinker fluid."
  Recently, “AI Overview” Google suggestions, which appear at the top of results whenever you perform a google search, even suggested that drivers remedy their faulty blinkers by “replacing blinker fluid.”
  But what does it mean, exactly? Looking for the best beach? These are the top 10 in the US, annual report sa
  
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• Rain chances decreasing, heat increasing

  01-06-2024 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After some much needed rain in May, June will start off with lower rain chances and increasing heat once again. The normal high for the start of June is 91 degrees and the normal low is 71 degrees. Looking head into the coming week, we will see temperatures begin to rise above normal as high pressure begins to build north out of Mexico. This high will push the active storm track well north of Texas and the result will be much lower rain chances and steadily increasing temperatur
  
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• May was a good month for much-needed rain

  01-06-2024 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It looked like May would end up with a rain deficit as very little had been measured in the second half of the month. That was until Friday, May 31. A heavy downpour between 5 and 7 a.m. Friday measured out to 1.46" leading to May being wetter than normal. The final total for the month was 6.20", easily topping the normal of 5.04". There were two days where 1.47" was measured at Camp Mabry.A wetter than normal MayMay ended up wetter than normal for nearly the entire area. This w
  
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• Show off your tattoos with the ‘Stories Inked in Skin’ exhibit in Bastrop

  01-06-2024 17:06 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Former and current Bastrop County residents were invited to share their tattoos and the stories behind them for an upcoming special exhibit at the Bastrop Museum of the Bastrop County Historical Society (BCHS).The upcoming exhibit "Stories inked in skin" at the Bastrop Museum aims to tell stories through tattoos and will be showing from July 8 to Oct. 26, according to BCHS.The exhibit “explores the history of the ancient art of tattooing and features co
  
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• Austin police looking for suspect involved in liquor store robbery

  01-06-2024 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for help identifying a suspect involved in a liquor store robbery.
  Police said the robbery happened May 3 between 3:40 and 4 p.m. at the King Liquor store on Burnet Road. The suspect entered the store and shoplifted an alcoholic beverage.
  Police said the suspect assaulted a store employee when leaving the store after being confronted.
  The Austin Police Department is looking for a suspect involved in a robbery that happened May 3. (Phot
  
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