Austin news

• Austin fixes 10% of barriers to safe routes to school after 8 years of work

  08-05-2024 12:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In the spirit of National Bike and Roll to School Day, the City of Austin's Safe Routes to School Program is hosting a bike-to-school event on Wednesday morning for students at Cowan Elementary.
  It's been eight years since Austin started its Safe Routes to School Program and officials say it has addressed about 10% of the barriers students face to get to schools across the city.
  A look back at the last 8 yearsVoters in Austin approved the 2016 mobility bond which included $27.5
  
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• These are the 15 fastest-growing towns and cities in Texas

  30-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A small city found right outside of Dallas is now the fastest-growing city in Texas, the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.  Home to 7,113 people, Josephine has seen its population grow by 215% between July 2020 and July 2023, the highest growth rate of any other town or city in Texas during that period.Meet the Texans competing in the Scripps National Spelling BeeFourteen other cities and towns in Texas saw their populations boom by 60% or more within tho
  
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• City Council considers raising homestead exemption for senior and disabled homeowners

  30-05-2024 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin city council members will decide Thursday whether it should raise the homestead tax exemption for disabled and senior homeowners in an effort to offset the increase in property values.
  A memo from the city's finance office said in order to keep the property tax bill the same from last year for senior and disabled homeowners, the council would need to increase the exemption for these individuals by $30,000. Currently, the exemption for these specific homeowners is $124,000
  
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• SWAT team working to make contact with suspect near east Austin home after 2 people were hurt

  30-05-2024 10:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said SWAT was responding Thursday morning to a home near Craigwood Drive and FM 969.
  The SWAT Unit was called scene around 12:27 a.m. in response to a 911 call at home in the 4900 block of Craigwood Drive. The caller reported a family violence situation and that the suspect had access to a firearm.
  APD said during a briefing at 5:30 a.m. that officers were still attempting to make contact with the suspect, but that the suspect is known.
  Police said o
  
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• SWAT team responding to east Austin home

  30-05-2024 10:55 via kxan.com
  
  The Austin Police Department is asking people Thursday morning to avoid the area near Craigwood Drive and FM 969.
  The SWAT Unit was called to the scene shortly after 3 a.m. in response to an assault at the home.Witnesses in the area reported hearing loud bangs coming from the scene shortly after 3:30 a.m.This is a developing situation.Stay with KXAN for continuing updates.
  
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• East Austin SWAT ends with no suspect in custody after 2 people were hurt

  30-05-2024 10:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An hours-long SWAT call in east Austin ended early Thursday morning with no suspect in custody.
  The Austin Police Department said SWAT responded to a scene at home in the 4900 block of Craigwood Drive around 12:27 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a family violence situation. The caller said the suspect had access to a firearm.
  APD said during a briefing at 5:30 a.m. that officers were still attempting to make contact with the suspect, but that the suspect is known.
  In an update
  
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• Portland takes advantage of set piece opportunities, turns back Austin 2-0

  30-05-2024 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC lost for the first time at home since the season opener Wednesday, falling 2-0 to the Portland Timbers at Q2 Stadium.Portland scored a goal in each half but none in the run of play. The Timbers got on the board late in the first half on a terrific 30-yard free kick from Evander, his eighth goal of the season, and Jonathan Rodriguez cashed a penalty kick in the 66th minute to put the game on ice.Portland Timbers forward Antony (11) jumps past Austin FC defender Leo
  
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• ATCEMS: One person critically injured after shooting at south Austin apartment complex

  30-05-2024 04:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is critically injured after a shooting at a south Austin apartment complex on Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS tells KXAN.Officers with the Austin Police Department responded to an apartment complex located at 401 Little Texas Lane around 8:40 p.m. The area is near the intersection of West Stassney Lane and South Congress Avenue.
  ATCEMS medics took one person to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries, a spokeswoman said.KXAN has a crew at the scene.
  
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• APD: One person dead after shooting at south Austin apartment complex

  30-05-2024 04:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a shooting at a south Austin apartment complex on Wednesday, the Austin Police Department tells KXAN.Officers with the Austin Police Department responded to an apartment complex located at 401 Little Texas Lane around 8:40 p.m. The area is near the intersection of West Stassney Lane and South Congress Avenue.
  Austin-Travis County EMS medics took one person to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries, a spokeswoman said.KXAN has a crew at the
  
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• 'It's life changing': Austin FC competition helps underrepresented businesses

  30-05-2024 03:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- At Wednesday's Austin FC game, a woman-owned business scored big.
  29Eleven the Salon, located in Round Rock, received $100,000. It won the 2024 Dream Starter Competition."We specialize in kinky, curly and coily hair. Educating people about how to take care of highly textured hair," said salon owner Tiffany Wilson. "There's not a lot of education in cosmetology school about how to take care of our hair, very little information." RELATED COVERAGE: Local salon wins $100K in Austin
  
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• City of Austin could take on mail theft as stolen 'master key' issue persists

  30-05-2024 03:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A resolution brought forward by Council Member Paige Ellis could direct the city manager to find ways to educate the public on, and address mail theft.According to that resolution, three Austin-area mail carriers have been robbed for their arrow key since 2023. Those are also known as “master keys” which can open a variety of mail boxes. KXAN has previously reported on the issue in Austin and surrounding areas.
  "Stolen arrow keys are pervasive in the Austin area and
  
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• 8 reasons to pay attention to Thursday's massive Austin City Council agenda

  30-05-2024 01:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin City Council members head into their summer break, they've got a stacked agenda with nearly 200 items to cover. Here's some of what we're watching:
  Addressing mail theftA resolution brought forward by Council Member Paige Ellis could direct the city manager to find ways to educate the public on, and address mail theft.
  According to that resolution, three Austin-area mail carriers have been robbed for their arrow key since 2023. Those are also known as "master keys
  
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• Texas lawmakers consider banning Delta 8, Delta 9

  30-05-2024 01:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — State senators on Wednesday considered a ban on Delta 8 and Delta 9 products, the legal cannabis compounds that have sparked a growing industry through a legal loophole allowing a version of high-producing THC to be sold over the counter."There's a lot of issues we need to discuss here," Senate State Affairs Chairman Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, said. "Banning Delta 8 and Delta 9 and the sale of intoxicating hemp products in Texas, what needs to be done about the sale of the
  
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• No. 1 Texas facing 'very nice' pitcher to open WCWS play Thursday vs. No. 8 Stanford

  30-05-2024 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Playing the Stanford Cardinal on the softball diamond the past two seasons has meant one thing — trying to generate offense against one of the best pitchers in the country.No. 1 Texas will give it a shot, again, at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Women's College World Series at OGE Energy Field at Devon Park. In what feels like years ago, Stanford sophomore NiJaree Canady hurled eight innings against the Longhorns on Feb. 24 in Austin, striking out 11 with two walks in a 4-3 w
  
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• Texas releases new, state-owned textbooks in effort to better student outcomes

  30-05-2024 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Wednesday morning, the Texas Education Agency released a new set of state-owned and developed textbooks aimed at increasing student outcomes called Open Education Resources, or OER, textbooks. State legislators directed the agency to develop the material during the last legislative session as part of House Bill 1605, and it's already been tested in multiple school districts.
  The legislation was passed during the last regular session amid a growing effort to ban books that s
  
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• Nonprofit says it has enough signatures to get marijuana decriminalization on Lockhart ballot

  30-05-2024 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — A Central Texas nonprofit took a major step Wednesday toward its efforts to decriminalize marijuana in the Caldwell County town of Lockhart.Mano Amiga, a nonprofit working in Hays and Caldwell counties, said it collected nearly double the signatures needed to get a marijuana decriminalization measure on the ballot this November.The group needed signatures from 10% of the city’s population, which is, ironically, 420. The group said it collected more than 900.
  
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• 'My demons come out': Homeless vet talks addiction, joins push for harm reduction funding

  30-05-2024 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—Felix Gonzalez did his best to sober up, so he could share his struggle about addiction on Wednesday.
  Felix Gonzalez, a veteran experiencing homelessness talks about his drug use and addiction. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).Joining a group of mothers, elected officials and even other addicts at the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance building, Gonzalez told his raw, open and honest truth about his own drug use.
  "I'm a homeless veteran living in Austin, Texas," Gonzalez said. "I am
  
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• APD identifies man shot by police officer at southeast Austin gas station

  30-05-2024 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified the man who died after being shot by a police officer during a SWAT situation inside a southeast Austin gas station last week. The agency is now conducting an investigation into the shooting.That man was identified as Alfonso Gonzales, 35, according to APD. APD: Man killed in police shooting made Molotov cocktails inside gas station with employee insideThe officer who discharged their Department-issued firearm has 16 years of service with
  
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• St. David's Foundation announces new funding to help increase health care access

  29-05-2024 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, St. David's Foundation announced new funding opportunities that will help increase access to health care in Central Texas, St. David's said in a news release.The Community Driven Change and We All Benefit are two of those opportunities awarded grant money to help eligible organizations that "foster healthy communities," the release said.The Community Driven Change open call was awarded up to $10 million. The funds help other organizations by engaging with the commu
  
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• Gymnast Gabby Douglas ends bid for third Olympics

  29-05-2024 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - Gabby Douglas will not add to her impressive career medal count this summer at the Paris Olympics. The 2012 all-around winner is ending her bid to earn a spot on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team after withdrawing from the USA Gymnastics Championships on Wednesday.Douglas, 28, previously helped lead the U.S. to gold in the team competition at the 2016 Olympics. She had returned from an 8-year layoff at the American Classic last month and made her first appearance at a
  
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• Son of Buc-ee's co-founder indicted after invasive visual recording accusations

  29-05-2024 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The son of a Buc-ee's co-founder was indicted in connection to accusations that he secretly recorded people in Travis County over the course of two years.The Travis County District Attorney's Office said in April a grand jury returned six separate indictments, charging 28-year-old Mitchell Wasek with 21 counts of felony invasive visual recording. Son of Buc-ee’s co-founder arrested on 28 invasive visual recording charges"Thirteen separate victims" said Wasek secretly
  
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• Ellen DeGeneres bringing stand-up tour to Austin this summer

  29-05-2024 18:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Comedian and longtime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is bringing what she calls her "final stand-up tour" to Austin this summer, according to a social media announcement.
  She'll appear at ACL Live at The Moody Theater on Saturday, July 13.Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday at 10 a.m., but there is a pre-sale happening Thursday at 10 a.m. if you use the code CHICKEN.
  The tour includes more than 25 shows across the country with two other Texas stops — Dallas and
  
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• Lightning strikes, sets home ablaze off Lake Travis Tuesday night

  29-05-2024 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1 responded to a house fire late Tuesday that officials attributed to a lightning strike.Officials shared on Facebook crews responded to a home in The Hollows community off Lake Travis around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. The homeowner reportedly called 9-1-1 and told operators lightning had struck the roof and they later smelled smoke.
  Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1 responded to a house fire late Tuesday th
  
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• Meet the Texans competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee

  29-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Twenty Texans buzzed their way into qualifying for this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee, with 15 advancing to the quarter finals rounds Wednesday. The competition runs through Thursday evening, with a winner poised to be crowned around 9 p.m. CT.The 20 qualifiers from Texas included the following students:
  Sariah Titus: 11-year-old sixth grader from AbileneJayden Zheng: 14-year-old eighth grader from AmarilloTarini Nandakumar: 13-year-old seventh grader from AustinAnth
  
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• Lawmakers urge Congress to take action on southern border to keep migrant decline

  29-05-2024 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  A pair of lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle on Sunday warned the decline in migrants at the U.S. southern border is likely not permanent and called for congressional action to maintain the drop.
  Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), in two separate interviews on CBS News's "Face the Nation," agreed illegal crossings have decreased in recent months but poured cold water on the numbers staying that way.When asked by "Face the Nation" anchor Margaret Brennan if the de
  
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• Memorial Day litterbugs trash City of Austin park

  29-05-2024 15:16 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — With summer being the peak time for people to get out and enjoy area parks, Austin Parks and Recreation is reminding visitors to clean up after themselves.The morning after Memorial Day, numerous empty cans, bottles and boxes were left strewn on the ground near the waterfront at Commons Ford Metropolitan Park.Masha Hearthen was visiting the park for the first time Tuesday morning. She said the trash made for a less-than-relaxing time for her and her dog's inaugural visit."I
  
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• This online tool shows where your child can get food over the summer

  29-05-2024 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  (KTXL) -- Even when schools are out for summer vacation, many families may still be in need of free meals for their children. For those looking for assistance, there’s an online search tool that can help you find a summer meal site in your community.
  Families can use the Summer Meal Site Finder to see where free meals are available. The site currently has data for 30 states. It was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.How to use the toolThe onli
  
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• Murder suspect released after reduced bond, attorney claims self defense

  29-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Timmel Eggleston, 25, who police arrested for murder in the April 27 death of Alan Picazzo, 24, was released from jail after a judge granted a motion to reduce his bond.His bond conditions include wearing a GPS monitor. According to his bond documents, the District Attorney's Office did not oppose the motion to reduce Eggleston's bond.
  Picazzo's family disagrees with and is upset by this move. They described Picazzo as an "amazing person," a father and a business man.PREVIOUS CO
  
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• Severe risk continues with low daily storm chances

  29-05-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Overnight storms left thousands without power in our area this morning with gusty winds in excess of 50+ mph. But the good news? Most of us got a good soaking rain without any damage. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSToday will be a relatively quieter day with only a few isolated storms within a sky of mixed clouds and sunshine. Any well-developed storm has a low chance of turning severe with gusty winds and hail, but it's important to know that storm count will be few and far
  
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• Round of strong storms tonight into Friday

  29-05-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A complex of strong to severe storms is likely to move in tonight, but the exact timing is still uncertain.A few isolated storms are possible during the daytime hours today, but the majority of the action is set to hold off until tonight. The problem? Models are not in agreement as to when these storms arrive.One high-resolution model brings a complex of storms in from the west by 10 p.m. tonight through 3 a.m. Friday. Another high-resolution computer brings a complex of st
  
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