Austin news

• Breyer to retire from Supreme Court: reports

  26-01-2022 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Justice Stephen Breyer is planning to retire from the Supreme Court, according to multiple reports, ending a nearly three-decade career on the bench and clearing the way for Democrats to seat the liberal jurist’s replacement on the 6-3 conservative majority court.The move caps off months of will-he-or-won’t-he speculation and growing calls from the left for the 83-year-old Clinton nominee to make way for a rejuvenated liberal wing and more diver
  
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• ATCEMS: One person dead after motorcycle crash in Leander

  25-04-2024 03:45 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a motorcycle crash in Leander on Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media.Around 7:04 p.m., medics responded to the crash in Leander in the 10200 block of Lime Creek Road. That's near Travista Drive.Travis County Starflight also responded to the crash for an unidentified adult person, medics said. However, medics said the person died on the scene.Medics said drivers should expect traffic closures, so law enforcement can investigat
  
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• Local photojournalist among those arrested at UT protest

  25-04-2024 02:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local photojournalist is among those arrested amid protests at the University of Texas at Austin Wednesday.The photographer said he was with Fox 7 and said he was pushed and was accused of hitting an officer, which he said he didn't do. KXAN saw the photographer detained, along with his gear.This happened as law enforcement was pushing people back off the lawn in attempt to get them to disperse.The protest organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee of Austin began ju
  
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• Local photographer among those arrested at UT protest

  25-04-2024 02:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local photographer is among those arrested amid protests at the University of Texas at Austin Wednesday.The photographer said he was with Fox 7 and said he was pushed and was accused of hitting an officer, which he said he didn't do. KXAN saw the photographer detained, along with his gear.This happened as law enforcement was pushing people back off the lawn in attempt to get them to disperse.The protest organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee of Austin began just
  
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• Local photographer among dozens arrested at UT protest

  25-04-2024 02:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local photographer is among those arrested amid protests at the University of Texas at Austin Wednesday.The protest organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee of Austin began just before noon with a walkout of class and a march to "occupy" the South Lawn, according to a social media post. It said it planned to demand the administration divest, or withdraw its investments from Israel.
  As of 5 p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety said more than 20 arrests were m
  
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• Mosquito outlook for Texas as activity ramps up

  25-04-2024 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KFDX/KJTL) — If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? For Texans, unfortunately, the answer is mosquitos.
  Springtime in the Lone Star State means the temperatures are on the rise, and with April and May typically bringing the largest amount of rainfall every year, it's the perfect breeding ground for one of nature's peskiest insects.
  Not only can mosquitos be an absolute nuisance for Texans planning any outdoor activities, but they can also carry harmful and so
  
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• Kid Cudi cancels world tour after breaking foot at Coachella

  25-04-2024 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Kid Cudi has canceled all shows for his planned "Insano World Tour" this summer after breaking his foot during Coachella last weekend.In an Instagram post Wednesday, the Grammy Award-winning artist said he sustained a fracture to his calcaneus, or heel bone, in a jump from the Sahara stage during his set at the festival on Sunday. He added that the injury will require surgery."We have to cancel the tour so I can focus on getting better to be out there in top shape
  
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• Investigation reveals recommendations for Lago Vista ISD after vetting failure

  25-04-2024 01:20 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) — A new report has more than a dozen recommendations for the Lago Vista Independent School District after an investigation into why a community member, who was posing as a "private coach" wasn't properly vetted.In the report, an investigator recommends that the school create new volunteer and background checking protocols, conduct new staff training for everyone in the district over volunteers for the school, and institute new punishments for those who authorize un
  
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• Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the May 2024 local elections?

  25-04-2024 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With early voting underway, KXAN is keeping track of how many Central Texans have voted in the May 4, 2024 local elections.The headline-grabbing 2024 presidential election is still several months away, but there are several important local elections on the May 4 ballot. Several local cities, counties and school districts are holding elections. KXAN Voter Guide: What to know for the May 4 local electionsHere's how turnout is shaping up in our four largest counties:Early voti
  
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• Family of man shot by San Marcos police officer to host vigil, demand transparency

  25-04-2024 00:29 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The family of an unhoused man who a San Marcos Police officer killed will hold a vigil Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at San Marcos City Hall. In a press release sent Tuesday, the family asked for greater transparency from SMPD. Two witnesses told police that 22-year-old Malachai Williams was following them from a convenience store to their home in San Marcos on the night of April 11. The witnesses told police they did not want Williams to know where they lived, so t
  
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• TxDOT assessing damage after construction vehicle hits overpass in Bastrop County

  24-04-2024 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials are assessing damage after a bridge on U.S. Highway 290 was shut down due to "structural damage," Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 2 said on social media on Wednesday.Around 3:45 p.m., the agency said U.S. Highway 290 is shut down on Texas 21 after the bridge was badly damaged by a construction vehicle that hit the overpass.Emergency officials in Bastrop have asked drivers to avoid the area until the Texas Department of Transportation
  
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• Home healthcare companies must spend 80% of Medicaid payments on workers' wages under new rule

  24-04-2024 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The federal government will require home healthcare companies to pay workers more.The "Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” rule, finalized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week, requires at least 80% of Medicaid payments for home care services go to workers’ wages, as opposed to administrative overhead or other costs. According to the White House announcement on Monday, more than seven million seniors and people with disabilities rely o
  
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• Person dies after auto-ped crash on Westlake Drive

  24-04-2024 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person died in west Austin Wednesday after being involved in a "vehicle-pedestrian" collision shortly after noon, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  ATCEMS said on social media at 12:12 p.m. that CPR was in progress for a person after an incident involving "heavy machinery" in the 3000 block of Westlake Drive, near Trailview Mesa Drive.
  In an update at 12:25 p.m., EMS said the person was pronounced dead on the scene after "extensive resuscitative efforts."ATCEMS said the W
  
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• Austin Police officer resigns after being charged with trespassing in ex's apartment

  24-04-2024 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin Police officer was arrested in March after allegedly entering his ex-girlfriend's apartment without permission, according to Travis County court records.Juan Asencio — who was an APD senior officer at the time, according to court documents — was charged with one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass. He was arrested March 25 after a Travis County Sheriff's Office investigation.
  According to an APD source and Asencio's attorney, he resigned from APD af
  
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• Longhorn runner Rhasidat Adeleke expected to compete in Paris Olympics

  24-04-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When a college student first moves from home and often becomes more independent, there can be some adjustments. For Rhasidat Adeleke, a major adjustment came when doing laundry."I called her on the phone and I was like 'What buttons do I press?'" Adeleke said about a conversation with her mother. "I was in Target and was like 'What detergent should I get?' And she realized how spoiled I was at that moment."Rhasidat Adeleke in an interview with KXANLike learning how to do la
  
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• 'Hire Local' initiative helps with skills gap, connects people with in-demand jobs

  24-04-2024 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- According to Workforce Solutions Capital Area, there are more than enough jobs but not enough skilled workers in Austin.
  The organization is trying to address the city's skills gap through its Hire Local initiative. It released its 2023 annual report highlighting the initiative's impacts.
  "That is designed to close the gap by connecting local people with the skills needed in high demand jobs, high paying jobs, so they can afford to stay here in Austin," said Chair for Workforce
  
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• Man missing in south Austin found dead, police say

  24-04-2024 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man reported missing in south Austin was found dead Friday, the Austin Police Department said in a press release.Cristian Rangel, 24, was last seen in a south Austin Walmart parking lot on April 8. APD sent a release on April 18, saying it was searching for him and was concerned for Rangel's well-being. APD searching for missing 24-year-old last seen in south AustinOfficers responded to reports of a dead person in a southeast Austin neighborhood around 7 p.m. on Friday, A
  
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• UT Austin students to protest in support of Gaza with class walk-out and campus sit-in

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin is organizing a protest in support of Gaza on Wednesday, directing students to walk out of class and "occupy" the South Lawn of UT's campus."In the footsteps of our comrades at Columbia SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and countless others across the nation, we will be establishing THE POPULAR UNIVERSITY FOR GAZA and demanding our administration divest from death," a PSC social media post said.Students are scheduled to walk
  
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• UT Austin students gather to protest in support of Gaza with class walk-out and campus sit-in

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized a protest in support of Gaza on Wednesday, directing students to walk out of class and "occupy" the South Lawn of the University of Texas' campus."In the footsteps of our comrades at Columbia SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and countless others across the nation, we will be establishing THE POPULAR UNIVERSITY FOR GAZA and demanding our administration divest from death," a PSC social media post said.Students were
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: Several detained during protest in support of Gaza at UT campus

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — At least four people have been detained at the University of Texas at Austin's campus as people gathered at a protest Wednesday in support of Gaza.
  KXAN reached out to law enforcement and is working to get more information on the detainments. We will update this story when we receive a response.
  The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized the prot
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: More than 20 arrested during pro-Palestine protest at UT Austin

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Several people have been detained at the University of Texas at Austin's campus as people gathered at a protest Wednesday in support of Gaza.
  KXAN reached out to law enforcement and is working to get more information on the detainments. We will update this story when we receive a response.
  The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized the protest, d
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: 34 arrested during pro-Palestine protest at UT Austin

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Several people have been detained at the University of Texas at Austin's campus as people gathered at a protest Wednesday in support of Gaza.
  KXAN reached out to law enforcement and is working to get more information on the detainments, which as of 5 p.m. included the arrest of more than 20 people, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.The Palesti
  
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• Flight delayed or canceled? Airlines have to give you an automatic refund now

  24-04-2024 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — The Biden administration finalized rules on Wednesday requiring airlines to automatically refund passengers for canceled or significantly delayed flights and to share baggage, change, or cancellation fees upfront.“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “Today’s announcement
  
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• 3 arrested in Georgetown drug bust; Drugs and guns confiscated at scene

  24-04-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Over the weekend, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office arrested three people and seized what it called a "significant amount" of suspected illegal drugs, weapons, and paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking.
  WCSO said it executed a search warrant on Pinnacle Drive on Saturday along with its Organized Crime Unit and SWAT, as well as K9 units.
  WCSO confiscated the following:Approximately 4.5 pounds of suspected marijuanaApproximately 3.7 grams of suspected coca
  
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• Austin Energy awarded grant to expand access to affordable renewable energy

  24-04-2024 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy is expected to receive tens of millions of dollars in federal grant money to help low-income households with access to affordable renewable energy.
  The money comes from a portion of $250 million spread across 60 Texas organizations, which is part of a $7 billion national grant from the Environmental Protection Agency called Solar For All, announced earlier this week in celebration of Earth Day.
  Austin Energy said the money will help "direct deployment of clean
  
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• Occasional rain, strong storms this last week of April

  24-04-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A few spots of light rain and drizzle will be all we'll get from the high humidity levels most of us are currently sitting in. But that begins changing Thursday.
  A slight chance of showers will begin Thursday as a series of storms systems move our way from the western U.S. An unsettled weather pattern will result, keeping chances for rain and thunderstorm in the forecast every day for the next week.Plenty of moisture to work with over the next several daysTwo upper level storm s
  
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• Junk fees growing in Texas apartments, according to recent study

  24-04-2024 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sanford Garrett is a 59-year-old visually impaired veteran who lives off of what he calls a "broke income," but he makes it work.
  "Every dollar and cent counts," Garrett explained. He has lived in the same two-bedroom apartment for the past 13 years, and has seen his complex change ownership multiple times.
  Since the pandemic, though, he has noticed an increase in junk fees added on to his monthly rent payment. Things like valet trash and pest control fees. It used to be he had
  
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• Travis County test runs counsel at first appearance

  24-04-2024 04:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Currently, arrestees in Travis County don't always have an attorney with them at their first court appearance.
  According to the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, ensuring attorneys early on can reduce jail populations and save taxpayers money by reducing criminal justice costs.
  Travis County supports the idea of this prospect - which is called "counsel at first appearance" or CAFA - but so far, staffing, infrastructure and procedural challenges have hindered its imple
  
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• Gov. Greg Abbott announces $34M mental health facility coming to Uvalde

  24-04-2024 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday a $34 million initiative aimed at bolstering mental health services in Uvalde.Construction for a new behavioral health campus in Uvalde is expected to begin later this year, according to a press release from the governor's office. The project aims to help children and adults grappling with mental health crises in Uvalde and across 32 counties in the surrounding area.The proposed facility will include a 16-bed crisis unit for ad
  
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• Man indicted in UT West Campus stabbing of Palestinian American

  24-04-2024 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man accused of stabbing a 23-year-old Palestinian American in West Campus near the University of Texas at Austin was indicted by a grand jury on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, according to a Travis County District Attorney's Office press release.Bert James Baker, 36, was arrested in connection with the February incident at Nueces and 26th Street. The victim, who was visiting Austin from North Texas for a demonstration that called for a ceasefire in Gaz
  
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