Austin news

• CapMetro temporarily removing some e-bikes after dealing with theft, battery failure

  26-04-2024 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro announced on social media earlier this week that it would be temporarily removing some e-bikes that are part of its MetroBike program after dealing with theft and battery failure.
  The transportation provider said it would remove the bikes to charge them securely, and that new equipment coming in July will provide a long-term solution to the issues.RELATED: CapMetro rolling out $21M MetroBike expansion planA spokesperson with CapMetro said the thefts are a "recent develo
  
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• Do you live in one of America's 15 fastest-growing cities?

  19-05-2024 15:10 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – With just a couple of exceptions, the fastest-growing cities in America are located in the South, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.Between July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023, the most recent data available, Texas cities dominated the list of the fastest-growing 15.“The population growth across the South in 2023 was driven by significant numeric and percentage gains among its cities,” said Crystal Delbé, a statistician in the Census Bureau’s
  
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• Wages are keeping up with rent in only these 6 large US cities

  19-05-2024 15:08 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) —  American workers have seen their paychecks grow since the pandemic but in most cities, those gains haven't kept up with rent prices.
  Rents surged 30.4% nationwide between 2019 and 2023, while wages rose 20.2% over the same period, according to a recent analysis by Zillow and StreetEasy.
  The ten-point gap underscores the frustration many Americans are feeling after watching their wage gains get eaten away by inflation.“Every month you just gotta budget and then yo
  
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• Atlanta zoo set to return last giant pandas in US to China

  19-05-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — Zoo Atlanta is preparing to send its giant pandas back to China, following suit with other states, the zoo confirmed Friday in a press release.“With the 2024 expiration of Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda agreement with China, preliminary plans are underway for Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun to travel to China later this year,” the release reads.“Zoo Atlanta has applied for the pandas’ international travel permit, and the bears are expected to tr
  
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• US security alert warns Americans overseas of potential attacks on LGBTQ events

  19-05-2024 14:59 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department renewed a global security warning Friday for Americans overseas, adding to it that LGBTQ people and events in particular face an “increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence."The alert is a standard renewal of travel advice telling Americans to exercise increased caution against possible attacks by violent extremist groups while they are overseas. However, the last alert — issued in October — di
  
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• Bird flu is spreading, but should you be worried?

  19-05-2024 14:58 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched a wastewater tracking dashboard Tuesday in an effort to monitor and stop the rapid spread of bird flu, which has been detected in cattle in nine states.Over 40 cattle herds across the country have confirmed cases of the H5N1 virus, also called bird flu. The CDC dashboard will track all influenza A viruses from 600 wastewater treatment sites around the country in order to help public health officials pinpoint where
  
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• These cities will pay you thousands to move there

  19-05-2024 14:55 via kxan.com
  
  ILLINOIS (KTVI) — At least three cities in Illinois are offering to pay people thousands of dollars to move there. Under certain conditions, of course.
  These opportunities come as the state of Illinois has lost around 240,000 people since the turn to the 2020s, according to new Census figures released this week. It's not necessarily a cause-and-effect trend, but rather a coincidence of some new local incentives.
  For three cities openly offering incentives, their populations are rather smal
  
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• An internal investigation into Round Rock ISD police describes a 'toxic' environment

  19-05-2024 14:43 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — An internal investigation into the Round Rock Independent School District Police Department describes the agency as “toxic” and “very divided.” The report, which was completed in October 2023, also expresses concerns with the district’s radio and dispatch office, saying “… There is a fear that the new dispatch system would not be able to handle severe security issues quickly.” In response, district officials t
  
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• Simone Biles shines in return while Gabby Douglas scratches after a shaky start at the U.S. Classic

  19-05-2024 14:33 via kxan.com
  
  HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Simone Biles certainly looks ready for Paris with more than two months to go before the Olympic games begin.
  The gymnastics superstar began her bid for a third Olympic team looking as dominant as ever at the U.S. Classic on Saturday, posting an all-around score of 59.500, nearly two points clear of runner-up Shilese Jones.
  The 27-year-old Biles, the 2016 Olympic champion, recorded the highest score on vault and floor exercise and came in second on uneven bars and bal
  
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• Heat Index in triple digits today for many

  19-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Reporting stations at La Grange and Pflugerville recorded heat index readings of 101° Saturday afternoon. Higher humidity today will lead to a few more cities with heat index readings in triple digits. The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the both the air temperature and the dew point or the relative humidity are combined.Is summer starting early?The morning is starting with an overcast sky along with areas of fog. Both should be gone by 11 a.m. leaving
  
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• Does Austin get fewer tour stops than other big cities? A study says sort of

  19-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some big names have brought their tours to Austin's Moody Center since it opened in 2022.
  With a brand-new venue, is Austin getting as many tour stops as other large cities? RELATED: Austin ranks among most expensive cities to see a concert: studyA study from Austin-based travel company Upgraded Points calculated which big cities got the most concerts for popular tours in 2023 and 2024 compared to their populations. At the top of the list are cities like New York,
  
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• Williamson County years away from getting medical examiner, county looking at other options

  19-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Booths filled the Williamson County Exposition Center as job seekers looked for opportunities. On a Saturday in April, businesses came together at the job expo and business fair. Among the crowd three of the four Williamson County Justice of the Peace judges could be heard talking about health, court and deaths.Job expo and business fair in Taylor in April. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost)
  Their black robes hanging in the backdrop.
  "I do more than just marry peopl
  
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• RRISD police chief leaves, says district 'delayed' investigations

  19-05-2024 04:26 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock ISD Chief of Police Dennis Weiner said in a letter to the district's superintendent that he was leaving due to "delayed" investigations, including an alleged student sexual assault that happened last month.In his letter to the RRISD superintendent, Weiner began with the latest investigation involving a 5-year-old who was allegedly sexually assaulted on one of the district's school buses on April 12. He said that while the bus driver witnessed the assault, t
  
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• Texas baseball claims first Big 12 series sweep over Kansas

  19-05-2024 03:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - You can't close out a regular season much better than Texas did over Kansas. The Longhorns finished off a sweep of the Jayhawks, holding off the visitors for a 9-7 win Saturday.The first two wins of the series were walk offs by Jalin Flores of Texas. No walk off was needed Saturday as the Longhorns jumped out to a big lead and held on for the victory for their first Big 12 series sweep of the year.Lebarron Johnson Jr. had one of his best starts of the season for Texas, going six
  
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• How a new Central Texas committee will focus on expanding passenger rail service

  19-05-2024 02:54 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai are spearheading new conversations with state transportation and rail leaders to expand passenger rail services in Texas.Expanding passenger rail in Texas has faced many hurdles, but the new Central Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee is a way to speed up that conversation.The committee includes people from Amtrak, people all over the state and other county judges who are interested in expanding
  
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• APD hosts recruiting event, hopes to fill hundreds of vacancies

  19-05-2024 02:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department hosted its latest recruiting event at its training center in south Austin Saturday in an effort to fill some of its vacancies.Sgt. Destiny Silva in APD's recruiting division said attendees spent the day hearing from the department's different divisions to get a better idea of what the job entails.She said currently the department has 326 officer vacancies."We really need to get the right people here to help us. If we get the right people here, t
  
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• State of Texas: Plea for education funding special session rejected by Gov. Abbott

  19-05-2024 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas Democrats urged Gov. Greg Abbott to call lawmakers back for a special legislative session Monday, citing "the urgent need to address school finance and improve funding for all of our school districts." Despite Texas’ record budget surplus, schools face deficitsSome of Texas' largest school districts face significant budget deficits, forcing some to cut teachers and staff for next school year. Democrats blame the cash crunch on the legislature's failure to increase
  
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• USPS asking Texas homeowners to fix mailboxes as part of annual campaign

  18-05-2024 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Mailbox Improvement Week runs from May 19-25, and the U.S. Postal Service is asking Texas homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes.The Postal Service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes every year.Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the communities' appearance and makes delivery and receiving mail safer for carriers and customers, according to a press release sent by the Postal Service.There are some of the t
  
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• Texas softball continues dominance, onto regional final

  18-05-2024 23:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Upsets can happen in the postseason of any sport, but the top-ranked Texas softball team looks pretty tough to beat at the moment. The Longhorns rolled past Northwestern Saturday afternoon by a tune of 14-2 to advance to the final day of the Austin regional unbeaten.A game dominated by pitching in the regional opener against Siena made way for an offensive explosion for Texas over the Wildcats. Fourteen runs is impressive enough, but particularly so when made clear that Texas lef
  
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• 'Happy Gilmore' alligator retired after wrecking set of '90s sitcom: caretaker

  18-05-2024 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  DENVER (KDVR) — "Happy Gilmore 2" is coming to Netflix soon, but you won't see all of the original cast. The alligator that stole Adam Sandler's golf ball in the nearly 30-year-old film won't be on set, because he's living out his retirement in Colorado.Talks of a sequel to “Happy Gilmore” have been making the rounds in recent months with Sandler letting slip that he was “working on some stuff” for “Happy 2” on the Dan Patrick Show in April.‘H
  
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• Ohio man, alleged ‘drug mule’ for Diddy avoids prison

  18-05-2024 22:33 via kxan.com
  
  CLEVELAND (WJW) – A Northeast Ohio man who was accused of running drugs for music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has agreed to a plea deal to avoid prison.“Brendan Paul accepted the prosecutor’s offer to permit his entry into the diversion program which, after completion, the case against him will be dismissed in its entirety," according to Brian Bieber, the attorney for Brendan Paul.Common diversion conditions include completing education and or counseling related to the charge, cou
  
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• WCSO investigating a deadly shooting in Austin

  18-05-2024 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a deadly shooting that happened in an unincorporated area of Austin Friday night, according to a press release issued Saturday afternoon.Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, a 911 caller reported a shooting in the 9800 block of Copper Creek Drive, according to WCSO.
  When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a man with "an apparent gunshot wound/s," the release said. The man was not identified Saturday, as WCSO s
  
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• This Texas city is the 3rd worst for bed bug infestations in the U.S.

  18-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Bed bugs can be hiding anywhere but as it turns out, there are some cities across the U.S. where you're more likely to fall prey to these insidious little bloodsuckers.Recently, pest control resource outlet Pest Gnome ranked the U.S.' 500 biggest cities based on several factors in three categories (infestation risk, pest control and urban density). Cities were given scores out of 100, which is based on an average of all factors. And while the top two bed bug cities may not be a
  
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• Grocery prices fall for first time in a year

  18-05-2024 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- Grocery prices fell on the whole in April for the first time in 12 months, according to data released Wednesday by the Labor Department.Prices for food at home fell 0.2 percent in April, according to the Labor Department's consumer price index (CPI), the closely watched inflation gauge. It was the first time food at home prices fell since April 2023 and followed several months of plateauing.
  After rising quickly for most of the past three years due to supply chain constraints and t
  
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• McDonald's announces 'Grandma McFlurry': But what's in it?

  18-05-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  (WJW/NEXSTAR) – McDonald’s is releasing a new McFlurry said to be inspired by — and celebrating — grandmas.On Thursday, McDonald's announced its new “Grandma McFlurry,” to be available for a limited time starting May 21.The new McFlurry is made with vanilla soft serve blended with "delicious syrup" and chopped pieces of candy, according to a McDonald's press release.McDonald's has not yet revealed the flavors of the syrup or candy in the Grandma McFlurry. (McD
  
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• Widespread power outages from deadly Houston storm raise new risk: hot weather

  18-05-2024 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to thousands after deadly storms that left at least seven people dead, it will do so Saturday under a smog warning and as all of southern Texas starts to feel the heat.Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said three people died during the storm, including an 85-year-old woman whose home caught fire after being struck by lightning and a 60-year-old man who had tried to use his vehicle to power his oxygen tank.Hous
  
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• What are 'zombie' fires, and why are they becoming more common?

  18-05-2024 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – “Zombie fires,” much like the persistent reanimated corpses for which they’re nicknamed, are known for coming back to haunt the same regions from year to year.These fires, also called holdover fires or overwintering fires, are essentially wildfires that never fully extinguish, and instead continue smoldering under the ground or snow for extended periods of time, emerging as full-on blazes when conditions allow. They typically occur in the boreal (northern) for
  
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• Dallas Cowboys player Tyler Guyton attends Manor Senior High School pep rally

  18-05-2024 16:01 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — On Friday, former Manor ISD student turned Dallas Cowboys football player Tyler Guyton hosted a pep rally for the district.Guyton was a First Round NFL Draft Pick last month, and his hometown is Manor, Texas.Dallas Cowboys Offensive Tackle Tyler Guyton to attend a pep rally at Manor Senior High School | KXAN photo/Todd BaileyDallas Cowboys Offensive Tackle Tyler Guyton to attend a pep rally at Manor Senior High School | KXAN photo/Todd BaileyDallas Cowboys Offens
  
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• Texas restaurant named one of the most beautiful in the US, according to OpenTable

  18-05-2024 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - While many people would agree that the quality of the food makes a restaurant good, it's the ambiance, looks, and views that make a restaurant great.For those who are looking for breathtaking decor, sights of lakes and rivers, or somewhere to take that special someone on a romantic night on the town, OpenTable has compiled just the list for you.In collaboration with People's magazine, OpenTable announced the 50 most beautiful restaurants in America where diners can find unforgettable
  
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• Dripping Springs restaurant named one of the most beautiful in the US, according to OpenTable

  18-05-2024 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - While many people would agree that the quality of the food makes a restaurant good, it's the ambiance, looks, and views that make a restaurant great.For those who are looking for breathtaking decor, sights of lakes and rivers, or somewhere to take that special someone on a romantic night on the town, OpenTable has compiled just the list for you.In collaboration with People's magazine, OpenTable announced the 50 most beautiful restaurants in America where diners can find unforgettable
  
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