Austin news

• China’s Inner Mongolia region reports bubonic plague case

  06-07-2020 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — While China appears to have reduced coronavirus cases to near zero, other infectious threats remain, with local health authorities announcing a suspected bubonic plague case in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Authorities in the Bayannur district raised the plague warning on Sunday, ordered residents not to hunt wild animals such as marmots and to send for treatment anyone with fever or showing other possible signs of infection.Plague can be fatal in up to 90% of people
  
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• Cedar Park's Frankenberg ends career with an 800 title at UIL championships

  04-05-2024 05:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cedar Park senior Isabel Conde De Frankenberg took gold in the 800-meter run and finished second in the 1,600 meters to lead a local contingent of athletes during the second day of the UIL track and field championships Friday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.Frankenberg finished in 2 minutes, 7.10 seconds to edge Lucas Lovejoy's Kailey Littlefield by about a second. Frankenburg followed up the impressive run with a comfortable silver medal finish in the 1,600 in 4:50.07. Boerne Cha
  
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• Some for, others against how UT President Hartzell handled campus protests

  04-05-2024 04:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 600 University of Texas at Austin faculty signed a letter saying they "no longer have confidence in President Jay Hartzell," following pro-Palestinian protests on campus.The letter states, "President Hartzell has shown himself to be unresponsive to urgent faculty, staff, and student concerns. He has violated our trust."On Friday, a group of people gathered to pray on the South Mall on campus. KXAN spoke with some of the people in attendance."In light of recent eve
  
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• Tesla lays off hundreds as it cuts entire Supercharger team

  04-05-2024 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Tesla Inc. has eliminated its entire Supercharger team, which is responsible for building an electric-vehicle charging network in the U.S. that major carmakers plan to use, according to media reports and social media posts from employees.The Austin-based company laid off about 500 people, according to The New York Times, citing an email sent to employees by CEO Elon Musk. Musk said in the email that he would dissolve the "entire group" and the company would fi
  
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• 'Multiple hand-to-hand transactions': Arrest warrant provides more details in Austin overdose surge

  04-05-2024 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An arrest affidavit provided more details about two people considered persons of interest in the overdose surge that happened this week in downtown Austin. The Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS continue to investigate the sudden rise in overdoses. Overdose surge: 2 detained after 70+ overdoses, multiple deaths in AustinAPD officers and ATCEMS began responding to the suspected overdose calls around 9 a.m., April 29 in downtown Austin. Throughout the day, offic
  
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• Texas appetite for goat meat growing

  04-05-2024 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Demand for goat meat is rising in Texas, according to a Texas A&M Agriflife Extension Service Expert.Part of this increase is attributed to migrants who come to the U.S. from regions where goat meat is more commonly consumed. A&M notes that citing specific numbers for goat sales is challenging compared to other livestock, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t track goat sales with the same detail as it does for cattle and hogs.But there are some ways t
  
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• There's no time to gloat as Austin FC faces another top Western Conference foe in Vancouver

  04-05-2024 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — They're one of Major League Soccer's hottest teams right now with four wins in their last five matches, but one thing Austin FC has to do now is be humble.If they start to get ahead of themselves, they can kiss a shot at the top of the conference table goodbye for now. Austin FC is stuck in a Western Conference logjam at 15 points and just three points out of the top spot, but they have to deal with another conference frontrunner on the road Saturday in the Vancouver Whitec
  
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• Elgin parents sue CPS employees, Ascension Health: 'These agents literally lied'

  03-05-2024 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — Two parents are suing Ascension Health, a doctor and several then-agents of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) after their child's misdiagnosed health condition led to a 2015 custody battle.Attorneys Stephanie Proffitt and Aaron W. Rapier represent the family in the case."Most of the time, if a parent questions their authority, if a parent questions the diagnosis, if a parent has the data to ask for a second opinion, the parent becomes targe
  
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• Austin Police honoring fallen officers at memorial event

  03-05-2024 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is honoring all 29 police officers who died in the line of duty at its Biannual Austin Police Memorial Event on Friday, the agency said in a news release.In addition, APD is inducting SPO Jorge Pastore on its memorial wall, and a ribbon with his name will be added to the Honor Guard's memorial flag, the release said. ‘Rest easy brother, we’ll take it from here’: Crowds, law enforcement honor fallen Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastor
  
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• WATCH: ATV crashes into Connecticut police cruiser attempting to block pedestrians from harm

  03-05-2024 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  Warning: Video contains graphic footage.NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – An ATV driver suffered serious injuries after crashing into a police cruiser in New Haven, Connecticut, on Sunday, police officials said.Police said officers were patrolling the city's East Rock Park around 3:40 p.m., following reports of ATV riders using Farnam Drive to access the park — a road that's been only open to pedestrian traffic since 2020.
  The officers had been part of a team assigned to dirt bike/ATV detail
  
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• Does Texas' maternal Medicaid extension improve access to healthcare?

  03-05-2024 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Out of every 100,000 births in Texas, 28.1 result in the mother’s death. Now, the state is providing new moms with up to a year of Medicaid coverage in an effort to bring its maternal mortality rate down.
  Nakeenya Wilson almost became part of the statistic. At age 35, Wilson said she faced multiple severe complications when giving birth to her second child. “I had an opportunity to survive what could have been a really abysmal outcome for me and my
  
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• Despite protests, UT divestment from weapons unlikely

  03-05-2024 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Recent demands by college protestors ask college administrations to "divest from death" by ending contracts with companies supplying the Israel Defense Force's (IDF) war in Gaza.Divestment is the opposite of investment; to divest means to sell off shares in a company. For example, the U.S. Congress passed a law that requires TikTok's parent company to divest from the app.The student group Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC), which organized recent protests at the Univers
  
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• Disney World to host exhibit of George W. Bush paintings

  03-05-2024 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- Former President George W. Bush's paintings are going to Disney World. EPCOT, one of the theme parks at Disney's resort in Orlando, Fla., announced Wednesday that it will soon be home to a special exhibit of Bush's artwork."Portraits of Courage: A Commander's Tribute to America's Warriors" will feature more than 60 paintings from Bush of "service members and veterans who have served our nation with honor since 9/11, and whom the president has come to know personally since
  
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• Tornado spins up behind drivers on way out of Jones County

  03-05-2024 21:38 via kxan.com
  
  JONES COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - Motorists along Highway 277 made their way south Thursday evening with dark clouds, hail and a tornado close behind. Around 7:30 p.m., a funnel touched down just west of Hawley. This is less than an hour after a confirmed touchdown west of Anson. Motorists packed along the highway and access roads headed for Abilene, hoping to stay ahead of the storm. Hawley Truck Driver Wilson Mesquita said he was ready to clock out for the night when he saw the clouds beginnin
  
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• 'Oh my gosh. There's people': Storm chaser rescues family live on YouTube during West Texas tornado

  03-05-2024 21:38 via kxan.com
  
  JONES COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — A family of four was rescued live on social media after a storm chaser followed a tornado right to their home, which had just been destroyed in Hawley.
  Freddy McKinney had just chased the tornado-warned storm into Jones County when he was able to get footage of a large tornado dropping down.HOW TO HELP: Hawley tornado victims in need of supplies"This is an insane intercept. . . just dropped," McKinney is heard saying in the video, which was originally live
  
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• GALLERY: Tornado destroys multiple homes in Jones County

  03-05-2024 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  JONES COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - A tornado touched down in Jones County overnight, destroying multiple homes.
  Most of the damage was sustained by the Hodges and Hawley communities off of CR 605 and CR 458. HOW TO HELP: Hawley tornado victims in need of suppliesAt least 6 homes have been heavily damaged, but there is debris scattered all across the area, and multiple homes have their roofs blown off or have been leveled completely.
  At least one family - a father, mother and two children - were i
  
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• Traffic Alert: Southbound lanes closed on MoPac in south Austin due to crash

  03-05-2024 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Traffic is currently shut down on MoPac Expressway in south Austin due to a crash, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.Around 2 p.m. Friday, TxDOT said all southbound lanes on MoPac at Barton Skyway are closed.It wasn't immediately clear what caused the crash or if there were any injuries. Drivers are urged to avoid the area or seek an alternate route.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Henry Cuellar accused of accepting $600K in bribes, according to indictment

  03-05-2024 21:22 via kxan.com
  
  BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An indictment accusing U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, of accepting bribes from foreign entities was unsealed Friday.The indictment accuses Cuellar, 68, and his wife, 67-year-old Imelda Cuellar, of participating in two schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence and money laundering, the Department of Justice announced.The husband and wife made their initial appearance in court Friday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo i
  
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• Randy Travis releases first new song since 2013 stroke inhibited his speech, singing voice

  03-05-2024 21:19 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Country artist Randy Travis released a new song Friday — nearly 11 years after a stroke left him largely unable to speak or sing.Travis had teased the release of “Where That Came From” earlier this week, previewing a snippet of the song along with a video featuring footage from what appeared to be the recording process. In it, Travis could be seen observing the studio musicians, though not actively singing.“Eleven years ago I never thought I would be abl
  
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• Blue Hole announces start of swimming season

  03-05-2024 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) -- One of the Hill Country's most popular swimming holes announced it's open for the year's swim season.
  Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley said in an announcement the park officially opened for swimming on Wednesday, May 1.Blue Hole awarded ‘Travelers’ Choice’ by Tripadvisor for third year in a rowA reservation is required to swim in the park. You can buy tickets for any day and time slot online.Adult (Ages 13 - 59): $12Youth (Ages 4 - 12): $8Senior (
  
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• Stretchable electronic skin for robots developed by UT researchers

  03-05-2024 20:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A first-ever stretchable electronic skin was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.
  According to UT, the skin could give robots the same softness and touch sensitivity that humans have.
  In a press release, the university said existing e-skin technology loses sensing accuracy as the material stretches.
  "Much like human skin has to stretch and bend to accommodate our movements, so too does e-skin," said Nanshu Lu, a professor in the Cockrell School of
  
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• How to get $25 concert tickets this month

  03-05-2024 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you've been eyeing purchasing concert tickets, next week might be a good opportunity to snag them for a lower price than usual.
  Live Nation will offer $25 tickets for its "Concert Week" May 8-14.
  The entertainment company's website says more than 5,000 shows will have tickets marked down by up to 75% off during the week.
  Several artists are listed on the website as having upcoming shows, including the likes of Alanis Morissette, 21 Savage, Cage the Elephant, P!NK, and Vampire
  
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• Downtown overdose spike likely from fentanyl-laced crack cocaine, APD says

  03-05-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Detectives with the Austin Police Department seized crack cocaine that tested positive for fentanyl, and the agency now believes the spike in overdoses downtown are a result of people taking fentanyl-laced crack, APD said in a statement.As of Thursday, ATCEMS responded to more than 70 overdoses in Austin, and nine people died. More information will be available once toxicology reports are complete, both APD and ATCEMS said.Private security guards who work downtown said the overd
  
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• Illegal dam reporting on the rise in Central TX, state agencies say

  03-05-2024 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, TX (KXAN) -- After the demolition of a dam state agencies deemed illegal along the James River, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality (TCEQ) both say that the number of reports of illegal dams and impoundments is on the rise."Central Texas, the Texas Hill Country, and north Texas are all areas where the TCEQ has seen an increase in complaints and permit," said a representative with the TCEQ over e-mail. They said this is because
  
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• NBC: DOJ expected to announce indictment of Rep. Henry Cuellar

  03-05-2024 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Department of Justice is expected to indict U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, on Friday, according to an NBC News report.In January 2022, Cuellar's home and office were raided in Laredo as investigators were looking into Azerbaijan and a group of U.S. businessmen who have ties to the country, law enforcement said at the time. According to NBC, in April, Cuellar's lawyer said he was not the target of the federal investigation.
  "It wasn't immediate
  
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• LIVE: Biden to award Opal Lee, 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' with highest civilian honor

  03-05-2024 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (KXAN) — President Joe Biden is set to award a Texas woman known by many as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" with the highest civilian honor in the country.
  The White House announced Opal Lee from Marshall, Texas, is one of 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year. The 97-year-old activist who pushed for Juneteenth to become a federally-recognized holiday will receive this honor during a ceremony Friday.
  Other honorees include Oscar-winning actress Michelle Ye
  
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• Biden to award Opal Lee, 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' with highest civilian honor

  03-05-2024 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (KXAN) — President Joe Biden is set to award a Texas woman known by many as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" with the highest civilian honor in the country.
  The White House announced Opal Lee from Marshall, Texas, is one of 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year. The 97-year-old activist who pushed for Juneteenth to become a federally-recognized holiday will receive this honor during a ceremony Friday.
  Other honorees include Oscar-winning actress Michelle Ye
  
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• Report: Women entrepreneurs want more resources, support in Austin

  03-05-2024 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There a variety of challenges that women entrepreneurs in Austin face when starting and growing their business.
  Areas that need improvement are things like access to capital, broader professional networks and more business resources.
  The Mayor's Task Force for Austin Women Entrepreneurs is tackling those challenges.
  What is the task force?Mayor Kirk Watson formed the group last summer in an effort to address obstacles women-owned businesses deal with.The goal was to figure out h
  
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• Deputies investigate deadly shooting in southeast Travis County

  03-05-2024 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Deputies are investigating a shooting that killed a man early Friday morning in southeast Travis County.
  The Travis County Sheriff's Office shared the homicide happened at a business located in the 5600 block of South U.S. 183, which is close to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Deputies said they initially responded to a call there at about 12:25 a.m. for reports about a "disturbance involving a gun," according to a news release.
  Deputies said they foun
  
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• May is national Stop The Bleed month, how you can save a life

  03-05-2024 16:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This month, EMS and surgeons nationwide are stressing what bystanders can do during an emergency that could keep someone from bleeding to death.“I cannot emphasize strongly enough how important that is,” said Dr. Kenji Inaba. “Literally, the amount of time between when an injury occurs and the EMS system arrives is variable but it's definitely enough time for somebody to bleed to death.”Dr. Inaba, a surgeon and head of the Stop The Bleed program, said the
  
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