Austin news

• Former Statesman building to be temporary home to art 'experiences'

  01-05-2024 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time in years, people will be welcome again at the former home of Austin's daily newspaper. The former Austin American-Statesman building in south Austin will host "Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" and "Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience."According to a press release about the event, moving versions of paintings by the two famed artists are projected onto walls and the ground.The building has been vacant since 2021. The location is right off the
  
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• Emotional promises from Austin leaders after KXAN hospital safety report

  22-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: KXAN Investigator Matt Grant discusses our team’s initiative sharing hospital security barrier findings with Texas lawmakers.Project Summary:
  This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the na
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 4-year-old and 5-year-old from DeWitt County

  22-05-2024 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  YORKTOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert was issued for two children who went missing from Yorktown, Texas in DeWitt County Tuesday night, according to law enforcement officials.
  The DeWitt County Sheriff's Office issued the alert for Aiydann Ribera, 4, and Angel Ribera, 5. They were last seen around 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 in the 120 block of East 5th Street in Yorktown.
  Yorktown is in DeWitt County about 110 miles south of Austin.
  Police are searching for Julian Ribera, 24, in connection to the
  
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• Increasing severe risk this evening and overnight

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In addition to the uncomfortable heat, a risk of strong to severe storms exists for parts of our area later this evening and continues into the overnight hours.A weakening cold front will get closer to us Wednesday evening and night to bring a higher rain and storm chance to the Hill Country and possibly even the Austin Metro. Still, while most of us will stay dry tomorrow night too, it'll be our highest chance of rain for the next week.Severe risk: 2 to 3 out of 5 Wednesda
  
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• 9th-inning homer sinks Longhorns in opening round of Big 12 baseball tourney

  22-05-2024 07:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Tech's Cade McGee blasted a 2-run home run off the fair pole in the top of the ninth to lift the 10th-seeded Red Raiders past third-seeded Texas 6-4 in the opening round of the Big 12 Conference baseball tournament Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington.McGee's towering fly ball off Longhorns reliever Andre Duplantier with Gavin Kash on first base glanced off the top of the pole in left field, breaking a 4-4 tie. Kash singled to lead off the inning.MORE THAN THE SCO
  
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• Hays County group alleges water supplier has over pumped millions of gallons

  22-05-2024 04:54 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Conservation advocates filed a formal complaint with the Public Utility Commission of Texas against Aqua Texas, a Central Texas water supplier, for “serving customers with illegal groundwater supply,” according to a press release from Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association, or TESPA.  PREVIOUS: Hays groundwater district says water company overused 89M gallons in 2022, impacting Jacob’s Well zoneTESPA alleges Aqua Texas, which provi
  
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• Millions of dollars flooding Texas Speaker Dade Phelan's runoff election

  22-05-2024 02:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Early voting for the May 28 runoff election in Texas is underway, with millions of dollars flooding into races between incumbent Republicans and their challengers in the Texas House.
  This influx of money is particularly notable in the closely-watched race for House Speaker Dade Phelan's seat. The speaker's runoff is emblematic of a power struggle within the Texas Republican Party from the old guard versus the new, representative of a broader fight nationally.IN-DEPTH: Re
  
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• APD interim chief drafted letter in support of pardon for Daniel Perry

  22-05-2024 02:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson drafted a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles asking the board to pardon a man convicted of shooting and killing a protester in downtown Austin in 2020.The letter was "ultimately" not submitted to the board, Henderson said in a quote provided to KXAN by a spokesperson.
  "Ultimately the drafted letter was not submitted. After discussions with City leadership, as is the standard in certain situations, I decided not
  
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• Texas State, UFCU ink multi-million dollar football stadium naming rights deal

  22-05-2024 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the next 15 years, Texas State won't play football at Bobcat Stadium.Texas State and University Federal Credit Union signed a 15-year, $23 million naming rights deal to rebrand the Bobcats' home stadium in San Marcos as UFCU Stadium. It's the largest corporate naming rights sponsorship in the Sun Belt Conference, according to the university.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxa
  
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• City investigating after report says APD officers used facial recognition against policy

  22-05-2024 00:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it is investigating after documents obtained by The Washington Post showed at least 13 instances of outside police departments providing results of facial recognition searches to Austin Police Department officers since the city banned the use of facial recognition nearly four years ago.The Washington Post first reported on the documents in a May 18 article. Previous: Austin Council unanimously backs 5 items on police reform and racial justice“W
  
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• Texas men's hoops to begin season in Las Vegas vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

  21-05-2024 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team is tipping off the 2024-25 season in Las Vegas.The Longhorns will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes as part of the Hall of Fame Series on Nov. 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It's the opening night of college basketball across the country and the series will also feature a women's game between South Carolina and Michigan. The start time and broadcast information for the game will be released later. Texas Longhorns to play in 2025 Ma
  
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• Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the May 2024 primary runoffs?

  21-05-2024 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With early voting underway, KXAN is keeping track of how many Texans have voted in the May 28 primary runoff elections.Voters will choose the final candidates who will represent the Democratic and Republican parties on the ballot in November’s general election. KXAN Voter Guide: What to know for the May 2024 primary runoff electionsUnlike the March primaries, early voting this time only lasts for five days from Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 23. Election Day is Tu
  
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• Travis County to address substandard roads for 1st time since 2017

  21-05-2024 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Design work will soon be underway to help repair some of the worst roads in Travis County.Travis County Commissioners Court approved Tuesday a substandard roads improvement package that'll address 44 road sections and 17.1 miles of substandard roads across the county. It marks the first county investment in upgrading dilapidated roadways since 2017.Task members said $6.3 million previously allocated in the county's fiscal year 2023-24 budget will go toward the
  
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• Sit down with Austin's new city manager, T.C. Broadnax

  21-05-2024 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several weeks after starting as Austin's next city manager, T.C. Broadnax sat down with KXAN to talk about his time in the role so far and what to expect from him in his first 100 days.Overall priorities
  Broadnax put out a memo with some of his priorities earlier this month, which included hiring a new police chief, getting a contract signed with the Austin Police Association and addressing Austin's homelessness issues.Austin city manager prioritizes police chief hiring, new pol
  
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• Summer break: When do local districts stop classes for the 2023-24 school year?

  21-05-2024 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students and teachers across Central Texas are approaching the end of the school year.The last day of class dates range from May 10 in Fayetteville ISD to June 7 in Prairie Lea ISD.To help keep track of all the dates, KXAN has created a map and compiled a list showing the last day of classes in each district in the KXAN viewing area. MAP: More than 100 Texas school districts have switched to four-day school weeksHover over or click on any district in the map below for more
  
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• SWAT responding to incident in southeast Austin

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said its SWAT team is responding to an incident in southeast Austin Tuesday afternoon.
  APD said on X at 1:41 p.m. that the SWAT team was responding to an incident near the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road.
  Police asked people to avoid the area.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Stolen vehicle results in deadly SWAT situation in southeast Austin, memo says

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was shot by police officers and he ultimately died after a SWAT situation in southeast Austin Tuesday, according to a memo provided to City leaders and obtained by KXAN.The memo states police officers saw a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road around 12:36 p.m. The driver of the stolen vehicle was found inside a business and refused to leave.The man was shot at the scene and was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries, t
  
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• Southeast Austin SWAT response leads to officer-involved shooting

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said a SWAT situation in southeast Austin resulted in an officer-involved shooting on Tuesday.
  APD said on X at 5:19 p.m. that the scene is "still active" near the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road and the public should avoid the area. APD had its SWAT team at the location since roughly 1:30 p.m.APD said a media briefing for the incident is planned with a time to be determined later.
  This is a developing story. Check back for update
  
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• Man killed in police shooting poured lighter fluid, made Molotov cocktails inside gas station with employee inside, APD

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  Tuesday's deadly SWAT situation happened in southeast Austin on Salt Springs Drive between William Cannon and Slaughter.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police shot and killed a man during a SWAT situation in southeast Austin Tuesday where officers observed the subject pouring lighter fluid on the counter of a gas station and making Molotov cocktails while telling police he knew another person was inside, Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson said in a media briefing Tuesday night.
  This started around 1
  
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• APD: Man killed in police shooting made Molotov cocktails inside gas station with employee inside

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  Tuesday's deadly SWAT situation happened in southeast Austin on Salt Springs Drive between William Cannon and Slaughter.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police shot and killed a man during a SWAT situation in southeast Austin Tuesday where officers observed the subject pouring lighter fluid on the counter of a gas station and making Molotov cocktails while telling police he knew another person was inside, Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson said in a media briefing Tuesday night.
  This started around 1
  
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• New city manager brings 2 top officials from Dallas with him to Austin

  21-05-2024 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax is bringing two top city officials with him from Dallas.
  Broadnax sent a city memo addressed to the mayor and council members on Monday alerting them of two job appointments to the Executive Leadership Team. Those appointments were Jon Fortune as Deputy City Manager, effective June 10, and Genesis D. Gavino as Special Assistant to the City Manager, effective June 3, according to the memo.Austin City Council picks T.C. Broadnax to be next cit
  
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• Taylor ISD investigates after students give each other tattoos at school

  21-05-2024 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — The Taylor Independent School District is investigating after some students gave each other tattoos at Taylor High School without school staff knowing, the district said.
  A district spokesperson said Taylor ISD is aware of a May 13 incident where students gave each other tattoos. The statement said school staff didn't give consent or have knowledge of the tattoos.
  The district said school officials are investigating the incident.
  District tattoo policiesTaylor ISD's
  
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• Safety upgrades coming to south Austin intersection

  21-05-2024 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin crews will begin work May 28 to improve safety conditions at Stassney Lane and South First Street.Officials utilized the city's Vision Zero program data, which noted the area as a high-crash intersection. The construction project is designed to minimize crashes and enhance mobility for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users alongside motorists.Stassney Lane and South
  
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• Austin's Zilker Eagle bogged down by further delays

  21-05-2024 18:55 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Zilker Eagle train delayed its launch in Austin's Zilker Park again, amid clearance issues discovered during the latest round of testing.Earlier this year, officials with The Austin Parks Foundation -- the organization behind the upcoming Zilker Eagle -- aimed at a March return for the park's train system. However, in late March, a representative confirmed it wasn't ready for a r
  
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• More Central Texas school districts approve pay raises for teachers, staff

  21-05-2024 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Several different school districts in Central Texas are approving pay raises for their teachers and staff.
  Georgetown ISD and Del Valle ISD added themselves to that growing list. Last month, both Round Rock ISD and Pflugerville ISD approved pay raises, too.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Pflugerville ISD approves salary raises, sets new minimum wage for employeesGeorgetown ISD increaseThe Board of Trustees at Georgetown ISD approved a compensation plan for the 2024-2025 school year during M
  
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• Austin Police release sketch of man accused of trafficking, assaulting child

  21-05-2024 18:32 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is looking for a man believed to be involved in the trafficking and sexual assault of a child.Police said the suspect took a child from the St. John's neighborhood, near Duval Street and Interstate 35, and sexually assaulted the child at an unknown hotel on Aug. 2, 2023.APD released a sketch of the suspect Tuesday, describing him as a Hispanic man, p
  
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• Senior prank turned to damages, vandalism at Cedar Creek High School

  21-05-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR CREEK, Texas (KXAN) — A planned prank at Cedar Creek High School turned into damages and vandalism "far beyond a senior prank," the Bastrop Independent School District said in a statement.A district spokesperson said campus administration worked with the senior students for a "fun senior prank that would be monitored by school staff." The district said a group of students took it beyond a senior prank."The actions of this small group of students do not represent the Cedar Creek High
  
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• $124K contract approved to evaluate plumbing issues at Travis County Jail

  21-05-2024 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County Commissioners approved a contract Tuesday to help evaluate and analyze existing plumbing conditions and issues at the Travis County Jail.Commissioners authorized awarding $124,640 to CasaBella Architects, Inc. for the service. The work is expected to take about 10 months to complete in an effort to help expedite building out the Counsel at First Appearance program and new courtroom, county leaders said Tuesday.Work will entail replacing corroded drain
  
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• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick among Texans who attended Trump trial in New York

  21-05-2024 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The latest Texas Republican leader to visit New York for former President Donald Trump's hush money trial is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
  Patrick appeared Tuesday behind Trump and his attorney Todd Blanche ahead of them walking into the courtroom where the former president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump's defense team rested its case Tuesday, and he opted not to testify.
  The charges stem from a payment that Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen made to a
  
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• Whataburger now serving hot and iced coffees

  21-05-2024 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Popular fast food chain Whataburger is now offering customers a new beverage option that is available around the clock — coffee.
  The burger spot began serving up both hot and iced coffees starting Monday at all locations, according to a news release. Customers can also indulge in different flavors to be added to their coffee, including vanilla, caramel and mocha.What’s the history of Whataburger? Walk through the Texas-founded business’ historyThe restaura
  
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