Austin news

• How to get rid of your old tires in Hays County

  01-05-2024 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE (KXAN) - Hays County is holding a Tire Collection Event Saturday. The Hays County Environmental Task Force, the Hays County Criminal District Attorney's Office and the Capitol Area Council of Governments are behind the May 4 event in Kyle.According to District Attorney Kelly Higgins, the opportunity will let people get rid of their unwanted tires while also cleaning up the county. Tires can leach toxic compounds into the soil, and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. According to Purd
  
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• Austin begins search for new Chief of Police

  16-05-2024 00:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the City of Austin launched its search for a new Chief of Police for the Austin Police Department. The job posting is expected to remain open until June 10.According to the city, candidates will be identified shortly after the position closes, and the city will then begin the interview process.The Chief of Police is accountable for the day-to-day operations of APD, which includes the management of operational and administrative controls, policies and procedure
  
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• 'A mud pit': Concerns raised over Reed Park water quality improvement project

  15-05-2024 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A project meant to improve water quality in a popular Austin Park has some people concerned that their park could turn into a mud pit."When I was a young kid I played here all the time," said James Page, a member of Friends of Reed Park. "We would park our bikes over there and just play football for hours."Reed Park has a large field near the entrance, but with plans being discussed for a water quality improvement project, some neighbors fear the field's size will be g
  
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• How leaky pipes help trees thrive on UT Austin's campus

  15-05-2024 23:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Who knew leaky pipes could be a good thing? That's the findings from new research out of The University of Texas at Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences.Researchers found between 25% to 50% of the water running through Waller Creek — which crosses along UT Austin's campus — is the product of leaky city pipes, UT officials said in a release. Those leaks provide a gift, allowing the creek to help nourish trees along its banks, even during drought conditions.The
  
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• Austin to celebrate Bike to Work Day Friday

  15-05-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin and local organizations will celebrate Bike to Work Day Friday with festivities at Austin City Hall, the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department announced in a release.That department is collaborating with Get There ATX, Ghisallo Cycling Initiative, Movability and CapMetro's MetroBike on the festivities. Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday is a planned celebration at city hall with free food and coffee, giveaways and mobility-specific vendors. There will
  
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• No. 25 Texas winds down last Big 12 regular season with home series vs. Kansas

  15-05-2024 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head baseball coach David Pierce said while he's comfortable with the resumé his ballclub has put together for the NCAA tournament, there's still work to be done.The No. 25 Longhorns will play their final Big 12 Conference series against the Kansas Jayhawks beginning Thursday and are currently tied for third with West Virginia at 17-10. The Jayhawks are two games behind the Longhorns, but with at least a series win, Texas could improve their standing to second
  
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• Some Austin Antique Mall vendors moving to Taylor, Round Rock after closure

  15-05-2024 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Austin is losing a piece of its history. Wednesday marked the last day in business for the 40-year-old Austin Antique Mall. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin Antique Mall closes after 40 years in businessThe owner of the space is making room for an extension of the Playland Skate Center next door, according to vendors.
  The Austin Antique Mall announced its imminent closure earlier this year, saying its final day for sales is Wednesday, May 15.
  We have had an amazing run,
  
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• Then-18-year-old sentenced in 2022 homicide investigation

  15-05-2024 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced May 1 in connection with a March 2022 homicide investigation, according to Travis County court documents.Documents showed 20-year-old Omar Martinez-Desiderio pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to serve 20 years in state prison. Toward his sentence, Martinez-Desiderio received a jail credit of 777 days.The sentence was related to the death of 42-year-old Alberto Cortes-Rodriguez, which occurred March 17, 2022, in the 6500 block of Por
  
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• Simple Health: Benefits of staying fit at every age

  15-05-2024 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new effort gets underway Wednesday to highlight stories that focus on inspiring health journeys or sharing information to improve people's lives.
  Each week digital anchor Will DuPree talks with KXAN producer Jose Torres for a Simple Health conversation. People can watch a live stream in this story or on the KXAN News Facebook page starting at about 3 p.m.
  The stories they'll discuss this time is:Jose Torres will talk about how 2020 became a transformative year in his life
  
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• LIVE: Simple Health: Benefits of staying fit at every age

  15-05-2024 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new effort gets underway Wednesday to highlight stories that focus on inspiring health journeys or sharing information to improve people's lives.
  Each week digital anchor Will DuPree talks with KXAN producer Jose Torres for a Simple Health conversation. People can watch a live stream in this story or on the KXAN News Facebook page starting at about 3 p.m.
  The stories they'll discuss this time is:Jose Torres will talk about how 2020 became a transformative year in his life
  
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• DPS unveiling Fallen Officers Memorial in north Austin

  15-05-2024 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety will unveil its new Fallen Officers Memorial on Thursday at the Austin DPS headquarters.The service will begin at 10 a.m. at 5805 N. Lamar Blvd., according to DPS.Special guests attending the ceremony include Gov. Greg Abbott, DPS Director Steven McCraw and retired DPS director Lamar Beckworth, the agency said in a news release.Additionally, DPS said it will unveil its new memorial display, which will be in the DPS headquarters main lobby, t
  
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• Austin musician DJ Chicken George dies after cancer battle

  15-05-2024 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jeffrey Henry, better known as DJ Chicken George, died Friday after a cancer battle, his band announced on social media.
  DJ Chicken George was known for his "unique Jazztronica! style" that blended hip-hop with other genres of music, according to Visit Austin.
  "Words can't describe how much we'll miss him," the Instagram post from Third Root said. "We ask for prayers of healing at this time."DJ Chicken George died Friday after a cancer battle. (Courtesy Austin Boogie Crew |
  
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• Applications open soon for Austin Live Music Fund grants, $4.5M to be dispersed

  15-05-2024 21:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin musicians, producers, and music venues will soon be able to apply for tens of thousands of dollars in grants through the Austin Live Music Fund.
  The program offers grants of $15,000 or $30,000 for professional Austin musicians, bands and independent producers. There are also $30,000 or $60,000 grants available for live music venues. The money is meant to support eligible music activities, according to a release from the city.
  The city said the Austin Live Music Fund&
  
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• LIVE: Austin FC selected to host 2025 MLS all-star game

  15-05-2024 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The best of Major League Soccer will play at Q2 Stadium next year.MLS commissioner Don Garber, alongside Austin FC owner Anthony Precourt and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, made the announcement Wednesday at Antone's Nightclub ahead of Verde and Black's midweek match against Houston.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on CW Austin throughout the season.Austin has been in MLS since 2021 and will host the star-studded event for the f
  
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• Austin FC selected to host 2025 MLS all-star game

  15-05-2024 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The best of Major League Soccer will play at Q2 Stadium next year.MLS commissioner Don Garber, alongside Austin FC owner Anthony Precourt and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, made the announcement Wednesday at Antone's Nightclub ahead of Verde and Black's midweek match against the Houston Dynamo.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on CW Austin throughout the season."This is a professional major league sports town because of Austin FC
  
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• Patients can move into the new Austin State Hospital summer 2024, officials say

  15-05-2024 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – State and local leaders came Wednesday to celebrate the completion of the new Austin State Hospital, which took years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build. It’s not quite ready for new patients – officials told KXAN people will move in sometime during the summer – but many are hopeful this $305 million facility will help patients get better faster. “The new facility’s person-centered design and approach will ensure that f
  
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• Austin awarded $75K grant for artist to aid in highway coverings program

  15-05-2024 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is using a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to hire a local artist for its upcoming Our Future 35 highway coverings program.The NEA revealed more than 1,000 recipients had been selected for the awards on Wednesday, with more than $37 million in grant funding available through the second round of its Fiscal Year 2024 grants, per a city news release.The City of Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department, Cultural Arts Division
  
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• Barge hits a bridge in Galveston, Texas, damaging the structure and causing an oil spill

  15-05-2024 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  A tugboat works to maneuver a barge away from the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after the barge crashed into the bridge shutting down the only road access to and from the island. (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)A tugboat works to maneuver a barge away from the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after the barge crashed into the bridge spilling oil into surrounding waters and shutting down the on
  
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• Records: Man charged after bringing gun to April 29 protest at UT

  15-05-2024 19:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was charged with a third-degree felony after he was found to have a gun while participating in a rally at the University of Texas at Austin campus April 29, according to Travis County court documents.Records showed 26-year-old Michael David Maule had an active warrant out for his arrest related to a charge of “Places Weapons Prohibited” for carrying the gun on the premises of the university without having a License to Carry permit. As of May 15, Maule is n
  
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• Is yoga the key to keeping teachers in Austin ISD?

  15-05-2024 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Independent School District said it hoped a new program that uses practices common in yoga will improve its recovering teacher retention rates. The district said the course gives teachers and students new ways of coping with stress.AISD Executive Director of Talent Strategy Amie Ortiz said the district worked with its health insurance provider, Aetna, to bring the Breathe for Change program to several schools."We received funding for our inaugural cohort of 30 teache
  
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• Austin ISD looks to yoga as way to keep teachers in district

  15-05-2024 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Independent School District said it hoped a new program that uses practices common in yoga will improve its recovering teacher retention rates. The district said the course gives teachers and students new ways of coping with stress.AISD Executive Director of Talent Strategy Amie Ortiz said the district worked with its health insurance provider, Aetna, to bring the Breathe for Change program to several schools."We received funding for our inaugural cohort of 30 teache
  
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• Police investigate deadly train, vehicle crash in Round Rock

  15-05-2024 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Police are shutting down two Interstate 35 frontage roads in Round Rock while investigating a deadly crash involving a train and a vehicle.
  The Round Rock Police Department posted on X late Wednesday morning that this happened on I-35 near McNeil Road. Both frontage roads on the northbound and southbound sides are now closed, police said.
  Officers advised drivers to find other ways to get around that area because there are expected to be significant delays due to
  
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• 1 dead after Amtrak train struck SUV in Round Rock

  15-05-2024 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — One person is dead after police said an Amtrak train struck an SUV Wednesday morning in Round Rock.
  The Round Rock Police Department shared it shut down the Interstate 35 frontage roads on both the northbound and southbound sides near McNeil Road to further investigate. Officers are advising people to find other ways to get around that area.
  Police said they received a call about the deadly crash at about 11 a.m. It's unclear whether anyone else was injured when
  
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• Texas wants to get tough on squatters

  15-05-2024 18:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' legal statutes has problems dealing with squatters, according to some state lawmakers, who heard testimony on Wednesday from people affected by the issue.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick brought this problem to the Texas Senate with his interim charges for the body ahead of the 2025 regular session.
  The item, titled "Secure Texas Against 'Squatters,'" calls on the Senate's Local Government Committee to review the state's adverse possession laws. It also tasks the committee t
  
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• Texas Senate to examine state laws around squatters

  15-05-2024 18:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What the Texas Property Code calls "adverse possession," more commonly known as squatting, will come under review by state lawmakers in a hearing Wednesday afternoon.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick brought the issue to the State Senate with the April 11 release of his interim charges for the body ahead of the 2025 regular session.
  The item, titled "Secure Texas Against 'Squatters,'" calls on the Senate's Local Government Committee to review the state's adverse possession laws. It
  
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• UT police investigating after vehicles stolen from campus parking garage

  15-05-2024 17:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- University of Texas police are investigating the theft of two vehicles from a campus garage.
  The UT Police Department posted on X Wednesday that officers responded shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday to reports of damage to a garage gate in the 2400 block of San Antonio Street.
  When officers arrived they found that two stolen vehicles had exited the gate, which caused the damage.
  Police searched the area and found the vehicles, but the suspects had already left the area.
  UTPD said de
  
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• Biden and Trump agree on presidential debates on June 27 and in September

  15-05-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to hold two campaign debates in June and September — the first hosted by CNN, the second on ABC — setting the stage for the first presidential face-off in just weeks.
  The quick agreement on the timetable to meet followed the Democrat's announcement that he will not participate in fall presidential debates sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for more than three
  
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• Trump, Biden reach deal on two debates in Wednesday whirlwind

  15-05-2024 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  President Biden and former President Trump on Wednesday quickly reached an agreement on two presidential debates that will have the main party candidates in one head-to-head confrontation on national television ahead of the national political conventions this summer.Trump and Biden will now meet in a June 27 debate to be hosted by CNN, a battle that is historically early for an American general election battle.The whirlwind few hours started with a campaign video from Biden in which he dared Tru
  
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• Trump, Biden reach deal on 2 debates in Wednesday whirlwind

  15-05-2024 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  President Biden and former President Trump quickly reached an agreement Wednesday on two presidential debates that will have the main party candidates in head-to-head confrontation on national television ahead of the national political conventions this summer.Trump and Biden will meet in a June 27 debate to be hosted by CNN — a battle that is historically early in the general election calendar — and will meet onstage again Sept. 10 for an debate hosted by ABC.The whirlwind few hours
  
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• Trump, Biden agree to first debate on June 27

  15-05-2024 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  President Biden and former President Trump have accepted an invitation to a presidential debate June 27 hosted by CNN, setting the stage for the first showdown between the two major party candidates ahead of the 2024 election and each party's convention.“I’ve received and accepted an invitation from @CNN for a debate on June 27th. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place,” Biden posted on the social platform X.Trump told Fox News Digital in a subsequent s
  
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