Austin news

• Judge rules against City of Austin over South Central Waterfront funding

  17-04-2024 04:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, a Travis County district judge ruled against the City of Austin in an April 2023 lawsuit filed by a group of Austin property taxpayers, saying the city violated state law when it approved the use of some property tax dollars to help redevelop the area south of the river from downtown.
  The lawsuit argued city officials shouldn't be allowed to put tax dollars toward the development, which the city calls the South Central Waterfront District. That district includes the p
  
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• Voter Guide: What to know for the May 2024 primary runoff elections

  17-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the Texas primaries were held in March, some candidates advanced to runoff elections being held this month. Voters will choose the final candidates who will represent the Democratic and Republican parties on the ballot in November's general election.Unlike the March primaries, early voting this time only lasts for five days from Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 23. Election Day is Tuesday, May 28. Full coverage of the Texas primary electionsHere's what you need to k
  
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• Austin disabled veteran frustrated by misplaced property tax break

  17-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Keith Romel’s home needs to be comforting. Not just for him, but for his clients.Romel is a massage therapist who works out of his condo in east Austin.“I advertise it as a luxury experience, so part of that is the environment,” he said when talking about his carefully crafted home with modern furniture, clean lines and everything in its place.“One (client) said it looks like it came out of the Architectural Digest magazine,” he said. “I
  
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• Teen texts 911, saves self from human trafficking in California: authorities

  17-05-2024 13:54 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – The sheriff's office in Ventura County, California is highlighting the relatively new ability to text 911 after a Spanish-speaking teen used it to save herself from human trafficking.The girl, 17, was rescued in Casitas Springs in unincorporated Ventura County at about 3 a.m. May 9, officials said in a news release.The teen, whose name was not released, only spoke Spanish, but she was able to text pleas for help, and at the Sheriff’s Communication Center, the “messages
  
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• Wastewater plans make Hill Country residents worry Pedernales River could turn into 'sewer'

  17-05-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Landowners are concerned about the future of the Pedernales River after recent filings for wastewater permits at two developments. The permits ask for permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to discharge treated wastewater in land near the river."We're trying to heighten awareness of what's going on in the county," said Katherine Peake with the Pedernales River Alliance. Their organization contacted KXAN about their concerns.The two ne
  
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• No. 25 Texas snags 11th come-from-behind win, walks off Kansas 5-4 with 2 runs in 9th

  17-05-2024 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 25 Texas scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off winners against Kansas 5-4 on Thursday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.Jalin Flores smacked a double to right field that scored Jared Thomas from first base for the winning run. Casey Borba hit a pinch-hit solo home run over the left field wall to tie the game at 3-3 on a 2-ball, 2-strike pitch to start the inning.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the
  
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• Cicadas: When are they the loudest?

  17-05-2024 05:20 via kxan.com
  
  ABOVE: Find a video about how to keep safe in the sun as summer approaches.
  CHICAGO (WGN-TV) — They've begun to emerge. And they're going to make their presence very much known.In Illinois, two broods of periodical cicadas are coming out. In central and southern Illinois, its the 13-year cicadas. In central and northern parts of the state, it’s the 17-year cicadas. (More on what this means is down below). Together, it means billions of them will be making that signature buzzing and c
  
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• Which Austin FC players make at least $1 million? MLSPA releases 2024 salary data

  17-05-2024 04:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC captain Sebastian Driussi got a big raise this season according to salary data released Thursday by the Major League Soccer Players Association.Driussi is set to make a base salary of $4.5 million in 2024 with guaranteed compensation of just more than $6.7 million, $700,000 more than he did last season. His guaranteed money is the highest on the team and fifth-highest in MLS, yet pales in comparison to the league's highest-paid player, Inter Miami's Lionel Messi.
  
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• Man acquitted insane on attempted capital murder of peace officer charge

  17-05-2024 01:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man charged with the attempted capital murder of a peace officer in connection with an October 2022 incident was acquitted May 1, according to Travis County court documents.Records showed Emeka Williams was acquitted of the charge by reason of insanity. Documents said Williams also pleaded not guilty to the charge. Affidavit identifies suspect from Sunday night police shooting in north AustinAs part of the judgment, Williams must be committed to a mental health facil
  
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• Baby rabbit saved from pool by local fireman during downpour

  17-05-2024 01:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A baby rabbit was saved from drowning in a pool following the heavy downpour of rain that hit the Austin area Thursday."The rain was pouring down heavy and blowing things around and must have blown the baby rabbit into the pool," Belinda Bryant, who filmed the rescue, said.Local Austin fireman Michael Reese quickly jumped into action to rescue the baby rabbit after he saw it from a distance.Reese saw the animal from the distance, ran toward the pool and grabbed his pool-cle
  
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• Hays County reports over $250k in damages from storm last week

  17-05-2024 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Ringtones have soundtracked All Weather Restoration And Roofing’s office for the last several months. “It's been crazy. We've had, just storm after storm after storm,” said J Tolbert, the owner of All Weather Restoration. “There's not enough local contractors to get out there and take care of everybody.” The company, which primarily deals with roofing issues, said business picked up even more after a severe storm blew thro
  
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• How to track parvovirus cases among Texas dogs

  17-05-2024 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An online tracking tool shows Texas leading the country with the most number of parvovirus cases among dogs, leading to a warning from local advocates to pet owners.
  According to the ParvoTrack map, Texas reported at least 2,533 cases of the contagious and even deadly virus, which is spread mainly through contaminated dog feces. This service advises that there is currently a high risk of parvovirus in the state.
  Experts at Austin Pets Alive! said Thursday that Travis County
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Severe storms bring rain to Central Texas

  16-05-2024 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The KXAN First Warning Weather team is tracking the risk of scattered severe storms throughout Central Texas Thursday.Latest forecast from the First Warning Weather teamThreats from these include hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.Weather Resources
  Watches vs Warnings: Understanding how a storm is madeTraffic mapLive Central Texas radarCentral Texas rainfall totalsDownload KXAN Weather AppSign up for KXAN daily forecast newsletter and severe weather alerts newslett
  
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• Police identify victim in deadly north Austin shooting

  16-05-2024 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified the man who died in a shooting at a north Austin apartment last week. Additionally, the agency provided more details in a news release, saying there were two additional victims who were shot.Around 8:07 p.m. on May 9, officers responded to the Canyon Ridge Apartments, located 12118 Walnut Creek Crossing, after multiple 911 calls about a shooting, the release said.Once officers arrived at the apartment complex, they found a man, later ident
  
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• Longhorns shortstop Jalin Flores named semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy by NCBWA

  16-05-2024 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas shortstop Jalin Flores is a semifinalist for a national player of the year award.The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named Flores to its 68-player list for the Dick Howser Trophy on Thursday, recognizing the best college baseball players in the country. The NCBWA will announce the winner at 9 a.m., June 13 on MLB Network with a press conference the following day from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to kick off the Men's College World Series. No. 25 Texa
  
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• Gov. Abbott pardons Daniel Perry after Travis County murder conviction

  16-05-2024 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he granted a full pardon to the man convicted of shooting and killing a Black Lives Matter protester following a recommendation issued Thursday.
  Abbott quickly signed a proclamation after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted unanimously to grant a full pardon and restore gun rights to Daniel Perry, a former Army sergeant found guilty of murder by a jury in April 2023 and later sentenced to 25 years in prison.
  In a statement Thursday,
  
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• Gov. Abbott pardons Daniel Perry after he shot, killed protester in 2020

  16-05-2024 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he granted a full pardon to the man convicted of shooting and killing a Black Lives Matter protester following a recommendation issued Thursday.
  Abbott quickly signed a proclamation after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted unanimously to grant a full pardon and restore gun rights to Daniel Perry, a former Army sergeant found guilty of murder by a jury in April 2023 and later sentenced to 25 years in prison.
  In a statement Thursday,
  
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• Full pardon recommended for Daniel Perry after Travis County murder conviction

  16-05-2024 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A full pardon is recommended for the man convicted of shooting and killing a Black Lives Matter protester four years ago in Austin, according to a decision released Thursday.
  The Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles voted unanimously to grant a full pardon and restore gun rights to Daniel Perry, a former Army sergeant found guilty of murder by a jury in April 2023 and later sentenced to 25 years in prison.Perry admitted to shooting Garrett Foster while driving an Uber in downt
  
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• UT Board OKs $13.5M design contract for highway caps over I-35

  16-05-2024 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 16, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Design work will soon be underway to build highway coverings across Interstate 35 near the University of Texas at Austin, following approval from the U.T. System Board of Regents last week.The board greenlit a $13.5 million contract with the Texas Department of Transportation to cover 30% design work on those highway coverings. It comes alongside the City of Austin's own capped high
  
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• Georgetown woman defrauded of $300K; man federally charged, facing 3 counts

  16-05-2024 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 16, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was federally charged May 7 and accused of defrauding an elderly woman living in Georgetown out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to federal court documents.Records showed Moinuddin Mohammed served as a courier for the conspiracy in the investigation.Court documents said Mohammed participated in a scheme to defraud/attempt to defraud elderly individuals out o
  
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• Texas QB Quinn Ewers on cover of new college football video game

  16-05-2024 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A highly-anticipated college football video game has a Texas quarterback on the cover.Electronic Arts released the cover for its upcoming EA Sports College Football 25 game featuring junior Quinn Ewers alongside Michigan's Donovan Edwards and Colorado's Travis Hunter. Ewers will appear on the standard and deluxe edition covers for Playstation 5 and Xbox X|S.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports new
  
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• Austin might add buildings on top of I-35. How tall could they be?

  16-05-2024 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 16, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the City of Austin pursues its Our Future 35 program to add highway coverings on top of Interstate 35, transportation officials confirmed Thursday a new cap on how tall of buildings those coverings can support.Those highway coverings, or deck plazas, are being designed in tandem with the Texas Department of Transportation's I-35 Capital Express Central Project. That state-led exp
  
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• Man convicted, sentenced related to 2022 double murder

  16-05-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, May 16, 2024.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was convicted by a jury Monday in connection with two counts of murder related to a January 2022 incident, according to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.The office said 22-year-old Edgar Alejandro Barahona was charged with the murders of 26-year-old Juan Carlos Loarca-Villatoro and 28-year-old Heliodoro Arias-Flores.  PAST COVERAGE: 19
  
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• Love at first bite: H-E-B Mueller to host speed dating event

  16-05-2024 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Who knew H-E-B doubled as Cupid?Main Streat Food Hall & Bar at H-E-B's Mueller location will host a speed dating event Thursday at 6:30 p.m., according to signage posted outside the food hall's entrance. The poster teased ahead to "an evening of meaningful conversations, laughter, and the chance to meet your next potential match."Guests between 30 and 45 are welcomed to attend the event. Main Streat Food Hall is charging a $12 entry fee for all participants.H-E-B Mueller's M
  
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• Victim's family denied from reading impact statements in juvenile case

  16-05-2024 18:04 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- The family of Faith Monreal, a 15-year-old shot and killed by another teen, said navigating the juvenile justice system after Faith's death made everything even more painful."We didn’t get the justice we feel she deserved," Faith's mother Vanessa Brown said. "It--it hurts. It doesn’t feel real."The juvenile system focuses on the rehabilitation of the person responsible for the crime just as much as it works to get justice for victims. Protections for respondent
  
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• Shipley Do-Nuts aims for more shops in Austin amid expansion spree

  16-05-2024 17:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Houston-based Shipley Do-Nuts is planning to add more shops across Texas, including in the Austin area.The company has hired Jonathan Massey as vice president of sales and Fred Frey as director of franchise recruitment, Shipley announced May 8. Massey previously served as director of franchise development at Addison, Texas-based Wingstop Inc. (Nasdaq: WING). Meanwhile, Frey joins Shipley from Midland, Texas-based HTeaO, where he served as franchise development
  
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• Austin falls out of top 10 largest cities in the U.S.

  16-05-2024 16:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After spending a year in the No. 10 spot on the list of largest cities in the United States, Austin has fallen in ranking.
  Texas' capital city is now in the 11th spot on the list. Texas cities that rank higher than Austin are Dallas at No. 9, San Antonio at No. 7 and Houston at No. 4.
  The list is ranked based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates from July 2023. According to city officials, Austin saw a net gain of 4,464 new residents between July 2022 and July 2023, bringing the tota
  
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• International 'Affordable Art Fair' opens this weekend in Austin

  16-05-2024 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Affordable Art Fair, an international art show, is making its first stop in Texas to give Austinites the chance to view 60 galleries of artwork from local, national, and international artists.
  The festivities begin Thursday night with special access for those with an All-Access pass. The fair will open up to the general admission ticket holders on Friday and will run through the weekend, ending on Sunday.
  All artwork on display is for sale and range in costs from $100 to $10,000
  
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• Court rejects parents' attempt to opt kids out of LGBTQ-inclusive reading assignments

  16-05-2024 15:09 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- A federal appeals court rejected a bid from a group of Maryland parents to require Montgomery County Public Schools to allow them to opt their children out of lessons that involve LGBTQ-inclusive material.A divided three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court decision denying a preliminary injunction on the basis that the parents had not yet demonstrated how the country’s board of education book policy would infringe on
  
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• Juvenile officer's do-not-hire status initially reversed amid sexual misconduct investigation

  16-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Juvenile Justice Department allowed a juvenile corrections officer who was being investigated over sexual misconduct allegations to resign and remain eligible for hire weeks after firing him, state records show. Records obtained by KXAN show that the change was part of a mediation settlement agreement in 2022 between former juvenile corrections officer Isaiah Xavier Smith and the agency. Smith was initially fired in September 2022 for turning off his bod
  
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