Austin news

• Mason ISD staff member accused of improper relationship with student

  29-04-2024 23:13 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A staff member of the Mason Independent School District was arrested Thursday on a felony charge after he was accused of having an improper relationship with a student.The public jail roster for the Mason County Sheriff's Office shows that 37-year-old Micah Walker was taken into custody on April 25 at 1:48 p.m. He was arrested on a charge of Improper Relationship Between Educator/Student.According to Mason ISD's website, Walker is listed as the
  
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• Reports: Austin-Round Rock 15th in US for apartment vacancies; 66% of home listings 'stale'

  12-06-2024 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin-Round Rock Metro area is 15th in the nation for vacant apartments, according to a report from construction industry blog Construction Coverage.The report states that 9% of apartments in the Austin metro are vacant. This is up since 2023, when 7.3% of apartments were vacant.All of Texas (9.2%, fifth highest for U.S. states) and Houston's metro (10.9%) both have vacancy rates above the Austin metro, but San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth areas are slightly under (ar
  
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• Travis County judge dismisses AG Paxton lawsuit over Austin marijuana ordinance

  12-06-2024 21:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Travis County judge dismissed a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over the City of Austin's voter-approved marijuana ordinance, according to Ground Game Texas and court documents.
  In 2022, voters in the City of Austin passed Proposition A, which effectively decriminalized low-level possession of marijuana. Nearly 80% of Austinites voted 'yes' on that measure.
  It was also something that was already in practice. In 2020, the Austin Police Department issued a general
  
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• Bastrop could be the next Texas town to decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses

  12-06-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – Bastrop could be the next Central Texas town to see a marijuana decriminalization measure go in front of voters.Inspired by a recent effort in Lockhart, Desiree Venable, who’s running for the Texas House of Representatives in District 17, is collecting signatures to get a measure in front of voters this fall that, if passed, would decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses in the city. “We've only been doing this for less than two weeks, and we have
  
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• Majority of UT Austin staff to return to full-time in-person work

  12-06-2024 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The majority of staff at The University of Texas at Austin will return to work in person full-time in the fall, UT officials announced Wednesday.UT President Jay Hartzell said the change is in an effort to best support "an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, availability, and reliability," the announcement read in part. Come early July, university leadership will finish plans outlining full-time, on-site work for the majority of staff.
  Staff members can most effe
  
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• Federal judge blocks Biden administration move to expand Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students

  12-06-2024 20:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Texas federal judge blocked the Biden administration's efforts to extend federal anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ students.In his ruling Tuesday, Judge Reed O'Connor said the Biden administration lacked the authority to make the changes and accused it of pushing “an agenda wholly divorced from the text, structure, and contemporary context of Title IX.” Title IX is the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational settings. Gov. Abbott
  
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• Sony Pictures acquires Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the dine-in movie theater chain

  12-06-2024 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  Sony Pictures Entertainment is getting into the exhibition business. The studio behind recent films like “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” and “The Garfield Movie” has acquired the distinctive theater chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the companies said Wednesday. Included in the deal is the genre film festival Fantastic Fest.Sony said it will continue to welcome content from all studios and distributors at the dine-in theaters.6 Alamo Drafthouse theaters shutter outside Austin metro,
  
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• Affidavit: North Austin stabbing stemmed from parking lot fight

  12-06-2024 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A stabbing in north Austin over the weekend that left several people injured stemmed from a fight in an apartment complex parking lot, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN.
  Austin Police said officers responded to a shoot/stab call at 8:42 p.m. Sunday at an apartment complex on North Lamar Boulevard. Five people were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Previous coverage: 5 injured in stabbing in north AustinThe suspect was identified in
  
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• 'The Olympic Curse is over': ATX Rower to compete in Paris, relatives have tried to qualify for decades

  12-06-2024 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "The curse has been broken!," Matt Knifton said ecstatic, as he took his morning row down Lady Bird Lake.
  Matt Knifton, owner of Texas Rowing Center is heading to Paris to watch his daughter compete in 2024 Olympic Games for rowing. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).Knifton has been rowing competitively, training in Austin for the last 38 years. He tried to qualify for the Olympics in rowing back in 1992. And his father, a National Team Race Walker, also had Olympic dreams.
  Kat
  
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• 'Olympic Curse is over': Austin Rower to compete in Paris, relatives have tried to qualify for decades

  12-06-2024 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "The curse has been broken!," Matt Knifton said ecstatic, as he took his morning row down Lady Bird Lake.
  Matt Knifton, owner of Texas Rowing Center is heading to Paris to watch his daughter compete in 2024 Olympic Games for rowing. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).Knifton has been rowing competitively, training in Austin for the last 38 years. He tried to qualify for the Olympics in rowing back in 1992. And his father, a National Team Race Walker, also had Olympic dreams.
  Kat
  
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• Pitbull to perform at University of Texas' SEC Celebration this month

  12-06-2024 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mr. Worldwide himself will land right here in Austin for a free concert on June 30 in front of the University of Texas tower.
  It's part of the university's SEC Celebration to mark the Longhorns officially moving to the Southeastern Conference. UT describes the celebration as an "all-day party" across its campus, culminating in the global superstar's performance.‘Texas-sized’ celebration set for Longhorns’ official move to SECThe event has free admission an
  
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• LIVE: Austin Police responding to suspicious package call outside elementary school

  12-06-2024 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police are responding to a suspicious package call outside of a southeast Austin elementary school Wednesday morning, according to an APD post on social media.APD said the reported suspicious package is in the 7500 block of South Pleasant Valley Road, which is the address for Cortez Elementary School. APD confirmed the package was found outside of the school.Police shared information about the incident at 11:44 a.m. WednesdayAPD is asking people to avoid the area. Dr
  
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• Austin Police responding to suspicious package call outside elementary school

  12-06-2024 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, June 12, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police are responding to a suspicious package call outside of a southeast Austin elementary school Wednesday morning, according to an APD post on social media.APD said the reported suspicious package is in the 7500 block of South Pleasant Valley Road, which is the address for Cortez Elementary School. APD confirmed the package was found outside of the school.Police sha
  
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• All clear given after police investigate suspicious package at southeast Austin school

  12-06-2024 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police cleared the scene Wednesday afternoon after determining a suspicious package spotted by staff members outside of a southeast Austin elementary school was not an explosive device.A lieutenant with the Austin Independent School District Police Department told reporters that officers responded at about 9:53 a.m. based on a report from a worker at Perez Elementary School, located at 7500 S. Pleasant Valley Road. That person said they saw a "suspicious package" outside th
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 6-year-old girl from San Antonio

  12-06-2024 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert was issued for a six-year-old girl who was last seen in San Antonio early Wednesday morning.
  Police are searching for Kennedy Harrington, 6. She was last seen in the 13100 block of Beals Circle in San Antonio around 7:47 a.m. Wednesday.
  Harrington is described as a Black girl with hazel eyes and sandy-colored hair. She is 3'6" in height and 60 lbs.
  She was last seen with Deandre Harrington, 36. He's described a Black man with brown eyes and black hair.
  
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• Amber Alert discontinued after San Antonio girl found safe, officials say

  12-06-2024 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- A 6-year-old girl at the center of a recent Amber Alert in Texas is now back with family, according to authorities.
  The Amber Alert initially reported the girl was last seen in San Antonio early Wednesday morning. In an update, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said deputies have reported that she is safe.
  As a result, the Amber Alert has been discontinued, the sheriff's office said.
  The Amber Alert also said the girl was last seen with a 36-year-old man. The man was
  
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• Jerry West, a 3-time Hall of Fame selection and the inspiration for the NBA logo, dies at 86

  12-06-2024 16:40 via kxan.com
  
  Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive, and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers announced.
  He was 86.
  West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game exploits as a player, was an NBA champion who went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the gold medal-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic Team in 2010. He will be
  
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• Jerry West, a 3-time Hall of Fame selection and the NBA logo, dies at 86

  12-06-2024 16:21 via kxan.com
  
  Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers announced.
  He was 86.
  West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game exploits as a player, went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team in 2010. He will be enshrined for a third time later this year
  
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• Police asking for help identifying suspect of east Austin armed robbery

  12-06-2024 15:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying the suspect of an aggravated robbery that happened in east Austin earlier this month.
  APD said it happened at the Airport Lounge Sweepstakes on Monday, June 3 shortly before 1 p.m.According to police, the suspect entered the business armed with a handgun and demanded cash from the register. He fled the scene on foot and went north toward East 12th Street and Airport Boulevard.
  The suspect is described as:
  W
  
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• Pride flag repeatedly stolen from outside Cedar Park church

  12-06-2024 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Leaders from the Church of the Savior said they've had to get creative to outsmart thieves that have targeted its LGBTQ+ pride flag in recent weeks.The church bills itself as a progressive congregation that affirms people from diverse backgrounds including gender identity and sexual orientation.Damon Smith, church trustee, said he joined the church just a few months ago and was disappointed it didn't display a pride flag because they'd been frequently stolen in t
  
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• Showers ending, hot and dry weather returns

  12-06-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Heavy rain early Wednesday prompted some localized flooding in northern Williamson and Milam counties, but radar showed the activity diminishing quickly by early afternoon. Only isolated to widely scattered showers are expected for the rest of the day. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSThe showers and increased cloud cover will hold our temperatures to the upper 80s and low 90s this afternoon - one of the coolest days of the month thus far!Long term: Heat and then some Gulf inspired
  
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• Last day of storms ahead of quick turn to hotter, drier weather

  12-06-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will be our last day in the recent stretch of unsettled weather before it's back to more summer-like weather for the remainder of the work week. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSIsolated to scattered storms will be possible at any point today, although, there is a slight lean towards more storms before 4 p.m. The increase in storms and cloud cover will hold our temperatures to the upper 80s and low 90s this afternoon - one of the coolest days of the month thus far!Isolated to
  
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• Flash flooding possible with morning downpours

  12-06-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Heavy rain continues to raise flooding concerns in parts of Williamson and Milam County this morning.Flash Flood Warnings in place for parts of our northern countiesA Flash Flood Warning is in place for northern Williamson County until 11:30AM and Milam County until 10AM. As of 8:30AM, 1"-3" of rain has already fallen with another 1"-2" possible. Be sure to turn around if coming across any flooded roadways, shelter in place unless told to evacuate if under a Flash Flood Warning,
  
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• New motion filed to replace state attorney involved in petition removal case for Travis County DA

  12-06-2024 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The plaintiff who filed the current petition to remove Travis County District Attorney José Garza from office, has filed a new motion in the case requesting the appointed Bell County prosecuting attorney, Jim Nichols, be replaced "on grounds of incompetence," court records show.RELATED: Person who filed petition to remove Travis County DA steps forwardThe request from Mary Dupuis comes days after Nichols filed a motion last Friday to dismiss the case.KXAN attempted t
  
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• Texas sues to block new Biden administration rule protecting access to some gender transition care

  12-06-2024 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the Biden administration over a new federal rule that he says would require states to pay for gender care procedures for transgender people through their Medicaid programs and require health care providers to perform them.“This is yet another example of Joe Biden trying to sidestep the Constitution and use agency rulemaking to advance unpopular, unlawful, and destructive policies,” Paxton wrote in a press releas
  
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• TEA awarded over $290 million as part of teacher incentive program last school year

  12-06-2024 00:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced Tuesday over $290 million in Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) funds were awarded to nearly 25,000 designated Texas teachers during the 2023-24 school year.TEA said 481 school systems participated in the TIA program, and 306 of them were fully approved to grant teacher designations. To gain full approval, these school systems had to go through a "comprehensive" application process that assessed "data from classroom observations and
  
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• Bexar County issues capital murder warrant for Austin shooting spree suspect

  11-06-2024 23:57 via kxan.com
  
  BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A capital murder warrant was issued for a man accused of a shooting spree that spanned from Bexar County to Austin in December 2023, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office told KXAN on Tuesday.Shane James, 35, was accused of shooting and killing two people, who were later identified as his parents, inside their home in Bexar County. He then drove to Austin and continued the series of violent events that all happened on Dec. 5, 2023.The Bexar County Sheriff's Office
  
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• Why are there poles in the middle of a road near FM 973?

  11-06-2024 23:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No, your eyes don't deceive you: Drivers traveling along FM 973 in Travis County likely noticed the unusual sight of utility poles in the middle of a roadway right next door. A spokesperson with the Texas Department of Transportation said that's part of a planned widening project underway.TxDOT is currently widening a portion of FM 973 and confirmed to KXAN the state agency is coordinating with Austin Energy on relocating a host of electric poles. For now, those poles are b
  
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• 'Everyone belongs': City of Austin more effectively tracking hate crime data

  11-06-2024 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a weekend where a drag brunch in Austin was canceled due to a bomb threat and where police in nearby Lakeway said they were investigating antisemitic graffiti, we think it's a good time to remind you about a program the City of Austin launched roughly a year ago that is helping them promote resources and track hate incidents."The We All Belong campaign is an anti-hate initiative that we launched last summer to first of all help us to help people report hate crimes and hate
  
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• Playoff structure to change for some Texas high school sports

  11-06-2024 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some high school sports in Texas will have split divisions in the playoffs starting next school year to match the current structure for the 6A football playoffs and championship.The University Interscholastic League's Legislative Council approved the change Tuesday to use enrollment to split the playoffs for five sports. It will go into effect Aug. 1 and will not affect district alignments.RELATED: Austin ISD playing in College Station? UIL releases football districts for 2
  
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