Austin news

• National Park Service holding free bicycle tours of LBJ Ranch

  02-10-2024 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  JOHNSON CITY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park is hosting free bicycle tours of the LBJ Ranch this month.
  The tours will take place on Oct. 5, 19, and 26. Each ride will be six miles long and will take about two hours.
  The National Parks Service shared details about the rides, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Johnson Family Cemetery, just inside the entrance gate to the LBJ Ranch.Participants should stop at the Lyndon B. Johnson State
  
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• Japanese low-cost airline to start nonstop flights between Houston and Tokyo next year

  10-10-2024 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texans will soon have a new option to fly to Asia, with Japanese low-cost airline ZIPAIR launching nonstop flights from Houston in 2025.The flights between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) will begin March 4. AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals, busiest months and new flights in 2024Flights will operate four times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, on Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Tickets are already o
  
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• Allred outraises Cruz by nearly $9 million in latest fundraising quarter

  10-10-2024 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's giving 2018 vibes -- the race for Texas' U.S. Senate seat is posting record-breaking fundraising numbers.
  And like 2018, the candidate driving those record-breaking numbers is a Democrat. Back in 2018, it was Beto O'Rourke. This time, it's U.S. Rep. Colin Allred fueling the fundraising frenzy. MORE: Campaign ContextAllred's campaign announced he raised over $30 million in the third quarter of 2024. Incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz said he raised over $21 million in Q3 over his
  
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• KXAN Q&A: Ragweed season up due to rainy summer

  10-10-2024 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You may have been feeling a bit more of a tingle and a bit more sneezing if you have allergies this year. This is due to climate change, according to Austin Diagnostic Clinic's Dr. John Villacis. KXAN's latest pollen and allergy report"There's a lot of research going on into right now, into global warming as to how it affects the allergy the allergy counts," Villacis said. "Hard to say if it's all global warming or natural patterns of the weather, but this summer, we had a
  
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• Social media conspiracy theory asks, 'Where's the Moon at?'

  10-10-2024 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the past two weeks, a new conspiracy theory has hit social media websites: Where is our moon?Videos on TikTok, under "#moongone", show users looking around their local night sky and asking some variation of "where has the moon gone?" Typically, these videos are accompanied by ominous music.
  KXAN staff were able to visually confirm the moon's presence multiple days during the period suggested by social media. Earth’s 2nd ‘moon’ has arrived: What you ne
  
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• Social media conspiracy asks, 'Where's the Moon at?'

  10-10-2024 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the past two weeks, a new conspiracy theory has hit social media websites: Where is our moon?Videos on TikTok, under "#moongone", show users looking around their local night sky and asking some variation of "where has the moon gone?" Typically, these videos are accompanied by ominous music.
  KXAN staff were able to visually confirm the moon's presence multiple days during the period suggested by social media. Earth’s 2nd ‘moon’ has arrived: What you ne
  
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• MAP: More than 5,000 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires in 2024

  10-10-2024 21:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 5,000 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas so far in 2024, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.A total of 20 fires have burned 5,021.1 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area. Weather Interactives: How much rain has Austin received this year?KXAN is keeping track of wildfires. Follow along with the map and database below. We'll keep them updated as new information becomes available. Fires that are still uncontained are red on the map. Eva
  
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• AAA: Gas prices in Texas up slightly

  10-10-2024 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a report published Thursday, AAA said gas prices across Texas were up slightly week-to-week.The statewide price average for regular unleaded fuel is $2.80 per gallon, which is about 40 cents less than the national average of $3.21.AAA said drivers in the Austin-San Marcos area are paying $2.90 per gallon.According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), last week's gasoline demand measured at 9.6 million barrels per day, which has been the highest number reported
  
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• Exclusive: APD homicide detective discusses Raul Meza investigation

  10-10-2024 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Detective Patrick Reed was the lead homicide detective on the Raul Meza case.Last week, Meza pleaded guilty to killing Gloria Lofton in 2019 and Jesse Fraga in 2023. He accepted the maximum sentence and will spend life in prison without the opportunity for parole. He also cannot appeal his case. READ MORE: Raul Meza pleads guilty, receives life without parole in Lofton, Fraga murders"I think [the sentence] speaks volumes to the quality of work that the investigators did to be ab
  
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• Man already in prison charged in 2023 Williamson County fentanyl death

  10-10-2024 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man currently in prison on drug-related charges is now facing a murder charge related to the death of a man who died of fentanyl poisoning in September 2023.According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, detectives believe 27-year-old Tyreik Gilbert sold fentanyl to 26-year-old Joseph Barrera, which allegedly led to Barrera’s death.WCSO said the Hutto Police Department requested assistance from the office’s Organized Crime Unit (OCU) after an initi
  
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• LIVE: Austin Fire Department: Brush fire 'spreading rapidly towards structures' off FM 969

  10-10-2024 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Crews are on the scene of a brush fire in east Austin that is "spreading rapidly towards structures in the area," according to the Austin Fire Department.
  AFD posted on X at 1:19 p.m. that firefighters were responding to a 1/4 acre fire in the 9500 block of FM 969 Road. The fire is spreading toward homes and schools, the department added in a follow-up post.Austin Discovery School and a KIPP Austin Academy of Arts and Letters are in the nearby area.
  STAR Flight Travis County is
  
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• LIVE: AFD slows brush fire previously threatening structures in east Austin

  10-10-2024 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department said a 64-acre brush fire that was previously "spreading rapidly towards structures" in east Austin is believed to be 85% contained as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday.AFD received multiple calls around 12:41 p.m. about a fire in the 9500 block of FM 969 Road, AFD Operations Public Information Officer Rachael Lewis said. Lewis added that the fire has changed direction several times due to wind shifts and the brush "is burning quickly" due to the dry conditions. M
  
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• AFD slows brush fire previously threatening structures in east Austin

  10-10-2024 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department said a 64-acre brush fire that was previously "spreading rapidly towards structures" in east Austin is believed to be 85% contained as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday.AFD received multiple calls around 12:41 p.m. about a fire in the 9500 block of FM 969 Road, AFD Operations Public Information Officer Rachael Lewis said. Lewis added that the fire has changed direction several times due to wind shifts and the brush "is burning quickly" due to the dry conditions. M
  
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• AFD: East Austin brush fire 'out', 2 firefighters injured

  10-10-2024 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department said a 55-acre brush fire that was previously "spreading rapidly towards structures" is "out" as of 5 p.m. Thursday.Two firefighters were injured in the east Austin blaze, which was caused by "equipment malfunction," AFD said.AFD received multiple calls around 12:41 p.m. about a fire in the 9500 block of FM 969 Road, AFD Operations Public Information Officer Rachael Lewis said. Lewis added the fire changed direction several times due to wind shift
  
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• 'Banned Wagon' bringing free banned books to Austin bookstore

  10-10-2024 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin independent bookstore has been selected as one of nine stops across the country for the Banned Wagon, a national initiative to promote literacy and connect people with titles that have been banned or challenged.The Banned Wagon will make a visit to Black Pearl Books on Oct. 15, distributing free book copies to event attendees between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., officials with the effort shared in a release. Penguin Random House, United Against Book Bans, Little Free Libra
  
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• Texas QB Quinn Ewers to start Red River Rivalry, Sarkisian says

  10-10-2024 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers will start Saturday's Red River Rivalry against No. 18 Oklahoma, coach Steve Sarkisian announced Thursday.Ewers missed nearly three full games with an oblique strain, suffered on Sept. 14 against UTSA. The junior quarterback had an extra week of recovery with a bye week before Saturday's tilt at the Cotton Bowl. Is Texas-OU college football’s greatest rivalry?On Monday, Sarkisian said Ewers returned to practice in recent weeks and fe
  
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• 31-year-old dead after suspected fentanyl overdose in Round Rock

  10-10-2024 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a suspected fentanyl overdose death that happened in Round Rock, the agency shared in a Thursday release.Members of the Williamson County Organized Crime Unit responded to the 1300 block of Amistad Drive on the morning of Oct. 3. Detectives found a 31-year-old woman who was pronounced dead on site, officials said in the release.Those with possible information related to the incident are asked to contact the Williamson
  
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• Floridians take stock of Hurricane Milton damage

  10-10-2024 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  BRANDON, Florida (KXAN) -- Tammy Spooner has lived in the Tampa metro area for the past 20 years, experiencing multiple hurricanes cross over her home in that time. Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, was different than any other hurricane Spooner had faced.
  The waterline on the side of the home shows how far the water levels reached in Spooner's neighborhood (Photo Courtesy: Tammy Spooner)."It was pretty scary. It was probably one of the worst ones I've been
  
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• Stabbing reported at Austin ISD middle school

  10-10-2024 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A stabbing was reported Thursday at Covington Middle School, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATCEMS said medics took an adolescent patient to the hospital with potentially serious injuries, but not expected to be life-threatening.According to first responders, the call came in at approximately 9:07 a.m. for 3700 Convict Hill Road, which is the address for the school.
  According to CMS Principal Cedric Maddox, the school was evacuated around the same time as the inciden
  
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• Austin ISD middle school student stabbed, another student apprehended

  10-10-2024 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A stabbing was reported Thursday at Covington Middle School, according to Austin-Travis County EMS and school officials.
  ATCEMS said medics took an adolescent patient to the hospital with potentially serious injuries not expected to be life-threatening.According to the school, officers apprehended the student involved and confirmed it was a student who was stabbed in the altercation.According to first responders, the call came in at approximately 9:07 a.m. for 3700 Convict
  
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• Weekend Watch: Art from the Streets helps unhoused, at-risk individuals through art programs

  10-10-2024 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Art lovers across Austin are in for a treat this weekend, learn how a local organization encourages the community experiencing homelessness to express themselves through art.Art from the Streets is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and offer a safe space to Austin's homeless and at-risk community. They empower these individuals to dig deep into their creativity through art and generate income through sales."For 31 years, Art From the Streets has been a b
  
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• LIVE: Weekend Watch: Art from the Streets helps unhoused, at-risk individuals through art programs

  10-10-2024 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Art lovers across Austin are in for a treat this weekend, learn how a local organization encourages the community experiencing homelessness to express themselves through art.Details for Show and Sale EventArt from the Streets is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and offer a safe space to Austin's homeless and at-risk community. They empower these individuals to dig deep into their creativity through art and generate income through sales."For 31 years, Ar
  
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• REPORT: How much money do you need to 'live comfortably' in Austin?

  10-10-2024 17:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Those looking to live comfortably in in the Texas capital will need to make well into the six-figure salary range, according to a late September analysis from GoBankingRates.The analysis determined a $122,229 income is the living cost needed to "live comfortably" in Austin. GoBankingRates defined that phrase using a 50/30/20 budget model, where 50% of an Austin resident's income went to necessary expenses, 30% went into savings and 20% was allocated to wants or more frivolo
  
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• Tropical tracker: Milton no longer considered a tropical system after battering Florida

  10-10-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each year, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. This year is expected to be very active, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season.This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topic
  
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• Tropical tracker: Hurricane Milton still a Cat. 1 as it pulls away from Florida

  10-10-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each year, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. This year is expected to be very active, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season.This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topic
  
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• International homebuyers spent $618M in Central Texas last year

  10-10-2024 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- International homebuyers pumped $618 million into the Central Texas economy last year, and most of them hail from our neighbor just to the south: Mexico.That’s according to the Austin Board of Realtors and Unlock MLS’ latest Central Texas International Homebuyers report, which found that Mexico surpassed India as the top country of origin for international buyers from April 2023 to March 2024, with 20% from Texas’ southern neighbor. India, Ca
  
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• Austin ISD hosts documentary on dyslexia, free to the public

  10-10-2024 16:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Independent School District will host an event showing a documentary on dyslexia Thursday evening.
  The documentary will be shown at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The event will be free to the public, AISD said.The documentary is "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars." According to AISD, it's about experts talking to educators and parents about teaching methods that can "drastically change the course of literacy in America."Tickets ca
  
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• LIVE: Kristen's Classroom: How many more hurricanes?

  10-10-2024 15:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - As Florida begins a slow process of recovery after Hurricane Milton's landfall Wednesday night, other parts of the Southeast are still picking up the pieces left behind from Hurricane Helene.It begs the question, are we almost done with hurricane season?The Atlantic hurricane season runs until Nov. 31 after a June 1 start. When we look at climatology, we average three tropical storms, one hurricane and one major hurricane in October. November averages one tropical storm and one h
  
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• Kristen's Classroom: How many more hurricanes?

  10-10-2024 15:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - As Florida begins a slow process of recovery after Hurricane Milton's landfall Wednesday night, other parts of the Southeast are still picking up the pieces left behind from Hurricane Helene.It begs the question, are we almost done with hurricane season?The Atlantic hurricane season runs until Nov. 31 after a June 1 start. When we look at climatology, we average three tropical storms, one hurricane and one major hurricane in October. November averages one tropical storm and one h
  
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• Lower federal interest rate, but car prices are still high

  10-10-2024 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Federal Reserve recently dropped the interest rate by half a point, making it a little easier for Americans to borrow money, but how does that impact the car buying experience? According to Kelly Blue Book, the average buyer is spending more than $47,000 on a new car. RELATED | The Federal Reserve is finally lowering rates. Here’s what consumers should knowKXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes spoke to Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas to learn how these numbers impact Texa
  
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