Austin news

• Sticker shock: Home prices doubled in under 7 years in these major U.S. cities

  28-04-2024 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Stunned by skyrocketing home prices? You're not alone.In 68 of the largest U.S. cities the average price has more than doubled in less than 10 years, a recent study by Point2Homes found."A common home appreciation theory is that residential properties tend to double in value in about 10 years," the study notes. "But this good news for investors spells bad news for buyers, considering that most of the country’s major cities had home prices double even faster than
  
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• Indeed announces layoffs for 8% of staff, just over a year after its last layoffs

  13-05-2024 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, May 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Indeed, an employment company co-headquartered in Austin, is letting go of roughly 8% of its staff, according to a letter shared with employees Monday from CEO Chris Hyams. March 2023: Indeed laying off 15% of staff, around 2,200 peopleThe layoffs affect many groups and regions, but they are not across the board, the letter noted. They are mostly concentrated in the U.S. and
  
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• Democrats urge special session to increase Texas school funding

  13-05-2024 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Democrats urged Gov. Greg Abbott to call lawmakers back for a special legislative session Monday, citing "the urgent need to address school finance and improve funding for all of our school districts." Despite Texas’ record budget surplus, schools face deficitsSome of Texas' largest school districts face massive budget deficits, forcing some to cut teachers and staff for next school year. Democrats blame the cash crunch on the legislature's failure to increas
  
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• Travis County to discuss how taxpayers can help low-income families access childcare

  13-05-2024 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dozens of parents, childcare providers and employees rallied on the Texas Capitol steps Monday, taking the day off, hoping to get through to lawmakers.
  On the day of a national movement called, "A Day Without Childcare," the group is asking for better funding in order to make childcare more affordable, and to improve employee wages.
  This comes as Travis County is set to discuss the proposed tax rate election for the 2025 Tax Year. Commissioners will look at how the count ca
  
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• Ascension continues to investigate cybersecurity event, notified the FBI

  13-05-2024 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- It's now been several days since Ascension, a healthcare company in Central Texas, said it detected unusual activity on network systems, which they believed to be a “cybersecurity event.” PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Ascension warns of cyber security event amid ‘unusual activity’The announcement came on Wednesday, May 8.
  “At this time we continue to investigate the situation,” Ascension said. “We responded immediately, initiated our investigation
  
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• 'Semi-truck' rolled over in south Austin, AFD says

  13-05-2024 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, May 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A tractor-trailer truck reportedly rolled over in south Austin Monday morning, trapping the people inside of it, the Austin Fire Department said on social media.Just after 11 a.m., AFD said it responded to a vehicle rescue call at East Ben White Boulevard and South Congress Avenue turnaround.In an update, AFD said everyone is out of the truck and the alarm will be downgraded.Austin-Travis Count
  
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• Jarrell ISD teacher a quarterfinalist in national teaching competition

  13-05-2024 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, May 13, 2024.JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — A Jarrell Independent School District middle school teacher is a quarterfinalist in a national teachers competition.Alexandria Krause is a teacher for sixth grade leadership and success at Jarrell Middle School. She's also currently in seventh place within the quarterfinals of the America's Favorite Teacher competition.Krause said she saw an advertisement for the competit
  
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• Jarrell ISD teacher a quarter finalist in national teaching competition

  13-05-2024 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, May 13, 2024.JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — A Jarrell Independent School District middle school teacher is a quarter finalist in a national teachers competition.Alexandria Krause is a teacher for sixth grade leadership and success at Jarrell Middle School. She's also currently in seventh place within the quarter finals of the America's Favorite Teacher competition.Krause said she saw an advertisement for the compet
  
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• Former Texas linebacker S’Maje Burrell faces felony charge in April crash, affidavit says

  13-05-2024 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Former Texas Longhorns linebacker S’Maje Burrell faces a felony charge in a crash that left at least one other person injured, according to Travis County court documents. The crash is the same one that resulted in Tennessee Titans and former Longhorns defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat being charged with a DWI last month.
  The crash happened Sunday, April 7 on Interstate 35 near Howard and Parmer Lane. Austin police said the call for the crash came in at 4:41 a.m.Burrel
  
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• Roaring Kitty returns, and GameStop surges 40%

  13-05-2024 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  The man at the center of the pandemic meme stock craze returned to the social platform X for the first time in three years and sent prices of some of those stocks surging overnight.Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” posted an image on Sunday of a man sitting forward in his chair, a meme used by gamers when things are getting serious.He followed that tweet with a YouTube video from years before saying, “That’s all for now cuz I’m out of breath. FYI her
  
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• LIVE: Austin, Travis County experts to demonstrate how to administer Narcan

  13-05-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a recent string of deadly overdoses throughout the city, local leaders are holding a demonstration Monday morning on how to use Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan.
  Officials from both Austin and Travis County are holding a news conference to talk about making the overdose reversal drug more widely available in the community. They'll also show how to administer in the event someone needs it.
  Speakers at Monday's event include Travis County Judge Andy Brown, U.S. R
  
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• Austin, Travis County leaders demonstrate how to administer Narcan

  13-05-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a recent string of deadly overdoses throughout the city, local leaders held a demonstration Monday morning on how to administer Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan.
  Officials from both Austin and Travis County held a news conference to talk about making the overdose reversal drug more widely available in the community. They also showed how to administer it in the event someone needs it.
  Speakers at Monday's event included Travis County Judge Andy Brown, U.S. Rep.
  
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• Austin, Travis County experts to demonstrate how to administer Narcan

  13-05-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a recent string of deadly overdoses throughout the city, local leaders are holding a demonstration Monday morning on how to use Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan.
  Officials from both Austin and Travis County are holding a news conference to talk about making the overdose reversal drug more widely available in the community. They'll also show how to administer in the event someone needs it.
  Speakers at Monday's event include Travis County Judge Andy Brown, U.S. R
  
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• Study: Social media break drastically improves young women's mental health

  13-05-2024 16:37 via kxan.com
  
  TORONTO (KXAN) -- Logging off of social media could have major health benefits.
  A new study from researchers at York University in Toronto found young women who stayed off of social media for a week reported higher body satisfaction and self-esteem.Researchers noted that while the negative effects of social media are well documented, there hasn't been much study into the positive effects of staying off of it.
  Before taking a break, the researchers asked a group of 85 daily social media users, al
  
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• How real is the rain shield over Austin?

  13-05-2024 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Is there an actual rain shield over Austin? Some people think there is. Some people who live outside of Austin will swear there is something that happens when rain is approaching that makes it bypass their locale.
  Our weather office receives emails about this after rain events asking, "Why didn't my city get rain when it looked so promising?"It can be frustrating.That frustration is made more when rain and storms coming out of the Hill Country get weaker moving into our metro co
  
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• Childish Gambino set to play Moody Center on 'The New World Tour' this fall

  13-05-2024 15:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Immediately on the heels of a new Childish Gambino release Monday morning, the Moody Center announced a fall show featuring the rapper with special guest Willow.
  Donald Glover -- whose stage name is Childish Gambino -- surprise released "ATAVISTA" early Monday, and tour dates for "The New World Tour" were announced on venue websites and ticketmaster shortly thereafter.
  The rapper will play the Moody Center in Austin on Sept. 10 with special guest Willow Smith, who uses the stage
  
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• Authorities investigating arson after fire in Manor Walmart gas station bathroom

  13-05-2024 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The Manor Police Department said it and Travis County Emergency Services District 12 are working on an arson investigation after a fire at the Manor Walmart gas station.
  Manor PD said on its Facebook page shortly before 9 p.m. the gas station was closed Sunday night after a person went into the bathroom and allegedly started a fire then left.
  Police asked that anyone with information regarding the incident contact the Manor Police Department at [email protected].
  
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• Texas Longhorns named No. 1 seed in NCAA softball tournament for first time in program history

  13-05-2024 02:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite dropping the Big 12 Conference tournament championship game to Oklahoma on Saturday, the Texas Longhorns are the top seed in the NCAA softball tournament for the first time in program history.The tournament selection committee announced the bracket Sunday with the Longhorns at the top, and they'll open play against Siena at 3 p.m. Friday at McCombs Field. It's the Longhorns' 19th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament and 24th overall.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Sta
  
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• Longhorns win 5th consecutive Big 12 series with 10-7 victory over Central Florida

  13-05-2024 00:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas picked up another Big 12 series victory with a 10-7 win over Central Florida on Sunday in Orlando.It's the fifth consecutive series win for the Longhorns who won the opening game Friday 6-3 then dropped Saturday's game 5-4. Sunday's win keeps Texas tied with West Virginia for third in the conference with a 17-10 record. The Longhorns are 32-20 overall heading into the final Big 12 series of the season against Kansas. OPENING GAME: Texas off to a fast start in final Bi
  
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• Los Angeles-area condo sells for record-breaking $24 million 

  13-05-2024 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – In many luxury apartment buildings, the higher up you go, the higher the price tag. That’s exactly the case with one West Hollywood condo, which recently sold for an eye-watering $24 million, making it the most expensive condo ever sold in the in Los Angeles area. The penthouse unit at 8899 Beverly Boulevard boasts 14-foot ceilings and a 2,000-square-foot wraparound terrace with sweeping city views, the 8899 Beverly website said.
  In addition, the penthouse itself h
  
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• Deadline to claim $1 billion in tax refunds nears – do you qualify?

  13-05-2024 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A crucial deadline is coming later this month for some taxpayers who may be owed their share of an estimated $1 billion in refunds, the Internal Revenue Service announced.Taxpayers who did not file their tax year 2020 returns may be eligible to collect a refund if they file by May 17, and there's no penalty for failure to file if a refund is due.
  To get a refund, however, the return must reach the IRS within three years of the due date. The cutoff is later this year because in
  
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• 'I didn't do anything wrong': Man accused of paying homeless woman to care for his granddaughter while he went to a bar

  13-05-2024 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  SACRAMENTO (KTXL) — A grandfather was arrested after reportedly giving a homeless woman $20 to watch his granddaughter while he visited a nearby bar, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.Sunday night, deputies responded to reports of a man asking people to help him find his 7-year-old granddaughter who had allegedly been kidnapped.When deputies met with the man, Jason Warren, they determined him to be "highly intoxicated." He reportedly told them he had given $20 to a homele
  
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• MSC cruise ship sails into NYC with 44-foot dead endangered whale across its bow

  13-05-2024 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a 44-foot (13-meter) dead whale across its bow, marine authorities said.The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale, was caught on the ship's bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said.A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New Engl
  
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• Actor Steve Buscemi punched in the face in random New York City attack: publicist

  13-05-2024 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Steve Buscemi is OK after he was punched in the face by a man on a New York City street, his publicist said Sunday.The 66-year-old star of “Fargo” and “Boardwalk Empire” was assaulted late Wednesday morning in Manhattan and taken to a nearby hospital with bruising, swelling and bleeding to his left eye.“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” according to a statemen
  
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• Police: Dispute leads to multiple assaults, alleged firearm discharge at Manor football stadium

  12-05-2024 23:28 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Police are investigating multiple assaults and a possible firearm discharge that happened after a dispute between adult teams at a Manor ISD football stadium.
  The Manor Police Department said the assaults and alleged firearm discharge happened Saturday at the Manor New Tech High School football stadium.
  Police said a dispute happened during the last moments of a game between two adult teams from Killeen and Round Rock.
  Manor police said there were minor injuries from
  
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• Punxsutawney Phil, wife Phyllis announce names of pups

  12-05-2024 22:29 via kxan.com
  
  PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Punxsutawney Phil, and his wife, Phyllis, celebrated her first Mother's Day in a very special way.Dozens gathered at the Punxsutawney Groundhog Zoo Sunday morning to hear the long-awaited announcement of the names of Phil and Phyllis' two pups born in March."Today, Mother's Day, we decided it would be a fitting day to announce the names of our new baby groundhogs that belong to Phil and Phyllis," Dan McGinley, Vice President of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, sa
  
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• Social Security Administration announces new list of most popular baby names

  12-05-2024 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A new name has cracked into the top 10 list of the most popular baby names in the U.S.
  The Social Security Administration released its annual list of most popular names Friday using 2023 data. The agency tracks names dating back to 1880, gathering the names from applications for Social Security cards.2023's top contenders don't look all that different from last year — Liam and Olivia still reign supreme for boys and girls, respectively — but there is
  
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• Will your last COVID vaccine work against new 'FLiRT' variants?

  12-05-2024 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Two new COVID-19 variants are circulating, posing a threat to a summer surge.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking the new variants, scientifically known as KP.2 and KP.1.1 since at least the start of 2024. They’ve been steadily growing in prominence ever since, and have garnered the nickname “FLiRT” because of their mutations.The latest data shows KP.2 is the dominant strain in the U.S., comprising almost 25% of the tests that have
  
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• Target cutting number of stores carrying Pride-themed merchandise after 2023 backlash

  12-05-2024 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Target confirmed Friday that it won't carry Pride Month merchandise at all stores in June after the discount retailer experienced a backlash and lower sales over its collection honoring LGBTQ+ communities.Target, which operates roughly 2,000 stores, said decisions about where to stock Pride-themed products, including adult apparel, home goods, foods and beverages would be based on “guest insights and consumer research.”A Target spokesperson declined to disclose
  
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• New ‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ expected to be released in 2026

  12-05-2024 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  Andy Serkis is going back to Middle-earth to play Gollum in two new “Lord of the Rings” films.Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy said Thursday that Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, the Oscar-winning team behind the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies, will produce and Serkis will direct.“Yesssss, Precious,” Serkis said in a statement. “The time has come once
  
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