Austin news

• 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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• PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray dead at 30

  26-05-2024 14:01 via kxan.com
  
  (WGHP) — Pro golfer Grayson Murray has died at the age of 30, the PGA TOUR announced on Saturday."We were devastated to learn – and are heartbroken to share – that PGA TOUR player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said. “The PGA TOUR is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones."3 killed in apparent murder-su
  
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• At least 5 dead in Texas after severe weather sweeps across Texas and Oklahoma, authorities say

  26-05-2024 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A Texas sheriff says at least five people are dead after powerful storms tore through a rural community, obliterating homes and leaving thousands of people without power Sunday.Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington told The Associated Press that the victims included three family members who were found in one home near Valley View, a rural community near the border with Oklahoma.The destructive storms began Saturday night. Officials said a tornado north of Dallas overturn
  
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• Robert Rodriguez receives star at Paramount Theatre

  26-05-2024 13:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas filmmaker Robert Rodriguez was honored in Austin on Saturday.Rodriguez got a star on the Avenue of Paramount Stars out in front of the historic Paramount Theatre.It was part of the weekend kicking off the 50th year of the theater's summer film series.
  Texas filmmaker Robert Rodriguez was honored in Austin on Saturday, May 25 (Kevin Baskar/KXAN News)Texas filmmaker Robert Rodriguez was honored in Austin on Saturday, May 25 (Kevin Baskar/KXAN News)The director of "Desperado,
  
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• APD SWAT deployed in southeast Austin

  26-05-2024 05:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department SWAT team was deployed in southeast Austin Saturday night, the agency said on social media.Around 10:33 p.m., the agency said APD SWAT responded to a call in the 5300 block of Woodland Oaks Ct., near East Stassney Lane.APD did not say what led to the SWAT callout, but said it will hold a media briefing to provide more details.
  
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• Three people taken to hospitals after crash in south Austin traps car

  26-05-2024 05:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Fire and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a vehicle crash in south Austin Saturday night, according to both agencies.Shortly before 9:30 p.m., AFD said on social media that crews were at the scene of an accident involving a transport truck and a sedan. The accident was in the 400 block of East Oltorf Street, near its intersection with South Congress Avenue.
  The sedan was trapped under a transport truck, according to AFD. Firefighters extricated at least three people
  
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• Travis County Sheriff's Office says intense heat boosts lake danger

  26-05-2024 03:38 via kxan.com
  
  LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) — With the unofficial start of summer taking place this weekend, the Travis County Sheriff's Office is reminding lake visitors to take extra precautions amid the intense heat.Kristen Dark, TCSO senior public information officer, said heat exhaustion can make common lake hazards more dangerous as lake goers could become fatigued more quickly than expected."It could be anything from a medical emergency, it could be a freak wave that comes up, it could be someone who
  
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• Local salon wins $100K in Austin FC 'Dream Starter' competition

  26-05-2024 01:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, Q2 and Austin FC announced the winner of a local business that won the 2024 Dream Starter Competition, according to a release from Austin FC.The 29Eleven the Salon, located in Round Rock, will receive $100,000 in funding, the release said.The salon provides education and hair care services, which addresses the unique needs of curly and highly textured hair.“It is an honor to be selected as the 2024 Dream Starter Competition winner. This is an amazing opportunity
  
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• State of Texas: 'My worst nightmare,' Austin hospital crash highlights need for safety barriers

  26-05-2024 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Nadia and Levi Bernard stared at the swirl of colorful fish with their toddlers, Sunny and Rio. A large glass aquarium near the emergency room waiting area caught the attention of the boys, who wanted a closer look.
  Nadia was tired but glad to have her family there for support. She had just undergone a CT scan. Soon, she would find out what was causing the sudden and persistent pain to her left side. There are too many sick people here, she thought, happy to move to a quieter
  
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• Austin City Council members propose resolution for flood insurance

  26-05-2024 00:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Residents in Central Texas have more than likely experienced flooding. However, insuring one's home and protecting property can be costly. That's why Austin City Council members have drawn up a resolution aimed at alleviating some of the difficulties when it comes to that.This resolution would direct the City Manager to look into strategies to reduce the "cost burden" of flood insurance for residents, according to the online agenda. Furthermore, it would also promote more engage
  
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• Federal jury convicts Fredericksburg doctor of $70M in fraudulent Medicare claims

  25-05-2024 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A federal jury convicted a Fredericksburg doctor Friday related to more than $70 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare.According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), 61-year-old David M. Young, M.D., was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of false statements relating to health care matters. Records show he faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.The DOJ said Young submitted medically unnecessary claims for orthotic
  
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• Where you'll pay the most for gas this Memorial Day weekend

  25-05-2024 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Memorial Day weekend is here, which means you may be hitting the roads (or maybe the lake) before embarking on your long weekend.
  Regardless of where you're going (AAA expects 38.4 million drivers to hit the roads this weekend), a stop at the gas station is likely in your future. You could find yourself paying a hefty price at the pump, depending on where you're traveling.
  Since May 16, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has declined across most states. The nati
  
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• George Floyd Justice in Policing Act reintroduced to Congress

  25-05-2024 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) reintroduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act on Thursday, a bill that would create federal police reform. Speaking to a crowd that included family members of those affected by police violence, Jackson Lee called the legislation “critical.”“Far too many lives have been lost or forever changed due to unacceptable incidents of police brutality throughout our nation,” Jackson Lee said. “We cannot allow a
  
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• Want to dodge Memorial Day crowds? You may want to avoid these destinations

  25-05-2024 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – If you're considering a last-minute getaway during the Memorial Day weekend to relax away from crowds, there are a few cities you may want to leave for another trip.This holiday weekend AAA expects some 43.8 million people to travel at least 50 miles away from home, a number that would be second only to 2005's record 44 million who hit the roads, open ocean, rails and skies.Travel booking site Skyscanner says short-duration trips were the largest segment, with 42% of trips last
  
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• Where is America's best pizza? Lawmakers slice into an old debate

  25-05-2024 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - One of the country’s most contentious debates made its way up to Capitol Hill on Wednesday: What’s the pizza capital of the U.S.?The answer depends on who you ask.Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D) stirred up the conversation when she held an event on the House steps to declare New Haven, Conn., the best spot for a slice. The Congresswoman handed out boxes of the famed Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria, a pride and joy of New Haven since 1925, before delivering remarks on the H
  
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• Early McDonald's menu shows incredibly cheap prices. Have they kept up with inflation?

  25-05-2024 20:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – When McDonald's first started flinging patties back in the 1940s, you could feed a family for under $1. But you could do a lot with a dollar back then. Amid complaints that McDonald's has grown too expensive, we calculated what the prices on early McDonald's menus from 70 years ago would be today, adjusted for inflation.
  For starters, your options were more limited back in the day. One menu, which McDonald's told Nexstar dates back to the mid-to-late 1950s, shows only nine
  
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• Austin steakhouse ranked among 101 best in the world

  25-05-2024 18:28 via kxan.com
  
  (KDVR/NEXSTAR) — If you're looking for the best place on Earth to find a delicious t-bone steak or a juicy filet mignon, you may not have to travel as far as you think.World's Best Steaks released a list of the top 101 best steaks based on the meat quality, selection and other restaurant-related aspects.From each continent, steak ambassadors - that's right, people who try out steaks - decide on the final list. After testing out the taste, terroir, character, marbling, cut and preparat
  
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• Nearly 1.9 million cases of water impacted by FDA recall

  25-05-2024 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says a bottled water producer is recalling thousands of cases shipped nationwide due to multiple issues.
  On May 23, the FDA announced that Natural Waters of Viti Limited is voluntarily recalling more than 78,000 cases of "Fiji Natural Artesian Water" due to manganese and three bacterial genera. The water was sent to the state of Washington before distribution nationally to customers through online retailers like Amazon.com, according to a co
  
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• Nearly 1.9 million bottles of water impacted by FDA recall

  25-05-2024 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says a bottled water producer is recalling thousands of cases shipped nationwide due to multiple issues.
  On May 23, the FDA announced that Natural Waters of Viti Limited is voluntarily recalling more than 78,000 cases of "Fiji Natural Artesian Water" due to manganese and three bacterial genera. The water was sent to the state of Washington before distribution nationally to customers through online retailers like Amazon.com, according to a co
  
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• Friday's preholiday travel breaks the record for the most airline travelers screened at US airports

  25-05-2024 18:19 via kxan.com
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — A record was broken ahead of the Memorial Day weekend for the number of airline travelers screened at U.S. airports, the Transportation Security Administration said Saturday.More than 2.9 million travelers were screened at U.S. airports on Friday, surpassing a previous record set last year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, according to the transportation security agency. “Officers have set a new record for most travelers screened in a single day!” the TSA tweeted
  
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• Why is the sparkle emoji often used to represent AI? ✨

  25-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Have you noticed this? As more and more technology companies roll out their own AI products and services, there's one thing that's been pretty common among many of the competitors: they all use the sparkle emoji in relation to the use of artificial intelligence.
  But why? These are the 10 worst U.S. cities for bed bugs, says new rankingCurrently, you can see a sparkle emoji beside "AI Overview" Google suggestions, which appear at the top of results whenever you perform a google
  
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• Nude beaches: Texas has 2 of the U.S.' best, new report says

  25-05-2024 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Did you know there's not just one but many Texas nudist beaches? While rules and vibes will vary, the Lone Star State has several options for those wanting to feel "free" by the water.Travel site Hotels.com recently released its 12 Best Nudist Beaches in the U.S., and two spots right here in Texas made the cut. This Texas city is the 3rd worst for bed bug infestations in the U.S.While the Haulover Beach Park in Miami Beach, Florida, claimed the title of "best" overall — w
  
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• ATCEMS medics celebrated during annual awards ceremony

  25-05-2024 15:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS closed out National EMS Week by celebrating medics during its annual awards ceremony at Austin City Hall on Friday.EMS personnel were recognized for their accomplishments over the last year, and dozens of awards were presented to those who ATCEMS said went above and beyond the call of duty."24 hours a day, 365, long shifts. They do it in cold weather. They do it in hot weather. They do it in rainy weather. They are just phenomenal at what they do,"
  
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• You can get paid $2,500 to watch upcoming summer movies at the theater

  25-05-2024 15:29 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) — As the weather gets warmer, one company wants to pay a lucky moviegoer $2,500 to cool off and go to the movies.  CableTV.com is hiring a "chief of cinema" to watch five upcoming summer movie releases at their local movie theater. "Did you know that only 7% of Americans prefer watching movies at a theater? Why, though? How do the comfort of home, cheaper snacks, and a pause button for pee breaks beat escaping into a well-told story that plays out on a toweri
  
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• Tech workers quit jobs to run Cybertruck-powered coffee shop 

  25-05-2024 15:27 via kxan.com
  
  (KRON) - When a Tesla Cybertruck is spotted on the road, people will stop and take a look at the controversial vehicle. The pickup truck — whatever your feelings of it — will usually turn heads.Now, imagine seeing coffee being served out of a Cybertruck.That's what you'll see every Sunday at the Cupertino Farmers' Market in California, where husband and wife Ming Wood and Mabel Yeung set up their business Moonwake Coffee Roasters. The espresso machines, water heating and a variety of
  
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• Sweltering heat this weekend, some rain ahead

  25-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Heat Advisory will be in effect from 1 to 7 p.m. for eight counties in Central Texas. The advisory is for maximum heat index readings this afternoon as high as 108° to 112° ... with the potential of higher numbers in Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, and Lee Counties.Tornado WatchA tornado watch is in effect for the northern Hill Country counties of Lampasas and San Saba until 9 p.m. tonight.Heat index readings this afternoon could get as high as 112° and higherA He
  
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• Sweltering 90s this holiday weekend

  25-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Heat Advisory will be in effect from 1 to 7 p.m. for eight counties in Central Texas. The advisory is for maximum heat index readings this afternoon as high as 108° to 112° ... with the potential of higher numbers in Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, and Lee Counties.Heat index readings this afternoon could get as high as 112° and higherYesterday's maximum heat index readings topped out at 116° at La Grange. Other high numbers Saturday afternoon:
  111°Austin-
  
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• Nearing triple digits today

  25-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Heat Advisory will be in effect from 1 to 7 p.m. for six counties in Central Texas.Some heat index readings in Fayette and Lee Cos. will top 112°Yesterday's maximum heat index readings topped out at 116° at La Grange. Other high values:
  111°Austin-Bergstrom and San Marcos
  108°Cameron and Taylor
  107°Camp Mabry
  104°LlanoTriple-digit heat index readings today for most areasSummer outlook: Will Central Texas lakes fill with rain?Summer outlook: How a f
  
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• Excessive Heat Warning for six counties

  25-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —
  Dangerous heat will continue to build across Central Texas through the remainder of the holiday weekend. Afternoon heat index values could be as high as 115! Be sure to drink plenty of water, take breaks and never leave kids or pets in a parked vehicle! We may begin to see some slightly cooler temperatures and some chances for rain beginning on Monday, and those chances may continue into next weekend. Summer outlook: Will Central Texas lakes fill with rain?Summer outlook: H
  
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• Early-morning severe weather

  25-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for San Saba County until 6 a.m. Sunday. Thunderstorm over McCulloch County is moving east 50 mph.Dangerous heat will continue to build across Central Texas through the remainder of the holiday weekend. Afternoon heat index values could be as high as 115! Be sure to drink plenty of water, take breaks and never leave kids or pets in a parked vehicle! We may begin to see some slightly cooler temperatures and some chances for rain beg
  
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