Austin news

• UT engineers develop 'self-watering soil' to help farmers in dry regions

  25-11-2020 14:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a self-watering soil that they're hoping could transform the ag industry by letting farmers grow crops with less water.
  The team developed a way to pull water from the air and distribute it to plants using certain materials inserted into the soil, Professor Guihua Yu explained."We use these SMAG—super moisture absorbing gels, for harvesting the water from the ambient air," Yu said."They actually are absorb
  
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• Officials investigating airplane crash at Spicewood Airport

  23-04-2024 04:14 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) -- Officials are investigating an airplane crash that happened in Spicewood on Monday, Spicewood Fire Rescue said on social media.Officials responded to the crash shortly before 7 p.m. at the Spicewood Airport, SFR said.
  About an hour later, the fire department said it was clearing the scene. However, law enforcement remains.It was not immediately clear if there were any injuries in the crash. KXAN is working to get more information.
  This is a developing story. Check back
  
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• 1 dead after airplane crash at Spicewood Airport

  23-04-2024 04:14 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) -- One person is dead after an airplane crash at the Spicewood Airport in Burnet County, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed in a statement to KXAN Monday.Around 6:30 p.m. the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to a "single engine plane crash," which is located near 100 Piper Lane.It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, which remained under investigation Monday.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead the investigation, DPS said
  
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• APD: 1 dead, 1 seriously injured in northwest Austin shooting

  23-04-2024 03:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead, and another was seriously injured, after a shooting at a northwest Austin apartment complex.
  The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide that happened in northwest Austin Monday | Jordan Belt/KXAN NewsAround 5:58 p.m., officers responded to the 11100 block of Research Boulevard for a shoot/stab hotshot call, APD Public Information Officer Wesley Belcher said during a media briefing. That's near Braker Lane.Wesley said the first response from offi
  
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• 'Take back the neighborhood': 6 areas in Austin, including Lost Creek, could vote to ditch the city

  23-04-2024 02:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a neighborhood Leslie Odom describes as "a piece of heaven." She's lived in Lost Creek in southwest Austin for 13 years.
  She and her neighbors are in one of six Austin territories that will get to vote this May on whether they want to stay in the City of Austin or disannex after the city wrangled them into city limits less than a decade ago.
  "If the City of Austin delivered on the services that they promised us, then guess what? They have nothing to worry about on this vote
  
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• Six chunks of Austin, including Lost Creek, could vote to leave city limits this May

  23-04-2024 02:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a neighborhood Leslie Odom describes as "a piece of heaven." She's lived in Lost Creek in southwest Austin for 13 years.
  She and her neighbors are in one of six Austin territories that will get to vote this May on whether they want to stay in the City of Austin or disannex after the city wrangled them into city limits less than a decade ago.
  "If the City of Austin delivered on the services that they promised us, then guess what? They have nothing to worry about on this vote
  
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• San Marcos police chief provides statement on deadly shooting involving officer

  23-04-2024 01:39 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The San Marcos Police Department police chief provided a statement on Monday in connection with a deadly shooting involving an officer from April 11.The incident resulted in the death of a 22-year-old man.Around 9:32 p.m., two men told police they were being followed by a man when they were walking in the area of East Hopkins and Cheatham Street in San Marcos. The men said “the man followed them from a convenience store on Cheatham Street.” Police ide
  
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• Former HGTV star gets jail time for real estate fraud

  23-04-2024 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  (KRON) -- Charles "Todd" Hill, who starred on the HGTV show "Flip It to Win It," was sentenced to jail in California for committing real estate and financial fraud against 11 victims, prosecutors said."The show’s concept was that he bought dilapidated homes, fixed them up, and then sold them for a profit. Instead, Hill spent millions on overbudget remodels, laundered profits, and pocketed millions in fraudulently obtained money," the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office wrote.Last
  
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• For the first time, a Disney World restaurant has earned a Michelin star

  23-04-2024 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA/NEXSTAR) — The Michelin Guide has awarded its first-ever star to a restaurant on a Disney property, bestowing the honor upon an upscale eatery in Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort.Victoria & Albert’s, a contemporary American restaurant, was one of nine newly starred restaurants announced at a Michelin Guide ceremony in Tampa last week.The organization gave the eatery high marks for atmosphere, service and food. Diners tip more when this little detail is ad
  
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• Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson pledged $10M for Maui wildfire survivors. They gave much more.

  23-04-2024 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: Video above aired on Sept. 1, 2023.(AP) – Lana Vierra misses the swing set at her Lahaina home, which was reduced to ashes in the wildfires that swept through her community last summer.“Multiple generations went through there playing in my front yard," she said. "Just with the animals and the turtles and the deer and goats that we once had in that little tiny yard.”A grandmother of four and a mother of five, Vierra had lived in the home on a corner lot
  
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• Tyrese Hunter transfers to Memphis, will play for 3rd team in 4 seasons

  23-04-2024 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Texas guard Tyrese Hunter will play for head coach Penny Hardaway next season.Hunter announced on social media Monday that he'll transfer to Memphis and suit up for the Tigers who went 22-10 last season with an 11-7 mark in the American Athletic Conference. Hardaway and the Tigers missed the NCAA tournament this season but went in 2022 and 2023 and won the National Invitational Tournament in 2021.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and
  
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• AUS airport expanding, breaks ground on latest project

  23-04-2024 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Traveling through Austin's airport is expected to get easier.Construction officially began Monday to expand one of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport checkpoints and add a new outbound baggage handling system. How many passengers have flown through Austin-Bergstrom this year?"Our staff are very excited about this," U.S Deputy Chief of Communications and Marketing Sam Haynes said.The West Infill and TSA 3 Checkpoint Expansion project will add approximately 75,000 squ
  
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• Congressman's office vandalized with red paint; Georgetown police investigating

  23-04-2024 00:10 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — The Georgetown Police Department is investigating vandalism at Congressman John Carter's, R-Round Rock, office in Williamson County.Police said they were called to the building on Interstate 35 around 8:45 a.m. Monday for a reported possible burglary of a building and vandalism of the front door.A photo shows what appears to be red paint on the door, building and sidewalk, police said. The phrase "Free Gaza" was spray-painted on the sidewalk in red paint.A repres
  
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• Savion Red, junior Texas running back, to enter transfer portal

  23-04-2024 00:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a position change and situational usage in the backfield last season, Texas' Savion Red intends on transferring.A&P Sports Agency, who represents Red for his Name, Image and Likeness deals, confirmed national media reports that he will leave the Longhorns. Red rushed for 131 yards on 30 carries with a touchdown last season, mostly in fourth-and-short and goal line situations out of a single-wing "wildcat" formation. Red came to Texas during his freshman season in
  
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• How does the NFL quickly personalize draftees' new jerseys?

  22-04-2024 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (AP) — Employees of the company tasked each year with rapidly personalizing jerseys for each first-round NFL draft pick as they are announced don’t need to travel very far for this year’s player selections in Detroit.STAHLS’ headquarters in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, sits 17 miles (27 kilometers) from the stage where NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will inform players — and the world — that they have been selected by
  
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• 'Sip Safely' pilot gives Austin bars drink-spiking test strips

  22-04-2024 23:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Fifty bars have joined a new city pilot program aimed at keeping safe while going out in Austin's entertainment districts.The campaign is called "Sip Safely".
  The $100,000 pilot program funds alcohol test strips that would allow patrons to see if their drinks got spiked, as well as drink covers fliers. Participating bars can hang fliers letting customers know the test strips are available."Drink spiking often precedes other types of crime," said Brian Block, the manager for the
  
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• LIVE Horns Report: What the Orange-White game tells us about Longhorns football, UT baseball's series win over TCU

  22-04-2024 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Arch Manning threw for more than 350 yards with three touchdowns in a dazzling display during the Orange-White spring football game Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, but he wasn't the only young quarterback to show out.Freshman Trey Owens led a game-winning drive for the Orange team, ending on a short touchdown pass to fellow freshman Ryan Wingo with 0:31 remaining to give his team a 35-34 victory over the White squad. Owens also threw for three touchdowns, two of whi
  
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• Horns Report: What the Orange-White game tells us about Longhorns football, UT baseball's series win over TCU

  22-04-2024 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Arch Manning threw for more than 350 yards with three touchdowns in a dazzling display during the Orange-White spring football game Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, but he wasn't the only young quarterback to show out.Freshman Trey Owens led a game-winning drive for the Orange team, ending on a short touchdown pass to fellow freshman Ryan Wingo with 0:31 remaining to give his team a 35-34 victory over the White squad. Owens also threw for three touchdowns, two of whi
  
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• New Texas report predicts extreme weather, drought conditions to worsen

  22-04-2024 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new study released Monday by the Office of the Texas State Climatologist and public policy think tank Texas 2036 pointed to an anticipated bump in 100-degree days in Texas and worsening drought conditions in the future.The study marked the latest edition of "Future Trends of Extreme Weather in Texas," an ongoing analysis of the changing environmental landscape in the Lone Star State. The newest findings also follow a record-breaking volume of wildfires statewide last year
  
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• Law enforcement responding to report of suspicious package in north Austin

  22-04-2024 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department and Travis County Sheriff's are responding to a report of a suspicious package in north Austin.Around 2:40 p.m., APD said on social media it was assisting TCSO for the suspicious package report at 2015 Cedar Bend Drive.People should avoid the area for their safety, APD said. Closures are possible in the area nearby.Drivers should expect delays and seek alternate routes. No other details are available at this time.
  
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• APD Bomb Squad responding to report of suspicious package in north Austin

  22-04-2024 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department and Travis County Sheriff's are responding to a report of a suspicious package in north Austin.Around 2:40 p.m., APD said on social media it was assisting TCSO for the suspicious package report at 2015 Cedar Bend Drive.People should avoid the area for their safety, APD said. Closures are possible in the area nearby.Drivers should expect delays and seek alternate routes. No other details are available at this time.
  
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• All-clear given after suspicious package reported in north Austin

  22-04-2024 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An all-clear was given by the Austin Police Department Bomb Squad after a suspicious package was reported at a residence in north Austin on Monday.Around 11:30 a.m., Travis County Sheriff's Office deputies were assigned to serve an eviction notice at a residence in the 2000 block of Cedar Bend Drive, Lieutenant Michael De Leon with the Travis County Constable's Office said during a media briefing.Travis County Constable vehicle The Austin Police Bomb Squad assisted with the
  
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• Dripping Springs ISD tables student policy changes related to gender identity, sexual orientation

  22-04-2024 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — The Dripping Springs Independent School District has postponed its discussion on proposed policy updates that considered removing "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" from the district's anti-discrimination and harassment language, the district confirmed Monday.The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees reviewed on first reading April 15 proposed revisions to several local policies, including those pertaining to students, employees and the district's
  
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• 2nd person dies after crash of stolen 18-wheeler into DPS building

  22-04-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  BRENHAM, Texas (KXAN) -- A second person died after a crash earlier this month when a stolen 18-wheeler wrecked into a Texas Department of Public Safety building.
  The DPS Southeast Texas Region posted on its social media on Monday that Cheryl Turner, 63, of Brenham died as a result of the incident.1 dead after stolen 18-wheeler crashes into Texas DPS building, several others injuredThe incident happened Friday, April 12 when 42-year-old Clenard Parker crashed a stolen 18-wheeler into a DPS offic
  
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• All the Texas references in Taylor Swift's new album

  22-04-2024 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Millions of Taylor Swift fans spent the weekend listening to her new album "The Tortured Poets Department," unpacking hidden messages and decoding lyrics in the pop star's 11th studio album.
  The 14-time Grammy winner is no stranger to breaking records, but managed to outdo herself again with the release of her 31-track double-album, "TTPD: The Anthology."Swift dropped the surprise double album on Friday at 1 a.m. CT after releasing the expected first one at 11
  
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• 'Cooked to death': Civil rights advocates sue TDCJ over heat

  22-04-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, April 22, 2024.AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A coalition of advocates and attorneys are suing the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, accusing the nation's largest prison system of exposing more than 85,000 prisoners to "tortuous heat conditions."The lawsuit asks the U.S. District Court in Travis County to find the conditions inside uncooled TDCJ prisons unconstitutional and mandate air conditioning to keep temperatures a
  
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• White House announces new national nursing home staffing minimums

  22-04-2024 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Vice President Kamala Harris announced an unprecedented rule requiring minimum staffing standards in nursing homes nationwide has been finalized, according to the White House.
  In a news release on Monday, the White House said this rule will deliver on a promise from President Joe Biden's 2022 State of the Union "to crack down on nursing homes that endanger resident safety."The finalized staffing standards appear to mirror the 2023 proposal from the U.S. Department of Health and
  
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• Person who filed petition to remove Travis County DA steps forward

  22-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, April 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The person who filed the petition to remove Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza is stepping forward.
  In a statement sent to KXAN, Mary Dupuis, who said she goes by Betsy, said her goal with this petition was to initiate an investigation into Garza's office.Petition to remove Travis County DA José Garza accepted, judge appoints prosecutorIn the statement, Dupuis sa
  
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• Austin nonprofit helping people build confidence through music after escaping homelessness

  22-04-2024 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A program in Austin says the therapeutic and community-building benefits of playing music are helping people who've transitioned out of homelessness.
  Home Street Music holds regular jams at the Community First Village, a 51-acre neighborhood for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.
  The non-profit was first founded in 2017 and has worked with hundreds of people in the time since.
  Founder Vanessa Lively said she drew inspiration from a program called Art From the Stre
  
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• Election workers fear threats to their safety this November. One group is trying to help

  22-04-2024 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The group gathered inside the conference room, mostly women, fell silent as the audio recording began to play.The male voice, clearly agitated, railed against what he thought had been fraud that cost former President Donald Trump reelection four years ago.“You’re gonna pay for it,” said the man, filling his message with expletives and suggesting his target's throat be slashed with a knife. “We will … take you out. Your family, your
  
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