Austin news

• Three men hospitalized after minivan fire

  16-12-2019 11:40 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three men were badly hurt after the minivan they were in caught fire early Monday morning near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.According to Austin-Travis County EMS, first responders took all three men to the hospital. Two have potentially life-threatening injuries. The third has potentially serious injuries.The fire happened just before 2 a.m. on Cardinal Loop just north of Highway 71.Police did not have information about what caused the fire and could not say wheth
  
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• LIST: Central Texas school delays and closures amid wintry weather

  08-01-2025 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — School districts in Central Texas have adjusted schedules on Thursday, Jan. 9 due to wintry weather.Use our interactive map and list below to see if your school is affected.
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• Hays County moves toward jail-based competency restoration program

  08-01-2025 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Hays County Commissioners Court began the process of approving a jail-based competency restoration (JBCR) program Tuesday, according to a statement from the county.The program is expected to “provide therapy and treatment to help incompetent defendants understand the judicial system to assist their attorneys effectively in their own defense.”Defendants deemed incompetent typically remain in the county's jail until Texas’ mental hospitals can accommodat
  
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• US Fish & Wildlife recommends golden-cheeked warbler lose endangered status

  08-01-2025 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its report on the Golden-Cheeked Warbler's conservation status Monday, where it recommends that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior downgrade the bird species from endangered to threatened.The service said in a Tuesday press release that its review used "the best available scientific and commercial data" as well as "contributions from scientific experts, including an independent peer and technical review by federal, state, and loca
  
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• Traffic has gotten way worse in these US cities, report finds

  08-01-2025 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – You're not imagining it. Traffic congestion worsened last year in just about every American city studied by navigation and GPS company TomTom.Residents of 90 large and mid-sized cities, from Tampa, Florida, to Portland, Oregon, were stuck in traffic more often and for longer in 2024 than they were the year prior.
  Things grew terribly worse in Providence, Rhode Island, last year, with a massive 54% more time spent in traffic than in 2023. The sudden closure of the Washington Bri
  
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• What kind of masks protect from wildfire smoke?

  08-01-2025 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — With nearly 3000 acres burning in Califonia, health experts say N95 respirator masks offer the best protection against harmful wildfire smoke, provided they are worn correctly and fit properly.The masks, readily available at hardware stores and pharmacies, can filter out fine particles found in smoke that can irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs, according to public health officials.However, they do not protect against hazardous gases sometimes present in smoke.Health offic
  
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• Wildfires burn out of control across Los Angeles area and kill 2 as thousands flee homes

  08-01-2025 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Massive wildfires roaring through the Los Angeles area left neighborhoods in ruins Wednesday, killing at least two people and threatening landmarks made famous by Hollywood as desperate residents escaped through flames, hurricane-force winds and towering columns of smoke.
  Three major blazes that erupted just a day earlier blanketed the city with a dangerous, thick cloud of smoke and ash and destroyed homes across the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pa
  
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• HUD Secretary tours Rosewood Courts redevelopment project

  08-01-2025 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development's acting secretary, Adrianne Todman, visited the build site of an Austin affordable housing project Wednesday morning.The Prospect Heights project is a redevelopment of the former Rosewood Courts, one of the nation's oldest public housing sites. The development is under the direction of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin and the Austin Habitat for Humanity.(KXAN Photo/Cora Neas)Todman's remarks honored the legacy of form
  
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• Travis County, Austin leaders share emergency plans ahead of potential wintry weather

  08-01-2025 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austin braces for wintry weather to potentially hit on Thursday, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Travis County Judge Andy Brown, and other city and county officials on Wednesday discussed updates to city and county cold weather preparations.The KXAN First Warning Weather Team anticipates Thursday morning will see the arrival of scattered storms along with freezing rain and sleet showers in the Hill County. Temperatures throughout Thursday will be in the 30s.Thursday storm bringing
  
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• Travis County, Austin leaders give tips on preparations ahead of winter storm

  08-01-2025 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austin braces for a winter storm expected to hit on Thursday, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Travis County Judge Andy Brown, and other city and county officials on Wednesday discussed updates to city and county cold weather preparations.The KXAN First Warning Weather Team anticipates Thursday morning will see the arrival of scattered storms along with freezing rain and sleet showers in the Hill County. Temperatures throughout Thursday will be in the 30s.Thursday storm bringing soa
  
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• City of Austin to provide update on cold weather preparations ahead of winter storm

  08-01-2025 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austin braces for a winter storm expected to hit on Thursday, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Travis County Judge Andy Brown, and other city and county officials will hold a 1 p.m. press conference on Wednesday at the City Hall Atrium.The press conference will focus on updating the community on city and county operations regarding the winter storm, according to the release. Thursday storm bringing soaking rain and limited icing The KXAN First Warning Weather Team anticipates Thursd
  
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• REPORT: Austin tops US in housing affordability gains

  08-01-2025 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin saw the most improvements in housing affordability last year among the country's largest metros, according to a new analysis released by Redfin on Monday.The median income in Austin in 2024 was $103,717, according to Redfin's report. Under that income level, homeowners would have to spend 39.6% of their salary on monthly housing costs for a median-priced home — down from 42.8% in 2023. Compared to the U.S.' Top 50 metros, Austin had the largest affordability im
  
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• Thousands flee as wildfires burn out of control and destroy homes across the Los Angeles area

  08-01-2025 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Multiple massive wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force early Wednesday, destroying more than 1,000 structures and killing at least two people as desperate residents escaped through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.
  At least four separate blazes were burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los
  
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• Want to buy a Texas Lottery ticket from a vending machine? You now have to scan your ID

  08-01-2025 17:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texans hoping to play the lottery without talking to a cashier will need to expect to add another step to their process at self-serve vending machines.People using Texas Lottery self-service vending machines now need to scan their government-issued photo ID before purchasing games or redeeming prizes to prove they are at least 18, which is the state age requirement to participate in the Texas Lottery.
  The Texas Lottery Commission implemented the age verification o
  
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• Plea deal being discussed in Nate Paul federal fraud case

  08-01-2025 16:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Both sides are apparently considering a plea agreement in the federal criminal case of real estate developer Nate Paul, who faces a dozen counts of bank and wire fraud, according to discussions in the courtroom Wednesday morning.The idea of a plea deal popped up after both sides made arguments on the defense’s motion to dismiss the charges. Neither Paul’s defense team nor U.S. attorneys have spoken openly of a possible plea agreement in the case.Following a disc
  
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• Nate Paul seeks to dismiss federal fraud charges in court

  08-01-2025 16:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Real estate developer Nate Paul’s defense will argue two motions Wednesday in federal court that could have a major impact on his bank and wire fraud case – one motion to dismiss the dozen counts against him and another to split the counts into two separate cases, according to court filings.Paul, 37, was initially charged in June 2023 with eight counts of bank fraud alleging he made false statements to lending institutions to obtain $172 million in loans. Federa
  
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• Kristen's Classroom: Wintry mix and donuts

  08-01-2025 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Some winter storms seem to throw the kitchen sink at us when it comes to precipitation type - rain, snow, freezing, sleet, etc. Rain and snow are easily understood but what about the others?Kristen's ClassroomFreezing rainPrecipitation type largely depends of the vertical temperature profile of the atmosphere. Freezing rain hinges on the presence of below freezing temperatures near the surface. If a raindrop falls from the cloud and encounters this layer of freezing air, it will
  
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• Six of America's top 10 hottest zip codes for real estate are in Texas

  08-01-2025 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Six of the nation's 10 hottest zip codes in 2024 are in Texas, according to real estate side Opendoor.The site ranked the hottest zip codes nationwide by looking at the number of homes that went into contract within 90 days of listing last year.In 2024, 77493 and 77433, both in the Houston area, topped the list for areas where people bought homes the fastest. In 2023, the two zip codes were flipped, with 77433 on top. Austin’s housing market: How quickly are homes sel
  
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• Water-dropping aircraft return as deadly, out-of-control wildfires burn in Los Angeles area

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Two people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday. Crews may soon receive reprieve as water-dropping aircraft have been able to return to the skies.Three major fires — the Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, and the Hurst Fire — continue to burn from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. Thous
  
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• Pacific Palisades fire now most destructive in Los Angeles history as out-of-control wildfires continue to burn

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Two people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday.
  Three major fires — the Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, and the Hurst Fire — continue to burn from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. Combined, the fires have consumed about 22 square miles — about half the size of the entire city
  
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• Out-of-control wildfires continue to burn in Los Angeles area, one becomes most destructive in city's history

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Two people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday.
  Three major fires — the Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, and the Hurst Fire — continue to burn from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. The Palisades Fire has now been declared the most destructive in Los Angeles history.Thousands of fire
  
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• LIVE: Thousands flee out of control wildfires in and around Los Angeles

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force Wednesday after setting off a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.The flames from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the inland foothills northeast of LA spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living center had to push dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a
  
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• LIVE: Thousands flee deadly out of control wildfires in and around Los Angeles

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Two people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday.
  The fires, which started Tuesday, have continued growing with devastating force early Wednesday as residents made a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blaze
  
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• LIVE: Biden, Newsom receive update on out-of-control Los Angeles wildfires

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Two people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday.
  The fires, which started Tuesday, have continued growing with devastating force early Wednesday as residents made a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds, and towering clouds of smoke.Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blaz
  
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• LIVE: Authorities provide update as wildfires tear through LA area

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) —Multiple massive wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force early Wednesday as residents made a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. The Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters t
  
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• LIVE: Authorities provide update as deadly wildfires tear through LA area

  08-01-2025 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Two people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday.
  The fires, which started Tuesday, have continued growing with devastating force early Wednesday as residents made a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blaze
  
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• Widespread cold rain, some wintry mix Thursday

  08-01-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An impactful storm continues to near the region with showers moving in as early as overnight. Winter weather preps discussed at public safety meetingTodayToday will favor mainly cloudy skies and mostly dry conditions, the exception being a few flurries or sprinkles that will not cause any issues. Temperatures will stay chilly all day with this morning's 30s only warming to the low to mid-40s this afternoon. This evening remains cloudy, but mainly dry until after midnight.Thursda
  
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• Cold rain and icy mix prompts Winter Weather Advisory

  08-01-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cloudy and dry weather will continue this evening as we're tracking gradually increasing precipitation chances arriving a few hours after midnight.While most of the precipitation will fall to the ground as a cold rain, parts of the area, especially the Hill Country, will be at risk for freezing rain.
  While sleet and snow may mix in briefly, the dominating precipitation type will be of the rain variety.A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Hill Country from 6 AM Thurs
  
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• Cloudy, cold, wintry weather expected tomorrow

  08-01-2025 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cloud cover and a cool northern breeze will keep high temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s, with wind chill values around or slightly above freezing. Cloud cover will persist overnight, and wintry precipitation is expected to arrive late tonight into tomorrow morning.There are no major changes to the forecast: south and east of Austin will likely experience cold rain, while portions of the Hill Country may see a wintry mix or ice tomorrow morning and again in the evening. Hi
  
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• Round Rock police investigating officer involved shooting Tuesday night

  08-01-2025 06:24 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Police Department said police were actively investigating an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night at southbound I-35 near Westinghouse Road.
  RRPD said southbound I-35 at Westinghouse Road was shut down just before 11:00 p.m. Tuesday. The public is asked to avoid the area and to seek an alternate route.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN.com for updates.
  
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