Austin news

Follow @Austin_News_US

• 5.2 magnitude earthquake shakes Southern California

  15-04-2025 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  (KSWB/KUSI) — A preliminary 5.2 magnitude earthquake shook Southern California at 10:08 a.m. Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.The quake's epicenter was around two miles south of the community of Julian, about 60 miles east of San Diego. The quake struck at a depth of about 8 miles, the USGS said, and was felt as far north as Los Angeles.A series of aftershocks shook the region in the hour after, with some stronger than magnitude 3.0.
  A San Diego County firefighter wh
  
  Read more

• City of Austin highlights falling greenhouse gases, increased park space in State of Our Environment Report

  22-04-2025 21:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin is celebrating Earth Day by highlighting the state of the city's environment in a new report released on Tuesday.It's all part of the city's efforts to meet the needs of a bustling community, without compromising Austin's natural spaces and environmental protections, according to a press release by the Watershed Protection Department.The 2024 State of Our Environment report shows that, despite the boom in population Austin has seen in recent years, the city's greenhouse g
  
  Read more

• New bills proposes added penalties to 'death star bill'

  22-04-2025 21:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Senate committee for business & commerce heard bills aiming to further strengthen the state's ability to enact local governments to comply with enforcing laws consistent with the state on Tuesday.Senate Bill 2858 and Senate Bill 3016 authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R – Conroe, builds off the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, HB 2127, which passed in the 88th Texas Legislature. That bill prohibited local governments from creating laws that conflict
  
  Read more

• How long will US flags fly at half-staff for Pope Francis?

  22-04-2025 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Noticed U.S. flags in your neighborhood are flying at half-staff? It comes after President Donald Trump ordered flags across the country to be lowered in honor of Pope Francis, who died Monday. He was 88.The Vatican said Monday that Francis' death was caused by a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure. He had recently spent 38 days at a hospital for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.
  His last public appearance was on Sunday with an East
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Gunmen kill at least 20 tourists at Kashmir resort, Indian police say

  22-04-2025 21:09 via kxan.com
  
  SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Gunmen shot dead at least 20 tourists at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday, in what appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared.Police described the incident as a “terror attack” and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule. “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” Omar Abdullah, the region&rsqu
  
  Read more

• America's most 'family-friendly' restaurant is in Texas: Yelp

  22-04-2025 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The school year is quickly coming to an end, and before long, Texas families will be sweating out the summer together — and that means sharing more breakfasts, lunches and dinners with the kids.Whether you're looking to stop for a bite during a family road trip or a Saturday outing, it's always good to know which restaurants are geared toward a meal with the kids — and Yelp just released its list of Top 100 Family-Friendly Restaurants of 2025 to get you on the right
  
  Read more

• Appellate court finds San Marcos voter-approved marijuana ordinance unlawul

  22-04-2025 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – An appellate court last Thursday issued an opinion siding with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, stating that San Marcos’ marijuana decriminalization ordinance violates state law. In 2022, over 80% of San Marcos voters approved a proposition that ended low-level marijuana enforcement in the city. In 2024, Paxton sued San Marcos and other cities, including Austin and Killeen, over marijuana decriminalization ordinances passed around the same time or sh
  
  Read more

• Prominent Black family's Austin home receives historic marker

  22-04-2025 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly 10 years after Dr. Sidney White Jr. and his wife, Helen White, both died, their home now has the honor of receiving a historic marker, which will be unveiled Tuesday.Dr. White, one of the few Black dentists of his time, died in 2002, according to his wife's godson, Lamont Alexander. Helen would go on to be laid to rest 13 years later.The couple is said to have made significant strides for racial equality and a wider impact on the community in Austin.
  Alexander and hi
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Parents, staff voice concern over potential for Lamar Middle to take on students facing Dobie closure

  22-04-2025 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A meeting at Lamar Middle School on Monday evening was packed with parents, students and staff voicing concern over a potential shake-up looming in the near future.Dobie Middle School is at risk of closure as the Austin Independent School District superintendent and Board of Trustees consider options on how to deal with poor student performance at the school, and Lamar Middle School could be directly impacted.AISD leaders said the entire district is at risk of being taken o
  
  Read more

• Oceans are in crisis this Earth Day; how scientists stay optimistic

  22-04-2025 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As people around the world celebrate Earth Day this year by planting trees and turning off a few lights, scientists look toward the oceans. According to the United Nations, the ocean has "taken the brunt of the impacts" of human-driven climate change.
  Things look pretty bleak. Rising sea temperatures could lead to half of marine species going extinct by the end of the century. UN estimates found that 60% of marine ecosystems have already degraded, while up to 90% of coral reefs
  
  Read more

• Cardinals set Pope Francis' funeral for Saturday morning, public viewing starts Wednesday

  22-04-2025 14:21 via kxan.com
  
  VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals have taken their first decisions following the death of Pope Francis, setting Saturday as the date for his funeral and allowing ordinary faithful to begin paying their final respects starting Wednesday, when his casket is brought into St. Peter's Basilica.The cardinals met for the first time Tuesday in the Vatican's synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis' successor, as condolences poured in from around the world grieving
  
  Read more

• Caldwell County Sheriff's Office investigating Easter Sunday shooting

  22-04-2025 14:11 via kxan.com
  
  DALE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is investigating a deadly shooting that happened in Dale on Easter.
  Deputies responded to a crash in the 6000 block of Taylorsville Road on Sunday, where a vehicle with three men inside had lost control and rolled over.Two of the occupants were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff's office.
  The third person died after first responders attempted life-saving measures.
  The sheriff's office
  
  Read more

• Data shows how far school choice funds will go with private special education programs in Texas

  22-04-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the $30,000 maximum amount students with disabilities can receive through an Education Savings Account under the current version of S.B. 2.
  Investigative Summary:As the Texas legislature finalizes a deal on school choice, private schools serving children with disabilities say they are wary of strings that might be attached to taking taxpayer dollars. Our investigative team analyzed data from across Central Texas and found even with help from
  
  Read more

• Data show school choice funds won't go far with private special education programs in Texas

  22-04-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:As the Texas legislature finalizes a deal on school choice, private schools serving children with disabilities say they are wary of strings that might be attached to taking taxpayer dollars. Our investigative team analyzed data from across Central Texas and found even with help from the state, private schools will still be out of reach for many low-income families without significant financial aid and scholarships.AUSTIN (KXAN) – At Rawson Saunders School, administra
  
  Read more

• Steven Snell sworn in as Williamson County judge

  22-04-2025 05:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Steven Snell was sworn in as the Williamson County judge Monday afternoon at the courthouse. He began his tenure on March 27.Before his new role, Snell served as the Liberty Hill Independent School District superintendent. He took over after former county judge Bill Gravell resigned in early March to take a job with President Donald Trump's administration. Meet Williamson County’s next top leader, Steven SnellDuring Snell's time as superintendent, the district grew by 126%
  
  Read more

• APD seeking public help finding 62-year-old man last seen in east Austin

  22-04-2025 04:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking public help to find a 62-year-old man who was last seen Friday in east Austin.According to APD, Ernest Amaro was last seen around 5 p.m. in the 6100 block of Perlita Drive. Police said detectives were worried for Amaro's "well-being due to health concerns," a news release from the agency said Monday.Amaro is described as a Hispanic man, with black and gray hair, a gray mustache and beard, brown eyes, 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 155 pounds,
  
  Read more

• Texas first baseman Kimble Schuessler named SEC co-player of the week

  22-04-2025 01:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas first baseman Kimble Schuessler had one heck of a week.The Llano native was named the Southeastern Conference co-player of the week after hitting .714 with three home runs and 10 RBIs to help the Longhorns beat UTRGV in a midweek game and sweep No. 8 Auburn in a 3-game series. Schuessler smashes two homers, No. 1 Texas run-rules, sweeps No. 8 AuburnJace LaViolette of Texas A&M was the other player honored alongside Schuessler. LaViolette hit four home runs and dro
  
  Read more

• Drug-induced accidental deaths falling in Travis County, officials say

  22-04-2025 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Drug-induced accidental deaths in Travis County are falling, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Travis County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Keith Pinckard said during a news conference Monday.The 2024 Travis County Medical Examiner report shows accidental drug-related deaths dropped by 22% in Travis County, which fell from 486 in 2023 to 380. Fentanyl deaths also saw a decline, dropping from 279 in 2023 to 179 in 2024. ATCEMS: Opioid deaths declining in Travis County for 1st time i
  
  Read more

• Pope Francis had a unique history with Texas. What will his successor do?

  22-04-2025 01:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," the late Pope Francis said in 2016 of then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump. At the time, Francis had just spoken in Juarez, Mexico -- right across the border from El Paso -- to advocate for migrants.His criticism of America's politicians wasn't one-sided.“Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or be it the one who kills babies
  
  Read more

• Student loans in default will be sent to debt collection, education officials say

  22-04-2025 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday.Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans.The Trump administration 's announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection
  
  Read more

• Stocks and the dollar tumble as investors retreat from the US

  22-04-2025 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street weakened Monday as investors worldwide get more skeptical about U.S. investments because of President Donald Trump’s trade war and his criticism of the Federal Reserve, which are shaking the traditional order.The S&P 500 sank 2.4% in another wipeout. That yanked the index that’s at the center of many 401(k) accounts 16% below its record set two months ago.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 971 points, or 2.5%, while loss
  
  Read more

• Mexico urges TV stations to stop running ‘discriminatory’ DHS ads

  22-04-2025 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The President of Mexico says she will ask her congress to change broadcast law so that foreign governments can’t buy television spots to influence affairs in her country.This follows backlash after television and online platforms ran a U.S. Department of Homeland Security ad warning migrants not to come.“If you are considering entering America illegally, don’t even think about it. If you come to our country and you break our laws, we will
  
  Read more

• Trump, first lady to attend Pope Francis funeral

  22-04-2025 00:43 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend Pope Francis’s funeral, following the death of 88-year-old pontiff on Monday morning.“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” Trump said on Truth Social.The president told reporters earlier on Monday that he was going to be briefed after the traditional White House Easter egg roll on whether he can attend the funeral. When asked if he&
  
  Read more

• Catholic Diocese of Austin bishop appointment delayed after Pope Francis' death

  22-04-2025 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Catholic Diocese of Austin does not have a bishop, and that search is now prolonged after the death of Pope Francis.Effective on March 25, former Bishop Joe Vasquez is now the archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Since the pope appoints new bishops to a diocese, that leaves the Diocese of Austin without one until further notice.Catholics at mass services in Austin on Monday expressed feeling the weight of the loss of the global leader, and what's happening locally. Catholic
  
  Read more

• Climate center for Texas is back online after funding 'lapse'

  22-04-2025 00:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The four regional climate centers that lost federal funding late last week are"in the process of going live again," Texas' state climatologist told KXAN's Nick Bannin on Monday.Funding for the Southern Regional Climate Center (SRCC) at Texas A&M, along with three other centers nationwide, stopped operations on Thursday, April 17, after funding "lapsed." Funding ‘lapse’ cuts Southern Regional Climate Center at Texas A&MThe climate center's website wa
  
  Read more

• Texas Lottery executive director resigns from position amid controversy

  22-04-2025 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Ryan Mindell, the executive director for the Texas Lottery Commission, resigned from his position on Monday, according to a statement from commission Chair Robert G. Rivera.Mindell started with the TLC in August 2016 as deputy general counsel. He stayed with the agency and eventually became the executive director following the retirement of Gary Grief -- who was accused of conspiring with lottery courier services, which allow people to buy lottery tickets over the phone and f
  
  Read more

• Texas Lottery executive director resigns amid controversy

  22-04-2025 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Ryan Mindell, the executive director for the Texas Lottery Commission, resigned from his position on Monday, according to a statement from commission Chair Robert G. Rivera.Mindell started with the TLC in August 2016 as deputy general counsel. He stayed with the agency and eventually became the executive director following the retirement of Gary Grief -- who was accused of conspiring with lottery courier services, which allow people to buy lottery tickets over the phone and f
  
  Read more

• Austin's LGBTQ+ commission discussing police relations Monday

  21-04-2025 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As part of April's meeting of Austin’s LGBTQ Quality Of Life Advisory Commission, the group is asking members of the LGBTQ community to tell the commission about its interactions with Austin police officers."We welcome both positive and negative comments," the commission's chair, John Scott Neal, said in a media advisory.You can learn more about the commission here.The official agenda item regarding this discussion states "Discussion with Austin Police Department on the st
  
  Read more

• Austin's LGBTQ+ commission discusses police relations

  21-04-2025 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As part of April's meeting of Austin’s LGBTQ Quality Of Life Advisory Commission, the group asked members of the LGBTQ community to tell the commission about its interactions with Austin police officers."We welcome both positive and negative comments," the commission's chair, John Scott Neal, said in a media advisory.You can learn more about the commission here.The official agenda item regarding this discussion states "Discussion with Austin Police Department on the state
  
  Read more

• Austin City Council to vote on $26M office building purchase

  21-04-2025 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thursday, Austin City Council members are expected to sign off on the purchase of an office building near the University of Texas for a little more than $26 million. The money will come from the Financial Services Departments' capital budget, according to the city."That office in particular is brand new. It has ground floor commercial. It has a huge parking lot, which actually can generate revenue because it provides parking during University of Texas football games," Austin Cit
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!