Austin news

• A staff member at each Thrall ISD campus has tested positive for COVID-19

  27-08-2020 02:49 via kxan.com
  
  THRALL, Texas (KXAN) — Three staff members in Thrall Independent School District have tested positive for COVID-19: one person at each the elementary, middle and high school campuses.Four other staff members and a total of 54 students have been asked to isolate after officials traced the positive cases’ contacts. The students are mostly all in one grade and are switching to virtual learning, the district said.Thrall ISD says no students have tested positive. Thrall ISD superintendent
  
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• Austin man gets 80 years related to death of 14-year-old in 2022 crash

  09-10-2024 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — An Austin man was sentenced Wednesday related to the death of a 14-year-old boy in 2022, according to the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.The DA’s Office said a jury found 28-year-old Leandro Brito-Martinez guilty of murder in the vehicular homicide of Tobias Soto.Williamson County court documents showed Brito-Martinez was given a sentence of 80 years in prison. The range of punishments was 15 to 99 years or life in prison. PAST CO
  
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• Austin introduces AI in building permit process for single-family homes

  09-10-2024 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin has been using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the past three months in its building permit process. The city announced Wednesday it will fully rollout the software for full-time use.According to a news release, the technology will allow applicants to submit their designs for a "pre-check assessment." The city said it will use AI initially only for single-family residential properties. It said it plans to roll out to other areas in the future."This will impro
  
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• More bike, transit lanes in Austin? Council could kickstart study on proposal

  09-10-2024 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin could kickstart a study to analyze reallocating public right of way (ROW) to support more active and mass transit initiatives.Austin City Council will consider Thursday a resolution that, if approved, would launch a planning study on the reallocation proposal, known as CityLeap. The nonprofit Safe Streets Austin proposed the concept, which would transform some roadways to add protected bike infrastructure or dedicated transit infrastructure, according to
  
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• Tropical tracker: Cat. 4 Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, landfall expected tonight

  09-10-2024 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each year, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. This year is expected to be very active, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season.This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topic
  
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• Travis County ESD 2 highlights importance of smoke alarms in preventing house fires

  09-10-2024 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The transcript of this live Q&A has been edited for brevity and clarity.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- From October 6 to October 12, the United States celebrates National Fire Prevention Week to help raise awareness on how to prevent fires. The National Fire Protection Association said this year's campaign theme was educating people about the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes.KXAN anchors Will DuPree and Jala Washington spoke to Travis County Emergency Services
  
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• ACL TV to livestream Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel concert

  09-10-2024 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Limits has established itself as the longest-running music program in television history, and it's celebrating its 50th birthday this year. The show is holding a birthday bash concert next week, and fans can watch it from the comfort of their homes. Willie Nelson & Family, Asleep at the Wheel to play free concert for ACL TV’s 50th birthdayWillie Nelson was the first person to ever perform on Austin City Limits, and the inaugural taping of the show is coming
  
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• Austin holds grand re-opening of downtown fire station

  09-10-2024 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One year after firefighters were forced to relocate to temporary locations around downtown, the city is holding a grand re-opening of Fire Station 1 following renovations.
  Renovations on the 86-year-old building began in 2020. Construction issues last year forced a temporary closure of the downtown station, which made firefighters and EMS crews work at different stations. They eventually moved into a Travis County building off Guadalupe.
  The new renovations allowed space for a s
  
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• Ken Paxton's evasive relationship with the press

  09-10-2024 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — 502 days ago, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton held a press conference — one of just two he has called in the last year and a half. It was a blockbuster political news event, both because it was meant to preempt his historic impeachment, and because in recent years he has made himself available to journalists almost as rarely as the Texas House has impeached statewide officials.
  He took no questions.During that long drought of public access to the state's top atto
  
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• 'You never let that go away': Longhorns seek revenge against Sooners

  09-10-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Texas football had a pretty incredible season in 2023. They made it to their first College Football Playoff behind a Big 12 Championship.The Longhorns lost just one game in the regular season. The only problem for many around the Texas program is who they lost to in Oklahoma."We definitely carry that along with us for a while," said Longhorns senior tight end Gunnar Helm. "And not having that gold hat with us inside the facility outside of our team meeting room was weird this yea
  
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• When was the last time Texas voted blue?

  09-10-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - Texas has been a red state since the U.S. began labeling states red or blue back in 2000 (more on that later). With 40 electoral votes, Texas is one of the country's most influential red states, but when was the last time the state didn't vote Republican during the presidential election?To find the answer to this, you'd have to go back a few decades all the way to the presidential election of 1976 when Texas put its electoral college votes behind Jimmy Carter for president. These are
  
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• Time to evacuate running out as Milton nears Florida

  09-10-2024 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Steady rain fell and winds began to gust in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning as a mighty Hurricane Milton churned toward a potentially catastrophic collision with the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay even after millions were ordered to evacuate. Stragglers face grim odds of surviving, officials said. LIVE WOBBLE TRACKER: Hurricane Milton wobbles off path, could have huge impactsThe Tampa Bay region, home to more
  
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• Time to evacuate running out as Milton begins to lash Florida

  09-10-2024 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A mighty Hurricane Milton flung rain and gusty winds at the Tampa Bay area Wednesday on its steady and potentially catastrophic march toward the west coast of Florida, where officials sounded urgent warnings for residents to evacuate or face grim odds of survival. LIVE WOBBLE TRACKER: Hurricane Milton wobbles off path, could have huge impactsThe National Hurricane Center stressed that it was not certain exactly where Milton’s center would come ashore Wedn
  
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• Time to evacuate running out as Hurricane Milton stalks Florida

  09-10-2024 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A steady rain fell in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning as a mighty Hurricane Milton churned toward a potentially catastrophic collision with the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay even after millions were ordered to evacuate. Stragglers face grim odds of surviving, officials said. LIVE WOBBLE TRACKER: Hurricane Milton wobbles off path, could have huge impactsThe Tampa Bay region, home to more than 3.3 million peop
  
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• Time running out as Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida

  09-10-2024 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Milton churned Wednesday toward a potentially catastrophic collision along the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay after millions were ordered to evacuate and officials warned that stragglers would face grim odds of surviving.LIVE WOBBLE TRACKER: Hurricane Milton wobbles off path, could have huge impacts
  The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding
  
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• LIVE NOW: FEMA updates Hurricane Milton plans

  09-10-2024 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A steady rain fell in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning as a mighty Hurricane Milton churned toward a potentially catastrophic collision with the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay even after millions were ordered to evacuate. Stragglers face grim odds of surviving, officials said. LIVE WOBBLE TRACKER: Hurricane Milton wobbles off path, could have huge impactsThe Tampa Bay region, home to more than 3.3 million peop
  
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• Hurricane Milton still a dangerous Category 4 as time is running out for Florida

  09-10-2024 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Milton churned Wednesday toward a potentially catastrophic collision along the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay after millions were ordered to evacuate and officials warned that stragglers would face grim odds of surviving. LIVE WOBBLE TRACKER: Hurricane Milton wobbles off path, could have huge impactsThe Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding
  
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• Tropical tracker: Hurricane Milton a Cat. 4 storm with Florida landfall tonight

  09-10-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each year, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. This year is expected to be very active, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season.This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topic
  
  Read more

• Stretch of 90s comes to end next week

  09-10-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cool mornings and warm afternoons continue through the rest of the work week.Afternoon highs will return to the low to mid-90s today, running ~10° warmer than average for this time of year. Sunshine, dry skies, light winds and low humidity will otherwise make for a nice day.The dry and very warm days will pose a continued wildfire risk, but thankfully there's not likely to be much wind to spread fires too quickly.Temperatures will remain warmer than normal through ACL Weeken
  
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• Dry air with plenty of sunshine

  09-10-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures out the door this morning were refreshing in the Austin area. Low temperatures dropped to 61° at Camp Mabry and 55° at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
  Afternoon high temperatures today will return to the mid 90s with abundant sunshine. Drier air will keep overnight lows tonight relatively seasonable in the low to mid 60s.
  Afternoon temperatures on Wednesday
  The remainder of the week will be a 'copy-and-paste' forecast with high temperatures conti
  
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• Over 129K newer Ram trucks recalled over faulty turn signals

  09-10-2024 05:41 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — More than 129,000 Ram trucks are being recalled due to faulty turn signals, according to a notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The recall is limited to certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500 models, NHTSA says.
  "The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly," the agency explains. To fix the problem, affected Ram owners can have the steering column control module replaced for free at a dealer.Does your vehicle have a recall? Here’s how to
  
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• Weirdest thing on sale for October Prime Day? Try a tiny home

  09-10-2024 05:36 via kxan.com
  
  BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.You can find some intriguing items for sale on Prime Big Deal DaysPrime Big Deal Days — or October Prime Day — is a chance for Prime members to buy products at some of the lowest prices of the year. While many people take advantage of the deals for stuff they need, essential items aren’t the only things you should have your eye on during this two-day savings bonanza. Prime Day is t
  
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• APD: License plate readers helping to solve crimes

  09-10-2024 05:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said its license plate readers are helping solve crimes, the agency said during a Public Safety Commission meeting on Monday.The readers went live in March. Right now, there are 40 of them across the city at fixed locations.Some officers will soon be able to scan from their patrol vehicles. According to APD, all officers will be trained on the software by the end of the month. License plate reader cameras operating in Austin under new, updated policy
  
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• Uvalde city officials release missing footage from officers responding to 2022 Robb Elementary shooting

  09-10-2024 03:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: This story contain explicit language.UVALDE, Texas (The Texas Tribune) -- City officials in Uvalde, Texas, released another trove of videos on Tuesday from officers responding to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, footage that they had previously failed to divulge as part of a legal settlement with news organizations suing for access.The new material included at least 10 police body camera videos and nearly 40 dashboard videos that largely affirm prior reporting by ProPubli
  
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• Jury finds APD officer guilty in 2019 deadly shooting, another officer awaiting trial

  09-10-2024 03:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A jury found Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor guilty of deadly conduct Saturday in the 2019 police shooting of Mauris DeSilva, and another officer charged in that same shooting is still awaiting trial.In 2021, both Taylor and Officer Karl Krycia were indicted for murder and deadly conduct in the case. The week before Taylor's trial, the Travis County District Attorney's Office dropped the murder charge.According to online court records, Krycia's murder charges remain. He
  
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• Tropical tracker: Hurricane Milton a Cat. 5 and heading for Florida

  09-10-2024 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each year, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. This year is expected to be very active, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season.This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topic
  
  Read more

• West Virginia woman met her husband after getting donor lungs from his late sister

  09-10-2024 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  Video credit: Cleveland Clinic via StoryfulCLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A woman from West Virginia got a new chance at life and found the love of her life thanks to organ donation.Jennifer Ellis, of Fayetteville, was placed on a lung transplant waiting list in 2018 after symptoms from her genetic conditions situs inversus and primary ciliary dyskinesia worsened and she was hospitalized for 10 months.
  According to the Cleveland Clinic, where then-named Jennifer Skaggs was treated, she fi
  
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• Plane evacuating people from Hurricane Milton crashes after takeoff

  09-10-2024 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  Video above: WFLA's JB Biunno and Meteorologist Eric Stone answer questions ahead of Hurricane Milton.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A plane carrying passengers evacuating from Hurricane Milton crashed near the southeast corner of the St. Pete Pier Tuesday morning, according to police.Officers in St. Petersburg, Florida, said the small private plane crashed around 10:52 a.m. due to engine failure immediately after takeoff from the Albert Whitted Airport.After crashing, the plane became full
  
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• Texas Book Festival announces 2024 Texas Writer Award winner

  09-10-2024 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- The Texas Book Festival announced Tuesday that Naomi Shihab Nye, a Palestinian-American poet, editor, and educator, is the 2024 recipient of the Texas Writer Award, according to a news release from the Texas Book Festival.The Texas Book Festival (TBF) is an annual literary event celebrating books and authors from a wide range of genres. Each year, TBF presents the prestigious Texas Writer Award to a writer from the Lone Star State who has profoundly impacted Texas literature, the
  
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• First Warning: Here's when Central Texas highs drop below 90º

  09-10-2024 00:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas has had very few dips below the 90s in the last few months, and very rarely have those dips lasted for more than a day or two.Well, here's your First Warning about the potential for highs to finally drop out of the 90s more consistently around next Tuesday, Oct. 15.First Warning: Consistently in the 80s starting next weekIt may take our eastern counties an extra day to drop with us, but cooler air is now less than a week away!Highs should stay in the 90s until
  
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