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• Austin Visit Center relocates to historic Phillips Building

  17-03-2025 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Visitor Center on Monday relocated and hosted its grand opening in the historic Phillips Building at 103 E. Fifth Street.The move marks a new chapter for Visit Austin after 10 years at its previous location, according to a press release.Visit Austin said the Phillips Building, originally constructed in 1897, was once home to the Benson Motor Company and is listed as a city of Austin Historic Landmark.The Austin Visitor Center on Monday relocated and hosted its grand o
  
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• Council eyes $2.9M contract for Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard safety upgrades

  18-03-2025 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Later this month, Austin City Council will weigh in on a nearly $2.9 million contract for intersection and multimodal improvements along a stretch of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.Council will consider March 27 a construction services contract for upgrades to the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Heflin Lane and Springdale Road, with the contract capped at just shy of $2.9 million. Should council greenlight the item, the contract would be awarded to DeNuc
  
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• Some victims of deadly I-35 crash identified

  18-03-2025 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's latest coverage of the March 13 deadly I-35 crash in north Austin.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three victims in Thursday night's deadly crash on Interstate 35 were identified by Travis County officials on Tuesday. Truck driver in fatal I-35 crash allegedly under influence of drugs, affidavit saysSergieo Daniel Lopez, 32, and Natalia Helana Perez, 25, along with Ma Concepcion Joaquin De Joaquin, 78, were identified as three of the five people killed in the north
  
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• Austin Justice Coalition partners with Tolbert Law Firm, giving minorities legal service access at reduced rates

  18-03-2025 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a strategic new partnership, the nonprofit, Austin Justice Coalition (AJC) will use its connection to the community to work with a black law firm to give more people in minority communities better access to legal services.Austin Justice Coalition partners with Tolbert Law Firm to help minority communities have better access to legal services. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).
  The Tolbert Law Firm — based in Dallas but serving clients in Austin and Atlanta as well &mda
  
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• Texas jackpot winner will not get $83.5 million winnings... for now

  18-03-2025 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A Texas woman who won an $83.5 million jackpot in February through a courier service said the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) advised her the winnings may never be paid out as the Texas Rangers investigate the lottery drawing.
  "I'm being treated as the bad guy," the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Nexstar.The woman used Jackpocket, an app that allows you to buy lottery tickets and scratch-offs over the phone, to purchase $20 worth of Texas Lotto tickets for the Feb
  
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• 4,000-capacity venue eyes 2027 opening in east Austin

  18-03-2025 17:31 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is KXAN coverage from Sept. 19, 2024, related to the River Park mixed-use project in development in east Austin.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Live Music Capital of the World will soon be home to a new music venue.AEG Presents is expected to open its new 4,000-capacity indoor entertainment venue in early 2027 as part of the River Park mixed-use development in east Austin, according to a Monday news release. The 109-acre project in the Riverside neighborhood will incorpo
  
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• New space infrastructure coming to Williamson, Burnet counties

  18-03-2025 17:18 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS (KXAN) — The Williamson County Commissioners Court has approved the creation of the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation (SDC), which would bring more space infrastructure and research to Williamson County and Burnet County.An SDC is a nonprofit entity to develop and manage spaceports. This includes infrastructure for specialized launches and landing facility for space crafts, rockets and satellites.According to the Texas Local Government code, the SDC w
  
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• Senate panel hears testimony on hospital bollard bill sparked by KXAN

  18-03-2025 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop cr
  
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• Sustainable ways to help care for your cats and dogs

  18-03-2025 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Part of going green includes environmentally-friendly ways to take care of your cats and dogs, and even sustainable ways to play with them. After all, there are times when your pet wants to play.Rich Segal spoke with Shannon Casey from Take Care of Texas — part of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — about this subject. She began by talking about the different types of toys that are on the market that help with sustainability, including those that are plas
  
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• Early outlook for next winter: El Niño unlikely

  18-03-2025 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We're getting our first look into next winter with the latest Climate Prediction Center ENSO (El Niño - Southern Oscillation) Outlook released on Thursday.While currently in a La Niña pattern, we're expected to return to ENSO Neutral (neither La Niña nor El Niño) within the next month as sea surface temperatures in the Niño Zones return to near average, away from their cooler-than-normal phase that brought us into La Niña.ENSO determined
  
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• Fracking makes the Texas oil and gas industry possible; it may also be harming the state

  18-03-2025 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary: This story is supported by the Pulitzer Center and is part of the “Texas Energy Crossroads” project, a partnership between The Hill and Nexstar Texas stations examining the oil and gas industry and the politics surrounding it following President Trump’s second inauguration.`; $("header.article-header").prepend(cat4markup); const socialIcons = document.querySelectorAll("span.social-share__icon > svg > path");socialIcons.
  
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• Stranded astronauts return home, but face recovery from extended space stay

  18-03-2025 13:25 via kxan.com
  
  SPACE (KXAN) -- After an extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts Suni Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore are returning to Earth on March 18.This image provided by NASA shows Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)
  The two originally planned to spend a few days in space after piloting the inaugural flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule in June 2024. Issues with the spacecraft led to their return to Earth being delayed nine months.They join
  
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• LIVE: Stranded astronauts return home, but face recovery from extended space stay

  18-03-2025 13:25 via kxan.com
  
  SPACE (KXAN) -- After an extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts Suni Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore are returning to Earth on March 18.This image provided by NASA shows Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)
  The two originally planned to spend a few days in space after piloting the inaugural flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule in June 2024. Issues with the spacecraft led to their return to Earth being delayed nine months.They join
  
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• Southbound I-35 in Hays County reopens after crash Tuesday morning

  18-03-2025 11:49 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The main lanes of southbound I-35 were reopened around 7:30 a.m. after being closed for several hours early Tuesday due to a crash investigation between Kyle and San Marcos.
  According to the Texas Department of Transportation Austin office, the crash was on Southbound I-35 near Yarrington Road.
  TxDOT posted an alert about the crash and closure around 2:30 a.m., but released no additional information about the crash.
  The agency posted an update at 7:24 a.m. that all l
  
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• Southbound I-35 closed in Hays County Tuesday morning

  18-03-2025 11:49 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The main lanes of southbound I-35 were closed early Tuesday due to a crash investigation between Kyle and San Marcos.The Texas Department of Transportation Austin office posted an alert about the crash and closure around 2:30 a.m., but released no additional information about the crash.According to TxDOT, the crash was on Southbound I-35 near Yarrington Road.All traffic is being diverted onto the service road, but to avoid additional delays, we recommend taking the S
  
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• 21-year-old arrested after I-35 crash in Kyle; 50-year-old woman dead

  18-03-2025 11:49 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A woman was arrested early Tuesday morning after a fatal crash on southbound I-35 in Kyle, according to the Kyle Police Department.
  The crash was on Southbound I-35 near Yarrington Road. The southbound lanes of the interstate were closed for several hours and were reopened around 7:30 a.m.The Texas Department of Transportation Austin office posted an alert about the crash and closure around 2:30 a.m., but released no additional information at the time.A woman died in
  
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• How Texans can manage their stress, anxiety over contagious diseases

  18-03-2025 04:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The transcript of this live Q&A has been edited for brevity and clarity.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the state prepares to give an update on Tuesday on whether the measles outbreak has infected more Texans. More people have started to become on edge as the numbers continue to climb.
  KXAN Midday anchors Avery Travis and Will DuPree spoke to Thrivework's Licensed Professional Counselor Catherine Atkinson-Greenhaw on how to manage the stress and anxieties that come from contagious d
  
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• Fire in southwest Gillespie County prompts evacuations

  18-03-2025 00:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A fire has begun to burn in southwest Gillespie County, off Interstate Highway 10, and is traveling north in the area of the 498-mile marker and Duderstadt Road, according to the Gillespie County Communications Center. MAP: Where have wildfires burned in Central Texas in 2025?Authorities said evacuations are taking place for Duderstadt Road. Residents north of I-10 or north of Duderstadt Road are asked to prepare to evacuate if needed."Those in the area of Thrill Hill may n
  
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• Texas Senate discusses bill requiring counties to work closer with ICE

  18-03-2025 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Among Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's top priorities this legislative session is "requiring local law enforcement to assist the Federal Government's deportation efforts." The bill filed to achieve his goal was left pending in the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday.Forced cooperation between counties and ICESenate Bill 8 (SB 8) -- filed by State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown -- would require all Texas counties with 100,000 or more people to join Immigration and
  
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• Ranchers, livestock owners impacted by 9,700+ acre wildfire near Fredericksburg

  18-03-2025 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Fire crews from across the state continue to fight the Crabapple wildfire in Gillespie County. It's burned more than 9,700 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS).By 7:30 a.m. Monday, all roads that were closed were reopened. The City of Fredericksburg said ranchers and livestock owners were impacted by this fire.Firefighter injured in 9,700+ acre wildfire near Fredericksburg; fire is 65% contained"This northern part of Gillespie Co
  
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• APD seeks public help to find 3 suspects in connection with north Austin aggravated robbery

  17-03-2025 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help to find three suspects wanted in connection with an aggravated robbery that happened at a north Austin park in February, per a news release from the agency.Around 7:40 p.m., Feb. 24, the three suspects walked into the Georgian Acres Neighborhood Park, 500 East Powell Lane, and "held a father and mother at gun point as they physically assaulted them and took their personal property," according to police. The victims had
  
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• 'Fire started spreading building to building' East Austin apartment fire started by BBQ pit

  17-03-2025 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several apartment buildings in east Austin are now unlivable after a fire spread from a barbecue pit into the buildings, the Austin Fire Department said. The fire happened around 3 p.m. Saturday at the 6800 block of Wentworth Drive. That’s off Loyola Lane. 32 displaced after fire spreads to multiple buildings in east Austin"There was a guy BBQing on the backside of the road, the wind blew, it made the building catch fire and then the fire started spreading building to buil
  
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• 'Fire started spreading building to building' East Austin apartment fire started by barbecue pit

  17-03-2025 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several apartment buildings in east Austin are now unlivable after a fire spread from a barbecue pit into the buildings, the Austin Fire Department said. The fire happened around 3 p.m. Saturday at the 6800 block of Wentworth Drive. That’s off Loyola Lane. 32 displaced after fire spreads to multiple buildings in east Austin"There was a guy barbecuing on the backside of the road, the wind blew, it made the building catch fire and then the fire started spreading building to
  
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• Deadly I-35 crash investigation underscores need for work zone safety

  17-03-2025 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Multiple agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board, are investigating the Interstate 35 crash that killed five people in north Austin.The NTSB said it expects to be at the scene for at least a week investigating what happened in the crash."I want to once again give my condolences to the families who lost loved ones and the friends who lost one loved ones and those who were injured in this tragic crash. It is the mission of the NTSB to ensure the safety of
  
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• Houston-area midwife arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions

  17-03-2025 23:14 via kxan.com
  
  (The Texas Tribune) -- A Houston-area midwife has been arrested on allegations she performed illegal abortions, the first criminal charges brought under the state’s near-total abortion ban, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday.Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, was charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, as well as practicing medicine without a license, according to Paxton.Rojas, who identified herself as “Dr. Maria,” operated a network of clinics in Waller,
  
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• Fired workers return to federal agencies — but are put on paid leave

  17-03-2025 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  As a result of recent court orders, federal employees are returning to their jobs — but are being put on paid leave.A spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told The Hill that as a result of a court restraining order, it was rescinding the terminations of 419 employees.The spokesperson said that these employees are “mostly in an administrative leave status.”The Hill also obtained a notice that the Commerce Department sent to a staffer it had fired. The notic
  
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• Chick-fil-A tests new menu items in four cities

  17-03-2025 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  (KSWB/KUSI) — Chick-fil-A has begun testing new menu items in four cities across the country, including both coasts.The company is known for its chicken sandwiches, but the new menu items are ice cream-based: Icedream Spin and Icedream Float.Chick-fil-A introduces new spring menu items, brings back fan-favorite sandwichThe first item features the company's Icedream dessert with a customer's choice of soda, and the second item is described as a classic float with a customer's choice of soda
  
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• Loneliness declared an epidemic; Actor and producer hopes to inspire conversation through musical

  17-03-2025 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Loneliness poses a risk as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, according to a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General report.“We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It’s like hunger or thirst. It’s a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing,” Dr. Vivek Murthy told The Associated Press in a 2023 interview. “Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that&rsquo
  
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• ATCEMS discuss response time, challenges of fatal I-35 crash

  17-03-2025 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On March 14, a crash on Interstate 35 that involved 18 vehicles resulted in the death of five people and left 11 others injured. Austin-Travis County EMS gave its perspective on its response time to the call and the agency's challenges when evaluating the scene.The agency spoke about its initial response to the crash and how it discovered the severity of the crash. Truck driver in fatal I-35 crash allegedly under influence of drugs, affidavit says"We first started getting 911 ca
  
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• Police say Austin ISD teacher allegedly used AI to create child pornography of students

  17-03-2025 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A fifth-grade teacher at a south Austin elementary school is facing additional child pornography charges.On March 11, the Texas Department of Public Safety alerted the Austin Independent School District Police Department that Carl Innmon, 50, was under investigation for possession of child pornography, a first-degree felony, according to AISD. AISD fifth grade teacher arrested, accused of possessing child porn
  Newly filed police documents from March 14 show the teacher at B
  
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