Austin news

• Cedar Park eyes security barriers after dental office crash, KXAN report

  22-11-2024 14:00 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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• How common is it to get your stuff back if it's stolen from your car?

  22-11-2024 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This month, when Miles Vining went rock climbing along the Barton Creek Greenbelt, he came back to the parking lot to find the windows of his van smashed in.APD has identified these individuals as persons of interest in Vining's case. (Courtesy: Miles Vining)
  "Someone came up and said 'someone broke into a van out front,' and I knew it instantly that was definitely my van," he said.DATA: Auto theft happens across Austin — 8% of cases ended in arrestHe parked at the entranc
  
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• Texas lawmakers envision high-speed rail along I-35 corridor in latest bill filings

  22-11-2024 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is KXAN coverage from Sept. 23, 2024, featuring Travis County and Bexar County lawmakers calling for high-speed rail funding in the 2025 Texas legislative session.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High-speed rail could be coming full steam ahead to the Interstate 35 corridor amid new bill filings from Texas lawmakers pushing the initiative.State Rep. John Bucy III (D-Austin) filed House Bill 483 on Nov. 12, which calls for allocations of state funding to support the development of
  
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• Ken Paxton can’t be deposed under oath in whistleblower lawsuit, Texas Supreme Court says

  22-11-2024 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — Attorney General Ken Paxton will not have to sit for a deposition in a longstanding lawsuit filed by four former senior aides who said he improperly fired them after they reported him to the FBI, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday.It is a victory for Paxton, who has managed to avoid testifying about allegations of corruption, bribery and abuse of office despite this civil lawsuit, an impeachment trial and a federal criminal investigation.The whistleblowers sought to que
  
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• Education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for Texas elementary schools

  22-11-2024 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board voted Friday to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools, joining other Republican-led states that pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms.The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by elected Republicans, is optional for schools to adopt, but they will receive additional funding if they do so. The materials could appear in classrooms as early as next school
  
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• Video: AFD hosts Thanksgiving turkey fry safety demonstration

  22-11-2024 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thanksgiving sees a spike in cooking-related fires, with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reporting that cooking fires on this holiday occur at three times the rate of any other day. In 2022, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported — a staggering 399% above the daily average.To stay safe this Thanksgiving, the Austin Fire Department recommends the following precautions:
  Stay alert and attentive while cooking. Avoid over-consuming alcohol, which c
  
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• Gaetz says he will not return to Congress

  22-11-2024 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Friday he will not return to Congress after resigning his House seat last week, despite having withdrawn from consideration to be President-elect Trump’s attorney general — but added he is “not going anywhere.”“I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, later adding it is a “pretty p
  
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• Mom pleads for Texans to plan a sober ride after losing son to drunk driving

  22-11-2024 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You might be getting excited about the holiday parties and celebrations filling your calendar over the next few weeks, but law enforcement is urging you also to make a plan for a sober ride home.KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes spoke with Pam Edwards who's son died 10 years ago after he drove home drunk."You don't get a redo, you don't get a second chance," Edwards said.Dillon, 25, was married with two kids when he made a decision that changed their lives forever."I want t
  
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• UT, Texas A&M raising funds for students ahead of rivalry football game

  22-11-2024 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two of Texas’ largest rival universities are not only facing off on the football field on Nov. 30, but they are also competing for bragging rights.Fans of The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are encouraged to help support their school in a competition to raise money for students.UT and Texas A&M are hosting a friendly giving challenge leading up to the historic football game between the two schools.People are invited to donate from Nov.
  
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• Delta to launch nonstop flights from Austin to Jacksonville in May 2025

  22-11-2024 17:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Delta Air Lines will launch nonstop flights between Austin and Jacksonville in May 2025, the airline announced Friday.The new route will be Delta's seventh new nonstop service from AUS in 2025. Once-daily flights will begin May 7 and will be operated by SkyWest Airlines as Delta Connection.Flights will leave Austin at 8:55 a.m. and arrive in Jacksonville at 12:35 p.m. local time. Return flights will leave Jacksonville at 1:15 p.m. and arrive in Austin at 3 p.m."Whether cust
  
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• 'Guess' who's coming to Austin: Charli XCX performing this spring

  22-11-2024 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin landed one of the five coveted tour dates for Charlie XCX’s BRAT 2025 ARENA TOUR.The musician is set to perform at the Moody Center on April 22.Other 2025 tour dates include:
  April 26 – Minneapolis, MNApril 28 – Rosemont, ILApril 30 – Brooklyn, NYMay 1 – Brooklyn, NY
  Those wishing to purchase tickets must sign up for presale access before Monday, Nov. 25. Tickets for the Austin date go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m.
  
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• Eyeless kitten rescued, adopted by Kerr County resident

  22-11-2024 16:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A kitten born with a rare genetic defect is getting a second chance at life, courtesy a young Kerr County resident.Kayson Stuckey and his mom reached out to Kerrville Pets Alive! after discovering a newborn kitten with "what appeared to be sunken eyes," KPA! officials said in a Thursday release. After veterinarians evaluated the kitten, they learned she was born without any eyes.Instead of turning her over to a shelter, Kayson and his mom decided to keep the kitten, naming her "
  
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• Austin looking at incentive program to save trees from development

  22-11-2024 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City council passed a resolution to incentivize developers to save more trees on residential properties.The resolution calls for an incentive program that will provide developers some type of rebate on the fees they would have to pay the city if the developer is able to protect one or more trees from being cut down on a residential property.
  It is unclear what kind of rebate developers will receive in this program, and there is no date set for when the program will roll out. The
  
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• Inside the Investigation: 1965 death sparks statewide look at death inquests

  22-11-2024 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The mysterious death of a quiet, young girl haunts the town of Marble Falls, Texas, nearly 60 years after her body was discovered hanging by a jump rope in a shed behind her family’s home along Backbone Creek. Quickly ruled accidental strangulation by a local justice of the peace, questions linger not only about this case and others nearby — but also an antiquated process still used in most Texas counties, giving certain elected officials the power to determine
  
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• When will Christmas tree lots open around Austin?

  22-11-2024 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ready to deck the halls this holiday season?
  Some folks may want to snag the best tree early, so here’s a list of Christmas tree lots across Central Texas. Many tree sellers open before Thanksgiving.
  Austin Optimist Club Tree: Opens Nov. 23 at 2813 San Gabriel Street, AustinBrungot Farms: Opens Nov. 24 at 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar ParkColorful Christmas Trees: Opens Nov. 22 at 9600 U.S. Highway 290, AustinElgin Christmas Tree Farm: Opens Nov. 23 at 120 Natures Wa
  
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• TCJPD receives state grant aimed at educating youth on impacts of crime

  22-11-2024 14:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD) announced it was awarded a $3,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation.The grant is expected to go toward the department's restorative juvenile justice program, which aims to educate youth on the impact of crime on victims.The Texas Bar Foundation is an organization that helps provide funding to "enhance the rule of law and the system of justice in Texas," according to its mission statement.
  Since its creation in 1965, the o
  
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• Texas squanders big lead, hangs on to beat Syracuse 70-66 in New York

  22-11-2024 05:53 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Tre Johnson endured a poor offensive night before scoring Texas' final six points — all from the line — and the Longhorns got past Syracuse 70-66 Thursday night after blowing a 16-point second-half lead at the UKG Legends Classic.Friday the Longhorns (4-1) take on the winner of Thursday's late game between Texas Tech and Saint Joseph's for the tourney title while the Orange will play the loser. With Kentucky ahead, competition for Texas Longhorns has been fierce
  
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• Texas high school football playoffs: 2nd round scores from Thursday, Nov. 21

  22-11-2024 05:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Vandegrift Vipers throttled San Antonio Sotomayor 51-0 in the second round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs Thursday at The Alamodome in San Antonio.La Vernia pounded out a 13-10 win over Austin LBJ with a punishing display of power running in 4A Division I and Wimberley thumped Rockport-Fulton 62-21 to advance in the 4A Division II playoffs.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score in this scoreboard, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of
  
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• Illinois Supreme Court reverses actor Jussie Smollett's conviction

  22-11-2024 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett.The former “Empire” actor took his case to the Illinois Supreme Court in September in a last-ditch effort to have his 2021 conviction overturned.The court cited Smollett's second prosecution after his charges were initially dropped as the main reason why his conviction was overturned."Today we resolve a question about the State’s responsibility to honor the agreements
  
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• APD investigating fatal crash on Barton Springs Road

  22-11-2024 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said it was investigating a fatal, two-vehicle crash that happened in south Austin Thursday night, the agency said on social media.Shortly before 8:45 p.m., APD said officers responded to the crash in the 2800 block of Barton Springs Road.According to APD, one person died as a result of the crash.Police said the road was closed between William Barton Drive and Andrew Zilker Road. In a 1:40 a.m. update, police said the roadway was reopened.
  
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• APD investigating 2-vehicle crash on Barton Springs Road

  22-11-2024 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department are investigating a two-vehicle crash that happened in south Austin Thursday night, the agency said on social media.Shortly before 9:30 p.m., APD said officers responded to the crash in the 2800 block of Barton Springs Road.
  Police said the road is closed between William Barton Drive and Andrew Zilker Road. Drivers should avoid the area or seek an alternate route.No other details were released Thursday.
  
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• Granite Shoals hoping to reduce deer population with harvesting program

  22-11-2024 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  GRANITE SHOALS, Texas (KXAN) —A white tail deer population boom is causing one Hill Country town to take action.Granite Shoals has seen its deer population increase significantly over the last few years, and now the city is introducing a program to reduce those numbers."The deer population is enormous out here," said Granite Shoals City Council Member Brian Edwards.Edwards said more deer means there's the potential for more accidents, which is a danger to residents."You have to drive very
  
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• Austin man gets 30 years for deadly Leander crash

  22-11-2024 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin man was sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection with a deadly crash that happened in Leander in August 2023, according to court records.Jose Luis Gonzalez was convicted on two manslaughter charges, as well as collision causing death. The U.S. Marshals said in a news release in September 2023 that 35-year-old Jose Luis Rebollar Osorio and 69-year-old Avelina Osorio Lopez were killed in the crash on Aug. 26.The crash happened at the intersection of Hero Way and 183
  
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• PUC requires registration of cryptocurrency mining facilities

  22-11-2024 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Virtual currency mining facilities within the state's power grid region have to register with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). The facilities must provide information to the PUCT annually about the facility’s location, ownership, and demand for electricity. The rule was passed by the 88th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023. It is aimed at giving the PUCT and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) a better a
  
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• Passengers duct tape unruly man who tried to open door on Dallas-bound flight

  22-11-2024 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- A group of passengers aboard a Dallas-bound flight restrained a man with duct tape after he claimed to be the "captain" and attempted to open the cabin door of an American Airlines plane midair, authorities said.The plane was headed from Milwaukee on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when the man got up from his seat, approached a flight attendant and told her he needed to exit immediately, according to an incident report from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety.
  
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• Passengers duct tape unruly man who tried to open door on American Airlines plane

  22-11-2024 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- A group of passengers aboard a Dallas-bound flight restrained a man with duct tape after he claimed to be the "captain" and attempted to open the cabin door of an American Airlines plane midair, authorities said.The plane was headed from Milwaukee on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when the man got up from his seat, approached a flight attendant and told her he needed to exit immediately, according to an incident report from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety.
  
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• Trump chooses loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws

  22-11-2024 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department, turning to a longtime ally after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations.
  Bondi has been an outspoken defender of Trump. She was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tri
  
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• Whooping cough cases have quintupled. These states have it worst

  22-11-2024 01:39 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Pertussis — a disease commonly referred to as whooping cough — is spreading quickly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. The U.S. has seen five times more cases in 2024 than we did at this time last year.As of Nov. 9, which marks the latest data available from the CDC, there were more than 23,500 cases of whooping cough reported so far this year. That's far and above the roughly 5,000 cases confirmed in all of 2023.Health officials warn t
  
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• DOJ asks judge to order Google to sell Chrome

  22-11-2024 01:39 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking a federal judge to order Google to sell off its Chrome browser after the court found the tech giant maintained an illegal monopoly over online search. In a filing late Wednesday night, the DOJ argued Google’s ownership and control of Chrome, as well as Android, stand in the way of its efforts to open up the market and prevent future monopolization. “The playing field is not level because of Google’s conduct, and G
  
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• With Kentucky ahead, competition for Texas Longhorns has been fierce in practice

  22-11-2024 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a "feisty" practice Wednesday, No. 3 Texas has to get its offense ready for what head coach Steve Sarkisian calls "an NFL defense," in the Kentucky Wildcats.The results don't suggest that Kentucky has an elite defense, they are 1-6 in Southeastern Conference play at 4-6 overall, but they had the injury bug hit them. Now, some of the main contributors will be available including outside linebacker JJ Weaver and 345-pound defensive tackle Deone Walker. Defensive back Ma
  
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