Austin news

• Judge blocks Louisiana Ten Commandments law

  13-11-2024 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — A federal judge has temporarily halted a Louisiana law that mandates the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday which stops the state from enforcing the law until the issue is sorted in the courts.
  The judge wrote in the ruling that the law had an “overtly religious” purpose.A coalition of civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit against the state after Gov. Jeff Landry sig
  
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• ‘Sell or you get pushed out.’ Texas property owners face 14-day eminent domain deadline

  14-11-2024 11:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:
  Neighbors in east Williamson County say they’re worried they’ll lose their land if plans for a county road project, which is still in its early stages, continues. The county says the project is an effort to keep roads safe for a population set to double in 20 years. KXAN looks at the growing number of eminent domain cases and how a recent Texas law lays out just how quickly fights like these can be over.WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — An old coffee can
  
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• Austin mayoral race still too close to call with Travis County ballots counted; Race comes down to Williamson County

  14-11-2024 05:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than a week after Election Day, Travis County ballots have been unofficially tallied, after a new round of results was posted Wednesday. It's still not enough for KXAN to call the Austin mayoral race -- which means it will come down to Williamson County voters.Williamson County is expected to do its canvass around Nov. 15, according to the clerk's office, and the deadline set by the Texas Secretary of State to finalize results is Nov. 19.There are 3,737 outstanding provisio
  
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• Austin mayoral race still too close to call with all Travis County ballots counted; Race comes down to Williamson County

  14-11-2024 05:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than a week after Election Day, all Travis County ballots have been unofficially tallied, after a new round of results was posted Wednesday. It's still not enough for KXAN to call the Austin mayoral race -- which means it will all come down to Williamson County voters.Williamson County is expected to do its canvass around the Nov. 15, according to the clerk's office, and the deadline set by the Texas Secretary of State to finalize results is Nov. 19.There are 3,737 outstand
  
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• 'I am not missing' post appears on actress' Instagram amid bizarre missing person saga

  14-11-2024 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – The missing person case involving actress Chanel Banks took another turn on Wednesday night when the 36-year-old apparently posted on social media, announcing that she is "finally free" from the family that has been urgently searching for her.Banks, according to family members, moved to Los Angeles more than a decade ago to pursue a career in acting. According to her IMDB page, she is best known for her roles on "Gossip Girl," "Blue Bloods" and "Twelve."Her cousin, Dan
  
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• Employers for Childcare outline legislative priorities for upcoming session

  14-11-2024 03:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Nearly 70 businesses, local chambers and associations came together to come up with a plan to help make childcare more accessible for working families in Texas.
  The Employers for Childcare Task Force created a blueprint laying out its priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. The group was launched by the Texas Restaurant Association, Early Matters Texas, Texas Association of Business, and Texas 2036. "We heard from business leaders in our networks that they really
  
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• What is the 'super' 401(k) catch-up contribution for older workers?

  14-11-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Employees in their early 60s can contribute several thousand dollars more to their 401(k) retirement plan starting next year thanks to a recent change in tax law.People 50 and older were already able to put in more than the general 401(k) limit as a "catch-up" contribution but in 2025 workers ages 60 to 63 have a "super catch-up" option, a chance to save an additional $3,750 tax-deferred. Elections have less impact on your 401(k) than you might thinkHere's how 401(k) contrib
  
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• Personal care product use during pregnancy may increase exposure to ‘forever chemicals’: study

  14-11-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- The use of certain personal care products during pregnancy or lactation may be linked to increased levels of "forever chemicals" in both blood plasma and breast milk, a new study has found.While past research has confirmed the presence of these toxic compounds in such items, the study authors sought to determine whether the use of nail polish, makeup and hair dyes alters the concentrations of the compounds in the body during and after pregnancy.Exploring this question in the matern
  
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• Grubhub to be sold to Wonder in $650 million deal

  14-11-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  (WJET/WFXP) — Europe's largest meal delivery firm announced Wednesday that it will be selling its U.S.-based Grubhub to Wonder in a $650 million deal.Just Eat Takeaway.com originally acquired Grubhub in 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic for $7.3 billion. The firm has been looking to offload the company since 2022 due to the growing tensions between its competitors, Uber Eats and Doordash.
  In addition, delivery service companies have struggled with a decline in customers, partly
  
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• APD: One dead in stabbing at south Austin gas station

  14-11-2024 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a stabbing that happened at at a south Austin gas station on Wednesday, Austin Police Department Cpl. Matthew Nonweiler said during a media briefing.Around 4:17 p.m., Austin 911 received multiple calls about a man stabbing another man in the 7800 block of South First Street at a gas station, Nonweiler said. Less than three minutes later, at about 4:20 p.m., the first officer arrived on the scene and found a man in the parking lot bleeding.Less than two m
  
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• APD investigating after person found dead in south Austin

  14-11-2024 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating after a person was found dead in south Austin Wednesday.APD said on social media it responded to the 7800 block of South First Street, which is near South Congress.Police are expected to hold a media briefing to provide more details.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Gov. Abbott enforces tuition freeze at Texas public colleges, universities

  14-11-2024 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a Wednesday letter to Texas universities and colleges, Gov. Greg Abbott said undergraduate tuition and fee increases in the next two years are prohibited.Abbott said in the letter this is a way for public universities to "ease the financial burden on our students and their families.""As this tuition freeze expires, let me be clear: I will not support any tuition increase at any public
  higher education institution in the upcoming biennium. My office has spoken to the Board of
  
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• Cornyn, Paxton skipped for leadership in Trump's Washington

  13-11-2024 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Among the Texans positioned to take on powerful posts in the new Trump era of Washington politics, few were seen as more likely ascendants than U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Neither are set to get there after Wednesday.Cornyn, for his part, hoped to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader. He fell to South Dakota's John Thune by just three votes in the Senate GOP's secret ballot Wednesday morning."Congratulations to my colleagues who w
  
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• Texas lawmakers file first LGBTQ-related bills of 2025 session

  13-11-2024 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bill filing for the Texas Legislature began Tuesday, and lawmakers have already filed proposals directed at gender and sexual orientation. Texas lawmakers file record number of bills ahead of 2025 sessionThe majority came from Senators Bob Hall and Jose Menéndez, who each filed more than 60 bills on Tuesday. But their 2025 gender-related bills are rewrites and resubmissions of ones filed in 2023 that didn't go far.
  KXAN reached out to Hall and Menéndez and req
  
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• Austin eateries dazzle in Texas' first MICHELIN Star list

  13-11-2024 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Seven Austin restaurants made history this week, crowned among the first One MICHELIN Star establishments to be awarded in the Lone Star State. The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Texas selection featured 15 One MICHELIN Star restaurants, among 117 restaurants named for various recognitions.The seven Austin restaurants listed as One MICHELIN Star establishments were:
  Barley Swine: contemporary cuisineCraft Omakase: Japanese cuisineHestia: American cuisineInterStellar BBQ: barbecue cuisi
  
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• Injured hawk rescued by Austin firefighters, now recovering

  13-11-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A hawk is soaring toward recovery after she was caught in a kite string snagged in a tree along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail Tuesday.A KXAN viewer reached out after witnessing the Austin Fire Department rescue the injured hawk. Austin Wildlife Rescue officials confirmed to KXAN the hawk is currently in their care, and that it doesn't appear to have any major injuries.Austin firefighters rescued a hawk caught in a kite string near the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bik
  
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• Austin Free Week returning in 2025; organizers credit city council financial support

  13-11-2024 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An annual music tradition is returning to downtown Austin early next year following a period of worry from organizers that it could be canceled after 20 years due to a lack of funding.
  Free Week -- a free, annual two-day music festival that takes over several venues on and near Red River Street -- will happen Jan. 3-4 in 2025.The Red River Cultural District, which organizes the fest, directly credited financial support from Austin City Council for Free Week's return next year. T
  
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• How to recycle election signs, materials in Austin

  13-11-2024 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the November election season in the rearview mirror, the city of Austin is encouraging residents and local campaign organizers to help reduce election-related waste.Election waste encompasses campaign signs, printed materials, single-use promotional items and waste materials from campaign events, per the city of Austin.
  Where to recycle materials in AustinWhile yard signs aren't recyclable via city-issued blue recycling carts, residents can make an appointment with the Recy
  
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• New renderings for MoPac South Project released

  13-11-2024 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another step forward in the plan to expand South MoPac from downtown to Southwest Austin.At an open house Tuesday night, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) laid out its initial findings of an environmental study and presented a possible build-out of the road.
  It has been 11 years since CTRMA began discussing the Mopac South Project, but a roadblock, in the form of a 2016 environmental lawsuit, and its appeals, sidelined the project for years. Then the pro
  
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• 20-year-old dies 1 day after shooting in east Austin; police searching for multiple suspects

  13-11-2024 18:14 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was investigating a homicide that occurred last week in east Austin.APD said officers responded to a call and found a man, later identified as 20-year-old Matthew Escalante, with a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital for treatment but died Nov. 8, according to police.APD said an investigation showed Escalante arriv
  
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• What to know about this year's Texas Book Festival

  13-11-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 250 authors and 40,000 book lovers will flock to downtown Austin this weekend for the Texas Book Festival, a nearly 30-year tradition in the Lone Star State.This year's festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday near the Texas Capitol and downtown, with free admission to guests. Tents will be stationed along 11th Street and Congress A
  
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• 24th annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk set to happen at Camp Mabry on Saturday

  13-11-2024 17:41 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The transcript of this live Q&A has been edited for brevity and clarity.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Mighty Texas Dog Walk & Expo is set to take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Camp Mabry, located at 2200 W 35th Street.Mighty Texas Dog Walk & Expo organizers said it has 12 world records that include largest dog cake, largest dog bowl, most dogs walked and more. This year it will try to beat the world record for biggest pajama party with dogs.
  The event's websi
  
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• LIVE: Austin police chief to provide details on deadly shooting involving officers

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis is expected to share details Wednesday afternoon surrounding an incident that happened in northwest Austin last week and ended with police shooting and killing a man. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man at a northwest Austin apartment complex Nov. 7, after the man reportedly shot at APD first, according to Davis. It hap
  
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• Deadly northwest Austin police shooting began with traffic stop in Bee Cave

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis shared new details Wednesday afternoon surrounding a fatal shooting involving police that began in Bee Cave and ended in northwest Austin last week. PAST COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man -- later identified as 27-year-old Zachary Labrie -- at a northwest Austin apartment complex Nov. 7, after he shot at APD first, according t
  
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• Austin police chief to provide details on deadly shooting involving officers

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis is expected to share details Wednesday afternoon surrounding an incident that happened in northwest Austin last week and ended with police shooting and killing a man. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man at a northwest Austin apartment complex last Thursday morning, after the man reportedly shot at APD first, according t
  
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• APD provides details on deadly shooting involving officers

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis shared new details Wednesday afternoon surrounding a fatal shooting involving police that began in Bee Cave and ended in northwest Austin last week. PAST COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man -- later identified as 27-year-old Zachary Labrie -- at a northwest Austin apartment complex Nov. 7, after he shot at APD first, according t
  
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• TRAFFIC ALERT: AFD responds to 'hazardous materials incident' near Tesla Gigafactory

  13-11-2024 17:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Fire Department said it was responding to a hazardous materials incident at an address close to the Tesla Gigafactory.AFD said crews were responding to the 13000 block of Tesla Pvt E7 Road for reports of a possible crack in a pipeline.The department said traffic should be expected in the area while crews respond.KXAN has sent a crew to the
  
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• AFD responds to 'hazardous materials incident' near Tesla Gigafactory, precautionary evacuations issued

  13-11-2024 17:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Fire Department said it was responding to a hazardous materials incident at an address close to the Tesla Gigafactory.AFD said crews were responding to the 13000 block of Tesla Pvt E7 Road for reports of a possible crack in a pipeline, and Atmos Energy was working to shut off the valves and make the necessary repairs.The immediate area of the incident was evacuated as a precaution, according to AFD. The precautionary evacuation was for a cooling sta
  
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• Man sentenced in death of 'severely' beaten 65-year-old roommate

  13-11-2024 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Oct. 10 on a first-degree murder charge following a plea deal, according to Travis County court documents.Records showed 27-year-old Cristo Jesus Rodriguez received a sentence of 25 years in prison related to the charge.Mugshot of Cristo Jesus Rodriguez (APD photo)
  Rodriguez’s charge was related to the 2022 death of 65-year-old Kenneth Ge
  
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• APD searches for suspect of south Austin aggravated robbery at Dollar General

  13-11-2024 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a suspect in connection with a south Austin aggravated robbery that occurred Oct. 13.APD said the robbery occurred between 9:10 - 9:30 p.m. at a Dollar General, located at 9600 Menchaca Road.According to police, the suspect, who was described as a Black man in his 30s or 40s, entered the store and threatened t
  
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