Austin news

• MAP: More than 3,300 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires in 2024

  23-08-2024 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 3,300 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas so far in 2024, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.A total of 10 fires have burned 3,350 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area. Weather Interactives: How much rain has Austin received this year?KXAN is keeping track of wildfires. Follow along with the map and database below. We'll keep them updated as new information becomes available. Fires that are still uncontained are red on the map. Evacu
  
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• Road closures planned for UT Football, Pecan Street Fall Festival

  12-09-2024 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Whether you're heading to the Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium to cheer on the Longhorns Saturday or hoping to check out the Pecan Street Fall Festival downtown, there will be several events this weekend impacting traffic. Here's a rundown of some of the expected road closures and impacts, as well as alternative transportation options.University of Texas at Austin Football takes on the University of Texas at San AntonioThe Longhorns will face up with UTSA's Roadrunner
  
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• Received a Census Survey? Make sure to complete it, or risk a fine

  12-09-2024 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A KXAN viewer reached out to the station after receiving a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau. Unsure what to do, that viewer asked for help."We have received mailings from the US Census Bureau and the statement that our participation is required. Would like to know why the Census Bureau is sending these and is our participation really required," asked the viewer in an email.The U.S. Constitution orders the federal government to conduct a census of the population
  
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• Judge rules US agency must move forward on determining Golden-Cheeked Warbler's status

  12-09-2024 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Federal Judge David Alan Ezra ruled on Sep. 9 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service applied the "wrong standard" while determining the conservation status of the Golden-Cheeked Warbler, a migratory bird that nests in Central Texas.The ruling doesn't strip the species of its endangered status. Golden-cheeked Warbler’s endangered status subject of legal battle"The question before the Court is not whether the Warbler should be delisted as endangered or even whether del
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: Vandegrift, Stony Point meet in district opener

  12-09-2024 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Both teams in Thursday's KBVO Game of the Week want to get back on track after Week 2 losses and start district play with a bang.How to find KBVO
  AT&T U-Verse: Channel 1007 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)DirecTV: Channel 51 (HD) – Channel 909 (SD) (HD/SD)Dish Network: Channel 51 (HD/SD)Grande Communications: Channel 818 (HD) – Channel 18 (SD)Northland Cable: Channel 101 (HD) – Channel 10 (SD)Over the Air: Channel 14Suddenlink:
  
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• British Airways to almost double number of flights from Austin beginning in March

  12-09-2024 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — British Airways will almost double the number of flights it operates from Austin to London beginning in March 2025.Currently, the airline operates one flight daily between AUS and London Heathrow. That will increase to 13 flights a week beginning March 31, with daily flights operating Monday-Saturday.Flights currently leave Austin daily at 6:05 p.m., arriving in London at 9:35 a.m. the following day. The new flight will take off at 10:15 p.m. and arrive in London at 1:40 p.
  
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• REPORT: How have Texas' traffic congestion levels changed since the pandemic?

  12-09-2024 22:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' major metro areas are reporting a higher volume of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) now versus in 2019, on par with national trends reflecting increasing congestion levels in the past five years.Transportation data hub StreetLight shared those findings in a new report released Thursday. Between spring 2019 and spring 2024, Texas metros saw the following increases in VMT:
  McAllen-Edinburg-Mission: 68% increaseEl Paso: 42% increaseSan Antonio-New Braunfels: 26% increaseDal
  
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• City leaders privately discuss police oversight

  12-09-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mayor Kirk Watson called a special meeting Thursday to discuss a police oversight matter with council members and the City's legal team in executive session.The discussion pertains to the Austin Police Department (APD) "g-file," which is an internal personnel file that contains unsubstantiated complaints against officers that did not result in any discipline.PREVIOUS: City of Austin ‘moving toward compliance’ on police g-file rulingThe confidentiality of those files
  
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• Gas leak repaired in UT's campus Thursday

  12-09-2024 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin Police Department said a gas leak has been successfully repaired Thursday afternoon, after a reported leak earlier in the day.The University of Texas at Austin Police Department and the Austin Fire Department responded to a gas leak near UT's campus Thursday afternoon. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bynum)The University of Texas at Austin Police Department and the Austin Fire Department responded to a gas leak near UT's campus Thursday afternoon. (KXAN P
  
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• Gas leak closes intersection in UT's campus Thursday

  12-09-2024 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin Police Department is directing traffic near the intersection of 20th Street and University Avenue after detecting a gas leak in the area Thursday afternoon.Officers first responded to the intersection around noon Thursday after officials said construction in the area caused a gas leak. UTPD said officers are working in tandem with the Austin Fire Department on the incident, adding gas is currently shut off.UTPD officers will be directing tr
  
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• Central Texas school districts respond to vague threats on social media

  12-09-2024 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several Central Texas school districts have acknowledged a nonspecific school shooting threat circulating across social media platforms on Wednesday and Thursday. A Hays CISD spokesperson advised parents of the threat through email Thursday morning, saying their “law enforcement partners are investigating the threat.”
  The spokesperson followed that email up Thursday afternoon, telling parents, “Those threats have been determined to have originated out
  
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• Central Texas school districts respond to vague threat on social media

  12-09-2024 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severals Central Texas school districts have acknowledged a nonspecific school shooting threat circulating across social media platforms on Wednesday and Thursday. A Hays CISD spokesperson advised parents of the threat through email Thursday morning, saying their “law enforcement partners are investigating the threat.”
  The spokesperson followed that email up Thursday afternoon, telling parents, “Those threats have been determined to have originated ou
  
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• Traffic Alert: Multiple lane closures following crash in southeast Austin near AUS

  12-09-2024 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, first responders said a southeast Austin rollover crash caused lane shutdowns due to debris on the roadway.According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to a crash in the 400 block of Bastrop Highway, which is just north of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.APD said all northbound lanes were shut down until further notice and advised drivers to find alternate routes and expect delays. The road has been shut down at Thompson Lane.Accordi
  
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• Traffic Alert: Multiple lane closures following crash in southeast Austin

  12-09-2024 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, first responders said a southeast Austin rollover crash caused lane shutdowns due to debris on the roadway.According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to a crash in the 400 block of Bastrop Highway heading north.APD said all northbound lanes were shut down until further notice and advised drivers to find alternate routes and expect delays. The road has been shut down at Thompson Lane.According to the Austin Fire Department, the call came out a
  
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• Permit requests detail where else '1923' TV show could film in Austin

  12-09-2024 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from KXAN's coverage on Sept. 11, 2024, detailing filming for the TV show "1923" in Austin.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Those traveling in the West Campus neighborhood near the University of Texas at Austin this week likely noticed an increase in traffic and road closures due to filming for the TV show "1923."KXAN reported Wednesday there were active street closures near San Gabriel Street for filming of the Golden Globe-nominated show, which stars Helen Mirren, Harris
  
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• MotoAmerica makes pit stop at Austin's Circuit of The Americas

  12-09-2024 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Superbikes will reach up to 190 mph for motorcycle road racing at Austin's Circuit of The Americas this weekend.Circuit of The Americas will host the MotoAmerica series with races starting Saturday and ending Sunday.Five classes of road racing will take place including Steel Commander Superbike, Mission King Of The Baggers, Supersport, BellissiMoto Twins Cup, and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The doors will open to the public Friday at 8 a.m. for op
  
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• LIVE: MotoAmerica makes pit stop at Austin's Circuit of The Americas

  12-09-2024 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Superbikes will reach up to 190 mph for motorcycle road racing at Austin's Circuit of The Americas this weekend.Circuit of The Americas will host the MotoAmerica series with races starting Saturday and ending Sunday.Five classes of road racing will take place including Steel Commander Superbike, Mission King Of The Baggers, Supersport, BellissiMoto Twins Cup, and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. The doors will open to the public Friday at 8 a.m. for op
  
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• New ethics complaint filed against Round Rock mayor

  12-09-2024 19:27 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A new ethics complaint has been filed against the mayor of Round Rock, Craig Morgan. It was filed in late August by Jill Farris, who lives in the city.Farris argues Morgan has "profited significantly" by using his law firm as a vendor by the city for collections and fines placed against residents."As of May 2024, Craig Morgan and his law firm, McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen PC (MVBA), earned at least $1,569,620.77 by suing Round Rock citizens to collect lat
  
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• Hays Co Bar-B-Que secures financial incentives for move to booming Kyle

  12-09-2024 17:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — Hays Co Bar-B-Que has secured a $500,000 incentive package from the city of Kyle as the acclaimed restaurant relocates its operations from San Marcos.It received unanimous approval from the Kyle City Council on Sept. 3 for the incentives aimed at helping it move into a former tire shop at 505 S. Old Highway 81. City officials are hoping the project serves as a catalyst for Kyle's downtown growth.The 17-year-old barbecue business, owned by Michael and Asen
  
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• Weak & short La Niña coming: How it impacts winter

  12-09-2024 16:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Climate Prediction Center updated its outlook for ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) and La Niña is expected to begin by this November.La Niña is the cold phase of ENSO, where the waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific cool at least 0.5° below average.The odds of La Niña continuing through meteorological winter (December-February) are at 77%, but La Niña is not expected to last long into 2025.The Climate Prediction Center described t
  
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• Austin rain dome: Do cities really deflect rain?

  12-09-2024 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Research conducted by several Jackson School of Geosciences members provides global evidence of noticeable urban precipitation anomalies, especially in hot and humid climates.
  Professor Dev Niyogi and his colleagues including Ph.D. candidate Xinxin Sui examined over one thousands cities worldwide. They found that more than 60% of cities across the globe and their downward regions are receiving a surplus in precipitation than the surrounding rural areas.
  They found that urbanizati
  
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• Austin rain dome debunked; research looks at cities' impact on local climate

  12-09-2024 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Research conducted by several Jackson School of Geosciences members provides global evidence of noticeable urban precipitation anomalies, especially in hot and humid climates.
  Professor Dev Niyogi and his colleagues including Ph.D. candidate Xinxin Sui examined over one thousands cities worldwide. They found that more than 60% of cities across the globe and their downward regions are receiving a surplus in precipitation than the surrounding rural areas.
  They found that urbanizati
  
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• Prescribed burn planned for 224 acres south of Austin

  12-09-2024 15:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 200 acres will be burned between Driftwood and Buda on Thursday.
  Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division is conducting a prescribed burn on about 224 acres of the Water Quality Protection Lands to help manage the lands, protect wildlife, and reduce the risk of wildfires in the area, according to a release from Austin Water.
  Smoke may be visible northeast of RR 3237, north of FM 150, south of FM 967 and east of FM 1626, and FM 2770 from 10 a.m. to 
  
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• West Lake Hills house under construction catches fire, no one hurt

  12-09-2024 15:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A West Lake Hills house under construction caught on fire Thursday morning, according to the Westlake Fire Department. WFD's Fire Chief David Wilson said that no one was hurt in the incident.
  The house is located at Sundown Parkway, which is located near Bee Cave Road.
  The West Lake Hills Police Department said on social media to expect traffic delays at FM 2244 and TX 360 due to the fire. They said that officials will be on-site and will temporarily block traffic to allow emerg
  
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• Austin considers replacing firefighter turnouts following nationwide movement

  12-09-2024 14:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It is responsible for making your pots and pans non-stick. It's used to make stain resistant fabrics and carpets, and can make clothes water repellent. That's why PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are used in the turnouts that firefighters wear while on the job.
  Bob Nicks, the president of the Austin Fire Association, explained it simply. "It repels chemicals, it repels water, it's very heat resistant."
  Although it is an effective chemical in fighting fires, the subs
  
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• KXAN uncovers emissions fraud 'way beyond' what Texas authorities knew

  12-09-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A KXAN investigation has uncovered obvious discrepancies and red flags in public vehicle inspection reports, revealing new details about the extent of emissions fraud in Texas -- "way beyond" what law enforcement already knew -- prompting a local task force to take action. VIDEO: How "clean scanning" works"[This goes] way beyond what I thought," said Sgt. Jose Escribano, after reviewing KXAN's findings. Escribano is a leading expert on emissions inspection fraud with the Tr
  
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• LIVE: Hotter than normal weekend ahead

  12-09-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our stretch of near to below normal temperatures comes to an end this weekend with a big jump in afternoon highs.Our cooler than normal stretch comes to an end this weekendThis morning's cloudy sky will clear to sunshine this afternoon. High temperatures will be seasonable in the upper 80s to low 90s - likely to shake out to be one of our coolest days of the next seven.Thursday afternoon forecast highsHigh pressure building over the region will bring a big warm up tomorrow into
  
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• Hotter than normal weekend ahead

  12-09-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our stretch of near to below normal temperatures comes to an end this weekend with a big jump in afternoon highs.Our cooler than normal stretch comes to an end this weekendThis morning's cloudy sky will clear to sunshine this afternoon. High temperatures will be seasonable in the upper 80s to low 90s - likely to shake out to be one of our coolest days of the next seven.Thursday afternoon forecast highsHigh pressure building over the region will bring a big warm up tomorrow into
  
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• Big warm-up kicks in Friday as highs push near 100º

  12-09-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- I hope you enjoyed today's highs in the low to mid 90s, because today will be our coolest day for at least the next week (or more).Tonight will be fairly average with lows dropping into the low 70s and upper 60s. We'll find fewer overnight and early morning clouds, so plan on a mostly clear night.Friday morning lowsFriday will be a mostly sunny day with only patchy low clouds in the morning. Winds will change direction from the north/northeast to instead come out of the south. T
  
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• Above average temperatures return for the weekend

  12-09-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our stretch of near to below normal temperatures comes to an end this weekend with a big jump in afternoon highs.Our cooler than normal stretch comes to an end this weekendTemperatures today are shaping up to be the last near average day for a while as we are expected to hit the low 90s across most of Central Texas. The sun will be bright in the sky and stick around for the foreseeable future.Thursday afternoon forecast highsHigh pressure building over the region will bring a bi
  
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