Austin news

• Memory of Round Rock shooting lingers at Georgetown Juneteenth celebration

  23-06-2024 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Organizers of a Juneteenth celebration in Georgetown said the memory of a shooting that took place at a Juneteenth festival in Round Rock one week ago is still fresh. Despite this, they said the message of the holiday must persevere and overcome any fear of future tragedies.Late last Saturday, two women were killed and 14 others were wounded while attending a Juneteenth festival at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. In the days since, police have arrested two suspe
  
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• Taco Bell launches $7 'Luxe Cravings Box'

  28-06-2024 04:33 via kxan.com
  
  (WXIN) - Taco Bell is joining other fast-food chains by offering a value-priced meal.The $7 “Luxe Cravings Box” features four items and a medium drink. It’s packed with a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito and Double Stacked Taco, along with chips and nacho cheese.The chain said the box represents a 55% savings when compared to the suggested menu price for each individual item.“With the launch of the $7 Luxe Cravings Box, we’re giving consumers our most craveabl
  
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• Did Trump actually call veterans who died in wars 'suckers'?

  28-06-2024 04:28 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — During Thursday night's first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, several accusations came to the fore. But one exchange between the president and the former president caused one of the night's most tense moments.Near the end of the first 30 minutes, Biden claimed Trump previously verbally attacked and disrespected American veterans, particularly ones who were injured or died during combat. Trump rages against Biden, Fox News ahead
  
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• Oklahoma executes man convicted of killing 7-year-old former stepdaughter

  28-06-2024 04:23 via kxan.com
  
  McALESTER, Okla. (KFOR) – The state of Oklahoma on Thursday executed a man convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a 7-year-old girl in 1984.Richard Rojem, 66, received a three-drug lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester and was declared dead at 10:16 a.m., prison officials said.According to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, Rojem was convicted and sentenced to death for the July 1984 kidnapping, rape and murder of his 7-year-old former stepdaughter, Lay
  
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• 70,000 lawn chairs recalled after finger amputations

  28-06-2024 04:16 via kxan.com
  
  (WJW) – About 70,000 lawn chairs are being recalled after two people suffered partial finger amputations while using them, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced.
  The recall is for Cinmar Frontgate Resort Collection Newport Aluminum Chaises and Teak Chaises, which have backrests that can “unexpectedly descend with force," according to CPSC. Coffee recall due to potentially fatal food poisoning: FDACinmar has received three reports of incidents where people’s fi
  
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• Oklahoma public schools must teach the Bible, state superintendent announces

  28-06-2024 04:10 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma State Department of Education is mandating public school teachers use the Bible in classrooms, effective immediately.
  Public school superintendents were sent a memo on Thursday announcing the new rule.
  “The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters. “Without basic knowledge of it, Oklahoma students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of our nation which is why O
  
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• What is that stuff spreading across Lady Bird Lake?

  28-06-2024 03:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  What's all that stuff growing on top of Lady Bird Lake?According to the Austin Watershed Protection Department, these pervasive plants are Cabomba Caroliniana -- also known as fanwort.The plant lives in Austin's waterways year-round, but it grows when the temperatures get hotter."We try to paddleboard and kayak quite a bit, we don't really do it out here as much anymore because we get stuck right here," said David Ward, who pointed to a large patch of the fanwort near
  
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• Texas decathlete Leo Neugebauer named finalist for The Bowerman

  28-06-2024 03:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas decathlete Leo Neugebauer is again a finalist for college track and field's highest honor.Neugebauer made the shortlist for The Bowerman, an award that honors the top college male and female track and field athlete in the country, for the second consecutive year. He's joined by Texas Tech's Caleb Dean and Georgia's Christopher Morales Williams as finalists.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports
  
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• Former Uvalde CISD police chief indicted for Robb Elementary shooting response

  28-06-2024 03:06 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (Nexstar) — Former Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo has been booked and released on 10 counts of child endangerment for his role in the police response to the second-worst school shooting in American history.It marks the first criminal charges in the highly-scrutinized police response to the May 2022 shooting, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers.
  Nearly 376 law enforcement officers responded from a slew of local, state and
  
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• Homicide in Travis Co. highlights need for stronger mental health services, leaders say

  28-06-2024 01:21 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Tuesday's killing of a 21-year-old woman has emphasized the need for better mental health resources in Travis County, various groups told KXAN.According to court records, a 19-year-old is accused of killing her 21-year-old relative inside their northeast Austin home. Deputies arrested the suspect, Keziah Titus, on murder charges.
  Titus' arrest affidavit outlines a graphic, violent episode and state she admitted to killing one family member, trying to kill another a
  
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• Traffic alert: Crash on US 183 shuts down all lanes

  28-06-2024 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- All lanes are currently shut down on southbound and northbound U.S. 183 at Burleson Road due to a crash, the Texas Department of Transportation said on social media Thursday.Shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday, Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to the crash with a reported pin-in on U.S. 183, near Burleson Road. Additionally, the Austin Fire Department and Travis County STAR Flight responded to the crash.The person who was pinned was extricated from the vehicle and then was t
  
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• Former Uvalde schools police chief indicted for role in Robb Elementary shooting response

  28-06-2024 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- A Uvalde County grand jury has indicted former school district police Chief Pete Arredondo and another former district officer on charges of child endangerment, the first criminal charges brought against law enforcement for the botched response to the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, the San Antonio Express-News reported.Arredondo and Adrian Gonzales face felony charges of abandoning or endangering a child, the newspaper reported.The charges come more tha
  
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• New state law helped Buda developer get project off the ground

  28-06-2024 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – A new state law helped a developer get a project off the ground that has been in limbo for several years. The Buda City Council approved earlier this month the Persimmon Development, which will bring over 2,000 new residential units, shops, a new school and an emergency services department. The development will sit on 775 acres of land, according to city documents.  PREVIOUS: Housing developer at a crossroads with City of Buda, planning to remove itself from
  
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• Where do the Longhorns rank in new college football video game?

  28-06-2024 00:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — College football is back on video game platforms when EA Sports releases its highly-anticipated College Football 25 worldwide July 19, bringing the pageantry and traditions back from an 11-year hiatus now that Name, Image and Likeness are in place.EA published some of its rankings ahead of the game's release, particularly the offensive and defensive ratings of programs and the "toughest places to play." The Texas Longhorns are in the top 25 in all three, and inside the top
  
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• Austin hits 100º for first time in 2024, more to come

  28-06-2024 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We know it was bound to happen sooner or later... but our first 100° day of the year in Austin arrived this afternoon!A triple digit high in Austin today would be a full week earlier than our 30-year average (1991-2020). How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decadeAverage first triple digit day of the year in Austin is July 4Mostly sunny skies will stretch overhead today with fewer scattered clouds than recent days. Afternoon h
  
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• How often does Austin hit 100°? Here's a breakdown by date, month, year and decade

  27-06-2024 23:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin officially hit 100° for the first time in 2024 on Thursday, June 27. While that's almost three weeks later than 2023, it's still earlier than average.Complete temperature records for Camp Mabry — Austin's official reporting site — date back to 1898. Since then, Austin reached 100° a total of 1,970 times. Temperatures, rain, severe storms: Tracking Austin&rsquo
  
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• Hays County SWAT arrests man on multiple charges in Wimberley

  27-06-2024 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- One person was arrested on multiple charges after a SWAT situation in Wimberley on Thursday morning, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office.Around 3 a.m., the Hays County SWAT Team "conducted a warrant service" in the 4000 block of Ledgerock Road, HCSO said in a news release.The SWAT team apprehended Raymond Banda, 52. The apprehension was "carefully planned" while ensuring the safety of everyone involved, the release said.Raymond Banda, 52 | Courtesy Hays Cou
  
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• Price of Texas State Parks Pass to increase to $95 Sept. 1

  27-06-2024 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Sept. 1, the price of a Texas State Parks Pass is set to increase from $70 to $95, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This is the second time the price has increased since the program was instituted in 2004.“When the Texas State Parks Pass debuted in 2004, it cost $60. The price went up to $70 in 2011. In the 13 years since we have made many improvements to our parks. This price increase will help fund more improvements as well as ongoing mainten
  
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• Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross and Blue Shield reach temporary contract extension

  27-06-2024 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — Baylor Scott & White and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas announced a three-month contract extension Thursday, extending provider and facility contract services to Oct. 1.
  Prior to the short-term extension, the existing contract between the two entities had been set to expire Monday. Following this latest update, any hospitals, providers or facilities under Baylor Scott & White will stay in network for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas members.Earlier this year,
  
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• Austin Energy will give EV owners money to adjust summer charging

  27-06-2024 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is from June 21, 2023, and covers electric vehicle charging tips during the summer months.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy is offering new incentives to customers with electric vehicle chargers to help manage energy use this summer.Austin Energy launched its Power Partner EV program, a voluntary enrollment opportunity for customers with EV chargers to make adjustments to their energy to reduce community grid output during the peak summer months. Similar to its P
  
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• Levitation music festival announces 2024 lineup

  27-06-2024 21:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin-based music festival announced its 2024 lineup, including some well-known names like Soccer Mommy, Dry Cleaning, Slowdive, Illuminati Hotties, Arc De Soleil, Ringo Deathstarr, and more.
  Levitation is a Halloween weekend, four-day music festival that was created with the mission of being a "hub for the psych rock scene" and has expanded to also include metal, electronic music, punk, and "all manner of independent and underground music," according to its website.The fest
  
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• Upcoming Supreme Court decision may impact camping bans nationwide

  27-06-2024 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A pending decision by the Supreme Court regarding laws regulating camping on public property may impact efforts by cities nationwide to regulate public camping.The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, originates from three public-camping ordinances passed by the City of Grants Pass in Oregon, which the city said aims to protect public health and safety by addressing the growing issue of encampments.The central question presented to the court is whether the potential civil and c
  
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• How the Supreme Court's ruling on a homelessness case could affect Austin's camping ban

  27-06-2024 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nexstar) — A Supreme Court Case originating in Grants Pass, Oregon could have major implications for Austin's camping ban.
  The Supreme Court is scheduled to announce its decision on Friday for Grants Pass v. Johnson, a case that challenges the constitutionality of arresting or ticketing homeless individuals for camping outdoors when they have no safe alternative, arguing it is cruel and unusual punishment, thereby violating the Eighth Amendment.
  The case began when Gloria
  
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• LIVE: Austin athlete to watch: Swimmer Lizzi Smith hopes to bring spotlight to Paralympics

  27-06-2024 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lizzi Smith, a three-time Paralympian medalist, is an athlete to watch in Paris. The 28-year-old Austinite first has to qualify at the U.S. Swimming Trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota this week.Qualifying shouldn't be a challenge for Smith — she is used to the world stage. The swimmer made her Paralympics debut in the 2016 Rio games and earned silver as part of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay as well as bronze in the 4×100 medley relay. However, it was the 1
  
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• Austin athlete to watch: Swimmer Lizzi Smith hopes to bring spotlight to Paralympics

  27-06-2024 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lizzi Smith, a three-time Paralympian medalist, is an athlete to watch in Paris. The 28-year-old Austinite first has to qualify at the U.S. Swimming Trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota this week.Qualifying shouldn't be a challenge for Smith — she is used to the world stage. The swimmer made her Paralympics debut in the 2016 Rio games and earned silver as part of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay as well as bronze in the 4×100 medley relay. However, it was the 1
  
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• VIDEO: Texas crash test explores how electric vehicles interact with guardrails

  27-06-2024 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- An electric vehicle crash test conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) last week highlighted the need for enhanced roadway safety infrastructure.TTI said in a release the June 18 experiment was the first-of-its-kind-crash test to be done in Texas, using a Tesla Model 3 vehicle as the central subject of the test. In the experiment, the nearly 4,000-pound electric vehicle hit a thrie beam guardrail system at a 25-degree angle while traveling 62 miles per hour,
  
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• Texas crash test explores how electric vehicles interact with guardrails

  27-06-2024 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- An electric vehicle crash test conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) last week highlighted the need for enhanced roadway safety infrastructure.TTI said in a release the June 18 experiment was the first-of-its-kind-crash test to be done in Texas, using a Tesla Model 3 vehicle as the central subject of the test. In the experiment, the nearly 4,000-pound electric vehicle hit a thrie beam guardrail system at a 25-degree angle while traveling 62 miles per hour,
  
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• Supreme Court to rule on Texas case concerning free speech, social media

  27-06-2024 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision before the end of the month in a case where tech industry groups, under NetChoice, challenged a Texas law that limits social media platforms from censoring users based on their viewpoints, highlighting significant First Amendment concerns.The lawsuit, filed by NetChoice, arose after Governor Greg Abbott enacted a law that aims to prevent large social media platforms from censoring users based on their viewpoints, known as
  
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• LCRA awards more than $1M in latest round of grants for community projects in Texas

  27-06-2024 18:18 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, June 27, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lower Colorado River Authority has awarded more than $1 million in its latest round of community project grants.The grants are awarded twice a year to projects across the LCRA's wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. In the latest round, $1,001,774 was awarded to 44 projects, including fire departments, libraries, chambers of commerce and com
  
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• Criminal appeals court denies DA's attempt to reverse Daniel Perry pardon

  27-06-2024 18:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has denied Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza's attempt to reverse the pardon of Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder in 2020 for shooting and killing a Black Lives Matter protester in 2020, according to online court records.Governor Greg Abbott pardoned Perry in May of this year. A jury found Perry guilty of murder in April 2023.
  Earlier this month, Garza filed a writ of mandamus asking the Court of Criminal Appeals to reverse what
  
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