Austin news

• Mistaken identity? Some Texans think mostly-harmless cicada killer wasps are Asian giant hornets

  17-06-2020 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mostly-harmless Cicada killer wasps that emerge in Texas every summer are being confused for so-called Asian “murder hornets” that have caused panic in the United States, an entomologist has said.She said there’s no need to worry here in Texas because the giant hornets, which can reach up to two inches in length, have not been found in the U.S. outside of Washington state.Despite their name, cicada killer wasps are mostly harmless to humans – their n
  
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• When is the voter registration deadline in Texas?

  04-10-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - The 2024 presidential election is fast approaching, and in some states, the voter registration deadline is as soon as this week -- while Monday marks the deadline in Texas.Voters in key battlegrounds, including Florida, Arizona and Georgia, have just days to register, and missing these deadlines could mean losing the opportunity to cast a ballot in what is shaping up to be a pivotal election.In states like Alaska and Rhode Island, voter registration must be completed by Sunday, Oct.
  
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• Blue Alert issued for 33-year-old man wanted for seriously injuring officer

  04-10-2024 13:06 via kxan.com
  
  HALL COUNTY, Texas-- The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a Blue Alert early Friday morning for 33-year-old Seth Altman who is wanted for involvement in the killing or serious of injury of a law enforcement officer. Altman is described as a 6’2 white male with blue eyes, red/auburn hair, and approximately  weighs 220 lbs. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt with blue jeans, said DPS.  RELATED COVERAGE: What is a Blue Alert?DPS said Altman was last seen at th
  
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• APD asks for help in locating 8-year-old boy, last seen Thursday night

  04-10-2024 12:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 8-year-old, Aaron Camacho, is missing after last being seen leaving his north Austin home on E. Wonsley Drive at 11:50 p.m. Thursday night, according to the Austin Police Department.The boy's home is located near the intersection of E. Anderson Lane and S I-35 frontage road. He was last seen walking on foot, according to APD.Austin Police described Aaron as being 4'0", 56 Ibs., having brown eyes,dark brown hair and a bowl style haircut.
  A 8-year-old boy is missing after last bei
  
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• Texas high school football scores for Thursday, Oct. 3

  04-10-2024 05:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Anderson broke through in a big way for its first district victory 64-7 over Kyle Lehman on Thursday.Lampasas pushed Lorena aside 24-13 and Westlake picked up a district-opening win 70-0 over Akins.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 your game to [email protected] and we'll get it on our websiteCheck out the rest of the scores from around Texas below:Scores from around Central Texas
  Ande
  
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• Texas State flexes muscles on defense, wins Sun Belt opener 38-17 over Troy

  04-10-2024 04:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas State opened Sun Belt Conference play on the right foot, thumping Troy 38-17 Thursday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.The Bobcats (3-2, 1-0 SBC) defense swarmed the Trojans, sacking the quarterback six times and creating 10 tackles for loss for 53 yards. Texas State forced three fumbles with two recoveries, allowing Troy (1-5, 0-2 SBC) to gain just 1.9 yards per rush. The Trojans rushed for 63 yards on 33 attempts.Texas State defensive linemen Kalil Alex
  
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• Concordia University opens center focused on diversity, equity and inclusion

  04-10-2024 02:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Concordia University welcomed a new space on campus that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion. It's called the Center for Belonging and Faith.This new space is an initiative of the university's Equity Team. Concordia unveiled it Thursday as part of the ABIDE initiative to promote the values of access, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity.The first program at the Concordia University's Center for Belonging and Faith is scheduled for the end of October. (Photo: KXAN)Th
  
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• Ponderosa Pet Resort fire victims settle for $75K

  04-10-2024 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thirteen Georgetown families who lost their pets in the Ponderosa Pet Resort fire just over three years ago have settled their claims after suing the company that ran the kennel and its owner.Attorney Ard Ardalan said in the release the parties agreed to a $75,000 settlement. That is the largest known settlement for a case of this kind, the release said.On Sept. 18, 2021, 75 dogs were killed after a fire broke out at the pet resort around 10:40 p.m. The fire was caused by "an el
  
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• Man facing additional arson charge in connection with September 2023 homicide

  04-10-2024 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man already charged with murder related to a September 2023 homicide investigation has now been connected to arson related to the case, an arrest warrant affidavit said.On Sept. 26, 2023, shortly before 11 a.m., first responders arrived in the 2300 block of Greenfield Parkway and found 40-year-old Keith Bedford on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, previous court records said.Later that morning, a black Acura was seen being parked at a dead-end road on Valleyfield Drive
  
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• Country music star Garth Brooks accused of sexual assault by makeup artist

  04-10-2024 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) — Garth Brooks, the country music superstar who gained fame in the 1990s with several hit songs, has been named in a lawsuit accusing him of raping a hair and makeup artist in 2019.The lawsuit, according to CNN, mentions two specific incidents in which Brooks allegedly committed sexual assault and battery against the woman — one in a Los Angeles hotel room in May 2019 and another at his home the same year, when he allegedly “grabbed her hands and forced them” on hi
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: No. 12 Westlake gets district play started vs. Akins

  04-10-2024 00:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 12 Westlake kicks off District 26-6A play Thursday at home against Akins in the KBVO Game of the Week.The Chaparrals had a bye last week after finishing 3-1 in their non-district schedule. Akins dropped its first district game to Dripping Springs 63-0 last week, but they've started the season 3-2 overall after going a combined 0-20 the past two seasons.How to find KBVO
  AT&T U-Verse: Channel 1007 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)DirecTV: Channel 51 (HD) – C
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: No. 12 Westlake cruises to 70-0 win over Akins

  04-10-2024 00:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 12 Westlake jumped out to a 49-0 lead at halftime and cruised to a 70-0 win over Akins on Thursday at Chaparral Stadium in the KBVO Game of the Week.Chaparrals head coach Tony Salazar said he was happy he was able to get a lot of younger players in the ballgame.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"Some of the young guys came in and did some good things," he sa
  
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• 'I feel safe here': Dripping Springs veterans resource hub officially opens

  03-10-2024 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) –  Veterans from across Central Texas came to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating Patriot’s Hall’s official opening. The veteran’s resource facility was years in the making and cost over $10 million – $8.4 million of which was fundraised – to complete. The center is intended to support the military-to-civilian transition and provide education, employment opportunities, camaraderie and mental health support. &ldq
  
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• Historic Muny celebrates 100 years, hoping for 100 more

  03-10-2024 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lions municipal golf course has a long history in Austin. The course celebrated 100 years with a big celebration Thursday.U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett as well as Austin Mayor Kirk Watson were just a few of the many speakers who spoke about the history and legacy the course has had over the years.The celebration included a parade with classic cars, a flyover and ended with a charity golf tournament.Watson ended the ceremony by proclaiming October 3 as “Lions Muny Golf Cours
  
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• August 2024: Which local restaurants received a perfect health inspection score?

  03-10-2024 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Slow summer months for Austin Public Health's inspections of restaurants, medical facilities, schools and grocery stores are on the way out, with the city agency giving scores to 553 locations. July 2024: Which local restaurants received a perfect health inspection score?This is still down from 2023 when APH inspected 639 locations, and from 2022, when it checked 91
  
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• Which food, market vendors will be at ACL Music Festival this year?

  03-10-2024 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival kicks off Friday, and residents and visitors alike will be able to shop, nosh and sip their way through a host of food and market vendors.Many vendors at this year's festival are locally owned or located in Texas. Food options range from specialty beverages and sweet treats to a variety of different food palettes. On the market end of things, guests can pick out some new jewelry, find some vintage 'fits and ramp up their festival a
  
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• Panic at the Costco! People stocking up on water, toilet paper amid port strike

  03-10-2024 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- If the packed parking lot outside the Costco in Cedar Park on Thursday morning is any indication, people in Central Texas are not taking any chances with the latest port strike."People are already panic buying," Amy Garbade said. "Toilet paper is almost out, along with paper towels. They have a ton of water."Pallets of water and toilet paper, indeed, are a hot commodity. At one point this week, it was problematic enough that a sign still up read they were out for the
  
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• Paxton suing TikTok, referencing SCOPE Act violations

  03-10-2024 22:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he had filed a lawsuit against the social media company TikTok.The lawsuit claimed the platform was operating "in a manner that puts the online safety and privacy of Texas children at risk and violates the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act."Paxton said the SCOPE Act prohibits digital service providers from sharing, disclosing or selling a minor’s personal identifying information w
  
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• 'As goes Texas, so goes the country': Bernie Sanders on turning Texas blue

  03-10-2024 20:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- College lecture halls up and down Texas' "Blue Spine" attracted a who's-who of national progressive icons this week -- Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez headlined rallies with Greg Casar and Beto O'Rourke to drive youth turnout, spreading an unapologetically progressive message from which most Democrats running statewide in Texas have shied away.Colin Allred and Kamala Harris, for example, campaigned against fracking and for a Medicare-for-All plan when running in D
  
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• Bastrop ISD breaks ground on newest elementary school

  03-10-2024 20:29 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — On Tuesday, the Bastrop Independent School District held a groundbreaking ceremony for its ninth elementary school, which is set to open in August 2025.According to the district, the new 105,000-square-foot facility is set to be built near the Adelton subdivision.“This is not just the construction of a building,” said School Board Vice President, Chris Dillon. “It’s the creation of a space where young minds will grow, friendships will form, a
  
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• 108 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeks, affecting more than 117,000 students

  03-10-2024 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topics including weather and climate, politics, education, sports and growth in Texas. Each story in the KXAN Data Hub is updated as new data becomes available.Editor's Note: The video above is from March 6, 2023, when this story was first published.AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least 108 school districts across Texas have now switched to four-day school weeks,
  
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• PHOTOS: Crews take center stage setting up for ACL

  03-10-2024 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With Weekend One of the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) right around the corner, crews took to Zilker Park to begin preparations. Safety tips ahead of Austin City LimitsCrews begin setting up for 2024’s ACL Fest (KXAN photo/Tim Holcomb)Crews begin setting up for 2024’s ACL Fest (KXAN photo/Tim Holcomb)Crews begin setting up for 2024’s ACL Fest (KXAN photo/Tim Holcomb)Crews begin setting up for 2024’s ACL Fest (KXAN photo/Tim Holcomb)Crews beg
  
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• Remembering Austin's heaviest snowstorm

  03-10-2024 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Snow in Central Texas is nothing short of rare. The city of Austin averages 0.2" of snowfall per year with the snowiest month being February.Believe it or not, the heaviest snowstorm Austin ever recorded wasn't during the winter months. During Nov. 23 - 24 in 1937, the city of Austin picked up almost a foot of heavy wet snow, which to this day, holds the record for total snow accumulation in Austin for a single storm event.The city of Austin accumulated 11" of snowfall throughout
  
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• REPORT: How many cars were stolen in Texas last year?

  03-10-2024 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — There was a record number of vehicle thefts reported in the United States last year, and Texas nearly topped that list.Texas had the second-highest number of stolen vehicles reported last year among all U.S. states, according to MarketWatch Guides' September analysis of National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) data. More than 115,000 vehicle thefts happened in Texas in 2023, second only to California, which reported more than 208,000 stolen vehicles.NICB broke down the Top 10
  
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• E-scooter company Lime deploying more staff, resources for ACL

  03-10-2024 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As festivalgoers gear up for the 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival, electric scooter and e-bike company Lime will also be deploying more staff and resources to meet the demand.Lime announced Thursday that attendees will "strategically deploy and rebalance [their] fleet of e-scooters and e-bikes" during the festival. Lime staff will also set up a tent along Toomey Road where they'll pass out free helmets and be available to share safety and parking information with atte
  
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• Man sentenced to 1 year for 2023 auto-ped crash

  03-10-2024 17:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was sentenced to just under a year in jail for his involvement in a deadly auto-ped crash that happened last October, according to court documents.
  Romel Diaz George was indicted for collision involving injury after pleading guilty to the charge.The charge, a third-degree felony, stems from a crash that happened on Oct. 22, 2023, in northeast Austin, where a woman died.
  George was sentenced to 364 days in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. The sentence began
  
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• Live: How you can help after Helene

  03-10-2024 17:21 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The video player above will be replaced by a live stream featuring rescue stories and relief updates from the Red Cross beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
  (NEXSTAR) - It's been nearly a week since Hurricane Helene unleashed deadly fury on the Gulf Coast and caused flooding, food shortages and power disruptions still being felt by communities in the storm's path.Donate now to Hurricane Helene relief efforts
  Nexstar, the parent company of this news station, covers the daily news in cities and
  
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• How you can help after Helene

  03-10-2024 17:21 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - It's been nearly a week since Hurricane Helene unleashed deadly fury on the Gulf Coast and caused flooding, food shortages and power disruptions still being felt by communities in the storm's path. Donate now to Hurricane Helene relief effortsNexstar, the parent company of this news station, covers the daily news in cities and towns across America, including several in the path of last week's storm. Our reporters in the field witnessed firsthand the heroism of emergency personnel and
  
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• Safety tips ahead of Austin City Limits, busy fall event season

  03-10-2024 17:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Each year in Austin, the fall season brings several events to Central Texas. Most notably, the Austin City Limits Music Festival and Formula 1.
  Austin public safety officials are providing safety tips Thursday morning ahead of the start of ACL this weekend.Austin’s busiest month is here. How booked are local hotels ahead of ACL, Formula 1?Representatives from Austin-Travis County EMS, the Austin Police and Fire Departments, and the Office of Homeland Security & Emergen
  
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• Austin law firm finds nearly $100M is spent on wrongful convictions

  03-10-2024 16:32 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas - A new study done by the Michael & Associates Law Firm in Austin found that since 2009, the state of Texas has spend nearly $100 million in lump sum payments to wrongly convicted exonerees.
  The Tim Cole Act, which was signed by then-Gov. Rick Perry, provides compensation to Texans that were wrongly convicted of a crime. Since it became law, 93 exonerees or their families, have been compensated.Garza County’s Dalby Correctional Facility closes its doors, leaves 170 peopl
  
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