Austin news

• Round Rock library to celebrate retirement of beloved ball python Rocksssanne

  20-12-2024 17:33 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Round Rock Public Library (RRPL) announced its beloved ball python Rocksssanne was preparing for retirement.The “well-read reptile” has been captivating library visitors of all ages for 25 years. She has been a staple during storytimes and has made appearances at local schools. She has also inspired art installations, city officials said.Rocksssanne was adopted on Jan. 20, 2000, when she was estimated to be three years old.“At t
  
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• Vandegrift claims first UIL football title, beats Southlake Carroll 24-17 for 6A Division II crown

  22-12-2024 02:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Similar to how the Texas Longhorns beat the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the Vandegrift Vipers ran roughshod over Southlake Carroll to win the UIL 6A Division II football championship 24-17 Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It's the first football state title in program history for the Vipers.The Vipers racked up 193 rushing yards on 38 carries led by Brendan Fournier's huge night. He rushed for 160 yards on 28 carries with a s
  
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• Injuries reported after 'incident' at Killeen Mall

  22-12-2024 01:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Killeen Police said Saturday night that they are investigating an "incident" at the Killeen Mall that led to "some injuries," according to a Facebook post from the law enforcement agency.As of 6 p.m. Saturday, KPD said that the mall and surrounding area are "secure."In an update 21 minutes later, the agency said "there is no active shooter" at the mall and asked that the public stay away from the area. Killeen Fire Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety also r
  
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• Driver killed by police after driving truck into Killeen Mall, at least 5 injured

  22-12-2024 01:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A driver was shot and killed by law enforcement officers after driving a trucking into the Killeen Mall Saturday night, injuring at least five people, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.Around 6 p.m. Saturday, the Killeen Police Department said on Facebook that the mall and surrounding area were "secure." It also said "there is no active shooter" at the mall and asked that the public stay away from the area.
  A large police presence at Killeen Mall on Dec. 21
  
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• Texas builds 28-10 halftime lead in CFP 1st round behind rush attack

  22-12-2024 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas opened up a 28-10 halftime time over Clemson with a 21-point second quarter Saturday in the College Football Playoff first round at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.The fifth-seeded Longhorns outrushed the 12th-seeded Tigers 148-65 behind Quintrevion Wisner's 80 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns. Jaydon Blue tallied 56 yards on seven carries including a 38-yard touchdown for the first score of the second quarter.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories l
  
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• Punishing rushing attack leads Texas to berth in Peach Bowl with 38-24 win over Clemson

  22-12-2024 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said all week that the Longhorns are at their best when they establish the run early on.It's like he knows what he's talking about.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/newslettersThe fifth-seeded Longhorns rumbled for 292 yards with four touchdowns to defeat Clemson 38-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday at DKR-Te
  
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• Santa visits NICU babies at Ascension Seton Williamson

  21-12-2024 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN ) — Santa Claus made an early stop at Ascension Seton Williamson this week to bring holiday cheer to parents and their babies at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)Staff had the babies ready for the visit, dressing them up for their first holiday picture with Santa.Preemie baby in the NICU (Ascension Seton Williamson photo)Preemie baby in the NICU (Ascension Seton Williamson photo)Santa poses for pictures with preemies in the NICU (Ascension Seton Williamson photos)Ascensi
  
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• Banks expected to play, Bond unlikely to for Texas in CFP 1st round

  21-12-2024 19:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas freshman Ryan Wingo will get the start at slot receiver for an injured Isaiah Bond in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.Bond's high ankle sprain, which he suffered Dec. 8 in the Southeastern Conference championship game, hasn't healed enough for head coach Steve Sarkisian to play the speedy Alabama transfer, leaving it to a dynamic freshman and the future of the position at Texas. Sarkisian said Saturday morning
  
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• This city is the ‘Grinchiest’ in Texas, study shows

  21-12-2024 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — The holiday season is in full swing but not every place you go will be as merry as the others. Recently, financial data outlet FinanceBuzz analyzed which U.S. cities have the fewest Christmas events and holiday activities — and one Texas city came out seeing green.Though last year, San Antonio took the top spot nationally for being the most humbug city, this year, Los Angeles earned the "Grinchiest" title. But many more Texas cities appeared on the outlet's list
  
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• What to do with your tree after Christmas

  21-12-2024 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Writing blogs about the importance of recycling is an important element of helping to take care of the environment. Things that you can do to recycle, reduce and/or reuse are important to protect Mother Earth.During CW Austin Mornings we have been telling you ways to recycle items leading up to, during, and after the holiday, be it Christmas or Hanukkah.Add one more to that list.
  A long-standing tradition in Austin continues this year. The good people at Austin Resource Recovery
  
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• Bastrop County investigating murder after elderly man stabbed 30+ times

  21-12-2024 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Friday, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) said it identified two people in connection with a murder that occurred in the area.BCSO said at approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, the body of an elderly man was found with more than 30 stab wounds at his residence in the Stoney Point area. The man was identified as 77-year-old Simon Castillo.According to BCSO, Castillo was found by a relative after failing to attend his morning routine. Investigators
  
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• Bastrop County investigating murder after elderly man found stabbed 30+ times

  21-12-2024 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Friday, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) said it identified two people in connection with a murder that occurred in the area.BCSO said at approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, the body of an elderly man was found with more than 30 stab wounds at his residence in the Stoney Point area. The man was identified as 77-year-old Simon Castillo.According to BCSO, Castillo was found by a relative after failing to attend his morning routine. Investigators
  
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• How did Austin's MoPac Expressway get its name?

  21-12-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For those living in Austin, they're likely well acquainted with MoPac Expressway, a highway corridor running along the western portion of the city and linking State Highway 45's northern and southern segments. The highway is also known as Loop 1 -- but how did it get its MoPac designation?Back in 1929, officials began discussing the need for a north-south thoroughfare linking west Austin, according to documents from the Texas Department of Transportation. In 1944, the Austin Pla
  
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• Texas woman turns home into magical Christmas village

  21-12-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's the most wonderful time of the year -- and especially so for a Central Texas woman who transforms her Hutto home into a picturesque Christmas village.For more than a decade, Debbie Belt has collected and built out her Christmas village, featuring miniature replicas that create an expansive winter wonderland village scene. It all began with a Harley Davidson village shop about 10 years ago, Belt told KXAN, inspired by her and her husband Steve's passion for motorcycles.Origi
  
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• Utah family reunited with missing cat after 11 years away from home

  21-12-2024 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  PLEASANT GROVE, Utah (KTVX) — After more than a decade, one Utah County family has been reunited with their long-lost cat.Laura and Cole Christensen told Nexstar's KTVX they adopted Mischa, a beautiful gray Russian Blue, 11 years ago, shortly after they built their first home near Orem. The home was built near some wetlands and they knew they would need a cat to deal with the mice. The 10 best albums of 2024: Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and more"When you have mice, you get a cat," said L
  
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• Would the US Postal Service stop during a shutdown?

  21-12-2024 04:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — A government shutdown will not affect the mail, meaning even if Congress does not pass a funding plan, holiday gifts still out for delivery should arrive.
  Congress has until midnight Saturday to avoid a government shutdown. If it misses the deadline, several agencies would not have the funds to continue operating, meaning some services would be delayed or stopped and federal workers would be furloughed or work without pay.What services are impacted when the government shuts
  
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• Florida man caught on camera grabbing 16-year-old's butt at Chick-fil-A

  21-12-2024 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida man was arrested on Thursday after a security camera at a Chick-fil-A restaurant captured him grabbing a 16 year-old girl's buttocks.Awny Abdel Malek Basta, 57, is accused of intentionally and repeatedly touching the young girl at a Chick-fil-A in Lakeland. WATCH: Porch pirate steals package in front of UPS driverAccording to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was seated at a table doing schoolwork when Basta sat down directly behind her.
  T
  
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• What do advanced stats say about the strength of Texas' defense?

  21-12-2024 04:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Advanced metrics tell a similar story as traditional statistics about the Texas Longhorns defense this season — it's one of the best units in the country.The Longhorns are 12.5-point favorites over the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff at 3 p.m. Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Coliseum. A big reason why they are big favorites, according to The Action Network, is how well they rank in defensive metrics. Banks, Bond could be back for Longh
  
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• Who voiced the M&M's in this iconic Christmas ad?

  21-12-2024 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Christmas is surrounded by traditions. Whether it’s hiding a pickle ornament in your tree, replaying that specific Mariah Carey song on repeat, celebrating Festivus, or some other practice rooted in cultural or societal history, there are any number of traditions you can count on this time of year. Among those is the return of a commercial released nearly three decades ago.Titled "Faint," Red M&M and Yellow M&M are seen walking into a living room to put out r
  
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• Why did Tennessee euthanize 13 bear cubs?

  21-12-2024 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency leadership held a press conference Thursday to explain their recent decision to euthanize bear cubs housed at the local Appalachian Bear Rescue.University of Tennessee School of Natural Resources Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Dan Grove said during the press conference that the bears could still possibly carry disease they had out into the wild. As a result, state wildlife officials elected to euthanize 13 bear cubs to help protect t
  
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• One person in critical condition after downtown Austin crash

  21-12-2024 03:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was sent to the hospital with "critical" injuries after a single vehicle crash in downtown Austin Friday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media.Around 7:30 p.m., ATCEMS said it responded to the crash on North Lamar Boulevard and West Sixth Street. Medics on scene found one unconscious person entrapped in a vehicle, the agency said.The Austin Fire Department also responded for the vehicle rescue and extricated one person from the vehicle, the agency said on soc
  
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• Austin selects two players, trades first-round pick in MLS SuperDraft

  21-12-2024 01:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC traded its first-round pick and grabbed a pair of collegiate standouts in Friday's MLS SuperDraft.Austin had the No. 12 overall pick but dealt it to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for an extra international roster spot and $75,000 of general allocation money. With the No. 42 pick, Verde and Black selected North Carolina defender Riley Thomas and the club used pick No. 72 on Rhode Island winger Patrick Gryczewski. Austin FC opens 2025 MLS season at home Feb. 22, h
  
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• FDA updates definition of 'healthy' on food labels for first time in 30 years

  21-12-2024 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  Related video: Senators question FDA on processed foods(The Hill) – A new rule from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will update what it means for food to be labeled “healthy” for the first time in 30 years, a move that aligns with current nutrition science and is meant to help consumers better navigate food labels. The “healthy” claim “can empower consumers” and help them identify a nutritious diet that is consistent with dietary recommendati
  
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• Over 600,000 Nuna Rava car seats recalled over possible crash failure

  21-12-2024 00:51 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Nuna Baby Essentials is recalling more than 600,000 of its Rava line of car seats over a harness defect that could cause the restraint system to fail in a crash.There have been dozens of complaints about the harness unexpectedly loosening, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)."My husband and I were driving today and we noticed my daughter kept getting out of her seat," one consumer wrote. "Once we got home, on further investigation, we determi
  
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• Texas House committee does not hear testimony from death row inmate

  21-12-2024 00:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Robert Roberson, a Texas man on death row convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter in 2003, was not in attendance to testify at the Friday hearing of the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
  It was not a surprise to the lawmakers in attendance after the Texas Attorney General's Office filed a motion Thursday night to try and block Roberson from being transported to Austin to testify.
  The House Committee subpoenaed Roberson on Dec. 10 and compelled the Texas Depar
  
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• City of Lockhart named 'Music Friendly Texas Certified Community'

  20-12-2024 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Lockhart was announced as a "Music Friendly Texas Certified Community," and Gov. Greg Abbott said the city will celebrate the certification with a ceremony in January 2025.That ceremony will happen at 5 p.m. on Jan. 3 at Downtown Lockhart- January First Friday, located at 107 North Main St., in Lockhart, according to a news release from Abbott's office.The "multi-step certification process" was completed by the city, which the Texas Music Office (TMO) then designated
  
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• Buda PD recovers $300K worth of equipment in attempted burglary

  20-12-2024 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Buda Police Department said it helped a local business save thousands of dollars after an attempted burglary that happened last week, the agency said on social media.BPD said it responded to a call for a burglary in progress at Vermeer equipment supply in Buda around 11 p.m., Dec. 13. Police said its "rapid response" deterred the thieves, and they ran from the area.Officers searched the area and did not find any suspects. However, they "recovered over $300,000 of tools, mach
  
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• Samsung finalizes CHIPS Act incentive; scope of factory less than previously announced

  20-12-2024 22:07 via kxan.com
  
  (Austin Business Journal) — Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has finalized the incentive it will get through the federal CHIPS and Science Act, although the company won't be making as big of an investment in Taylor as what was proclaimed when dignitaries descended on the small town to announce a preliminary CHIPS award earlier this year.The company plans to invest $37 billion at its sites in Taylor and North Austin, down from initial projections of $45 billion but still a huge sum th
  
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• Texas’ citrus industry — once an agricultural powerhouse — is on the brink of disaster

  20-12-2024 21:54 via kxan.com
  
  MISSION, Texas (Texas Tribune) — In January, Elle Holbrook will be crowned Queen Citrianna, the face of the Rio Grande Valley's citrus industry for the next year.Her title and the competition created to earn it are part of the Texas Citrus Fiesta, a decades-old celebration of the industry rooted in the Valley.Holbrook was among the dozens of young women competing for the crown as duchesses, each representing a citrus product.As the duchess of Rio Red Grapefruit, a staple of Texas citrus, s
  
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• Is it legal in Texas to decorate your car with Christmas lights?

  20-12-2024 20:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In the thick of the holiday season, it's not unusual to see the occasional car donning a bright red nose or reindeer antlers. But what about a vehicle completely decked out in Christmas lights?Yes, you read that right. Some Texans are jumping on a viral trend of attaching glittering, flashing holiday lights to their vehicles.Is that festive? Beyond. But is it illegal? We brought that question to the Austin Police Department.Unsurprisingly, the Texas Transportation Code doesn't h
  
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