Austin news

• Rural law enforcement, prosecutor offices in Texas to receive $225M in grants to boost salaries, hiring

  22-11-2024 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rural law enforcement and prosecutor offices received about $225 million in financial assistance from the Texas Comptroller’s Office.The grant is expected to help ensure professional law enforcement and legal representation throughout the state.“Many rural law enforcement and prosecutor offices have lacked the resources they need to attract and retain personnel or to buy much-needed safety equipment, and this program bridges that gap,” said Texas Comptroll
  
  Read more

• Mom pleads for Texans to plan a sober ride after losing son to drunk driving

  22-11-2024 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You might be getting excited about the holiday parties and celebrations filling your calendar over the next few weeks, but law enforcement is urging you also to make a plan for a sober ride home.KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes spoke with Pam Edwards who's son died 10 years ago after he drove home drunk."You don't get a redo, you don't get a second chance," Edwards said.Dillon, 25, was married with two kids when he made a decision that changed their lives forever."I want t
  
  Read more

• UT, Texas A&M raising funds for students ahead of rivalry football game

  22-11-2024 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two of Texas’ largest rival universities are not only facing off on the football field on Nov. 30, but they are also competing for bragging rights.Fans of The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are encouraged to help support their school in a competition to raise money for students.UT and Texas A&M are hosting a friendly giving challenge leading up to the historic football game between the two schools.People are invited to donate from Nov.
  
  Read more

• Delta to launch nonstop flights from Austin to Jacksonville in May 2025

  22-11-2024 17:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Delta Air Lines will launch nonstop flights between Austin and Jacksonville in May 2025, the airline announced Friday.The new route will be Delta's seventh new nonstop service from AUS in 2025. Once-daily flights will begin May 7 and will be operated by SkyWest Airlines as Delta Connection.Flights will leave Austin at 8:55 a.m. and arrive in Jacksonville at 12:35 p.m. local time. Return flights will leave Jacksonville at 1:15 p.m. and arrive in Austin at 3 p.m."Whether cust
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 'Guess' who's coming to Austin: Charli XCX performing this spring

  22-11-2024 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin landed one of the five coveted tour dates for Charlie XCX’s BRAT 2025 ARENA TOUR.The musician is set to perform at the Moody Center on April 22.Other 2025 tour dates include:
  April 26 – Minneapolis, MNApril 28 – Rosemont, ILApril 30 – Brooklyn, NYMay 1 – Brooklyn, NY
  Those wishing to purchase tickets must sign up for presale access before Monday, Nov. 25. Tickets for the Austin date go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m.
  
  Read more

• Eyeless kitten rescued, adopted by Kerr County resident

  22-11-2024 16:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A kitten born with a rare genetic defect is getting a second chance at life, courtesy a young Kerr County resident.Kayson Stuckey and his mom reached out to Kerrville Pets Alive! after discovering a newborn kitten with "what appeared to be sunken eyes," KPA! officials said in a Thursday release. After veterinarians evaluated the kitten, they learned she was born without any eyes.Instead of turning her over to a shelter, Kayson and his mom decided to keep the kitten, naming her "
  
  Read more

• Austin looking at incentive program to save trees from development

  22-11-2024 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City council passed a resolution to incentivize developers to save more trees on residential properties.The resolution calls for an incentive program that will provide developers some type of rebate on the fees they would have to pay the city if the developer is able to protect one or more trees from being cut down on a residential property.
  It is unclear what kind of rebate developers will receive in this program, and there is no date set for when the program will roll out. The
  
  Read more

• Inside the Investigation: 1965 death sparks statewide look at death inquests

  22-11-2024 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The mysterious death of a quiet, young girl haunts the town of Marble Falls, Texas, nearly 60 years after her body was discovered hanging by a jump rope in a shed behind her family’s home along Backbone Creek. Quickly ruled accidental strangulation by a local justice of the peace, questions linger not only about this case and others nearby — but also an antiquated process still used in most Texas counties, giving certain elected officials the power to determine
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• When will Christmas tree lots open around Austin?

  22-11-2024 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ready to deck the halls this holiday season?
  Some folks may want to snag the best tree early, so here’s a list of Christmas tree lots across Central Texas. Many tree sellers open before Thanksgiving.
  Austin Optimist Club Tree: Opens Nov. 23 at 2813 San Gabriel Street, AustinBrungot Farms: Opens Nov. 24 at 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar ParkColorful Christmas Trees: Opens Nov. 22 at 9600 U.S. Highway 290, AustinElgin Christmas Tree Farm: Opens Nov. 23 at 120 Natures Wa
  
  Read more

• TCJPD receives state grant aimed at educating youth on impacts of crime

  22-11-2024 14:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD) announced it was awarded a $3,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation.The grant is expected to go toward the department's restorative juvenile justice program, which aims to educate youth on the impact of crime on victims.The Texas Bar Foundation is an organization that helps provide funding to "enhance the rule of law and the system of justice in Texas," according to its mission statement.
  Since its creation in 1965, the o
  
  Read more

• Cedar Park eyes security barriers after dental office crash, KXAN report

  22-11-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop cr
  
  Read more

• Texas squanders big lead, hangs on to beat Syracuse 70-66 in New York

  22-11-2024 05:53 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Tre Johnson endured a poor offensive night before scoring Texas' final six points — all from the line — and the Longhorns got past Syracuse 70-66 Thursday night after blowing a 16-point second-half lead at the UKG Legends Classic.Friday the Longhorns (4-1) take on the winner of Thursday's late game between Texas Tech and Saint Joseph's for the tourney title while the Orange will play the loser. With Kentucky ahead, competition for Texas Longhorns has been fierce
  
  Read more

• Texas high school football playoffs: 2nd round scores from Thursday, Nov. 21

  22-11-2024 05:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Vandegrift Vipers throttled San Antonio Sotomayor 51-0 in the second round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs Thursday at The Alamodome in San Antonio.La Vernia pounded out a 13-10 win over Austin LBJ with a punishing display of power running in 4A Division I and Wimberley thumped Rockport-Fulton 62-21 to advance in the 4A Division II playoffs.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
  
  Read more

• Illinois Supreme Court reverses actor Jussie Smollett's conviction

  22-11-2024 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett.The former “Empire” actor took his case to the Illinois Supreme Court in September in a last-ditch effort to have his 2021 conviction overturned.The court cited Smollett's second prosecution after his charges were initially dropped as the main reason why his conviction was overturned."Today we resolve a question about the State’s responsibility to honor the agreements
  
  Read more

• APD investigating fatal crash on Barton Springs Road

  22-11-2024 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said it was investigating a fatal, two-vehicle crash that happened in south Austin Thursday night, the agency said on social media.Shortly before 8:45 p.m., APD said officers responded to the crash in the 2800 block of Barton Springs Road.According to APD, one person died as a result of the crash.Police said the road was closed between William Barton Drive and Andrew Zilker Road. In a 1:40 a.m. update, police said the roadway was reopened.
  
  Read more

• APD investigating 2-vehicle crash on Barton Springs Road

  22-11-2024 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department are investigating a two-vehicle crash that happened in south Austin Thursday night, the agency said on social media.Shortly before 9:30 p.m., APD said officers responded to the crash in the 2800 block of Barton Springs Road.
  Police said the road is closed between William Barton Drive and Andrew Zilker Road. Drivers should avoid the area or seek an alternate route.No other details were released Thursday.
  
  Read more

• Granite Shoals hoping to reduce deer population with harvesting program

  22-11-2024 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  GRANITE SHOALS, Texas (KXAN) —A white tail deer population boom is causing one Hill Country town to take action.Granite Shoals has seen its deer population increase significantly over the last few years, and now the city is introducing a program to reduce those numbers."The deer population is enormous out here," said Granite Shoals City Council Member Brian Edwards.Edwards said more deer means there's the potential for more accidents, which is a danger to residents."You have to drive very
  
  Read more

• Austin man gets 30 years for deadly Leander crash

  22-11-2024 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin man was sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection with a deadly crash that happened in Leander in August 2023, according to court records.Jose Luis Gonzalez was convicted on two manslaughter charges, as well as collision causing death. The U.S. Marshals said in a news release in September 2023 that 35-year-old Jose Luis Rebollar Osorio and 69-year-old Avelina Osorio Lopez were killed in the crash on Aug. 26.The crash happened at the intersection of Hero Way and 183
  
  Read more

• PUC requires registration of cryptocurrency mining facilities

  22-11-2024 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Virtual currency mining facilities within the state's power grid region have to register with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). The facilities must provide information to the PUCT annually about the facility’s location, ownership, and demand for electricity. The rule was passed by the 88th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023. It is aimed at giving the PUCT and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) a better a
  
  Read more

• Passengers duct tape unruly man who tried to open door on Dallas-bound flight

  22-11-2024 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- A group of passengers aboard a Dallas-bound flight restrained a man with duct tape after he claimed to be the "captain" and attempted to open the cabin door of an American Airlines plane midair, authorities said.The plane was headed from Milwaukee on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when the man got up from his seat, approached a flight attendant and told her he needed to exit immediately, according to an incident report from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety.
  
  Read more

• Passengers duct tape unruly man who tried to open door on American Airlines plane

  22-11-2024 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- A group of passengers aboard a Dallas-bound flight restrained a man with duct tape after he claimed to be the "captain" and attempted to open the cabin door of an American Airlines plane midair, authorities said.The plane was headed from Milwaukee on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when the man got up from his seat, approached a flight attendant and told her he needed to exit immediately, according to an incident report from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety.
  
  Read more

• Trump chooses loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws

  22-11-2024 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department, turning to a longtime ally after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations.
  Bondi has been an outspoken defender of Trump. She was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tri
  
  Read more

• Whooping cough cases have quintupled. These states have it worst

  22-11-2024 01:39 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Pertussis — a disease commonly referred to as whooping cough — is spreading quickly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. The U.S. has seen five times more cases in 2024 than we did at this time last year.As of Nov. 9, which marks the latest data available from the CDC, there were more than 23,500 cases of whooping cough reported so far this year. That's far and above the roughly 5,000 cases confirmed in all of 2023.Health officials warn t
  
  Read more

• DOJ asks judge to order Google to sell Chrome

  22-11-2024 01:39 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking a federal judge to order Google to sell off its Chrome browser after the court found the tech giant maintained an illegal monopoly over online search. In a filing late Wednesday night, the DOJ argued Google’s ownership and control of Chrome, as well as Android, stand in the way of its efforts to open up the market and prevent future monopolization. “The playing field is not level because of Google’s conduct, and G
  
  Read more

• With Kentucky ahead, competition for Texas Longhorns has been fierce in practice

  22-11-2024 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a "feisty" practice Wednesday, No. 3 Texas has to get its offense ready for what head coach Steve Sarkisian calls "an NFL defense," in the Kentucky Wildcats.The results don't suggest that Kentucky has an elite defense, they are 1-6 in Southeastern Conference play at 4-6 overall, but they had the injury bug hit them. Now, some of the main contributors will be available including outside linebacker JJ Weaver and 345-pound defensive tackle Deone Walker. Defensive back Ma
  
  Read more

• Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws

  22-11-2024 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name.Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President
  
  Read more

• Texas DPS to get $3M to reduce DNA testing backlog, help solve crimes

  22-11-2024 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) was awarded more than $3 million to help reduce the state's DNA testing and analysis backlog.The $3,243,893 federal grant is expected to help law enforcement efforts in investigating, prosecuting and solving crimes.“DNA analysis is a critical tool used to identify perpetrators, exonerate innocent suspects, and solve cases,” said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). “I am proud of the work we’ve done to reduce the
  
  Read more

• Man pleads guilty to stealing $100K in bikes from Lance Armstrong storage unit

  21-11-2024 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Oct. 10 related to the December 2023 theft from Lance Armstrong’s storage unit where more than $100,000 in bikes and equipment were stolen.According to Travis County court documents, 34-year-old Ethan Harms pleaded guilty to theft of property between $30,000 and $150,000, a third-degree felony, and burglary of a building, a state jail felony.Harms was sentenced to 42 months of community supervision for each charge. Records showed the sentences woul
  
  Read more

• KBVO Game of the Week: La Vernia keeps it away from Austin LBJ, grinds out 13-10 win in 4A-DI 2nd round

  21-11-2024 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — La Vernia's power running attack prevailed in the Bears' 13-10 win over Austin LBJ in a Class 4A Division I football second-round playoff game Thursday at Matador Stadium in Seguin.Operating almost solely from a shotgun-wing formation, the Bears held possession with bruising backs Sean Garza and Ty Carter. Carter scored on a 1-yard run for the Bears' only touchdown and Luke Green kicked two field goals. Texas high school football playoffs: Second round matchups, times, site
  
  Read more

• KBVO Game of the Week: Austin LBJ's high-octane offense takes on run-heavy La Vernia

  21-11-2024 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fans of offense should make their way to Seguin on Thursday and check out two of the most prolific scoring teams in the Class 4A Division I second round.Austin LBJ has lit up the scoreboard this year, averaging 52.1 points per game en route to an 11-0 record while La Vernia employs a power run game out of a spread formation to rack up 41.2 points per game.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsle
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!