Austin news

• Shootings reported at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland between guards and passing vehicle

  18-08-2024 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (The Associated Press) -- U.S. Air Force security guards exchanged gunfire with someone who twice opened fire on an entrance to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland early Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the base.“It was an off-base shooting from a passing vehicle that fired shots towards the gate, prompting our security forces to respond,” base spokesperson Stefanie Antosh said in a statement. “There is no threat to the installation. We had no injuries,
  
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• Harris and Trump open to diverse forms of energy - that's good for Texas, business leaders say

  12-09-2024 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Energy sparked some of the most contentious moments of the presidential debate Tuesday night, but the candidates may have found more agreement than expected
  Kamala Harris and Donald Trump expressed support for both fossil fuels and renewable energy, proposing a more nuanced stance that blurs the stereotypical partisan lines.While Trump claimed Harris would harm oil and gas, Harris was adamant she will support the industry. Meanwhile, Trump expressed reserved support for solar
  
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• Austin ISD police officer shot in 2023, receives Star of Texas award

  12-09-2024 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott awarded an Austin Independent School District police officer a prestigious honor during the 2024 Star of Texas awards in north Austin.The Star of Texas awards recognize first responders, police officers and firefighters who suffer serious injuries or die in the line of duty, according to a news release from the governor's office.Austin Independent School District Sgt. Val Barnes received a Star of Texas award on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Frank Ma
  
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• Queertopia, Austin ECHO to survey trans homelessness in Travis Co.

  12-09-2024 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Queertopia, Travis County's sole shelter for LGBTQ+ people, will partner with Austin nonprofit Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) to conduct a paid survey of transgender people's experiences with homelessness. 2022: Homeless Transgender people face higher violence, fewer resources in AustinDani Ward, co-founder of Queertopia, said that they want to gather responses from at least 100 people.
  "The survey is specifically geared towards trans people th
  
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• Where do Trump, Harris stand on housing affordability?

  11-09-2024 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met Tuesday night for their first debate of the 2024 campaign. A question about housing policy was asked of both, but experts tell KXAN that they hope for more details from the candidates. Texas short on housing: What a new study says about local challengesVice President Harris briefly spoke in broad strokes about her housing plans, but former President Trump did not answer the housing question or mention his housing po
  
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• Austin Fire Department commemorates fallen 9/11 firefighters

  11-09-2024 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department (AFD) held and participated in a series of events Wednesday to commemorate the 343 firefighters who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.“It is a bittersweet anniversary that celebrates the heroic actions of first responders and mourns the tremendous loss brought about by the terrorist attacks,” AFD said.Following the attack, 10 Austin firefighters were deployed to New York.“It is for those 10 and the thousands of others who se
  
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• Austin's Georgian Acres mobility hub project recognized by US Department of Energy

  11-09-2024 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A clean energy and mobility project that opened in the city of Austin nearly two years ago received recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy last month, the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department shared in a newsletter Monday.The federal department shed light on Austin's Georgian Acres Mobility Hub project, a solar-powered initiative created to aid residents in need of transit access. Project features include a bus solar shelter, wireless internet access, L
  
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• Williamson County judge appointed to Texas indigent defense board

  11-09-2024 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has been appointed to the Indigent Defense Commission Governing Board, Gov. Greg Abbott announced in a news release earlier this week.In an interview with KXAN's Mike Rush Tuesday, Gravell gave insight into how the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) plays a vital role in helping Texans receive fair representation.Gravell said one of the biggest challenges in Texas is more than 500 attorneys were removed from indigent defense in rur
  
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• 'I could have been better': Dolphins' Tyreek Hill says of Florida traffic stop

  11-09-2024 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill acknowledged Wednesday that he could have handled himself better in the initial moments of a weekend traffic stop that left him handcuffed and pulled out of his car by police officers near the team's stadium.Hill also said he wants one of the officers involved in the incident dismissed from the police force.Hill said he wishes he did some things “a bit differently” on Sunday, including leaving the window of his
  
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• Justin Timberlake reaches plea deal in drunken driving case: AP source

  11-09-2024 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Timberlake is scheduled to enter a new plea Friday in his drunken driving case in New York's Hamptons, prosecutors said. Details of the plea weren't disclosed, but a person with knowledge of the deal said Timberlake has agreed to plead guilty to a less serious offense than the original charge of driving while intoxicated.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.Timbe
  
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• Did your grocery store carry recalled Boar's Head deli meat? How you can check

  11-09-2024 22:16 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Target, Kroger, Safeway, and Jewel are among the numerous retailers that carried deli meat linked to the largest listeria outbreak in more than a decade.Health officials confirmed the Boar's Head deli meat was contaminated with listeria — a bacteria that can cause severe illness. The products were recalled, but supermarkets and businesses that had received the meats were urged to clean and sanitize their deli areas to prevent further contamination.An 825-page list from
  
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• After pushback, city of Austin rolls out new termination policy for homeless shelters

  11-09-2024 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After feedback from people interacting with Austin's homelessness response system, the city rolled out a new policy this month that lays out universal rules for when people will be removed from the city's homeless shelters.That new policy is mandatory at the city's Marshalling Yard, Northbridge, Southbridge, ARCH and Eighth Street shelters. The city's Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) also asked other non-city-run shelters within city limits to voluntarily comply.
  The new poli
  
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• College survey ranks UT Austin among worst for free speech

  11-09-2024 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin ranked among the worst in the country for its free speech policymaking and environment, according to an analysis from survey research company College Pulse and the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and
  Expression (FIRE).
  The two organizations surveyed nearly 59,000 student respondents from 257 colleges and universities nationally between January and June of this year. Of those surveyed, 47% identified as liberal, 21% as conservativ
  
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• Hays County seeing 'concerning' tire theft trend; thieves targeting Toyota vehicles

  11-09-2024 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays County Sheriff's Office said it observed a "concerning trend" of thieves stealing tires from cars parked in apartment complexes over the last several weeks.The office said, recently, people have been specifically targeting tires on Toyota Corollas."It's a low-risk, high-reward type of enterprise," said Lieutenant Clint Pulpan. "The tires usually aren't traceable, so even if we find them, we won't know who they belong to."Regarding why Toyota Corollas ar
  
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• Central Market attempting Guinness Record for largest charcuterie board in the world

  11-09-2024 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Market is celebrating turning 30 in a unique way this week.
  The H-E-B off-shoot is entering its 30s in the most millennial way possible -- a giant charcuterie board.
  Central Market is attempting to break a Guinness World Record in the process, hoping to take home the title of Largest Charcuterie in the World. The grocer said over 1,000 pounds of meat and cheeses will be part of the smear.
  The record is currently held by West Palm Beach, Florida's Boarderie. The cheese an
  
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• Study shows COVID-19 lockdown prematurely aged teenagers' brains by up to four years

  11-09-2024 20:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students still struggling with learning loss or other negative mental health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic could be linked to their brains prematurely aging.In 2018, scientists at the University of Washington started studying the brain structure of 160 teenagers through brain scans, but the pandemic put their original plans on hold. In 2021, when they resumed scanning, they pivoted to studying how the pandemic and isolation of lockdown impacted the teens' brains.Resear
  
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• $7.5M in grants awarded to several Texas veterans’ assistance organizations

  11-09-2024 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than $7.5 million in Veterans’ Assistance grants were recently awarded to several organizations in the Alamo and Hill Country areas, according to the Texas Office of the Governor.Gov. Greg Abbott said the funding was expected to provide services to more than 7,200 veterans and their families across 35 counties. New ‘first of its kind’ veteran resource hub to open soon in Dripping Springs“Texas is proud to be home to the largest veteran populatio
  
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• Fraudulent texts are targeting TxTag customers, TxDOT say

  11-09-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — TxTag customers, beware: the Texas Department of Transportation said fraudulent texts are targeting system users.There have been numerous reports from TxTag customers receiving text messages that allege the customer has a balance due or past due, TxDOT officials said in a release Wednesday. State agency leaders added the texting phishing efforts have been detected since April but "appear to have increased recently."Example of a fraudulent TxTag text phishing attempt (Courte
  
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• 2 affordable housing projects to move forward in Austin with $2 million investment

  11-09-2024 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two projects geared toward offering 300 new affordable apartment options in Austin received a sizable investment Wednesday that could help them move forward.
  The Austin Community Foundation announced that its Housing Accelerator Loan Fund invested $2 million in two affordable housing developments — one in southwest Austin and the other in north Austin. Almost every Texan considers housing affordability a problem, new survey findsOne million will go toward pre-developm
  
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• Affidavit: Man facing murder charge in southeast Austin shooting had outstanding warrant

  11-09-2024 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man facing a murder charge in connection with a southeast Austin shooting that left one person dead had an aggravated assault warrant out for his arrest at the time of the shooting, according to City of Austin court documents.Steve Gonzalez, 25, died in the shooting, which happened just before 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. The suspect was identified by Austin police as Martin Tovar, 26.Martin Tovar, 26 | Courtesy Austin Police Department
  KXAN reached out to Tovar's attorney to as
  
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• $800M Mega Millions jackpot won; 4 other ticketholders earn $1 million each

  11-09-2024 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  Correction: This story has been edited to reflect the correct number of $1 million winners.
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A winner has been announced for the $800 Mega Millions jackpot, according to the game's website.The winning numbers for Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing were 1, 2, 16, 26, 66, and Mega Ball 6.Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: Is your state ‘due’ for a win?
  The Texas Lottery said the winning jackpot ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA gas station at 7520 Highway 90 A
  
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• TxDOT hosting public meeting on potential U.S. Hwy. 183 widening project

  11-09-2024 18:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the public can weigh in on possible improvements to a stretch of U.S. Hwy. 183 at a public meeting next week.The Texas Department of Transportation is bringing back an environmental study analyzing U.S. Hwy. 183 from SH 71 to SH 130, outlining potential enhancements to the highway. Currently, the four-lane highway is a divided road between SH 71 and FM 812 before becoming an undivided road between FM 812 and SH 130.
  TxDOT noted the corridor is home to numerous ne
  
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• City searching for 5 local artists for $2M public art program

  11-09-2024 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Calling all local artists: The city of Austin is looking for several creative minds to work on its next round of public artwork projects.The city said it was searching for five local, professional, visual artists or artist-led teams to create public art at seven locations across Austin.The following are the art locations and budgets available:
  Elisabet Ney Museum Grounds: Artwork budget: $100,000  Armadillo Water Tank Mural: Artwork budget: $133,000 Walter E.
  
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• Memo: APD interim chief to resume chief of staff role as Lisa Davis starts as chief

  11-09-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Chief Lisa Davis officially started as Austin's newest top cop this week. She comes to Texas following a long tenure with the Cincinnati Police Department, where she last held an assistant chief role.According to an internal memo sent from Davis to members of the Austin Police Department, Robin Henderson - who has served as interim chief since former chief Joseph Chacon retired last year - will resume her prior role as chief of staff to assist with Davis' transition. She will ta
  
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• The play that embodies Texas football's mentality

  11-09-2024 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Texas football program is rolling right now. The mojo around the program continues to rise as the Longhorns just took control of the game against Michigan to move to 2-0.All coaches will mention how important it is to win in the trenches with offensive and defensive lineman. For Texas, they've had a focus on recruiting 'Big Humans' as they like to call them to sure up the line.That physicality the Longhorns play with up front has improved under head coach Steve Sarkisian. But
  
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• Families gather at WTC to honor 9/11 victims, 23 years later

  11-09-2024 16:03 via kxan.com
  
  LOWER MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Twenty-three years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, families of the victims are honoring their loved ones Wednesday morning during a private ceremony in Lower Manhattan. The program at Memorial Plaza started at 8:40 a.m. and will conclude by 1:30 p.m. While it is not open to the public, the ceremony is being broadcast on the PIX11 Morning News and livestreamed on PIX11.com.9/11 Tribute in Light to light up NYC sky: When and how to watch
  During the cer
  
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• Why did flood gates need to be open on the Highland Lakes despite the drought?

  11-09-2024 14:46 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, TX (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, September 4, thousands of gallons of water poured through the flood gates at Max Starcke and Wirtz Dams. It was the second time in six weeks the dams had to open their gates.Max Starcke Dam floodgates partially opened Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)While this summer has been dry, flood gates having to be open during this time period isn't unusual, according to the LCRA."Because Lake LBJ is a hydroelectric (dam) and a source of cooling w
  
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• LIST: Here are the Texas semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program

  11-09-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 1,700 high school students in Texas have been named semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.The scholarship program announced Wednesday more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide. Of those, 1,719 are from Texas, roughly 10% of the nationwide total.Scholarships worth nearly $26 million combined will be awarded to 6,870 students in the spring.To be considered, students must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT
  
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• Safety concerns frustrate residents in an East Austin area

  11-09-2024 11:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In East Austin, residents who live around Parque Zaragoza expressed that they don't feel safe due to rampant drug use, graffiti, trash, and people illegally camping in the area.Raquel Ortega is one of the residents who has expressed concerns, as she has experienced repeated unsafe activity in the area."The bike group that I've been part of meets at this park two to three times a week, and there have been different situations where there's either hostile individual on the st
  
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• Suspect dead after officer involved shooting in north Austin

  11-09-2024 09:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A suspect is dead after an officer involved shooting Tuesday night at West Anderson Lane and Wooten Park Drive, according to the Austin Police Department.
  APD said no officers were injured in the shooting. The initial call came in at 10:59 p.m.Austin Police said the area of West Anderson Lane, near Burnet Road, will continue to be shut down as the investigation continues into Wednesday morning. They said to plan your route accordingly and to expect delays.A media briefing will b
  
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