Austin news

• Texas legislature could consider a mask ban at protests next session

  16-10-2024 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony Tuesday regarding banning the use of masks or hoods at protests, which some believe encourages criminal behavior. Lawmakers invited Hannah Meyers, a director of policing at the Manhattan Institute, to testify. She said she drafted mask-banning legislation that partially inspired new legislation in Nassau County, New York, which bans face masks in public places with some exceptions, according to the reports. &ld
  
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• Zilker Eagle Mini Train resumes operations

  19-10-2024 16:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the Austin Parks Foundation announced the Zilker Eagle Mini Train would soon resume its normal operations.According to the city, the train will reopen Saturday at 10 a.m.The Zilker Eagle operates daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., according to the city. However, it does temporarily close from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.The city also issued a reminder that the train’s hours are subject to change based on weather and other conditions.Updated closure information is a
  
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• What Project 2025's proposal could mean for Austin transportation projects

  19-10-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In recent months, Project 2025 has generated political buzz and conversation among Republicans and Democrats in the lead-up to the November presidential election. Produced by the Heritage Foundation, the roughly 900-page document is denoted as a "2025 Presidential Transition Project" to help promote conservative ideals.Baked into its federal restructuring proposals are ideologies on how to revamp the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) — with proposed policies that cou
  
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• UT students show dedication, waiting outside DKR stadium more than 40 hours before Georgia game

  19-10-2024 06:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Longhorn fans are showing their dedication ahead of Saturday's game against Georgia.A group of students have been waiting outside DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium since 10:30 p.m. Thursday — more than 40 hours before kickoff.The students say they're eating and sleeping in shifts so they can stay there and continue their tradition of being front row at every UT game, especially the UT-Georgia game, which they call a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. UT STATS: Texas
  
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• Texas high school football scores for Friday, Oct. 18

  19-10-2024 06:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 6 Lake Travis took out Dripping Springs 49-21 in District 26-6A action Friday, setting up a Battle of the Lakes matchup with Westlake for first place in the district next week.Austin High scored a big 49-7 win over Akins and Anderson thumped Cedar Creek 59-14.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 websiteElgin rolled up 84 points to
  
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• Judge pauses construction on Bee Cave warehouse facility facing lawsuit

  19-10-2024 04:32 via kxan.com
  
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) -- On Friday, a Travis County judge approved a temporary restraining order to stop building an industrial park located in the city of Bee Cave's extraterritorial jurisdiction.This is the newest development in an extensive legal battle against the distribution center. The facility under construction is near the intersection of State Highway 71 and Serene Hills Drive. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Home builder joins lawsuit against warehouse facility in Bee CaveThe ruling paused constr
  
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• Pflugerville Fire Department & Prop A: Mayor warns of impacts

  19-10-2024 04:28 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Things are heating up in the battle over Prop A in Pflugerville. It has to do with a half-percent sales tax and whether or not voters want to keep it.Emergency Services District Two (ESD 2), otherwise known as the Pflugerville Fire Department, says it would have to close fire stations and lay off firefighters if the proposition passes."[Passing] this would defund the fire department. This would reduce our budget by approximately 40%," Chief Nick Perkins previously t
  
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• No. 12 Westlake rolls past Bowie 48-7, stage set for Battle of the Lakes next week

  19-10-2024 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 12 Westlake turned it up after the opening quarter and rolled to a 48-7 win over Bowie on Friday in District 26-6A action at Chaparral Stadium.The Chaparrals led 7-0 after the first quarter but added another score on the first play in the second quarter to take a two-score lead. Then, a big play on defense ignited the home team.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/newslet
  
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• No. 12 Westlake looks to keep rolling, Bowie aims for huge district upset

  19-10-2024 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bowie heads to No. 12 Westlake with a huge upset on their mind Friday, but the Chaparrals are determined to not let it happen.Westlake is coming off a 49-7 win over Austin last week while the Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaker 38-35 to Dripping Springs. Bowie quarterback Cruz Tello threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns against the Tigers to help keep them in the game, but it just wasn't enough. Owen Langdon had four catches for 160 yards with three scores while Rowen Wells h
  
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• LIVE: No. 12 Westlake looks to keep rolling, Bowie aims for huge district upset

  19-10-2024 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bowie heads to No. 12 Westlake with a huge upset on their mind Friday, but the Chaparrals are determined to not let it happen.Westlake is coming off a 49-7 win over Austin last week while the Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaker 38-35 to Dripping Springs. Bowie quarterback Cruz Tello threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns against the Tigers to help keep them in the game, but it just wasn't enough. Owen Langdon had four catches for 160 yards with three scores while Rowen Wells h
  
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• Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify at Capitol after dramatic stay of execution

  19-10-2024 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- After a dramatic, last-hour legal battle and an unprecedented stay of execution, Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson is set to testify to his innocence in front of House lawmakers in person at the Capitol on Monday.In a last-hour ruling Thursday night, the Texas Supreme Court halted Roberson's execution scheduled for that evening. Lawmakers subpoenaed Roberson to testify in front of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee at a date after his execution in an effort to de
  
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• One very good boy: Kirk Herbstreit's dog Ben makes friends everywhere he goes

  19-10-2024 00:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If a big college football matchup is happening, one of the sport's biggest celebrities will take it all in, and then probably nap.It's a 10-year-old golden retriever named Ben, and he's stolen the hearts of fans everywhere. Sarkisian hopes to break sound record, make it ‘as difficult as possible’ on GeorgiaBen's owner, ESPN College Gameday host and personality Kirk Herbstreit, started bringing him on the road, "to just hang out" last season. Ben's temperament an
  
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• Bat in San Marcos tests positive for rabies after flying into person's hair

  19-10-2024 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A bat was collected and tested positive for rabies after it flew into a person’s hair in a residential San Marcos neighborhood Monday evening.The city of San Marcos said the incident occurred near the 1900 block of Gibraltar Drive.According to the city, the bat was sent to the Department of State Health Services laboratory in Austin for rabies testing — a requirement after direct human contact that might result in exposure to rabies.Following the
  
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• Buy a tiny house at Walmart? You can for under $16K

  19-10-2024 00:08 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — You can buy just about anything at Walmart these days — maybe even your next home. While there are dozens of things to consider before purchasing a tiny home, it's never been easier to find and buy one.Right now, Walmart is selling a 19-foot by 20-foot container home by Chery Industrial for $15,900. According to Walmart's description, the Expandable Prefab House is made of a steel frame and features several windows, room divisions and a built-in toilet and shower. Lyft la
  
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• Purchasing a Blizzard from Dairy Queen Saturday supports local hospital

  18-10-2024 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This Saturday, Dairy Queen restaurants across Texas are supporting children's hospitals in the state in an initiative called "Spoons for Smiles."
  Dairy Queen, in partnership with the Children's Miracle Network, is donating $1 of every Blizzard sold in the Central Texas area toward Dell Children's Medical Center.
  Dell Children's is part of the Children's Miracle Network, which includes 16 hospitals across Texas that help families afford vital care for their children.
  With a
  
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• F1 means big bucks for Austin economy, but how much?

  18-10-2024 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  There’s always something going on in Austin, but this weekend could set records with all the people heading to the Capital City.Not only will the undefeated Texas Longhorns take on a top-ranked Georgia team, but drivers will also hit the track at Circuit of the Americas for F1."We are anticipating this to be a record-breaking weekend,” said a spokesperson with Visit Austin.Many people visiting Austin are from around the nation, but there are also a lot of people visiting from other c
  
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• Thousands in town for F1, ACL, football staying in unlicensed short term rentals

  18-10-2024 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When tens of thousands of people flood to Austin for events like Formula 1, Austin City Limits Music Festival, South by Southwest or this weekend's Georgia vs. University of Texas football game, many of them stay in short term rentals (STRs).
  But we found in 2022, thousands of those STRs don't have their required city permit.“Every single day the city is losing out on thousands of dollars that could go to support cultural arts, our music community and historic preservation
  
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• How Austin's mayor, transportation leaders are working to connect light rail to airport

  18-10-2024 21:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin transportation leadership is working with the federal government to identify possible financing options to connect the city's future light rail system to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Mayor Kirk Watson said during KXAN News' mayoral debate Thursday.A KXAN viewer-submitted question asked candidates how they planned to deliver and move the Project Connect program forward amid legal challenges and past financial hardships. Last June, Austin City Council,
  
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• MAP: More than 5,100 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires in 2024

  18-10-2024 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 5,100 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas so far in 2024, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.A total of 24 fires have burned 5,108.1 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area. Weather Interactives: How much rain has Austin received this year?KXAN is keeping track of wildfires. Follow along with the map and database below. We'll keep them updated as new information becomes available. Fires that are still uncontained are red on the map. Eva
  
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• Another close call near AUS: Small aircraft enters flight path of commercial plane

  18-10-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a small plane "unexpectedly entered the flight path" of an American Airlines flight flying into Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Wednesday.
  This news comes as AUS expects a major travel day Monday following this weekend's F1 races. Last year, the airport recorded its busiest day on record that day. ‘Could have been catastrophic’: NTSB determines likely cause of 2023 near miss at Austin&rsquo
  
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• 1 dead following shooting at apartment off Wells Branch Parkway

  18-10-2024 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said one person died and a homicide investigation was underway related to a fatal shooting at an apartment complex Thursday.TCSO said deputies responded at approximately 6:15 p.m. to a report someone had been shot near the 2800 block of Wells Branch Parkway.A man in his 20s was found at the scene and successfully resuscitated with CPR; however, he later died at the hospital, according to TCSO.The victim’s identity
  
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• Austin code proposal could tackle parking in bike lanes

  18-10-2024 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This winter, Austin City Council could consider new enforcements to prohibit vehicles from parking in city bike lanes.Joseph Al-hajeri, parking entreprises division manager with the city of Austin, spoke before the Austin Mobility Committee Thursday about evaluation work underway on the city's legacy bike lanes. That process, he said, is expected to wrap within three months and will provide greater insight into how to best delineate those bike lanes and what forms of enforcement
  
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• Boat ramps at Lake Walter E. Long closed until further notice as crews prep for Decker Dam upgrades

  18-10-2024 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- All boat ramps on Lake Walter E. Long, also known as Decker Lake, are closed for the foreseeable future.
  The Austin Parks and Recreation Department, or PARD, sent out a notice of the closures on Thursday. PARD said lake access is still available for shore-launched watercraft such as canoes and kayaks, and all other park amenities, including volleyball courts, picnic sites, grills, and walking trails, will remain available.PARD said the water levels at the lake are
  
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• Texas man's obituary goes viral: 'He is God's problem now'

  18-10-2024 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  CLARENDON, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The Texas Panhandle town of Clarendon where the late Robert Boehm called home has a population of only about 2,000 people. But by the time of his memorial service on Monday morning, his antics had managed to bring joy to people around the world.Robert Adolph Boehm, who died on Oct. 6 at 74, did not gain international fame during his time on this earth. But, like innumerable others who have gone before him on the High Plains, he was loved by his family and his
  
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• Police: 23-year-old killed in single-vehicle crash on I-35 Svrd. Tuesday

  18-10-2024 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 23-year-old man died Tuesday night after crashing on the service road of Interstate 35.
  Austin Police Department officers responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 5600 block of south I-35 Service Road northbound around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday night.
  The driver, identified by police as Emmanuel Bioko-Makoli, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to APD.
  That area of the I-35 service road is near the Capital Plaza shopping center.
  Police did not provide any other information
  
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• Gas leak shuts down part of FM 620, traffic redirected

  18-10-2024 19:04 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Lake Travis Fire Rescue responded to a gas leak Friday morning after a construction crew hit an 8-inch gas line.LTFR said the leak was near Farm-to-Market 620 and Ranch Road 2222.The northbound lanes near the 6400 block of FM 620 have been closed while crews respond, and traffic was being redirected. Comanche Trail can be used as an alternate route, according to LTFR.Texas Gas also responded to the scene, according to LTFR, but there was not an estimated time
  
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• Gas leak shuts down part of FM 620

  18-10-2024 19:04 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Lake Travis Fire Rescue responded to a gas leak Friday morning after a construction crew hit an 8-inch gas line. Service is not expected to be restored until Saturday morning.LTFR said the leak was near Farm-to-Market 620 and Ranch Road 2222.The northbound lanes near the 6400 block of FM 620 have been closed while crews respond, and traffic was being redirected. Comanche Trail can be used as an alternate route, according to LTFR.In a 4 p.m. update, LTFR said c
  
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• Cedar Park Middle School student arrested related to 'hoax' threat

  18-10-2024 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — A Cedar Park Middle School student was arrested Friday for an offense related to a school threat, according to the Cedar Park Police Department.CPPD said it was investigating a separate reported threat when a new report was found.According to police, detectives learned where the threat originated, and officers made an arrest.“There is no credible threat to Cedar Park Middle School and this specific incident was a ‘hoax,’” CPPD said.Accordi
  
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• Audiologist urges Formula 1 fans to protect hearing

  18-10-2024 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thousands of people visit Austin each year for the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.Watching the race cars loop the track and hearing their roaring engines can be a thrill, but fans should be cautious with their hearing.
  According to Dr. Brittany Thompson, an audiologist with Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, it can cause hearing damage if you’re not careful.“It can be immediate, especially if you're real close to the rac
  
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• Is the MoPac Express Lane price going up? It did, 10 months ago

  18-10-2024 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As traffic in Austin continues to get heavier as more people move to the area, and there's little relief from inflation, we heard from a viewer who commutes on North MoPac every day, who noticed a change in her toll bill.Jeanne McAlpin has been driving on Mopac for decades. KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes spoke with her and found out the base price for the MoPac Express Lane will be going up again soon.The MoPac Express Lane saw an increase of $.07 per segment at the beginning
  
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