Austin Water wants customer feedback on potentially higher rates for 2025 - Austin news - NewsLocker (2024)

Austin, Texas (KXAN) — Austin Water is asking for customers to weigh on potentially higher rates in the coming year. The agency said the increase would be used to pay for projects needed for its systems to keep up with demand.Austin Water has already hosted several open houses for its Cost of Service Rate Study in recent weeks. The next open house is planned for Saturday, June 15 from 10am-1pm at the Austin Public Library at 5500 Menchaca Road.Christina Romero, a financial manager for Aust

San Marcos awarded nearly $900K for road improvements

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The City of San Marcos was given more than $897,000 to improve the condition of the Thorpe Way and Springtown Lane intersection, according to a news release from the city.Construction for the intersection improvement is set to begin in 2027.The award was given through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which is mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Highway Administration. Local funding is allocated by the Texas Department of Transporta

Austin emergency responders heading to South Texas amid tropical storm threat

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department has deployed 10 crew members to parts of Texas that are expected to be hit by what could become Tropical Storm Alberto, according to AFD. Texas Search and Rescue (TXSAR) crews from the Austin area are also gearing up to be called to the region.CENTRAL TEXAS IMPACTS: Heavy rain gradually arrives WednesdayTropical Storm Warnings stretch from roughly Galveston down to the Mexico/U.S. border. Several inches of rain are expected for most of the souther

Texas State Meadows Center receives $500K for water contamination, climate change

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, state and community leaders presented the Texas State University Meadows Center with a $500,000 check to help fight water contamination on the Texas coast.The City of San Marcos applied for community project funding via a federal grant in 2023. This investment will give the research center resources to develop an iTool, which will immediately inform beachgoers on whether the water is safe to swim in."Coastal resilience is really important, because our world is changi

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Red-hot LAFC, sizzling Bouanga come to Q2 with Austin FC searching for a result

AUSTIN (KXAN) — LAFC forward Denis Bouanga made a front flip look easy in celebration after he scored a nifty goal against Orlando City to seal his club's sixth consecutive victory June 15. When he comes to Q2 Stadium on Wednesday, Austin FC hopes his creativity takes a turn."He's a guy who came here last year and had his way on our field," midfielder Ethan Finlay said. Bouanga, the league's leading shot-taker this season with 89, scored twice against Verde and Black on Oct. 7 the last tim

Texas megachurch pastor resigns after woman says he sexually abused her in the 1980s

Editor's Note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, June 18 2024.DALLAS (AP) — The pastor of a Texas megachurch has resigned after a woman said he had sexually abused her on multiple occasions in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12.
Gateway Church's board of elders said in a statement Tuesday that they'd accepted the resignation of Robert Morris, the church's senior pastor and founder. The board said it had hired a law firm to to conduct an independent revi

Superhero, villain Texas license plates to be auctioned this month

AUSTIN (KXAN) — My Plates announced it is auctioning off 25 different "Heroes vs. Villains" personalized Texas license plate messages until July 17.The bidding opened Monday and offers can be placed through an auction website and the My Plates website. The license plates feature different heroes and villains from popular comic books and movies.Austin FC specialty license plates now available onlinePopular superhero names like SPYDRMN (Spiderman), CPT. MARVL (Captain Marvel) and SUPRMAN (S

Juneteenth celebration plans to honor victims of Round Rock shooting

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Round Rock police are still looking for the suspect or suspects connected with the deadly Juneteenth festival shooting that killed two mothers and wounded 14 others in Round Rock last weekend.Round Rock police identify victims killed in Old Settlers Park shootingA Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday plans to honor the victims and their families, and also provide mental health resources.'Not been able to sleep'Williams said the event starts in the morning and will last throughout

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New Dripping Springs ISD elementary school will support city's growth

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) – Dripping Springs ISD hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new elementary school that will support the growing city and surrounding area.Over the last five years, the city of Dripping Springs' population has more than quadrupled. Additionally, the surrounding areas have seen an influx of new residents, according to the Census.“Dripping Springs is a fast-growth district,” said Holly Morris-Kuentz, the Dripping Springs ISD superintend

Travis County DA asks for changes to state law after sex assault cases dismissed

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney José Garza is asking for changes to state law in prosecuting sexual assault cases after his office dismissed charges Tuesday against two suspects connected with 2020 cases.Garza said his office believes the victims in the cases were sexually assaulted but Texas law does not meet his office's understanding of sexual assault and "creates a burden that is very difficult to meet."The sexual assault charges were dismissed Tues

Highway coverings are coming to Austin. Here's how to weigh in on design work

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With Interstate 35's expansion near downtown Austin poised to begin in the coming months, residents can help shape design work on the city-led initiative to add highway coverings to the interstate. The City of Austin's Our Future 35 program is collecting community feedback through Aug. 2 via an online survey.The Texas Department of Transportation's I-35 Capital Express Central project is a $4.5 billion, eight-mile endeavor to expand the highway corridor, with the inclusion of si

Delta to launch new nonstop from Austin to Harlingen in October

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Delta Air Lines will add another new nonstop from Austin, the airline's fourth new route from AUS this year.Nonstop service to Valley International Airport in Harlingen will begin Oct. 7.Daily flights will leave Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 10:40 a.m., landing in Harlingen at 12:06 p.m. Return flights leave HRL at 12:40 p.m. and arrive in Austin at 2:04 p.m.Southwest Airlines already offers nonstop service between the two cities.AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals,

Round Rock High School band to perform in London

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock High School's Dragon Band is headed across the pond to perform during London Band Week.
The band will be the first American high school band to participate in the festival, according to organizers. The band week festival runs June 25-30.The Dragon Band will play a concert at the National Musicians' Church, a halftime-style show at ExCeL London and in the Palace Parade Review at Hampton Court Palace.
Other bands participating include the Ohio University

Officials investigating multi-vehicle crash in Blanco County

BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Officials are investigating a multiple vehicle deadly crash that happened in Blanco County on Tuesday, the Blanco County Sheriff's Office said on social media.Around 1 p.m., BCSO said it, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety and EMS responded to the crash on U.S. 281 and Ranch Road 473.Traffic is shut down in all lanes, according to BCSO. Drivers should expect delays, as well as seek an alternate route.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Several neighborhoods affected by water main break in Leander

Editor's Note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, June 18 2024.LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- A water main break is currently affecting several neighborhoods in Leander, the City said on its website.On Tuesday, the city said some neighborhoods had low or no water pressure "due to a utility company contractor hitting an 18-inch water main near the Benbrook Ranch Park Disc Golf Course."The City Public Works crews were able to isolate the water line and continue assessin

Texas National Guard is shooting pepper balls to deter migrants at the border

CIUDAD JUÁREZ (Texas Tribune) — National Guard members on the Texas-Mexico border have added pepper ball guns to their arsenal, firing at migrants who are gathering on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande or trying to break through the tangle of concertina wire strung along the border.Migrants interviewed in Mexico say they’ve been shot by the rounds, which leave welts and bruises. It’s the latest escalation by Texas at the southern border through Gov. Greg Abbott’s mul

Austin transit users share frustrations over delayed trial proceedings

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Amid news of the Project Connect trial's delayed court proceedings and the case's punt over to the Third Court of Appeals, some transit users in Austin are sharing their frustrations over the hold up.Contested viewpoints over delayed court proceedingsBill McCamley, executive director of Transit Forward, spoke with KXAN Monday evening after the trial's halt earlier that day. He said he's frustrated by the back-and-forth surrounding the case, adding Project Connect received strong

'It takes a village.' But the modern 'village' looks different for moms today

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a time when technology allows us to all be more connected than ever before, a report by the baby product company MomCozy found more than half of moms surveyed are lonely.
The old adage that "it takes a village" to raise a child, is proving harder to find, according to survey results. More than half of the 1,187 moms who completed a survey by MomCozy this year said they either don't have a village or they only have somewhat of a village."Some moms would go so far say it's kind

Police look for suspect involved in hit-and-run in north Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for help finding a suspect connected to a north Austin hit-and-run crash over the weekend.
Police said the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday on West Parmer Lane near North Lamar Boulevard.
APD said the suspect stole beer from the 7/11 at 1100 West Parmer Lane. The suspect got into his vehicle and turned westbound on Parmer Lane.
The suspect then hit a motorcyclist and continued on Parmer Lane in the eastbound lanes before turni

Community reacts to shooting at Round Rock Juneteenth celebration

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Two people were killed and 14 others injured in a shooting at a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock Saturday night.
Police identified the victims as Lyndsey Vicknair, 33, from Manor and Ara Duke, 54, from Pflugerville.The shooting happened during a Juneteenth celebration at Old Settlers Park around 10:50 p.m., following a fight between two groups who were at the event, Round Rock police said.
Lyndsey Vicknair was killed in a shooting during a Round Rock Juneteenth ev

Dozens of candidates apply to become Austin's next police chief

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 30 people have applied to lead the Austin Police Department, according to a list provided to KXAN. Candidates include both a current member of APD as well as a former assistant chief, and a number of candidates from Texas.
Darryl Albert, FormerChiefof Police, Montgomery Police DepartmentLindsey Alli, Columbus Police DepartmentNicholas Augustine, Montgomery County Department of Police, MarylandPaco Balderrama, Fresno Police DepartmentDeshawn Beaufort, Philad

Gov. Greg Abbott offers $10K for Round Rock shooting suspect information

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Round Rock police are still looking for the suspect connected to the deadly Round Rock Juneteenth festival shooting that left two women dead and injured 14 others.
On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said the governor's public safety office is offering up to $10,000 leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects.Round Rock police name victims killed in Old Settlers Park shootingPeople with information can call 1-800-252-TIPS or submit a tip online.
Two other r

Netflix planning for 'experience' house in Texas

(The Hill) - Netflix is planning to roll out what it is calling two "experience houses" next year, the company announced Tuesday.
The first two locations will open at King of Prussia in Pennsylvania and Galleria Dallas in 2025, the streamer said. It called the locations two "experiential entertainment venues that will bring some of our most beloved titles to life."
"Imagine waltzing with your partner to an orchestral cover of a Taylor Swift song on a replica of the 'Bridgerton' set –&ndash

CapMetro offering limited rail services for Austin FC game on Juneteenth

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Verde listos! Austin FC will face off against Los Angeles FC Wednesday evening at Q2 Stadium, with the match set to begin at 7:30 p.m. However, CapMetro forewarned fans it's running limited rail services Wednesday in light of the Juneteenth holiday.There won't be any rail services prior to Wednesday afternoon under the abbreviated schedule. Here's a breakdown of available MetroRail service operations for fans looking to hitch a ride straight to the stadium.Southbound rail servic

Update on Ruidoso wildfires Tuesday morning after mandatory evacuations

RUIDOSO, N.M. -- The Village of Ruidoso on Monday announced evacuations for the entire village as the South Fork Fire threatens the area. Officials posted an update Tuesday morning and said the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire were both at 0% containment.Lubbock YWCA to make security update after ex-employee accused of making child p*rnography
As of 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, the Village of Ruidoso said the South Fork Fire was burning at 13,921 acres and the Salt Fire was at 4,876 acres. You can find a ma

'A little nerve-wracking': ERCOT talks summer outlook, supply-demand concerns

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The first day of summer is Thursday, and the Energy Reliability Council of Texas expects a tight grid in August and potential supply-demand issues with high temperatures.
August is expected to have a higher risk of tight grid conditions than June or July, specifically between 8-10 p.m. because of lower wind and solar generation, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas said Tuesday.ERCOT predicts up to 16% chance of emergency power conditions in AugustDan Woodfin, ERCOT’s vice president

Juneteenth 2024: Who is working? What is open?

(NewsNation) — Wednesday is Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, marking when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free.President Joe Biden signed a bill to designate Juneteenth, which falls on June 19, as a federal holiday, and all 50 states and the District of Columbia recognize it as a holiday or observance. However, according to the Congressional Research Service, only 28 states have made it a permanent paid or legal holiday with l

Tracking the Tropics: When will the 1st tropical storm of the season emerge?

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) —During June, the main zones where we can see tropical development are the western Gulf, the western Caribbean, as well as near the Bahamas.The main reason storms are more likely to form in these areas is due to the the extra warm water temperatures compared to the rest of the Atlantic Ocean.Currently, the National Hurricane Center is tracking two disturbances that could produce some tropical weather.Potential Tropical Cyclone 1There are two areas we are watching in the

Texas launches public data dashboards on maternal, infant health

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New public data dashboards on maternal health and infant health are now available for Texans to view as part of the Texas Department of State Health Services' Texas Health Data online suite.
DSHS launched the Maternal Health and Infant Mortality and Morbidity dashboards Monday.KXAN investigation on maternal death rates, reportingThe dashboards include information on maternal mortality and pregnancy risk factors like mental health, high blood pressure and smoking, according to DS

Missouri woman's murder conviction tossed after 43 years. Was an officer the real killer?

(AP) -- A judge has overturned the conviction of a Missouri woman who was a psychiatric patient when she incriminated herself in a 1980 killing that her attorneys argue was actually committed by a now-discredited police officer.Judge Ryan Horsman ruled late Friday that Sandra Hemme, who has spent 43 years behind bars, had established evidence of actual innocence and must be freed within 30 days unless prosecutors retry her. He said her trial counsel was ineffective and prosecutors failed to disc