'There's a boat hurtling toward us': Multiple injured on Lake LBJ after empty boat rams into sandbar - Austin news - NewsLocker (2024)

KINGSLAND, Texas (KXAN) – Multiple people were injured Saturday afternoon at Lake Lyndon B. Johnson after the operator fell off a boat, which maintained power, and crashed into a crowded sandbar, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.Officials said three people were transported to hospitals and one person was arrested. A TPWD spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing.“It was one of the most terrifying experiences I've ever had,” said James Schlei

Travis County drought-free for the first time in two years, experts say won't last long

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- For the first time in two years, parts of Central Texas are no longer in a drought.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Travis County, Williamson County, Burnet County, Llano County and Bastrop County are drought-free.
The map has parts of Hays County considered abnormally dry with a moderate drought.
Much of the Central Texas area was previously under a drought for 26 months. (Photo: U.S. Drought Monitor)
'May just be temporary'Texas State Climatologist Dr. John Nielson-Gam

No jumping! Austin working to stop bridge jumpers

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As crowds gather in Austin Lakes and Rivers to cool off, Austin Parks and Recreation is reminding people that jumping off bridges into the water is not only illegal, but it's also dangerous."This is the bridge over Barton Creek, and honestly, this is the most popular spot to jump off," said Park Ranger Melissa Hand. "It is illegal to jump over any bridge over the Colorado River, so not just in Austin proper-- but those bridges include anything that goes over Lady Bird Lake,

Downtown program aims to boost Austin small businesses, vacant storefronts

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new initiative launched Thursday to support Austin creatives and small businesses while enhancing vacant downtown Austin storefronts.The Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) unveiled the Downtown Austin Space Activation program and will celebrate its first storefront location at 506 Congress Avenue on June 13.Not enough demand to fill 2.5M square feet of new office space in downtown Austin, report saysThe program's "goal is to create affordable and flexible spaces that not onl

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Dripping Springs man gets life in prison for continuous sexual abuse of child

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to life in prison May 30 after he was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years of age, according to Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins.According to the DA’s office, 38-year-old Andrew Brown, of Dripping Springs, sexually abused an 8-year-old, who was the child of a family friend, for more than a year.The DA’s office said the abuse occurred after Brown volunteered to care for the ch

Texas could be getting its own stock exchange

DALLAS (Nexstar) — A group of financiers announced on Wednesday plans to create a Texas stock exchange based in Dallas.TXSE Group Inc. released a statement outlining their plans to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, including that it is backed by major investing firms like BlackRock and Citadel Securities.TXSE raised approximately $120 million in capital with the help of investors. The group said it expects to be the “most well capital

Mayor Kirk Watson talks efforts to shelter homeless amid dangerous summer heat

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- KXAN's Grace Reader sat down with Mayor Kirk Watson Thursday to talk about a variety of topics from ARPA funding and the upcoming budget process to homelessness and the spectrum of services the city provides. Here's some of what you need to know:
Providing services this summerWatson said the City of Austin is building on changes made last year including: how the city communicates with service providers and people experiencing homelessness, bringing water to encampments, having c

Barton Springs Conservancy gives additional $450K toward bathhouse project

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Barton Springs Conservancy gave an extra $450,000 toward the Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation Project.According to the conservancy, the funds were solicited from supporters of Barton Springs.“As a result of this additional contribution, the total amount of private contributions to date from Barton Springs Conservancy is $3,834,000,” the conservancy said.Check presentation for Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation Project (KXAN p

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Texas father, son discover message in a bottle on Gulf coast

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Central Texas father and son duo can add "treasure hunters" to their list of accolades, after discovering a message in a bottle washed ashore at Padre Island National Seashore last weekend.Markus Hogue and his 12-year-old son, Gabriel, were searching for seashells for Gabriel's mom and girlfriend, Liah, on the beach when they saw the bottle sticking out of a pile of debris.
"We were walking and saw a lot of debris and then saw a bottle and were surprised when we picked it

'Gonna be tight': Mayor Kirk Watson talks upcoming budget process

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Financial leaders with the City of Austin have warned: The city is likely to see a budget deficit in the 2024 fiscal year largely caused by an unexpected dip in sales tax revenue. That will also bleed into how the city addresses its FY 2025 budget.City of Austin could see budget deficit, headed for ‘fiscal cliff’ with ARPA funding"While it's been up a few of these months, including last month, it's still overall under what the forecasts were for sales tax revenue," M

Austin Energy prepares for summer season

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy said it has completed its weatherization readiness activities as it prepares for the summer, the agency said in a news release Thursday.The utility said its summer weather preparedness was certified via the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which is "in compliance with state regulations," the release said.The utility said it is preparing for another "record-breaking season" when it comes to energy demand.
AE said Texas reached 10 "new all-time peak dem

6 Alamo Drafthouse theaters shutter outside Austin metro, although they could come back

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is losing six locations outside Central Texas after a franchisee filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.The company that operated all five theaters in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, plus one in Woodbury, Minnesota, under a franchise agreement abruptly closed them on June 6.“We are heartbroken for the franchisee’s teammates and the local film communities, however, we are working as quickly as possible to get Alamo Dra

Chiefs cancel practice after player goes into cardiac arrest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) -- The Kansas City Chiefs canceled practice on Thursday following a medical emergency involving defensive end B.J. Thompson.Thompson, a second-year defensive end for the Chiefs, was taken to the hospital after suffering a seizure and going into cardiac arrest.The Chiefs planned to wrap up their voluntary offseason workouts on Thursday, but a team spokesman said the practice would be pushed to Friday. Chiefs coach Andy Reid and other players plan to speak to reporters then

15th annual Corporate Battle of the Bands to raise money for musicians' health care

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, also known as HAAM, hosted its 15th annual Corporate Battle of the Bands Wednesday night, along with a silent auction, all in the name of helping raise money to support area musicians.
HAAM is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable health care for greater Austin’s low-income, working musicians.
Each year, it hosts a "Corporate Battle of the Bands" event where local companies' employees compete in front of a panel of loca

Over 1.2M rechargeable lights sold nationwide recalled after death, fires

(NEXSTAR) — Illinois-based Good Earth Lighting Inc. is recalling more than 1.2 million units of its Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights after the reported death of one user and reports of injury and/or fires from others.Customers should immediately stop using the lights, which contain lithium iron batteries that can potentially overheat and cause the lights' plastic housing to catch flame, according to the recall.These jobs may not exist in 50 yearsThe recalled units can be identifie

Anthrax in Texas rancher linked to infected lamb

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A rancher in southwest Texas was linked to an "unusual winter case of anthrax" following the butchering of an infected lamb in December 2023.According to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on Jan. 4, the rancher went to the hospital for fever, leukocytosis, a black eschar on his wrist, and extensive edema and blistered lesions on his arm.Investigators determined anthrax to be the cause of his illness 11 days after he butchered a lamb that died u

Texas Girl Scout awarded for LGBTQ+ library project

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One Central Texas Girl Scout is being recognized for her work to improve access to LGBTQ+ literature.Girl Scouts of Central Texas recognized Norah S. with a Silver Award for her project creating the Little Rainbow Library. The library includes a "carefully curated selection of books that represent and celebrate the LGBTQ+ experience," per a news release.Record number of book titles challenged in 2023 — here’s how Texas faredNorah's middle school doesn't feature

Downtown crime down since APD increased patrols, police say

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- About 8 months ago, the Austin Police Department (APD) launched an initiative to beef up downtown patrols. Now, Lt. Christopher Juusola, the operations lieutenant for the Downtown Area Command (DTAC), says the program has had an "immediate positive impact."The initiative was born from downtown stakeholder complaints primarily related to property crime and other "quality of life" issues."The vast majority of crimes in DTAC dropped compared to the year(s) prior," Juusola said. "Cr

Hutto man found guilty of sexual assault of a child, sentenced to 99 years in prison

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Following a three-day trial, a Williamson County jury found a Hutto man guilty of sexual assault of a child on Tuesday.According to the county’s district attorney, 39-year-old Josue Antonio Gurrola was given a sentence of 99 years in prison related to the conviction.“The jury's verdict of 99 years is a testament to the severity of the crime committed and the enduring impact on the victim’s life. We hope this sentence brings solace to the

CapMetro considering Leander Pickup Zone expansion

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — CapMetro is considering a possible expansion to its Leander Pickup Zone to add new residential communities, shopping and medical centers to its coverage scope.The transit authority is proposing a 0.64-square-mile expansion to the existing zone. If approved, that expansion would offer transit services connecting riders to DaVita Leander Dialysis, Cedar Park Regional Emergency Center, Crystal Falls Crossing Apartments, the Lakeline Apartments and Randall's.CapMetro is

Travis Co. Clerk’s Office offering free wedding ceremonies to celebrate Pride, Marriage Equality

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County Clerk's Office is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride month and marking the ninth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision ruling same-sex couples have a right to marriage by offering free wedding ceremonies in late June.
The office did the same thing last year for one day, but has expanded the offering to several days because of the success of last year's event, the office said in a release.Events happening in Austin to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride this month

Man arrested in hit-and-run during South by Southwest indicted on several counts

Editor's note: The above video is from previous, related coverage we reported on April 1, 2024.
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The man who was arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run in downtown Austin during South by Southwest was handed three indictments by a grand jury earlier this week, according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office.Man arrested in hit-and-run during South by Southwest now facing murder chargeDistrict Attorney José Garza's office said Tyrone Thompson, 23, faces

Is Austin's housing market overvalued? At least by one measure, the answer is yes

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Home prices in Austin are eclipsing the median buying power of local residents.That's according to data from First American Financial Corp., which found the housing markets in at least half of the nation's major metro areas are overvalued compared to local buying power.Home prices have soared nationally over the past decade — especially during the pandemic — and that's driving a significant affordability crisis in many regions.High interest r

Watch Live: President Biden participates in D-Day remembrance at Normandy

PARIS (AP) — United States President Joe Biden will mark the 80th anniversary ofthe D-Day invasion in Francethis week as he tries to demonstrate steadfast support for European security at a time when some allies fear Donald Trump threatens to upend American commitments if he wins another term in the White House.The trip comes as the deadliest fighting on the continent since World War II continues in Ukraine and allied countries struggle to find ways to turn the tide against Rus

Austin gun activist behind bump stock case awaits Supreme Court decision

WASHINGTON D.C. (KXAN) — Throughout June, the Supreme Court will release opinions on several cases that the Justices heard during the term that started in October 2023. One pending case has a direct tie to Austin.The Court heard arguments earlier this year on the legality of a federal ban on bump stock rifle attachments, a case that was brought forward by an Austin gun store owner. Michael Cargill surrendered his bump stock devices in compliance with the 2018 ban issued by the Trump Admini

Williamson County now has more floodplains, study explains why

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County has some preliminary findings from its ongoing Atlas 14 Floodplain Mapping Study, researchers finding that the number of homes near floodplains has doubled since the last time the data was updated.The county partnered with the Texas Water Development Board for this study with the goal of updating floodplain information with rainfall data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2018.Cindy Engelhardt with H

Texas offense comes up short, Oklahoma takes 1-0 lead in WCWS Championship Series

AUSTIN (KXAN) —No. 1 Texas lost the opening game of the Women's College World Series Championship Series to No. 2 Oklahoma 8-3.
The Longhorns must win Thursday night's Game 2 in order to keep their national championship hopes alive.
Oklahoma is now one win away from winning their fourth straight national championship.
The Sooners jumped out to an early 2-0 lead when Tiare Jennings hit a two-run home run off Texas starter, freshman Teagan Kavan.
Those were the first runs Kavan gave up

Police, transportation, housing: One-on-one with Austin Mayoral Candidate Kathie Tovo

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Former Austin City Council Member Kathie Tovo is already hitting the campaign trail in her race for mayor. She hosted her first official campaign event in south Austin Wednesday.
She sat down with KXAN's Grace Reader ahead of that event to talk about priorities and how she would handle major issues like police staffing shortages and challenges to the city's land development code. This transcript was lightly edited for clarity and conciseness:
Introduce yourself:
I'm Kathie Tovo,

AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- After a monthslong review, Texas A&M University decided not to bring back the student bonfire tradition it discontinued 25 years ago after a deadly accident, President Mark Welsh III said Tuesday.For decades, students built a 60-foot bonfire every year ahead of football matches between A&M and the University of Texas at Austin. The tradition was suspended after tragedy struck in 1999, when a stack of logs collapsed in the middle of the night, killing 12 peop

Austin Water asking customers to conserve water Friday

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Water is asking customers to in southwest Austin to conserve water on Friday.The interactive map provided by Austin Water shows a large area that will be impacted."There is a small leak at the joints," said Randi Jenkins, assistant director of customer experience with Austin Water. "If it is not addressed, it becomes a worse leak and so taking care of this now on a large water main is a priority for us."Austin Water crews will be out on Friday morning to repair the 4