Sick of political text messages? Here's how to stop them - Austin news - NewsLocker (2024)

(NEXSTAR) – It's that time of year again. Election season is well underway, as local, state and big-time politicians clamor for your vote in the primaries and come November. Lately, that means less door-knocking and more text messages.
Candidates and causes you didn't even know had your phone number may be blowing up your phone asking for your vote or your money. Campaign phone calls and text messages are exempt from the federal Do Not Call list, so getting on the registry won't help you t

One dead in North Austin shooting, APD says

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police launched a homicide investigation after a person was shot and killed at a North Austin apartment complex Sunday night.According to APD, officers got the call about the shooting at the Villas Del Sol apartment complex on Rutland Drive around 8:40 p.m.
That is near Metric Boulevard and West Rundberg Lane. This is Austin's 18th homicide this year.APD said no one was in custody as of early Monday morning.
This is a breaking story. Stay with KXAN and KXAN.com for m

Texas sweeps doubleheader at Oklahoma, clubs 6 homers in weather-shortened nightcap

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a weather-shortened nightcap, the Texas Longhorns picked up a huge series win over conference-leading Oklahoma on Sunday in Norman.The Longhorns and Sooners p[laid a doubleheader Sunday due to storms in the Norman postponed Saturday's originally scheduled game, and even then they shouldn't get two 9-inning games in, but they did enough in the eyes of the Big 12. Texas won the opener 8-6 and tied a school record with six home runs in the finale to take a 12-10 win afte

Tornado in Milam County causes minor damage

BURLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- A tornado in Milam County Sunday afternoon is being blamed for minor damage in the area of Burlington, Texas. Burlington is located 68 miles northeast of Austin. Milam County is part of the 15-county KXAN viewing area.Shortly before 3 p.m. on Sunday, the National Weather Service office in Dallas/Fort Worth issued a Tornado Warning for northern Milam County for a Doppler radar-indicated rotation that could develop into a tornado.Radar just before the issuance of a torn

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2024 NFL Draft: What Texas Longhorns had to say after they were selected

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For 11 Texas Longhorns, their dreams came true over the weekend after their selections in the NFL Draft. It's an emotional roller coaster full of sacrifices to even get to the point of being eligible for the draft, let alone to have the opportunity to make a living playing the game.For the program, it was a modern-era (seven rounds) record with 11 selections highlighted by the two first-round picks, defensive lineman Byron Murphy II and wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Only the

This week, Austin City Council could send charter changes to you for a vote

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday, Austin City Council could vote to send city charter changes to your November ballot. Those possible changes include the number of signatures required for you to get a citizen-initiated petition or a city council member recall to voters.
City councilcreated a Charter Review Commission last year to look at city charter issues like petition signature requirements. The group presented its proposed changes to city council last week.
The recommendations include ch

Hungry? Judges needed for high school BBQ state championships

BURNET, Texas (KXAN) -- If there's one thing Texas does better than the rest, it's barbecue. And it's not just a backyard pastime for us in these parts. For some high schoolers, it's the start of a career.Texas High School BBQ Association Awards, April 2023
The Texas High School BBQ Association is hosting this year's state championships at Burnet High School on May 4. Teams from across the state will compete in these categories:
Pork ChopSkirt Steak TacosChickenPork RibsMeat Chili
Judges will ev

Hungry? BBQ judges needed for state championship

BURNET, Texas (KXAN) -- If there's one thing Texas does better than the rest, it's barbecue. And it's not just a backyard pastime for us in these parts. For some high schoolers, it's the start of a career.Texas High School BBQ Association Awards, April 2023
The Texas High School BBQ Association is hosting this year's state championships at Burnet High School on May 4. Teams from across the state will compete in these categories:
Pork ChopSkirt Steak TacosChickenPork RibsMeat Chili
Judges will ev

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Round Rock High School teen awarded congressional medal for community, voluntary work

CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- A Round Rock High School student is the recipient of the highest Congressional honor awarded to civilian youth.Round Rock High School junior Anagha Deepak received the Congressional Award Gold Medal in recognition of her "commitment to voluntary public service, as well as personal development and physical fitness," per a news release.KXAN previously covered Deepak's work as a participant in the 2023 U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program as well as her efforts as co-founder of HE

How an Austin teen is working to destigmatize periods, expand product access

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Not many teenagers can say they're part of a business startup team. But that's the case for 16-year-old Anaya Balaji, a junior at Anderson High School who's helping raise awareness surrounding period product access.Three years ago, Balaji first started working with August, a period care brand centered around sustainability and accessibility. Balaji first got started with the company when she reached out to its co-founder, Nadya Okamoto, for a school project she was working

Are you being overcharged at the checkout? Here's how to tell

(NEXSTAR) — With the prices of so many goods already painfully high, you’re likely not enticed by the idea of paying even more (especially unexpectedly). And on the heels of Walmart agreeing to a $45 million settlement after being accused of overcharging on groceries, it can be hard not to wonder if you, too, may have fallen victim at the checkout.In October 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Walmart, accusing the retailer of “falsely inflating” the weights of certain sold

'Mega-rare' bird spotted in Oregon, first reported sighting in US history

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Birders are crowing over an extremely rare bird sighting in Oregon last week.Photographer and Vancouver resident Michael Sanchez told Nexstar's KOIN that he was at Hug Point State Recreation Site on April 21 at sunrise when he noticed a little bird near the shoreline.“I happened to look behind me toward the ocean and saw this cute little bird standing on the sand,” Sanchez said. “The sun wasn’t fully up yet, so to my eyes, it looked like a li

AI-generated child p*rnography threatens to overwhelm reporting system: Research

(The Hill) – Child p*rnography generated by artificial intelligence (AI) could overwhelm an already inundated reporting system for online child sexual abuse material, a new report from the Stanford Internet Observatory found.The CyberTipline, which is run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC),processes and shares reports of child sexual abuse material with relevant law enforcement for further investigation.Open-source generative AI models that

Son of Dunkin' worker has perfect response after car crashes into coffee shop

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — A car crashed into a Dunkin' in Rhode Island Tuesday morning, but it was the lighthearted reaction of a 15-year-old at the scene that has the internet talking.Crews responded to the Dunkin' location in Cranston around 6:30 a.m. and found the car entirely in the coffee shop.
Police said the driver had his learner's permit and was learning how to drive. When he put the car in drive, instead of reverse, the passenger told him to hit the brake, according to police. Howe

At least 2 dead after tornadoes sweep through Oklahoma

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Tornadoes that tore across Oklahoma left a wide trail of destruction Sunday, leveling homes and buildings and knocking out power for tens of thousands of residents. At least two people were killed, including a child.Dozens of reported tornadoes have wreaked havoc in the nation's midsection since Friday, with flood watches and warnings in effect Sunday for Oklahoma and other states — including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.In Oklahoma, a tornado ripped

4 dead after tornadoes sweep through Oklahoma

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma have flattened buildings across one rural town, killing at least four people, causing widespread power outages and leaving a trail of destruction, Gov. Kevin Stitt said Sunday.Nearly 30,000 people remained without power after tornadoes began late Saturday night. The damage was extensive in Sulphur, a town of about 5,000 people, where some downtown buildings were reduced to rubble and roofs were sheared off houses across a 15-bl

3 dead after tornadoes sweep through Oklahoma

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Tornadoes that tore across Oklahoma left a wide trail of destruction Sunday, leveling homes and buildings and knocking out power for tens of thousands of residents. At least three people were killed, including a child.Dozens of reported tornadoes have wreaked havoc in thenation's midsection since Friday, with flood watches and warnings in effect Sunday for Oklahoma and other states — including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.In Oklahoma, a tornado

Climber dies after 1,000-foot fall on Alaska peak

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A helicopter crew recovered on Saturday the body of a climber who died after falling about 1,000 feet while on a steep, technical route in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, park officials said in a statement.Robbi Mecus, 52, of Keene Valley, New York, died of injuries sustained in a fall Thursday while climbing a route on the southeast face of the 8,400-foot Mount Johnson, the park said. Her climbing partner, a 30-year-old woman from California, was

Emergency slide falls off, forces Delta flight to return to JFK airport: officials

NEW YORK (WPIX) — A Delta Air Lines flight headed to Los Angeles was forced to make an emergency landing Friday morning due to its right-wingemergency slidefalling off shortly after takeoff, officials said."Delta Air Lines Flight 520 returned safely to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York around 8:35 a.m. local time on Friday, April 26, after the crew reported a vibration," a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration said.After takeoff, the flight crew rec

East Austin coffee shop Try Hard announces closure

AUSTIN (KXAN) — East Austin coffee shop Try Hard Coffee Roasters announced late last week its final day in business is Sunday.Try Hard first opened during the pandemic at 1115 E. 11th St., its ownership said in a farewell Instagram post. They attributed the closure to the amount of debt taken on to support the business."The truth is we (as owners, yes entirely our fault and we own it) had to take on too much debt to get open and operate through the course of all of the challenges we faced

H-E-B recalls ice cream cups due to potential metal

AUSTIN (KXAN) — H-E-B issued a voluntary recall Saturday for some flavors of three-ounce ice cream cups sold at Texas stores.
The recall includes 12-count packages of three-ounce cups of Creamy Creations ice cream in chocolate, lime/orange sherbert and vanilla/chocolate combo flavors, according to the recall notice.
The grocer said there have been no injuries related to the potential metal, and stores have removed the product from shelves.
H-E-B issued a voluntary recall on 3-ounce ice cre

Study: Texas among best states for small businesses in 2024

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Are you having second thoughts about opening a small business? A new study revealed the best and worst states for small businesses in 2024. And yes, the Lone Star State is among the best ones.To establish the best and worst states to start a business, the research team at LLC Geek evaluated 20 relevant factors spread across the following categories: business costs; workforce; business environment; infrastructure; and economical conditions.According to the study, each fact

Sticker shock: Home prices doubled in under 7 years in these major U.S. cities

(NEXSTAR) – Stunned by skyrocketing home prices? You're not alone.In 68 of the largest U.S. cities the average price has more than doubled in less than 10 years, a recent study by Point2Homes found."A common home appreciation theory is that residential properties tend to double in value in about 10 years," the study notes. "But this good news for investors spells bad news for buyers, considering thatmost of the country’s major cities had home prices double even fasterthan

Massive alligator blocks plane at Air Force base in Florida, fights with wildlife officers

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An alligator caused some trouble at an Air Force base in Florida after wandering onto the tarmac and settling down underneath a tanker plane.In a photo posted by MacDill Air Force Base, located just south of Tampa, the alligator appeared to be relaxing under the wheels of the aircraft.Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission arrived to remove the scaly intruder, but it didn't go without a fight.Video uploaded to the base's Facebook page showed two FWC off

Have these bugs infiltrated your home? Here's what you should know

(NEXSTAR) — Warm weather is setting in throughout the country, which means many of the creepy crawlers winter spared us from are resurfacing. You may have already had a run-in with a few, including one nuisance bug related to invasive stink bugs and soon-to-appear cicadas.The pest in question? Boisea trivittatus, better known as the boxelder bug.Here are 4 things you should know about boxelder bugs.What are boxelder bugs?Unlike its invasive relative, boxelder bugs are native to North Ameri

Medical miracle: Denver child's heart beats again after 14 hours

DENVER (KDVR) — A miracle of modern medicine or a miracle from a higher power? No matter what you believe, the recovery story of Cartier McDaniel is nothing short of amazing.At just 4 years old, his heart stopped beating for 14 hours — and then all of a sudden, it restarted. Now, his family and doctors are sharing an experience they've never seen before.Cartier was a typical child full of energy, with a big heart and a lot of love to go around. But in a matter of days, his heart stop

Tornado Watch in effect for eastern counties until 9 p.m.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our risk for severe weather is not over. A Tornado Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for our eastern counties until 9 p.m. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Should a Tornado Warning get issued for your area, seek shelter indoors in the lowest level away from windows.Tornado Watch until 9 p.m.Areas northeast of Austin have the highest severe weather risk for the rest of the today. Along with isolated tornadoe

Tornado Watch for eastern counties until 9 p.m.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our risk for severe weather is not over. A Tornado Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for our eastern counties until 9 p.m. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Should a Tornado Warning get issued for your area, seek shelter indoors in the lowest level away from windows.Tornado Watch until 9 p.m.Still a chance that a few storms could go severe
Severe risks todayFor the Hill Country the weather will stay generally dry

Strong storms return mid- to late week

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A relatively quiet start to the work week ahead of a turn to stormier weather for the start of May.Tornado in Milam County causes minor damageCENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL REPORTSLow clouds, fog and drizzle will quickly clear by late morning allowing sunshine to take over for the majority of the day. Afternoon highs will soar well into the 80s under a mainly sunny sky. An isolated storm may clip our eastern counties this evening but no significant severe threat is anticipated.A

Storms in our metro counties

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 8:45 for western Caldwell, much of Hays, and central Travis Counties. This Warning does include Austin. Hail up to the size of nickels along with wind gusts up to 60 mph will be possible through 8:45. The storms are moving to the east at 35 mph.
A Flood Advisory will be in effect until 10:15 for Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Pockets of heavy rain have entered our metro counties. Rain totals are forecast to range from .50"