1 in 4 businesses plans to increase in-office days next year: Report - Austin news - NewsLocker (2024)

(The Hill) — More companies plan to impose stricter in-office mandates next year, even if it risks losing workers.
Recently published findings from asurvey conducted by ResumeBuilder.com show that a quarter of companies with return-to-work policies plan to require employees to come into offices more frequently. Companies with plans to increase employees' in-office days are doing so mainly to improveproductivity among their workforces. Out of these companies, 86 perc

Swimming at Hamilton Pool Preserve unavailable due to bacteria levels

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Swimming at Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs is not currently allowed due to high bacteria levels, according to Travis County officials.The pool was set to reopen on Friday, but the county said the recent heavy rains have caused a delay. Swimming will be unavailable until the bacteria levels go down.
However, park officials said people could still book a daily reservation online to hike or enjoy the rest of the park. Morning (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) or afternoon (2

It's easiest to save money in these 3 Texas cities

(NEXSTAR) — Are you saving as much as you'd like? Keeping extra money in the bank for emergencies or expenses is one of the wisest things you can do but depending on where you live, it can be difficult.Recently, personal finance outlet FinanceBuzz analyzed data for 125 U.S. cities with populations greater than 200,000 to rank them based on several metrics, including cost of living, median income and debt-to-income ratios. The cities were then ranked based on ease of saving to difficulty &m

What are Austin City Council's new speaking rules?

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People signing up to speak on items at Austin City Council meetings will get at least two minutes after the city faced a lawsuit tied to how much access the public should have to its officials.
The lawsuit was brought forward by Save Our Springs Alliance Director Bill Bunch, a City Hall regular. He threatened to sue the council several months ago, while speaking to them during public comment and followed through.
Bunch: Do I get my 8 minutes?
Watson: No sir.
Bunch: I get two min

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Southwest Austin water main repair to take at least 'several more hours'

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday, Austin Water reported repairs to a leaking water main that services southwest Austin were taking longer than planned, and they asked residents in the area to continue conserving water.“Workers have encountered difficulties with connecting the repaired section of pipe to existing infrastructure, causing a delay in the return to normal water use and a second day of bottled water distribution,” the utility said.Austin Water initially said they expected

Davis Lane Pump Station repairs continue; Austin Water still asking customers to conserve water

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday, Austin Water reported repairs to a leaking water main that services southwest Austin were taking longer than planned, and they asked residents in the area to continue conserving water.“Workers have encountered difficulties with connecting the repaired section of pipe to existing infrastructure, causing a delay in the return to normal water use and a second day of bottled water distribution,” the utility said.Austin Water initially said they expected

Are Americans tired of tipping? Yelp reviews show how much

(NEXSTAR) — While tipping at restaurants and bars has been an accepted part of American gastronomy for a long time, customers lately say they're feeling the pinch of tipping more than they used to. A popular phrase you might have heard is "tipflation."And while many restaurant-goers — especially those who themselves have worked in tip-based jobs — argue you shouldn't eat out if you can't afford to tip, not all American consumers view service this way.What does it mean when you

APD investigating homicide off Dessau Road in north Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was investigating a homicide in north Austin Saturday morning.According to APD, the incident occurred near the 12300 block of Dessau Road.Police are expected to hold a briefing regarding the incident. No other information was available as of 9:15 a.m.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more details.

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A hot and dry weekend

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today is an Ozone Action Day for Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. A combination of a sunny sky, the heat, and light winds lead to producing high levels of ozone, particularly this afternoon. Here's how you can help:The normal high temperature today is 92°. Area high temperatures this afternoon will be higher as most maximums reach the mid to upper 90s.Friday afternoon's maximum heat index readings got as high as 106° at La Grange and 105&deg

WATCH: Water main break causes water to shoot out of the ground in north Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A water main break in north Austin has caused major issues in the area.Passersby on Wells Branch Parkway are able to see a geyser shooting out of the roadway Friday afternoon.KXAN spoke with firefighters with Travis County ESD No. 2 on the scene. They said a call came in at about 4:30 p.m. about the roadway being covered in water. The source of the water was later discovered to be a main break.Water pours out of the ground near Wells Branch in north Austin after an apparent

Boil water notice issues for some Wells Branch MUD customers after water main break

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A boil water notice for some Wells Branch MUD was issued Saturday following a water main break earlier this week in the north Austin area.The Wells Branch MUD said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the water system to notify customers in the affected area. A notice will be sent to customers when the boil water notice is rescinded.RELATED: Tips for boiling water with or without powerThese neighborhoods and apartment complexes are affected:Brookside neigh

Boil water notice issued for some Wells Branch MUD customers after water main break

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A boil water notice for some Wells Branch MUD customers was issued Saturday following a water main break Friday in north Austin.The Wells Branch MUD said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the water system to notify customers in the affected area. A notice will be sent to customers when the boil water notice is rescinded.RELATED: Tips for boiling water with or without powerThese neighborhoods and apartment complexes are affected:Brookside neighborhoodMil

Man who went viral for driving during Zoom court hearing in trouble again

PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit-area man whose May court appearance on a driving offense went viral when he appeared by video from behind the wheel was arrested Wednesday for the same violation years earlier in a different community.The man was in a court near Ann Arbor for a follow-up hearing on a charge of driving with a suspended license when Judge J. Cedric Simpson said there was a 2015 warrant for his arrest in Allen Park, a Detroit suburb.The man was taken to jail by a co

Cicadas being infected with STD that turns them into hyper-sexual 'zombies'

CHICAGO (WGN) — A sexually transmitted disease that is said to turn cicadas into "zombies" and causes their genitals to fall off has been detected in southern parts of Illinois and is spreading throughout the Midwest.
The fungal infection, called Massospora cicadina, targets only the 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas. This year’s “cicada-geddon” is brought to us by one each of Brood XIII, which is primarily in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, and Brood XIX, which extends so

Are giant parachuting spiders spreading in the US this summer?

NEW YORK (WPIX/Nexstar) — They're giant, invasive, and able to parachute through the air in what can only be described as an arachnophobe's greatest fear. These spiders, better known as Joro spiders, have already been spotted in multiple states, but could they be coming to an area near you any time soon?Joro spiders, or Trichonephila clavata, are native to Asia. They've been in the U.S. for at least a decade, having already invaded Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Re

Did you know Creed hosts a cruise?

(NEXSTAR) — Creed, the late 1990s post-grunge/quasi-Christian rock band once considered the worst band of the nineties, is still touring — and welcoming fans with arms wide open onto the wide open seas.Recently, the band reunited for a 90s-themed cruise experience, which proved to be so popular, they're doing it again next year. The S.S. Creed (not the boat's actual name) is set to sail from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, on April 9, 2025, and offer guests four nights of music and experie

Bird flu detected in Austin wastewater

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health announced Thursday that the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute had detected traces of H5N1, or bird flu, in the city's wastewater, according to a press release.The agency said that the "risk to the public remains low," and that no human cases have been reported locally.
"The detection of influenza viruses in wastewater does not necessarily indicate undetected human cases," APH said in its release. "Influenza in wastewater can also come from other so

Leander trainer, dog win 5 medals at agility championship in France

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A Leander dog agility trainer and her 4-year-old Border Collie/Papillon mix earned five medals at the 2024 World Agility Championship in France, which occurred between April 30 and May 4.Courtney Moore and Rayn’s Everything’s Better with Butter (AKA “Butter”) brought home three gold medals for All-Around Championship, Gamblers and Snooker, one silver medal for Biathlon and one bronze medal in Jumping at the event.The duo were members of Team

Potential largest-ever, rare fish washes ashore on Oregon beach

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A fairly newly discovered species of fish has washed ashore on the Oregon Coast — and it could be the largest specimen sampled to date.The fish measuring at 7 feet and 3 inches was found on Gearhart Beach just outside of Seaside on Monday. Seaside Aquarium said the finding caused “quite a stir” online, bringing flocks of people to the area to see the fish in person.The rare hoodwinker sunfish washed ashore near Seaside on the Oregon Coast on Monday

Austin Pickle Ranch announces closure of downtown location

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A popular pickleball court in downtown Austin announced its sudden closure on social media Friday.Austin Pickle Ranch, located at 1717 West Sixth St., announced the downtown location was closing, effective immediately.
Effective immediately, the Austin Pickle Ranch West 6th location will be permanently closing. Despite our extensive efforts and negotiations, we were unable to secure the necessary city zoning permissions to continue operations. We have worked tirelessly, explorin

Texas law sets new data security rules for businesses, expands privacy protections

Note: The video above is a KXAN file video from Jan. 5 about what to do during a data breach.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas businesses will need to be more careful with how they handle consumer data or face fines under a law that takes effect in July.The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) was passed during the 2023 regular legislative session. It allows Texas residents to ask for their data, as well as what is being done with that data. It also requires that consumers have a way to opt out

APD interim chief will retire after chief position filled

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Friday, June 7, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After nearly 27 years with the City of Austin, Austin interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said she will not apply for the full-time police chief position. Instead, she will retire once a new police chief is hired, City Manager T.C. Broadnax said in a city memo.Henderson took over the role of interim chief in August 2023, following the retirement of Chief Joseph Chacon.‘Tremend

Looking for a free summer camp? Summer Playgrounds Program has you covered

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With school out of session, many families in Central Texas are searching for affordable ways for their children to beat the heat during the summer. The City of Austin is offering the Summer Playgrounds program as a solution. It is a free, drop-in program that begins June 10 - August 2, 2024 for children 5-12 years old. The program is Monday through Friday, from 9-5 p.m.LIST: Central Texas schools giving out free summer meals for kidsOrganizers say Summer Playgrounds is aimed at

State, local leaders cut ribbon on Samsung Highway in Taylor

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Leaders at the state and local level gathered in Williamson County Friday morning to celebrate the completion of the Samsung Highway and other area road projects.
Williamson County, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Samsung Corporation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday on the Samsung Highway near County Road 404.
Gov. Abbott was there, along with Samsung Vice President and President of Taylor Project Dr. Chanhoon Park, Williamson County Judge Bill

Westwood High School debate team takes home the national championship win

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Westwood High School debate team broke records in April, becoming the first in the school's history to win the national championship.
Seniors Ishan Sharma and Ayush Tripathi took home the title after competing against a Nashville team in the Tournament of Champions (TOC) at the University of Kentucky. The TOC is a coveted high school debate tournament held each year at the University of Kentucky, lasting for four days.
Sharma and Tripathi's win marks the sixth time a Te

ATCEMS: 2 taken to hospital after crash results in person being partially ejected from vehicle

AUSTIN (KXAN) — First responders arrived at a scene in north Austin after a single-vehicle crash resulted in a person being partially ejected from a vehicle.According to Austin-Travis County EMS, the crash occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. in the 12400 block of north Interstate 35 heading south, which is near the Parmer Lane exit.In total, two patients were involved, including the one who was partially ejected from the vehicle. That patient was declared a trauma alert by medics, accordi

Flood insurance now more affordable in Austin

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Friday, June 7, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Residents can get a 25% discount on most flood insurance policies in Austin after a recent change to the city’s score in the Community Rating System.According to the city, eligible policies issued or renewed on or after October 1 can receive the discount.Williamson County now has more floodplains, study explains whyOn May 29, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

2024 STAAR results show Texas students' 'steady performance'

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Friday, June 7, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Education Agency released its results for the Spring 2024 STAAR test, showing mostly "steady performance" by students since the test's redesign in 2023, according to a Friday morning press release.“The 2024 STAAR End-of-Course results highlight both the progress Texas students and educators have made and the challenges that remain to help students improve outcomes, whi

Second mosquito pool in southeast Austin tests positive for West Nile

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A second mosquito pool in southeast Austin has tested positive for West Nile Virus within two weeks of the first positive test result of the year in Austin-Travis County, according to officials with Austin Public Health. The agency is urging people to take caution against mosquitoes since peak season is May through November.The positive result was in the 78744 zip code and came from the same mosquito trap as Travis County's first positive pool, which was reported May 28, accordi

Harriet Tubman sculpture to be on display in Bastrop to honor Juneteenth

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- As part of the City of Bastrop's Juneteenth Freedom Celebration, a nine-foot-tall sculpture of Harriet Tubman will be on display in Texas for the first time since its creation.The "Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom"sculpture by Wofford Sculpture Studio will be on display at the Kerr Community Gardens starting June 15 through August.Juneteenth celebration, remembrance day held at Austin’s first Black cemeteryThe sculpture portrays Tubman protecting a youn