$47M Buc-ee's to be built in San Marcos, expected by end of 2025 - Austin news - NewsLocker (2024)

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Buc-ee's San Marcos Travel Center will soon be a reality, according to a Wednesday filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).The filing showed the construction project is expected to start Oct. 1, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 15, 2025.According to TDLR, the cost is expected to be around $47.2 million for the 74,707-square-f

Hays County voters are likely to vote on $450M transportation bond this November

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays County Commissioners Court is close to finalizing its nearly half-billion-dollar bond program plan, which is likely to go in front of voters this November.The program would allow the municipality to take on around 30 projects, fairly evenly dispersed across the county. Officials said the project will improve safety and mobility, respond to the city’s continued growth, address existing roads, create new ones and support economic development a

Texas State University Round Rock Campus to debut incubator late next year

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- It's the first-of-its-kind in the state. A new place for startups focused on the life science and medical fields is coming to the Texas State University (TXST) Round Rock Campus."I think having this life sciences incubator on our campus will attract more companies to the region and really elevate that area for success," Dr. Julie Lessiter, vice president of the school, said.TRENDING: Battle over bees: Round Rock homeowner at odds with city over lawnIt's a rapidly gro

Cat-astrophe avoided: Austin crews rescue cat from drain

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cat-astrophe avoided: A local cat is safe and sound after Austin firefighters and animal control officers rescued it from a drain, the Austin Firefighters Association shared on Facebook Thursday.Crews responded to a call for public assistance, with the caller saying the cat was stuck in a 4" French drain. After numerous attempts to remove the cat, crews set out food in hopes it would draw the cat out on its own.Firefighters returned the next day and, using a structural coll

Advertisem*nt

Pete Winstead, a legend on Austin's business scene, dies

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- The patriarch of the Winstead PC law firm, Pete Winstead, has died. He was 84.The cause of death was not immediately made public, but an announcement from his law firm late on Aug. 7 stated that he "passed away this evening following some recent health issues that suddenly escalated."The longtime lawyer was one of the few "old guards" of Austin’s modern economy, still clocking in just about every day despite hitting retirement age about 20 years ago. Amo

Austin massage parlor ordered to close amid sex trafficking investigation

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating an alleged sex trafficking operation at a massage parlor in southwest Austin on U.S. Highway 290.So far, police have arrested one suspect, who investigators have detailed in court documents as the woman running the operation.According to the arrest affidavit for that woman, she helped employees inside the business 24 hours a day - against their will - and forced them to "ask clients if they wanted sexual services at the end of the ma

CrossFit Games competitor dies during swimming event at Texas lake

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A competitor in the CrossFit Games has died while competing in a swimming event Thursday morning on a Texas lake.CrossFit CEO Don Faul said during a news conference that they were “deeply saddened” by the death of one of their athletes, and they were working with authorities on the investigation into the death.An official with the Fort Worth Fire Department said they got called out around 8 a.m. to assist police because there “was a participant in

The goat landscapers are baaaack!

AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The Trail Conservancy has brought goats back to clear unwanted vegetation along the Butler Hike and Bike trail.The Trail Conservancy was established in 2003 and their mission is to connect, protect and enhance public trails. They have brought back some special goats to help clear the Butler Hike and Bike trail from all evasive plants like, poison ivy that is not friendly to humans or their pets.Kimberly McNeeley, Chief Executive Officer for the Trail Conservancy said the goats ha

Advertisem*nt

Unbee-lievable! Texas leads in most bee farms nationally

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Unbee-lievable: The American honeybee population has soared to record heights amid concerted efforts at the national and local level to bolster bee colonies, according to a data analysis from The Washington Post.The 2022 Census of Agriculture dataset released earlier this year found there are 3.8 million bee colonies in the U.S., up from nearly 2.9 million recorded in the 2017 Census of Agriculture estimate. Texas leads as the top producer of bee farms nationally, with more than

LA mayor on feeling Paris pressure ahead of hosting 2028 Games: 'You better believe it'

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, and much like when the City of Angels hosted the 1984 Games, people are talking about one of the things it's famous for — traffic.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is in Paris as the Paris Olympics come to a close, and she said technology will make getting around LA and the surrounding area "easier than ever."Lyles, suffering from COVID, finishes 3rd in Olympic upset"Everybody was worried this traffic monster was going

Lyles, suffering from COVID, finishes 3rd in Olympic upset

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles lost the Olympic 200 meters Thursday, falling to Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, then being tended to by medics who carted him off the track in a wheelchair suffering with what The Associated Press learned was a case of COVID.After crossing the line third for the second straight Olympics, Lyles fell to his back and eventually sat up to be tended to by medical staff. A person familiar with Lyles' condition, who did not want to be identified, told AP was diag

Hungry for more? Here are the Texas state fair food finalists

TEXAS (KXAN) — Diners, loosen your belts and start your engines: The State Fair of Texas debuted the finalists for its annual Big Texas Choice Awards, unveiling the top sweet and savory contenders ahead of the state fair's return this fall.The ten finalists are competing for three top awards, set to be announced Aug. 22: "Best Taste - Savory," "Best Taste - Sweet" and "Most Creative." While only three can win, state fair officials said many of the sweet and savory concoctions can still opt

Texas to Fiji nonstop: Airline to begin flights in December

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Getting to paradise is about to get a lot easier. Fiji Airways will begin nonstop service between Dallas and the island nation in December.Flights will begin Dec. 10 and operate three times a week from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays."Introducing a direct service between Fiji and Dallas is a really exciting milestone for Fiji Airways, as we continue to increase Fiji’s connectivity with the United States and beyond o

HHS chief says extreme heat emerging as a public health crisis: 'Cannot be denied'

(The Hill) – Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerragave remarks in Phoenix Wednesday, acknowledging that a rise in temperatures has led to a "public health crisis."“Theclimate changethat we are experiencing cannot be denied. It has created, has led to a public health crisis,” he said during a press conference in Arizona, The Associated Press reported.Millions live in ‘urban heat islands.’ Are you one of them?His visit came as Arizona co

One dead, one injured in auto-ped crash in west Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person died and another was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle in west Austin Thursday morning.
Austin-Travis County EMS said on X at 9:16 a.m. medics were on the scene in the 2500 block of Hillview Road, where two people were "reportedly struck by a vehicle."In an update at 9:22 a.m., ATCEMS said one person was pronounced dead on the scene, and the other was transported to Dell Seton with potentially serious injuries.

Texas voters: You CAN'T actually register online — here's what to do

(NEXSTAR) — With fewer than 100 days until Election Day, the deadline for Texas voters to register is quickly approaching. Lone Star State residents still have until Monday, Oct. 7 to register to vote.But in case you're wondering if you can register to vote online in Texas, there's something very important to know. You can't actually register to vote online.Viral video highlights lack of online voter registration in TexasHere's what that means.Although you can click on "Voter Registration

'Extremely violent and scary:' St. David's surveillance video shows ER crash

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The video is hard to watch.
"It looks like it felt," Levi Bernard said. "It was really, really, extremely violent and scary."Six months after a drunk driver sped into St. David's North Austin Medical Center, newly obtained surveillance footage shows how it all unfolded.The Bernard family says it's important for the public, and policymakers, to see what happened – especially as Austin leaders, other cities, and at least one state senator, consider new hospital safety l

What's planned for Lions MUNY's centennial celebration

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Lions Municipal Golf Course, or MUNY, celebrates its 100th anniversary this upcoming October. MUNY was the first public course in Austin and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its leading role in the desegregation of Austin's public facilities.MUNY celebrates 100 years: The past, present and future of Austin's first public golf courseErik Lopez is a self-proclaimed product of MUNY. The course manager and head professional at Lions was born in Austin, star

MUNY celebrates 100 years: The past, present and future of Austin's first public golf course

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lions Municipal Golf Course, known informally as MUNY, was the first public golf course in the city of Austin and the first course to desegregate in the South. This upcoming October, MUNY celebrates its 100th anniversary.READ MORE: What's planned for Lions MUNY's centennial celebrationThe course is located at 2901 Enfield Road in west Austin, nestled between Tarrytown, Lady Bird Lake and the Tom Miller Dam. It rests on the Brackenridge Tract — a piece of land o

Balcones Terrace Community one step closer to opening in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin is now a major step closer to opening up a new permanent supportive housing community in north Austin.The nearly completed Balcones Terrace Community will provide 123 housing units for single adults who are experiencing homelessness or living on extremely low incomes, according to a news release from Foundation Communities.The development is a newly renovated four-story hotel, and it's located near MoPac Expressway and Capital of Texas Highway, the release said.A ribbon c

VIDEO: Quincy Hall rallies to win men's 400, five runners tumble to the track in men's 5K

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Quincy Hall provided another breathtaking moment on the track for the U.S. with a late comeback and multiple runners took a gnarly spill Wednesday during the Paris Olympics.Similar to Cole Hocker's come-from-behind victory in the men's 1,500-meter run Tuesday, Hall didn't make his move until the final 100 meters. With a grimace of determination from the seventh lane, Hall began to track down the leaders from his fourth-place position coming off the final turn to win gold in

RRPD: 14-year-old in Round Rock found, reunited with family

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 14-year-old who was reported missing earlier Wednesday afternoon was found and reunited with his family, the Round Rock Police Department said.The teen had not been seen since around 3 p.m. in Round Rock, police said.No other details were released Wednesday.

Round Rock Police seeking public's help to find missing 14-year-old teen

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Police Department is seeking the public's help to find a 14-year-old boy who was last seen Wednesday afternoon, the agency said on social media.Jeremiah Melms was last seen around 3 p.m. near Lake Creek Pool in Round Rock, according to police.Police described the teen as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 8 inches, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray shorts, according to police.The Round Rock Police are seeking the publ

Longhorns nab highly-touted Texas wide receiver Kaliq Lockett

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns landed one of the top wide receiver recruits in the country Wednesday, and yes, he's a Texan.Kaliq Lockett, the No. 2 ranked 2025 wide receiver in Texas by 247Sports, pledged to the Longhorns during a ceremony at Sachse High School. He posted on X to let Longhorn fans know he's "home."CJ Baxter, Texas Longhorns sophom*ore running back, out for season with knee injuryHe's considered a 5-star recruit by 247Sports and had scholarship offers from essentially

Should weighted baby blankets and sleep sacks be banned?

(NewsNation) — A group of lawmakers is seeking to ban weighted blankets, swaddles and sleep sacks for babies, citing multiple infant deaths.Congressman Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., Congresswoman Kim Schrier, D-Wash. and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-N.Y., introduced the Safeguarding Infants from Dangerous Sleep Act on Friday. Weighted swaddles, sleep sacks and blankets can obstruct babies’ movement and make it difficult for them to breathe during unsupervised overnight sleep, the law

Hampton Morris is 1st US men's weightlifter to medal at the Olympics since '84. Li Fabin wins gold

PARIS (AP) — Hampton Morris does not have a driver's license. He does have an Olympic bronze medal.The 20-year-old who trains in his garage at home in Marietta, Georgia, on Wednesday became the firstU.S. men's weightlifterto take home a medal of any color at the Games in four decades. Narrowly missing out on a world record that would have gotten him silver, Morris followed Mario Martinez and Guy Carlton from Los Angeles in 1984 as the most recent American men to medal at the Ol

Woman sentenced in January 2021 murder case

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was sentenced May 29 in connection with a January 2021 murder, according to Travis County court documents.Documents showed 26-year-old Lashell Linton was given a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to a first-degree murder charge involving a firearm.PAST COVERAGE | Woman arrested, accused of shooting, killing 19-year-old in north Austin in JanuaryThe charge was related to the January 29, 2021, death of 19-year-old Jose Rodriguez.Toward her sentence, Linton recei

The Lost Well bar likely to close in East Austin

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- The end of the road is likely near for The Lost Well, an East Austin bar known as a haven for heavy metal that bills itself as “the friendliest bar you’ve ever been too scared to walk into."The land on which the bar sits at 2421 Webberville Road is set to be sold, bar owner Marcello Murphy said in an Aug. 4 social media post.Murphy said he had the right of first refusal for the land sale and offered $2.5 million, but property owner Raul Aguilar was

Kyle Police arrest 3 Austin men related to car burglaries

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Kyle Police Department said it arrested three Austin men Tuesday in connection with the burglary of multiple vehicles.KPD said officers responded to a call shortly before 4 a.m. near the 100 block of Bunton Creek Road.According to police, officers found the vehicle connected with the suspects as they were leaving the scene, and during a police chase into Austin, the vehicle crashed into a light pole, where the suspects then abandoned the vehicle and ran away.KPD said of

Austin Pets Alive! seeks donations to upgrade hot kennels

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Pets Alive!, a local nonprofit, started a fundraising campaign this week with the hopes of upgrading its facility to provide cooler spaces for its shelter animals.The building has few air-conditioned spaces, with most of the dogs in an outdoor covered kennel. APA staff have had to rely on box fans, ice and "swamp coolers" to help the canines beat the triple-digit summer heat.Carolynn Brower, a volunteer with APA, said that the conditions struck her. She had previously vol