Austin Texas News

MESQUITE, Texas – Some early morning storms brought strong winds and hail to parts of North Texas on Saturday, and even damaged several homes in Mesquite. There were several thunderstorm warnings that popped up, with high winds and hail being the main problems reported across the Metroplex. No injuries have been reported as a result of Saturday morning’s storms. There was quarter-sized hail for portions of Collin, Fannin, Hunt, and Grayson counties. The full extent of the…

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – From Washington D.C. all the way to an East Austin backyard…H.U.D. Secretary Dr. Ben Carson toured construction tech company “Icon’s” prototype home Thursday morning.   It’s a 350-square-foot 3D-printed home that took just under 50 hours to print. “This is exciting because it’s new technology that has wide applicability,” Dr. Carson said.   Jason Ballard is CEO and co-founder of the Austin-based “ICON.” The prototype house made its debut…

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – A restaurant on Lake Travis is getting ready to reopen after last October’s flood filled the entire building with water. Thursday, Shack 512 will reopen for business in Volente beach.  One of the main selling points for restaurants along Lake Travis is location, and the closer to the water, the better. That’s why Shack 512 couldn’t be any closer. “It’s a place that everyone on the lake knows about and they…

KINGSLAND, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – Piles of debris are being removed from Lake LBJ in Kingsland. The community is focusing on cleaning the lake following the devastating October floods. The plan is to get most, if not all, of the lake cleaned up before the summer as that’s the most popular time in the area for visitors. They want to make sure the water is safe before anyone jumps in. Barges packed full of…

LLANO, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – It’s been four months since October’s historic flooding along the Llano River. For many, cleanup efforts are still ongoing in Llano County and rebuilding is underway. Saturday, the Llano Chamber of Commerce hosted a benefit concert to help flood survivors like Bill and Laura Villella. Back in October flood waters poured into their home trapping the couple inside. “We were stuck in the house for three and half hours before we got rescued with…

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – In about two weeks, Austin’s Watershed Protection Department will begin clearing out homeless camps that are considered a threat to those living there or others.  The six-month pilot program includes first responders, environmental groups and social service providers to help connect people in the camps to resources that can help them.  On any given night in Austin, there are more than 2,000 people experiencing homelessness.  “It’s an issue that’s…

AUSTIN,Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – Senate Bill 762: It’s called the “Texas Small Business Protection Act” “Businesses come here for minimal regulations, for freedom.  And if we start putting burdensome regulations on them, there goes our economy,” said Senator Donna Campbell (R) New Braunfels. Senator Campbell filed the bill Tuesday morning.  If passed the legislation would prohibit cities like Austin and San Antonio from putting their mandated sick leave policies in place. Austin’s earned sick…

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump laced his State of the Union speech with puffed-up numbers and partial truths Tuesday as he hailed an “economic miracle,” warned of human traffickers flooding across the border and appeared to place Afghanistan in the Middle East instead of where it is, Asia. Trump used information selectively in claiming a drop in drug prices not seen in half a century and promised the nation it would see bountiful benefits…

AUSTIN,Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – A fire…underground. Cell phone video from early Sunday morning shows smoke coming from manholes and storm drains at Riverside and Willow Creek Drive. Firefighters found mattresses and other debris burning. The cause: undetermined according to AFD. The storm drain tunnel there at Willow Creek  is a homeless camp.  On Tuesday morning there were still some people living under there.   Last week, days before the fire, Austin City Council Member…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of partying on a beach in Puerto Rico – with lobbyists, no less – while he sat in the White House over the weekend ready to work out a deal to end the federal shutdown. It’s not true. Pelosi didn’t go to Puerto Rico or any beach. Like Trump, she spent the weekend in snow-bound Washington. In recent days, Trump and allies twisted a…

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn said in a visit to Austin Friday that the president is trying his best to find a solution to the government shutdown and secure the border at the same time. The two visited with President Trump during his stop in Texas on Thursday. “The Democrats’ position is and remains, hell no, they won’t compromise, they won’t talk. They will insist the government is shut down…

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – A popular eatery on Lake Travis is back in business today after the October flood damaged the restaurant and kept it closed for months. Cynthia Oliver and her friends were the first customers welcomed back to Sundancer Grill Thursday morning. The restaurant has been closed since mid-October when flooding in the Highland Lakes took a toll on Lake Travis. “Oh my gosh I was depressed for a while! Because I…

AUSTIN,Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – The regular session of the Texas legislature got underway Tuesday shortly after noon.  With lawmakers now back in town Governor Greg Abbott issued a welcome and a warning.  He told both House and Senate members the hard work before them will not be limited just to education reform and property tax cuts. “We must address the challenges of the shootings that take place in our schools, to make sure our…

AUSTIN,Texas (FOX 7 Austin) – Barton Springs Pool is set to reopen Wednesday, Jan. 9., at noon after flooding shut down the area. According to a press release from Austin Parks and Recreation the pool will reopen at noon and will remain open Thursday “instead of closing for the normal cleaning day.”  Park officials also announced Tuesday that Deep Eddy will resume normal operating hours beginning Thursday, Jan. 10.  

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Legislature opens with Republicans having smaller majorities in both chambers as a result of electoral defeats, which suggests that hot-button social issues could take a back seat to such matters as fixing the state’s flawed school finance system, cutting property taxes and paying for Hurricane Harvey recovery. That might mean fewer culture clashes over immigration and a “bathroom bill” targeting transgender people, but making progress on lowering taxes and…