Two positive tests for West Nile have been detected in Georgetown. Last week a person in Hays County tested positive for the virus. Officials in Georgetown said in a news release they will spray tonight and Saturday evening.
Truck-mounted spraying is scheduled near Pinnacle Park in southeast Georgetown and close to Emerald Springs Park near Williams Drive and Wagon Wheel Trail.
While the spray does not propose a significant health risk, people and pets may want to stay inside during the spraying.
— KXAN-TV
Since Williamson County began 2024 testing in May, 23 mosquito trap samples have tested positive for West Nile virus. There has been one reported human case of West Nile Virus in Williamson County this year.
Extreme summer heat has returned to Central Texas but there is a chance for some scattered storms this weekend. Also, the Saharan dust that peaked Wednesday into Thursday morning is on its way out. (KXAN-TV)
…ELEVATED HEAT INDEX THIS AFTERNOON OVER THE I-35 CORRIDOR, SOUTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU AND COASTAL PLAINS… The combination of hot temperatures and humid conditions will produce afternoon heat index values of 103 to 107 degrees. A few locations could briefly experience heat index of 108 to 109 degrees. Those spending extended time outdoors could be susceptible to heat related illness if not taking proper heat precautions, such as drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks out of the sun and heat. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles.
U.S. Marshals say a wanted man was arrested in Round Rock for aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of a controlled substance. (Fox7 Austin)
A teacher at LBJ Early College High School has been arrested and charged with indecency with a child by exposure and two counts of improper educator-student relationship. (Austin American-Statesman)
The federal government is calling on Texas to make changes or face consequences over how it treats children in state custody. The U.S. Department of Justice issued a scathing report into the state’s five youth facilities. (KXAN-TV)
The Texas Education Agency is launching a statewide digital system to house resources, reporting tools and information about school safety for school district administrators and state officials in charge of ensuring that new security legislation protects students on campuses. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin police arrested a man they say assaulted and robbed a man in the 400 block of East 6th Street Tuesday night. Police say the victim was set up by a woman he met at a bar who was working with the suspect. (KEYE-TV)
A Dallas-based realty company is continuing its efforts to revitalize the East 6th Street neighborhood in downtown Austin. (Daily Texan)
Cisco’s Restaurant, Bakery & Bar has been serving Austin residents since 1950. The restaurant has received $50,000 as part of an effort from the National Trust of Historic Preservation to support small, historical businesses. (KUT 90.5)
Austin police are looking for a man they say took an employee’s phone while they were calling 911 at a North Austin Walgreens last month. (Fox7 Austin)
An Austin man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges. (KVUE-TV)
A teen charged with the shooting death of a 19-year-old man last year, is back behind bars charged with multiple felonies in Hays County. Ervin Coronado-Palacio had earlier been released after making bail. (Fox7 Austin)
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman is a finalist to become Austin’s next police chief but there are questions surrounding his support of the LGBTQ+ community. (KXAN-TV)
Unionized workers at businesses inside Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) could possibly go on strike soon over low wages. A vote on the matter is expected next week. (Austin Chronicle)
AIBA’s vacancy rate has risen to nearly 20% amid lower pay rates and the higher cost of living. (KXAN-TV)
Austin residents got the chance to share their thoughts with the City Council about the $5.9 billion budget that’s been proposed for 2025.
U.S. 290 near West William Cannon Drive had to be shut down due to a diesel spill on Thursday. (KVUE-TV)
A double-wide trailer was reportedly destroyed in a fire late Thursday night in Leander. (KVUE-TV)
A Texas man pleaded guilty on Thursday after he was accused of “importing protected Australian reptiles” to the U.S. (KXAN-TV)
Area school districts are preparing for the start of the school year with a series of events.
Elon Musk is building a new safety support center for his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in Bastrop within Hyperloop Plaza, where Musk’s other facilities like The Boring Company and SpaceX also operate. (MySanAntonio)
Meanwhile, a new Texas school linked to Musk is set to open this fall in Bastrop and began accepting applications on Wednesday. (Benzinga vis MSN)
A former fire chief in North Texas was sentenced to 50 months in jail for embezzling over $500,000. (CBS Dallas via MSN)
A Texas woman just turned 115…making her the oldest living person in the United States. (Fox News via MSN)
The NFL preseason officially kicked off last night in Canton, Ohio, with the 2024 Hall of Fame Game between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. The Bears won the game, 21-17. (NFL)
View game highlights here.
In Major League Baseball, the Texas Rangers are back home in Arlington this weekend hosting the Boston Red Sox. They are a team that won it all last year but are now struggling to even make it to .500. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
The Astros also had Thursday off. They’re in a much better position for a postseason run as they are also home this weekend hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. (Yahoo! Sports)
Texas native Sha’Carri Richardson won the 100 meter dash in Paris yesterday.
Texas Longhorns baseball player Nik Sanders took to social media to announce that he would be joining the football team ahead of the upcoming season. (Sports Illustrated via MSN)
Thursday was Day 2 of practice for the Longhorns in preparation for the 2024 football season.
Texas A&M is ranked highly in two major college football preseason polls. (All Aggies)
After decades of research, the U.S. remains without authentic high-speed rail options. Federal planners believe that a route connecting major cities in Texas may be an ideal fit.
Can Amtrak finally bring high-speed rail to Texas?
