Air traffic controller staffing issues caused flight delays at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Sunday afternoon that lasted an average of 36 minutes.
“This should never have happened.” — US Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Airport officials say they have a 17% vacancy rate, compared to 30% last year for air traffic controllers.
ABIA will drop to half of its 60 recommended air traffic controllers by Thanksgiving.
Doggett blamed Sunday’s delays as a “direct result of the FAA’s unresponsiveness.” (KVUE-TV)
All lanes were closed at southbound Interstate 35 at Braker Lane on Tuesday morning due to a crash that killed one person. (KXAN-TV)
A pedestrian was struck and killed Monday evening in southeast Austin. (KXAN-TV)
The Austin Fire Department is investigating a shed fire early Tuesday morning in Central Austin.
Austin Fire Department
Even with unofficial results fully tabulated in the Austin mayoral race, incumbent Kirk Watson has not officially been declared the winner because Watson received 50.01% of the votes counted.
Outstanding ballots still need to be counted and include some late mail-in ballots, provisional ballots and overseas and military mail-in ballots. Watson needs more than 50% of the vote to win outright not face a runoff against opponent Carmen Llanes Pulido.
Statewide, the deadline to receive overseas military mail ballots is Nov. 12. Travis County expects to do its canvass Nov. 13-14 and results could be posted as soon as that canvass is complete. (KXAN-TV)
Some City of Austin leaders are raising concerns about the potential influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on future city council meetings after a call council members took during public comment last Thursday.
Former interim City Manager Jose Garza is adamantly denying allegations that he violated a city ethics regulation when engaging the services of former city employees Joe Canales and Laura Huffman without consulting City Council. (Austin Monitor)
In Cedar Park, construction has started on a new training site for police, fire and emergency staffers. Meanwhile, a new public library has opened in the city’s Bell District. (Austin American-Statesman)
The Hays County Jail is sending people awaiting trial to other counties. Hays County Sheriff-Elect Anthony Hipolito says the area is growing which means more crime and the current facility is overcrowded and understaffed.
Once-confidential Austin police records (known as “g-files”) have been publicly accessible via an official public information request for about two months now.
One local media outlet attempted to request access to the files but was presented with a bill of over $27,000. (KXAN-TV)
Homeowners at risk of being displaced by Project Connect will soon get more help thanks to another $10 million from the city of Austin. (KXAN-TV)
The Austin Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a missing man who was last seen Sunday night. Police said the man has Down syndrome. (KXAN-TV)
Popular furniture store American Freight is closing more than 300 locations nationwide including its lone Austin store. (KVUE-TV)
A landmark H-E-B store on South Congress Avenue is relaunching next month with a whole new look. (Community Impact)
Seven Austin restaurants have been awarded their first Michelin star. (KUT 90.5)
Austinites honored its veterans yesterday at its 69th annual Veterans Day Parade along South Congress Avenue.
Photos: Frank Strovel III
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Our hours of daylight are getting shorter…
Interstate bus service FlixBus has partnered with CapMetro to expand its service in Central Texas.
More than 300,000 San Antonio water customers have been notified about potential lead in their water pipes. (Texas Public Radio)
Most Texas school board candidates who supported book bans lost their elections. (Lonestar Live)
Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for now. (Texas Tribune)
A Laredo man was arrested and charged with two counts of smuggling of persons after migrants were discovered in his tractor-trailer’s gas tank.
The Texas Senate Higher Education subcommittee met Monday where lawmakers questioned the influence and intentions of faculty senates and of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies in academia. (Austin American-Statesman)
School voucher issues in Texas arise as bills are filed in Austin.
The Texas oil and gas industry could soon see a major boost.
SPORTS
Game three of the season tonight for the Texas Longhorns (1-1) basketball team as they take on Chicago State (0-2) at 7:00 p.m. at Moody Center. (Texas Longhorns)
The No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies took care of Lamar last night at home, 97-71, to move to 2-1 on the season. (Yahoo! Sports)
Longhorns football head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to the media yesterday ahead of this weekend’s game against Arkansas. (Texas Longhorns)
In the NBA last night, Victor Wembanyama had 34 points and 14 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated Sacramento, 116-96, at Frost Bank Center. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Houstin Rockets also won at home last night, defeating the Washington Wizards, 107-92.
Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks are in California to face Golden State at 9:00 p.m. (Yahoo! Sports)
In hockey, Miro Heiskanen scored two of Dallas’ six first-period goals, and the Stars beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-1 on Monday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, just south of Amarillo, is the “Grand Canyon of Texas.”
Enjoy 20,000 acres of beautiful wide-open country perfect for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature viewing.
