Tuesday was one for the weather record books in Central Texas as around three inches of rain fell, quite unexpectedly, shattering previous rainfall records for the date with the previous record being 1.8 inches in 1977.
Three people and a dog were rescued from rising flood waters at a homeless encampment along East Bouldin Creek in South Austin just before noon Tuesday.
Floodwaters suddenly rose nearly six feet in little time, trapping the individuals.
The incident occurred on South First Street near West Gibson, highlighting the ongoing challenge of homeless encampments in the city.
“They were surrounded by water on a very small ledge, unable to get themselves out of the creek. There was no way to get out of the situation that they were in and the water was rising.” — Captain Chris Throop of the Austin Fire Department
Another cold front is expected to move through the region tonight into Thursday and will bring much cooler air that will continue the temperature rollercoaster we’ve been riding lately.
More details on the forecast can be found further down this post in WEATHER.
Austin police are investigating the deaths of two people in an apartment fire early this morning.
Two people were found dead at a home in Elgin on Tuesday.
Authorities were responding to a welfare check call in the 200 block of E. 11th Street.
The Elgin Police Department said it is investigating. The names of the deceased have not been released. (The Elgin Courier)
Round Rock police have identified the man suspected of shooting another person in a road rage incident Monday.
Austin police arrested a known drug dealer for multiple charges including retaliation against police officers last week.
Authorities have released new details regarding the investigation into the fatal shooting of a man during a home robbery last year. Six people were arrested in connection with the incident.
The Travis County Department of Safety announced a fugitive from San Antonio has been added to the state’s Ten Most Wanted List.
A first-grade teacher with Pfluger Elementary School is no longer employed by the district following an incident on Monday.
A former Lake Travis ISD superintendent that was recently forced to resign after misconduct allegations surfaced will receive more than $158,000 in severance pay. He will also get an additional $60,255 for personal leave days and vacation days he hadn’t used. (KUT 90.5)
New cameras will be installed on Austin ISD school buses as an initiative to prevent illegal passing.
All Austin ISD school buses will soon be equipped with exterior cameras to record drivers who illegally pass stopped buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms. As of January 30th, only 294 of the district’s 555 buses had the cameras installed. This new initiative will equip the remaining buses, including both general and special education vehicles. (Community Impact)
Following a fatal school bus crash in Bastrop County ten months ago, a proposed Texas law would mandate seat belts on all school buses. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin first responders assisted a driver who fell asleep at the wheel early Tuesday and crashed into a tree.
Another “50-50-1” protest and rally is scheduled to be held Monday afternoon at the Texas State Capitol.
Police Chief Lisa Davis sat down with KXAN-TV to discuss federal immigration operations in Austin shortly after she met with a group of local pastors to discuss the same topic.
WEATHER
All of that rain is moving east.
5-DAY FORECAST /AUSTIN, TEXAS
Thousands of customers in North Texas lost power yesterday after storms rolled through the region.
Current level on Lake Travis is 43.4% full.
Recent shakes and quakes in the Lome Star State:
The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported a measles outbreak in Gaines County. As of yesterday, there have been 24 cases identified within the past two weeks.
National test scores released last month revealed a grim picture of academic recovery in Texas and across the U.S. following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. (KUT 90.5)
A Texas Senate committee unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday that aims to lower property taxes, advancing it to a full Senate vote.
A sign allegedly found in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport bathrooms announcing “electronic genital verification” is a hoax, according to officials — and a criminal misdemeanor. (Lonestar Live)
A proposed Texas bill would make it harder for defendants to bond-out with no money down.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg jointly signed a sister city agreement on Tuesday with his counterpart from Querétaro, Mexico, during a ceremony at the Alamo.
The death of an 11-year-old at a Greenville residential treatment center is among 16 deaths reported in the Texas foster care system in the last 15 months.
A federal report filed Tuesday revealed a history of sexual misconduct and physical abuse, including organizing fights between children and restraining one boy so severely he was hospitalized. (Texas Tribune)
PODCAST: The latest episode of TribCast, produced by the Texas Tribune, looks at the major role Texas plays in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his second term.
Border Patrol agents captured a man who tried to enter the illegally. During fingerprinting, they discovered he was facing a charge of battery of a child in 2020 in California.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Freshman guard Tre Johnson recorded a game-high 24 points, but Texas (15-10, 4-8 SEC) dropped a 103-80 decision to No. 2/1 Alabama (21-3, 10-1 SEC) on Tuesday night inside Moody Center. The Crimson Tide became the fourth different team to visit Moody Center this year that has reached at least the No. 2 spot in The AP poll, joining UConn, Auburn and Tennessee. (Texas Longhorns)
Solomon Washington scored 17 points and No. 8 Texas A&M used a huge second half run to cruise to a 69-53 win over Georgia on Tuesday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
The 12th-ranked Red Raiders of Texas Tech host Arizona State tonight at 8:00 p.m. (Yahoo! Sports)
NBA: The Mavericks, Spurs and Rockets all had Tuesday off.
Tonight, San Antonio is in Boston…Houston hosts Phoenix…Dallas hosts the Golden State Warriors. (Yahoo! Sports)
A Dallas Mavericks season ticket holder was ejected from a game after a verbal exchange with team owner Mark Cuban. The fan chanted “fire Nico,” referring to General Manager Nico Harrison, who has faced criticism since the organization traded superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers. The incident, captured on video, has sparked widespread discussion about the NBA’s Code of Conduct.
WNBA: The WNBA is looking to expand. Could Austin be its next franchise city? (Fox7 Austin)
In the new episode of Texas Country Reporter, we travel to Pharr and chow down at a small family restaurant serving up modern Vietnamese and Fusion Cuisines.
