Latest news with #CBSAustin
Axios
7 days ago
- Climate
- Axios
Here's how often lightning strikes in Austin
After multiple storms swept through Austin this week, we're looking at how often lightning strikes around Central Texas. Why it matters: Aside from the immediate danger to people, aircraft and infrastructure, lightning can spark wildfires — and the number of strikes is predicted to increase amid climate change, researchers have found. By the numbers: Texas is one of America's lightning capitals, as it's home to all of the top 10 U.S. counties ranked by lightning strikes per square mile in 2024, per weather data firm Vaisala Xweather. Walker County had about 825 strikes per square mile in 2024; Limestone County had 811; and Madison County had 795. All are along or close to I-45 between Houston and Dallas. Yes, but: Things aren't as scary in Travis County, where there were about 145 strikes per square mile last year. Reality check: Still, that's more than 150,000 strikes in Travis County in 2024. One strike caused a house fire in North Austin this month, per CBS Austin. No one was injured. Austin-area fire departments also responded to at least a pair of house fires sparked by lightning in a single night in March, per KXAN. No injuries were reported in those incidents, either. Between the lines: Texas' lightning hotspot status isn't random — it's more prone to strikes as a result of consistent storms tied to its climate and geography. How it works: Vaisala Xweather's data comes from sensors that use radio waves to detect and triangulate lightning strikes, with a claimed median accuracy of 84 meters (just under 300 feet).
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Texas Middle School Students Got Second-Degree Burns Doing Bear Crawls on Hot Track, Parents Say: 'Just Straight Torture'
A group of boys at Woodville Middle School claim their coach said they could do a TikTok challenge that involved bear crawling on the school's track, which had a temperature of 140 degrees Several students suffered burns, with some receiving treatment at Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston, Texas The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Woodville Police Department and Woodville Independent School District are investigating the incidentSeveral sixth-grade boys were injured during a pre-athletics class at Woodville Middle School in Tyler, Texas, on Monday, May 19, per 12 News Now, CBS Austin and KTRE. The boys claim that their coach said they could either take part in a TikTok challenge that involved bear crawling on the hot track or do their usual workout. The boys chose the challenge on the track with a temperature of 140 degrees, which is above the level that can cause 2nd degree burns, CBS Austin reports. Several of the students suffered burns and were treated at emergency centers and a local hospital. Other students' burns were so severe that they needed to be treated at Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston, Texas. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is investigating the incident. One parent, Cassie George, told CBS Austin that her two sons were injured and treated at Shriners. One boy had first-degree burns and the other suffered second-degree burns. "He got off the bus and we looked at it, and it was not cuts and bruises, it was straight up burns," the mother told the outlet. "We were furious about the whole situation, the whole matter. It shouldn't have been done. All these kids that suffered. It should have never happened like that. Like they said, they're supposed to keep kids safe. That is just straight torture that they did to the kids." She said her sons claimed that the coach said the boy had 'soft hands' and needed to 'toughen them up.' The boy also alleged that the coach mocked the young students if they couldn't complete the challenge. The coach previously resigned before this incident, and the last day of school was already going to be his last day as an employee. But the Woodville Independent School District (ISD) confirmed after the Monday, May 19, incident, he was instructed not to return to campus. "Due to a similar incident in 2019 at one of the Woodville schools, prior to my arrival and not related to a TikTok challenge, we put out guidance on not doing bear crawls on the track. This is not appropriate and will not be tolerated,' Lisa F. Meysembourg, Woodville ISD superintendent, told KFDM. 'Myself, along with district and campus leadership, have called all of the families. We've told them we're sorry. We regret their children had to suffer through this." 'We are equally as concerned with the reports as the community and are taking the matter seriously, as our students' well-being and safety is a top priority,' read the official Woodville ISD statement. 'The Superintendent and Campus Principal have launched a full internal review and are cooperating with local law enforcement,' the statement continued. 'While federal privacy laws (FERPA) limit what we can share, we want to be clear: the employee actions described by the media do not reflect the values or expectations of Woodville ISD.' Woodville Police Department (WPD) is investigating the incident, Chief Mike McCulley told CBS Austin. "It's a complete disregard for common sense," McCulley told the outlet KFDM. "Twelve to 14 parents have raised complaints. These are burns. We'll try to determine the average temperature of the track. We're gathering facts, medical information, taking statements.' 'We understand one coach objected to what was happening. We'd like to talk with both coaches. The information is coming in fast,' he continued, before confirming WPD will meet with District Attorney Lucas Babin. 'He would decide whether to take it to a grand jury for possible criminal charges." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Representatives for Woodville ISD, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Woodville Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Thursday. Read the original article on People
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Business Standard
Indian-origin entrepreneur killed by homeless fellow Indian on Texas bus
An Indian man fatally stabbed 30-year-old Akshay Gupta on a bus in Austin, Texas. The attack was unprovoked, and Kandel later admitted to the crime, citing a resemblance to his uncle Listen to This Article In a horrific public murder, Akshay Gupta, a 30-year-old Indian-origin man who was the co-founder of a health startup, was stabbed to death by a fellow Indian in a public bus in Austin, Texas on the evening of May 14. Police and emergency medical services responded to a shoot/stab call of someone being stabbed on a bus. When officers arrived at the crime scene, they found Gupta with injuries to his body. The Austin Police Department said that life-saving measures were performed, but Gupta was eventually pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect of the crime was identified as 31-year-old Deepak Kandel. Investigations revealed that Kandel was sitting next to Gupta on the bus when, without provocation, he stabbed his fellow passenger in the neck. CBS Austin reported that Kandel has a long arrest history but has never been prosecuted. According to KXAN network, CCTV video showed Gupta 'sitting in the back portion of the bus looking down and not speaking with anyone. Without provocation, the suspect… is seen raising a butcher style knife above his head' and stabbing Gupta. After the driver stopped the bus, Kandel exited the vehicle with the other passengers and walked away. Patrol officers tracked down Kandel soon after and detained him. The suspect admitted to stabbing Gupta because he resembled Kandel's uncle. Kandel was booked into the Travis County Jail and has been charged with 1st degree murder. According to CBS Austin television channel, court records revealed that Kandel has an extensive arrest history, including serious offenses, with prosecutors declining to prosecute him multiple times. Local channel KXAN reported that Kandel, who is homeless, has a criminal history — mostly misdemeanors — going back to 2016. According to the Travis County database, CBS Austin reported, Kandel has been arrested more than a dozen times, with prosecutors declining to prosecute him four times, filing no charges twice, and dismissing his case three other times. "For officers, this whole situation is indicative of the frustration that everybody feels," Michael Bullock, President of the Austin Police Association, was quoted as saying. "We put in the work, we go out there, we try to hold people accountable, and then prosecutors do absolutely nothing."
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
CBS Austin's Fred Cantú signs off for the last time Monday. How to watch 'Fred's Farewell'
At 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 31, witness history in the making. Or at least set your DVR for those times and dates on CBS Austin. That's when Fred Cantú makes his last official broadcasts from a career that spans more than 50 years. "Today was my last day reporting," Fred Cantú said on Friday. "Monday at 9 a.m., I will be interviewed on 'We Are Austin.' And a special 6:30 p.m. newscast on Monday will be devoted to 'Fred's Farewell.' More on Uncle Fred: 'Uncle Fred' signs off: Austin broadcast journalist Fred Cantú to retire at age 69 That's right, "Uncle Fred" the journalist known to many viewers by his avuncular nickname, will retire from CBS Austin after 53 years in the broadcast industry, 45 of those years in Austin. "I want to spend more time with my wife," Cantú, 69, told the American-Statesman in February. "She needs me more these days. My wife is a polio survivor. She's having health issues related to that." Over the decades, Cantú covered major events such as the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, the Blanco River floods in 2015, and the COVID-19 pandemic. "Fred was a serious journalist, loved reporting," said Diane Holloway, former television columnist for the American-Statesman, in February. "It seemed to bother him that so many people thought he was just a jolly curmudgeon: 'I'm not as jolly as people think.' "He was well-known and well-loved, sometimes to the detriment of his reporting," Holloway continued. "I remember during some horrific freeze, he was on an I-35 overpass doing a story on the terrible road conditions. His mustache was frozen, and his lips barely moved. People kept honking as they drove by yelling, 'Hey, Fred! Get out of the cold!'" "Everybody thought they were his best friend." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Watch Fred Cantú's farewell on 'We Are Austin,' CBS news Monday
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major US city announces ambitious plan to combat endless traffic gridlock: 'Momentous'
Eight years may sound like a long time — but for Austinites sick of endless gridlock and rush hour traffic, a new light rail project just might be worth the wait. And now, after a brief delay, the Austin Light Rail project is finally moving forward, CBS Austin reports. The proposed electric light rail will span ten miles with fifteen stations, linking several popular areas of the city, including the University of Texas campus. "This momentous transportation investment will offer an all-new transit experience, running reliably every 5 to 10 minutes to connect people to major job centers, education hubs, and iconic Austin destinations," the Austin Transit Partnership announced in its latest update. Would you want EV-charging roads installed in your town? Sign me up Depends how much it costs No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Residents are equally as optimistic about the benefits of the project. "Austin desperately needs a better transportation system," Jose Villegas told CBS. He had tried using the existing bus system but found it unreliable: "It would be nice to see a different kind of technology, different kind of mobility. They're always arriving ten minutes early or twenty minutes late, so you always have to be guessing." Another resident, Ben Elvis Mettin, echoed Villegas' frustrations, calling the highway "an early form of torture." Not only will the rail help create public transit options for those who don't want to be bound to the expense and the inconvenience of cars, but it will also benefit the environment. Electric railways are key to reducing the planet-warming pollution from car traffic. Taking cars off the road also benefits residents by drastically improving air quality and reducing noise pollution, both of which have been linked to multiple negative health impacts. While the design phase is expected to last for the remainder of 2025, the ATP team is optimistic that construction will begin by 2027 and the project will be complete by 2033. "Eight years is a long time," Villegas acknowledged, "but if it's going to give us a better future for all Austinites and people who move here, might as well, right?" Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
