City recommends who should get Google Fiber first
Thu, May 16, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 2:16 | 45 views
AUSTIN - The City of Austin's Emerging Technology and Telecommunications Committee had its first public discussion Wednesday regarding Google Fiber and which city buildings should get the super fast internet connection first. "There is nothing set in stone about who decides. It's a city decision," said Austin City Council member Laura Morrison, who headed Wednesday night's discussion at City Hall. Austin city staffers released recommendations on which buildings they think should be priorities for Google Fib
Ramps may be required in all new Austin homes
Thu, May 16, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 2:42 | 8 views
AUSTIN -- Soon, nearly every new home in Austin could come with ramps, first-floor bathrooms and special handles on the doors. It's part of a proposal before Austin City Council called "visitibility," to make houses more accessible for people with disabilities. "I see this as an opportunity for even young folks who have to take care of their parents, if they ever have to do that and bring them to their home, at least they've got a place that they can visit," said city planner Leon Barba. Currently, Austin o
First responders practice disaster scenario on Fort Hood
Wed, May 15, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 1:58 | 5 views
FORT HOOD, Texas -- The scenario: Someone has planted explosive devices across Central Texas and another one is going off in Fort Hood. It is the Force Protection Exercise, a two-day, full scale disaster scenario for first responders. The participants make the disaster scene as real as possible. From their screams to their wounds. "I really did cry. I mean I was trying to make it as real as can be," said Uilani Dodd who works on Fort Hood. "A couple of them actually turned my stomach," said Valerie Ric
Education, water center stage as budget talks intensify
Wed, May 15, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 2:32 | 5 views
AUSTIN -- Lawmakers huddle with heads together in the session's final days, hammering out deals to pass key legislation before the gavel falls for good. With twelve days remaining in the regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, they have plenty to talk about. As a conference committee of five state representatives and five state senators works behind the scenes to rectify differences between the House and Senate on state budget bill SB 1, funding for education, transportation infrastructure and water
Man charged in fatal 2012 DWI crash
Wed, May 15, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 0:33 | 5 views
AUSTIN -- An Austin man was charged with intoxication manslaughter for a fatal collision in 2012. Salvador Del Rio, Jr. died last August on FM 973 when an on-coming car swerved into his lane and the two collided. According to an arrest warrant signed Wednesday, the other driver 20-year-old Hector Eduardo Salazar had a blood alcohol level between 0.108 and 0.168. Salazar's bond was set at $50,000. He is not yet in custody.
Planet Safe joins downtown Austin
Wed, May 15, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 2:29 | 3 views
AUSTIN -- Travis County and Austin leaders unveiled a new place Wednesday for families to go for supervised visitation and custody exchanges. The Travis County District Attorney's Office says the new facility will help with a backlog of custody cases. "There aren't many places like this in the State of Texas. For us to start this program in Austin in phenomenal," said Rene Campos from the Chamber of Commerce. "This is terribly needed. A lot of times people think that when someone leaves a domestic violence
Troubled teens feature artwork during Austin auction
Wed, May 15, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 4:27 | 3 views
AUSTIN -- A group of troubled teens will showcase their artwork during an auction in downtown Austin Wednesday. The teenagers, ages 14 to 17, are currently detained at the Gardner-Betts Juvenile Justice facility and are a part of a special art program that encourages them to constructively express emotional conflict, anger and self-awareness through art. Fifty-one original art pieces will be displayed at the San Jacinto Center lobby during the auction that's expected to make about $40,000. The money will
Austin makes top ten 'selling markets for new homes' list
Wed, May 15, 2013
KVUE-TV Austin 2:25 | 2 views
Texas has two-stepped it's way to the top of another list -- the most new home sales in the country. Corelogic says Texas has four of the top ten selling markets for new homes. Houston led the nation while Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin also make the top ten of new home sales based on the affordability and growing job markets and as more people move to those areas. Texas saw a 19% growth in the past decade for 'STEM' jobs. That's jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. California
