From the winter storm to robot shoes: KXAN’s most-viewed YouTube videos of 2023
AUSTIN (KXAN) — From the 88th regular Legislative Session to another winter freeze to trials, Texas has seen a lot happen this year.
One way KXAN shares news updates is through YouTube videos. We’ve compiled a list of the 15 most-viewed videos of the year, detailed below. (Data was tracked from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 5, 2023.)
No. 15: Robot shoes can help you walk 3x faster; how do they work?
Designed by Austin-based Shift Robotics, “Moonwalkers” initially look like roller skates, but motors and artificial intelligence allow users wearing these “robot shoes” to walk three times faster than they normally would.
KXAN’s Eric Henrikson spoke to the CEO of Austin-based Shift Robotics, the company behind the shoes.
Read the story here.
No. 14: Austin Energy discusses how linemen stay warm while repairing damaged power lines
During a winter storm in late January and early February, thousands of Austinites were without power for several days as power lines and transformers had frozen, or trees that had frozen had fallen on them.
Hundreds of linemen worked around the clock for days to restore power to Austin. KXAN’s Sally Hernandez talked to Austin Energy spokesperson Matt Mitchell to ask how linemen were staying safe during the process.
Read through a live blog detailing the events of the storm here.
No. 13: ‘We heard more gunfire’: Neighbors discuss moments of hostage situation
In November, Austin Police Department Officer Jorge Pastore lost his life during a SWAT standoff. Three other people died, and another officer was injured and later released from the hospital.
Neighbors close to the home where it happened told KXAN the details surrounding the situation.
Read the story here.
No. 12: Impeachment looms over Attorney General Ken Paxton after investigative hearing
A team of lawyers working with the House ethics committee in May began detailing misconduct allegations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which eventually led to Paxton facing an impeachment trial later in the year.
Read the story here.
The Texas Senate acquitted Paxton on all articles of impeachment he faced during the nearly two-week trial
No. 11: Illegal dam in Mason County blocking water from refilling Highland Lakes
A dam that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say was constructed illegally in Mason County blocked water from flowing toward the Highland Lakes, which serve as Austin’s drinking water supply.
Read this full investigative story from Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans and Senior Science Reporter Eric Henrikson here.
No. 10: State of Texas: Efforts aim to expand state border enforcement power
As Title 42 restrictions were set to expire in May, Texas took steps – both short-term and long-term – to tighten enforcement at the border.
KXAN looked at the deployment of the Texas Tactical Border Force and the legislative move to create a new enforcement unit to expand the state’s powers along the border. Plus, we debriefed with Sandra Sanchez from Border Report to get insight on how the end of Title 42 is changing conditions in communities along the border.
Read more here.
No. 9: Abbott orders additional troopers to Austin 1 day after city suspends APD/DPS partnership
On a Thursday in July, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered an additional 30 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to Austin, according to a spokesperson with DPS.
The order came one day after the City of Austin said it would be suspending the partnership between the Austin Police Department and DPS.
Read the full story here.
No. 8: Testimony from a Texas Ranger who says Paxton retaliated against his warnings
Attorney General Ken Paxton stood trial in September, facing 16 articles of impeachment. Paxton was ultimately acquitted on all charges.
During the trial, former Texas Ranger David Maxwell Office told the Court of Impeachment that Paxton fired him “unjustly” after he reported Paxton’s alleged illegal conduct to the FBI.
KXAN’s Ryan Chandler reported on the testimony live from the Texas Capitol. Read the full story here, and read more about the impeachment trial here.
No. 7: International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Putin on war crime charges
In March, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes.
The ICC said Putin and another Russian official were involved in the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
No. 6: Insight: Rent Crisis in Texas
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs stopped taking applications for rental assistance just 24 hours after opening the portal. Ben Martin with Texas Housers gave KXAN insight on the need for rental assistance in the state.
Martin described it as “disappointing but not surprising.” View the interview here.
No. 5: Jury finds Kaitlin Armstrong guilty of murder
A jury returned a guilty verdict in the murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong on Nov. 16. Armstrong remained expressionless as Judge Brenda Kennedy read the verdict.
Police issued an arrest warrant for Armstrong on May 17, 2022, six days after she shot and killed pro-cyclist Anna “Mo” Wilson at an east Austin apartment. Wilson was staying with a friend in town ahead of a nearby gravel race.
KXAN’s Brianna Hollis covered the 10-day trial. Read about the case here.
No. 4: New viewer video appears to show Kaitlin Armstrong running from officers
Just weeks before her trial began, Kaitlin Armstrong was captured on video running from a corrections officer in an attempted escape from custody after a south Austin doctor’s appointment.
At the time, Armstrong was awaiting trial for murder in the death of professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson at an east Austin home in May 2022.
Armstrong was found guilty in the case the following month. The video from the verdict reading is No. 5 on this list.
Read about Armstrong’s attempted escape here.
No. 3: Winter storm warning: What to know about significant ice storm risk
At the end of January and beginning of February, much of Texas, including the KXAN viewing area, experienced a days-long freeze.
Meteorologist Kristen Currie joined KXAN Digital Anchor Will DuPree in a livestream on Jan. 30 to break down the significant ice threat that faced Central Texas that week.
Read through a live blog detailing the events of the storm here.
No. 2: Army Sgt. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder, what comes next?
In April, a jury found Army Sergeant Daniel Perry guilty of murder after he shot and killed a protester in downtown Austin in 2020.
Reporter Jala Washington covered Perry’s trial in its entirety. She sat down with former Travis County assistant district attorney, and current criminal defense attorney, Rick Cofer. She asked him some questions, many about what could possibly come next after the verdict.
Read the story here.
No. 1: “Priced out:” Texans fed up with the politics of property taxes
During this year’s Texas Legislative Session, lawmakers worked to lower property taxes for Texans.
Read the full story here.
In the midst of an impasse during a special session, KXAN’s Ryan Chandler told the story of one homeowner who was concerned ever-increasing taxes could force him out of his home. Chandler took a look at how the state could help.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
