# central texas (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 3 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover central texas. Page: Feed: --- ## [TxDOT reopens FM 481 bridge in Uvalde, just weeks after July flooding damage](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/txdot-reopens-fm-481-bridge-uvalde-just-weeks-after-july-flooding-damage) _2026-08-22 · Joseph.Rowe@fox.com (Joseph Rowe) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ UVALDE COUNTY, Texas - A bridge in Uvalde County that was left impassable after severe flooding washed away part of its approach is set to reopen Sunday, just over a month after the damage occurred. The Texas Department of Transportation said the FM 481 bridge will reopen to traffic Aug. 23 following more than $3 million in emergency repairs. FM 481 bridge reopening Floodwaters washed away the… ## [Texas appeals court cuts damages Alex Jones was ordered to pay Sandy Hook parents](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-appeals-court-cuts-damages-alex-jones-was-ordered-pay-sandy-hook-parents) _2026-08-21 · Steven.Ardary@fox.com (Steven Ardary) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas appeals court on Friday upheld a judgment finding Alex Jones and his Infowars company liable to the parents of a child killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, but sharply reduced the punitive damages they were awarded. In an opinion issued by the Texas Third Court of Appeal, the judges said Sandy Hook parents Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis did not provide… ## [Car thefts in San Marcos have increased, police say](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/san-marcos-car-thefts-increase) _2026-08-21 · Meredith.Aldis@fox.com (Meredith Aldis) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ SAN MARCOS, Texas - Auto thefts tend to go up during the summer. San Marcos police said this year was no different. Stolen vehicles in San Marcos San Marcos police took 49 stolen vehicle reports in May, June, and July this year. That is one more than during that same time period last year. San Marcos Police Detective Casey Tennant said part of the problem is opportunity. "The car is left unlocked.… ## [Over 1,000 pounds of meth seized while hidden in laundry detergent shipment at Texas border](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/over-9-5m-meth-seized-while-hidden-laundry-detergent-shipment-texas-border) _2026-08-21 · Joseph.Rowe@fox.com (Joseph Rowe) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ ROMA, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than $9 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of laundry detergent at a South Texas port of entry, officials announced on Friday. Details of the Roma drug bust The seizure happened on Aug. 11 at the Roma International Bridge, which connects Roma, Texas with a city in Mexico. According to CBP, an officer referred… ## [Dramatic nighttime helicopter rescue saved hiker in El Paso mountains](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/dramatic-nighttime-helicopter-rescue-saved-hiker-el-paso-mountains) _2026-08-21 · Joseph.Rowe@fox.com (Joseph Rowe) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ EL PASO, Texas - An injured hiker was airlifted from rugged terrain in the Franklin Mountains after a fall left rescue crews unable to safely carry an individual out of the area. High-altitude rescue in Franklin Mountains The rescue happened Aug. 15 in Franklin Mountains State Park, where the hiker suffered multiple injuries after a severe fall, according to CBP and the U.S. Border Patrol's El… ## [Boerne is Texas’ only finalist for Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/boerne-is-texas-only-finalist-hallmarks-merriest-christmas-town) _2026-08-21 · Joseph.Rowe@fox.com (Joseph Rowe) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ BOERNE, Texas - As Fall approaches, Christmas can come early for one Central Texas city. Boerne for Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town Boerne, Texas, just northeast of San Antonio, is the lone Texas town among 25 finalists nationwide competing to be named Hallmark Channel’s 2026 Merriest Christmas Town, a designation that could bring more than holiday bragging rights. The contest’s winning… ## [Man to serve life in prison for multiple sex crimes against teen girls in Kyle](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/hays-county-tx-reginald-clifton-conviction) _2026-08-21 · Lisette.Lopez@fox.com (Lisette Lopez) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ Reginald Clifton, 41 SAN MARCOS, Texas - A 41-year-old man will serve life sentences for multiple counts of sex crimes against teen girls in Hays County. Reginald Clifton, 41, will serve life sentences on four counts: sexual assault, sexual performance by a child, attempted aggravated sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault. A jury convicted Clifton on all four counts during a six-day trial.… ## [Federal judge orders outside oversight of migrant child detention at Texas facilities](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-immigration-facility-oversight-children-dilley) _2026-08-21 · Steven.Ardary@fox.com (Steven Ardary) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ DILLEY, TX - AUGUST 23 : A playground is seen as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) hosts a media tour at the South Texas Family Residential Center, which houses families who are pending disposition of their immigration cases on Friday, Aug 23, 2019 in Dilley, TX. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) A federal judge… ## [Texas high school football 2026: Central Texas preseason rankings](https://www.fox7austin.com/sports/2025-central-texas-high-school-preseason-rankings) _2026-08-21 · John.Hygh@fox.com (John Hygh) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ AUSTIN, Texas - High school football season is back in central Texas this week! Here are your FOX 7 Friday Football preseason rankings for the 2026-27 school year. 2026 preseason rankings Class 6A Westlake (2025: 7-4, lost in 1st rd of playoffs) Lake Travis (2025: 14-1, 6ADI State Semi-Finalist) Dripping Springs (2025: 12-2, 6ADII Regional Finalist) Vandegrift (2025: 12-3, 6ADII State… ## [Former Texas Lottery Commission, director face new indictments in Travis County](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/former-texas-lottery-commission-director-new-indictments-travis-county) _2026-08-21 · Elizabeth.Evans@fox.com (Elizabeth Evans) · Latest News | FOX 7_ The Travis County District Attorney's Office has announced new indictments against the former Texas Lottery Commission and its former executive director for abuse of official capacity. ## [Ask the crowd: AI or not (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/R5H3kqLTA5up) _2026-08-21 · **Sponsored**_ Get a transparent verdict from verified humans via web, RSS, or API. ## [Person dies after being hit by vehicle while crossing Highway 183](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/person-dies-after-being-hit-vehicle-while-crossing-highway-183) _2026-08-21 · Dave.Froehlich@fox.com (Dave Froehlich) · Latest News | FOX 7_ A person has died after being hit by a vehicle while they were crossing the highway in North Austin. ## [Austin weather: Heat advisory in effect for most of Central Texas; residents urged to stay safe](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/austin-weather-heat-advisory-effect-most-central-texas) _2026-08-20 · Meredith.Aldis@fox.com (Meredith Aldis) · Latest News | FOX 7_ A heat advisory covers most of Central Texas as temperatures soar past the triple-digit mark. Residents are being asked to stay safe this weekend. ## [West Nile in Texas: Travis County see first human case of 2026](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/west-nile-texas-travis-county-first-human-case-2026) _2026-08-20 · Elizabeth.Evans@fox.com (Elizabeth Evans) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Austin Public Health says Travis County now has its first West Nile virus case of 2026. ## [North Austin shooting suspect compared APD to KKK, only wanted to negotiate with FBI: affidavit](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/gregory-lane-charge-centro-studio-homes-shooting) _2026-08-20 · Elizabeth.Evans@fox.com (Elizabeth Evans) · Latest News | FOX 7_ The suspect in a recent officer-involved shooting in North Austin compared APD to the KKK and only wanted to negotiate with the FBI, according to an arrest affidavit. ## [Austin weather: Heat Advisory to be in effect through the weekend](https://www.fox7austin.com/weather/austin-weather-heat-advisory-august-20-2026) _2026-08-20 · Zack.Shields@fox.com (Zack Shields) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Much of Central Texas will be under a Heat Advisory beginning this afternoon and lasting through the weekend. ## [Lake Travis High School football team cancels season opener amid death of senior player](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/lake-travis-high-school-football-team-cancels-season-opener-amid-death-senior-player) _2026-08-20 · Lisette.Lopez@fox.com (Lisette Lopez) · Latest News | FOX 7_ The Lake Travis High School varsity football team has decided to cancel its season opener due to the recent death of one of its seniors, Odin Hensley. ## [Big Bend border wall construction sparks demonstrations outside annual Texas Parks & Wildlife meeting](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/big-bend-border-wall-construction-demonstrations) _2026-08-20 · Katie.Pratt@fox.com (Katie Pratt) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ AUSTIN, Texas - Demonstrators gathered outside the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s annual meeting on Wednesday, demanding state leaders step in to stop planned border barrier construction across more than 48 miles of state park land, including Big Bend Ranch State Park. Why were there protesters outside TPWD? The protest comes as federal officials temporarily pause work inside nearby Big… ## [New technology helps Travis County crews get ahead of wildfires](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/new-technology-helps-travis-county-crews-get-ahead-wildfires) _2026-08-19 · Meredith.Aldis@fox.com (Meredith Aldis) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas - Wildfires can spread fast, especially on days considered critically dry, but fire crews across Travis County are using new technology to get ahead of a fire before it even starts. Fire crews were out Wednesday morning pulling hose and drilling what they needed to do, just in case. It’s the kind of preparation firefighters do before the first flame ever shows up. Now, they… ## [Texas State University kicks off new school year in Pac-12 Conference](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-state-university-kicks-off-new-school-year-pac-12-conference) _2026-08-19 · Angela.Shen@fox.com (Angela Shen) · Latest News | FOX 7_ August 19 was the first day of the semester at Texas State University. The university is anticipating another year of record enrollment. It's also the first year they're in the Pac-12 conference. ## [Patrick to Texas school districts: 'We're coming for your books'](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/patrick-texas-school-districts-were-coming-your-books) _2026-08-19 · Steven.Ardary@fox.com (Steven Ardary) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick holds a copy of "Let's Talk About It" during a news conference on Aug. 19. AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a stark warning for school districts that do not remove books that he believes are offensive. "We're coming for the books. We ask that you do it on your own and remove these books," Patrick said. "Look at what's in your libraries. Don't bury your head in… ## [Sync Bookmarks Everywhere (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/OCggVloBGD81) _2026-08-19 · **Sponsored**_ Two-way sync keeps folders and toolbar intact across Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. ## [Abbott orders review of how school districts are spending money](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/abbott-orders-review-how-school-districts-spend-money) _2026-08-19 · Aaron.Barker@fox.com (Aaron Barker) · Latest News from FOX 7 Austin - KTBC_ AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the comptroller to conduct a review of how school districts are spending their money. In a letter published Wednesday , Abbott asks the state comptroller to look at the spending of up to four independent school districts to determine if they are spending their taxpayer funding appropriately. Abbott did not provide an example of funds being misused… ## [Pflugerville gun store break-in: Teens arrested for stealing 34 firearms, fleeing in stolen vehicle](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/pflugerville-gun-store-break-in-teens-arrest-jacob-vallejo) _2026-08-19 · Elizabeth.Evans@fox.com (Elizabeth Evans) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with a July break-in at a Pflugerville gun store where 34 firearms were stolen. ## [Hutto Home Depot 'unprovoked', 'random' hatchet attack leads to arrest; victim speaks out](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/hatchet-attack-hutto-home-depot-john-bauer-arrest) _2026-08-19 · Elizabeth.Evans@fox.com (Elizabeth Evans) · Latest News | FOX 7_ An Austin man has been arrested for allegedly critically injuring a 79-year-old man in an “unprovoked and random" hatchet attack at a Hutto Home Depot last week. ## [1 dead, 3 others injured in Round Rock crash involving dump truck](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/round-rock-tx-deadly-crash-involving-dump-truck) _2026-08-18 · Lisette.Lopez@fox.com (Lisette Lopez) · Latest News | FOX 7_ A person is dead after a three-vehicle crash involving a dump truck in Round Rock, police said. ## [Leander ISD asks voters to approve tax rate election amid growing budget gaps](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/leander-isd-asking-voters-approve-tax-rate-election) _2026-08-18 · Meredith.Aldis@fox.com (Meredith Aldis) · Latest News | FOX 7_ School districts across Central Texas are looking for ways to bridge growing budget gaps. Now, some are turning to voters. ## [Pennsylvania family makes prehistoric discovery while searching for seashells on the Jersey Shore](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/pennsylvania-family-makes-prehistoric-discovery-while-searching-seashells-jersey-shore) _2026-08-17 · Latest News | FOX 7_ A Pennsylvania family stumbled upon a rare find while shelling on the beach in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. ## [Indiana storms, flooding leave at least 7 dead as waters peak in Indianapolis](https://www.fox7austin.com/weather/indiana-storms-flooding-6-dead) _2026-08-16 · Chris.Williams@fox.com (Chris Williams) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Days of severe storms and flooding across Indiana have left at least six people dead, including a 4-year-old boy, as swollen rivers inundated communities. ## [Tropical Storm Lala batters Hawaii with flooding, powerful winds; 1 dead](https://www.fox7austin.com/weather/tropical-storm-lala-hawaii) _2026-08-16 · Chris.Williams@fox.com (Chris Williams) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Tropical Storm Lala battered Hawaii on Sunday with powerful winds, torrential rain and dangerous flooding after weakening from a hurricane without making landfall. ## [Triple-digit heat and expanding drought lock in across Central Texas for another week](https://www.fox7austin.com/weather/triple-digit-heat-expanding-drought-lock-across-central-texas-another-week) _2026-08-16 · Leslie.London@fox.com (Leslie London) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Summer heat continues to grip Central Texas as triple-digit temperatures and worsening drought conditions remain locked in place across the region for the coming week. ## [Tropical Storm Cristobal forms](https://www.fox7austin.com/weather/tropical-storm-cristobal-2026) _2026-08-12 · Aaron.Barker@fox.com (Aaron Barker) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Tropical Storm Cristobal formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday. ## [Meet Claude, an AI assistant (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/7szZIhBbWFRx) _2026-08-12 · **Sponsored**_ Chat with Claude at claude.ai — a conversational AI assistant. ## [Colombia earthquakes: Death toll in the hundreds](https://www.fox7austin.com/video/fmc-kirx481t8me7tzcq) _2026-08-11 · Latest News | FOX 7_ The death toll in Colombia is likely to rise as search and rescue teams continue to look for people still trapped under the rubble from Monday's earthquakes. As of August 11, officials said at least 111 people have died. ## [Tropical activity grows with peak of hurricane season a month away](https://www.fox7austin.com/weather/tropical-activity-increase-atlantic-hurricane-season-peak) _2026-08-10 · Aaron.Barker@fox.com (Aaron Barker) · Latest News | FOX 7_ The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is a month away and, seemingly on cue, activity in the tropics has started ticking up. ## [Two helicopter pilots killed in crash while battling Utah wildfire](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/two-helicopter-pilots-killed-crash-while-battling-utah-wildfire) _2026-08-09 · Chris.Williams@fox.com (Chris Williams) · Latest News | FOX 7_ Two helicopter pilots were killed when their Sikorsky Skycrane crashed while battling a wildfire in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest, officials confirmed Saturday.