Austin

Waymo research revealed that Austin drivers face significantly higher fatal crash risks on weekend nights. The study also found that Waymo's autonomous vehicles recorded fewer injury crashes compared to human drivers.

New stormwater storage tanks are nearly completed on Le Moyne Street in Austin, Chicago, aiming to reduce flooding on the West Side. The project is designed to mitigate water overflow issues in the area.

Roxanne Paltauf's family is commemorating the 20th anniversary of her disappearance with a billboard in Austin. They plan to skate together at the roller rink where they celebrated her birthday two decades ago.

Zoox, an Amazon-owned robotaxi service, increased its share of monthly active users to 25% in the first half of 2026, up from 15%, while Waymo's share dropped to 69% from 79%. Zoox expanded operations to Austin, Miami, and expanded areas in San Francisco and Las Vegas, doubling its user base during the period.

Austin officials are emphasizing outreach and cooling resources as the city experiences heat. Cooling centers are available but remain underutilized according to Austin Public Health officials.

More than 700 fireworks complaints were reported to Austin 311 during the Fourth of July long weekend. The complaints were submitted over the extended holiday period.

A 31-year-old man was found fatally shot inside a home on the West Side of Chicago in the 600 block of North Latrobe Avenue. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital but later died, and Area 4 detectives are investigating the incident.

Chicago experienced its least violent July Fourth weekend in at least seven years, with five people killed and 23 injured in shootings, assaults, or stabbings between July 4 and July 7. This marks a decline from nine killed and 40 injured in 2025 and 19 killed and 86 injured in 2024.

Austin city leaders are advocating for stronger environmental protections and increased affordable housing in the proposed Dog's Head development project located in southeast Austin.

Two murder suspects wanted in Austin were arrested by U.S. Marshals on Thursday. The suspects were linked to murder cases in the area.

Apptronik has opened Robot Park, a large warehouse in Austin, Texas, to test hundreds of humanoids on real-world tasks for manufacturers. The facility addresses a lack of real-world data for robot development and partners with Google DeepMind to share insights for improving AI models like Gemini Robots. Apptronik also unveiled upgraded Apollo humanoid robots, including a wheeled version due to current safety regulations.

Chicago experienced a severe heatwave with temperatures reaching 108 degrees, prompting an extreme heat warning. Residents adapted by using fire hydrants, umbrellas, and wearable fans, while meteorologists forecast gradual cooling by the weekend.

Block Club Chicago hosted an inaugural workforce development and career fair in Austin, featuring over 30 community partners like JPMorgan Chase and Rush University Medical Center. Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized community investment to create economic opportunities, while BUILD Chicago's CEO highlighted the need for workforce development to address economic challenges. The event included resume reviews, mock interviews, and resources for job seekers.

A man was sentenced to 70 years in prison for a 2024 murder in Austin. A Travis County jury convicted him of the deadly shooting at a north Austin apartment.

CapMetro workers' union members authorized a strike against the Austin transit provider due to stalled contract negotiations. The vote resulted in 99.5% of members supporting the strike authorization.

The Austin Police Department is seeking help to identify three suspects accused of robbing a 7-Eleven store, injuring an employee, and stealing alcohol.

Central Texas leaders are warning that AI-driven layoffs may signal broader job losses in Austin's tech sector. Thousands of layoffs linked to artificial intelligence have raised concerns about the future of employment in the region's growing technology industry.

Austin is collaborating with Waymo to use autonomous vehicle data for identifying and repairing potholes. Real-time data from Waymo's self-driving cars is being shared with the city to address street conditions and prioritize problem areas.

Austin ISD delayed a plan to redraw most of the district's zones, which determines which schools students attend, by a year. Some boundary changes will still occur in the 2027-28 school year.

A Texas man was fatally crushed by a diseased pecan tree at Green Mesquite BBQ in Austin, leading to a lawsuit against the restaurant and neighboring property owners. The tree, dubbed 'Widow Maker,' allegedly showed visible signs of decay and was not properly maintained or inspected, according to the complaint.

P. Terry's Capital Plaza location is closing due to the I-35 expansion. Founder Patrick Terry described it as a 'flagship' store because of its triangular plot and visibility on Austin's busy highway.

A new platform called Spare Hands Students is helping Austin students earn cash on their own schedule. The service provides flexible job opportunities for students in the Austin area.

A 22-year-old man was fatally shot in the back in the 700 block of North Lavergne Avenue in Austin around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital but died later, and an autopsy confirmed his death was a homicide. Area 4 detectives are investigating the incident.

A survey of 2,000 people across the United States found Austin ranks second most likely to experience catfishing scams on dating sites. The survey focused on experiences with catfishing in the context of online dating.

A soccer coach in Austin was charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact, a second-degree felony. The accusation involves inappropriate touching of a child on the team.

Delta Air Lines will launch a seasonal nonstop route from Austin to Fort Myers, Florida, starting in November. The service is described as a new addition to their network.

The city of Austin agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement split among four men, including the widow and daughter of Maurice Pierce, who were wrongfully accused of murdering four teenage girls in a Texas yogurt shop. The settlement has been criticized as 'blood money' by the exonerated man's widow.

Autonomous drone delivery company Zipline is expanding its operations into Austin later this year. The article discusses how drone operations are regulated.

An Austin man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for fentanyl distribution that caused the death of a 24-year-old. The sentencing occurred on June 24 in connection with the fatal drug distribution.

A Kyle man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for three charges linked to multiple armed robberies in Austin in 2025.

A Kyle man has been sentenced to 24 years in jail for three charges related to multiple armed robberies in Austin in 2025.

A thick layer of Saharan dust is expected to arrive soon, with its effects already reaching Austin and more anticipated. The dust is described as 'incoming' and will continue to impact the area in the coming days.

Waymo claims its self-driving vehicles demonstrate fewer serious crashes than human drivers. The company reports improved safety outcomes in Austin after accumulating millions of miles on the road.

Zoox is increasing production of its upgraded robotaxis to up to 100 units per week at its Hayward factory, which has an annual capacity of 10,000 vehicles. The company unveiled design improvements like ergonomic seats, larger cupholders, and a more vivid touchscreen, and plans to expand services to Austin and Miami later this year.

Austin police are investigating five homicides that occurred within the past two weeks. Authorities state the recent killings are not connected.

Austin Police are investigating a homicide in southeast Austin that occurred on Lambs Lane. The incident took place in the 5200 block of the street.

Central Texas experienced the wettest June since 2015, with Austin yet to reach triple-digit temperatures. However, the July forecast suggests that this trend may not continue.

An active-duty Air Force firefighter from Omaha, Nebraska, who was injured in a hit-and-run in Austin, Texas, is returning home after spending 24 days in a trauma unit on a respirator.

A family has filed a lawsuit against former Austin Police Officer James McKinney and the city of Austin over an October 2025 on-duty shooting that left a 16-year-old boy with permanent injuries.

The Austin-based nonprofit Austin Texas Musicians (ATXM) has launched a campaign to protect artists' intellectual property from generative AI exploitation. Creative professionals argue that AI tools can be exploitative of their work, prompting the initiative.