Austin, TX
Travis County issues disaster declaration ahead of April 8 total solar eclipse
A map of April 2024’s total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse will cross North America in April. This animated map shows the path of totality across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. (Feb. 29) (AP Animation: Panagiotis Mouzakis and Marshall Ritzel)
Travis County leaders issued a disaster declaration on Friday, bracing for the county’s population to double as people visit to view the 2024 total solar eclipse.
This influx of people is expected to increase traffic and put a strain on first responders, according to a press release from Travis County. The declaration, signed by County Judge Andy Brown, takes effect on Friday.
2024 solar eclipse: Where are the best spots to view the total solar eclipse in Texas? Here are a few options
Issuing a disaster declaration allows the county to “protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors and position itself for aid and assistance if needed,” according to Friday’s press release.
“This disaster declaration will allow our first responders and public safety officials to better manage traffic and crowds as we anticipate the population to potentially double in size, and we want to ensure everyone can enjoy the total solar eclipse in Travis County,” Brown said in the press release.
County residents expecting to host a private watch party with 50 or more people are asked to inform the county of this gathering by filling out a form online. Informing the county of large gatherings will allow first responders to plan accordingly, the release states.
Bell County officials also declared a disaster declaration last month in preparation for the eclipse.
Tips for Travis County residents ahead of the 2024 solar eclipse
Officials suggested residents take the following actions to prepare for the swarm of people expected to descend on the county:
- Plan ahead for traffic congestion the weekend before and all day Monday, April 8, especially after the eclipse when people leave at the same time.
- Reschedule non-urgent appointments for a different day.
- Get gas and groceries and run errands before the eclipse day.
- Watch the eclipse at home or near your home.
- If traveling to watch the eclipse, plan ahead and download the What3Words app, which can help first responders locate 911 callers in an emergency.
More information about the eclipse can be found on the county’s website, traviscountytx.gov.
Where is the 2024 solar eclipse path of totality in Texas?
More: What is the path of the 2024 solar eclipse in Texas? See interactive map
AUSTIN, Texas (KVIA) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that Southwest Airlines will establish a new pilot and flight attendant crew base in Austin.
Abbott joined the Austin mayor at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to make the announcement today.
The expansion to Austin will lay the groundwork for future operational growth in Texas. It is expected to generate 2,000 jobs in Austin by mid-2027. In addition to the pilots and flight attendants, Austin will now also be home to managerial and support staff. The new crew base will have an average salary of $180,000 a year, the Governor’s Office says.
The state is extending a $14 million Texas Enterprise Fund to the airline, as well as a $375,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus.
“Southwest Airlines was born and raised in Texas and has been a core element of the economic growth we have seen in our state,” said Governor Abbott. “We are excited to announce that today Southwest Airlines will add over 2,000 high paying jobs right here in Texas. We are the home of economic opportunity for our fellow Texans more than any other state in the United States, and we know a key reason for that is because of everything Southwest Airlines provides. We are proud to partner with everybody connected with Southwest as well as the City of Austin on such a huge announcement for our state.”
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin firefighters battled their second major fire Thursday afternoon, responding to an abandoned East Austin auto shop engulfed in flames.
Crews responded to 3100 Manor Road around 4 p.m., AFD said.
No injuries were reported and no one was inside the building.
ALSO | 40+ residents displaced in North Austin third-alarm apartment fire, no injuries reported
The incident was called in as a first alarm. The building is a total loss, according to officials.
CBS Austin has a crew on the way to the scene.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Earlier in the afternoon, firefighters extinguished a three-alarm fire in north Austin.
AUSTIN, Texas – The suspect in a violent road rage incident on the Capital of Texas Highway has been identified and charged, according to court paperwork.
The altercation was caught on camera.
What we know:
34-year-old Ian Kevin Brinkmeyer has been charged with criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor, in connection with the Dec. 5 incident.
At around 2 p.m. that day, officers responded to a call for service on Capital of Texas Highway, where they spoke with Brinkmeyer and another man.
The affidavit says Brinkmeyer “engaged in a road rage” with the other man while traveling north on Capital of Texas Highway. Brinkmeyer drove around the other man, changed lanes in front of him and cut him off before stopping his car.
Brinkmeyer then allegedly got out of his vehicle holding a “steel knife sharpening rod”, walked over to the other man’s car and struck the driver’s side door window with the rod, shattering the entire window.
The affidavit says Brinkmeyer then quickly walked back to his car and drove off.
The entire incident was caught on video by other drivers and posted on social media.
The affidavit says that the repairs to the shattered window cost about $480, making this a case of criminal mischief with a value between $100 and $750.
What’s next:
A warrant has been issued for Brinkmeyer’s arrest. As of 12 p.m. Dec. 11, he is not in custody.
The Source: Information in this report comes from court paperwork and previous reporting.
Red Kettle Campaign short $100K of goal as it enters its final days
Draft DOJ report accuses DC police of manipulating crime data
City of Cleveland activates warming centers with brutal cold approaching
Southwest Airlines establishing new crew base in Austin
Alabama Shakes Set Spring 2026 Tour Dates
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Behind the Supreme Court’s Push to Expand Presidential Power
Kilmar Abrego Garcia seen for first time since release, pledges to ‘continue to fight’ Trump admin
Israel bombards areas across southern Lebanon in latest truce violation
Trump announces pardon for Tina Peters, increasing pressure to free her though he can’t erase state charges | CNN Politics
Video: Hiker Rescued From Quicksand in Arches National Park
-
Alaska6 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Politics1 week agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
Ohio1 week agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Texas6 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
News1 week agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
World1 week agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Washington3 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa5 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire