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Austin, TX

Austin residents react to global tech outage, CrowdStrike’s local ties

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Austin residents react to global tech outage, CrowdStrike’s local ties


Leave it to Austin, Texas, residents to rally together by way of Reddit amid a global technology outage.

The outage occurred Friday morning, effectively grounding flights around the world and disrupting services at banks, on-air media outlets, hospitals and more. Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike is believed to be behind the outage. The director of CrowdStrike Overwatch clarified on X that the outage was not necessarily due to a “whole faulty update” but rather a “faulty channel file.”

The cybersecurity company also stressed the issue behind the outage was not due to a cyberattack. Regardless of how the widespread outage came to be, Redditors are sharing information about the technology predicament on the r/Austin subreddit, including which local resources are down, who might be impacted and pointing out CrowdStrike’s local ties.

CrowdStrike is based in Austin, one of many Texas cities that were recently impacted by a Spectrum internet outage in the wake of Hurricane Beryl making landfall. While some Reddit users tossed around the idea the two outages might be related, it seems unlikely.

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Some Reddit users reported that Austin 911 was down in the early hours Friday and that Baylor Scott & White Health facilities also were impacted by the outage. LoneStarLive.com reached out to Austin-Travis County EMS about whether Austin 911 call centers were affected by the outage and has yet to hear back. It appears Austin’s 311 nonemergency hotline currently is operating.

Baylor Scott & White Health provided LoneStarLive.com with the following statement when asked if their facilities were affected by the outages and if so, how it was being handled: “Our priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of those we serve and our team members. Patient care is safely continuing as we work through issues related to the technical disruption that is impacting computer systems across the globe.”

Most things appear to be up and running at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), as Reddit user Moontowers commented they made it through security and IT systems appeared to be working around 8 a.m. ABIA did advise travelers to check their flight status with their specific airline before heading to the airport on Friday, as many flights have been delayed or canceled due to the outage. LoneStarLive.com reached out to public information officers at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport about how the facility has been impacted by the outage but has yet to hear back.

CapMetro services were briefly disrupted by the outage, but the public transportation provider shared an update on social media just before 9 a.m. that revealed “all CapMetro systems are back up and running.”



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Austin, TX

Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps

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Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps


As the Austin area prepares to plunge into freezing temperatures Sunday night, the city is initiating its Cold Weather Shelters protocol.

Those wanting to use the emergency shelters, which open when overnight temperatures reach 35 degrees or lower, must register between 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC) on Barton Springs Road, according to a release from the city. Those interested and in need of transport can reach the OTC via bus lines 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105 and 801. Anyone who can’t pay bus fare but needs shelter will still be allowed to ride, a Facebook post from the city said.

Following registration, CapMetro shuttles will take guests from the OTC to a cold weather shelter. The addresses for these shelters are kept confidential due to “safety, privacy and capacity concerns,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The Statesman also reported that shelters provide meals and allow leashed, friendly pets.

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All parks and libraries are meanwhile serving as warming centers during regular operating hours, except for Austin Public Library’s Old Quarry Branch and Willie Mae Kirk Branch.



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Austin, TX

Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin

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Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin


A Downtown Austin building was cleared after a bomb threat was made Saturday night.

Police say that the call came in at 9:38 p.m., after which officers arrived to the scene and cleared a nearby building at 311 E 6th St.

ALSO: H-E-B delights Austin airport travelers with surprise gift vending machine pop-up

The threat was found to not be credible, and no one was injured.

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Police say no one is in custody and they will be clearing the scene shortly.



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Austin, TX

The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories

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The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories


Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson held a press conference Friday to discuss a new deal with Southwest Airlines and its expected impact on the city.

The deal, approved Thursday by the Austin City Council, awards Southwest $2,750 for each new Austin-based hire over the next five years. In exchange, the airline plans to add 2,000 high-paying jobs with an average salary of $180,000 and invest in local workforce initiatives, including the city’s new Austin Infrastructure Academy.

Officials say the deal will strengthen Southwest’s presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where the carrier already handles more than 40 percent of all passenger traffic.

The partnership is expected to bring in nearly $20 million in local tax revenue, and the incentive program will last for five years and pay Southwest up to $5.5 million.

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Mayor Watson said the agreement will not only create new jobs in Austin but will improve the overall experience at AUS.

“We’re building lives and careers at the same time we’re building tarmacs and terminals,” Watson said. “Southwest is choosing Austin because our people, our workforce, and our future make us a smart investment. This deal creates thousands of good-paying jobs, improves the passenger experience, and ensures the benefits flow directly to Austin workers, families, and tourists. This agreement is proof that Austin means business and cares about the success of its people.”

Read the full story at KVUE.com.



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