It might be hard to fathom by the looks of the flow of traffic on Interstate 35 during rush hour, but new data from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute showed Austin drivers are spending 21% less time in traffic.

KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes Spoke with the Texas Department of Transportation about what projects are contributing to that improvement, and what projects are now underway that may change that data.

I-35 stretches 509 miles across the state of Texas. Data from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found the portion that runs through downtown Austin is the third most congested roadway in the Lone Star State.

However, a new TTI report showed that despite growth in Austin’s population, and vehicle miles traveled up 7%, annual hours of delay in the last five years was down 21%.

“We attribute that to many things — operational improvements we’ve done on some small projects, but a number of projects we’ve built with our Texas Clear Lanes initiative to address congestion in our areas, and very proud to see that the annual hours of delay has been reduced, even though there’s been an increase in vehicle miles traveled across the state,” Tucker Ferguson, TxDOT’s Austin District Engineer, said.

Some of TxDOT’s completed projects behind that improvement include I-35 in Round Rock, I-35 at 51st Street, I-35 at Parmer Lane and I-35 at Oltorf Street.

But that percentage was calculated before new projects kicked off, like the I-35 Capital Express North and South projects, the Oak Hill Parkway and the Loop 360 project near Westlake Drive.

“Any kind of construction is inconvenient and disruptive. So we ask folks to pay attention to the surroundings,” Ferguson said. “There may be construction equipment coming in and out of work zones. There may be stoppages ahead that are unexpected. If there wasn’t that construction there, we just ask them to be patient. Leave early and not be in a rush.”

That stretch of road will see construction for the next decade.

AUSTIN, Texas – The holiday season is here with some events kicking off in Central Texas, and we’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at more that are set to roll out in the next couple of weeks.

“That’s generous and very kind of them, sweet of them to do it. God’s going to bless them for doing this,” says Maria, who attended the H-E-B Feast of Sharing dinner.

Thanksgiving came early with the 35th Annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing dinner at the Palmer Events Center. Free meals were passed out by volunteers, flu shots were made available, as well as free transportation to and from the event.

“We do 35 dinners across the state, and we serve over three. Over 300. Meals across the state and in Mexico. So today in Austin, we’re looking to serve 10,000,” says H-E-B Public Affairs Manager Tamara Jones.

While meals were being served, preparation started for the Christmas season in Austin. 

This Friday, more lights are coming to the city with Mozart’s Lake Austin Festival of Lights. Celebrating four decades, the festival will operate for nearly six weeks.

The dazzling light displays last two and a half hours from 5-10 p.m., and it ends on January 4. Ticket prices are $5 for those ages 12 and up.

The countdown is also underway for the 60th year anniversary of the city of Austin’s Trail of Lights. Gates open on December 10 and close on December 23.

There are more than two million lights, 90 holiday trees and more than 70 holiday displays along the nearly one-mile stretch.

“We have got some new things this year as well for our opening night. We have got a drone show, that will happen four times on opening night. We have got a lot of new photo activations that are happening as well throughout the trail that you will be able to see,” says Executive Director of Trail of Lights Foundation James Russell.

The first seven nights are free, and the remaining seven nights will cost $8 per ticket. Those ages 11 and under are free. The trail opens from 7-10 p.m. with a line-up of live entertainment and activities.

“We have a ferris wheel, a carousel, and plenty to eat, so bring an appetite we have different vendors. You can buy Trail of Light merch,” says Trail of Lights Foundation Board member Enrique Duran.

This holiday season, the Kyle Police Department is warning residents to watch out for porch pirates with a popular Christmas character, the Grinch.

It’s the third year of the public service announcement, and the first year the department will host a Grinch on the Green event with live music, vendors, a Grinch movie screening and photos with the Grinch.

The Grinch on the Green event is free and will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 5:30-9 p.m. at La Verde Park.

AUSTIN, Texas — The most important step Marlon Rison ever took for his health was the day he quit consuming meat products.

“I remember it was an afternoon. I didn’t have much going on,” Rison said.

He remembers the date too. It was 8 years ago on July 3.

Rison had been a personal trainer for several years and always focused on anything regarding health, exercise and eating.

That fateful day, he watched a documentary called ‘What the Health’ on Netflix.

“I had no idea what I was getting into,” Rison said.

Rison grew up with upper respiratory issues, something his father told him was hereditary.

“Quickly you learn that it’s not what’s in your family as far as your bloodline goes that affects your health, it’s the habits that get passed down from generation to generation,” Rison said.

Rison expected to lose weight once he started a plant-based diet. The power lifter says at his heaviest he was around 380 pounds.

“Within the first 30 days I lost about 30 pounds,” Rison said.

But Rison was amazed by how else his body was changing. Lifelong health problems were regressing until he was seemingly healed.

“High blood pressure? Gone. Acid reflux? Gone. Respiratory issues? Non-existent. Asthma medicine? Don’t need it anymore.” Rison said.

The Victoria native started being creative in the kitchen. He dreamed of a cooking show, but the pandemic halted those aspirations. Rison used a lot of the time reflecting, trying to figure out his purpose. Around this time, Rison’s father found slave purchase papers listing his fifth great-grandfather.

“It’s crazy when you see a receipt for a human,” Rison said.  

It gave him a realization.

“From there I said, ‘man there’s a lot more I can be doing to really thank them (ancestors) for loving me before they knew me’,” Rison recalled.

Inspired, Rison sought to offer the same love to future generations in his family. He found his answer in opening a business and creating generational wealth.

Rison and his business partner, Ericka Dotson, opened Community Vegan making plant-based soul food accessible to communities of color in East Austin.

“Be able to eat foods that are good tasting, remind them of what they grew up eating at home but also happen to be plant-based,” Rison said.

Rison has no desire to convert meat eaters or make people eat at his business regularly. He just wants a chance to educate people. 

“Especially people of color, we just don’t have that education of food,” Rison said. “It’s something we need to do a better job of, and that’s what I’m here to do.”