Austin, TX
More Texas communities issue disaster declarations ahead of Great North American Eclipse
We’re officially less than one month away from America’s total solar eclipse. The last total eclipse in the U.S. was back in 2017. After this one, the next isn’t until 2044. So how can you make sure you enjoy this celestial event to the fullest? Travel expert Dayvee Sutton joins FOX Weather to tell you how.
AUSTIN, Texas – More communities across the Lone Star have issued disaster declarations due to the threat their populations might triple as spectators around the U.S. grapple with what locale will have the best view of the Great North American Eclipse.
Officials in Kerr, Bell and Travis counties have stated that disaster declarations or state of emergencies will go into effect before a rush of visitors swarm the Central Texas communities on April 8.
The counties sit in what is called the path of totality, where the Moon will completely block the Sun for several minutes, leading to temporary darkness.
More than 30 million Americans are estimated to live in the path of totality, but for most of the Lower 48, only a partial eclipse is expected to be visible, leading many to plan excursions to parts of some 15 states.
“We expect that kind of visiting traffic here to cause extreme traffic congestion on our roadways, place an enormous strain on our first responders and hospital systems, drain our food and fuel supplies and strain our city and county infrastructure to, quite possibly, over capacity,” Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly stated.
A map of the total solar eclipse path and totality start times across some U.S. cities.
(FOX Weather)
TEXAS COUNTY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AHEAD OF GREAT NORTH AMERICAN ECLIPSE
Other cities that are in the path of totality outside of the Lone Star State include Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and parts of Syracuse.
In Central Texas, the eclipse will begin just after noon local and reach its maximum extent about an hour later. The episode of complete totality is expected to last for less than 4 minutes and varies by location.
In downtown Austin, the start of the eclipse is expected to begin around 12:17 p.m. local time, with totality starting around 1:36 p.m. The peak is expected to only last for less than 2 minutes, and the entire event will be over just before 3 p.m.
During the eclipse, spectators are strongly encouraged to wear specialized safety glasses if they plan to look directly at the Sun.
According to ophthalmologists, looking directly into the giant star can damage your retinas, leaving you with permanent vision loss.
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has compiled a list of suppliers of glasses and other filters that can be used on the big day.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 14: Astronauts answer questions via live video feed from the International Space Station in the background as people view the eclipse during the Space Center Houston Annular Eclipse Celebration and viewing event at NASAs John Space Center Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
(Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images / Getty Images)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APRIL’S SOLAR ECLIPSE
In addition to eye protection, local officials are warning residents to prepare as if a natural disaster is on the way, so they don’t get caught off-guard by the increased traffic and demands for food, gas and other supplies.
“I encourage you to stay off the roads and at home, if possible, on the day of the event. Also, in the week preceding the event, I would encourage you to make sure your vehicles are tanked up, that you have sufficient grocery supplies, that your prescriptions are filled and that you are stocked up on provisions for any animals in your care over the duration of eclipse weekend,” Kelly stated.
If you miss April’s event, the next wide-reaching total solar eclipse won’t happen until 2045, when the path of totality will start over the Pacific Ocean and travel over the country through the East Coast.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man walking his dog with his son was fatally shot by a neighbor Friday evening in Northwest Austin, police said.
Billy Carlisle, 41, was shot at the intersection of Gardenridge Hollow and Wallace Drive at approximately 6:06 p.m. May 8. Austin-Travis County EMS attempted lifesaving measures, but Carlisle was pronounced dead at 6:45 p.m.
Hunter Buchmeyer, 36, was taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
According to APD, Carlisle was walking his dog with his son when he and Buchmeyer, also walking his dog, got into a verbal altercation. The two neighbors had “prior history,” APD said.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | APD investigating deadly shooting in NW Austin; suspect in custody
The dispute escalated to the point that Buchmeyer called 911 to report the altercation before shooting Carlisle. According to police, Buchmeyer yelled at someone to “get back” before the call disconnected.
Buchmeyer remained at the scene and attempted CPR on Carlisle before officers arrived.
No charges have been filed. APD said the investigation remains open.
The case is being investigated as Austin’s 23rd homicide of 2026.
Anyone with information is asked to contact APD at 512-974-TIPS or submit an anonymous tip through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest.
There was a significant reduction in the number of antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island in 2025, according to a national Jewish advocacy group.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were 26 antisemitic incidents in the state last year. That’s down from the 52 incidents counted by the group in 2024.
Samantha Joseph, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, says a big reason for the reduction is a steep decline in antisemitism on college campuses.
“It shows that campus administrators are taking their responsibilities very seriously to provide a safe environment for all of their students,” said Joseph.
Brown University had over $500 million in federal funding frozen by the Trump administration last year following investigations into alleged antisemitism on campus. The funding was restored after Brown reached a settlement with the administration.
The reduction in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island reflects a wider trend in New England as a whole. According to the ADL’s report, there were 400 antisemitic incidents in the region in 2025, compared to 638 the previous year.
While she’s pleased about the overall drop in antisemitic incidents in Rhode Island, Joseph says a number of concerning trends continue to persist. In particular, the state is still seeing more anti-Jewish incidents than it did prior to the October 7 attacks on Israel that launched the Gaza War in 2023.
Joseph is also concerned about the violent nature of local incidents of antisemitism.
“Even though overall incidents are down, assaults are up and assaults with a deadly weapon are up significantly,” said Joseph. “Our communities remain concerned for their safety, and our work is far from done.”
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday evening as a cold front arrives in Central Texas. KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team will keep you updated on the weather coverage.
Risks to be aware of are damaging wind gusts that could reach as high as 60 to 75 mph and large hail up to quarter size.
Weather Resources:
Live Updates:
5:22 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for all counties except for Milam County.
3:51 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Mason, San Saba, and Lampasas County until 9:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: The primary risk for Sunday’s severe weather is damaging wind gusts which could cause power outages.
3:26 p.m.: Storms will likely move toward the I-35 corridor around 6 p.m. Most of the storms will enter the Hill Country around 6 p.m. and the Austin metro counties after 8 p.m.
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