Austin, TX
'Our neighbors are collapsing from heat illness,' cries official fighting for AC
THERE have been excessively high temperatures across the US this week and officials are calling for an air conditioning mandate.
Americans from California and Texas across to Maryland experienced the excessive heat which could lead to risks under certain circumstances.
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Austin’s Council member Vanessa Fuentes has called for the city to require residents to have AC 15 degrees cooler than the outside temp, Community Impact reported.
The city is nearing the building code temperature mandate being approved in July.
“Just taking one step outside will show you why we need this,” Fuentes said, per Community Impact.
“When our neighbors are collapsing from heat illness, suffering from exhaustion, and facing high wildfire risks, they’re going to need a cool place to stay.”
Dallas and Houston have temperature restrictions for residential buildings.
However, a similar legislation for mandated AC in Austin was denied in 2023.
The long-running heat wave across the US has broken multiple records and is affecting both the West and the East with dangerous temperatures.
About 36 million people, or 10% of the US population, are under an excessive heat warning, according to the National Weather Service.
The high temperatures have even hindered the operation of emergency medical helicopters, which cannot fly safely over 120 F, per the Associated Press.
HOT TEMPS
The heat is causing stress for some Americans, while others are thrilled to experience the record-breaking temps.
Death Valley located in California receives some of the hottest temperatures in the US and people travel there for it.
Officials at Death Valley have advised people to avoid visiting the park because temperatures have been too high recently.
“While this is a very exciting time to experience potential world record-setting temperatures in Death Valley, we encourage visitors to choose their activities carefully,” Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds said, per Associated Press.
Death Valley during the summer has always been a bucket list thing for me
Tourist Chris Kinsel
“Avoiding prolonged periods of time outside of an air-conditioned vehicle or building when temperatures are this high,” he continued.
Some visitors, like Chris Kinsel and Tracy Housley, expressed excitement about experiencing extreme temperatures despite the risks.
“Death Valley during the summer has always been a bucket list thing for me,” Kinsel said, per AP News.
‘For most of my life, I’ve wanted to come out here in summertime.”
“We just thought, let’s be there for that,” Housley said.
“Let’s go for the experience.”
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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