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Texas weather: Austin Energy utility team helping restore power in Houston

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Texas weather: Austin Energy utility team helping restore power in Houston


Austin Energy crews were up early Monday morning working to restore power in Houston after recent severe weather.

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It’s a tough job with a lot of challenges, according to team supervisor Landry Bertsch.

“Traffic’s bad. The weather is hot. It’s humid. There are mosquitoes. We’re running into a lot of property line work. A lot of damaging wind came through here and tore up the system pretty bad,” said Bertsch.

The Austin Energy crews are currently assigned to the Katy area. The focus is on repairing what’s described as the backbone of the local power grid, which is supplied by CenterPoint Energy.

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“The customers are eager to get their lights on. They’ve been out of power now for a few days, and they’re getting, they’re getting kind of antsy,” said Bertsch.

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The storm hit the Houston area Thursday with 100 mph winds.

“It blew through here, something scary, very scary. Like in my adult life, it’s about as scared as I’ve been,” said Houston resident Jose Flores.

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Flores took a break from clearing the damage at his house to thank the utility crew working down the street.

“I’m grateful for all the help. I know that sometimes, you see, you know, disasters like this and other municipalities come in. Oh, no. Greatly appreciate you. Love you guys. Thank you,” said Flores.

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It is a slow and methodical process, according to Paul Vasquez, director of Electric System Field Ops with Austin Energy. Twenty-one line workers rolled out of Austin early Saturday as part of a mutual aid deployment. By that afternoon, they were already restoring power.

“The first day, that partial day, they were able to restore 700 customers. The second day there were 1,500 customers. And then, I spoke with the employee in charge over there, and he told me that they’re starting to get on some of the bigger project work,” said Vasquez.

The Austin Energy team is assigned to work only during daylight hours.

“So CenterPoint has their staff working 24 hours around the clock. They’re more familiar with it. So at night, they know where to go, what to patrol. And then what they find is our crews will come in the morning, and they’ll work during the daylight hours, and they’ll work from sunup to sundown,” said Vasquez.

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The team is prepared to be in Houston for the remainder of the week.

“The mood with Austin Energy guys is incredible. Everybody’s eager. Everybody wants to help. Everybody’s excited. They’re glad they’re here,” said Bertsch.



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Austin, TX

Texas Relays draws in top athletes to Austin

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Texas Relays draws in top athletes to Austin


Hemp Rules Tighten – Texas regulators have officially banned intoxicating hemp flower, a move supporters say closes a loophole but critics warn could cripple a billion‑dollar industry. Adam Schwager looks at how retailers are scrambling to adjust, what products remain legal, and why some business owners believe the change will push buyers back toward the illicit market.

State Backs Psychedelic Research – Texas is investing $50 million into clinical trials for ibogaine, a powerful psychedelic some veterans say helped them overcome PTSD and addiction. Dylan McKim examines why the research plan hit a roadblock with private partners, the state’s decision to fully fund the studies, and questions about how much more Texas may need to spend to pursue FDA approval.



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Austin, TX

Austin weather: Storms, gusty winds expected across Central Texas as cold front moves in

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Austin weather: Storms, gusty winds expected across Central Texas as cold front moves in


A cold front moving through Central Texas is expected to bring scattered storms, gusty winds, and a sharp drop in temperatures Saturday, with conditions improving by Easter Sunday.

Austin Saturday Forecast

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The primary threats include wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph and the potential for localized flooding.

The approaching cold front is expected to intensify storms as they move eastward late Saturday morning into the afternoon. Residents are advised to remain weather-aware during this period.

Temperatures, which started in the low 70s Saturday morning, are forecast to drop throughout the day, falling into the 50s and 60s by late afternoon. Strong northerly winds, with gusts up to 30 mph, will continue into Sunday.

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Easter Sunday forecast

By Saturday evening, rain chances are expected to diminish, leading to a mostly dry but cloudy and breezy Easter Sunday. Morning temperatures will begin in the 50s, with afternoon highs only reaching the 60s.

Austin 7-Day forecast

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The Source: Information in this article comes from FOX 7 Meteorologist Adaleigh Rowe.

WeatherAustin



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Detectives Investigating Homicide on Tuscany Way in East Austin

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Detectives Investigating Homicide on Tuscany Way in East Austin


The Austin Police Department is investigating a Thursday evening shooting at the Penske Rental Truck facility in East Austin that resulted in the death of a 39-year-old man.

The department revealed details about the incident in a Friday press release. At around 5:42 p.m., Austin police officers responded to a shoot/stab hotshot call at the Penske Rental Truck facility located at 8201 Tuscany Way.

The caller reported that a man had been shot. When officers arrived, they encountered two individuals next to a man on the ground suffering from visible gunshot wounds. The injured person was later identified as 39-year-old William Rogers.

APD officers provided Rogers with medical assistance until Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene to transport him to a local hospital, where he died.

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Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists responded to the scene and learned that Rogers and another man, 28-year-old Javarus Crumpton, knew each other and both worked as movers.

The two men and the third man arrived at the facility to rent a Penske moving truck. After an argument arose regarding the rental deposit cost, Crumpton allegedly shot Rogers. Crumpton and the third person remained on the scene and are cooperating with the investigation.

No arrests have been made in the case, which is being investigated as Austin’s 17th homicide of 2026. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office was notified about the incident.

Residents with information about the case can contact APD at 512-974-TIPS. Submit anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting its website or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.





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