Austin, TX
Travis County issues disaster declaration ahead of April 8 total solar eclipse
A map of April 2024’s total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse will cross North America in April. This animated map shows the path of totality across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. (Feb. 29) (AP Animation: Panagiotis Mouzakis and Marshall Ritzel)
Travis County leaders issued a disaster declaration on Friday, bracing for the county’s population to double as people visit to view the 2024 total solar eclipse.
This influx of people is expected to increase traffic and put a strain on first responders, according to a press release from Travis County. The declaration, signed by County Judge Andy Brown, takes effect on Friday.
2024 solar eclipse: Where are the best spots to view the total solar eclipse in Texas? Here are a few options
Issuing a disaster declaration allows the county to “protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors and position itself for aid and assistance if needed,” according to Friday’s press release.
“This disaster declaration will allow our first responders and public safety officials to better manage traffic and crowds as we anticipate the population to potentially double in size, and we want to ensure everyone can enjoy the total solar eclipse in Travis County,” Brown said in the press release.
County residents expecting to host a private watch party with 50 or more people are asked to inform the county of this gathering by filling out a form online. Informing the county of large gatherings will allow first responders to plan accordingly, the release states.
Bell County officials also declared a disaster declaration last month in preparation for the eclipse.
Tips for Travis County residents ahead of the 2024 solar eclipse
Officials suggested residents take the following actions to prepare for the swarm of people expected to descend on the county:
- Plan ahead for traffic congestion the weekend before and all day Monday, April 8, especially after the eclipse when people leave at the same time.
- Reschedule non-urgent appointments for a different day.
- Get gas and groceries and run errands before the eclipse day.
- Watch the eclipse at home or near your home.
- If traveling to watch the eclipse, plan ahead and download the What3Words app, which can help first responders locate 911 callers in an emergency.
More information about the eclipse can be found on the county’s website, traviscountytx.gov.
Where is the 2024 solar eclipse path of totality in Texas?
More: What is the path of the 2024 solar eclipse in Texas? See interactive map
Austin, TX
Two people dead, no one arrested after homicide in South Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — Two people were killed after a homicide took place in South Austin Saturday morning.
The Austin Police Department stated Saturday afternoon that at around 11:30 a.m., they responded to a check welfare call at the Cannon Ridge Homes at 6715 Windrift Way.
After being let into the residence by a family member, officers discovered a man and a woman, both in their 40s, dead at the scene.
ALSO: One dead in crash involving 18-wheeler on I-35 SB frontage road
No one is in custody at this time.
The investigation is ongoing and is still in its early stages. Investigators are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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Police believe this to be an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public. This is Austin’s 8th homicide of 2026.
Austin, TX
Weather forecast changes Saturday schedule for Texas softball at Bevo Classic
Because of the threat of inclement weather, Texas softball will only play one game Saturday at the Bevo Classic.
The No. 2 Longhorns (7-1) are now scheduled to face Ohio State at 5 p.m. at McCombs Field, officials announced on the Texas social media platforms. The teams had been scheduled to play Ohio State at 2:30 p.m. and Syracuse at 7:30 p.m.
Texas beat Ohio State Friday 14-6 behind two home runs from record-setting catcher Reese Atwood, who became the Longhorns’ all-time leader in home runs in a 11-0 win Thursday over Abilene Christian. The team followed that victory against the Buckeyes with a 14-0 rout over Syracuse in the second game of Friday’s double-header.
The Longhorns, who have won four consecutive games by the eight-run, five-inning mercy rule, will complete the Bevo Classic at noon Sunday against Northern Illinois.
Austin, TX
Austin Firefighters Union Continues Workers Comp Fight Against City
The Austin Firefighters Association continued its public relations battle against the city over a denied workers compensation claim on Friday.
Earlier this week, the union sent out a blistering press release condemning the city for denying the workers compensation claim of Lieutenant Suzanne LaFollette, who is fighting stage-four ovarian cancer that she and the union believe is related to her work as a firefighter.
The union sent out a press release that accused an attorney working for the city of making it clear “he had no interest in the science of [LaFollette]’s cancer claim and the matter was set for an April contested case hearing before an administrative law judge.”
The statement states that LaFollette and the union are “disappointed but not surprised” and thanked Austin City Council Member Paige Ellis for adding her support.
The statement quotes Ellis, who said, “All Austin firefighters and their families deserve nothing less than the city’s full commitment to preserving their health and stability in a time of great need. If the federal government can act on this so can we.”
AFA President David Girouard said, “Austin firefighters are grateful to the citizens and members of the City Council who have reached out to support Suzanne as she fights for her life, and fights the city’s third-party workers compensation attorney.”
He continued, “We find the facts and the science indisputable. I’m confident that with the council’s support and when all the evidence is considered that Lt. LaFollete’s nearly two decades of service to Austin will be ruled the occupational cause of her cancer diagnosis.”
The press release also quoted an attorney for LaFollette who said the case “has met and exceeded the legal standard” required for her cancer to be recognized as a result of her work as an Austin firefighter.
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