KUT Staff

Paying for transportation infrastructure is big part of the special session underway now at the Texas Capitol. But, for some lawmakers, it's not a big enough part.

Senate Joint Resolution 2 would send some oil and gas tax money into a new fund, but everyone agrees that much more money is needed.

A business in Austin is laying off hundreds of employees. OneWest Bank has notified the Texas Workforce Commission that intents to lay off more than 700 employees in Austin.

The California-based company is a mortgage services provider with offices in the Domain complex.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the nation. About 75 percent of Americans will contract the virus during their lifetime, and younger populations face the greatest risk.

Research indicates that almost three quarters of new HPV infections occur in people between 15 and 24 years old. But a recent study conducted by researchers at Texas State University found that many college students are unaware of or misinformed about the risks posed by HPV.

Texas added almost 19,000 jobs last month, the most of any state in the country - according to a report by the payroll and benefits company ADP.

More than 1,800 jobs will be added to June’s total.

The Alamo Bowl could soon be the biggest game in the Big 12 bowl season under a new six-year deal with the Pac-12 announced Friday.

Next year, top ranked Big 12 and Pac-12 contenders outside the new four-team college football playoff will face off in the bowl game that started in 1993. The Cotton Bowl had previously been the signature game for Big 12 teams that didn't make the Bowl Championship Series.

The Austin Parks and Recreations Department is reviewing policies and procedures after an apparent drowning at Barton Springs Pool Wednesday night. It was the first drowning at the pool since 1990.

Parks and Recreation spokesperson Victor Ovalle said lifeguards immediately administered CPR on 21-year-old Timothy Guerra when his friends removed him from the spring's deep end.

Scientists say Texas could have a bigger wildfire problem this year as drought conditions persist.

Hotter temperatures and drier conditions are lengthening the fire season, leading to larger, more frequent wildfires.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is part of a nationwide commercial vehicle inspection program going on this week.

The overall Roadcheck initiative will have specially trained troopers and investigators inspecting commercial vehicles for serious equipment violations involving brakes, tires, lights and drivers that aren’t in compliance with state and federal requirements.

Update: Former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd is returning to the Travis County Commissioners Court.

County Judge Sam Biscoe has selected Todd to be interim Precinct 2 Commissioner, an office Todd held before he was elected Mayor of Austin in 1991. 

A flash flood watch in effect for Austin and Central Texas has been extended until midnight tonight.

The National Weather Service says showers and thunderstorms are expected today through the evening as an upper level storm system enters the area.

The 140th day of the 83rd session -- the last day at the Texas Capitol -- was mostly about pomp and circumstance, but that doesn’t mean nothing got done.

In the House, members brought their families and thanked their staff. They also passed resolutions to correct errors in bills’ language.

State Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer, D-San Antonio, is the chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. He honored State Rep. Mary González, D-Clint, the caucus freshman of the session.

A flash flood warning is in effect for Travis County and to the south in Hays and parts of Caldwell, Comal and Guadalupe counties.

The National Weather Service says thunderstorms over those same areas are likely to produce flash flooding across the warning area.

Central Texas is helping those in Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding areas in relief and rescue efforts.

Last night, Texas Task Force 1 was dispatched to Oklahoma, an elite search and rescue team which includes 5 members from the Austin Fire Department.

Members of an elite search team from Texas were dispatched to Oklahoma last night. The team is already on the field helping with recovery following the massive tornado that hit Moore on Monday afternoon. 

Gov. Rick Perry announced the activation of Texas Task Force 1 last night. The rescue group includes 70 first responders specialized in victim extraction and medical treatment, also including rescue dogs, hazardous material specialists and structural engineers.  Five members of Texas Task Force 1 are from the Austin Fire Department. 

Last November, Austin voters were asked to approve almost $80 million for affordable housing.

They chose not to.

As the city considers putting the question to voters again this fall, KUT News asks: just how does affordable housing work in Austin?