Austin

The University of Texas Board of Regents tabled the request to purchase an additional radio station for KUT Austin this afternoon.

The UT Board of Regents was being asked to approve UT-Austin’s purchase of 98.9 FM on behalf of KUT. KUT would repay the university its $6 million purchase over 20 years, at four percent interest. “No restricted funds, including student tuition and fees, will be used to finance this acquisition,” states backup information on the Board of Regents’ agenda.

Under the proposal brought to the regents, KUT would use the new frequency as a non-commercial, all-music format, and KUT 90.5 FM would become an all-news and information format.

When asked for comment, KUT's management told us, "The chancellor said his office has received some questions about this proposal. We'll work with him and the regents to answer those questions."

Looking for an excuse to dip out of work early? Here’s one, courtesy of the National Weather Service’s Austin - San Antonio bureau:

“The afternoon rush hour will be a mess along the I-35 corridor,” it writes on its Facebook page. “You can avoid the worst backups by leaving now or waiting until after 6 pm.”

Following yesterday’s rains (and flooding in Bastrop County), more storms are expected tonight. The NWS anticipates under a inch of rain for most of the region, although some areas may receive as much as four inches, and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

The Austin Fire Department responded to two deadly house fires and a third that injured a person yesterday.

Fire Department Spokesperson Michelle DeCrane says that the tragedies might have been prevented if the homes had smoke detectors.

"The most important thing is everybody needs to have working smoke alarm – I cannot overemphasize how important that is," DeCrane says. "It is the cheapest life insurance money can buy, and it can buy you invaluable time to get out of your home in the event of a fire.”

If you do not have smoke alarms or can’t afford to buy them, the Austin Fire Department has a program to help you out. Click here or call 974-0299 for more information.

Tax Cap Added for Historic Homes; Exemption Increased for Elderly, Disabled

Travis County Commissioners voted to add a cap on historical tax exemptions. The new policy matches the City of Austin’s cap of $2,500 a year.

Historic home owners argued that a higher exemption is necessary for them to maintain the facades of their homes. County Judge Sam Biscoe says the county will continue to look at the impact of the historical tax exemptions.

Commissioners also voted to increase the tax exemption for Travis County homeowners who are 65 and older and for those with disabilities. The amount of value that had been taken off a home for taxing purposes had been $65,000 a year. They raised it to $70,000 annually.

A vigil will be held tomorrow to honor the life of José Lainez, who died helping build bridges between Highways 183 and 290. 

Lainez, who was originally from Honduras, had worked as a construction worker in Austin for the past twelve years. He was 54 at the time of his death, and in reportedly good health. 

The deceased’s family contends that his death was caused by heat exhaustion, brought on by a lack of rest and water breaks. 

An Austin City Council ordinance, passed in July 2010, requires employers to provide construction workers with water and rest breaks. There is no state law that requires such breaks.

Thinking about watching the bats on Congress Street Bridge the evening?

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Service Department released information today that a bat from under the Congress Street Bridge has tested positive for rabies.

Carole Barasch is with the Health and Human Service Department. She says it isn’t unusual to find a bat with rabies – problems arise when these bats come into contact with humans. The Health and Human Service Department is on alert because it's received word from a third party that an adult female came into contact with a rabid bat at 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3.

Capital Metro is celebrating the recent passage of a federal highway bill. The bill authorizes $105 billion for spending on transportation projects nationwide over a two-year period

The new transportation law is called "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" or MAP-21.

Capital Metro says the law provides much-needed stability. Capital Metro officials say MAP-21 gives a stable source of funding that's necessary for projects like bus and facility improvements.