AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The federal government will require home healthcare companies to pay workers more. The "Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” rule, finalized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week, requires at least 80% of Medicaid payments for home care services go to workers’ wages, as opposed to administrative overhead or other costs.  According to the White House announcement on Monday, more than seven million seniors and people with disabilities rely on home and community-based services (HCBS), often funded by Medicaid, to provide this type of long-term c ..read more

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person died in west Austin Wednesday after being involved in a "vehicle-pedestrian" collision shortly after noon, according to Austin-Travis County EMS. ATCEMS said on social media at 12:12 p.m. that CPR was in progress for a person after an incident involving "heavy machinery" in the 3000 block of Westlake Drive, near Trailview Mesa Drive. In an update at 12:25 p.m., EMS said the person was pronounced dead on the scene after "extensive resuscitative efforts." ATCEMS said the West Lake Fire and Austin Fire Departments responded to the scene as well. Drivers are advised to a ..read more

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When a college student first moves from home and often becomes more independent, there can be some adjustments. For Rhasidat Adeleke, a major adjustment came when doing laundry. "I called her on the phone and I was like 'What buttons do I press?'" Adeleke said about a conversation with her mother. "I was in Target and was like 'What detergent should I get?' And she realized how spoiled I was at that moment." Rhasidat Adeleke in an interview with KXAN Like learning how to do laundry, the standout track athlete also became much more confident racing over her time at Texas. The Du ..read more

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- According to Workforce Solutions Capital Area, there are more than enough jobs but not enough skilled workers in Austin. The organization is trying to address the city's skills gap through its Hire Local initiative. It released its 2023 annual report highlighting the initiative's impacts. "That is designed to close the gap by connecting local people with the skills needed in high demand jobs, high paying jobs, so they can afford to stay here in Austin," said Chair for Workforce Solutions Capital Area Board Mark Sherry. Austin mayor announces new infrastructure academy to buil ..read more

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man reported missing in south Austin was found dead Friday, the Austin Police Department said in a press release. Cristian Rangel, 24, was last seen in a south Austin Walmart parking lot on April 8. APD sent a release on April 18, saying it was searching for him and was concerned for Rangel's well-being ..read more

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Over the weekend, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office arrested three people and seized what it called a "significant amount" of suspected illegal drugs, weapons, and paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking. WCSO said it executed a search warrant on Pinnacle Drive on Saturday along with its Organized Crime Unit and SWAT, as well as K9 units. WCSO confiscated the following: Approximately 4.5 pounds of suspected marijuana Approximately 3.7 grams of suspected cocaine Approximately 22.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine Approximately 29.1 grams of suspected f ..read more

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sanford Garrett is a 59-year-old visually impaired veteran who lives off of what he calls a "broke income," but he makes it work. "Every dollar and cent counts," Garrett explained. He has lived in the same two-bedroom apartment for the past 13 years, and has seen his complex change ownership multiple times. Since the pandemic, though, he has noticed an increase in junk fees added on to his monthly rent payment. Things like valet trash and pest control fees. It used to be he had to work directly with the cable company if he wanted that service, now it's a mandatory fee he has t ..read more

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Currently, arrestees in Travis County don't always have an attorney with them at their first court appearance. According to the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, ensuring attorneys early on can reduce jail populations and save taxpayers money by reducing criminal justice costs. Travis County supports the idea of this prospect - which is called "counsel at first appearance" or CAFA - but so far, staffing, infrastructure and procedural challenges have hindered its implementation. Bradley Hargis with the Capital Area Private Defender Service worked with arrestees at th ..read more

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