Jeff Bell

5 days ago | wfaa.com | Jeff Bell

AUSTIN, Texas — Tesla’s much-hyped robotaxi service launched in Austin on Sunday, but with Tesla employees in the passenger seat due to safety concerns. According to an announcement reported by invite-only passengers, safety drivers will be on board the Model Y cars, with the ability to steer or stop the vehicles if needed. Rides will also reportedly be limited to 6 a.m. to midnight and operate within a restricted area of Downtown Austin in order to avoid complex and difficult intersections.

5 days ago | kvue.com | Jeff Bell

AUSTIN, Texas — Police are searching for a suspect after a homicide in southeast Austin early Sunday morning. The Austin Police Department said officers received a call about an unresponsive person laying on the ground on Wickersham Lane and East Riverside Drive, near South Pleasant Valley Road. Police at the scene say they arrived around 12:35 a.m. on Sunday. Officers then found a man with serious injuries on his body on the ground at the Apple Mart gas station.

1 week ago | wfaa.com | Jeff Bell

AUSTIN, Texas — State lawmakers are calling on Tesla to pause its Robotaxi plans in Austin, just days before the company's planned launch on Sunday. State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and six other Texas Democrats are urging Tesla to wait until September, when a new state law takes effect. Under that law, autonomous vehicles will have to be able to comply with traffic laws, and they must have a recording device on board.

1 week ago | kvue.com | Jeff Bell

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin ISD leaders said changes to Central Office staffing will impact more than 170 positions. Superintendent Matias Segura emailed families on Wednesday evening, saying those impacted will see job cuts or salary reductions and/or reorganization. He notified impacted workers earlier on Wednesday. Overall, the changes represent a 20% reduction to Central Office staffing, saving the district $9.6 million.

1 week ago | kvue.com | Jeff Bell

AUSTIN, Texas — Two children were seriously injured in a rollover crash in southeast Travis County on Wednesday evening. According to Austin-Travis County EMS, the crash happened around 7 p.m. in the 11000 block of Carl Road, between Old Lockhart Road and FM 1327. The victims were possibly ejected from the vehicle during the crash, ATCEMS said. One was airlifted to Dell Children’s Medical Center by STAR Flight, while the other was transported by ATCEMS medics.