Austin news

• Gang members indicted in murder of 16-year-old in south Austin

  04-10-2017 23:39 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three members of the Dove Springs Gangstas have been indicted on federal charges in connection to the 2015 murder of 16-year-old Darian Longoria. 
  The U.S. Department of Justice says Richard Ortega, 22; Orlando Arroyo, 21; and Brian Aguayo, 20, were indicted Wednesday on one charge of murder in aid of racketeering and one charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering. The indictment claims the gang members conspired to kidnap, shoot and kill Longoria
  
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• Asahi is raising its beer prices

  04-10-2017 22:58 via kxan.com
  TOKYO (KXAN/NBC News) — The price of a popular Japanese beer brand is going up.
  Asahi announced it will hike prices of bottled beer and kegs sold to bars and restaurants. Canned beer prices will not change for now.
  It’s the company’s first increase in 10 years. The company says the cost of distribution and keg maintenance is contributing to the overall cost.
  Asahi’s rivals — Kirin, Suntory and Sappoo — have not announced any price hikes at this time.
  
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• High humidity and water leaks force San Marcos CISD staff to move out

  04-10-2017 22:10 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The San Marcos Consolidated School District is preparing to move all administration offices to a new location due to air quality concerns at their central office.
  On Monday, the board of trustees voted in a special meeting to move all staff to a building on the opposite side of the town on Mill Street.
  The district will be signing a two year lease at the new location, paying $11,190 a month for rent. Board members also agreed to pay up to $50,000 in moving expens
  
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• Bullet casing found on Austin school bus

  04-10-2017 21:58 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bullet casing found by a student on an Austin school bus Wednesday morning brought district police to investigate.
  An Austin Independent School District spokesperson says the casing was found around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday by a student boarding a bus headed to McCallum High School in central Austin. The student gave the bullet casing to the driver, who then called dispatch and brought the casing back to the school bus barn.
  AISD police found no damage to the bus and the chief
  
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• The Latest: Trump somber in visit to stricken Las Vegas

  04-10-2017 21:48 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the mass shooting in Las Vegas (all times EDT):
  9:50 p.m.
  President Donald Trump was somber Wednesday as he visited hospital bedsides and a vital police base in stricken Las Vegas.
  He offered prayers and condolences to the victims of Sunday night’s shooting massacre, along with the nation’s thanks to first responders and doctors who rushed to save lives.
  Trump said, “America is truly a nation in mourning.” A
  
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• The Latest: Trump says nation stands with Las Vegas

  04-10-2017 21:48 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the mass shooting in Las Vegas (all times EDT):
  4 p.m.
  President Donald Trump is telling the people of Las Vegas that the nation stands with them to help bear the pain of the worst gun massacre in modern U.S. history.
  He says at the city’s Metropolitan Police headquarters that, “Our souls are stricken with grief for every American who lost” someone in Sunday night’s shooting. He added, “We will struggl
  
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• The Latest: Mexico, Japan offer condolences to Trump

  04-10-2017 21:48 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the mass shooting in Las Vegas (all times EDT):
  5:40 p.m.
  President Donald Trump has received condolence calls from the leaders of Mexico and Japan after the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
  The White House says Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Trump on Wednesday to express their sympathy to the victims of Sunday night’s shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman on the 32nd f
  
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• Texas couple awarded $42M after bad car repair work

  04-10-2017 21:45 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (AP) — A jury has awarded $42 million to a Texas couple who were trapped in their burning car following faulty repair work by a body shop. The Dallas Morning News reports that Marcia and Matthew Seebachan were in a car accident in December 2013. The car caught fire and the roof collapsed, trapping the couple inside. They suffered burns and crushing injuries.
  Their federal lawsuit alleged that repair work by John Eagle Collision Center left the vehicle structurally unsound. The Dalla
  
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• Biometric scans part of border security bill targeting visa overstays

  04-10-2017 21:25 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (KXAN) — A large number of people who are in America illegally actually came here legally, they just overstayed their welcome.
  One of the measures in the Border Security for America Act by Congressman Michael McCaul, R-Austin, hopes to crack down on people who overstay their visa. The House Homeland Security Committee brought the bill up Wednesday to “mark it up” and pass it to the full House.
  McCaul hopes to get it to the House by implementing the biometric entry-ex
  
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• Senator vowing to kill red light cameras wants answers from TxDOT

  04-10-2017 20:07 via kxan.com
  KXAN (AUSTIN) — The state senator who promised to ban red light cameras following a KXAN investigation told the Texas Department of Transportation to identify cities with illegal red light cameras and to stop them from using the devices. Senator Don Huffines sent TxDOT the three-page letter Oct. 2, listing eight separate points he wants addressed, including looking into whether ticketed drivers could be refunded.
  In September 2007, the state’s red light camera law went into
  
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• Seguin deputy chief recounts running from Vegas shooter, helping victims

  04-10-2017 19:46 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Seguin deputy police chief Bruce Ure still has a bracelet from the Route 91 Harvest Festival on his wrist. He says he’ll probably remove it soon, but for now, its a reminder of the 59 people killed and more than 500 people injured when a gunman opened fire at a concert Sunday night. He was there, and he escaped with a graze from a bullet fragment on his hand and memories of the horror.
  “I don’t think God has made the word up,” Ure said, trying to des
  
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• VIDEO: Suspect wanted in east Austin attempted kidnapping

  04-10-2017 19:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Authorities are releasing new surveillance video of a man they say tried to lure and kidnap a child in east Austin last month.
  Austin police say the suspect went up to the child at the Booker T. Washington Apartments, located in the 2500 block of Rosewood Avenue, on Sept. 19 around 8:10 p.m. and asked for help finding his lost brown dog. He promised the child money if the child would help him look for it. He then allegedly forced the child into his vehicle, but the chi
  
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• Man accused of carjacking taxicab, leading police on multi-county chase

  04-10-2017 18:28 via kxan.com
  FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A suspect who authorities say carjacked a taxi driver in Austin ended up leading police on a chase through several counties.
  On Tuesday morning, police say an Austin Yellow Cab driver was carjacked and the suspect took off with the taxi. As the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nicolas Quinones, drove along State Highway 71, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office started following him.
  As the chase continued, more law enforcement agencies became involved.
  
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• Text-to-911 is now available in Central Texas

  04-10-2017 17:04 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After years in the making, the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) has finally deployed Text to 911 service for the Central Texas area.
  The service is now available on the four major cellphone service providers —Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, Sprint and T-Mobile — in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties.
  “Text to 9-1-1 is a great addition to emergency response; however, the service
  
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• Reward for information on Austin child sexual assault suspect

  04-10-2017 16:44 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Authorities are asking for the public’s help to find a man charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child in east Austin.
  Martin Michael Flores, Jr., 26, faces a felony charge, according to the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. He allegedly sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl at a home on Calmar Cove on Sept. 23, according to an arrest warrant. He’s also accused of having three video clips of the assault on his cell phone.
  The warrant for Flores’ arrest w
  
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• Child sexual assault suspected wanted in Austin

  04-10-2017 16:44 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Authorities are asking for the public’s help to find a man charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child in east Austin.
  Martin Michael Flores, Jr., 26, faces a felony charge, according to the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. He allegedly sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl at a home on Calmar Cove on Sept. 23, according to an arrest warrant. He’s also accused of having three video clips of the assault on his cell phone.
  The warrant for Flores’ arrest w
  
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• Yahoo: 3 billion accounts breached in 2013. Yes, 3 billion

  04-10-2017 16:25 via kxan.com
  BOSTON (AP) — Yahoo has tripled down on what was already the largest data breach in history, saying it affected all 3 billion accounts on its service, not the 1 billion it revealed late last year.
  The company announced Tuesday that it has sent emails providing notice to additional user accounts affected by the August 2013 data theft.
  The breach now affects a number that represents nearly “half the world,” said Sam Curry, chief security officer for Boston-based firm Cybereason,
  
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• Airlines offer free travel for Las Vegas victims’ families

  04-10-2017 14:58 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air say they are offering free flights to family members of people who were killed or injured in the Las Vegas shooting.
  A Southwest spokeswoman said Tuesday that the offer was good for up to five family members. She said the airline will also help transport bodies of those killed.
  A spokeswoman for Allegiant Air, which is based out of Las Vegas, says more than a dozen people accepted the airline’s offer by midday Tuesday.At least 59 peo
  
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• Two school buses involved in southeast Austin crash

  04-10-2017 14:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two school buses and a Jeep were involved in a collision in southeast Austin Wednesday morning.
  It happened around 7:17 a.m. near the intersection of E. William Cannon Dr. and Stonleigh Place. Austin Police Department and the Austin Independent School District are responding.
  Eastbound William Cannon Drive is blocked as of 7:40 a.m.
  ATC EMS says one person was being evaluated for injuries, but it is not known which vehicle that person was in at the time of the collision.
  St
  
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• Two school buses involved in southeast Austin collision

  04-10-2017 14:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two school buses and a Jeep were involved in a collision in southeast Austin Wednesday morning.
  It happened around 7:17 a.m. near the intersection of E. William Cannon Dr. and Stonleigh Place.
  ATC EMS says two people were evaluated for injuries, but it is not known which vehicles those people were in at the time of the collision.
  One bus was headed to Fulmore Middle School and had about 13 students on board. The other was headed to Pleasant Hill Elementary School and had th
  
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• Where to get deals for National Taco Day

  04-10-2017 14:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texans love their tacos, and now they can get deals on some of their favorite foods for National Taco Day.
  Here’s a list of some of the free and discounted offers on Oct. 4. Share any more you discover in the comments below.
  Free
  Fresa’s has free breakfast tacos from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  Torchy’s Tacos will give out a free Trailer Park taco with any purchase
  Chuy’s says if you dress up as a taco and post to Twitter, “you’ll eat for free.&rdq
  
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• Watch out: Wednesday is walk to school day

  04-10-2017 14:17 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Around the world, students will ditch the cars and buses and instead rely on their feet to get them to school Wednesday morning. Oct. 4 is International Walk to School Day, and the City of Austin Safe Routes to School Program will lead parents, students and staff of Pickle Elementary School on a walk to celebrate.
  Walk to School Day events help highlight safe routes for walking and biking and help students and parents understand the importance of physical activity, accordin
  
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• Trump visits Las Vegas on ‘sad day’ after mass shooting

  04-10-2017 13:43 via kxan.com
  LAS VEGAS (AP) — Declaring it a “very, very sad day” for himself and the nation, President Donald Trump traveled Wednesday to the city where a gunman killed 59 people at a concert. He is meeting with survivors and law enforcement officials in the aftermath of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
  Air Force One landed at the airport near the famed Las Vegas strip on a bright, sunny morning just days after a gunman on the 32nd floor of a hotel and casino opened fire on
  
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• Trump to visit Las Vegas, meet with survivors

  04-10-2017 13:43 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will reckon with the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas as he meets Wednesday with survivors and law enforcement officials in a time of grief.
  Trump heads to the city days after a gunman on the 32nd floor of a Vegas Strip hotel and casino opened fire on people at an outdoor country music festival below. The Sunday night rampage by Stephen Craig Paddock killed at least 59 people and injured 527, some from gunfire and some from a chaotic
  
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• Trump says it’s a ‘sad day’ as he heads to Las Vegas

  04-10-2017 13:43 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday it was a “sad day” as he prepared to reckon with the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas and meet with survivors and law enforcement officials.
  Trump was heading to the city days after a gunman on the 32nd floor of a Vegas Strip hotel and casino opened fire on people at an outdoor country music festival below. The Sunday night rampage by Stephen Craig Paddock killed at least 59 people and injured 527, some fro
  
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• Trump in Vegas: ‘America is truly a nation in mourning’

  04-10-2017 13:43 via kxan.com
  LAS VEGAS (AP) — Visiting bedsides and the base of police operations, President Donald Trump offered prayers and condolences Wednesday to the victims of Sunday night’s shooting massacre in Las Vegas along with praise and congratulations to first responders and doctors who rushed to save lives.
  “America is truly a nation in mourning,” the president said, days after a gunman on the 32nd floor of a hotel and casino opened fire on the crowd at an outdoor country music festiva
  
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• AISD bus crashes up slightly this school year

  04-10-2017 13:22 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The number of school bus crashes is up 18 percent through the first two months of the school year compared to last year, according to data from the Austin Independent School District.
  In August and September of this school year, there were 39 incidents with AISD buses, 17 of which AISD believes could have been prevented. A preventable incident is one that was the bus driver’s fault. None of the crashes were considered major. But the numbers are still up.
  In August and
  
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• Las Vegas gunman’s girlfriend returns to US for questioning

  04-10-2017 12:49 via kxan.com
  LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas gunman’s girlfriend, back in the United States after a weekslong trip abroad, will be at the center of the investigation into the shooting deaths of 59 people as authorities try to determine why a man with no known record of violence or crime would open fire on a concert crowd from a high-rise hotel.
  Stephen Paddock’s girlfriend Marilou Danley, 62, who was in the Philippines at the time of the shooting, was met by FBI agents at the airport in Los
  
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• “Fewer guns:” International students react to Las Vegas shooting

  04-10-2017 12:23 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — World leaders have been sending their condolences following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. But international students studying in Austin are also reacting to this tragedy and saying they would like to see more restrictions on guns.
  “It’s a little bit scary because almost anyone can own a gun here and back home it’s more rare,” says Aissata N’Diaye, St. Edward’s University student from Mali in West Africa.
  Before coming to Texas, N’
  
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• Sales of ‘bump stocks’ for firearms increase after Las Vegas shooting

  04-10-2017 05:55 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More and more people are purchasing “bump-stock” accessories for their weapons following the deadly Las Vegas shooting, at least according to one Central Texas gun store owner. The shooting left 59 people dead and more than 500 people injured.
  As more details have emerged about the types of weapons the shooter Stephen Paddock had in his hotel room, it is clear he used “bump stocks” on semi-automatic rifles. Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that
  
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• ‘Bump stock’ sales spiking after Las Vegas shooting

  04-10-2017 05:55 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More and more people are purchasing “bump-stock” accessories for their weapons following the deadly Las Vegas shooting, at least according to one Central Texas gun store owner. The shooting left 59 people dead and more than 500 people injured.
  As more details have emerged about the types of weapons the shooter Stephen Paddock had in his hotel room, it is clear he used “bump stocks” on semi-automatic rifles. Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that
  
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• APD chief aims to build on community relationships his predecessor started

  04-10-2017 05:44 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eleven months into his tenure as interim head of the Austin Police Department, Chief Brian Manley says he wants to build on the community relationships his predecessor started.
  Manley visited two National Night Out events in Austin Tuesday night while his assistant chiefs and commanders visited others. “I pick the ones where I’m hoping to get to interact with a lot of the community and hopefully address concerns, questions, or issues that they have,”
  
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• Unloaded shotgun found in student’s vehicle at Round Rock High

  04-10-2017 04:32 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A student at Round Rock High School brought an unloaded hunting shotgun onto school property, Tuesday.
  In a message to the school community, Round Rock High Principal Matt Groff said the shotgun was found in a case in the backseat of the student’s vehicle after it was reported to the school.
  The school then immediately called Round Rock police. After being questioned by officers, the school says police concluded there was not an imminent threat.
  Principal G
  
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• County hopes to benefit from increased hotel occupancy tax

  04-10-2017 04:11 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin’s revenue from the hotel occupancy tax has grown to $90 million.
  The city of Austin is considering increasing the tax by 2 percent, and Travis County wants a cut.
  While most of the tax increase would benefit city-specific projects and programs, there are opportunities for the city to work with the county, as commissioners discussed Tuesday.
  That would include negotiating the acquisition of the Palm School for use as a public space, as well as the city partnerin
  
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• Austin musician performing at Vegas concert hopes people keep coming to shows

  04-10-2017 04:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin saxophonist Carlos Sosa had just finished performing with the Josh Abbott Band in Las Vegas when he heard popping noises from backstage.
  “Somebody said, ‘Oh there’s fireworks,’ and I turned, my back was to Mandalay [hotel], I thought it might be coming from there. So I turned around and I didn’t see anything and it was just a couple of pops,” Sosa said.
  Then, he felt something whiz by.
  “It hit me on the back and I looked at D
  
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• Austin musician at Vegas shooting urges fans to continue coming to shows

  04-10-2017 04:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin saxophonist Carlos Sosa had just finished performing with the Josh Abbott Band in Las Vegas when he heard popping noises from backstage.
  “Somebody said, ‘Oh there’s fireworks,’ and I turned, my back was to Mandalay [hotel], I thought it might be coming from there. So I turned around and I didn’t see anything and it was just a couple of pops,” Sosa said.
  Then, he felt something whiz by.
  “It hit me on the back and I looked at D
  
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• At least five Texans hurt in Las Vegas attack

  04-10-2017 02:27 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — At least five of the people injured in the Las Vegas shooting were from Texas.
  More than 50 people were killed and at least 500 were injured when a gunman opened fire on a crowd at a country music concert on Sunday.
  An Austinite who was at the show, Michaela Clark, underwent surgery after being shot, and is recovering. A recent Texas Tech graduate, Danae Gibbs, 23, sustained two gunshot wounds in the attack, loved ones said.
  Seguin Deputy Police Chief Bruce Ure “su
  
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• Historical home in San Marcos being transformed into a hostel

  04-10-2017 01:12 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – A man is hard at work in San Marcos transforming an old Victorian home into the city’s first international youth hostel.
  Matt Akins bought the home in the historic district in 2015 and now calls it the Yellow House Hostel. The home is currently being remodeled, but when it’s done, the owner says all three stories will be accessible with six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
  Akins hopes the home will bring in people from all over the world and give them an a
  
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• Congress discontinues health insurance for 400,000 poor Texas children

  04-10-2017 01:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Congress failed to pass a bill continuing the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, placing health insurance for millions of American children in limbo.
  The individual states are picking up the tab for now, but can’t continue the program indefinitely. Lawmakers hope a fix is around the corner after $1 billion for the state of Texas, to help insure 400,000 children in the state, has not been continued.
  Congress has prioritized a failed effort to rep
  
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• ATCEMS, emergency operations prepare for ACL Fest

  04-10-2017 01:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS says they’re ramping up meetings in the days ahead of Week 1 of Austin City Limits Music Festival.
  “We don’t anticipate any problems,” ATCEMS Division Chief Wes Hopkins said. “We have a good track record of making those events safe.”
  One of the advantages Austin first responders have is that EMS, fire and police use the same radio system, so coordinating an emergency response between agencies is only a radio chann
  
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• New interactive tool helps Texans find alcohol, drug use prevention groups

  04-10-2017 00:38 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new interactive tool launched Tuesday giving Texans an easier way to find alcohol and drug use prevention coalitions across the state.
  The interactive map, made possible in part thanks to a traffic safety grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, was launched by Texans Standing Tall, which is working to make communities safer and healthier by reducing underage drinking and drug use.
  “Texas is leading the way in helping coalitions explore and collaborate on
  
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• PHOTOS: Eight arrested in string of Dripping Springs vehicle burglaries

  04-10-2017 00:17 via kxan.com
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Multiple vehicles were broken into last week in the Dripping Springs area, ending in the arrest of eight people who authorities believe are linked to burglaries in two counties.
  The suspects targeted areas around US 290, Ranch Road 12 and Fitzhugh Road on Sept. 25 and 26, even stealing a vehicle from a Dripping Springs business and using it to smash through fences at two different locations.
  Neighbors with security cameras are being asked to look through th
  
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• PHOTOS: 8 arrested in Dripping Springs burglary spree

  04-10-2017 00:17 via kxan.com
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Multiple vehicles were broken into last week in the Dripping Springs area, ending in the arrest of eight people who authorities believe are linked to burglaries in two counties.
  The suspects targeted areas around US 290, Ranch Road 12 and Fitzhugh Road on Sept. 25 and 26, even stealing a vehicle from a Dripping Springs business and using it to smash through fences at two different locations.
  Neighbors with security cameras are being asked to look through th
  
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• Austin mother of two shot in the back during Las Vegas shooting

  04-10-2017 00:05 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Family and friends are rallying together to help the family of an Austin woman who was shot and seriously injured in the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas Sunday.
  A GoFundMe page has been set up for Michaela Clark. Friends say Clark, who lives in southwest Austin, is a mother of two and is engaged with her wedding planned for March.
  According to the GoFundMe page, Clark was shot in the back as she was trying to flee. Friends say she has underg
  
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• AG Paxton’s attorneys want judge to deny State’s motion for delay

  04-10-2017 00:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Attorneys for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have issued a response to the State’s motion to push Paxton’s trial date back.
  The State filed the motion for continuance to trial on Sept. 25. The trial date was moved to Dec. 11, 2017 after Judge George Gallagher was disqualified from the case.
  Paxton’s attorneys say the delay should be denied because their client has “been ready and anxious for his day in court” and he has “asserted
  
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