Austin news

• 14-year-old Eanes ISD football player injured, airlifted to hospital

  18-10-2016 23:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A football player at West Ridge Middle School was injured Tuesday and airlifted to the hospital.
  Austin-Travis County EMS were called at 3:58 p.m. to the Eanes ISD school, located at 9201 Scenic Bluff Dr., just off of Bee Cave Road. The director of communications for Eanes, Claudia McWhorter, says the eighth grader was injured during practice. She could not say how the teen was injured, but confirmed he was conscious.
  Read: UIL pilot programs aim to better track s
  
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• These are the candidates you can write in for President in Texas

  18-10-2016 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — The November election is three weeks away, and recent polls show Americans aren’t too happy with their choices for president.
  The good news for Texans is there are other options. Voters can choose to write-in a name from a list of eligible candidates approved by the Texas secretary of state.
  This year there are 13 certified write-in candidates for president in Texas. Michael Winn, the director of elections for Travis County, says a list will be printed out and prov
  
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• Texas will only count 13 write-in candidates for president

  18-10-2016 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — The November election is three weeks away, and recent polls show Americans aren’t too happy with their choices for president.
  The good news for Texans is there are other options. Voters can choose to write-in a name from a list of eligible candidates approved by the Texas secretary of state.
  This year there are 13 certified write-in candidates for president in Texas. Michael Winn, the director of elections for Travis County, says a list will be printed out and prov
  
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• Road to 270: Electoral College game

  18-10-2016 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  Interactive map of AP analysis shows the latest AP election forecast, past election results and it lets you draw your own map result predictions in the 2016 candidate race for the White House.
  App users tap here to see the interactive map.
  
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• AG Paxton questions paying Austin fire union bosses with taxpayer money

  18-10-2016 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Your tax dollars are being used to allow the Austin Fire Department’s union to lobby politically. That’s the charge from the Texas attorney general who has formally joined a lawsuit contesting the constitutionality of paid union time for fire union officials.
  Ken Paxton’s legal team contends allowing so-called release time for fire union bosses to negotiate their collective agreements is a practice that amounts to an unlawful transfer of taxpayer
  
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• WATCH: Man tries to ‘snatch’ child from grocery cart

  18-10-2016 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN/KPRC) — A Houston mother is seeking justice for her child after a man may have tried to kidnap the baby. Surveillance video from the incident at the very least shows some unusual behavior.
  In the video, a man can be seen walking up to Florence Monauer’s shopping cart inside the H Mart grocery store Saturday. With Monauer’s back turned, and without speaking to her—or getting permission—the man tried to pick up her 14-month-old daughter. Monaue
  
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• Motorcyclist killed in crash south of Dripping Springs identified

  18-10-2016 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A motorcyclist has died in a crash near Dripping Springs, Tuesday afternoon. Ranch Road 12 reopened near South Onion Creek at around 4:20 p.m.
  The incident happened near the intersection of RR 12 and Elder Hill Road — several miles south of Dripping Springs — around 1:19 p.m. The motorcyclist, identified as 55-year-old James C. Caudle of Spicewood, drove off the road at a curb while riding southbound on RR 12,
  
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• Motorcyclist killed in crash south of Dripping Springs

  18-10-2016 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A motorcyclist has died in a crash near Dripping Springs, Tuesday afternoon. Ranch Road 12 reopened near South Onion Creek at around 4:20 p.m.
  The incident happened near the intersection of RR 12 and Elder Hill Road — several miles south of Dripping Springs — around 1:19 p.m.
  The Department of Public Safety says it is not immediately clear if another vehicle was involved. Drivers were being asked to c
  
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• Dog found duct taped on Houston road euthanized

  18-10-2016 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (WCMH) — A dog discovered duct taped on the side of the road in northwest Houston on Monday had to be euthanized
  Officials say it was left for dead on the side of the road with duct tape on its body.
  “My daughter was like mom there’s a dog and I looked and the dog in between all the trash. Laying there with duct tape, bleeding,” Jana Nguwen, who found the German shepherd, told KPRC.
  Read: Texas couple claims their dog was killed over Hillary Clinton sign
  
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• ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” turns 50

  18-10-2016 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) – Maybe this is the year the Great Pumpkin visits Linus in the pumpkin patch. 50th time is the charm, right?
  “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” turns 50 when it airs Wednesday night.
  The holiday special is one of the noted classics spun from Charles Schulz’s iconic comic strip. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” debuted Oct. 27, 1966, on CBS, created to capitalize on the success of 1965’s “A Charlie Brown Chris
  
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• DIY Costumes You Already Have In Your Closet

  18-10-2016 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  The countdown to Halloween has officially started, and if you don’t have a costume yet, maybe you don’t even need to look any further than your own closet. Coral Smith of SoLa Boutique stopped by to show us how to mix fashion with fantasy by using pieces in your own closet. The first costume is a Sci-fi inspired: Galactic Cheerleader. The next look is 70’s inspired. The model is wearing flared bell bottom jeans with embroidery on the sides. A strip off the should top
  
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• Tips for Applying Face Paint

  18-10-2016 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  As Halloween creeps up, the thought of what you’re kiddos are going to be or even you may haunt you. Well, what if we told you not all clowns are scary and painting your child’s face won’t be either. Brooke Rogers… AKA Kiwi the Clown brought her artistic skills to the set along with great tips for face painting like a pro. Don’t fret, Brooke showed us how anyone can achieve the look at home–just in time for Halloween. Kiwi the Clown will be doi
  
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• Zilker Park getting prepped for holidays

  18-10-2016 18:46 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The fences from ACL are still up in Zilker Park, but now workers are getting it ready to host a different kind of show.  Crews are about to begin setting up for the annual Trail of Lights.
  James Russell, executive director of the Trail of Lights Foundation, estimates at any given time over the next few weeks, they will have 40-60 workers setting up lights and decorations.   Unlike ACL, the park will not be fenced off during set up.
  This year will mark the 50th ann
  
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• Zilker Park already prepping for Trail of Lights

  18-10-2016 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The fences from Austin City Limits are still up in Zilker Park, but now workers are getting it ready to host a different kind of show. Crews are about to begin setting up for the annual Trail of Lights.
  James Russell, executive director of the Trail of Lights Foundation, estimates at any given time over the next few weeks, they will have 40 to 60 workers setting up lights and decorations. Unlike ACL, the park will not be fenced off during set up.
  This year will mark the 50t
  
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• Travis County faces criminal judge shortage

  18-10-2016 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Every weekday morning at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, a row of TV screens show dozens of names and the court that defendant is assigned to. Travis County officials say the list of criminal defendants is growing longer every year as the Travis County’s District Criminal courts are seeing more violent crime cases.
  This influx in cases is prompting the Travis County Commissioners Court to request three more judges. The commissioners are set to take
  
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• More judges needed to combat increase in criminal cases

  18-10-2016 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Every weekday morning at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, a row of TV screens show dozens of names and the court that defendant is assigned to. Travis County officials say the list of criminal defendants is growing longer every year as the Travis County’s District Criminal courts are seeing more violent crime cases.
  FILE – Inside Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center where monitors display the docket. (KXAN Photo/Kevin Schwaller)This influx in
  
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• Texas vet who posted photo of cat kill keeps her license to practice

  18-10-2016 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas veterinarian accused of killing a cat and then bragging about it on social media will now have four years of probation after a motion by The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
  Kristen Lindsey is being suspended for a total of five years, four of which she will be on probation, and one year where she won’t be allowed to practice veterinary medicine. Additionally, she has to do six hours of education on animal welfare al
  
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• Texas vet who posted about killing a cat gets 4 years probation

  18-10-2016 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas vet accused of killing a cat and then bragging about it on social media will now have four years of probation after a motion by The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
  Kristen Lindsey will also not being allowed to practice for one year, and has to do six hours of education on animal welfare along with 17 hours already required by the state.
  The post on Facebook from April 2015 has now been deleted, but initially it was cap
  
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• Halloween candy favorites differ by state

  18-10-2016 18:18 via kxan.com
  
  KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Halloween is almost here and stores are stocking their shelves with candy. Sweets will make 94.3 percent of Halloween purchases in the US this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
  Influenster.com conducted a survey of 40,000 people to determine which candies were popular in different states.
  Candy corn is the most popular in the country, according to the survey. The sweet is so popular that it has it’s own national holiday on October 30.
  Here is a loo
  
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• What to watch for in Round 3 of presidential debates

  18-10-2016 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — It was barely three weeks ago that Donald Trump opened the first presidential debate by asking, with faux deference, if it was OK to refer to his opponent as “Secretary Clinton.”
  By Round 2 he was back to calling Hillary Clinton “the devil.” Since then, the Republican candidate’s scorched-earth campaign tactics have left all sides wondering just how low things will go in the third and final presidential debate, coming up Wednesday night.
  For
  
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• Watch to watch for in Round 3 of presidential debates

  18-10-2016 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — It was barely three weeks ago that Donald Trump opened the first presidential debate by asking, with faux deference, if it was OK to refer to his opponent as “Secretary Clinton.”
  By Round 2 he was back to calling Hillary Clinton “the devil.” Since then, the Republican candidate’s scorched-earth campaign tactics have left all sides wondering just how low things will go in the third and final presidential debate, coming up Wednesday night.
  For
  
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• Presidential candidates: How much they’ve spent on the campaign

  18-10-2016 17:39 via kxan.com
  
  Data visualization of the total year-to-date spending and cash on hand from candidates’ official committees and supportive super PACs
  App users tap here to see the interactive graph.
  
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• Travis County’s Brown Santa still seeking warehouse space

  18-10-2016 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Christmas is still two months away but the organizers behind Travis County’s Brown Santa are scrambling to secure a warehouse space to conduct its business this year.
  The Brown Santa Program, now in its 34th year, is a community service of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office that provides assistance to underprivileged children and their families in the county. Every family who registers will receive a holiday meal and a toy box for the children.
  In order to start
  
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• Hyundai recalls Genesis Coupes to fix air bag wiring problem

  18-10-2016 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai is recalling more than 84,000 cars in the U.S. because a wiring problem can cause the front passenger air bag to malfunction.
  The recall covers Genesis Coupes from the 2010 to 2016 model years.
  The company says in government documents that an electrical connector for the passenger seat air bag sensor can become disconnected. That can cause the air bag to inflate when a child is in the seat or deploy with too little force to protect an adult. In both cases, passengers
  
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• Report: DiCaprio, Paramount to combine powers, create live action ‘Captain Planet’ movie

  18-10-2016 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) – The 90s reboot is almost complete!
  On the heels of the “Power Rangers” and “Legends of The Hidden Temple” remakes, The Hollywood Reporter is reporting another 90s icon is making a comeback – Captain Planet.
  Per THR, Paramount and the production company of noted environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio are working together on a project, with Paramount working to secure the rights to the cartoon series.
  The cartoon series “Captain Planet and th
  
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• Areas of Dripping Springs left in the dark during planned power outages

  18-10-2016 15:20 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — The Pedernales Electric Cooperative has power outages planned for parts of Dripping Springs to upgrade the Henly substation, on Highway 290.
  The outages will impact a 1,690 meter area for a few days. PEC customers will be alerted prior to the outage by letter or phone.
  Planned outages:
  Tuesday, Oct. 18 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Wednesday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Tuesday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Even if you don’t live in the affected area, the outage m
  
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• Austin airport warns traveler traffic will increase for Formula 1

  18-10-2016 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With performances by Taylor Swift and Usher, this year’s Formula One will draw in more than just race car enthusiasts.
  Austin Bergstrom International Airport warns there will be a huge influx of travelers in the city for the United States Grand Prix. Planning to greet visitors with a warn Austin welcome, the airport will have live music and additional customer service help planned for the upcoming weekend.
  Traffic will begin to increase as travelers leave th
  
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• Drivers ignoring school bus laws with 1,700 ticketed in one month

  18-10-2016 13:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Even after video surfaced last month of two AISD students hit by cars exiting their school bus, KXAN found this is still a big problem in Austin. Drivers are continuing to ignore school bus laws in the city.
  The school bus stop arms were down when both of the students were hit by cars. The students are okay, but many fear this will happen again. State troopers are trying to raise awareness to keep students safe during National School Bus Safety Week. 
  In
  
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• 1,700 drivers ticketed in one month ignoring school bus laws

  18-10-2016 13:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Even after video surfaced last month of two AISD students hit by cars exiting school buses, KXAN found this is still a big problem in Austin. Drivers are continuing to ignore school bus laws in the city.
  The school bus stop arms were down when both of the students were hit by cars. The students are okay, but many fear this will happen again. State troopers are trying to raise awareness to keep students safe during National School Bus Safety Week. 
  In Tex
  
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• Teen credited for saving 3-year-old cousin from abductor

  18-10-2016 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WKRN) – It was a scary afternoon Saturday for a Tullahoma mother whose little 3-year-old daughter was almost abducted from a local playground.
  Thanks to the quick thinking of the little girl’s teenage cousin, Isobel Conant is safe tonight. Witnesses told police the man got out of a white van and walked over to a tree near the playground, which they thought was odd.
  “She was swinging on the first swing over here,” mother Desiree Conant said.
  Desiree
  
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• City explores route for non-radioactive hazardous materials

  18-10-2016 12:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials with the city of Austin are looking to move non-radioactive hazardous materials off Interstate 35.
  This stems from a state requirement for any city that has a population over 850,000. Right now, trucks that carry non-radioactive hazardous materials like explosives, combustible materials, medical waste, dry ice, and paint are traveling I-35 because there are no rules on where they can and can’t travel in Austin.
  A KXAN Investigation from last year uncovered t
  
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• In wake of ‘rigged’ election comments, parties need poll watchers

  18-10-2016 06:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Trump raised questions about the election process — saying the election could be “rigged” — we wanted to know who looks over the process here in Central Texas. On both sides of the aisle, if you’re worried there’s going to be funny business at one of the polling locations, you can volunteer to be what’s called a “poll watcher.”
  Volunteers go to a campaign they’re supporting, a local political party, or a grou
  
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• McDonald’s turns away Pomeranian service dog

  18-10-2016 05:50 via kxan.com
  
  BRADENTON, Florida (WFLA) — A Florida woman is demanding an apology after she was turned away at a Bradenton McDonald’s because of her service dog.
  It began when Elisha Griggs ordered a drink at the counter.
  “They told me, ‘No pets.’ I said, ‘She’s not a pet. She’s a service dog.’ They asked me if I had paperwork for her. I said, ‘Yes,'” Griggs explained.
  Griggs retrieved a doctor’s note from her car. At this point, she said
  
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• More men diagnosed with HPV-related cancers; vaccine highly recommended

  18-10-2016 04:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — About 9,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with cancers of the throat and mouth that may be caused by HPV every year, according to the CDC. Of those diagnosed, men are four times more likely to get them than women.
  Doctors, like Rachel Brightwell from Austin Cancer Centers, says it highlights the importance of vaccinating boys at the recommended ages of 11-12.
  “Why would you want your children to have to go through that? Cervical cancer, penile ca
  
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• Customized educations on the table for Texas students

  18-10-2016 03:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — Parents could soon see more choices — outside of public school — when it comes to their children’s education.
  State lawmakers discussed the value of letting Texas parents pick where their kids go to school, Monday.
  Former member of the Texas House, Kent Grusendorf presented plans for what’s called an “education savings account” to the Public Education Committee he once chaired Monday.
  Now the director of the Center for Educationa
  
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• Tourist walking with daughter attacked on Congress Avenue Bridge

  18-10-2016 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A tourist visiting Austin with his family this weekend was attacked on the Congress Avenue Bridge, alongside his 6-year-old daughter.
  Roger Buchanan, of Spearman, Texas, traveled to Austin last week for a crop insurance conference. In order to be with his daughter on her sixth birthday, he says he doubled the work trip as a family getaway. Being attacked, Buchanan says, was the last thing he’d expect to experience on his trip.
  “There was this lady
  
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• Tourist attacked with daughter on Congress Avenue Bridge

  18-10-2016 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A tourist visiting Austin with his family this weekend was attacked on the Congress Avenue Bridge, alongside his 6-year-old daughter.
  Roger Buchanan, of Spearman, Texas, traveled to Austin last week for a crop insurance conference. In order to be with his daughter on her sixth birthday, he says he doubled the work trip as a family getaway. Being attacked, Buchanan says, was the last thing he’d expect to experience on his trip.
  “There was this lady
  
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• VIDEO: Coyotes roam Austin backyards, city advances plan for threats

  18-10-2016 01:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Coyotes are known to wander Central Texas, and in some cases have eaten people’s pets.
  “They just carried them right down the landing.”
  Kay Aielli says coyotes got her two Chihuahuas about nine years ago, when she let them out in her Allandale backyard. Over the summer, a coyote snatched her cat. Aielli was able to scare the coyote and get it to drop her cat, but the feline didn’t survive. “I was crying because it was so traumatic,”
  
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• Closure of APD’s DNA lab causing crisis in the court system

  18-10-2016 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The closure of the Austin Police Department’s DNA lab has created a problem within the Travis Criminal Justice System. KXAN has learned DNA in violent crimes such as sexual assault and murder are not being analyzed in a timely manner.
  The delay has led to some criminal cases being delayed or dismissed including a sexual assault case with the suspect sitting in jail for a year waiting for DNA results that would not be analyzed on time. The suspect’s case was dism
  
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• Police: Woman shot, killed by officers had BB gun

  18-10-2016 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The woman shot and killed by two Austin police officers early Sunday morning has been identified. Police said Monday the weapon 26-year-old Micah Jester was pointing at officers, while telling them to shoot and kill her, was a replica semi-automatic BB gun.
  The two officers who shot Jester were identified by the department as Deborah Lindeman, a mental health officer, and Richard Smith. Both have been with the department for around three years.
  Asst. Chief Troy Gay sai
  
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• San Antonio bus crashes into house

  18-10-2016 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — A San Antonio man was able to walk away unharmed after a VIA Metro bus came crashing through a home Monday afternoon.
  The crash happened around 4 p.m. in southwest San Antonio. WOAI TV reports there were no passengers on board the bus at the time of the crash.
  Landon Lum says he was watching his friend’s house when he the crash happened. “I was able to get out of the room, I’m absolutely sure the bus would’ve killed me,” says L
  
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• Fallout from San Marcos High grade-fixing scandal continues

  18-10-2016 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A second staff member at San Marcos High School has resigned over a grade-fixing scandal.
  Last month, Principal Kelli Lopez stepped down after admitting to changing grades for more than 100 students over the course of the past two years. Shortly after that news came out, the superintendent for San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District said there were others involved in changing grades under Lopez’s leadership.
  On Monday, before an offici
  
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