Austin news

• Lawmaker announces ‘Suck It Up, Buttercup’ bill to curb Trump protesters

  15-11-2016 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  WILTON, IA (CNN/WCMH) — A state representative from Iowa is making headlines after announcing a new bill aimed at clarifying state spending on colleges that have established so-called “cry rooms” for students upset over the results of the election.
  “I have named the bill ‘Suck It Up, Buttercup,’” Rep. Bobby Kaufmann said.
  The bill was introduced after anti-Trump protesters disrupted traffic on Interstate 80 in Iowa.
  “You’ve got a right to be
  
  Read more

• Rush hour pipeline protest takes over downtown streets

  15-11-2016 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A rally and march against the Dakota Access Pipeline at 5 p.m. Tuesday affected rush hour traffic in downtown Austin.
  Austin police war ed drivers to avoid the area, if possible, and find an alternate route. After speaking on the south steps of the State Capitol, protesters marched to Wells Fargo offices at 111 Congress Ave. and JP Morgan Chase offices at 221 W. 6th St.
  In a Facebook event post for the march, organizers say Wells Fargo and JP M
  
  Read more

• Police warn of rush hour pipeline protest downtown

  15-11-2016 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A rally and march against the Dakota Access Pipeline at 5 p.m. Tuesday is expected to affect rush hour traffic in downtown Austin.
  Austin police are warning drivers to avoid the area, if possible, and find an alternate route. After speaking on the south steps of the State Capitol, protesters will march to Wells Fargo offices at 111 Congress Ave. and JP Morgan Chase offices at 221 W. 6th St. Organizers expect to arrive at Wells Fargo around 5:15 p.m.
  In a Facebook
  
  Read more

• Fliers left on Dallas college campus condemn biracial dating

  15-11-2016 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Fliers telling white women not to date black men have been found on the campus of a Dallas university.
  Southern Methodist University said in a statement Tuesday that the fliers were found at a residence hall and were reported to university officials.
  The fliers were discovered Sunday and are titled “Why White Women Shouldn’t Date Black Men.” The fliers include several incendiary claims including calling black men abusive and saying biracial children lack int
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Teen arrested in connection to deadly Manor hit-and-run

  15-11-2016 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — A 15 year old has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run homicide of Devon Sanders on July 27 in Manor. Warrants have also been issued for a mother and son accused of involvement in the incident.
  Thomas Bernal, 19, is wanted for manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid in an accident involving death, both second degree felonies. Debra Bernal, 45, Thomas’ mother, is wanted for tampering with physical evidence, a third degree felony.
  Man
  
  Read more

• AAA predicting biggest Thanksgiving travel rush in 9 years

  15-11-2016 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — The slowly improving economy could boost travel over the Thanksgiving holiday to levels not seen in nine years.
  AAA forecasts that 48.7 million Americans will travel, the busiest Thanksgiving period on U.S. roads and skies since 2007, the year before the global financial crisis plunged the U.S. economy into a deep recession.
  The auto club AAA said Tuesday that it expects 1 million more Americans to venture at least 50 miles from home, a 1.9 percent increase over last year.
  Th
  
  Read more

• Missing 97-year-old northeast Austin man found safe

  15-11-2016 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police have found 97-year-old Ernest Hintz, who had been missing since Tuesday morning in northeast Austin.
  Officers said Hintz walked away from his home on Brushy View Cove, near the intersection of East Braker Lane and Dessau Road, at around 11:30 a.m.
  Police said he was found safe around 6:30 p.m.
  Hintz has several medical conditions that created a concern for his welfare, officers say.
  
  Read more

• 97-year-old man missing from his northeast Austin home

  15-11-2016 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are asking for your help locating 97-year-old Ernest Hintz, who was last seen Tuesday morning in northeast Austin.
  Officers say Hintz walked away from his home on Brushy View Cove, near the intersection of East Braker Lane and Dessau Road, at around 11:30 a.m.
  Hintz is described as a white male, bald with green eyes, 5-foot-5 and around 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing a teal blue shirt, khaki pants and black shoes.
  Police believe he is walking in the
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Student in custody after Cedar Park High lockdown is lifted

  15-11-2016 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cedar Park High School was on lockdown Tuesday afternoon after reports surfaced that a student had a firearm on campus.
  According to a letter school officials sent to parents, the report was false.
  Police were called to the school shortly after 1 p.m. to investigate the report. Cedar Park Police said that they had a student in custody but had not located the weapon.
  The lockdown was lifted just after 3 p.m. Leander ISD says their lockdown protocol requir
  
  Read more

• Student detained after Cedar Park High lockdown released

  15-11-2016 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cedar Park High School was on lockdown Tuesday afternoon after reports surfaced that a student had a firearm on campus.
  According to a letter school officials sent to parents, the report was false.
  Police were called to the school shortly after 1 p.m. to investigate the report. Cedar Park Police said that they had two students in custody, but had not located the weapon.  The students were later released. Investigators say they are looking into whether th
  
  Read more

• Cedar Park High School on lockdown

  15-11-2016 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cedar Park High School was on lockdown Tuesday afternoon after reports surfaced that a student had a firearm on campus.
  Police were called to the school just after 1 p.m. to investigate a report that a student had a weapon. Cedar Park Police tell KXAN that they have the student in custody but haven’t located the weapon.
  KXAN has a crew at the scene. We’ll update this story as we get additional information. 
  On Sept. 27, Georgetown High School was put o
  
  Read more

• Cedar Park High School lockdown lifted after false report of gun

  15-11-2016 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cedar Park High School was on lockdown Tuesday afternoon after reports surfaced that a student had a firearm on campus.
  According to a letter school officials sent to parents, the report was false.
  Police were called to the school shortly after 1 p.m. to investigate the report. Cedar Park Police said that they had a student in custody but had not located the weapon.
  The lockdown was lifted just after 3 p.m.
  KXAN’s Arezow Doost will have a live repo
  
  Read more

• First graders’ letters to President-elect Trump go viral

  15-11-2016 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  PORTOLA VALLEY (KRON)—Some first graders on the Peninsula are going viral for the letters they sent to President-elect Donald Trump.
  Their teacher and parents didn’t expect all the attention they’ve gotten, but they say it’s mostly been positive.
  KRON4’S Spencer Blake shows us the letters from Portola Valley.
  When you read through these letters that the first graders sent to the President-elect, it’s very interesting to see how much they’ve picked up on
  
  Read more

• SXSW announces keynote speakers for 2017

  15-11-2016 20:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For one week in Austin, music, movies, gaming and technological innovations take over the city with the annual South by Southwest festival.
  The keynote speakers for 2017 have been announced. Lee Daniels was the first speaker named in a list of eight people each with notable accomplishments.
  Lee Daniels 
  Daniels is known for his work writing, producing, directing, and philanthropy. His most notable directing accomplishment was for the 2009 movie Precious: Based on the N
  
  Read more

• Austin Energy begins repayments for incorrect tax

  15-11-2016 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy has started returning money to customers in southern Williamson County, where the utility incorrectly collected a 1 percent metro tax for years.
  Utility spokesman Robert Cullick said the returns began last week. In this first round, current customers will receive credits on their bills. By the end of the year, the utility will be returning over $220,000 to those customers, he said in an email.
  KXAN revealed the taxation problem in September. At that time, the
  
  Read more

• Man who beat girlfriend at casino sues over excessive drinks

  15-11-2016 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  EASTON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania man who spent four years in prison for beating his girlfriend at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is suing the casino for allegedly serving him too many free drinks before the assault.
  Nicholas Mullins, 31, is still on probation for the January 2012 assault. The casino contends Mullin alone is to blame for beating Caitlin Shields, of Pottsville, so badly that her brain swelled and she nearly died.
  But Mullins claims he’s the long-term victim because
  
  Read more

• Verdict coming soon for Austin doctor accused of sexually assaulting boys

  15-11-2016 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tuesday afternoon the trial of a former child psychiatrist accused of sexually assaulting his patients could be coming to a close.
  A verdict is expected as the closing arguments wrap up for the trial of Dr. Charles Fisher. He faces five felonies, including two child sexual assault charges.
  Fischer was fired from the Austin State Hospital in 2011 when the accusations surfaced. His attorneys deny the charges, saying many of Fischer’s patients suffered from “s
  
  Read more

• Former President Bush adopts puppy from Dallas animal shelter

  15-11-2016 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS, Texas (KXAN) — A trip to a Dallas animal shelter left one puppy with a new forever home with the former President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush.
  According to KXAS, the newest member of the Bush family has been named Freddy. He was rescued from the SCPA shelter.
  “Election Day, George and I went to our SPCA in town, and the little puppy called our name. So we have a new little puppy at our house,” said Mrs. Bush to KXAS. “Of course, Barney and Beasley and
  
  Read more

• Some stores opening on Thanksgiving; Many others staying closed

  15-11-2016 17:11 via kxan.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) — Best Buy, Macy’s, Kohl’s and J.C. Penney are among the stores that will open to anxious holiday shoppers on Thanksgiving Day.
  TheBlackFriday.com has a list of about 30 stores planning to open on Thursday, Nov. 24.
  In this Feb. 19, 2015, file photo, shoppers visit a J.C. Penney store in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)J.C. Penney will kick off its Black Friday sale in stores at 3 p.m. Thursday, while Old Navy and Belk stores will open at 4 p.m.
  Many oth
  
  Read more

• A Christmas Affair: Shop for the holidays while supporting a local cause

  15-11-2016 16:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Get your holiday shopping done early in one spot while making a difference in the local community.
  Leslie Moore with “A Christmas Affair” joined us in the KXAN studio to talk about this year’s extravaganza.
  The event benefits the Junior League of Austin. The organization works to alleviate hunger for 1,500 young students through the Food in Tummies (FIT) program. They also help kids stay warm through the distribution of 35,000 Coats for Kids.
  A Christmas A
  
  Read more

• Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson named this year’s Sexiest Man Alive

  15-11-2016 15:40 via kxan.com
  
  He's sweet, smart—and sculpted! Dwayne @TheRock Johnson is PEOPLE's 2016 #SexiestManAlive https://t.co/NKNM7KMFdL pic.twitter.com/Yv7gcffpKx
  — People Magazine (@people) November 15, 2016
  (MEDIA GENERAL) — He’s sweet, smart—and sculpted! Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is People Magazine’s 2016 Sexiest Man Alive.
  The reveal was made Tuesday on “Good Morning America.”People's 2016 Sexiest Man Alive: Dwayne @TheRock Johnson! pic.twitter.com/34H
  
  Read more

• Airline unveils GPS luggage tracker in time for the holidays

  15-11-2016 14:22 via kxan.com
  
  U.S. (KXAN) — After weeks of planning and packing you finally make it to the airport on time, but when you arrive at your destination you discover your luggage did not.
  This is a frustration many travelers are familiar with. To combat this issue just in time for the holiday rush, Delta Airlines is rolling out a major upgrade.
  They have created a tracking system that monitors your luggage through your journey in the sky. The moment your bag is checked, the airline will tag it with a GPS loc
  
  Read more

• Austin encouraged to reduce, reuse for National Recycling Day

  15-11-2016 14:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The smell of fermenting trash fills the air, coupled with the cacophony of garbage trucks depositing waste into Austin landfills daily. Last year 3,000 tons of recyclable materials were dumped into local landfills.
  It is National Recycling Day and organizers want you to look around your home to find items that can be recycled.
  A study looking into Austin’s trash found that 80 percent of the items collecting into mountains of discarded waste could have been recycl
  
  Read more

• Austin homelessness forum focusing on community help

  15-11-2016 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s estimated there are over 2,200 homeless people in Travis County on any given night. That number has skyrocketed just over the last year, climbing 34 percent, according to the Austin Downtown Alliance.
  On Tuesday, officials with DAA and the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) are trying a new approach to tackle the rise in homelessness during the fall forum. This years theme: A community approach to tackling homelessness.
  Officials say the people a
  
  Read more

• ‘Racist’ Mexican-American studies textbook up for debate

  15-11-2016 13:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The controversial textbook on Mexican-American Heritage studies, which is being considered by the State Board, is going before another public hearing on Tuesday.
  A final decision on whether the state will accept it is on Friday. However, the board may issue a new call for textbooks depending on the outcome of the hearing.
  The textbook is for a high school elective class, but hundreds of people have come out against the book. An independent review of the book found more than
  
  Read more

• ‘Racist’ Mexican-American studies textbook once again under review

  15-11-2016 13:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The controversial textbook on Mexican-American Heritage studies, which is being considered by the State Board, is going before another public hearing on Tuesday.
  A final decision on whether the state will accept it is on Friday. However, the board may issue a new call for textbooks depending on the outcome of the hearing.
  The textbook is for a high school elective class, but hundreds of people have come out against the book. An independent review of the book found more than
  
  Read more

• Why is Thanksgiving a Thursday in November?

  15-11-2016 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) – Holidays land on different days for different reasons. But for floating holidays, it’s always fair to wonder why those days were chosen. So why is Thanksgiving Day a random Thursday in November?
  We can for sure provide answers for one of the two facets of our question. Thanksgiving is celebrated in November because it dates back to the original Thanksgiving feast – a celebration between pilgrims and Native Americans after a successful harvest. It only makes se
  
  Read more

• A look at the surprisingly tumultuous history of the Thanksgiving holiday

  15-11-2016 12:23 via kxan.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) – There’s more to the history of Thanksgiving than the hand-traced turkeys and makeshift pilgrim hats we all made in the second grade. It’s a holiday with a surprisingly tumultuous history that wasn’t universally celebrated nationwide until deep into the 20th century.
  The first Thanksgiving
  Following a rough, deadly winter aboard the Mayflower off the Plymouth coast, the Mayflower passengers who survived the journey (roughly half) moved ashore in March 162
  
  Read more

• Hundreds expected at No Place for Hate Youth Summit

  15-11-2016 12:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hundreds of Central Texas middle school students are headed to the DKR Texas Memorial Stadium Tuesday morning. The No Place for Hate Youth Summit is expected to draw 550 7th and 8th graders from 55 Central Texas middle schools.
  The program’s goal is to have students work with their school to combat issues of bullying, bias, and stopping hateful messages. The summit is another tool to have students become leaders within their school.
  AISD has conducted this program for
  
  Read more

• Woman seriously injured after car crashes into tree in Pflugerville

  15-11-2016 09:36 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE (KXAN) — A woman is recovering at Round Rock Medical Center after she was hurt when her car hit a tree in Pflugerville Monday night.
  According to Austin-Travis County EMS, the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. on Pflugerville Parkway, just east of State Highway 130.
  It took paramedics more than 30 minutes to free the woman from the car. Austin-Travis County EMS says a Starflight helicopter took the woman to the hospital with serious injuries.
  
  Read more

• Overnight crash puts woman in hospital

  15-11-2016 09:36 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE (KXAN)- A woman is recovering at Round Rock Medical Center after she was hurt when her car hit a tree in Pflugerville Monday night. According to Austin-Travis County EMS, the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. on Pflugerville Parkway, just east of State Highway 130.
  It took paramedics more than 30 minutes to free the woman from the car. Austin-Travis County EMS says a Starflight helicopter took the woman to the hospital with serious injuries.
  
  Read more

• Longhorns dominate ULM in second game of the season, 80-59

  15-11-2016 05:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Tevin Mack powered over two defenders for a tough layup, hit the floor and picked himself up to flex his muscles and smile.
  Mack was back and so was No. 23 Texas.
  The sophomore forward scored 14 points after returning from a one-game suspension, and the Longhornsused a big second half to roll over Louisiana-Monroe 80-59 on Monday night.
  “I’m just glad we came back with a win,” Mack said. “I had a little bit of nerves, but I fought through that r
  
  Read more

• BBB warning of fake invoice mailers popping up in Austin

  15-11-2016 05:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about fake invoice mailers that are starting to pop up in Austin.
  Christine Chen runs a small business, Moth to Flame, a video production house. She recently received an invoice in the mail saying that she owned $1,188. “To say I owned this much money I was like what,” said Chen. “I started to be a little worried when they started to mention the collection agency.”
  Chen pointed out that the invoice
  
  Read more

• Six homes evacuated following Burleson Road gas leak

  15-11-2016 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A gas leak at Terrilance Drive and Burleson Road in southeast Austin has shut down Burleson and led to the evacuation of six homes.
  Texas Gas Service say a contractor put a hole in a pipe while doing work in the area around 5 p.m. Monday.
  The utility says they may be working to fix the leak until early Tuesday morning.
  KXAN will update this story when the gas leak is fixed. 
  
  Read more

• People allowed back home following Burleson Road gas leak

  15-11-2016 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People living near Terrilance Drive and Burleson Road in southeast Austin can go back home Tuesday morning after crews with Texas Gas Service shut off gas in a leaking pipe. The utility says no customers lost gas service during the leak because crews brought in a Compressed Natural Gas truck to feed gas directly to customers.
  Texas Gas Service say a contractor put a hole in a pipe while doing work in the area around 5 p.m. Monday. Crews are be working to fix the pipe early
  
  Read more

• Troopers sent to border arrest more drunk drivers than drug smugglers

  15-11-2016 04:42 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (KXAN) — When Nellie Mares and her husband moved to Rio Grande City 40 years ago, it was a place rooted in religion and filled with possibility for their children. Today, it is overrun with bail bondsmen, attorneys and an army of state troopers watching residents very closely.
  “Well, sometimes it’s good,” Nellie pondered. “Sometimes, it’s not.”
  Sitting on the couch with her son, Nickolas, 45, in the living room of their small, cind
  
  Read more

• Troopers on border arresting more drunk drivers than drug smugglers

  15-11-2016 04:42 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (KXAN) — When Nellie Mares and her husband moved to Rio Grande City 40 years ago, it was a place rooted in religion and filled with possibility for their children. Today, it is overrun with bail bondsmen, attorneys and an army of state troopers watching residents very closely.
  “Well, sometimes it’s good,” Nellie pondered. “Sometimes, it’s not.”
  Sitting on the couch with her son, Nickolas, 45, in the living room of their small, cind
  
  Read more

• Border Splurge: Texas’ billion-dollar drug war

  15-11-2016 04:41 via story.kxan.com
  
   
  APP USERS: Tap here to launch interactive experience
  RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (KXAN) – In the past decade, Texas lawmakers have funded a string of Department of Public Safety operations – in large part – to stop drug smugglers from entering the state from Mexico. But a nine-month KXAN investigation reveals very few of the arrests DPS troopers are making on the border are the bad guys they were sent to catch. In fact, most are drunk drivers. And when the worst criminals are
  
  Read more

• Despite DPS border surge, drugs still fill Texas streets

  15-11-2016 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  Gina Massingill was desperately trying to find her son. She had put out feelers online, contacting all his friends on Facebook. She was home that day, May 5, 2015, along with her daughter and husband. Together, they were searching for Dylan.
  Then a police cruiser pulled up to their home.
  “You don’t get phone calls for things like that. They just show up,” Gina said. “I knew it was the worst day of my life.”
  Gina learned her 23-year-old “magnetic,” &ldquo
  
  Read more

• A Trump administration changes what is possible for Texas lawmakers

  15-11-2016 04:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What the United States will look like under President-elect Trump is still unclear.  However, Texas GOP lawmakers already have an idea of how they want to change our state.
  Elections have consequences and state GOP leaders tell KXAN they look forward to having the Obama Justice Department off their back and a Supreme Court that favors them, after Trump says he’ll appoint a conservative.
  Monday was the first day lawmakers could file bills for the next se
  
  Read more

• Austin middle school teacher in ICU after crash near school

  15-11-2016 03:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jon Watson, a middle school teacher from Austin Discovery School, is in the Intensive Care Unit after his car was hit while he was turning onto FM 969 from the charter school where he teaches.
  “He’s in critical condition, he’s using a whiteboard to communicate and he had surgery on his pelvis. They were worried about blood in his brain for a while,” Kyle Holder, parent and school co-founder of Austin Discovery says. “It’s just pretty
  
  Read more

• Austin middle school teacher in ICU after car crash near school

  15-11-2016 03:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jon Watson, a middle school teacher from Austin Discovery School, is in the Intensive Care Unit after his car was hit as he was making a turn onto FM 969 from the charter school where he teaches.
  “He’s in critical condition, he’s using a whiteboard to communicate and he had surgery on his pelvis. They were worried about blood in his brain for a while,” Kyle Holder, parent and school co-founder of Austin Discovery says. “It’s just pre
  
  Read more

• Watchdog charges $105M going to Dell Med School lacks crucial records

  15-11-2016 03:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Community advocates came together Monday, fighting for more oversight for your money spent on health care. A city watchdog says there are no records indicating $105 million Central Health gave to UT Dell Medical School is actually going to improve healthcare for the poor.
  Healthcare advocates want Travis County commissioners to call for an independent audit of UT and Central Health to learn where the money is going. Keep in mind, it was in 2012 voters decided to i
  
  Read more

• Community advocates call for more transparency in med school spending

  15-11-2016 03:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Community advocates came together Monday, fighting for more oversight for your money spent on health care. A city watchdog says there are no records indicating $105 million Central Health gave to UT Dell Medical School is actually going to improve healthcare for the poor.
  Healthcare advocates want Travis County commissioners to call for an independent audit of UT and Central Health to learn where the money is going. Keep in mind, it was in 2012 voters decided to i
  
  Read more

• Teen who shot woman in face in 1993 released from prison early with her help

  15-11-2016 03:36 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — After decades behind bars, Ian Manuel never gave up fighting for his freedom. Today, he is a free man trying to figure out what is next.
  Manuel was just 13 when he shot Debbie Baigrie, a mother, in the face in Downtown Tampa.
  Manuel agreed to a plea deal with the hope that he would only serve a few years behind bars. However, the judge sentenced him to life.
  In 2010 the Supreme Court threw out life sentences for juveniles. M
  
  Read more

• Police: Intoxicated motorcyclist killed in I-35 crash identified

  15-11-2016 03:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A motorcyclist killed in a crash on a South Interstate 35 service road Friday evening has been identified.
  Michael Wayne Smith, 39, was riding a black Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound in the 13700 block of South I-35 when he rode off the interstate and into the grass. Smith reentered the road and went down, separating from the motorcycle and crashing at around 8:21 p.m., according to Austin police.
  Because Smith was an organ donor, he was taken to St. David’s Sou
  
  Read more

• Years of good rain, plant life drawing deer closer to roads

  15-11-2016 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People who live and drive in Central Texas, specifically Northwest Austin, are keeping a close eye on the roadways.
  “When I bike to work I always have to watch out, I’ve had a couple close calls,” said Bill Thornton.
  Thornton says he’s never seen anything like he did over the weekend in Austin’s Great Hills Trail Neighborhood. “I haven’t seen two of them dead on the side of the road, I’ve seen one before. But this area is craw
  
  Read more

• Complaints of dead deer up this week in Northwest Austin

  15-11-2016 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People who live and drive in Central Texas, specifically Northwest Austin, are keeping a close eye on the roadways.
  “When I bike to work I always have to watch out, I’ve had a couple close calls,” said Bill Thornton.
  Thornton says he’s never seen anything like he did over the weekend in Austin’s Great Hills Trail Neighborhood. “I haven’t seen two of them dead on the side of the road, I’ve seen one before. But this area is craw
  
  Read more

• Trump set to roll back Obama policies on energy, environment

  15-11-2016 02:08 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is considering an oil billionaire and a North Dakota lawmaker for top posts as he moves to roll back President Barack Obama’s environmental and energy policies and allow unfettered production of oil, coal and natural gas.
  Trump has vowed to rescind “all job-destroying Obama executive actions” and pledges to sharply increase oil and gas drilling on federal lands while opening up offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean and othe
  
  Read more

• Editor: Breitbart plans to be ‘best place for news on Trump’

  15-11-2016 01:49 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Following the installation of Breitbart’s chief executive to a top job in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, the news organization in its infancy when Barack Obama took office has big expansion plans and the goal of being the best source of news on the new administration.
  That scares its critics, which consider Breitbart News the home of cheerleaders rather than journalists — and often offensive ones at that.
  Despite the opponents, Breitbart is
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!