Austin news

• Proposed bill would make Texas schools out LGBTQ students, critics say

  28-11-2016 23:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — A proposed bill in Texas is already stirring up a lot of controversy. Critics argue the bill, which was filed several days after the November election, would force schools to out LGBTQ student to their parents.
  Senate Bill 242 would give parents in Texas full access to all written records held by school districts regarding their child’s “general physical, psychological or emotional well-being,” and if the school doesn’t comply, the bill says that
  
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• Officer who stopped OSU stabbing attack credited as hero

  28-11-2016 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS (WCMH) — OSU officials say Alan Horujko shot and killed Abdul Razak Ali Artan this morning on the Ohio State campus, ending an attack that injured 11 people.
  Officer Horujko is credited with stopping the stabbing attack on campus Monday morning within a minute of it being reported.
  Officer Horujko is a Cincinnati native who joined the OSU Police Department in January of 2015.
  He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in security a
  
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• Drivers shaken up after deadly crash on US 290 in Paige

  28-11-2016 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) – US Highway 290 in Paige is open again after a deadly crash, but some drivers are still shaken up.
  Davina Davis said she worries that there is no median and hardly any lights. She travels with her family often and said even getting out of a nearby gas station is tough, “This little crossover right here… not that safe either, because you’re dodging traffic coming this way and traffic coming off that hill from Giddings.”
  Davis also pointed o
  
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• Vista Ridge student faces arson charge

  28-11-2016 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — A 17-year-old Vista Ridge High School student is facing an Arson charge after police say she set fire a toilet paper dispenser in the girls bathroom.
  The school’s Assistant Principal called police after he went into the bathroom and saw burnt toilet paper in on of the stalls, some of it wedged into the dispenser.
  Briana Wallick was booked into the Williamson County Jail Friday. She was being held in lieu of $5,000 bond according to jail records.
  According t
  
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• State rep. opposes DSISD inclusive transgender bathroom decision

  28-11-2016 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Three months after the issue became the big focus in a small Central Texas city, a group of parents and a Christian conservative group are continuing to make it clear they do not like the decision made by the Dripping Springs Independent School District involving a transgender student.
  According to parents, a third grader at Walnut Springs Elementary born as a boy, but who identifies as a girl, has been allowed to use the girls bathroom since the
  
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• State rep. opposes DSISD decision to let ‘boys go into girls’ bathrooms’

  28-11-2016 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A group of parents and a Christian conservative group are continuing to make it clear they do not like the decision made by the Dripping Springs Independent School District involving a transgender student.
  According to parents, a third grader at Walnut Springs Elementary born as a boy, but who identifies as a girl, has been allowed to use the girls bathroom since the beginning of this school year.
  State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, will b
  
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• Dakota Access pipeline protesters told to leave by Dec. 5

  28-11-2016 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has set an early December deadline for American Indians and others to leave an encampment in North Dakota where they’ve been entrenched for months protesting the Dakota Access pipeline. Tribes including the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux are fighting the Dakota Access project because they fear it will harm drinking water and cultural sites. Texas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners says the 1,200-mile pipeli
  
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• 150-acre grass fire near Kyle contained, evacuees can return home

  28-11-2016 21:51 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Multiple fire departments were fighting a large grass fire east of Kyle, Monday afternoon. At around 4 p.m., officials said the fire is contained and evacuees can return home.
  A shed was fully engulfed in the fire that started at 1:31 p.m. There are no reports of injuries. The sheriff’s office evacuated several homes near the fire. Evacuees needing a place to wait were asked to go to Science Hall Elementary School Gym on Bebee R
  
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• Delta bans rude pro-Trump passenger for life, gives refunds

  28-11-2016 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Delta Air Lines is banning for life a passenger who rudely professed his support for Republican President-elect Donald Trump and insulted those who didn’t on a flight to Pennsylvania.
  CEO Edward Bastian says in an internal memo dated Monday that the airline is also refunding the cost of tickets for other passengers on the Nov. 22 flight from Atlanta to Allentown.
  A video posted on Facebook by a passenger shows a man standing in the aisle, yelling and insulting s
  
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• Woman infected by Zika is the first locally transmitted case in Texas

  28-11-2016 21:09 via kxan.com
  
  CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The first case of Zika virus transmitted locally by a mosquito in Texas was announced by the Department of State Health Services and Cameron County on Monday.
  The patient is a Cameron County resident who is not pregnant and who was confirmed as infected in a lab test last week. The woman told officials she has not recently traveled to Mexico or anywhere else with ongoing Zika virus transmission.
  A test found that while the virus was in the patient’s uri
  
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• Texas Republican elector resigns rather than vote for Trump

  28-11-2016 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Republican member of the Electoral College from Texas says he’s resigning rather than casting one of the state’s 38 electoral votes for Donald Trump.
  Art Sisneros previously told The Associated Press that he was wavering on supporting Trump because the Republican “is not biblically qualified for office.”
  In a lengthy weekend blog post, Sisneros wrote “the best option I see at this time is to resign my position as an elector.”
  &ldqu
  
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• 1 dead after shots fired into South Texas H-E-B

  28-11-2016 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  PALMVIEW, Texas (AP) — South Texas authorities say a man has been arrested after one person was killed and three were injured when shots were fired through a grocery store break room window from the outside.
  Palmview police Chief Christopher Barerra says the shooting at the HEB happened at about 3:30 a.m. Monday. He says the suspect fled, then called 911 to confess. Barrera says the suspect surrendered outside of his home at about 4:30 a.m.
  Barrera says that two of the injured were in crit
  
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• 1 dead after shots fired into South Texas grocery store

  28-11-2016 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  PALMVIEW, Texas (AP) — South Texas authorities say a man has been arrested after one person was killed and three were injured when shots were fired through a grocery store break room window from the outside.
  Palmview police Chief Christopher Barerra says the shooting at the HEB happened at about 3:30 a.m. Monday. He says the suspect fled, then called 911 to confess. Barrera says the suspect surrendered outside of his home at about 4:30 a.m.
  Barrera says that two of the injured were in crit
  
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• 5,000 fish in ice at Japan skating rink sparks uproar

  28-11-2016 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  TOKYO (AP) — An amusement park in western Japan sparked an uproar after it displayed about 5,000 dead fish in the ice at a skating rink, forcing the park to close the attraction.
  Space World received a flood of criticism on social media after opening the rink on Nov. 12. It was closed Sunday.
  About 25 different kinds of fish could be seen under the 250-meter (820-foot) -long ice circuit. The park in the city of Kitakyushu opened the “Ice Aquarium” as an “attraction never
  
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• Round Rock robbery suspect punches employee, customer in the face

  28-11-2016 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A convenience store employee was greeted by a punch in the face as a robbery suspect entered a Wag A Bag store on 1200 South Interstate 35, in Round Rock on Nov. 25.
  The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Breylin Douglas Deshaun Mitchell. According to police, Mitchell entered the store around 3:21 p.m. He punched a female employee who was standing by the door, injuring her nose and forehead.
  Mitchell then walked over the counter and said he needed to buy
  
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• Quan Cosby talks UT’s new coach Tom Herman

  28-11-2016 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  “Longhorn football has been – and always will be – a national power, winning and playing for national championships with great pride and passion, supported by an unbelievable fan base,” said Tom Herman, the new head coach for the University of Texas football team.
  Quan Cosby, a former wide-receiver for UT from 2005 through 2008, joined us in the KXAN studio to give an in-depth look at what a new coach means for the team.
  “From a player&rs
  
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• Suspect in Ohio State attack identified

  28-11-2016 16:37 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (KXAN/AP) — Authorities are now saying nine people were injured at Ohio State University when an attacker purposely drove over a curb and into pedestrians and then got out of the vehicle and began stabbing people with a butcher knife.
  Ohio State Police Chief Craig Stone says eight of the victims are in stable condition and one victim is in critical condition after the attack Monday. Authorities said two people had been stabbed, four people had been hurt by a car and two othe
  
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• 8 hurt, suspect dead in shooting on Ohio State campus

  28-11-2016 16:37 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (KXAN) — A suspected gunman is dead and at least eight people have been taken to Columbus, Ohio area hospitals following a reported active shooter on the Ohio State University campus according to our sister station, WCMH, in Columbus.
  An alert was issued for an active shooter on campus about 9:56 a.m. ET. The alert said, “Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.”
  At least eight people were taken to the hospi
  
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• 8 hurt, suspect dead in attack on Ohio State campus

  28-11-2016 16:37 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (KXAN/AP) — Authorities are now saying nine people were injured at Ohio State University when an attacker purposely drove over a curb and into pedestrians and then got out of the vehicle and began stabbing people with a butcher knife.
  Ohio State Police Chief Craig Stone says eight of the victims are in stable condition and one victim is in critical condition after the attack Monday. Authorities said two people had been stabbed, four people had been hurt by a car and two othe
  
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• Two people die in crash closing SH 71 near Spicewood

  28-11-2016 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people have been pronounced dead at the scene of a crash on SH 71. All lanes of the road are closed while police are investigating.
  The crash is on Fall Creek Estates Drive, south of Spicewood. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office says a semi-truck was involved.
  STARFlight is on the way. There are reports of two other people who were injured in the crash.
  We are working to get more information.
  
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• Two dead in SH 71 crash near Spicewood

  28-11-2016 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — All lanes of State Highway 71 are closed near Spicewood while police investigate a crash that left two people dead and two injured Monday morning.
  The crash, at Fall Creek Estates Drive and 71, south of Spicewood, has 71 closed from County Road 413 to Paleface Ranch Road.
  The Travis County Sheriff’s Office says the crash was head-on and involved a semi-truck.
  Austin/Travis County EMS says one of the injured victims was taken to UCMB in critical condition. The sec
  
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• ‘Reckless’ driver causes chain-reaction crash killing two on SH 71

  28-11-2016 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A crash on State Highway 71 near Spicewood resulted in the death of a Lake Travis High School senior and his mother, Monday morning.
  The Travis County Sheriff’s Office says the crash at around 8 a.m. involved two passenger vehicles and a semi-truck.
  Santiago Vega, 17, killed in a crash with his mother on SH 71 near Spicewood the morning of Nov. 28, 2016 (Lake Travis High School Photo)Santiago Vega, 17, and his mother Cynthia Vega, 46, were identified by Lake Travis Hi
  
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• Lake Travis High student, mother killed in SH 71 crash near Spicewood

  28-11-2016 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A crash on State Highway 71 near Spicewood resulted in the death of a Lake Travis High School senior and his mother, Monday morning.
  All lanes of State Highway 71 have reopened after the crash that also left two injured. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office says the crash at around 8 a.m. was head-on and involved a semi-truck.
  Santiago Vega, 17, killed in a crash with his mother on SH 71 near Spicewood the morning of Nov. 28, 2016 (Lake Travis High School Photo)Santiago
  
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• Operation Blue Santa asks community to give back for the holidays

  28-11-2016 15:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department will once again hand out toys and food to families in need as a part of Operation Blue Santa.
  The toy drive started back in 1972 by two police officers who realized some families in Austin would not have food or gifts to give their children for Christmas. Retired Austin Police Detective Mike Sheffield and Santa’s helper Monique Romero-Green, with Austin Super-Shuttle, joined us in the KXAN studio with details on how you can help.
  Blue Sant
  
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• US 290 shut down after crash in Paige between semi-trucks

  28-11-2016 13:34 via kxan.com
  
  PAIGE, Texas (KXAN) — A crash between two 18-wheelers has shut down both directions of US Highway 290 in Paige, Texas, east of FM 2104.
  KXAN Traffic: Detours
  The Department of Public Safety was notified about the crash around 5:19 a.m.  Two semi-trucks were involved in the head-on-collision between Giddings and Paige, according to DPS.
  We are working to get more information. It is unclear how many people were injured in the crash.
  A KXAN crew is on the way to the scene. 
  
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• Person dies in crash involving 2 semi-trucks on US 290

  28-11-2016 13:34 via kxan.com
  
  PAIGE, Texas (KXAN) — A crash between two 18-wheelers killed one person on US Highway 290 in Paige, Texas, east of FM 2104.
  KXAN Traffic: Detours
  The westbound lanes of US 290 are back open after the roadway was shutdown for three hours. The Department of Public Safety was notified about the crash around 5:19 a.m.  Two semi-trucks were involved in the head-on-collision between Giddings and Paige, according to DPS.
  One of the semi-trucks was a Ryder freight-liner carrying seafood.
  
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• One dead as semis collide on US 290

  28-11-2016 13:34 via kxan.com
  
  PAIGE, Texas (KXAN) — A crash between two 18-wheelers killed one person on US Highway 290 in Paige, Texas, east of FM 2104.
  All lanes of US 290 are back open after parts of the road were shutdown for six hours. The Department of Public Safety was notified about the crash around 5:19 a.m. Two semi-trucks were involved in the head-on collision between Giddings and Paige, according to DPS.
  One of the semi-trucks was a Ryder freight-liner carrying seafood. The other was a Peterbilt Towing
  
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• One dead as semi, box truck collide on US 290

  28-11-2016 13:34 via kxan.com
  
  PAIGE, Texas (KXAN) — A crash between a semi and a box truck killed one man on US Highway 290 in Paige, Texas, east of FM 2104.
  All lanes of US 290 are back open after the road was shutdown for six hours while crews worked to clear the massive amount of debris left behind. The Department of Public Safety was notified about the crash around 5:19 a.m. The two trucks were in a head-on collision between Giddings and Paige, according to DPS.
  One of the trucks was a Ryder freight-
  
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• Wisconsin officials to set timeline for recount

  28-11-2016 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) —  Wisconsin election officials are expected to meet Monday to discuss a possible timeline for a recount of the state’s presidential election.
  The recount comes at the request of Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who says it’s important to determine whether hacking may have affected the results. Stein says she also plans to request recounts in Pennsylvania and Michigan.
  President-elect Donald Trump narrowly won Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and has a small lea
  
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• Free Fun in Austin for week of November 28

  28-11-2016 13:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here are some ideas from Free Fun in Austin that won’t cost you a dime.
  Mozart’s Christmas Light Show – Monday, November 28 – Friday, December 2 from 6:00 p.m. – close. Enjoy a free musical Christmas light show! The show plays at the top of each hour, starting at 6 p.m. FREE! Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin.
  The Driskill Tree Lighting – Tuesday, November 29 at 6:00 p.m.&nbs
  
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• Tribute will honor San Antonio officer killed while writing ticket

  28-11-2016 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — Hundreds of people are expected to pay tribute on Monday for the San Antonio Police detective killed outside police headquarters.
  Detective Benjamin Marconi’s funeral is open to everyone. It is being held at the Community Bible Church in San Antonio.
  Marconi was a 20-year veteran of the department. He was working overtime last week and writing a ticket to a driver when a man came up to his patrol car. The suspect walked over to the officer’s win
  
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• Tribute honors San Antonio officer killed while writing ticket

  28-11-2016 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — Hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute on Monday for the San Antonio Police detective killed outside police headquarters.
  Detective Benjamin Marconi’s funeral was open to everyone. It was held at the Community Bible Church in San Antonio.
  Marconi was a 20-year veteran of the department. He was working overtime last week and writing a ticket to a driver when a man came up to his patrol car. The suspect walked over to the officer’s window
  
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• Young girl treated for hypothermia after falling into Lady Bird Lake

  28-11-2016 12:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  A young girl is expected to be okay after falling into Lady Bird Lake on Sunday.
  Emergency crews say they had to treat her for hypothermia after the canoe she was in tipped over around 4 p.m. Someone nearby was able to pull her out of the water.
  KXAN Unsolved: The Mysteries Lurking in Lake Travis
  The last time a person reportedly died in Lady Bird Lake was in October when a man’s body was found floating in the lake. The body was identified as 25-year-old Er
  
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• Smaller TNCs struggle to fill gap in accessibility after Uber, Lyft leave

  28-11-2016 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Many ridesharing companies are not complying with the TNC ordinance Austin voters approved in May. TNC’s operating in Austin are required to be accessible for people with disabilities and had specific benchmarks to meet. Some disability advocates are feeling left out after those benchmarks were not met.
  Boone Blocker has been fighting for accessible options in Austin for more than a decade. Most of the time he takes the bus. Before Proposition One, he u
  
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• $421 million Powerball ticket sold in Lafayette

  28-11-2016 02:16 via kxan.com
  
  LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (WKRN)- A winning Powerball ticket worth $420.9 million was sold in Lafayette, lottery officials said Sunday.
  The winning ticket in Saturday’s drawing matched all six Powerball numbers. It was the 200th ticket sold by the Tennessee Lottery worth $1 million or more.
  The winning numbers selected were 17, 19, 21, 37, 44, with the Powerball 16.
  The jackpot soared to a reported $420.9 million on Saturday due to last-minute ticket-buying.
  The prize is paid out over 30 years, wit
  
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• Swedish Christmas goat burns on 50th anniversary

  28-11-2016 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s Christmas Goat — a giant decorative goat made of straw and wood — didn’t last long on its 50th anniversary.
  The straw goat, an annual Yuletide tradition in the city of Gavle since 1966, went up in flames just hours after it was inaugurated on Sunday.
  Arsonists just cannot stay away from the giant decoration, which seldom survives the season without someone trying to burn it down.
  The local newspaper Gefle Dagblad said it was set on fire lat
  
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