Austin news

• Gov. Abbott doesn’t ‘want to see’ border wall in Big Bend

  13-12-2016 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Whether Texas scales back on nearly $1 billion in border security spending or pursues a North Carolina-style transgender bathroom law will depend on what Donald Trump does in the White House, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday.
  Despite expecting Trump to build new physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, Abbott said he doesn’t want a wall cutting through some places.
  “There are serpentine regions of the Rio Grande where it would be extremely ch
  
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• Cedar Ridge High parents asked to help prevent spread of chickenpox

  13-12-2016 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Parents of Cedar Ridge High School students in Round Rock are being asked to contact their health care provider if anyone in their home has been exposed to chickenpox.
  The letter to parents went out after a case of varicella, more commonly known as chickenpox, was reported at the high school.
  Most people recover without any problems and can return to school within a week. However, If anyone in your household has a weakened immune system or is pregnant and ha
  
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• WATCH: 72-year-old grandmother smashes concrete to become black belt

  13-12-2016 22:39 via kxan.com
  
  HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA (CNN/WCMH) — Not many people can smash through concrete or snap a board with the palm of their hand, but one Halifax grandmother can.
  Hanna Fraser earned her black belt this weekend. The 72-year-old will become the third-generation black belt in her family. To qualify for her black belt test, she had to fight her own daughter, who also has a black belt.
  “I think I want to show her a good fight, I want to show her moves,” Hanna’s daughter Adelle Fraser
  
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• Longhorns open 2017 Big 12 schedule at Iowa State

  13-12-2016 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tom Herman will coach his first Big 12 game with Texas at Iowa State where he was an assistant coach from 2009 to 2011. The Big 12 released their conference schedule on Tuesday afternoon.
  For the second straight year, Texas will play nine straight weeks, after their opening week on Sept. 23. Texas will host Oklahoma State on Oct. 21, the day before the US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. The Longhorns close the season at home against Texas Tech, scheduled for Saturday
  
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• Mother on trial after son, 15, accused of killing 12-year-old

  13-12-2016 22:04 via kxan.com
  
  LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) – Opening statements began on Monday in the trial for the mother of a 15-year-old murder suspect.
  Loretta Villalobos is charged with child abuse resulting in death for not keeping a closer eye on her son, who is accused of killing 12-year-old Alex Madrid.
  “He loved to ride his bike. He loved hanging out with his other siblings,” Roxanne Madrid said of her son, Alex.
  Nearly three years ago, Alex went to hang out with friend Brandon Villalobos.
  His family n
  
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• Boy’s quick-thinking saves mother, dog from frozen lake

  13-12-2016 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  AURORA, IL (CNN/WCMH) — An Illinois boy’s quick thinking saved his mother and his dog after both fell through a frozen lake on Sunday.
  Cathy Medernach told WGN that she and her 8-year-old son Caden were walking their dog along a lake Sunday afternoon. The dog, Baily, saw some ducks on the lake and took off after them. Baily fell through the thin ice on the lake, and Cathy rushed in to save the dog.
  She grabbed a canoe, but when she swung the paddle, she hit the ice and the boat tippe
  
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• TxDOT proposes changes to help delays on FM 969

  13-12-2016 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Chrisma Samarippa’s daily routine brings her along Farm to Market 969 to take her children to school and then drive to work.
  “It’s just frustrating, all the traffic is very frustrating,” says Samarippa, who believes the daily delays are partially due to too many parents trying to access three different schools along FM 969. On average, she says it takes 15 minutes to go one mile. “You have all the parents trying to get their kids to school on t
  
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• Groom-to-be paralyzed during bachelor party

  13-12-2016 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  ATLANTA (MEDIA GENERAL) — Instead of preparing to get married, an Atlanta man is now in a Florida hospital, unable to move or breathe on this own after a terrible accident.
  Brett Greenhill and his fiancé Meg Alexander were vacationing in Naples, Florida, for their joint bachelor/bachelorette party earlier this month when Greenhill, 39, dove into the water and presumably hit a sandbar.
  Brett Greenhill and Meg Alexander (Vic Bonvicini Photography)According to WXIA in Atlanta, Greenhil
  
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• Mexican boy, 15, held after $1.1M South Texas marijuana bust

  13-12-2016 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  LOS INDIOS, Texas (AP) — Law officers in South Texas have apprehended a 15-year-old Mexican boy accused of driving a vehicle hauling more than a half-ton of smuggled marijuana.
  Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector Chief Manuel Padilla Jr. says the bust, involving drugs with an estimated street value of $1.1 million, shows how transnational criminal organizations exploit youth.
  A U.S. Customs and Border Protection statement Monday announced the Dec. 8 seizure of 1,380 pounds of marijuana.
  
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• Pflugerville Superintendent placed on administrative leave

  13-12-2016 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Superintendent in Pflugerville, Dr. Alex Torrez, has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately.
  Just last week Dr. Torrez announced his plans to resign in September 2017. On Monday night, the School Board named the Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Troy Galow, to lead the district until an interim superintendent is named.
  “This is a good time to make a change – not only for me, but also for the district, which can begin preparation for
  
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• Pflugerville ISD superintendent placed on administrative leave

  13-12-2016 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A week after announcing his resignation, the superintendent of the Pflugerville Independent School District, Dr. Alex Torres, is now on administrative leave effective immediately.
  Torrez’ original resignation said he would step down from his position in September 2017, but it seems everything is moving faster than that. On Monday night, the PISD school board named the deputy superintendent, Dr. Troy Galow, to lead the district until an interim superintend
  
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• Pflugerville’s Hawaiian Falls in limbo after missing bank payments

  13-12-2016 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The future of Pflugerville’s Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is in limbo, after its management company failed to make bank payments and now owes nearly $400,000, according to the city.
  Source Horizon LLC, the Atlanta-based private equity firm that operates the water park, hasn’t made its $132,026 monthly payment since September. The Pflugerville Community Development Corp. (PCDC), which owns the water park, has stepped in to pick up the tab, so payments on
  
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• Pflugerville Hawaiian Falls missed payments, park operation in limbo

  13-12-2016 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The future of Pflugerville’s Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is in limbo, after its management company failed to make bank payments and now owes nearly $400,000, according to the city.
  Source Horizon LLC, the Atlanta-based private equity firm that operates the city-owned water park, hasn’t made its $132,026 monthly payment since September. The Pflugerville Community Development Corp. (PCDC) has stepped in to pick up the tab, so payments on the $25 mil
  
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• Syrians trapped in Aleppo post desperate messages on social media

  13-12-2016 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  BEIRUT (MEDIA GENERAL/AP) – Reports of more killings of civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Tuesday prompted world leaders and aid agencies to issue dramatic appeals on behalf of trapped residents.
  Appeals for sparing civilian lives came late Monday night after the Syrian military announced it had taken control of 99 percent of Aleppo, signifying impending collapse to rebel’s four-year hold over parts of the city.
  Thousands of people in eastern Aleppo with no part in the violen
  
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• Constable’s son convicted of capital murder after killing 2 friends

  13-12-2016 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A local Constable’s son has been convicted of capital murder after shooting and killing two of his friends in Burnet County.
  Garrett James Ballard took LSD before killing Travis Leslie Fox, 26, and Elijah Adam Benson, 17, at his home located in the 5800 block of County Road 340 on Aug. 19, 2014. Ballard’s father, Jimmy Ballard, is the Precinct 3 Constable in Burnet County.
  In an arrest affidavit, Ballard, 23, told authorities
  
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• Convicted San Antonio hit man gets March 7 execution date

  13-12-2016 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A convicted hit man has been set for execution early next year for the 1992 slaying of a San Antonio woman.
  Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark says the prison agency has received Bexar County court documents setting 44-year-old Rolando Ruiz for lethal injection March 7.
  The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals last month lifted a reprieve it gave Ruiz in August, five days before he was scheduled for execution.
  Ruiz was condemned for collecting $2
  
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• Trump says he talked ‘life’ with Kanye West

  13-12-2016 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he and musician Kanye West talked “life” in Trump Tower.
  The two posed for photos after their meeting Tuesday.
  Asked why the musician was visiting, Trump said the two were “just friends” and called West a “good man.”
  The two did not answer questions on whether West would perform at Trump’s inauguration in January.
  West stood silently next to Trump. Asked why he wasn’t speaking, West sai
  
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• Kanye West and Donald Trump meet, talk about ‘life’

  13-12-2016 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A newly blond Kanye West visited Donald Trump on Tuesday, and Trump said later they talked about “life.”
  West stood silently next to the president-elect for photos in the lobby of Trump Tower after their meeting. Asked why he wasn’t speaking, West said, “I just want to take a picture right now.”Trump said he and West were “just friends” and called the musician a “good man.” He said they discussed “life.” The
  
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• Panel discussing Texas kids not ready for kindergarten

  13-12-2016 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A panel discussion hosted by E3 Alliance says Texas kids are not as ready as they should be for kindergarten.
  Dr. Amy Wiseman and Laura Koenig, E3 Alliance Director of School Readiness, joined us in the KXAN studio to discuss school readiness.
  “We measure school readiness holistically, really looking at the foundational skills that children need in order to explore and learn at school,” said Koenig. “So things like understanding and expressing language, be
  
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• Assistant Austin Chief of Police finalist for Waco Police Chief

  13-12-2016 15:32 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (KXAN) — Three finalists have been named for the City of Waco’s Police Chief and among them is Austin’s Assistant Chief of Police, Troy G. Gay.
  The search for the new head of the Waco Police Department started after Police Chief Brent Stroman retired after nine years on the job. Stroman has worked with Waco police for 39 years.
  Ryan Holt, finalist for Waco Police ChiefFrom 83 applicants, Troy G. Gay, Ryan E. Holt, and Robert S. Lanning made the final cut. Gay began
  
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• Assistant Austin Chief of Police finalist for City of Waco Police Chief

  13-12-2016 15:32 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (KXAN) — Three finalists have been named for the City of Waco’s Police Chief and among them is Austin’s Assistant Chief of Police, Troy G. Gay.
  The search for the new head of the Waco Police Department started after Police Chief Brent Stroman retired after nine years on the job. Stroman has worked with Waco police for 39 years.
  From 83 applicants, Troy G. Gay, Ryan E. Holt, and Robert S. Lanning made the final cut. Gay began his career with the Waco Police Departmen
  
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• Lawsuit: Texas rules over fetal remains designed to shame women

  13-12-2016 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed a lawsuit in Austin to prevent the state from requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains.
  The suit says the rule is designed to shame women who want an abortion and the doctors who provide them. The state plans to implement the new regulations starting on Dec. 19.
  The center and other groups say the regulations serve no medical purpose. The rules would prohibit facilities from disposing of fetal remains as biological medical
  
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• Lawsuit: Texas rule over fetal remains designed to shame women

  13-12-2016 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed a lawsuit in Austin to prevent the state from requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains.
  The suit says the rule is designed to shame women who want an abortion and the doctors who provide them. The state plans to implement the new regulations starting on Dec. 19.
  The center and other groups say the regulations serve no medical purpose. The rules would prohibit facilities from disposing of fetal remains as biological medical
  
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• Lawsuit filed by Reproductive Rights in Austin over fetal remains

  13-12-2016 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed a lawsuit in Austin to prevent the state from requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains.
  The suit says the rule is designed to shame women who want an abortion and the doctors who provide them. The state plans to implement the new regulations starting on Dec. 19.
  The center and other groups say the regulations serve no medical purpose. The rules would prohibit facilities from disposing of fetal remains as biological medical
  
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• UN says 37,000 have been counted fleeing Aleppo

  13-12-2016 13:31 via kxan.com
  
  BEIRUT (AP) — The U.N. humanitarian aid agency says its partners in Syria have recorded about 37,000 people who have fled eastern Aleppo amid the latest advance of pro-government forces, but that thousands of others have not been counted.
  Spokesman Jens Laerke of OCHA on Tuesday decried the “complete meltdown of humanity” in Aleppo, and said that untold thousands are believed to remain behind in shrinking areas held by rebel fighters.
  Laerke said in Geneva that his office
  
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• Rick Perry picked to lead agency he forgot he wanted to eliminate

  13-12-2016 13:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rex Tillerson isn’t the only Texas native being tapped for Donald Trump’s Cabinet. The Associated Press is reporting that former Texas Governor Rick Perry has been picked for the head of the Energy Department.
  Perry was extremely critical of Trump during the primaries; even calling Trump himself a “barking carnival act.” However, as it became clearer that Trump would likely win the Republican nomination, Perry backed off from his criti
  
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• Rick Perry picked for head of Energy Dept.

  13-12-2016 13:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rex Tillerson isn’t the only Texas native being tapped for Donald Trump’s Cabinet. The Associated Press is reporting that former Texas Governor Rick Perry has been picked for the head of the Energy Department.
  Perry was extremely critical of Trump during the primaries; even calling Trump himself a “barking carnival act.” However, as it became clearer that Trump would likely win the Republican nomination, Perry backed off from his criti
  
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• Rick Perry expected to be picked by Trump as head of Energy Dept.

  13-12-2016 13:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rex Tillerson isn’t the only Texas native being tapped for Donald Trump’s Cabinet. New reports from NBC overnight suggest former Texas Governor Rick Perry will be picked for the head of the Energy Department.
  Perry was extremely critical of Trump during the primaries; even calling Trump himself a “barking carnival act.” However, as it became clearer that Trump would likely win the republican nomination, Perry backed off from his criticism a
  
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• Rick Perry expected to be picked as head of Energy Dept.

  13-12-2016 13:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rex Tillerson isn’t the only Texas native being tapped for Donald Trump’s Cabinet. New reports from NBC overnight suggest former Texas Governor Rick Perry will be picked for the head of the Energy Department.
  Perry was extremely critical of Trump during the primaries; even calling Trump himself a “barking carnival act.” However, as it became clearer that Trump would likely win the republican nomination, Perry backed off from his criticism a
  
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• Suspect in 1983 Austin murder added to FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list

  13-12-2016 12:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man who has been on the run for decades after being identified as a suspect in a 1983 murder case is now being added to the Federal Bureau of Investigations 10 Most Wanted Fugitive list. Authorities are also offering a $100,000 reward for anyone who knows the location of Robert Francis Van Wisse.
  Wisse, 51, is accused of murdering 22-year-old Laurie Stout on Sept. 20, 1983. Stout, who was working as a late-night janitor, was found dead around 8:30 a.m. inside a me
  
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• Major development expected in Austin FBI’s Most Wanted list

  13-12-2016 12:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An announcement is expected on Tuesday for an Austin-based investigation into the FBI’s top ten Most Wanted Fugitive Program. 
  Several agencies are joining forces including the FBI, Austin Police Department, U.S. Marshals, Department of Public Safety and the Travis County District Attorney.
  Two of the people on the FBI’s top ten list have Texas ties. Eduardo Ravelo is wanted on several charges, including drugs, money laundering and racketeering.
  The other m
  
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• FBI partnering with Austin police looking for top 10 Most Wanted

  13-12-2016 12:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An announcement is expected on Tuesday for an Austin-based investigation into the FBI’s top ten Most Wanted Fugitive Program. 
  Several agencies are joining forces including the FBI, Austin Police Department, U.S. Marshals, Department of Public Safety and the Travis County District Attorney.
  Two of the people on the FBI’s top ten list have Texas ties. Eduardo Ravelo is wanted on several charges, including drugs, money laundering and racketeering.
  The other m
  
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• FBI in Austin looking for Texans on top 10 Most Wanted list

  13-12-2016 12:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An announcement is expected on Tuesday for an Austin-based investigation into the FBI’s top ten Most Wanted Fugitive Program. 
  Several agencies are joining forces including the FBI, Austin Police Department, U.S. Marshals, Department of Public Safety and the Travis County District Attorney.
  Two of the people on the FBI’s top ten list have Texas ties. Eduardo Ravelo is wanted on several charges, including drugs, money laundering and racketeering.
  The other m
  
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• 1983 Austin murder suspect added to FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list

  13-12-2016 12:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man who has been on the run for decades after being identified as a suspect in a 1983 murder case is now being added to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive list. Authorities are also offering a $100,000 reward for anyone who knows where Robert Francis Van Wisse is.
  Wisse, 51, is accused of murdering 22-year-old Laurie Stout on Sept. 20, 1983. Stout, who was working as a late-night janitor, was found dead around 8:30 a.m. inside a
  
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• UT grad Rex Tillerson picked to lead State Department

  13-12-2016 12:09 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, hailing him as “among the most accomplished business leaders and international deal makers in the world.”
  In a release from his transition headquarters in New York, Trump calls Tillerson’s career “the embodiment of the American dream.”
  He says Tillerson rose through the ranks “through hard work, dedication and smart deal mak
  
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• Trump picks Rex Tillerson to lead State Department

  13-12-2016 12:09 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, hailing him as “among the most accomplished business leaders and international deal makers in the world.”
  In a release from his transition headquarters in New York, Trump calls Tillerson’s career “the embodiment of the American dream.”
  He says Tillerson rose through the ranks “through hard work, dedication and smart deal mak
  
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• New analysts undergoing training to fix APD DNA lab mess

  13-12-2016 11:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County Commissioners will learn new details on Tuesday about the growing problem of what to do with Austin Police’s DNA lab and the thousands of cases now in question.
  KXAN has learned the county will continue to train two new analysts, Elizabeth Rahman and Alejandra Gill to sort out the catastrophic problems with Austin’s DNA lab. The current experts staffed at the lab have fallen prey to numerous challenges, which has impacted their work confidence, acc
  
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• Experts wanted to unravel APD DNA lab mess

  13-12-2016 11:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County Commissioners will learn new details on Tuesday about the growing problem of what to do with Austin Police’s DNA lab and the thousands of cases now in question.
  KXAN has learned the county wants to hire three experts to help sort out this matter, but city staff says they can’t find any experts. Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt says the county wants to hire a look back expert with scientific expertise to look at the credibility of the procedures a
  
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• More than 900 merchants taking part in Free Shipping Day

  13-12-2016 10:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN/NBC)- Free Shipping Day is Friday, December 16. The website says more than 900 merchants are taking part in the program including Walmart, Cabela’s and Barnes & Noble. The program promises delivery by Christmas Eve and does not require a minimum purchase.
  
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• Controversial Austin Oaks PUD heads to city council

  13-12-2016 05:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than two years after Austin Oaks, a planned unit development in Northwest Austin was first proposed, the project is set to go before City Council. From the beginning, the biggest concerns have been the mixed-use development’s density, impact on traffic, schools, trees and building height.
  Work and compromise between the Northwest Austin Civic Association developer, Spire, have come a long way but concerns persist. Consider this: In August 2014, shortly
  
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• Surf park outside Austin won’t reopen anytime soon

  13-12-2016 05:08 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — The 14-acre surf park just outside of Austin will not reopen anytime soon, after damage under their lagoon caused them to close on Oct. 31.
  NLand Surf Park, which opened Oct. 7 following a round of legal delays, was forced to drain their lagoon to make the needed repairs. Neighbors said the drained water flooded nearby streets. “It was full of water, I couldn’t even walk through here,” said Patricia Garcia, referring to her driveway.
  “
  
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• 5 year old girl with Microcephaly shines while breaking barriers

  13-12-2016 05:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When an Austin family learned their baby girl had Microcephaly, doctors braced them for a future of limitations.
  It’s a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected, because their brain didn’t develop properly during pregnancy. Doctors believe in this case it was genetic.
  Shelley and Joey Berger were warned babies with microcephaly can have a range of others problems, like seizures, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities and hearing a
  
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• Strong moves to South Florida, Applewhite picked by Houston

  13-12-2016 04:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Chris Tavarez and Andrew Schnitker join Roger Wallace on More than the Score to discuss Strong’s move to South Florida and Major Applewhite’s new job at Houston.
  
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• Retiring Police Monitor Margo Frasier calls for more transparency

  13-12-2016 04:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin’s outgoing police monitor is calling on her successor to push for immediate release of police video and audio to family members of police shooting victims.
  “I’ve had conversations with family members of people who have been involved in officer-involved shootings. They just want somebody to explain to them why. They way they usually get their explanation is they sue the city, the police department and there’s a deposition… (of the office
  
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• Police Monitor Margo Frasier will retire at the end of the year

  13-12-2016 04:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Monitor Margo Frasier is retiring effective Dec. 31.
  Frasier started in criminal justice in the early 1970s and served as Travis county’s first female sheriff.
  She’s been the Austin police monitor since 2011, often seen at the investigations of high-profile shooting incidents involving officers. The Office of the Police Monitor in Austin describes itself as “the vehicle for citizens to voice and file complaints against APD officers.
  
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• APD gives 40 bikes, 30 iPods to abused and neglected kids

  13-12-2016 04:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Austin police officers are helping make the holidays special for children who have been abused and neglected.
  APD’s Blue Guardian Program gave nearly 40 bikes and 30 iPods to children at the Helping Hand Home for Children. It all started as a “labor of love” by retired Assistant Chief Jessica Robledo.
  “If we can help them now, then we are not running after them and putting them in jail later,” she said.
  Chris Janawicz, director of res
  
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• New Round Rock fire chief sworn in

  13-12-2016 03:46 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK (KXAN) –  The new Round Rock fire chief was sworn in on Monday.
  Robert Isbell, most recently the chief in Midland, joins the department as two new stations are opening. One station is located along AW Grimes, the other in Forest Creek.
  Isbell replaces David Coatney who resigned in June to take the chief’s job in Dallas.
  The department has also rolled out a new digital dispatching system. That means an automated system dispatches firefighters while dispatcher
  
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• One dead in Bastrop County crash on SH 304

  13-12-2016 03:45 via kxan.com
  
  ROSANKY, Texas (KXAN) — A person has died in a crash between three vehicles on State Highway 304 in Rosanky.
  Drivers are being asked by the Texas Department of Transportation to consider other routes. Bastrop County ESD 1 recommends taking SH 95 or FM 20 to Highway 90.
  Find detours with the KXAN Traffic Map
  DPS troopers are at the scene of the crash that happened around 6:52 p.m.
  
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• Texas oil titan named as Trump’s pick for secretary of state

  13-12-2016 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — Exxon CEO and longtime Texan Rex Tillerson has been picked for secretary of state by President-elect Donald Trump, according to Associated Press sources.
   Tillerson was born in Wichita Falls and has been the head of the Texas-based oil company since 2006.
  “He’s much more than a business executive,” Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday. “I mean, he’s a world-class player. He’s in charge of, I guess the lar
  
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• Transgender Dripping Springs student gets support from parents, petition

  13-12-2016 03:23 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Dozens of Dripping Springs ISD parents are showing their support for a transgender child at Walnut Springs Elementary School.
  They turned in a petition with 500 signatures on Monday supporting the school board’s decision to continue to let the child who was born as a boy, but identifies as a girl, to use the girl’s bathroom. Parents say it only took 48 hours to get hundreds to sign the petition.
  “[The] professional lobbyist couldn&rsq
  
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