Austin news

• Family walks from Houston to Austin to spread message of hope

  23-12-2016 23:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Seven days and 140 miles later, Houstonian Michael Egdorf, along with his two sons, Cameron and Benjamin, finished their walking mission to help the homeless at the state capitol.
  This is the fourth year Egdorf has walked from Houston to Austin with a wooden cross on his back. The cross reads horizontally, “Walk By Faith” and vertically “Not By Words.”
  “We’re out there just to spread hope this time of year and remind people abou
  
  Read more

• Video: Boy dangling from ski lift rescued

  23-12-2016 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  SUNDANCE, UT (WCMH) — Frightening moments for a young boy skiing at Sundace Resort in Utah when he got stuck in the chair lift.
  Video shows the boy hanging from a chair lift after his backpack got hung up on the chair. The ski lift operator quickly shut down the lift once the boy slid off the chair, KSTU-TV reports.
  Phil Warner witnessed the entire incident.
  “I was just afraid that he was going to keep kicking and fall and then do some damage, break his leg or something,” Warne
  
  Read more

• 17-year-old dies in crash on SH 71, friend arrested

  23-12-2016 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 20-year-old accused of crashing his car and killing one of his passengers is facing charges.
  Austin police say on Sunday, Dec. 18 around 3:40 a.m., Franklyn Montes De Oca was driving eastbound on W. State Highway 71 in the Oak Hill area when he drove off the road and hit a tree. De Oca had two passengers with him in the car.
  After the crash, De Oca and one of his passengers ran away from the scene, but 17-year-old Caden Nieneker died at the scene. Police say De
  
  Read more

• Reports: Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher has massive heart attack

  23-12-2016 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Online reports say Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher suffered a massive heart attack while flying from London to LAX Friday morning.
  TMZ sources report Fisher, famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia, went into cardiac arrest around 11:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the plane was set to land in Los Angeles. People on board were said to be administering CPR.
  After the plane landed, sources say Fisher was rushed to a nearby hospital.
  Sources told NBC News that her condi
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Man killed in crash on W. Ben White Boulevard identified

  23-12-2016 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man who died after crashing his car on West Ben White Boulevard Wednesday morning has been identified.
  Police say 36-year-old Kyle Jared Bishop was driving eastbound on the highway when he left the road and struck a concrete pillar near South Congress Avenue. Bishop died at the scene.
  Impairment is suspected but police are still waiting on toxicology results to determine if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
   
  
  Read more

• Houston rapper Paul Wall arrested

  23-12-2016 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP/KXAN) — Two Houston rappers are facing felony drug-related charges after being part of a group of 10 people arrested by police.
  According to court documents, 35-year-old Paul Michael Slayton, known to his fans as Paul Wall, was arrested Friday in Houston along with fellow rapper Ronald Bryant, known as Baby Bash. The two were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity for possessing a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
  TMZ reports the two were among 10 total
  
  Read more

• Boy’s reaction to being adopted by ‘forever family’ goes viral

  23-12-2016 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  PHOENIX, Az. (CNN) – A three-year-old’s joy after being adopted went viral this week when the little boy’s new big sister tweeted a photo of his reaction.
  Until two days ago, Michael Brown was a foster child.  On Dec. 20, Tara Montgomery and her three girls officially adopted him after he was in the foster care system for 832 days.
  Montgomery says the adoption was meant to be.
  Dozens of Central Texas children get forever families at adoption day
  “My children’s
  
  Read more

• Rockettes dancer “embarrassed, disappointed” to perform at inauguration

  23-12-2016 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The Radio City Rockettes will be dancing at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next month but not everyone is kicking up their heels at the booking.
  One of the famed dancers took to Instagram to say she was “embarrassed and disappointed” by the gig, triggering calls for a boycott by some on social media. Critics have posted the phone numbers of the dancers’ union and the Rockette’s employer to urge complaints.
  But Madison Square Garden
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Humanists call for removal of nativity scene at Fayette Co. courthouse

  23-12-2016 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  LA GRANGE, Texas (KXAN) — The American Humanist Association is calling for the removal of a nativity scene display at the Fayette County Courthouse calling it an “unconstitutional endorsement of Christianity.”
  The display was purchased by the county three years ago and has made an appearance during the holiday season ever since. The Humanists claim the nativity scene was bought with tax payers money and a blatant endorsement of Christianity.
  “The Fayette County Courthouse
  
  Read more

• Group calls for removal of nativity scene at Fayette Co. courthouse

  23-12-2016 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  LA GRANGE, Texas (KXAN) — The American Humanist Association is calling for the removal of a nativity scene display at the Fayette County Courthouse calling it an “unconstitutional endorsement of Christianity.”
  The display was purchased by the county three years ago and has made an appearance during the holiday season ever since. The Humanists claim the nativity scene was bought with tax payers money and a blatant endorsement of Christianity.
  “The Fayette County Courthouse
  
  Read more

• Texas gets $160K in child support linked to car registration

  23-12-2016 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has collected more than $160,000 in back child support since starting a program this year that bars some parents who owe money from renewing vehicle registrations.
  The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday that December was the first month renewal requests can be denied in the Texas Attorney General’s Office program.
  Texas rolls out new process to get parents to pay child support
  The rule applies to parents at least six months behind in child support paymen
  
  Read more

• PHOTOS: Holiday therapy dogs spreading cheer for Austin rehab patients

  23-12-2016 19:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Patients at St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital had a furry surprise when a parade of holiday therapy dogs stopped by.
  The dogs spread smiles, cheer and some licks.
  Don’t miss the full story on KXAN News tonight.  Holiday therapy dogs offering help for rehab patients Holiday therapy dogs spreading cheer at St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital (KXAN Photo/Julie Karam)Holiday therapy dogs spreading cheer at St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital (KXAN Photo/Julie
  
  Read more

• Senators celebrate behind-the-scenes bipartisan holiday tradition

  23-12-2016 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (MEDIA MEDIA) — U.S. senators make it to the front pages through filibusters and searing rhetoric, but a little-known holiday tradition quietly unites the nation’s top lawmakers behind the scenes in Washington.
  It’s the brainchild of Minnesota Sen. Al Franken.
  “In grade school, we did a Secret Santa and I think the teachers wanted to make sure that every kid got a present,” Franken explained.
  Six years ago, the SNL comedian turned serious politician decid
  
  Read more

• REMINDER: Dogs can be electrocuted after chewing on Christmas lights

  23-12-2016 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — You may not think of your Christmas lights as a danger to your pets, but they can be. A North Haven family’s puppy was nearly killed after it chewed on the family’s Christmas tree lights. The wires are low enough on most trees that even small dogs can reach them.
  Ellie’s owners are hugging her a little tighter now. She’s an 8-month-old Chihuahua.
  “She’s our little Christmas miracle,” said owner Dawn Styles.
  Earlier this
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: Burglary suspects jump right into police department’s parking lot

  23-12-2016 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  BOCA RATON, FL (NBC News) — It probably wasn’t the escape plan the burglary suspects had envisioned.
  Surveillance video shows the burglars attempting to hop a fence in Florida after breaking into a home on Wednesday. But what the suspects didn’t seem to know was that the police department was on the other side.
  A group of officers went outside after they had been tipped off by a neighbor that three suspects were heading towards the station.
  You can see the first suspect cl
  
  Read more

• Kyle inmates crocheting stuffed animals for kids in need

  23-12-2016 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – A group of Kyle Correctional Center inmates are crocheting stuffed animals for kids who may not have a toy sitting under their Christmas tree this year.
  The group of inmates teamed up with the Kyle Police Department the week before Christmas and donated bags of animals to their Blue Santa program.
  The correctional center says they have about 20 inmates participating in the program and will continue making the stuffed animals through the holiday season and beginning of
  
  Read more

• ‘Evil clown mask’ wearing suspect caught after Five Guys robbery

  23-12-2016 17:29 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Police have arrested two teens accused of robbing a Five Guys restaurant while wearing clown masks on Dec. 6 at 12:20 a.m.
  Andrew Jones, 18 was caught on surveillance video robbing the restaurant. According to police, Luis Eduardo Sanchez-Lopez, 19, worked at the Five Guys and helped Jones during the robbery.
  The video shows the masked suspect holding an employee at gunpoint in the office. You then see him leave with stolen money.
  WATCH: Surveillance video h
  
  Read more

• Texas State Strutters to perform at Trump’s Inaugural Parade

  23-12-2016 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas State University dance group has just announced that they will be performing at Donald Trump’s Inaugural Parade on Jan. 20.
  According to the Texas State Strutters’ Facebook page, they “cannot wait for this once in a lifetime performance opportunity.”
  However, the announcement is drawing backlash on social media.
  “It’s sickening and unAmerican (sic) to support “its” inauguration in any way, shape or form,&r
  
  Read more

• Judge who ruled Texas’ foster care system broken recognized

  23-12-2016 15:36 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — The federal judge who ruled that Texas’ foster care system is unconstitutionally broken has been named The Dallas Morning News’ Texan of the Year.
  The newspaper announced Friday that U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack was being recognized because she “punctured our comfortable obliviousness to the appalling treatment” being endured by the 12,000 children labeled permanent wards of the state.
  The newspaper said, “it takes a powerful voice to ma
  
  Read more

• Michigan dad gets new kidney for Christmas

  23-12-2016 14:29 via kxan.com
  
  WOODLAND, Mich. (WOOD) – A Barry County family received an early Christmas miracle.
  Cris Male, who had been on the transplant list since Jan. 26, 2011, received a new kidney last week.
  Male told 24 Hour News 8 that on Dec. 13, his 4-year-old daughter Gracie asked Santa Claus for a Paw Patrol sleeping bag and a new kidney for her dad. At 4 a.m. the next day, Male got the call from Mercy Health Saint Mary’s that they had a donor for him.
  “I handed it (the phone) to my husband and
  
  Read more

• 94 million Americans hitting the road ahead of Christmas weekend

  23-12-2016 14:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The vast majority of Americans are hitting the roads as 94 million travelers head home for the holidays.
  TxDOT says you won’t have to worry about hitting construction on your drive. Officials say as a rule, no major construction lane closures are allowed in the main travel corridors across the state starting Dec. 23 through New Years.
  However, some long-term lane restrictions may remain in place, so drivers must be aware of work zones and obey all traffic si
  
  Read more

• ‘Crazy’ ants trying to migrate across Texas threatening homes

  23-12-2016 13:36 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — Insect experts in Texas are working to keep the invasive and costly “crazy ant” from migrating to other areas. This tiny titan can cause some serious damage to your home.
  Also known as raspberry or tawny ants, they get their “crazy” moniker because they are unlike normal ants, who move in a line. These ants are all over the place as they follow a pheromone trail.
  The species was brought in from South America. Colonies have been spotted in the Hou
  
  Read more

• Rachel Ray donates $10,000 to Austin Pet’s Alive!

  23-12-2016 13:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — TV personality and chef Rachel Ray is giving back to animal shelters across the country as a part of her Santa Paws program.
  Her celebrity friends are the one’s picking the animal rescues that will receive donations and Austin Pet’s Alive! made the list.
  “Rachael Ray is a huge supporter of animal rescue efforts through her Rachael Ray Foundation and has supported APA! in the past,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Executive Director of APA! “This gift
  
  Read more

• Rachael Ray donates $10,000 to Austin Pet’s Alive!

  23-12-2016 13:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — TV personality and chef Rachael Ray is giving back to animal shelters across the country as a part of her Santa Paws program.
  Her celebrity friends are the one’s picking the animal rescues that will receive donations and Austin Pet’s Alive! made the list.
  “Rachael Ray is a huge supporter of animal rescue efforts through her Rachael Ray Foundation and has supported APA! in the past,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Executive Director of APA! “This gif
  
  Read more

• Hijackers threatened to blow up Libyan plane diverted to Malta

  23-12-2016 12:55 via kxan.com
  
  VALLETTA, Malta (AP) — Two hijackers diverted a Libyan commercial plane to Malta on Friday and threatened to blow it up with hand grenades, Maltese authorities and state media said.
  The Malta airport authority said all emergency teams had been dispatched to the site of what it called an “unlawful interference” on the airport tarmac. The plane’s engines were still running Friday long after the aircraft landed at 11:32 a.m. (1032 GMT).
  State television TVM said the two hija
  
  Read more

• Hijackers of Libyan plane surrender

  23-12-2016 12:55 via kxan.com
  
  VALLETTA, Malta (AP) —  Malta’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, says the hijacking of a Libyan plane is over after the hijackers gave themselves up.
  In a series of tweets, he said the hijackers left the airplane along with its final crew members after earlier freeing all the passengers from a flight that was diverted to his country.
  The hijackers, he said, “surrendered,” been “searched and taken in custody.”
  Two hijackers diverted a Libyan commercial plane
  
  Read more

• Lawsuit: School bus driver in fatal wreck was ‘sadistic’

  23-12-2016 12:48 via kxan.com
  
  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – A federal lawsuit says the driver in a Chattanooga school bus wreck that killed six children had a “sadistic” habit of driving recklessly and slamming on the brakes to discipline the children.
  News outlets report that a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Chattanooga federal court accuses Hamilton County Schools, district Transportation Supervisor Ben Coulter and Durham School Services of failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent the Nov. 21 crash and b
  
  Read more

• Travelers rushing home for the holidays clogging Austin airport

  23-12-2016 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — A record-breaking amount of passengers are expected to fly out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport today.
  The airport is warning  travelers to expect lines and pack smart. ABIA added a valet service and more parking this year, at least 12,000 spots are available around the airport, said Derick Hacket, ABIA spokesman.
  Passengers should plan to head to the airport two hours early to get through ticket and security lines.
  Check your flight status here
  KXAN aske
  
  Read more

• Austin airport clogging as travelers rush home for the holidays

  23-12-2016 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A record-breaking amount of passengers are expected to fly out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport today.
  The airport is warning  travelers to expect lines and pack smart. ABIA added a valet service and more parking this year, at least 12,000 spots are available around the airport, said Derick Hacket, ABIA spokesman.
  Passengers should plan to head to the airport two hours early to get through ticket and security lines.
  Check your flight status here
  KXAN aske
  
  Read more

• Germany relieved at apparent death of suspect

  23-12-2016 11:59 via kxan.com
  
  MILAN (AP) — German federal prosecutor: Authorities still trying to determine whether Berlin truck suspect had network of supporters.
  German Interior Ministry spokesman Tobias Plate has voiced his department’s relief that the suspect in the Berlin Christmas market truck attack appears to have been killed in Italy.
  After Italy’s interior minister, Marco Minniti, said Anis Amri had been shot in an early-hours shootout in Milan, Plate said “should this turn out to be tr
  
  Read more

• Berlin truck attack suspect killed in Milan police shootout

  23-12-2016 11:59 via kxan.com
  
  MILAN (AP) — The Tunisian man suspected of driving a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin was killed early Friday in a shootout with police in Milan, ending a Europe-wide manhunt, Italy’s interior minister said.
  Checks conducted after the shootout showed “the person killed, without a shadow of a doubt, is Anis Amri, the suspect of the terrorist attack,” Interior Minister Marco Minniti said.
  The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Monday attack in
  
  Read more

• A look at some of 2016’s most inspiring sports moments

  23-12-2016 11:54 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — We watch sports to see who wins and loses, but also to be inspired — and 2016 offered plenty of examples of the latter, from a touching moment between two strangers on the Olympic track, to a little boy from a war-torn land who met his favorite soccer player, to a warm ovation fueled by empathy for a visiting NHL goalie.
  Craig Sager, the longtime NBA sideline reporter famous for his flashy suits and probing questions, diedDec. 15, 2016 after a batter with cancer. He was 65. (P
  
  Read more

• Cowboys lock up homefield advantage while watching from home

  23-12-2016 06:57 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON (KXAN) — Despite sitting at home, the Cowboys won the NFC East Thursday night thanks to Philadelphia’s 24-19 win over the Giants.
  More importantly for Dallas, though, is the fact they also locked up a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with the Eagles’ win.
  With home-field advantage, the Cowboys could make a run to their sixth Super Bowl championship, and first since 1995, without ever having to leave the state of Texas.
  Dallas hosts the
  
  Read more

• Austin ISD moving forward with health, computer science academies

  23-12-2016 05:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Christmas present from the state capitol came early for the Austin Independent School District.
  Two of their high schools, LBJ and Reagan Early College High Schools, learned this week they are recipients of a governor’s grant for innovative academies. They are two of only 19 high schools across the state to receive a portion of the $7.1 million awarded by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
  
  Read more

• KXAN Programming Note

  23-12-2016 05:00 via kxan.com
  
  DirecTV, Dish Network, Northland Cable and over-the-air customers:
  KXAN will perform maintenance work on transmission lines that will result in overnight outages, starting at 11:35 p.m., after The Tonight Show.
  Our goal is to return the signal for regular programming by the 4:30 a.m. start of KXAN News Today.
  These outages will only affect customers receiving the KXAN signal via the sources listed above.
  
  Read more

• Let the binge-watching begin: Everything leaving, coming to streaming services in January

  23-12-2016 04:42 via kxan.com
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MEDIA GENERAL) — There’s no point in arguing, pretty much everything in 2016 sucked.
  But thank goodness for one of the few things we could count on this year that would always be there for us—our streaming services.
  Whether you’re a traditionalist (Netflix), a network-TV fan (Hulu), an alt-streamer (HBO), a weirdo (does anyone actually subscribe to Amazon Prime?), or just a millennial (you crowdsourced passwords from friends and have them all), there&rsq
  
  Read more

• Christmas vigil held for 19-year-old murder victim

  23-12-2016 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two years since Joe Montemayor’s death, his family and friends are still seeking answers on who stabbed him.
  Police are still looking for the suspect who stabbed 19-year-old outside the Travis Park Apartments on Sept. 22, 2014. On the night of his death, a neighbor saw Montemayor collapse on the sidewalk.
  On Thursday evening, Montemayor’s family held a Christmas vigil for him at the apartments where he died. Everyone who came showed up with an orn
  
  Read more

• Rates on TxDOT managed tolls go up in the new year

  23-12-2016 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Jan. 1, 2017, taking certain toll roads in the Austin-area will cost you more.
  The Texas Department of Transportation is increasing toll rates on the ones they operate. TxDOT operated tolls in Travis and Williamson counties are: SH 130 (Segments 1-4), State Highway 45 North, Loop 1 (from Parmer Lane to SH 45 North) and SH 45 Southeast.
  For most drivers, the 1.1 percent increase will mean an average increase of one cent per toll. The last time the rates went up
  
  Read more

• Rates on Austin-area tolls go up in the new year

  23-12-2016 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Jan. 1, 2017, taking certain toll roads in the Austin-area will cost you more.
  The Texas Department of Transportation is increasing toll rates on the ones they operate. TxDOT operated tolls in Travis and Williamson counties are: SH 130 (Segments 1-4), State Highway 45 North, Loop 1 (from Parmer Lane to SH 45 North) and SH 45 Southeast.
  For most drivers, the 1.1 percent increase will mean an average increase of one cent per toll. The last time the rates went up
  
  Read more

• Bastrop County explores fire-fighting option for nearby airport

  23-12-2016 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  SMITHVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop County leaders are waiting to hear back from FEMA to see if grant money will help bring fire-fighting planes to their county in times of need.
  Emergency Management officials want single engine fire-fighting planes to be able to take off, refuel and load up with fire retardant from the Smithville airport.
  “Those are the little crop dusters. They don’t carry a lot of retardant, but they’re quick and they’re fast,” said Michael
  
  Read more

• Family of Yellow Rose shooting victim looking for answers

  23-12-2016 02:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As police continue the investigation into a shooting late Saturday night at a central Austin strip club, the family of the man shot remains by his hospital bed, seeking answers in what led up to the incident.
  The shooting happened at 11:28 p.m. at the Yellow Rose Nightclub off North Lamar Boulevard. The victim, Edward Mares, 29, was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge in critical condition.
  “I want to know. I want answers about what happened to my son,&rdq
  
  Read more

• Austin mayor lays out major ideas for downtown’s eastside

  23-12-2016 02:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Big changes could be on the horizon for downtown Austin. Before going on break for the holidays, Mayor Steve Adler laid out his vision for the East Austin Core on the city council forum.
  Many people have opinions on what should and can be done in the area, but the problem has always been finding the money to turn those ideas into reality.
  “My personal focus will continue to prioritize mobility and affordability, which I see as inextricably linked. I’m proud of t
  
  Read more

• Use the holidays to teach children life skills; don’t overindulge

  23-12-2016 01:49 via kxan.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS (WLFI) — Many kids love waking up on Christmas morning to find an overflow of gifts from under the tree. But are those piles of presents doing more harm than good?
  Psychologists say parents who overindulge their children put them at risk of becoming adults who may have poor self-control, an overblown sense of entitlement and a need for immediate gratification. Those same experts say these kids may become self-centered, ungrateful and irresponsible.
  The National Retail Federati
  
  Read more

• Report: Starr lifted Baylor football player suspension

  23-12-2016 01:35 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (AP) — A court transcript shows then-Baylor University President Ken Starr lifted the academic misconduct suspension of a football player who allegedly went on to commit three sexual assaults.
  The Wall Street Journal reports that Starr granted a reprieve for Tevin Elliot in 2011 when the athlete was accused of academic misconduct. The newspaper says the information is “deep” in the transcript of Elliott’s 2014 trial at which the former defensive end was convic
  
  Read more

• San Marcos outlets busy with last minute holiday shoppers

  23-12-2016 01:03 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – Just three days away from Christmas and many are still working to finish crossing off items on their Christmas list. At the Premium Outlets in San Marcos, officials say thousands are still visiting their stores daily to pick up those last minute gifts.
  “As we get close to Christmas, the more people we see,” said the San Marcos Premium Outlets director of marketing and business development Celena McGuill. “People travel here from all over Texas a
  
  Read more

• Travis County one step closer to acquiring old federal courthouse

  23-12-2016 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It appears Travis County might be the new owner of the old federal courthouse in downtown Austin.
  The Austin non-profit group, Front Steps, was denied their application for the deed acquisition; they were hoping to turn the courthouse into housing for the homeless as well as office space for their needs.
  Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez says the county is now next on the list to get the building deed. The decision on who will take over the building lies with the Ge
  
  Read more

• Fort Worth man accused of killing his wife and infant son

  23-12-2016 00:28 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — The man who told police he found his wife and 3-month-old son dead with their necks slashed last week has been charged with capital murder in connection to their deaths.
  Fort Worth police say on Dec. 15, Craig Vandewege, 35, called 911 to report that he discovered their bodies in the master bedroom. When officers arrived, they found Vandewege in the front walkway crouched down with his face in his hands.
  Inside the home, officers found Vandewege’s wife, 36-
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!