Austin news

• Santa’s on his way: Military helps kids follow fabled flight

  24-12-2016 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Tens of thousands of children from around the world plan to call the North American Aerospace Defense Command to ask where Santa is, and starting Saturday they will get a cheery answer about the mythical route from a real person, not a recording.
  The wildly popular NORAD Tracks Santa operation is launching its 61st run at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Volunteers will answer phone calls and emails and post updates about Santa’s storybook world tour
  
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• Therapy dogs spread holiday cheer throughout Austin area

  24-12-2016 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, (KXAN) — Austin Dog Alliance planned a special holiday treat for nine Austin-area assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout the late morning on Christmas Eve.
  The organization brought therapy dogs to spread holiday cheer by giving gifts, smiles and wagging their tales to bring joy to residents of the nine different locations. The visits took place between 9 a.m. and noon across Austin.
  A few of the facilities that will welcome the furry visitors include Clairmont Reti
  
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• Best wishes flow in for ‘Star Wars’ star Carrie Fisher

  24-12-2016 17:34 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Tributes and well-wishes poured in for “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher, who was spending Christmas Eve in a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a medical emergency on a flight the day before.
  “Princess Leia can survive anything!” wrote one fan on Twitter. “Hold on, Carrie Fisher. We’re taking you into 2017 with us,” wrote another. Her “Star Wars” co-star Mark Hamill said he was “sending all our love.”
  Todd
  
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• Man critically injured in Parmer Lane auto-pedestrian crash

  24-12-2016 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, (KXAN) — A male in their 20’s was transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge just before 9:40 a.m. Saturday.
  Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services tweeted that the accident was an auto-pedestrian crash that occurred at the 7300 block of E. Parmer Lane and the male was unconscious when he was transported.
  The injured male was transported to UMCB with critical life-threatening injuries.
  The circumstances into the accident are unclear at this tim
  
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• Single car crash shutdown Cesar Chavez early Saturday morning

  24-12-2016 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, (KXAN) — At around 2:20 a.m. Saturday a serious car crash shutdown Cesar Chavez from Congress to Lavaca.
  The Austin Police Department said it was a single car crash and the victim was at the hospital in serious condition.
  The road was closed for about two hours.
   
  
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• Police investigate suspicious death at N. Lamar HEB

  24-12-2016 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, (KXAN) — A deceased male was found near the loading dock in the HEB parking lot located at 9414 North Lamar Blvd shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday.
  According to the Austin Police Department, the deceased is a white or Hispanic male approximately 30 to 40 years old. The body was found by an HEB employee.
  The death is being considered suspicious at this point and homicide detectives are on the scene conducting their investigation, an APD spokesperson said.
  APD said they believe this to
  
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• Police deem death at N. Lamar HEB accidental

  24-12-2016 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, (KXAN) — A deceased male was found near the loading dock in the HEB parking lot located at 9414 North Lamar Blvd shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday.
  According to the Austin Police Department, the deceased is a white or Hispanic male approximately 30 to 40 years old. The body was found by an HEB employee.
  The death was being considered suspicious at this point and homicide detectives were on the scene conducting their investigation, an APD spokesperson said.
  After their investigation, t
  
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• Lake Travis TE Cade Brewer commits to Texas

  24-12-2016 06:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Travis tight end Cade Brewer got his opportunity to become a “Lifetime Longhorn” during Lake Travis’ postseason run. On Friday, he decided to take it.
  Brewer commited to Texas via Twitter picking the Longhorns over SMU.
  Brewer commited to SMU in April, but reassessed his options when Texas came calling. Longhorns coach Tom Herman offered Brewer following the Lake Travis-Westlake playoff game in early December. Herman and his coaching staff w
  
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• Woman hit, killed in crash on S. Capital of Texas Highway

  24-12-2016 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman is dead after being hit by a car on the Capital of Texas Highway Friday evening.
  Austin police say the crash happened around 10 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Capital of Texas Highway at Westbank Drive. Austin-Travis County EMS says a woman in her 30s died at the scene.
  Northbound traffic is blocked at this time. Drivers that are already on Westbank Drive can make a right and go north onto the highway.
  KXAN News has a crew en route and will update this story as mor
  
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• Austin Animal Center looking for a few good humans this Christmas

  24-12-2016 04:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In order to get dogs and cats into homes (even if it is only temporary) this holiday weekend, the Austin Animal Center is asking for people to foster or volunteer their time at the shelter.
  If you’re looking for a new addition to your family this Christmas, you can adopt a furry friend for just $25 on Dec. 24.
  If you can’t take on a new pet, you can foster a medium or large dog to give it a break from the shelter. You can come in any day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
  
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• UN condemns Israeli settlements as Obama declines to veto

  24-12-2016 03:23 via kxan.com
  
  UNITED NATIONS (AP) — In a striking rupture with past practice, the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council on Friday to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a “flagrant violation” of international law. In doing so, the outgoing Obama administration brushed aside Donald Trump’s demands that the U.S. exercise its veto and provided a climax to years of icy relations with Israel’s leadership.
  The decision to abstain from the counci
  
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• US 290 reopens after multi vehicle crash in Blanco County

  24-12-2016 03:09 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A crash has US 290 shut down in both directions Friday night in Blanco County.
  The Department of Public Safety says the multi-vehicle crash happened just around 6:30 p.m. on US 290 about 5 miles east of US 281. It is unknown the extent of injuries in the crash, but there were no fatalities.
  The lanes reopened around 9:15 p.m. 
  
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• US 290 reopens after auto-pedestrian fatality in Blanco County

  24-12-2016 03:09 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A crash has US 290 shut down in both directions Friday night in Blanco County. Officials said a woman was killed after being hit by multiple vehicles.
  Officials said it was dark at the time and it does not appear that the victim was using a crosswalk at the time.
  The Department of Public Safety says the multi-vehicle crash happened just around 6:30 p.m. on US 290 about 5 miles east of US 281. It is unknown the extent of injuries in the crash, but there we
  
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• US 290 reopens after 4-vehicle crash in Blanco County

  24-12-2016 03:09 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A crash has US 290 shut down in both directions Friday night in Blanco County.
  The Department of Public Safety says the four-vehicle crash happened just around 6:30 p.m. on US 290 about 5 miles east of US 281. It is unknown the extent of injuries in the crash, but there were no fatalities.
  The lanes reopened around 9:15 p.m. 
  
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• Crash shuts down US 290 in Blanco County

  24-12-2016 03:09 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A crash has US 290 shut down in both directions Friday night in Blanco County.
  The Department of Public Safety says the four-vehicle crash happened just around 6:30 p.m. on US 290 about 5 miles east of US 281. It is unknown the extent of injuries in the crash.
  As of 9 p.m., the highway is still blocked.
  KXAN News will update this story as more information becomes available. 
  
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• Local Islamic community devotes night of prayer to Aleppo

  24-12-2016 02:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Friday night members of the local Islamic community will gather to pray for the people of Aleppo in Syria.
  The Islamic Center of Greater Austin is hosting the collective prayer which will be led by World Renowned Qari Mohamed Jebri. He will also recite the Quran, which he memorized at the age of nine.
  Reading the Holy Quran is a way Islams overcome turmoil, anxiety and distress.
  “As a community at ICGA, we might be feeling helpless over the genocide that is occurring
  
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• Millions of Texans could lose coverage if Obamacare is repealed

  24-12-2016 01:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Republicans in Congress want to fast-track a bill to repeal Obamacare on President-elect Donald Trump’s desk the day he is sworn in as President.
  President Barack Obama’s signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare, is for people who don’t have access to job-based insurance, or can’t afford other plans. A report by the Urban Institute estimates more than 2.5 million Texans would lose health care coverage if C
  
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• Austin beats 100-day challenge goal to get homeless youth off streets

  24-12-2016 01:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On any given night in the Austin area, there are well over 100 homeless youth with nowhere safe to sleep. It’s a problem communities across America have been trying to find solutions to for years.
  “We need additional resources for housing and to support youth and their journeys off the street,” said LifeWorks Executive Director Susan McDowell. “To provide case management, mental health, workforce support.”
  Back in September, Austin was chosen b
  
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• Giving the gift of Christmas to families without a Christmas tree

  24-12-2016 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — It’s not Christmas without a tree! That’s how local farm owner Aaron Brungot sees it. So, Brungot Farms is doing something to make sure any family that needs a Christmas tree this holiday season has the opportunity to get one, no matter their circumstances.
  On Friday, Brungot Farms will give all remaining trees at their lot to families for a donation of their choosing. The program is called Operation Christmas Spirit. The farm will be distributing tre
  
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• Galveston cracks down on overnight parking along seawall

  24-12-2016 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Forget about parking overnight on Galveston’s popular Seawall Boulevard.
  The Galveston City Council has passed a measure that requires parked vehicles along the wide thoroughfare that fronts the Gulf of Mexico to be moved on a daily basis. Violators will be towed.
  The Galveston County Daily News reports the measure makes a change in the existing ordinance that allowed some people who bought a $25 annual Seawall parking pass to monopolize a parking spot. The ex
  
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• Listen to the sweet sounds of tubas pumping out Christmas music

  24-12-2016 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Capitol hosts musical performances all year long, but during the month of December it’s all about the sounds of the season.
  Photojournalist Ed Zavala weaves together the melodic sounds of 188 tuba players.
  
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• ‘Tunnel homeowner’ fighting to move back home

  24-12-2016 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Six years after being accused of building bombs in his basement, an Austin veteran says he just wants to move back home.
  Joe Del Rio grew up in the house on Canterbury Street in east Austin. The Army and Air Force veteran says it’s time to live there again.
  “Memories from the past are one thing,” said Del Rio standing in front of the house, “when I was a little kid my uncles coming back from World War II going in there and talking and all that.&rdquo
  
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