Austin news

• Warm, humid weather tests marathon winners

  19-02-2017 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Thousands of runners endured record-breaking heat and high humidity Sunday to participate in this year’s Austin Marathon.
  The temperature at the starting line – in the upper 60s – was the hottest it’s been in more than 20 years and kept the race medical team busy. The temperature rose into the 70s later during the race.
  University of Texas alum Joe Thorne crossed the finish line first to win the men’s title with a time of two hours, 32 minutes
  
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• Austin celebrates six years as the largest no kill-city in the U.S.

  19-02-2017 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This February marks the sixth anniversary since Austin became the nation’s largest no kill city. To celebrate, Austin Pets Alive! will host their no-kill anniversary party Saturday night.
  When the approved resolution to make Austin a no-kill city went into effect in 2011, more than 90 percent of animals were rescued from shelters across the city. Since the ordinance, APA has adopted out hundreds of animals on several weekends.
  The evening event will be held
  
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• Austin celebrates six years as largest no kill-city in U.S.

  19-02-2017 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This February marks the sixth anniversary since Austin became the nation’s largest no-kill city. To celebrate, Austin Pets Alive! hosted a no-kill anniversary party Sunday night.
  Since a resolution was approved in 2011 to make Austin a no-kill city, more than 90 percent of animals have been rescued from shelters across the city.
  “We’re affecting all of the United States. People are coming to us – coming to our new training academy to learn about our
  
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• Former Longhorn Cedric Benson charged with DWI

  19-02-2017 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Former Longhorn football star Cedric Benson had another run-in with Austin police this weekend. Benson was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated early Saturday morning.
  At around 2:47 a.m. police say 34-year-old Benson was seen driving along West 6th Street at a high rate of speed. Court documents show Benson was driving 42 mph in a 30 mph zone. Police say Benson continued driving and made a wrong turn from West 6th Street onto North Lamar Boulevard, the
  
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• State of Texas: In-Depth – Legislative bills and protests

  19-02-2017 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Protesters hit the streets in downtown Austin last week, as part of the “Day Without Immigrants” rally.  It was a nationwide event, but the emotions are particularly high in Texas.
  Some have heightened fear amid reports of increased action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  That’s heightened further by the debate over Senate Bill 4, which would ban so-called sanctuary city policies.  Bob Garrett, Austin Bureau reporter for the Dallas M
  
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• Pence says US to hold Russia accountable, stand with NATO

  19-02-2017 15:36 via kxan.com
  
  MUNICH (AP) — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday conveyed a message to jittery partners that the Trump administration will “hold Russia accountable” and maintain steadfast support for NATO, a military alliance the American commander in chief once dismissed as “obsolete.”
  In his overseas debut as vice president, Pence told the audience at the Munich Security Conference that the U.S. would be “unwavering” in its commitment to NATO and that Presiden
  
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• Unique reunion brings dog siblings together after years apart

  19-02-2017 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A group of long-lost siblings got a special treat today when the Texas Humane Heroes hosted a family reunion for six dogs.
  They met for the first time Saturday after being adopted by different families. Workers even tracked down their mom for the special day.
  One owner said her dog Buttercup was very excited to meet her brothers and sisters.
  “Personally, when I met Buttercup’s siblings I thought they were so cute cause they were like many unique versions
  
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• Conference held in Austin to abolish the death penalty

  19-02-2017 05:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A group of Texans wanting to get rid of the penalty heard a different perspective on the act of executing someone during a conference Saturday in Austin.
  The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty brought together people who think it’s unfair — and should go away.
  The group invited journalists who have witnessed executions to explain why it’s an important issue to discuss.
  “Whether you’re for it or against it, whether that coverage takes
  
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• Grueling march from Fort Hood to State Capitol raises awareness of PTSD

  19-02-2017 05:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Statistics show 20 veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder take their own lives each day.
  It’s the reason about 70 people spent the last three days marching all the way from Fort Hood to the State Capitol in an event called Carry the Fallen, which is put on by the group Active Heroes.
  That’s about 70 miles. And they did it with weights on their backs to symbolize and remember the vets who killed themselves.
  Those who made the trek say walking that
  
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• Community still hoping for answers to murder of Austin teacher

  19-02-2017 04:33 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) – Sunday marks the three year anniversary of a murder we still know very little about. Investigators say they are still looking into the death of a beloved Austin teacher, Grace Chen.
  “Why? Why Grace? What happened?” said Asian American Cultural Center Director Amy Wong Mok.
  Chen came to the United States with the passion to teach. “Grace was well loved and well-liked by her students and by the people in our community,” said Mok.
  She opened up her own
  
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• James Earl Jones, Donald Glover cast in ‘Lion King’ remake

  19-02-2017 03:52 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — James Earl Jones and Donald Glover are lending their voices to Disney‘s upcoming remake of “The Lion King.”
  Director Jon Favreau announced the casting of the two men as voice actors. Glover, star and creator of television’s “Atlanta,” will portray the adult Simba. Jones reprises the role of Simba’s father, Mufasa, which he voiced in the 1994 animated film.
  Favreau is making a CGI created live-action version of the movie, similar to
  
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• Sen. Cruz visits Texas/Mexico border, meets with DPS officers

  19-02-2017 03:20 via kxan.com
  
  MISSION, Texas (KXAN) – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, visited the border with Mexico Saturday.
  While there, he met with Texas Department of Public Safety officers and rode along with them in a helicopter and a boat along the Rio Grande River.
  He also spoke with some Border Patrol agents who told him building a wall will help fight crime.
  “I asked last night as we were on the night patrol: ‘OK, there are 20 miles of wall in the McAllen Area, is this effective? Is this a good idea
  
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