Austin news

• West Travis County Public Utility Agency customers asked to limit water usage

  20-02-2017 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — All customers who get their water from the West Travis County Public Utility Agency (PUA) are being asked to limit their water usage due to a loss in power at a pump station.
  The utility district says the Southwest Parkway Pump Station provides drinkings water to all PUA customers in the Highway 290 service area. The temporary Stage 4 restriction asks that customers not use any landscape irrigation as well as limit overall water usage. These restrictions will continue and s
  
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• VIDEO: Houston boy’s beating caught on camera

  20-02-2017 23:06 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON, Texas (KPRC/NBC News) — A Houston man has been charged with child abuse after investigators said he hit a 7-year-old boy 62 times within five minutes.
  The incident was witnessed by a bystander who called police, and was captured by a surveillance camera near the man’s Houston apartment.
  “He saw a vehicle pull up at one of our illegal dumping sites and saw a man get out of a car and take a young child out of the car and proceed to just beat him senselessly,” said
  
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• Utility pole leaning over road fixed in northeast Austin

  20-02-2017 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN news received a Report It email alerting us to a utility pole in northeast Austin that some drivers say was leaning dangerously close to the East Anderson Lane frontage road at Ridgepoint Drive.
  KXAN News made a few phone calls and discovered that the pole is monitored by AT&T. We asked them about about the leaning utility pole and they sent crews to the scene to repair the situation. They confirmed with us that the pole has been realigned. If you come across a sit
  
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• CPS takes big step toward goal of hiring 828 new staff members

  20-02-2017 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state’s Child Protective Services Division may finally be getting a leg up on tackling huge caseloads, according to the agency’s commissioner. Hank Whitman told the House Human Services Committee Monday the agency is hiring more child protective case workers than ever this year.
  By the end of this month, it’s projected CPS will have hired 692 new front line workers. That’s since a hiring push that began in December and is up 65 percent from hirin
  
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• Army Lt. Gen. McMaster tapped as Trump’s national security adviser

  20-02-2017 21:21 via kxan.com
  
  PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has tapped Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster as his new national security adviser.
  Trump announced the pick Monday at his Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago. He says McMaster is “a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience.”
  Trump says retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who had been his acting adviser, will now serve as the National Security Council chief of staff.
  Trump had been looking for a replacement for retired Gen. Michael Fly
  
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• Sleek superyacht seized in Gibraltar over $16.2M debt claim

  20-02-2017 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  MADRID (AP) — Authorities in Gibraltar say they have seized one of the largest and most advanced super yachts in the world over an unsettled bill dispute between its owner and its German builder.
  The Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper reports that shipbuilder Nobiskrug claims 15.3 million euro ($16.2 million) in overdue payments for the 143-meter (468-foot) -long Sailing Yacht A.
  In an email, Nobiskrug declined to comment “due to ongoing legal proceedings and confidentiality.”
  The c
  
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• Storms, tornadoes damage dozens of homes in San Antonio area

  20-02-2017 19:27 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — At least two tornadoes have hit parts of San Antonio, damaging dozens of homes but causing no major injuries.
  A National Weather Service survey team confirmed that a tornado struck a residential area about 5 miles north of downtown either late Sunday or early Monday.
  San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Woody Woodward says 43 homes were damaged in the area, including three that collapsed. He says five minor injuries were reported.
  Bexar (BAYR) County spokeswoman Monica
  
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• Companies buy ‘Trump tweet’ insurance policies

  20-02-2017 19:14 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR MEDIA) — President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tweeting has unintentionally fulfilled his promise to create jobs and bolster the U.S. economy, at least in the crisis management sector.
  Corporations are beginning to buy “insurance policies” to deal with fallout from hostile presidential tweets that can cost companies billions of dollars in value and revenue.
  Trump has launched more than 60 such attacks by Yahoo’s latest count.Good news, disloyal
  
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• City music manager resigned after failure to report “committed fraud”

  20-02-2017 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An auditor investigation has revealed Austin’s music program manager knew of, but didn’t properly report, an employee’s potentially fraudulent plan to reimburse herself $2,500 for a work trip to Europe.
  Don Pitts, music program manager in the city’s Economic Development Department, resigned his post with the city in early February. He had worked with the city since 2010.
  “We found evidence indicating that Don Pitts was aware that his direct rep
  
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• Track the storm damage throughout Central Texas

  20-02-2017 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  App users, tap here to see the interactive story map.
  
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• MAP: Storm damage throughout Central Texas

  20-02-2017 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  App users, tap here to see the interactive story map.
  
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• Officers respond to Facebook message, provide homework help

  20-02-2017 16:46 via kxan.com
  
  MARION, Ohio (NEXSTAR MEDIA) — Police officers live by a common calling — to protect and serve. The best ones come through regardless of the situation. One officer from Marion, Ohio, lived up to the police credo — by helping a child with her homework.
  Molly Draper shared screengrabs of a conversation her daughter had with an officer with the Marion Police Department via Facebook Messenger. The young girl revealed she needed help with her math homework and an officer stepped in
  
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• It’s National Love Your Pet Day!

  20-02-2017 15:56 via kxan.com
  
  RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Give your furry friend extra treats and cuddles because February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day!
  According to the Nature’s Recipe Love Your Pet Day National Survey, 26 percent of Americans consider their dog to be their best friend.
  Here are the top 5 reasons why American’s love their dogs:
  My dog gives me unconditional love (57 percent)
  My dog helps comfort me when I’m sad (45 percent)
  My dog makes me look forward to coming home (33 percent)
  My d
  
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• PHOTOS: Severe storms leave behind damage, destruction

  20-02-2017 15:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Many Central Texas residents are waking up to fallen trees and downed power lines; some are even reporting roofs ripped off of homes and a fire sparked by the lightning.
  Emergency first responders will assess the damage from a possible tornado in the southeast part of Williamson County.
  Winds were so severe, a train was blown off the tracks along U.S. Highway 79 between Thrall and Thorndale.
  Firefighters say a house fire was sparked by lightning striking the roof. The
  
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• Lightning sparks southeast Austin house fire

  20-02-2017 14:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Overnight storms left a wake of damage in Central Texas, even sparking some overnight fires blamed on the lightning strikes.
  The Austin Fire Department has confirmed at least one of the overnight fires was caused by lightning. Just after midnight a home on the 4400 block of Creede Drive caught fire. When firefighters arrived, there was heavy fire coming from the home.
  AFD shared pictures of the home near Burleson and McKinney Falls Parkway in southeast Austin. AFD Divi
  
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• Colorado getting first marijuana shop with drive-up window

  20-02-2017 14:39 via kxan.com
  
  PARACHUTE, Colo. (AP) — The western Colorado town of Parachute is getting a drive-through marijuana shop, believed to be the first in the state.
  The Parachute Board of Trustees approved a business license for Tumbleweed Express last week.
  “As far as I can tell, we are not aware of this business model ever coming up before,” said Robert Goulding, spokesman for the state Marijuana Enforcement Division.
  The business is expected to open in March in a former car wash.
  Tumbleweed Exp
  
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• Rallies planned nationwide for ‘Not My President’s Day’

  20-02-2017 14:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of people, including some in Austin, are expected to participate in “Not My President’s Day” rallies.
  They are pushing back against President Donald Trump on the federal holiday, President’s Day. Protesters say they are standing together as citizens against the policies Trump has ordered since taking office exactly one month ago.
  “We do not believe that his actions or demeanor have made him worthy of the esteemed title of President, n
  
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• High profile gymnasts come forward, claim abuse by doctor

  20-02-2017 13:09 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Three former elite U.S. gymnasts, including 2000 Olympian Jamie Dantzcher, have come forward saying they were sexually abused by a former doctor currently facing trial on a separate matter.
  Dantzscher, three-time U.S. rhythmic gymnastics champion Jessica Howard and former national team member Jeanette Antolin appeared on “60 Minutes” on Sunday, detailing what they have claimed is sexual abuse by Dr. Larry Nassar. All three accused Nassar, a volunteer team doctor
  
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• 2 dead in shooting during brawl at Houston strip club

  20-02-2017 13:07 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — Two men have been fatally shot during a large fight at a Houston strip club.
  Police say the brawl broke out just before 6 a.m. Sunday at a club called Fantasy Island and escalated to gunfire when two men pulled out guns and started shooting.
  About 30 people witnessed the shootings. The two men were dead at the scene.
  
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• Win tickets to Broadway’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

  20-02-2017 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  We’re giving away tickets to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as part of The Lexus Broadway in Austin series. Fill out the entry form below for your chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to the critically acclaimed show! Details can be found in the Official Rules.
  
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• Win tickets to Broadway’s Beautiful: The Carol King Musical

  20-02-2017 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  We’re giving away tickets to see Beautiful: The Carol King Musical as part of The Lexus Broadway in Austin series. Fill out the entry form below for your chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to the critically acclaimed show! Details can be found in the Official Rules.
  
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• Strong winds damages homes in Thrall, knocks over train

  20-02-2017 12:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Strong overnight winds damaged approximately 20 homes in the town of Thrall, even blowing several railcars of a Union Pacific train off the tracks.
  The National Weather Service is expected to assess the damage Monday to determine if the damage was done by a tornado or straight line winds. The  Williamson County Office of Emergency Managements says the majority of the damage was done to barns, outbuildings, windows, roofs and cars.
  The Thrall school campus was also
  
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• Strong winds blow train off tracks in Williamson Co.

  20-02-2017 12:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Overnight severe weather is bringing reports of damage across Williamson County.
  The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says that strong winds blew a Union Pacific train off its tracks early Monday morning. The Sheriff’s Office is reporting at least 20 train cars derailed during the storm. It happened between Thrall and Thronedale.
  Strong wind blows train off tracks in Williamson County (KXAN Photo/ Todd Bynum)At one point, winds reached up to 80 mph i
  
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• NWS: 2 tornadoes ripped through southeast Williamson County

  20-02-2017 12:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The National Weather Service says two tornadoes swept through southeast Williamson County late Sunday night into Monday morning damaging approximately 20 homes in the town of Thrall and nearby Noack. The storm even blew over several railcars of a Union Pacific train off the tracks.
  The National Weather Service surveyed the damage Monday afternoon and while the report hasn’t been finalized, the agency says initial information indicates two small tornadoes formed a
  
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• Woman dies, man seriously injured in west Austin crash

  20-02-2017 12:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash on Highway 360 and Lakewood Drive.
  According to Austin/Travis County EMS, at least three cars were involved in the crash. The woman who died is estimated to be in her 30s.
  A man in his 50s was transported to UMC Brackenridge to treat his life threatening injuries.
  Four other adults were involved in the crash. Two of them were taken to the hospital, but are expected to be okay.
  
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• Storm rips through Central Texas leaving wake of damage

  20-02-2017 08:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Daylight is bringing more reports of damage and destruction in the wake of severe storms that rapidly tore through Central Texas Sunday night and early Monday morning.
  The National Weather Service says a survey team will likely go to Hays and Travis counties this morning to examine damage to homes to determine if the damage was caused by a tornado or strong winds.
  Williamson County emergency first responders will assess the damage from a possible tornado in the southeast pa
  
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• Storm rips through Central Texas leaving trail of damage

  20-02-2017 08:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Daylight is bringing more reports of damage and destruction in the wake of severe storms that rapidly tore through Central Texas Sunday night and early Monday morning.
  The National Weather Service says a survey team will likely go to Hays and Travis counties this morning to examine damage to homes to determine if the damage was caused by a tornado or strong winds.
  Williamson County emergency first responders will assess the damage from a possible tornado in the southeast pa
  
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• PHOTOS: Storm rips through Central Texas leaving wake of damage

  20-02-2017 08:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A severe storm with strong winds swept through Central Texas late Sunday evening into early Morning morning triggering multiple Tornado Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, which have now ended.
  KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team says the storm quickly moved through with wind gusts of anywhere from 50 to 70 mph. At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport the winds clocked in at 56 mph. The worst of the storm cleared the metro area by 12:45 a.m.
  Williamson County e
  
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• Fast-moving storm rips through Central Texas, some damage reported

  20-02-2017 08:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A severe storm with strong winds swept through Central Texas late Sunday evening into early Morning morning triggering multiple Tornado Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.
  KXAN’s First Warning Weather Team says the storm quickly moved through with wind gusts of anywhere from 50 to 70 mph. At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport the winds clocked in at 56 mph. The worst of the storm cleared the metro area by 12:45 a.m.
  According to a tweet from @TornadoTracker
  
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• Record All-Star: Davis scores 52, West tops East 192-182

  20-02-2017 06:29 via kxan.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Move over, Wilt. After 55 years, one of your records is no more.
  Anthony Davis took care of that.
  At the defense-free dunkfest that now serves as the NBA’s All-Star Game, Davis scored a record 52 points and led the Western Conference past the Eastern Conference, 192-182 on Sunday night. He made 26 of 39 shots, scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and became the first player since Kobe Bryant in 2011 to win MVP honors on his home floor.
  “It was amazing,&rdqu
  
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• New groups looking to local Congressmen for questions and scorn

  20-02-2017 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  Dripping Springs (KXAN) – Across the country town halls hosted by Republican Congressmen and opposing groups have been packed and heated. Central Texas groups opposed to President Trump’s agenda have been demanding local Republican Representatives open to all constituents.
  This Sunday was unusually busy at Flores Mexican Restaurant in Dripping Springs. More than 150 people came out to ask questions to Congressman Roger Williams, R – Austin, not the real one but a card-boar
  
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• SpaceX launches rocket from NASA’s historic moon pad

  20-02-2017 02:52 via kxan.com
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A SpaceX rocket soared from NASA’s long-idled moonshot pad Sunday, sending up space station supplies from the exact spot where astronauts embarked on the lunar landings nearly a half-century ago.
  It was the first flight from NASA’s legendary Launch Complex 39A since the shuttle program ended almost six years ago, and SpaceX’s first liftoff from Florida since a rocket explosion last summer.
  The crowds at Kennedy Space Center watched eagerly as t
  
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• Special education complaints prompt USDE visits to area schools

  20-02-2017 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — The U.S. Department of Education says their upcoming visits to 12 school districts and 24 schools in Texas are based in part on comments received during listening sessions in December of last year. During those sessions, parents expressed frustrations with special education services in their local school districts.
  Parents also expressed their concerns over special education services through a blog, sending more than 400 comments to the Office of Special E
  
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