Austin news

• Animals test positive for rabies in Hays, Burnet counties

  02-03-2017 23:57 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — Rabies alerts have been issued in Hays and Burnet counties for two dead animals that have tested positive for rabies.
  On Monday, the city of Meadowlakes Animal Control found a skunk that has since tested positive for rabies. Officials say there was no known contact with the skunk and they don’t know how long the skunk was in the Meadowlakes area, which is adjacent Marble Falls.
  The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office says if you find a wild animal acting out of
  
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• Sandra Bland Act’s goal: making it harder for police to racially profile

  02-03-2017 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Sandra Bland Act will make it harder for police officers to racially profile and will get help for the mentally ill in jail among other provisions intended to address race, poverty, mental health and accountability in law enforcement.
  Standing in front of the Texas Supreme Court, State Rep. Garnet Colman unveiled HB-2702, legislation that stems from a DPS traffic stop nearly two years ago.
  The trooper got into a heated conversation with the driver, Sandra Bland, and she
  
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• Sandra Bland Act filed at Texas Legislature

  02-03-2017 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Sandra Bland Act will make it harder for police officers to racially profile and will get help for the mentally ill in jail among other provisions intended to address race, poverty, mental health and accountability in law enforcement.
  Standing in front of the Texas Supreme Court, State Representative Garnet Colman unveiled HB-2702, legislation that stems from a DPS traffic stop nearly two years ago.
  The trooper got into a heated conversation with the driver, Sandra Blan
  
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• Flights added to handle surge of flyers to Austin airport this month

  02-03-2017 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — South by Southwest, spring break, Rodeo Austin and Texas Relays converge this month to make it a busy time to travel in and out of the Austin airport.
  If you’re flying out of ABIA this month, you should plan to show up at least two hours before your departure during peak travel times. Airport officials say for non-peak times plan on arriving 90 minutes before your departure. Peak times are 5-8 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m.
  SXSW (March 10-29), spring bre
  
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• Dem. Mike Collier resigns in preparation to challenge Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

  02-03-2017 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Democrat Mike Collier is preparing to challenge Republican Dan Patrick in the race for Texas lieutenant governor. Thursday, he resigned his post as finance chair for the Texas Democratic Party.
  There are no rules that would prohibit Collier from holding his post with the party while running for statewide office.
  “Mike is passionate about independence in fact and appearance. That is why I am accepting his resignation though there is no explicit prohibition agains
  
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• Subway fighting back against “stunningly flawed” report on chicken

  02-03-2017 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  MILFORD, Conn. (WWLP) – Subway restaurants say that a report claiming that the chicken in their sandwiches is not 100% real chicken, is false, and they have the evidence to prove it.
  In a news release, the company took issue with the report done by the Canadian TV show CBC Marketplace. Researchers hired by the program said that their test found samples of oven-roasted chicken only contained 53.6% of chicken DNA, and chicken strips contained only 42.8%. The majority of the remaining DNA was
  
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• Two bodies found in southeast Austin motel room

  02-03-2017 22:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are investigating the deaths of two people in southeast Austin, Thursday afternoon. Police say the circumstances behind the deaths are currently unknown.
  Officers were called at 1:06 p.m. to the La Quinta Inn at 1603 E. Oltorf St., just east of Interstate 35. Hotel management called 911 after two adult occupants didn’t check out of their room.
  Austin police say it’s early in the investigation and they will release additional information when they c
  
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• Mother says she smothered her kids to death to save them

  02-03-2017 21:57 via kxan.com
  
  ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana woman told detectives she smothered her two young children to death because she feared they would be tortured by members of a drug cartel, newly-released documents show.
  Amber Pasztor, 29, of Fort Wayne had a history of bipolar disorder and often failed to take medication, according to hundreds of pages of documents released this week by the Indiana Department of Child Services.
  The records include an account of an interview Pasztor gave Elkhart police in wh
  
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• Trump, aboard Navy carrier, vows to boost defense spending

  02-03-2017 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump pledged to boost defense spending as he basked in the nation’s military might aboard a next-generation Naval aircraft carrier on Thursday.
  Wearing an olive green military jacket and blue ball cap, Trump vowed to mount “one of the largest” defense spending increases in history.
  “Hopefully it’s power we don’t have to use, but if we do, they’re in big, big trouble,” Trump said.
  Trump spoke from the
  
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• Briles says he didn’t cover up sexual assaults at Baylor

  02-03-2017 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former Baylor coach Art Briles says he didn’t cover up sexual violence by his players or try to obstruct any investigations in the scandal at the nation’s largest Baptist university.
  Briles, who was fired in May 2016, released a one-page letter Thursday defending himself against allegations that he ignored incidents of assault and operated a program that considered itself above the rules.
  Briles insists that when alerted to incidents his response was that v
  
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• Austin Opera seeking child actor for Madame Butterfly

  02-03-2017 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Opera is looking for children interested in auditioning for a role in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly.
  Up for audition is the non-singing, non-speaking role of Cio-Cio-San’s child, Trouble.
  “The ideal ‘Trouble’ will be a slender, small (37” to 41” tall) 5-year old boy with good attention skills and no fear of loud singing. The candidate will learn and repeat moves with Butterfly (his stage mother) and Suzuki. He will kneel, be
  
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• Fat finger: Typo caused Amazon’s big cloud-computing outage

  02-03-2017 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon says an incorrectly typed command during a routine debugging of its billing system caused the five-hour outage of some Amazon Web Services servers on Tuesday.
  In a summary posted online, the Seattle company says a command meant to remove a small number of servers for one of its S3 subsystems was entered incorrectly and a larger set of servers was removed. A full restart was required, which took longer than expected due to how fast Amazon Web Services has grown over t
  
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• Woman tells police she purposely crashed into chicken truck because she’s vegan

  02-03-2017 21:21 via kxan.com
  
  HULL, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia woman has been arrested after she reportedly slammed into a chicken truck, fled and then told officers who tracked her down that she hit the vehicle because she was a vegan.
  WXIA-TV reports Wednesday’s investigation began when a truck driver told police he was traveling west on Highway 72 when a red four-door car hit his truck twice.
  The truck driver called 911 as the car fled. Madison County deputies found the car’s license plate in debris left in th
  
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• FC Barcelona to open FCBEscola soccer academy in Austin

  02-03-2017 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — FC Barcelona, one of the most recognizable soccer brands in the world, is opening an academy in Austin where children will learn to play the FC Barcelona-style complete with the organization’s core value.
  The FCBEscola teaches respect, effort, ambition, teamwork and modesty alongside soccer fundamentals; the Austin branch will be one of 26 globally and only the third in the United States and is expected to open this summer.
  FCBEscola will be housed in part at the Circ
  
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• Austin skyline will fill with kites for annual ABC Kite Festival

  02-03-2017 20:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin skyline will fill with kites on Sunday at Zilker Park for the annual ABC Kite Festival. Organizer Bobby Jenkins joined us in the KXAN studio to explain what you need to know if you’re planning on heading out there.
  “We think it is the kickoff to spring for Austin,” says Jenkins. “This is the best family event in town. Kids of all ages are invited and welcomed!”
  There is no cost to compete. Competition kites must be homemade, the
  
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• Frat under fire for rubbing peanut butter on face of student with peanut allergy

  02-03-2017 20:45 via kxan.com
  
  MT. PLEASANT, MI (WDIV) Police reports have been filed with both Central Michigan University officials and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department after a student with a peanut allergy was allegedly hazed by having peanut butter rubbed on his face.
  The now former student from Marysville was passed out at an off-campus fraternity when the peanut butter was rubbed on his face, according to his mother.
  Giving peanut-based foods to babies early prevents allergies
  Teresa Seely said the incident happened i
  
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• The Latest: Perry sworn in as energy secretary

  02-03-2017 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominations (all times local):
  6:25 p.m.
  Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been sworn in as President Donald Trump’s energy secretary.
  Perry was approved by the Senate earlier Thursday by a 62-37 vote. He was sworn in at the White House by Vice President Mike Pence.
  Perry — who once pledged to eliminate the Energy Department — has repeatedly promised to be an advocate for the agency and to protect the n
  
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• The Latest: Perry nomination for Energy heads to full Senate

  02-03-2017 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominations (all times local):
  11:10 a.m.
  Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry cleared a Senate hurdle in his bid to become Energy secretary in the Trump administration.
  The vote on Thursday was 62-37 to move ahead on the nomination.
  At his confirmation hearing, Perry vowed to be an advocate for an agency he once pledged to eliminate and promised to rely on federal scientists, including those who work on climate change.
  Perry s
  
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• The Latest: Cabinet progress; Rick Perry confirmed at Energy

  02-03-2017 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominations (all times local):
  2:15 p.m.
  The Senate has confirmed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to serve as energy secretary under President Donald Trump.
  The vote was 62-37 on Thursday.
  Perry — who once pledged to eliminate the department — has repeatedly promised be an advocate for the agency and to protect the nation’s nuclear stockpile. Perry also has said he’d rely on federal scientists, incl
  
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• VIDEO: Beer truck crash douses trooper who just asked if pulled-over driver had been drinking

  02-03-2017 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  LAS VEGAS, Nevada (NBC News) – A Nevada highway patrol officer quickly learns there’s no use crying over spilled beer.
  Trooper Travis Smaka pulled over a driver for speeding – you can hear him asking the driver if he’s been drinking.
  A beer truck barreling down the road loses its load – pelting Trooper Smaka and the driver of the car with beer bottles and cans.
  “Well over a thousand pounds of beer shattering and a tidal wave of beer coming at me.”
  T
  
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• Super Bowl champ Trey Flowers helps release baby seal named after him

  02-03-2017 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — She’s back in the game.
  Mystic Aquarium teamed up with New England Patriots Trey Flowers Tuesday morning for the release of a rehabilitated harbor seal — which they named after the defensive lineman.
  (Mystic Aquarium)The seal was returned to the wild at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown.
  The aquarium took in the eight- or nine-month-old harbor seal in December after the Long Island-based Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation rescu
  
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• PHOTOS: Vandals damage historical markers honoring Texas history

  02-03-2017 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO, Texas (KXAN) — While Texans celebrate Texas Independence Day, the Historical Commission is working to clean up the damage left by vandals to three historical markers near Llano.
  The oldest marker was put in place on March 2, 1936 to commemorate Texas’ independence from Mexico. The commission says they do not have enough money to clean up the granite Centennial marker that was vandalized on what was once called Packsaddle Mountain in Llano.
  The two other mar
  
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• Senate confirms Carson, Perry for housing, energy posts

  02-03-2017 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Two of President Donald Trump’s former rivals for the GOP White House nomination won Senate confirmation Thursday to join his administration.
  Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was confirmed as secretary of the Department of House and Urban Development on a vote of 58-41. A few hours later, the Senate backed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to be energy secretary, 62-37.
  Carson and Perry are the 17th and 18th of Trump’s 22 Cabinet and Cabinet-level nominations to win
  
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• Ex-Trump rival Ben Carson wins Senate OK as housing chief

  02-03-2017 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who challenged Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, won Senate confirmation Thursday to join Trump’s Cabinet as housing secretary.
  Six Democrats and one independent joined 51 Republicans in voting for Carson to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  Carson is the 17th of 22 of Trump’s Cabinet and Cabinet-level nominations to win Senate approval. The Senate also voted 62-37 to move ahead on the nomi
  
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• 5-year-old boy gets haircut just like best friend to confuse teacher

  02-03-2017 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  (WFLA) — A wonderful little boy only sees one difference between him and his best friend – their hair.
  Jax is 5-years-old and his mom, Lydia Stith Rosebush, told him he needed to get a haircut over the weekend.
  Jax said he wanted his hair cut really short so he could look like his best friend Reddy, and that way their teacher wouldn’t be able to tell the two boys apart.
  Jax couldn’t wait for the school day to start because he thought it would be hilarious to confuse his t
  
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• Federal judge tosses SEC suit against Texas attorney general

  02-03-2017 16:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the U.S. government’s securities fraud lawsuit against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who still faces criminal charges of duping wealthy investors.
  But the ruling by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant is a significant victory for Paxton, who is scheduled to stand trial in May on felony securities fraud charges. He has pleaded not guilty and faces five to 99 years in prison if convicted.
  The lawsuit filed by the U
  
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• Starbucks offering buy one Macchiato, get one free

  02-03-2017 15:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If your Thursday is in need of a perk up, Starbucks may have just what you’re looking for: a special BOGO offer.
  Starbucks is celebrating the release of their new Iced Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato with a five-day “Meet for Macchiatos” promotion.
  You’ll need to plan accordingly, though, the purchase of any macchiato will get you a second one for free between 2 and 5 p.m. during the event which runs from March 2 to 6.
  Full details can be fou
  
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• Drive-in movie theater coming to south Austin

  02-03-2017 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites will be able to watch movies under the stars at the new drive-in theater opening on March 10.
  Blue Starlite is unveiling their new location in south Austin at 12419 Lowden Lane. Only 15 minutes away from downtown, the drive-in will be far enough for you to put the city lights in your rear view mirror and watch the silver screen light up the night sky.
  The three-acre lot will feature:
  Fire pit
  Picnic area
  Seating in the grass
  Vintage drive-in speakers
  Concess
  
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• Birth photographer shames woman for having a c-section

  02-03-2017 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  OREGON (NBC4) —  An Oregon mother shared a text message exchange with a birth photographer who shamed her for having a c-section.
  The exchange went viral after being shared by the Sanctimommy blog.
  The mother was trying to arrange for a birth photographer. In a text exchange, the photographer mentioned the uncertainty of when a birth would actually happen. The woman replied saying that she was having a schedule c-section.
  The photographer told her that she wanted no part of it.
  &ldquo
  
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• 1 of 2 shot Houston officers discharged from hospital

  02-03-2017 14:35 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — One of two police officers shot while investigating a home burglary in Houston has been released from a hospital.
  A post on the Houston Police Department Twitter account said 34-year-old Officer Jose Munoz was discharged from a Houston hospital Wednesday. The post says 49-year-old Officer Ronny Cortez remains in critical but stable condition.
  Earlier Wednesday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Cortez was being treated for multiple wounds, including a bullet lodged near hi
  
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• Arrest made in fatal shooting of 8-year-old Houston girl

  02-03-2017 14:16 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — Police have arrested a 19-year-old man for the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old Houston girl following a traffic accident last weekend.
  Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said Wednesday that police are withholding the name of the man in custody because charges are pending.
  The girl’s mother, Latoyia Thomas, told authorities she and her daughter, DeMaree Atkins, were on their way home around 2 a.m. Saturday when their car collided with another car that was speeding with a
  
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• Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch back on market for $67M

  02-03-2017 14:07 via kxan.com
  
  LOS OLIVOS, Calif. (AP) — Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is back on the market with an asking price of $67 million.
  The 2,700-acre property near Santa Barbara, California, has been renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch. The listed price represents a significant cut from the $100 million it was on the market for last year.
  In addition to a 12,000 square foot main residence and a 3,700 square foot pool house, the listing boasts a separate building with a 50-seat movie theater and a dance st
  
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• Record STD rates drive syphilis in newborns

  02-03-2017 13:51 via kxan.com
  
  BAKERSFIELD (KRON) — Newborns who have syphilis are being delivered in record numbers.
  The STD was almost non-existent in the year 2000, but now, it’s soaring and the most vulnerable among us are falling victim, according to CNN.
  STDs, in general, are way up. The most glaring number is syphilis rates rose 27 percent across the country from 2014 to 2015.
  The Centers for Disease Control says lots of women do not know they have syphilis or are unaware their unborn baby could be infected
  
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• City leaders will vote on resolution condemning Trump’s travel ban

  02-03-2017 13:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — President Donald Trump is revising his Executive Order on refugees and immigration, which is expected to be released this week.
  Austin city leaders want to send Washington D.C. lawmakers a message about where they stand on the issue. The City Council will vote on a resolution condemning the President’s immigration ban on Thursday.
  Officials told the Associated Press Trump’s proposed new policy will take Iraq out of the original seven Muslim-majori
  
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• Autonomous vehicles, traffic, economic incentives top city council agenda

  02-03-2017 13:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here is a look at some of the items topping Thursday’s Austin City Council agenda:
  Autonomous vehicles
  Council members will consider a resolution directing the city manager “to develop a plan and prepare the City to take a leadership role in the ensuing ‘New Mobility/Autonomous Vehicle Solution.'” A news conference will be held at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the city’s leadership role when it comes to electric automated vehicles.
  Traffic mitigation o
  
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• Online tip leads police to Austin man in possession of child porn

  02-03-2017 12:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man is facing four counts of child pornography possession after police received an online tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
  If convicted, Francisco Daniel Arguello, 29, could spend up to 10 years in prison for each charge against him. Police searched Arguellos’ home in Austin to confiscate his computer, cell phones, electronic devices and additional external hardware.
  This case is being investigated by the Attorney General&rsqu
  
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• Austin man facing four counts of child pornography possession

  02-03-2017 12:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man is facing four counts of child pornography possession after police received an online tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
  If convicted, Francisco Daniel Arguello, 29, could spend up to 10 years in prison for each charge against him. Police searched Arguellos’ home in Austin to confiscate his computer, cell phones, electronic devices and additional external hardware.
  This case is being investigated by the Attorney General&rsqu
  
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• Round-the-clock giving event boosts funds for non-profits

  02-03-2017 10:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An annual 24-hour drive to boost donations for Austin’s non-profit community kicks off Thursday night with a big goal.
  Amplify Austin hopes raise $9 million in 24 hours starting March 2, 2017. (Logo: Amplify Austin)Amplify Austin Day hopes to raise $9 million in funds for more than 700 local non-profits. It’s an ambitious goal, but every year, the community-wide event exceeds expectations.
  Now in it’s fifth year, organizers say the event is a “g
  
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• Amplify Austin donation drive kicks off its 5th year

  02-03-2017 10:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- An annual drive to boost donations for Austin’s non-profit community kicks off Thursday night with a big goal. Amplify Austin Day hopes to raise $9 million in funds for 2017. I Live Here, I Give Here will host the 24-hour event beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. and wrapping up Friday at 6 p.m.
  The organization says Amplify Austin raised $25 million over the last four years for many Austin-area groups. Last year’s drive brought in $8.5 million and helped more than
  
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• Celebrations mark 181st anniversary of Texas Independence

  02-03-2017 10:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- On March 2, 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence was approved at a conference on Washington-on-the-Brazos. Celebrate Texas plans to mark the 181st anniversary of the event on Thursday at 9 a.m. with a tribute to the fallen veterans of the Texas Revolution at the State Cemetery in East Austin. State Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) is sponsoring a celebration on the Capitol grounds at noon Thursday.
  In addition, The Texas Independence Day Parade marches down Congress Avenue on
  
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• Kidnapping of 3-year-old Killeen boy was faked, police say

  02-03-2017 06:01 via kxan.com
  
  KILLEEN, Texas (KXAN) — Many law enforcement agencies spent countless hours trying to find a 3-year-old Killeen boy after he was reported kidnapped on Feb. 11. 
  That report has turned out to be completely fabricated, the Killeen Police Department said.
  The people who reported “Jamal Powell” missing fabricated the boy’s identity, police say. According to the Killeen Daily Herald, officers don’t know the identity of the boy pictured in the official rele
  
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• Some Central Texas patients want speedier FDA approval of drugs

  02-03-2017 05:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When a drug is developed, it can take years of clinical studies before it’s available to the public. President Donald Trump wants to change that. In his speech before Congress Tuesday night, Trump said he wants to “slash the restraints” put on drug development by the Food and Drug Administration.
  Some patients waiting for those treatments are also in favor.
  Gina Massingill has lived with multiple sclerosis for 27 years. She considers herself luck
  
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• Longhorns lose in Lubbock

  02-03-2017 05:47 via kxan.com
  
  PHIL TERRIGNO, Associated Press
  LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Behind 18 points from Keenan Evans and 15 points from Justin Gray, Texas Tech halted a three-game Big 12 losing streak and beat Texas 67-57 on Wednesday.
  Aaron Ross finished with 13 points and six rebounds for the Red Raiders.
  Shaquille Cleare led Texas (10-20, 4-13) with 15. Jacob Young added 14 points.Jarrett Allen had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Longhorns and Kendal Yancy finished with seven points and five rebounds.
  Texas, whi
  
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• Fasten rideshare driver denies ride to Austin veteran, service dog

  02-03-2017 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Army veteran leaving the VA clinic in Austin says she was denied service by a driver for the company Fasten, because of her service dog.
  “As soon as the lady pulled up and she saw myself and Amigo walking towards her, she just rolled down her window and said ‘Nope,'” Lynn Krug, the veteran, says. “I was like, ‘oh, why not?’ and she pointed at Amigo, she was like ‘because of her.'”
  Krug says she has a service dog, Amigo the
  
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• Busy time for Tom Herman and Longhorns

  02-03-2017 05:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tom Herman has had some good news and bad news over the past few days.Orangebloods.com’s Dustin McComas joins Roger Wallace to talk about it as well as UT Baseball heading into their trip to Stanford.
  
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• College student leaders call for change in how sexual assault is reported

  02-03-2017 04:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students from universities across the state are asking lawmakers to change the way sexual assaults are reported.
  Student government leaders joined Senator Sylvia Garcia in support of Senate Bill 962, requiring Texas public schools to establish online reporting systems for survivors of sexual assault.
  The reports would remain anonymous and provide details and evidence, including videos, photos and first-hand accounts.
  READ: Campus sexual assault case &lsq
  
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• Armed suspect robs IBC Bank in east Austin

  02-03-2017 04:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An IBC Bank branch in east Austin was robbed Wednesday afternoon.
  At around 4:43 p.m., the suspect entered the International Bank of Commerce branch at 2817 E. Cesar Chavez St., near South Pleasant Valley Road.
  The man showed a weapon and demanded an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured.
  Austin police are describing the suspect as 5-foot-2 inches tall, 160-170 pounds, late 20s to early 30s and with possible facial hair. He was last seen wearing a dark ski mask an
  
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• U.S. attorney general spoke with Russian ambassador during campaign

  02-03-2017 04:38 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions had two conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States during the presidential campaign.
  The Justice Department said Wednesday night that the two conversations took place last year when Sessions was a senator.
  One was an office visit that occurred in his capacity as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The department says the other occurred in a group setting with other ambassadors following a Heritage Foundation
  
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• DPS troopers getting race right after KXAN investigation

  02-03-2017 02:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A KXAN investigation has resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of Hispanic drivers incorrectly reported as “white” by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers.
  KXAN’s investigation in 2015 found troopers wrongly identifying the race of minority drivers, mostly Hispanic, during traffic stops. Experts say the errors skew racial profiling reports required by a Texas law in which officers must determine and document the driver’s race.
  The most
  
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• Texas House, Senate unanimously vote to overhaul CPS

  02-03-2017 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After more than 200 children died in the state’s care last year, the Texas House and Senate passed a bill to overhaul Child Protective Services.
  Lawmakers are looking for solutions to help the troubled agency lacking funding and employees. Almost 50 children enter the state’s foster care system every day. Last year, more than 1,000 children aged out of the system without finding a home. Those behind Senate Bill 11 hope to change that.
  Wayne Carson, CEO
  
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