Austin news

• Travis Co. judges train to help child sex trafficking victims

  06-03-2017 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – For the first time, local juvenile and family court judges are getting high-level training on recognizing and getting help for Texas children who have been sexually trafficked.
  “Domestic child sex trafficking…has very often been described as being hidden in plain sight,” said the Hon. John J. Romero Jr., a board member on the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges which brought its training institute to Central Texas.
  “We get tunnel vi
  
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• Supreme Court won’t say if trans teen can pick bathroom

  06-03-2017 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is leaving the issue of transgender rights in schools to lower courts for now after backing out of a high-profile case Monday of a Virginia high school student who sued to be able to use the boys’ bathroom.
  The court’s order in the case of teenager Gavin Grimm means that attention now will turn to lower courts around the country that are grappling with rights of transgender students to use school bathrooms that correspond to their chosen gend
  
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• Texas House unveils sweeping school finance overhaul

  06-03-2017 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Top House leaders have unveiled a bipartisan bill pumping $1.6 billion extra into Texas classrooms as part of an ambitious plan overhauling how Texas pays for public education.
  Sponsored by Houston Republican Rep. Dan Huberty, the bill increases per-student funding by around $200 to $5,350, while adding funding for transportation and students with dyslexia.
  It will be heard in Huberty’s powerful Public Education Committee on Tuesday. Last summer, the Texas Suprem
  
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• Big hurdles face Texas’ ‘bathroom bill’ ahead of first vote

  06-03-2017 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A North Carolina-style “bathroom bill” targeting transgender people faces big hurdles in Texas as Republican supporters stood with church leaders and others Monday to ratchet up political pressure ahead of a first vote this week.
  Although the Texas bill is likely to sail through a Senate committee as early as Tuesday, the hotly contested measure faces a tough road ahead. It is opposed by corporate titans such as Facebook, Amazon, Google and American Airline
  
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• Two separate gas leaks in Austin lead to evacuation, closures

  06-03-2017 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters are responding to two gas leaks in Central Austin that have led to road closures and an evacuation.
  At 2:17 p.m., Austin firefighters were called to 10th Street and Interstate 35 at 2:17 p.m. and are responding to a 4-inch gas main break. Another break was reported at 22nd Street and San Gabriel, in West Campus, at 2:23 p.m.
  Both gas leaks were caused by construction crews, the Austin Fire Department said. Texas Gas is on scene at the West Campus leak where an
  
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• Hutto Councilman Michael Smith resigns amid tax concerns

  06-03-2017 19:38 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Hutto Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilman Michael J. Smith resigned from his post Monday, days after a KXAN investigation revealed outstanding tax issues and a questionable affidavit he filed in the Williamson County Clerk’s Office.
  Smith said he was not aware of the tax issue until KXAN contacted him Feb. 27. Days later, Smith said he paid the taxes, and he was working to rectify any taxation issues.
  In a March 3 Facebook post, Smith said he was in “constan
  
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• Murder suspect identified in unsolved death of Austin man

  06-03-2017 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After nearly two years as an unsolved murder case and a family waiting for answers, the suspect has been identified and is already behind bars.
  Jamal Boyd, 26, is accused of shooting 20-year-old Lewis Anthony Lane to death on April 24, 2015. Police and EMS crews arrived in south Austin to find Lewis shot in the middle of the street around 4 a.m. Medics took him to University Medical Center Brackenridge, where he died from those gunshot wounds.
  The shooting happened in
  
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• Joe Biden will announce cancer initiative at SXSW

  06-03-2017 17:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Vice President Joe Biden will use the South by Southwest platform to call for new and innovative solutions to fight cancer and will announce the founding of the Biden cancer initiative.Biden will speak on Sunday, March 12 at 3:30 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center; his address is open to all SXSW registrants.“We’re excited to have Vice President Biden address the creative innovators and entrepreneurs that attend SXSW,” said Hugh Forrest, Chief Pro
  
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• Iconic ‘I Love You So Much’ mural vandalized

  06-03-2017 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the most photographed spots in Austin is getting a fresh coat of paint after vandals left behind a hateful message.
  Work has already begun on covering up the graffiti on the iconic “I Love You So Much,” mural on the side of Jo’s Coffee shop on Congress Avenue. Pictures surfacing on social media show the message saying an expletive about Austin.
  The story behind the mural began in 2010, when Austin musician Amy Cook painted the words of love for her
  
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• TSA changing pat-down policy after failing to detect weapons

  06-03-2017 14:49 via kxan.com
  
  U.S. (KXAN) — A 2015 Homeland Security study found that TSA officers failed to detect smuggled weapons in 67 out of 70 attempts, a 95 percent failure rate.
  Now the TSA will be making security pat-downs more comprehensive under a new policy. The agency is tightening their rules to improve security.
  Previously, they used several types of pat-downs usually after a person sets off the metal detectors. Now, those options have been replaced with a universal procedure and not
  
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• Safety improvements begin on dangerous Lamar, Parmer intersection

  06-03-2017 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Safety improvements are beginning on one of Austin’s most dangerous intersections. Lamar Boulevard and Parmer Lane are part of the focus for the Vision Zero plan to fix the hot spots for crashes in the city.
  The nearly $650,000 improvements include, a right-turn island, adding high visibility cross walks, a new traffic signal and pedestrian hybrid beacon. The goal is to eventually have zero fatal crashes in Austin.
  However, before things get better traffic is exp
  
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• Transgender student complains after remark by teacher’s aide

  06-03-2017 14:11 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A North Texas transgender student has filed a complaint with her school district saying a teacher’s aide was insensitive when the aide questioned the student’s use of a women’s bathroom.
  KDFW-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2m8i2AH ) that 16-year-old Ishy Valdez and her mother have spoken with Castleberry school district officials about Wednesday’s confrontation.
  Valdez, who’s transitioning from a boy to a girl, says she and other students w
  
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• An angry weekend follows on heels of frustrations for Trump

  06-03-2017 13:33 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump started his weekend in Florida in a fit of anger over his young administration getting sidetracked just days after his most successful moment in office. He returned to the White House late Sunday derailed — again.
  Trump’s frustration appeared to be both the symptom and the cause of his recent woes. Angry about leaks, errant messaging and his attorney general landing in hot water, he fired off a series of tweets that only ensured more dis
  
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• Trump signs new travel ban targeting those seeking new visas

  06-03-2017 12:56 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday signed a new version of his controversial travel ban, aiming to withstand court challenges while still barring new visas for citizens from six Muslim-majority countries and shutting down the U.S. refugee program.
  The revised travel order leaves Iraq off the list of banned countries but still affects would-be visitors from Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Libya.
  Trump privately signed the new order Monday while Homeland Security Secre
  
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• Trump signs new anti-terror travel ban _without new fanfare

  06-03-2017 12:56 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Without fanfare, President Donald Trump signed a scaled-back version of his controversial ban on many foreign travelers Monday, hoping to avoid a new round of lawsuits and outrage while fulfilling a central campaign promise. His order still bars new visas for people from six Muslim-majority countries and temporarily shuts down America’s refugee program.
  The revised order, signed with none of the flourish of his first version, eliminates some of the most contentious
  
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• Trump expected to sign new travel ban order

  06-03-2017 12:56 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A revised executive order temporarily barring the entry of people from certain Muslim-majority countries and halting the nation’s refugee program is set to go to President Donald Trump soon.
  A White House official says plans to roll out the order are on track for Monday. The official insisted on anonymity in order to discuss the order ahead of the official announcement.
  The administration has repeatedly pushed back the signing as it has worked to better coordinate w
  
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• New travel ban signed; Iraq not included this time

  06-03-2017 12:56 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday signed a reworked version of his controversial travel ban Monday, aiming to withstand court challenges while still barring new visas for citizens from six Muslim-majority countries and temporarily shutting down America’s refugee program.
  The revised travel order leaves Iraq off the list of banned countries but still affects would-be visitors and immigrants from Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Libya.
  Trump privately signed the
  
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• Bills aimed at keeping police officers safe goes before lawmakers

  06-03-2017 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday at the State Capitol the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will look at two bills aimed at protecting police officers across the state.
  Senate Bill 12 would help departments pay for new bullet proof vests; something that became a priority after the shootings in Dallas last summer. This bill would provide grants for special bullet proof vests called rifle plated vests. These aren’t the vests officers wear under their uniform, instead these weigh about 20 pounds
  
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• Free Fun in Austin for week of March 6-10

  06-03-2017 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- As the weather warms up and the skies clear up, our partners at Free Fun in Austin have some ideas you might enjoy.
  SXSWedu Expo– Tuesday, March 7 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. SXSWedu Expo merges a diverse community of education professionals from around the world with Central Texas students in a unique, high-energy experience. The event features more than a hundred exhibitors, student performances, a student startup competition, and opportunities for personal and pr
  
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• AISD kicks off art show featuring student works

  06-03-2017 12:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — March is National Youth Art Month and the Austin Independent School District is celebrating by showcasing more than 1,700 works from students across the district.
  The annual exhibit features paintings, drawings, printmaking, mixed media, sculptures, collages, weaving, ceramics, photography, jewelry and electronic media from 113 elementary, middle and high schools.
  The exhibit debuted on Sunday at the district’s Performing Arts Center at 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd. It wi
  
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• Capital Metro to extend service during SXSW

  06-03-2017 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- As visitors from around the world descend on Austin for SXSW, Capital Metro is expanding its service to accommodate the crowds. The agency says MetroRapid buses will operate Friday and Saturday nights until 2:30 a.m. and Sunday night until 12:30 a.m. MetroRail service will also be extended on the weekends with Saturday service from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to midnight.
  MetroRail service will also be extended on the weekends with Saturday service from 10:3
  
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• Capital Metro seeks public input on UT service changes

  06-03-2017 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- Capital Metro wants to hear from the public when it comes to making permanent changes to its service near the UT campus. The agency recently changed bus routes along 21st Street and Red River Street after Speedway was turned into a pedestrian mall. Capital Metro is looking to make those detours permanent.
  These bus routes will be impacted by the changes:
  18 MLK
  412 E-Bus
  640 40 Acres
  642 West Campus
  663 Lake Austin (21st Street)
  10 Red River
  20 Manor
  37 Colony Park
  100 MetroAirpor
  
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• Capital Metro extending service during SXSW

  06-03-2017 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As visitors from around the world descend on Austin for South by Southwest, Capital Metro is expanding its service to accommodate the crowds.
  The agency says MetroRapid buses will operate Friday and Saturday nights until 2:30 a.m. and Sunday night until 12:30 a.m. MetroRail service will also be extended on the weekends with Saturday service from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to midnight.
  MetroRail service will also be extended on the weekends with Satur
  
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• Future zookeeper gives up presents for 7th birthday, saves animals instead

  06-03-2017 05:58 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A 7-year-old boy in Round Rock says he’s happy with his decision not to get any toys for his birthday party last Saturday, March 4.
  Instead, Kane Franco told his friends and family he wanted to save endangered species.
  So, they presented him with certificates from the World Wildlife Fund — showing pictures of the animals he helped save.
  They include a snow leopard, black panther and a tiger.
  “I loved animals, I always wanted to be a zookeeper,&r
  
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• Police: Skeletal remains found behind kitchen wall of Houston home

  06-03-2017 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — Human remains were found behind a kitchen wall in Houston over the weekend.
  Police said the home was recently purchased, and the new homeowners were in the attic Saturday when a floorboard gave way.
  Through the floor, investigators said the new homeowners saw what appeared to be skeletal remains.
  They called police, who tore down a wall to get to the bones. The medical examiner is working to confirm if they are human and to determine any clues for a potential cause of deat
  
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• Police: Human skeletal remains found behind kitchen wall of Houston home

  06-03-2017 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — Human remains were found behind a kitchen wall in Houston over the weekend.
  Police said the home was recently purchased, and the new homeowners were in the attic Saturday when a floorboard gave way.
  Through the floor, investigators said the new homeowners saw what appeared to be skeletal remains.
  They called police, who tore down a wall to get to the bones. The medical examiner is working to confirm if they are human and to determine any clues for a potential cause of deat
  
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• Police: Human remains found behind kitchen wall of Houston home

  06-03-2017 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — Human remains were found behind a kitchen wall in Houston over the weekend.
  Police said the home was recently purchased, and the new homeowners were in the attic Saturday when a floorboard gave way.
  Through the floor, investigators said the new homeowners saw what appeared to be skeletal remains.
  They called police, who tore down a wall to get to the bones. The medical examiner is working to confirm if they are human and to determine any clues for a potential cause of deat
  
  Read more

• Williamson Co. Sheriff’s Office ’empowering princesses’

  06-03-2017 04:14 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — It’s most girls’ dream to become a princess, and those wishes came true Sunday afternoon. About a hundred girls, ten-years-old and younger, spent the day getting pampered at Posh Salon in Georgetown. But their visit was about more than the makeover.
  “We want them to feel beautiful, but we also want them to see that law enforcement is not scary and we’re here to help them in any way we can,” said Julie Hobbs with Williamson Count
  
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• Grassroots group ‘Indivisible’ gears up for next election

  06-03-2017 03:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The political movement known as the Tea Party eventually helped propel President Trump and many Republican Congressmen into office, but it started as small groups of local activists trying to make change in their community.
  Many Americans might have thought the signs and the cheers finished in 2016.
  Now, the left-leaning group “Indivisible” is trying to learn from the Tea Party to put pressure on Washington.
  “Over here we have TX 21. That is Lamar Smith&rs
  
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• Ceremony at Capitol honors Texans who died in Battle of the Alamo

  06-03-2017 02:25 via kxan.com
  
  181 years ago today — the nearly two-week long attack by the Mexican Army at the Alamo was nearly over.
  Nearly 200 Texans died inside as the Texas Revolution came close to reaching an end.
  Those who died were honored in a special ceremony Sunday at the Heroes of the Alamo monument on the State Capitol grounds.
  The group Celebrate Texas held the event. They read the names of those who died while ringing a bell and firing a musket volley — a military honor.
  “It’s a matter o
  
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• 4 Bandidos gang members arrested in 2006 death of Austin man

  06-03-2017 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Four members of the Bandidos motorcycle gang have been indicted on charges they conspired to kill a man who was attempting to launch a Texas chapter of the Hell’s Angels in Austin.Federal authorities say the four include 47-year-old Johnny Romo, who holds a national position with the gang. The charges against him include murder in aid of racketeering.
  Authorities say Romo and the others conspired to kill Anthony Benesh in a 2006 sniper attack as he stood outside
  
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