Austin news

• Car fire spreads to warehouse in Hutto

  30-03-2017 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — A warehouse in Hutto had to be evacuated after a car fire spread to the building Thursday afternoon.
  The fire started around 3:30 p.m. near Innovation Boulevard and Limmer Loop. A business owner along Innovation Boulevard says he believes an auto repair shop down the street originally caught fire.
  No injuries have been reported at this time. 
   
  
  Read more

• Austin police K9 dies from aggressive form of cancer

  30-03-2017 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — K9 Blitz, who entered service with the Austin Police Department in 2008, has died from an aggressive form of cancer.
  Blitz’s partner, Officer Darrin Lahr and his family, have laid Blitz to rest. The patrol K9 was previously diagnosed with Multifocal Large Cell Lymph sarcoma.
  For his entire career, K9 Blitz patrolled the streets of Austin with Office Lahr, making more than 100 arrests. cA single purpose K9, Blitz was tasked with supporting police officers and spec
  
  Read more

• Hutto officially dedicates FM 685 as Chris Kelley Boulevard

  30-03-2017 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Now that the improvements to Farm to Market 685 in Hutto are complete, the road has officially been dedicated as Chris Kelley Boulevard.
  On Thursday, the Hutto Police Department along with Sgt. Kelley’s family and friends gathered for the dedication ceremony. Sgt. Kelley was killed in the line of duty during the summer of 2015.
  Officials spent $11 million on improving FM 685 from US 79 to SH 130. The new and improved road now has a median, turn lanes and wi
  
  Read more

• CapMetro, Austin miss goal of getting more drivers to not commute alone

  30-03-2017 22:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Relatively few drivers gave up on commuting alone in Austin after a $300,000 program to encourage alternate modes of transportation and carpooling.
  Last year, the city of Austin and a Capital Metro pilot program worked to educate more Austinites about public transit and other ways of getting to work.
  The program, called Smart Trips, was offered to nearly 13,000 households in central Austin to start. It was paid for by the city of Austin and CapMetro with the goal of de
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 3 killed in Tulsa home invasion broke into property earlier in day

  30-03-2017 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Authorities say three Oklahoma teenagers who were shot dead during a suspected home invasion broke into a detached garage on the property earlier the same day and stole liquor from a game room.
  A Wagoner County sheriff’s spokesman says Maxwell Cook, Jacob Redfern and Jakob Woodruff robbed the converted apartment earlier Monday.
  Deputy Nick Mahoney says the teens returned to the house in an affluent Tulsa-area neighborhood after a woman suspected of driving them th
  
  Read more

• Pigeon birth control distributed at Texas Tech

  30-03-2017 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) — A team of administrators and students at Texas Tech University are working together to fight the mass pigeon population on campus. They’re now working on distributing a birth control that is safe for the pigeons to eat, and that won’t allow their eggs to complete fertilization process.
  “It’s used to make the eggs infertile, it breaks up the layers so the egg yolk and egg white do not connect. So the bird will keep laying eggs but the eggs wil
  
  Read more

• One killed in crash on US 290 frontage at Cameron Road

  30-03-2017 19:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A two-vehicle collision on the westbound frontage road of US 290 at Cameron Road Thursday killed one person, police say.
  The crash involving a truck and a sedan happened just after 11 a.m. All southbound traffic on Cameron Road is currently being diverted to the frontage road.
  Austin-Travis County EMS says they transported two patients to the hospital. One patient was a woman in her 80s and another in her 70s. Police say one of the injured women died a short time later at t
  
  Read more

• Something completely different at McDonald’s: Fresh beef

  30-03-2017 19:27 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Coming soon to McDonald’s: Fresh beef.
  The fast food giant said Thursday that it will swap frozen beef patties for fresh ones in its Quarter Pounder burgers by sometime next year at most of its U.S. locations. It’s a major change for McDonald’s, which has relied on frozen beef for more than 40 years. Employees will cook up the never-frozen beef on a grill when burgers are ordered.
  “It’s a really hot, juicy burger,” said McDonald’s U
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• PHOTOS: Members from First Baptist New Braunfels killed in crash

  30-03-2017 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thirteen parishioners from First Baptist New Braunfels died when a man driving a pickup truck crashed head-on into their bus. PHOTOS: Members from First Baptist New Braunfels killed in crash Abbie Schmeltekopf (Courtesy: Schmeltekopf Famly) Murray Barret, bottom left, with his family. (Courtesy: Barrett Family)Mildred Rosamond (Courtesy: Rosamond Family)Rhonda Allen (Courtesy: Allen Family)
  
  Read more

• Can you ID this Longhorns-clad bank robber?

  30-03-2017 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police say the man who robbed the American Bank of Commerce Wednesday morning was sporting Longhorns gear during the robbery.
  Detectives released photos of the suspect, who can be seen holding a handgun, in hopes you may recognize him. Police say the suspect might have fired a shot as he was leaving.
  The robber was last seen wearing black sunglasses, a long sleeved Khaki shirt, blue jeans and a burnt orange and white Longhorn clothing item over his head.
  He sped away
  
  Read more

• Judge moves, pushes Texas attorney general’s criminal trial

  30-03-2017 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A judge is postponing the criminal trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and is moving the case from the Republican’s hometown.
  The decision Thursday comes a month before Paxton was scheduled to face a jury on felony securities fraud charges. He’s accused of steering investors toward a tech startup without disclosing he was being paid by the company.
  State District Judge George Gallagher didn’t immediately set a new trial date.
  The delay comes af
  
  Read more

• Lakeway sees string of car burglaries

  30-03-2017 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) — A rash of car burglaries in Lakeway has police there asking residents for help bringing the suspects to justice.
  Lakeway police asked residents of the Flintrock Falls neighborhood for any home security video, photos or information about suspicious people that could become a lead in the case. Police say the burglaries happened Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
  If your vehicle was broken into, police ask you call 911 to file a police report.
  
  Read more

• No kids allowed: North Carolina restaurant bans children

  30-03-2017 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  MOORESVILLE, N.C (WCNC) – A North Carolina restaurant is receiving both praise and criticism after it officially banned children five years of age and younger from dining there.
  Caruso’s, an upscale Italian restaurant, made the decision to ban toddlers after its owner said there were too many incidents of young kids crying, screaming, and misbehaving.
  Some people took to Facebook to voice their displeasure with decision, writing comments such as, “Never been more disappointed a
  
  Read more

• Amazon.com announces 10th fulfillment center in Texas

  30-03-2017 17:25 via kxan.com
  
  KATY, Texas (AP) — Amazon.com Inc. has announced plans for a 10th fulfillment center in Texas.
  Seattle-based Amazon on Wednesday announced the site in Katy, near Houston, will have about 1 million square feet of space and create 1,000 full-time jobs. Amazon employees will pick, pack and ship larger-sized customer items, such as music equipment, sports gear and electronics.
  MORE: Take a look inside Amazon’s Prime Now hub
  The company, with operations in Texas since 2013, currently has
  
  Read more

• Victims of New Braunfels church bus crash identified

  30-03-2017 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — Troopers have identified the passengers aboard the First Baptist Church of New Braunfels bus who were killed in Wednesday’s deadly crash as the group drove back following a retreat.
  According to DPS, the deceased on the bus are:
  Murray William Barrett, 67, of New Braunfels
  Howard Bryan Allen, 81, of New Braunfels
  Rhonda Barlow Allen, 61, of New Braunfels
  Harold Boyd Barber, 87 of New Braunfels
  Margaret Robinson Barber, 82, of New Braunfels
  Cristie Claire
  
  Read more

• Lottery tickets sold in Florida could get warning labels

  30-03-2017 15:32 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – For years, there have been warning labels on cigarettes. Soon, there may be warnings on something else you can buy at most gas stations and grocery stores – lottery tickets, including scratch-offs and draw-play game Powerball and Mega Millions.
  Tickets sold by the Florida Lottery cost $1 to $25, and are sold at more than 13,000 locations across the state, including hundreds of locations in the Tampa Bay area.
  Florida Republican Representative Jennifer Sullivan of
  
  Read more

• Interstate 35 lanes reopen in Round Rock

  30-03-2017 14:19 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — All southbound lanes of Interstate 35 have reopened following a crash involving a big rig near the Old Settlers interchange this morning.
  The crash closed two lanes of the interstate causing big headaches for commuters.
  Drivers in Williamson County are facing nearly an hour-long delay on Southbound Interstate 35 Thursday morning.#WilcoTraffic: OUCH!Nearly an hr delay from @visitgeorgetown on SB 35 due to a multi car crash blocking lns in RR pic.twitter.com/J2u2Kc
  
  Read more

• American Airlines pilot dies after medical episode on flight

  30-03-2017 13:52 via kxan.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KXAN) — An American Airlines flight to Albuquerque landed safely after the co-pilot died just before landing Wednesday.
  Our sister station in Albuquerque reports the captain declared a medical emergency before just before the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth approached the Albuquerque International Sunport.The captain of the Boeing 737-800 landed the flight safely as CPR was being given to the co-pilot.
  The plane was met by EMS crews. First officer William “Mike&rdquo
  
  Read more

• Power lines kill boys playing in Fort Worth park

  30-03-2017 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — Two boys are dead after they were electrocuted by a downed power line at a Fort Worth park Wednesday evening.
  The children, 11 and 12, were pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m.
  Firefighters said the boys were in a heavily wooded part of the park when they came across the power lines. A third child made it out of the woods to get help. When firefighters arrived, the power lines were arching and had sparked a small grass fire.
  Oncor crews rushed to the scene to disable the
  
  Read more

• Interstate 35 and US 183 land millions for improvements

  30-03-2017 12:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation has been approved to receive $2.5 billion in funding for 19 projects statewide to improve commutes. The governing body for TxDOT approved the money, which comes from the voter approved Proposition 7, which dedicated more state dollars to the State Highway Fund. Austin will get  $415.6 million to relieve congestion.
  Some of the big projects are along I-35 at Riverside Drive down to Oltorf. With $162 million, as early as this fall,
  
  Read more

• Police link overnight Central Texas robberies

  30-03-2017 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  This article has been updated throughout. 
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three overnight armed robberies appear to be linked, police say.
  The string of robberies started just before midnight in San Marcos. San Marcos police say around 11:45 p.m., a man wearing a hoodie with light-colored sleeves tried to open the doors of a Wing Stop restaurant at 913 Highway 80. When he realized the doors were locked, witnesses say he brandished a small, silver-colored handgun in full view of the customers still i
  
  Read more

• Downtown Austin IHOP robbed overnight

  30-03-2017 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin IHOP was robbed early Thursday morning, becoming the third location of the resturaunt chain to be robbed in Austin in March.
  Austin Police tell KXAN the location 707 E. Cesar Chavez St., just off Interstate 35, was robbed by a man just after 3 a.m.
  Two IHOP locations were robbed in the early morning hours of March 20; police believe the same man robbed both locations just minutes apart.  No arrests have been made in those cases.
  It’s unclear at this poi
  
  Read more

• Pedestrian deaths spiked in 2016, distraction cited

  30-03-2017 12:10 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Pedestrian deaths are climbing faster than motorist fatalities, reaching nearly 6,000 deaths last year — the highest total in more than two decades, according to an analysis of preliminary state data released Thursday.
  Increased driving due to an improved economy, lower gas prices and more walking for exercise and environmental factors are some of the likely reasons behind the estimated 11 percent spike in pedestrian fatalities in 2016. The figures were prepared for
  
  Read more

• Distraction cited as pedestrian deaths spiked in 2016

  30-03-2017 12:10 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Pedestrian deaths are climbing faster than motorist fatalities, reaching nearly 6,000 deaths last year — the highest total in more than two decades, according to an analysis of preliminary state data released Thursday.
  Increased driving due to an improved economy, lower gas prices and more walking for exercise and environmental factors are some of the likely reasons behind the estimated 11 percent spike in pedestrian fatalities in 2016. The figures were prepared for
  
  Read more

• Bill adding classes on dealing with police passes Senate

  30-03-2017 12:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bill that will require high schoolers to learn how to interact with police has passed the Texas senate.
  SB 30 would require the State Board of Education to adopt rules requiring the course where students would learn their rights along with the officer’s duties and how to file a complaint.
  It also calls for driver’s license manuals to be updated to detail what to do when stopped by an officer.
  The bill was filed by Democratic Senators John Whitmire of Houston a
  
  Read more

• NC lawmakers, gov reach deal to end ‘bathroom bill’ standoff

  30-03-2017 12:04 via kxan.com
  
  RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said late Wednesday that they have agreed on legislation to resolve a standoff over the state’s “bathroom bill” through a replacement measure that still restricts LGBT nondiscrimination protections.
  GOP leaders announced the new legislation would be debated and voted on Thursday, but it was unclear whether there were enough House and Senate votes to pass it. And leaders of gay rights g
  
  Read more

• Officials: Callers saw a pickup swerving before Texas crash

  30-03-2017 11:53 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (AP) — Law enforcement officials from two Texas departments say they received phone calls about a pickup driving erratically shortly before a collision between a truck and church bus in southwest Texas that killed 13 people returning from a retreat.
  One man called the dispatch line just past noon Wednesday to report that a white Dodge pickup was swerving on the road, Uvalde police Lt. Daniel Rodriguez said Thursday.
  “(The caller) was scared (the pickup driver) wa
  
  Read more

• NTSB to begin probe of Texas bus-truck crash that killed 13

  30-03-2017 11:53 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (AP) — Federal investigators are getting their first look Thursday at the scene of a head-on collision involving a small church bus and a pickup truck that killed 13 senior adult church members onboard the bus.
  The Texas Department of Public Safety reported the lone bus survivor remains hospitalized in critical condition, and the pickup truck driver is in stable condition.
  The National Transportation Safety Board sent investigators to the scene to begin seeking the cause of t
  
  Read more

• Crews to investigate head-on crash that killed 13 in Texas

  30-03-2017 11:53 via kxan.com
  
  CONCAN, Texas (AP) — Federal investigators will get their first look Thursday at the scene of a head-on collision between a pickup truck and small church bus in southwest Texas that crumpled the front of the bus and killed 13 senior adults returning from a church retreat.
  The Texas Department of Public Safety refused to speculate on the cause of the Wednesday afternoon crash outside Garner State Park, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of San Antonio, although one spokesman says the truc
  
  Read more

• China’s Xi to meet Trump in Mar-a-Lago on April 6-7

  30-03-2017 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time on April 6-7 at Trump’s Florida resort, China’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday, amid a range of pressing issues including trade, North Korea and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
  The relationship between the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 economies has been uncertain following the election of Trump, who accused China during his campaign of unfair trade
  
  Read more

• UT pool will remain closed for weeks after 40-year-old pipe leaks

  30-03-2017 05:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One month later and a University of Texas at Austin pool that was leaking water into Waller Creek is still closed. Project managers say it won’t open for weeks, but they’re aiming to have their project finished by late May.
  “We are actually 4 to 5 feet below the floor of the pool,” Mike Carmangola, director of UT Project Management and Construction Services says. He gave KXAN crews a tour of the maintenance area underneath the poo
  
  Read more

• Texas swimmers Licon and Conger visit More Than the Score

  30-03-2017 04:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — University of Texas swimmers Will Licon and Jack Conger were guests on More Than the Score Wednesday.
  The two seniors helped lead Texas to their 3rd straight NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving National Championship.
  Licon became just the fourth swimmer in NCAA history to win four different individual events during his career claiming titles in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke and the 200 and 400 Individual Medley. Conger won the 200 Butterfly on Saturday for his first individ
  
  Read more

• Second skunk tests positive for rabies in Burnet

  30-03-2017 04:48 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A sick skunk found on March 19 in Burnet has tested positive for rabies, the second with a positive rabies test in Burnet this year.
  The skunk was found in the 1500 block of East Johnson Street, on the city’s northeast side. Police took the skunk and sent it for testing by the state. Officers received confirmation Wednesday that the skunk has rabies.
  “Burnet police wants the citizens to be very aware of the information and to make sure that they get all o
  
  Read more

• ACC employee placed on leave over fondling accusations

  30-03-2017 04:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An employee at Austin Community College has been placed on administrative leave while officials investigate claims the employee fondled a person.
  ACC says others have come forward with reports of inappropriate behavior by the employee.
  An email sent out to students and staff says a criminal trespass warning will be issued against the employee, who has not been identified. “ACC takes this type of incident very seriously and encourages students and employees to report i
  
  Read more

• UT’s Andrew Jones to declare for NBA Draft

  30-03-2017 04:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — University of Texas freshman guard Andrew Jones will declare for the NBA Draft, the school announced Wednesday. Jones does not plan to hire an agent. He started 23 games his freshman season, averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds.
  “My family and I have decided that it is best for me to test the waters,” Jones said. “We want to see where I stand in the draft, but we’re also looking to improve my game as well. We are looking to get a
  
  Read more

• Eastside Memorial High seniors facing expensive hurdles to prom

  30-03-2017 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eastside Memorial High School seniors about to head out into the world have one last big school celebration ahead of them: prom.
  But instead of shopping for dresses and finding dates, students at Eastside, located at 1012 Arthur Stiles Rd., aren’t sure they’ll even have a prom.
  The student body, responsible for raising the money to pay for the festivities, recently found out they would also have to help pay for graduation. They have about $1,600 now, but will ne
  
  Read more

• Audio not recorded on doomed Australia flight with 4 Austin-area men on board

  30-03-2017 03:40 via kxan.com
  
  CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A cockpit voice recorder failed to capture audio of the doomed flight of a light plane that crashed into the roof of an Australian shopping mall last month killing a pilot and four American tourists, accident investigators said Wednesday.
  Australian pilot Max Quartermain, 63, radioed “Mayday” seven times, but did not explain the emergency before the twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200 plunged into the Direct Factory Outlet mall in the Melbourne subur
  
  Read more

• Texas Senate OKs ‘fetal remains’ bill despite court case

  30-03-2017 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas Senate has given preliminary approval to a bill mandating burial or cremation of fetal remains from abortions and miscarriages, even though a federal judge already blocked an existing state rule requiring the same thing.
  Dallas Republican Sen. Don Huffines’ bill passed 22-9 on Wednesday. It still needs a final vote to send it to the House.
  Huffines says Texas now allows putting fetal remains in garbage disposals, though medical providers note that they usually
  
  Read more

• Warm, wet weather brings the tiger mosquito to Texas early

  30-03-2017 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The combination of wet weather and above average temperatures have made for a breeding frenzy. Not only for early blooming wildflowers, but also for a certain type of mosquito, the “tiger mosquito.”
  The Asian Tiger mosquito, also known as “aedes albopictus,” typically starts to pop up in Texas right around April, then they stick around through the end of the summer. However, entomologists, or bug experts, have noticed this particular breed
  
  Read more

• Man in his 70s critically injured in crash on SH 71 in Bee Cave

  30-03-2017 01:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man in his 70s has critical injuries after a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 71 near Vail Divide in Bee Cave.
  Austin-Travis County EMS were called to the 16700 block of West SH 71 at around 5:43 p.m. Three others injured in the crash refused medical treatment.
  Medics say the critically injured man was initially trapped in the vehicle. The Department of Public Safety says traffic is being diverted around the crash; expect delays.
  KXAN will update this page as we get add
  
  Read more

• Police: Burnet woman kidnapped, sexually assaulted by registered sex offender

  30-03-2017 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A registered sex offender is back in jail after police say he broke into a woman’s apartment in Burnet and sexually assaulted her in front of her two children.
  Burnet police say the incident happened on Tuesday around 8 p.m. in the city’s northeast side. The victim told police a man, later identified as 55-year-old Danny Cude, sexually assaulted her multiple times. Police say he also held a knife up to her throat while threatening to kill her an
  
  Read more

• Police: Burnet woman, child sexually assaulted by registered sex offender

  30-03-2017 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A registered sex offender is back in jail after police say he broke into a woman’s apartment in Burnet and sexually assaulted her in front of her two children.
  Burnet police say 55-year-old Danny Cude also sexual assaulted one of the two children.
  Officials say the incident happened on Tuesday around 8 p.m. in the city’s northeast side. The victim told police Cude sexually assaulted her multiple times. Police say he also held a knife up to her throat
  
  Read more

• Burnet woman kidnapped, sexually assaulted by registered sex offender

  30-03-2017 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A registered sex offender is back in jail after police say he broke into a woman’s apartment in Burnet and sexually assaulted her in front of her two children.
  Burnet police say the incident happened on Tuesday around 8 p.m. in the city’s northeast side. The victim told police a man, later identified as 55-year-old Danny Cude, sexually assaulted her multiple times. Police say he also held a knife up to her throat while threatening to kill her an
  
  Read more

• Boy hit by car near Austin High School

  30-03-2017 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A boy has potentially serious injuries after being hit by a car near Austin High School Wednesday.
  Austin-Travis County EMS say the crash happened in the 1700 block of West Cesar Chavez Street at around 4:38 p.m.
  The boy was taken to Dell Children’s Medical Center. His injuries are not expected to be life-threatening. Austin police say the driver remained at the scene of the crash, near the high school’s tennis courts.
  KXAN has a crew on the way to the scen
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!