Austin news

• ‘Embarrassing’ details on Marble Falls High students mistakenly emailed out

  26-04-2017 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — An email sent by the Marble Falls High School principal to senior students inadvertently included student identification numbers, which could possibly be used to learn a student’s school-issued Google account and lunch account password, the school said.
  Principal Emmett Aubry apologized for the mistake in a letter to parents Tuesday. The original email was supposed to only include the names of those eligible to go on the senior trip to Six Flags Fies
  
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• Travis County district attorney wants rehearing in Kleinert case

  26-04-2017 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore says she wants the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to take a second look at the case against former Austin Police Department detective Charles Kleinert after they dismissed it last week. The federal appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling that the manslaughter case against Kleinert remains dismissed.
  In a letter dated April 26, Moore says her office is seeking a rehearing of the decision by all of the judges
  
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• KXAN News wins 4 Murrow Awards

  26-04-2017 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN’s investigative, political and digital teams were honored Tuesday, as the Radio Television Digital News Association announced its 2017 list of regional Edward R. Murrow Award winners. KXAN won a record four awards for its In-Depth, Investigative coverage.
  Best News Series | Body of Evidence: A Medical Examiner’s Missteps
  Best News Documentary | State of Texas: Emergency Flood Funding
  Best Website | KXAN Investigates – kxan.com
  Exce
  
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• FBI raiding Laredo City Hall, county courthouse

  26-04-2017 21:39 via kxan.com
  
  LAREDO, Texas (NBC News) — The Federal Bureau of investigation and the Department of Public Safety have raided several buildings in Laredo, Texas.
  City Hall, the City Hall annex, the Public Works department and the Webb County Courthouse were all raided Wednesday morning.
  The FBI has not yet commented on the raids, and DPS deferred comment to the FBI.
  Some employees have been sent home.
  While it’s unclear what investigators are looking for, Webb county Commissioner John Galo say
  
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• Texas company issues recall after finding euthanasia drug in pet food

  26-04-2017 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (WCMH) — Pet food manufacturer Party Animal is recalling several lots of its Cocolicious dog food after a sample tested positive for penobarbital.
  According to the company, a retailer in Texas reported a customer had presented samples of Cocolicious Beef & Turkey and Chicken & Beef dog food to a testing lab. The samples came back positive for penobarbital, a drug used in euthanasia.
  The company issued a nationwide recall and is retrieving the remaining cans from retaile
  
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• Overbooked flights: What do you do?

  26-04-2017 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NBC News) If you’re flying to your vacation destination in the coming months, brace for a packed plane.
  “Each flight that you’re on as a consumer, as a passenger, is more than likely overbooked,” warns aviation attorney Joseph Lorusso.
  That’s because airlines expect a certain number of passengers to miss each flight, but sometimes, more people show up than anticipated, forcing airlines to seek volunteers to be bumped, .Or, if that doesn’t work, to
  
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• Ted Cruz wants El Chapo, other drug lords to pay for border wall

  26-04-2017 18:29 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTAB/KRBC) — United States Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a bill, dubbed the El Chapo Act, that would allow the government to seize money from prosecuted drug lords to help build a wall along the U.S.- Mexico border.
  A press release from Senator Cruz’s Office says that the “U.S. Government is currently seeking the criminal forfeiture of more than $14 billion in drug proceeds and illicit profits from El Chapo, the former leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel who w
  
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• 7 current, ex-employees of Texas dealership ran crime ring

  26-04-2017 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Police in El Paso say seven current and former employees of an auto dealership have been arrested for running a series of illegal schemes that included taking vehicles from the lot and stealing tires.
  Authorities said in a news release that managers of the Fox Toyota dealership in El Paso were unaware the seven men were engaged in criminal activity that also included overbilling vendors and operating illegal insurance scams.
  The investigation by the police department&
  
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• Report: Jeff Goldblum signs on for ‘Jurassic World’ sequel

  26-04-2017 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jeff Goldblum is returning to the Jurassic Park franchise.
  The Hollywood Reporter says Goldblum will reprise his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm in next year’s “Jurassic World” sequel. Goldblum played the mathematician in the first two films of the franchise, 1993’s “Jurassic Park” and its 1997 follow-up “The Lost World: Jurassic Park.”
  Representatives for Goldblum didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
  “J
  
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• UT grads will get matched with employers with new initiative

  26-04-2017 17:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas is hoping a new talent matching program changes the way companies connect with graduates seeking jobs.
  Digerati, Inc. has partnered with UT to bring their WorkFountain platform to Texas, connecting supply and demand between employers and applicants in different industries.
  University leaders believe the program will help match graduates at all 14 of their institutions with better opportunities. The partnership is designed to reduce candidate and
  
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• Mayor Steve Adler details his D.C. sanctuary city discussion

  26-04-2017 16:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Steve Adler said Tuesday he left a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions believing that the Texas capital isn’t a sanctuary city in the eyes of the federal government.
  Adler and other mayors met with Sessions on Tuesday in Washington to get a better understanding of what it means to be considered a “sanctuary community.” The label could cost cities and counties federal grant money as part of the Trump administration’s imm
  
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• Trump tax plan could be good news for many, bad for deficit

  26-04-2017 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Dismissing concerns about ballooning federal deficits, President Donald Trump on Wednesday proposed dramatic tax cuts for U.S. businesses and individuals — outlining an overhaul his administration promises will spur economic growth and simplify America’s tangle of tax code rules.
  His proposal, a one-page sketch short on detail, would reduce the top corporate tax rate by 20 percentage points and allow private business owners to claim the new lower rate for thei
  
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• Trump proposes dramatic tax cuts for companies big and small

  26-04-2017 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump proposed dramatic cuts in the taxes paid by corporations big and small Wednesday in an overhaul his administration says will spur economic growth and bring jobs and prosperity to America’s middle class. But his ambitious plan alarmed lawmakers who worry about ballooning federal deficits.
  The plan would also reduce investment and estate taxes aimed at the wealthy. But administration officials said that action on other key tax code elements woul
  
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• Austin ISD will address alleged sexual assault with parents Thursday

  26-04-2017 16:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly a week after the Austin Independent School District’s police chief admitted that his department mishandled the possible sexual assault case involving a Boone Elementary School Pre-K student, the district will address the matter with parents Thursday evening.
  The case was first opened on Feb. 7 when attorney Paul Guinn says the parents of the 4-year-old girl noticed traumatic injuries on her body after she came home from school.
  “Something very b
  
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• Traffic Alert: 400 Austin streets to be resurfaced through summer

  26-04-2017 15:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You’re going to want to be aware of whether or not the street you live on is scheduled to receive a fresh coat of sealant.
  The city of Austin is starting the process of putting the protective sealcoating on 400 streets this week. Crews are expected be working to complete the job through spring and summer.
  Once the work is finished, the life of the pavement should be extended 12 to 15 years, preventing further reconstruction.
  Work zone deaths increase 27 percent on Tex
  
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• PALS Paddle and Play Day helps Meals on Wheels serve pet owners

  26-04-2017 14:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This weekend, you have a chance to support a Meals on Wheels Central Texas program specifically aimed at pet owners.
  The social services organization launched the PALS program in 2009 to help elderly and disabled clients care for their pets. The program focuses on delivering dog and cat food to clients once a month. Local veterinarians also donate their time to care for the pets.
  This weekend’s fundraiser is “PALS Paddle and Play Day.” It happens
  
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• Veteran, soldier accused of tying service dog to tree, shooting it 5 times

  26-04-2017 14:07 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) – A Fort Bragg soldier is facing a felony cruelty to animals charge after officials said he shot a dog five times, killing it.
  Jarren Heng, 25, was arrested Monday by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
  Heng is a soldier stationed on Fort Bragg, post officials said.
  Heng also faces a charge of felony conspiracy after he and Marinna Rollins shot the dog named “Cumboui” with a rifle, court documents say.
  Rollins, 23, also faces a felony ch
  
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• WATCH: Sanctuary city bill being discussed on the House Floor

  26-04-2017 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The debate over Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary city bill, has started on the House floor. SB 4 would ban local rules that prevent authorities from enforcing immigration laws or asking about someone’s immigration status.
  House lawmakers have made some changes to SB4 since it cleared the upper chamber in February. They took out a provision that would cut funding to local programs if an official violates the law.
  “There’s some changes,” St
  
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• Protesters removed as sanctuary city bill debate goes into the night

  26-04-2017 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Protesters were removed from the Texas House gallery as they shouted down as lawmakers changed a hard-line immigration bill.
  If the proposed law is signed by the governor, police officers would be able to ask immigration status of a person before they make an arrest. The original intent was to force Texas county jails to hold alleged criminals here illegally for immigration officials to pick them up for deportation.
  “All it does is scare people, create terror in
  
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• House approves sanctuary city bill after long debate

  26-04-2017 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas House approved a hard-line immigration bill early Thursday morning after a long debate. The House vote was 93 to 54. It was taken at 2:58 a.m.
  If Senate Bill 4 is signed by the governor, police officers would be able to ask the immigration status of a person before they make an arrest. The original intent was to force Texas county jails to hold alleged criminals here illegally for immigration officials to pick them up for deportation.
  “All it does is scare p
  
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• Groups to protest ‘sanctuary city’ bill as vote is expected

  26-04-2017 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Senate bill 4, the so-called ‘sanctuary city’ would ban local rules that prevent authorities from enforcing immigration laws or asking about someone’s immigration status. SB4 is up for debate on Wednesday in the House.
  Immigrant families will gather at the Capitol at 9 a.m. with lawmakers against the bill to discuss, what they’re saying is, the disastrous impact the bill’s passing could have on Texas families and the economy.
  Several lawma
  
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• Texas introduces new bill banning genital mutilation

  26-04-2017 13:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate has authorized a late push in the Republican-controlled Legislature to ban genital mutilation in the country’s largest conservative state.
  Republican Sen. Jane Nelson is sponsoring the measure, which has been co-signed by the other seven women in the state Senate.
  The deadline to file new bills has passed, but the Senate voted Tuesday to authorize the new bill and refer it to the powerful State Affairs Committee. Texas’ legislative session
  
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• Texas Senate approves harsher punishments for corpse abuse

  26-04-2017 13:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate has approved a bill making abusing a dead body a felony punishable by at least six months in jail.
  Under current law, abuse of a corpse is a state misdemeanor and mandates up to a year in jail and a maximum $4,000 fine. Republican Sen. Brian Birdwell’s proposal would make it a felony with a minimum penalty of six months behind bars and up to $10,000 in fines.
  Birdwell said current punishments weren’t steep enough in cases where families ent
  
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• Court documents: Mother had abused teen in kidnapping case

  26-04-2017 13:03 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) — A 15-year-old Tennessee girl who authorities say was kidnapped by her teacher had endured months of abuse at the hands of her mother, according to court documents, making her particularly vulnerable to an adult predator.
  The mother is scheduled to appear in court next month and has pleaded not guilty to five counts of abuse and neglect involving several of her children. The girl’s father filed for divorce Monday, citing the alleged abuse. His daughter was found
  
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• Doctor: George HW Bush dealing with chronic bronchitis

  26-04-2017 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — A doctor who is treating former President George H.W. Bush says while the nation’s 41st president has recovered from pneumonia, he is still dealing with the effects of chronic bronchitis.
  In a statement issued Tuesday, Dr. Clint Doerr, a pulmonologist at Houston Methodist Hospital, said he still expects the 92-year-old Bush will be discharged by the end of the week.
  Bush has been at the hospital since April 14.
  Doerr says chronic bronchitis — a constant irritatio
  
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• Rabbit destined to be world’s largest found dead on United flight

  26-04-2017 12:44 via kxan.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — United Airlines is investigating a report that a giant rabbit died on one of its trans-Atlantic flights.
  Distraught breeder Annette Edwards from Worcestershire in central England told The Associated Press by phone Wednesday that Simon, a 10-month-old, 3-foot-long continental rabbit, had a vet check shortly before traveling from London’s Heathrow airport to Chicago’s O’Hare airport. She said Simon had been purchased by a celebrity whom she did not identify.
  A
  
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• At least 1 dead as twin-engine plane crashes into Texas pond

  26-04-2017 05:47 via kxan.com
  
  HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Authorities say one person is dead after a twin-engine airplane crashed into a Central Texas pond after the pilot reported engine trouble and a possible fire.
  Sgt. Erik Burse of the Texas Department of Public Safety says the body of the pilot has been recovered from the wreckage near Huntsville, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Houston.
  The Federal Aviation Administration says the Cessna 421 crashed around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday. Emergency personnel arrived to f
  
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• South Austin restaurant donates 15 percent of sales to AIDS services

  26-04-2017 05:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local restaurant is helping Texans affected by HIV and AIDS.
  El Alma Cafe, located at 1025 Barton Springs Road, donated 15 percent of its sales to AIDS services of Austin, Tuesday.
  It was part of Dining Out for Life 2017, an annual fundraiser that takes place in more than 60 North American cities.
  The owner of the restaurant says it’s a great way to give back to the community and help the more than 5,000 Central Texans impacted by HIV/AIDS.
  
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• How a Burger King ad is raising questions about Google’s new feature

  26-04-2017 03:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Google announced last week that its virtual assistant can now recognize voices. That means your family — up to 6 people — can use Google Home and the device will be able to tell who’s talking. But a semi-silly ad released by Burger King a week before the Google announcement has raised questions about exactly how long they’ve been able to tell your voice from someone else’s.
  Burger King’s ad deliberately triggered Google Home devices to te
  
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• Woman says last person to see her sister alive still not cooperating

  26-04-2017 02:30 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday it will have been 11 years since an Austin teenager went missing. She and other missing Texans will be honored at the Texas Capitol as part of the first annual Texas Missing Person’s day.
  The family of the missing 18-year-old, Roxanne Paltauf, say it’s been a long journey, but are grateful their loved one and others across the state will be honored by legislators.
  Paltauf was last seen with her boyfriend on July 7, 2006. They were at the B
  
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• UT police increasing officer numbers in anticipation of future growth

  26-04-2017 02:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police at the University of Texas at Austin confirmed Tuesday their numbers will increase from 78 to 99 by this fall.
  This is the first time the department will reach 99 officers, because this year UT approved an increase of the department’s “authorized strength” to 99. UT Austin Police Chief David Carter said that this growth is necessary as the campus changes.
  “When I got here three and a half years ago — summer of 2013 —
  
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• Tenants say conditions at Cross Creek Apartments have gotten worse

  26-04-2017 01:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An apartment complex that is on the city of Austin’s repeat offender list for a long list of health and safety complaints is headed back to court Wednesday.
  The tenants of the Cross Creek Apartments located at 1124 Rutland Dr. says the conditions have worsened since the death of the complex’s owner, Royce Mulholland, last month. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which represents the tenants, will ask the Travis County District Court to take control of the complex and g
  
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• Breezy conditions this week increases our risk of fire danger

  26-04-2017 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The last week of April has not only brought a roller-coaster of temperatures but now most of the state is dealing with an elevated risk for fire danger.
  According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, most of Central Texas is under a “moderate” fire danger. As for West Central Texas, West Texas and the Panhandle, conditions are ranging from “high” to “extreme” fire danger. This map below is also produced by the National Fire Dang
  
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• Texas Democrats on hunger strike to protest sanctuary cities bill

  26-04-2017 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR/KXAN) — Texas lawmakers are going days without food to protest a bill that would crack down on sanctuary cities.
  State Representative Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, started fasting on Sunday and says she will continue fasting until after the House adjourns on Wednesday.
  “I wanted to sacrifice something for others who don’t have a voice,” Neave said, “and I feel a big responsibility to be that voice here and to fight tooth and nail to defeat this terrible
  
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