Austin news

• How Texas’ members of Congress voted on health care bill

  04-05-2017 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The GOP replacement health care bill passed the House 217-213 on Thursday. Congressman Will Hurd, San Antonio, was the lone Republican from Texas who voted against the American Health Care Act bill.
  Here is how all 43 House members from Texas voted.
  For the final vote results for all members, click here.
  YEA
  Jodey Arrington
  Brian Babin
  Joe Barton
  Kevin Brady
  Michael Burgess
  John Carter
  Mike Conaway
  John Culberson
  Blake Farenthold
  Bill Flores
  Louie Gohmert
  Kay Granger
  Jeb He
  
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• Driver was checking phone for a text when he crashed into church bus

  04-05-2017 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The driver of a pickup truck that crashed head-on into a church bus in March, killing 13 people, was looking at his phone for a text message when the crash happened, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board.
  The preliminary report, released Thursday, shows Jack Dillon Young, 20, crossed over the solid white line of his northbound lane 37 times, entered the grass roadside at least five times, crossing over the double yellow centerline 1
  
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• That $1 Whataburger coupon is a hoax

  04-05-2017 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you thought Whataburger was starting a new $1 deal, you weren’t alone. On Thursday, Whataburger tweeted that a fake promotion was making its rounds on social media.
  The fake promotion stated Whataburgers were being sold for one buck at all Whataburger locations on May 6 as part of “Dollar Burger Day.” Whataburger said the “promotion is a hoax, and is not associated with Whataburger in any way.
  So, if you want a Whataburger, you’re going to h
  
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• Family of boy killed on Schlitterbahn Kansas waterslide get $20M

  04-05-2017 21:38 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Court documents say the family of a 10-year-old boy who died on a giant waterslide at a Kansas water park will receive nearly $20 million in settlement payments.
  The Kansas City Star reports that $14 million of the payment to Caleb Schwab’s family will come from SVV 1 and KC Water Park. The two companies are associated with Texas-based water park company Schlitterbahn.
  The rest of the money will come from the general contractor, the raft manufacturer and a co
  
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• Armed ‘suicidal’ man shot and killed by Austin officer identified

  04-05-2017 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 20-year-old man who was shot and killed by an Austin police officer earlier this week in north Austin has been identified as Jason Sebastian Roque.
  Police say they were originally called to a home in the 11000 block of Long Winter Drive on May 2 for a report of an attempted suicide involving a man waving a gun around erratically, but not necessarily pointing it at anyone. A Spanish speaker who identified herself as the suspect’s mother called 911 and sai
  
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• Austin council approves $39M of mobility bond for projects

  04-05-2017 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — City council members in Austin voted Thursday and approved $39 million of the $720 million mobility bond for the development and construction of several projects that are supposed to improve traffic in Austin.
  The $39 million is divided as follows:
  Regional Mobility:
  $9 million for preliminary engineering on Spicewood Springs Road east of Loop 360, and funding for a partnership project with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) at RM 620 and RM 2222Corridor Mo
  
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• Austin approves money for road revamp projects

  04-05-2017 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Six months after voters approved a massive road bond to revamp roads across Austin, money has been allocated. It’s the largest hurdle because you can’t build roads without money.
  “I’m actually looking forward to it, to see how it would really change. But we can’t really determine how it will effect the traffic pattern until it is on,” said Frankie Segura. He runs Revolution Vegan Kitchen in the Midway Food Park along Loop 360 in West
  
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• Thousands of bottles of gin recalled for containing too much alcohol

  04-05-2017 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Thousands of bottles of Bombay Sapphire Gin are being recalled because they contain too much alcohol.
  CNN Money reports the recalled bottles contain 77 percent alcohol by volume. They’re supposed to only have 40 percent.
  Bacardi, who produces the popular spirit, said the recall comes after “an isolated consumer complaint and subsequent quality assurance checks.”
  “The over proof product inadvertently entered the bottling line during a short period o
  
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• Stuck roller coaster in Oklahoma City

  04-05-2017 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla (KXAN) — It’s all fun and games until the roller coaster you’re on gets stuck. Riders on the Silver Bullet roller coaster at Oklahoma City’s Frontier City are waiting for emergency crews to get them down after the ride malfunctioned Thursday morning.
  Frontier City released a statement to KFOR stating the ride “stalled in a safe position on the lift.” The park says the back half of the cars were able to be evacuated but the people in the fr
  
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• LIVE VIDEO: Stuck roller coaster in Oklahoma City

  04-05-2017 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla (KXAN) — It’s all fun and games until the roller coaster you’re on gets stuck. Riders on the Silver Bullet roller coaster at Oklahoma City’s Frontier City are waiting for emergency crews to get them down after the ride malfunctioned Thursday morning.
  Frontier City released a statement to KFOR stating the ride “stalled in a safe position on the lift.” The park says the back half of the cars were able to be evacuated but the people in the fr
  
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• UT stabbing suspect’s family issues statement expressing ‘shock’

  04-05-2017 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Family members of Kendrex White, the man accused of stabbing four people Monday at the University of Texas, leaving one of them dead, are issuing condolences and expressing shock in a statement released by a law firm Thursday morning.
  The statement:
  The White family would like to express their deepest condolences to all those involved in the events on Monday, especially the victims, their families, the students and all those affected within the University of Texas community
  
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• UT murder suspect’s family issues statement, expressing ‘shock’

  04-05-2017 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Family members of Kendrex White, the man accused of stabbing four people Monday at the University of Texas, leaving one of them dead, are issuing condolences and expressing shock in a statement released by a law firm Thursday morning.
  The statement:
  The White family would like to express their deepest condolences to all those involved in the events on Monday, especially the victims, their families, the students and all those affected within the University of Texas community
  
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• Spurs’ Tony Parker out for rest of playoffs with quad injury

  04-05-2017 18:50 via kxan.com
  
  One of Gregg Popovich’s top priorities in the final weeks of the regular season was making sure the San Antonio Spurs got veteran point guard Tony Parker healthy and in rhythm for the playoff push.
  More than seeding or home-court advantage, Popovich said, the Spurs needed Parker in order to stay competitive against the other heavyweights in the Western Conference playoffs.
  Now that Parker will miss the rest of the postseason with a leg injury, the Spurs will be tested like they rarely have
  
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• Customer fatally shoots man who killed sports bar manager

  04-05-2017 18:28 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Police say a customer at a North Texas sports bar fatally shot a man who had just killed the restaurant’s manager to “prevent further loss of life.”
  Officials say 48-year-old James Jones walked into Zona Caliente sports bar in Arlington on Wednesday evening and fatally shot the manager, 37-year-old Cesar Perez.
  Police Lt. Christopher Cook says a customer then fatally shot Jones. Cook says that customer was carrying a handgun under the Texas conceal
  
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• Travis County sheriff says she will follow impending sanctuary city law

  04-05-2017 17:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez is making it known she will follow the law if Gov. Greg Abbott were to sign Senate Bill 4 when it reaches his desk, which he says he will.
  On Wednesday, the final draft of SB4, was approved by both the House and the Senate. Sheriff Hernandez says while she hates seeing the bill being signed into law, she states she has “always followed the law and that will not change.”
  In January, Sheriff Hernandez put forth a pol
  
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• School bus dash cam captures violent rollover crash

  04-05-2017 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (NBC News) — Video from a school bus shows the moment of a rollover crash involving three vehicles, including the bus.
  According to KOKH, the Edmond school bus was carrying 19 students from an area high school on April 26, when a black pickup truck veers into oncoming traffic, striking a car and rolling over. The truck would eventually come to a stop after slightly striking the school bus.
  VIDEO: Two AISD students hit by trucks after getting off bus
  Video shows several pe
  
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• WATCH: Rescuers pull burned man from home that explodes seconds later

  04-05-2017 16:06 via kxan.com
  
  LAS VEGAS, Nevada (KSNV/NBC News) — Las Vegas police officers braved intense flames Wednesday to save a man from a burning condominium.
  The fiery rescue was caught on camera.
  Witnesses say a woman managed to escape on her own but her roommate barely made it out in time. On the video, officers can be seen dragging the victim to safety in the nearby grass moments before several explosions are heard.
  “There were just two big explosions and I figured those must have been the oxygen
  
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• House to vote on health care bill Thursday

  04-05-2017 15:27 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The House will vote Thursday on GOP legislation to repeal and replace Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, as Republicans finally aim to deliver on seven years of campaign promises that helped them gain control of Congress and the White House.
  But the move announced late Wednesday by GOP leaders also carries extreme political risk, as House Republicans prepare to endorse a bill that boots millions off the insurance rolls and may not even survive the Senate.
  “We
  
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• House passes Republican health care bill

  04-05-2017 15:27 via kxan.com
  
  The Latest on the health care bill in the House (all times local):
  2:19 p.m.
  Relieved Republicans have pushed their prized health care bill through the House. The mostly party-line 217-213 vote advances a bill that addresses their longtime pledge to erase the 2010 Obama health care law.
  Thursday’s vote sends the measure to the Senate. Many senators consider the House bill too harsh and it’s expected to undergo substantial changes.
  The House measure collapsed in March due to oppositio
  
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• Army photographer captures her own death in mortar explosion

  04-05-2017 15:14 via kxan.com
  
  ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The U.S. Army has published the final photo of a combat photographer who captured on camera the blast that killed her in an accidental mortar explosion in Afghanistan nearly four years ago. The Army’s professional journal says the image illustrates how women are increasingly exposed to dangerous situations in the military.
  The photograph of Spc. Hilda Clayton was published Monday in Military Review.
  “Clayton’s death symbolizes how female soldiers are
  
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• Austin City Council preview for May 4

  04-05-2017 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here’s a quick rundown of some of Thursday’s top city council agenda items:
  Mobility BondThursday, Council will have the opportunity to take several steps forward when it comes to implementing the mobility bond approved last November. There are three interlocal agreements that will be brought up with TxDOT for Loop 360, 620 and 2222, and Parmer Lane – Austin is contributing $70.5 million and TxDOT will put in an estimated $227.9 million. Also on the agenda
  
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• What to know as Texas nears passing sanctuary city law

  04-05-2017 14:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — What to know about a Texas bill targeting so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ that is heading to the desk of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has pledged to sign the measure that immigrant-rights activists say will lead to profiling and discrimination.
  Groups are expected to meet at the Capitol Thursday morning to voice their concerns about the very probable new law.
  ___
  COMPARISONS TO ARIZONA’S LAW
  Opponents blast the Texas bill as a version of Arizona
  
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• Texas Film Industry worried about job loss and fewer productions

  04-05-2017 13:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Film Industry is headed to the Texas State Capitol Thursday. Directors, producers, and businesses that provide everything from food to lumber for sets will be asking lawmakers to not cut the Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, which they say helps bring thousands of jobs to the state. The program helps pay for things like wages for Texas workers. Since its creation in 2007, the Texas Film Commission reports its generated $1 billion into the state and 140
  
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• JayZ added to ACL Festival line-up

  04-05-2017 13:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Music lovers who have been saving their pennies should act fast at 10 a.m. to secure yourself a ticket to see bands like Gorillaz and Red Hot Chili Peppers. JayZ was added to the front of the roster Thursday afternoon.
  Plan your vacations for Oct. 6 through 8 for weekend one, and Oct. 13 through 15 for weekend two. Do both if you have a lot of vacation time saved up because this year is going to be exciting.
  Just this week the city released the results of the study of the i
  
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• ACL Festival line-up announced, 3-day passes on sale at 10 a.m.

  04-05-2017 13:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Music lovers who have been saving their pennies should act fast at 10 a.m. to secure yourself a ticket to see bands like Gorillaz and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
  The full line-up of more than 140 bands, which will span eight stages:
  ACL lineup for 2017 (ACL photo) 
  Just this week the city released the results of the study of the impact of the 2016 festival. Both weekends totaled more than a $277 million dollar boost for the city. That was 24 percent more than the year befor
  
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• ACL Festival line-up announced, 3-day passes on sale

  04-05-2017 13:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Music lovers who have been saving their pennies should act fast at 10 a.m. to secure yourself a ticket to see bands like Gorillaz and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
  Plan your vacations for Oct. 6 through 8 for weekend one, and Oct. 13 through 15 for weekend two. Do both if you have a lot of vacation time saved up because this year is going to be exciting.
  Just this week the city released the results of the study of the impact of the 2016 festival. Both weekends totaled more than a
  
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• Company wants to test robot deliveries in Austin

  04-05-2017 12:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Robots delivering goods in the heart of Austin may no longer a futuristic dream.
  The technology exists now, and at Thursday’s Austin City Council meeting we’ll learn if plans to test the robots on city sidewalks will move forward.
  “We’re just really excited that Austin may have the possibility of seeing these little guys on the sidewalks around here,” says Karen Kennard, an attorney representing Starship Technologies in Texas.
  The company
  
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• Palace: Prince Philip will stop carrying out engagements

  04-05-2017 12:14 via kxan.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip, will stop carrying out public engagements this fall, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday.
  The palace said in a statement that Philip, who is 95, has the full support of the queen in his decision. He will continue heading numerous charitable organizations but will not play an active role attending engagements.
  In the past Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has suffered heart problems but has maintained a vigorous public schedule.
  
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• Blind cat and paralyzed pup are inseparable

  04-05-2017 05:24 via kxan.com
  
  BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) — Disabled animals are often the last to get adopted, if they’re rescued at all.
  Many more end up euthanized.
  Alison Smith of North Dakota’s Triple-H Miniature Horse Rescue has dedicated her life to saving disabled animals.
  “When people do open up their homes to a handicapped animal, it’s great. You just don’t see it very often,” she says.
  After rescuing paralyzed pup Scarlet last year, she saw something unique.
  “These two, wi
  
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• ‘Show me your papers’ law has Texas small business owners worried

  04-05-2017 05:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wednesday, the final draft of Senate Bill 4, known as Texas’ “Show me your papers” law, passed the Senate, and is now headed to the governor’s desk.
  Republicans across Texas are rejoicing saying they believe it will help keep communities safe, but some Austin small business owners are feeling the impact of fear from the immigrant community.
  “One day we said, wow, we have to close, what are we going to do because people are scared to go out and
  
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• FULL VIDEO: Slain freshman Harrison Brown remembered at UT

  04-05-2017 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than a thousand University of Texas at Austin students gathered on the Main Mall Wednesday evening as friends of 19-year-old Harrison Brown shared memories about him, two days after he was killed in a stabbing attack on campus.
  Friends who knew him since elementary school spoke at the gathering, sharing stories and what made Harrison so special.
  The UT Tower will be darkened Wednesday night to honor Brown.
  KXAN’s Brittany Glas speaks to his friends on K
  
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• Man killed in crash on SH 45 in Round Rock identified

  04-05-2017 03:38 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A 32-year-old man was killed in a three-vehicle crash on State Highway 45 just east of Interstate 35, Tuesday afternoon.
  Round Rock police say that Timothy Norman Lebar, Jr., of Hutto, was killed in the crash, that happened around 4:30 p.m.
  Another driver was taken to a local hospital.
  Officials did not have additional details on the crash.
  
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• Faith leaders sing, pray at Texas Capitol for LGBT protections

  04-05-2017 02:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — On Wednesday, dozens of ministers and faith leaders gathered outside the Texas House chamber to sing and pray for equality for all Texans.
  The group also delivered letters signed by hundreds of faith leaders across the state, asking lawmakers to oppose the nearly two dozen active bills they say discriminates against the LGBT community in Texas.
  “We are representing a different voice that stands up for a God who does not discriminate,” Rev. John Elfo
  
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• Miniature horses, dogs help bring smiles to UT campus

  04-05-2017 01:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The joy a furry animal can bring to a person is nature’s own medicine.
  On Wednesday, after what has been a heartbreaking week on the University of Texas campus, some students were comforted by four-legged friends. The school’s College of Natural Sciences invited therapy dogs and miniature horses to help spread some cheer.
  “I haven’t seen anybody smile on this campus for a couple days,” said Heather Leigh, who helped organize the event. “I
  
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• UT student admits to lying in reported West Campus stabbing

  04-05-2017 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police say a 20-year-old University of Texas student lied about being stabbed in West Campus on Monday, once he realized how expensive his medical bill would be.
  Austin Chief of Police Brian Manley says the man admitted to fabricating the stabbing at Nueces Street and 26th Street, which the student tried to link to a deadly stabbing on the UT campus around an hour earlier.
  The unidentified student was “playing with a knife and he accidentally cut himself,&rd
  
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• 20-year-old UT student admits to lying about West Campus stabbing

  04-05-2017 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police say a 20-year-old University of Texas student lied about being stabbed in West Campus on Monday, once he realized how expensive his medical bill would be.
  Austin Chief of Police Brian Manley says the man admitted to fabricating the stabbing at Nueces Street and 26th Street, which the student tried to link to a deadly stabbing on the UT campus around an hour earlier.
  The student, identified in police records as Lewis Yarbrough, was “playing with a knif
  
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• Tony Romo visits with Texas Legislature

  04-05-2017 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Legislature is honoring retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, praising his character and humble roots almost as much as his football accomplishments.
  Romo appeared Wednesday before the Texas House, which halted work so lawmakers could take photos with him. Romo was also appearing before the state Senate.
  State Rep. Richard Raymond, a Laredo Democrat, wore a Romo jersey and state Rep. Jeff Leach, a Plano Republican, donned a Cowboys helmet.
  Romo recent
  
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• Program coaches the coach to keep young athletes injury free

  04-05-2017 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Baseball diamonds, soccer fields and volleyball courts will fill up with the area’s youngest athletes this summer.
  Experts say children between five and 14 years old will make up 40 percent of all sports-related injuries at hospital rooms around the area. But, one nascent program called Coach Kids Up is coaching the coaches to make sure kids stay healthy on the field.
  “This is us getting properly warmed up, with the volleyball in our hands, ” said Deborah
  
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