Austin news

• VIDEO: Air Force dad surprises daughters after 7-month deployment

  22-05-2017 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) — A Lubbock father, deployed in the Middle East for the last seven months, surprised his family during church services Sunday morning.
  U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Madaleno “Mal” Martinez has been deployed in Bahrain, an island country in the Persian Gulf.
  Martinez surprised his wife, two daughters and baby son at Lubbock’s First Church of the Nazarene.
  He’ll be home in Lubbock for 30 days before he returns to Bahrain.
  Martinez will serve another
  
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• Former Voice contestant uses spotlight to inspire young artist

  22-05-2017 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Holly Tucker sang on stage for the first time when she was 7 years old at her church. A native of Waco, she grew up around music.
  “Instead of bedtime stories, I would like bedtime songs,” Tucker said. “So my dad would get out his guitar and play little funny ones or just little songs that he knew would make me laugh or giggle or stuff that I could sing along to.”
  She said that love of music grew into a passion.
  “I got me a little karaoke machin
  
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• Five Del Valle middle school students given unidentified substance

  22-05-2017 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County sheriff’s deputies are investigating what happened at an east Austin school earlier this month that led to one student being taken to the hospital.
  School officials say on Monday, May 1, one student at Dailey Middle School brought a possibly illegal substance to school, which was given to and consumed by five other students. District officials say they cannot comment on what the substance was and how it was taken, where in the sc
  
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• Five Del Valle middle school students given possibly illegal substance

  22-05-2017 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County sheriff’s deputies are investigating what happened at an east Austin school earlier this month that led to one student being taken to the hospital.
  School officials say on Monday, May 1, one student at Dailey Middle School brought a possibly illegal substance to school, which was given to and consumed by five other students.
  District officials say they cannot comment on what the substance was and how it was taken, where in the sc
  
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• Del Valle 6th grader rushed to hospital after taking mystery substance

  22-05-2017 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County sheriff’s deputies are investigating what happened at an east Austin school earlier this month that led to several students reporting hallucinations and one student being taken to the hospital.
  “This kid passed out crystal meth and gave it out to the five of us and we ate it inside the gym inside fifth period,” Ismael Arellano, a seventh grader said.
  School officials say on Monday, May 1, one student at Dailey Mi
  
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• When UT denied this valedictorian, she got it to change admissions rules

  22-05-2017 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTEVILLE, Texas (Texas Tribune) — For most of her high school career, Madison Mau knew she wanted to attend the University of Texas at Austin, and practically everyone at her tiny rural high school was certain she could do it.
  Mau is the valedictorian of her 10-student graduating class at Fayetteville High, on the west end of this 258-person town between Austin and Houston. She has earned perfect grades and compiled a list of extracurriculars too long to publish in
  
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• Children at Risk releases list of top schools in the Austin-area

  22-05-2017 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, the nonprofit group Children at Risk released its list of its top public schools in Texas.
  The Texas nonprofit analyzed 438 public schools in the Austin-area. Round Rock ISD schools took most of the slots for Top 5 elementary and middle schools. When it comes to high schools, Austin ISD had four schools in the Top 10. Three charter schools, Harmony Science Academy, NYOS Charter and Chaparral Star Academy also topped the high school list.
  The schools are measured
  
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• Non-invasive heart valve replacement now offered at Dell Children’s

  22-05-2017 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Shorter recovery time for less money and with less pain. That’s what Dell Children’s Medical Center is offering by being the first hospital in Central Texas to offer Medtronic’s Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve.
  The Melody valve is used to replace the pulmonary valve, between the right side of the heart and lungs, through a catheter placed in the leg.
  Alyson Hunter, 13, was born with the most common complex congenital heart condition, a tetralogy of fa
  
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• Ex-MotoGP champion Hayden dies after bicycle crash

  22-05-2017 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  CESENA, Italy (AP/KXAN) — Former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden died in hospital on Monday, five days after he was hit by a car while training on his bicycle. Hayden was 35.
  Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, where Hayden had been since the collision last Wednesday, made the announcement. Hayden had severe cerebral damage and multiple traumatic injuries.
  “The medical team has verified the death of the patient Nicholas Patrick Hayden, who has been undergoing care since last Wed
  
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• Mother told police she shot kids to save them from “evils of the world”

  22-05-2017 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – According to a court affidavit obtained by 2 NEWS, Claudena Helton admitted to detectives she shot her two kids to save them from the evils of the world.
  Those children, 8-year-old Khmorra and 6-year-old Kaiden died Sunday evening after suffering gun shot wounds to the head on May 18th.
  Their mother, Helton, is facing felonious assault and attempted aggravated murder charges at this point. These charges could change now that the children have died. She’s due in
  
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• ‘Can ban’ fight still going on in New Braunfels

  22-05-2017 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — The fight over whether cans should be allowed on rivers in New Braunfels is still being debated in the court system. Last week, the Third Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the city of New Braunfels, stating the district court “lacked subject-matter jurisdiction” over the city’s claims. The state appeals court reversed the lower court’s 2014 ruling that determined the city’s “can ban” was unconstitutional. 
  In his
  
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• Austin singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave dead at 61

  22-05-2017 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days after a farewell concert honoring the life and times of Austin’s own singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave, the aggressive, incurable form of cancer he was diagnosed with in 2016 took him away.
  LaFave died Sunday surrounded by loved ones in his home, his music label, Music Road Records announced Monday. Despite being often identified as being from Oklahoma due to musical ties to the state, LaFave had lived in Austin for nearly 30 years. He was born in Wills Po
  
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• Bigger and better, video screens at DKR Stadium to be upgraded

  22-05-2017 17:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While we’re still three months away from football season, the University of Texas is already thinking about how to make your game day experience better at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.
  The university announced Monday it will upgrade the existing main video display in the south end zone of the stadium as well as install new ribbon boards on the sideline fascia, tunnels and end zones. The new video display system will allow visitors to see the Longhorn
  
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• Austin continues to hire for aquatics jobs

  22-05-2017 17:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you have still not applied for a lifeguard or pool attendant position, the city is giving you a 14th chance to do so Monday evening.
  The city has been hoping to have 700 lifeguards on the city’s payroll for the summer. Officials have previously said no shortage of lifeguards is expected, after review of the lifeguards on the city’s payroll.
  If you’re looking for a job near the water this summer, head to the Austin Aquatics Administration & Trai
  
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• Weather damage closes key border bridge in Laredo

  22-05-2017 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities have closed one of the busiest commercial crossings on the U.S.-Mexico border after damaging rains and winds.
  U.S. Customs and Border Protection says in a statement that Sunday’s weather caused power outages, flooding and structural damage at the World Trade Bridge between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Traffic is suspended pending further notice.
  Images from the area show tractor trailers flipped on their sides and cosmetic damage to bridge f
  
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• HILARIOUS VIDEO: Dog sneaks into store, steals bread

  22-05-2017 16:46 via kxan.com
  
  SHAFTER, California (KGET) — It was a Wednesday night like any other at the Dollar General store until…
  “This dog came in and he was really friendly, looking around,” said Abby Lopez, a Dollar General employee. “Next thing we know, he grabs a loaf of bread and starts running around with Steven,” continued Lopez.
  The canine caper caught on camera.
  Video shows the suspect struggle over a loaf of bread with a Dollar General employee, Steven.
  The hungry husk
  
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• Trump greeted with selfies and politics on arrival in Israel

  22-05-2017 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  JERUSALEM (AP) — President Donald Trump got an abrupt Israeli welcome on his arrival in Tel Aviv on Monday, with ministers asking favors and snapping selfies as they sought to get a piece of the commander in chief’s attention.
  Walking down the red carpet upon landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport, the president was greeted by dignitaries exhibiting the blunt forwardness and informality for which Israelis are known. Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu what prot
  
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• The Latest: Dems alarmed by report on Trump, intel bosses

  22-05-2017 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on ongoing investigations into Russia’s alleged interference with the U.S. election (all times local):
  8:15 p.m.
  Democrats are expressing alarm at a report alleging that President Donald Trump asked two top intelligence officials to publicly deny collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign in the 2016 election.
  Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, says The Washington Post’s report that T
  
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• The Latest: AP Source says Flynn will invoke Fifth Amendment

  22-05-2017 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on ongoing investigations into Russia’s alleged interference with the U.S. election (all times local):
  9:30 a.m.
  Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will invoke his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination on Monday as he notifies the Senate Intelligence committee that he will not comply with a subpoena seeking documents.
  That’s according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. The person spoke on condition of anonym
  
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• Nathan’s hot dogs recalled nationwide over metal concerns

  22-05-2017 15:50 via kxan.com
  
  CINCINNATI (AP) — The company that makes Nathan’s and Curtis hot dogs is recalling more than 200,000 pounds of the products after getting complaints of metal found in the packages.
  John Morrell and Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, said it had gotten 3 complaints and notified the federal government Friday. There have been no confirmed reports of injuries or adverse reactions from the products.
  The recall applies to 14-oz sealed film packs labeled “Nathan’s Skinless 8 Beef Franks&
  
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• Trump’s $4.1T budget relies on deep domestic cuts

  22-05-2017 15:20 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s proposed $4.1 trillion budget slashes safety net programs for the poor, targeting food stamps and Medicaid, while relying on rosy projections about the nation’s economic growth to balance the budget within 10 years.
  The cuts are part of a budget blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year that amount to a dramatic restructuring of the government, with protection for retirement programs for the elderly, billions of dollars more for the milit
  
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• Food stamps, Medicaid on chopping block in Trump’s budget

  22-05-2017 15:20 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will unveil a proposed budget this week that would drive millions of people off food stamps and cut Medicaid, targeting the social safety-net programs for the poor in a new wave of spending cuts.
  Trump’s blueprint for the 2018 budget year comes out Tuesday. It includes reductions to benefit programs such as Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poorest and many disabled Americans; federal employee pensions, welfare benefits and fa
  
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• Shelter discourages pet owners from abandoning their animals

  22-05-2017 14:55 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — It’s hard to track whether a dog or cat has been abandoned when picked up as a stray, but the Pflugerville Animal Shelter says it likely happens.
  “It’s tough in the beginning to watch, but their ending story is great,” said Pflugerville Animal Shelter Director Rhonda McClendon.
  McClendon said it can be a long process learning about a dog or cat when they come in. The shelter has to determine the animal’s health, behaviors, tem
  
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• Texas Senate puts voucher-like program in school finance bill

  22-05-2017 14:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — The Texas Senate Sunday night approved a bill that would both simplify the formulas for funding public schools and allow parents of kids with disabilities to take state money to leave the public system for private schools or homeschooling.
  Senators voted 21-10 to approve House Bill 21, which the House originally intended to reform a complicated system for allocating money to public schools and to provide a funding boost for most public schools.
  Sen. Larry Taylor, R
  
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• VIDEO: Sea lion grabs girl and pulls her into water

  22-05-2017 14:12 via kxan.com
  
  (CNN) – Some tourists in British Columbia got a bit of a scare when a sea lion grabbed a little girl and dragged her into the water.
  Michael Fujiwara was sitting on a dock at the Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf in Richmond, British Columbia on Saturday, when the California sea lion popped its head out of the water. Fujiwara grabbed his phone and started shooting video.
  He says the animal attracted a lot of attention and the girl and her family came to the edge of the dock.
  “Her fam
  
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• Lawmakers send texting while driving ban to Gov. Abbott

  22-05-2017 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A statewide ban on texting while driving is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after being defeated repeatedly over the last decade.
  The House first approved a ban in March. The Senate version pre-empted local texting bans while allowing for using satellite navigation systems.
  House lawmakers then voted Sunday night to accept those changes. Abbott hasn’t said if he’ll sign the bill, though it’ll become law automatically unless he vetoes it.
  Forty
  
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• Elgin police issue warning after credit card skimmers found

  22-05-2017 12:41 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — It should be common at this point for everyone to be checking their gas pump for anything that looks suspicious. Elgin police want you to have a reminder that criminals looking to take advantage of you are out there.
  In the span of the last week, three credit card skimmers were found on the pumps at a 7-Eleven in the 200 block of U.S. Highway 290.
  You should get in the habit of checking for a red sticker across the front of a gas pump before you use it. It will be loc
  
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• Spurs looking to keep season alive

  22-05-2017 06:19 via kxan.com
  
   SAN ANTONIO (AP)– San Antonio’s sense of humor was still there Sunday.
  Gregg Popovich predicted that Golden State stayed out way late after winning Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, celebrating with burgers and sundaes before spending Sunday playing poker. Manu Ginobili, amid plenty of questions about whether his career is ending, said the Spurs planned to lose the first three games of this series simply to make their comeback look more impressive.
  The laughs seemed help
  
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• Texas House passes ‘bathroom bill’ for public schools, charters

  22-05-2017 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – One of the most controversial measures this legislative session passed the Texas House Sunday night. But lawmakers stripped a lot of language from the original “bathroom bill.” Now, it’s only specific to schools, requiring students to use the bathroom of the gender on their birth certificate.
  Deirdre Doughty has feared for this moment over the past few months: that the Texas House of Representatives will take on a bill she says will put her transgender dau
  
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• AFD: Lightning strike sparks attic fire near Del Valle

  22-05-2017 02:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) – Firefighters extinguished an attic fire after lightning struck a two-story house in far southeast Austin near Del Valle Sunday evening just as storms started rolling through Central Texas, said the Austin Fire Department.
  The call for the fire came in at about 7:06 p.m. in the 13000 block of Buenos Aires Parkway off of Pearce Lane near Ross Road.
  AFD said that the first units on the scene reported seeing fire coming through the roof of the house and that all thr
  
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• Police: Man found dead at San Marcos gas station

  22-05-2017 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – Police in San Marcos said they are investigating the death of a man found slumped over at a gas station Saturday afternoon.
  Police said the man was discovered unresponsive around 4:30 p.m. at the Texaco gas station at the intersection of Lime Kiln Road and Post Road. Travis Elementary School is across the street.
  There were no signs of traumatic injury or any indications of violence, police said. The cause of death is being investigated and remains unknown a
  
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• Retired veteran, 71, graduates with Ph.D. from Texas Tech

  22-05-2017 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) — “You’re never too old to learn,” said retired U.S. Air Force veteran Francisco Figueroa.
  On Friday evening, the 71-year-old man graduated Texas Tech University in Lubbock with a doctoral degree in systems management engineering.
  “It’s been 50 years since I graduated the first time from Texas Tech,” he said.
  Figueroa is the first in his family to earn a college degree. He said that seeing his father return to school
  
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• Trump urges Mideast nations to drive out ‘Islamic extremism’

  22-05-2017 00:06 via kxan.com
  
  RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday implored Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries to extinguish “Islamic extremism” emanating from the region, describing a “battle between good and evil” rather than a clash between the West and Islam.
  In a pointed departure from his predecessor, Trump all but promised he would not publicly admonish Mideast rulers for human rights violations and oppressive reigns.
  “We are not here to lecture
  
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• Graduates walk out on Pence at Notre Dame commencement

  22-05-2017 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Dozens of graduates and family members silently stood and walked out Sunday as Vice President Mike Pence began his address at Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony.
  Pence, the former governor of Indiana, was invited to speak after Notre Dame students and faculty protested the prospect of President Donald Trump being invited to become the seventh U.S. president to give the commencement address.
  Pence spoke briefly of Trump, praising his speech to the leaders of 50
  
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