Austin news

• Pilot pleads guilty to flying marijuana into Central Texas from Oregon

  28-06-2017 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin pilot who was caught transporting hydroponic marijuana from Oregon to Central Texas earlier this year is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug charges in Austin, Wednesday.
  Wayne Douglas Brunet, 64, was arrested at the Llano Municipal Airport on March 20 after authorities determined he had a “suspicious flight pattern” from Medford, Oregon. According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations agents were planning
  
  Read more

• Kentucky governor signs bill allowing bible classes in public schools

  28-06-2017 23:28 via kxan.com
  
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (WLWT/WCMH) — A series of new Kentucky state laws will take effect on Thursday, including a controversial law allowing public schools to teach the bible.
  Most new laws approved during the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2017 regular session will go into effect this week. One new includes allowing schools to teach bible courses in public schools.
  The new law states:
  HB 128 allows schools to offer an elective course on the Bible that teaches biblical content, poetry, narrati
  
  Read more

• Elderly man robbed by suspect in South Congress H-E-B parking lot

  28-06-2017 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An elderly H-E-B customer was robbed in the parking lot of the grocery store at South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street earlier this month.
  Photos of the suspect involved, described by police as a white man in his late teens to early 20s, were released by the Austin Police Department. The suspect is around 5-foot-6 and weighs around 140 pounds.
  The victim, who was robbed at around 2 p.m. on June 12, received minor injuries.
  Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to
  
  Read more

• US seeks more security on international flights

  28-06-2017 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Homeland Security Department is demanding that airlines around the world step up security measures for international flights bound for the United States. If they don’t, they could face the possibility of a total electronics ban for planes.
  Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced the rollout of new security rules on Wednesday.
  Compliance with the new rules could lead to removing a ban on laptops and other large electronics from passenger cabins on flight
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Three giraffes expecting calves at the same West Texas zoo

  28-06-2017 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — The Abilene Zoo has some exciting news! Three of their giraffes are expecting calves this year!
  Giraffes Asha, Sunny and Jamie are all well into the 15-month gestation period. Zoo officials say Asha is the furthest along and could give birth as early as September, and the other two are expected to calve in the fall or winter, possibly even the beginning of next year.
  All three calves are fathered by the same giraffe, Mesi, a Rothschild giraffe bull.
  In Septembe
  
  Read more

• Southernmost part of SH 130 toll now under new ownership

  28-06-2017 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The section of State Highway 130 toll from southeast Travis County to Seguin is now under new ownership after the original company filed for bankruptcy last year.SH 130 Concession is now being managed by Strategic Value Partners, which has in turn hired Louis Berger Services to operate and maintain the roadway. The company also has $260 million in new financing.
  “SH 130 Concession Company has emerged from the Chapter 11 process as a much stronger company,” Andy
  
  Read more

• Puppy left in hot Manor car adopted by new family

  28-06-2017 19:33 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Annabelle the puppy’s story has a happily ever after ending now that she has been adopted by a new family.
  Her previous owner, Chandler Bullen — facing animal cruelty charges for leaving the puppy in a hot car — decided to surrender her to the Austin Animal Center on Wednesday.
  Bullen had been accused of leaving Annabelle in his vehicle on June 18 during a trip to Walmart. Temperatures had just hit 100 degrees in the area for the first time this
  
  Read more

• No one hurt when CapMetro train hit by SUV

  28-06-2017 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Capital Metro rail train was hit by an SUV in north Austin Wednesday morning.
  Officials said the crash happened around 10:35 a.m. at 8965 Research Blvd. A spokesperson for Capital Metro says the MetroRail was going through a section where the train arms were down but the SUV driver struck the arms and then the train.
  Nineteen people were on the train at the time of the crash but no one was injured.
  Crews had the area clear and the train on its way by 11:48 a.m.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Rockets acquire Chris Paul from Clippers in 8-player deal

  28-06-2017 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Paul is heading to Houston to join James Harden, and the Rockets will soon have two All-Stars in the backcourt to lead their chase for a championship.
  In the NBA’s second blockbuster trade in less than a week, the Rockets acquired Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer, a protected first-round pick next year and cash considerations
  
  Read more

• AP Source: Rockets to acquire Chris Paul from Clippers

  28-06-2017 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets have reached an agreement to acquire Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul.
  The Clippers will get Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker and a protected first-round pick next year. The person spoke Wednesday on the condition of anonymity because the teams haven’t finalized the trade with free agency coming up on Saturday.
  Paul, a 32-year-old All-Star, opted in for the last year of hi
  
  Read more

• Undocumented and legal immigrants prepare for ‘new normal’ in Texas

  28-06-2017 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — The state’s new law on immigration enforcement is prompting immigrants, living in Texas legally and illegally, to prepare for a “new normal.”
  Dozens of people gathered at Austin Community College for a free workshop Tuesday to learn what to expect if they are stopped by police.
  Organizers say even more people tuned in online to watch the workshop live—unwilling to show up in person.
  “It’s a state of fear,” said Estafania Ponc
  
  Read more

• Feasibility study on SH 29 east of Georgetown completed

  28-06-2017 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) —  After conducting a two-year study with input from the public, the Texas Department of Transportation has released the feasibility study on State Highway 29 between Georgetown and Circleville.
  The study looked at the 14-mile section to determine potential improvements that could be implemented. The existing east-west highway consists of two 12-foot travel lanes, one in each direction.
  SH 29, which was originally constructed in the early 1930s, does not
  
  Read more

• Man spent 90 days in jail for ‘cocaine’ that may have been drywall

  28-06-2017 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  OVIEDO, Fla. — A man who spent 90 days in jail, arrested for cocaine, was freed after tests revealed no trace of drugs in the sample provided by police.
  “I want them to restore what I lost for those 90 days,” Karlos Cashe said.
  Cashe was let out of jail Tuesday but was far from thrilled.
  Cashe was arrested after initially being pulled over for driving without his headlights on in Oviedo.
  A police K-9 got the scent of drugs and police said they found a trace of pot and possible
  
  Read more

• FBI agent indicted in shooting of Oregon militia member

  28-06-2017 16:46 via kxan.com
  
  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An FBI agent has been indicted on accusations that he lied about firing at a rancher in 2016 when officers arrested leaders of an armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in rural Oregon.
  Sources familiar with the case say the agent will face allegations of making a false statement with intent to obstruct justice, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Tuesday.
  The indictment stems from more than a yearlong investigation by the U.S. Justice Department inspector genera
  
  Read more

• ‘Significant’ water outage affecting 100s in Georgetown

  28-06-2017 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Crews are working to repair some sort of water issue causing an outage for nearly 900 residents in Georgetown.
  According to a city spokesperson, the incident is significant and happening off of Leander Road and people living in the Escalera, Parkside, Highland and Mayfield subdivisions may notice an outage.
  Crews are not sure with the outage began, with first reports after 7 a.m. A cause is not yet known, either.
  Georgetown Utility Systems said the outage could l
  
  Read more

• San Antonio man, 57, gets 30 years for 11th DWI conviction

  28-06-2017 15:44 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A South Texas man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for what prosecutors say was his 11th drunken driving conviction.
  Jurors in San Antonio convicted 57-year-old San Juan Garcia of felony DWI in a January 2014 traffic accident.
  A statement from the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office says Garcia was driving drunk when his vehicle struck a motorcyclist. Toxicology tests indicated Garcia had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit for driv
  
  Read more

• WATCH: Strangers buy car for Texas man who walked miles to work

  28-06-2017 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  ROCKWALL, Texas (AP) — A Texas man’s three mile daily walk to work has inspired a group of strangers to collect enough money to buy him a car.
  Andy Mitchell spotted 20-year-old Justin Korva walking to the suburban Dallas taco restaurant where he works and offered him a ride. KDFW-TV reports Korva told Mitchell he was trying to better himself and saving up for a car.
  Korva’s story inspired Mitchell and some of his friends to secretly set up a donation box at a local restaurant.
  
  Read more

• Trump group’s Republican war over health care frustrates GOP

  28-06-2017 15:21 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Three months ago, Republicans condemned political groups aligned with President Donald Trump for doing almost nothing to promote a health care bill. Now they think one of the groups may have gone too far.
  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell decided Tuesday to call off a planned vote this week on a proposal to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama’s health care law. Some on the Hill blamed the unexpected delay on aggressive tactics by America First Poli
  
  Read more

• Arkansas’ new Ten Commandments monument destroyed in less than 24 hours

  28-06-2017 15:09 via kxan.com
  
  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas’ new Ten Commandments monument was smashed to pieces early Wednesday by someone driving a vehicle into it less than 24 hours after the 6-foot (1.8 meter) granite statue was placed on state Capitol grounds.
  Secretary of State’s Office spokesman Chris Powell said capitol police arrested the male suspect early Wednesday.
  Pulaski County jail records show that Michael Tate Reed of Van Buren, Arkansas, was booked into the jail shortly after 7:30 a.m.
  
  Read more

• At-risk Austin students now able to pursue nursing careers

  28-06-2017 14:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – From homeless to graduate, 16-year-old Sebastian Alvarez is close to becoming a certified nursing assistant.
  Alvarez’s life hasn’t been easy. His father isn’t in his life. He’s spent his young life supporting his mother.
  Today, though, he serves as the perfect example of the success stories you’ll discover at Austin Can Academy, a public charter school where the city’s at-risk youth turn their lives around.
  “I might be the firs
  
  Read more

• Bertram police driving reserve units after 2nd officer rear-ended

  28-06-2017 14:18 via kxan.com
  
  BERTRAM, Texas (KXAN) — For the second time in four days, a Bertram officer was rear-ended on Highway 29.
  A Tuesday night Facebook post made by the police department shows the damage the officer’s vehicle after it was hit by a DWI driver. The first incident happened Saturday when an elderly woman woman ran into the back of a patrol unit as Officer James Threadgill was conducting a traffic stop on another driver. He was knocked unconscious.
  The Facebook post suggested that the departm
  
  Read more

• Snapchat’s new ‘Snap Map’ has Texas law enforcement worried

  28-06-2017 13:53 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KETK) — Law enforcement in Texas is working to make parents aware of the latest update for the popular social media app, Snapchat.
  The most current update includes a new feature called the ‘Snap Map.’ This connects to your phone or tablet’s GPS and automatically shows users who follow you where you are on a map, down to the exact street.
  Some snaps can also be seen publicly by users who don’t follow you, depending on your settings.
  HOW TO ENABLE GHOST
  
  Read more

• Prosecutors: ‘Affluenza’ teen’s mother’s gun violated bond

  28-06-2017 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors say the Texas mother of the so-called “affluenza teen” violated her bond by possessing a gun and consuming alcohol.
  In court documents, they say Tonya Couch possessed a gun on June 24 and consumed alcohol on May 20 in violation of the terms of her bond. She’s been free pending trial on charges of hindering apprehension of a felon and money laundering.
  Her son Ethan Couch is serving two years in jail as a condition of his 10 years&rsquo
  
  Read more

• Plaza Saltillo project breaks ground in east Austin

  28-06-2017 12:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ten acres just east of downtown Austin will be transformed into 800 apartments, retail and an eight story office tower beginning Wednesday. The tract of land owned by Capital Metro and being developed by Endeavor Real Estate Group, encompasses six city blocks between Plaza Saltillo and Interstate 35. The project took years to get off the ground after much debate by city council concerning the number of affordable housing units available.
  Out of the 800 units being construct
  
  Read more

• Austin firefighters rescue cats from rising retention pond

  28-06-2017 12:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  Thankfully, a pair of kitties still have all 18 of their combined lives after Austin Fire Department firefighters performed a daring rescue.
  It happened Monday night at the Regency Park Apartments in south Austin. Someone called 911 to report ‘meowing’ from a retention pond on the property.
  Once crews arrived they discovered two cats in the pond with waters rapidly rising due to the storms that has just moved through the area dropping more than an inch of
  
  Read more

• Austin Energy: Tripped circuit breakers caused outage for thousands

  28-06-2017 09:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy said crews have restored power in several north Austin neighborhoods after a massive power outage that started just before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
  At 4:11 a.m., an Austin Energy tweet said all power had been restored in the area from Payton Gin Road north up Highway 183 to Braker Lane and west to Kramer Lane.
  Austin Energy had earlier estimated 22,305 customers were without power but revised the number once crews were able to assess the scene.
  An Austin Energy spoke
  
  Read more

• Austin Energy: Power coming back on in North Austin

  28-06-2017 09:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Crews with Austin Energy are restoring power in North Austin after a massive power outage just before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
  As of 3:30 a.m., 2,600 customers were without power in an area west of Lamar Boulevard from Payton Gin Road north up to Braker Lane. 
  At 2:10 a.m., the utility says 7,600 customers had no power.  Austin Energy had earlier estimated 22,305 customers were without power but revised the number once crews were able to assess the scene.
  An Austin
  
  Read more

• Erin Hogan talks NBA free agency on MTTS

  28-06-2017 05:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Erin Hogan from 104.9 The Horn FM stops by More than the Score talking NBA free agent speculation and Tom Herman’s Texas Longhorns.
  
  Read more

• Father of bicyclist hit, killed pushes for change at city council

  28-06-2017 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — The father of a man hit and killed while riding his bicycle is pushing for changes.
  Tom Ketterhagen addressed the Georgtown City Council Tuesday night asking for a bicycle safety plan. His 19-year-old son Tommy was killed when Aaron Davison crashed into him on Patriot Way.
  Ketterhagen wants the city to do a study to determine where signs and bike lanes are needed.
  Thomas (Tommy) Ketterhagen (via Facebook)Ketterhagen’s son was a member of “787 Racing.&
  
  Read more

• Sober-living community comes to UT campus housing this fall

  28-06-2017 05:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This fall University of Texas at Austin will launch “living learning communities” inside already existing residence halls. Among these is the Healthy Lifestyles Community which will bring together students who are committed to sober living.
  The community will house around 25 students in Moore-Hill Hall where they will share a wing of the dorm, bathrooms and common activities such as guest speakers.
  “A living learning community is really just a specialized
  
  Read more

• Lubbock teen says she was attacked by boyfriend for downloading Snapchat

  28-06-2017 04:46 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) — An 18-year-old woman is speaking out against domestic violence after she said she was brutally attacked by her boyfriend, leaving her in the hospital with 15 staples across her head, three stitches and bruises all over her body from his shoes.
  Solidad Torres said her boyfriend came after her when he found out she downloaded the Snapchat app. She said he slammed her head into the tub, and continued to beat her.
  “I have been strong, I haven’t had a break d
  
  Read more

• Texas medics revive stray dog dropped off at their station

  28-06-2017 04:21 via kxan.com
  
  ABILENE, Texas (KRBC) — More often then not, you hear the heroic stories of our first responders saving someone’s life from a dangerous accident or situation, but, what you don’t hear so often is a first responder saving an animal’s life.
  Sunday evening, Taylor County EMS workers helped rehabilitate a stray dog.
  “We saw the dog, just by the fence on our property, he looked like he hasn’t eaten in a few weeks and I mean he [looked] really bad. He wasn’t w
  
  Read more

• Have a blast this Fourth of July, but don’t get burned

  28-06-2017 03:55 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (NBC News) — Booming, brilliant displays of fireworks are a Fourth of July tradition, yet every year thousands of people are injured using them.
  The Consumer Product Safety Commission used mannequins Tuesday to demonstrate the very real dangers of fireworks.
  “It’s the 30 days around the Fourth of July where we see the highest rate of incidents and injuries,” says acting CPSC Chairperson Ann Marie Buerkle.
  There were more than 11,000 fireworks-related injuries in
  
  Read more

• Credit card skimmer found on Austin 7-Eleven gas pump

  28-06-2017 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A credit card skimmer was found on a fuel pump at a Central Austin 7-Eleven gas station on Tuesday.
  The skimmer was found after a customer complained about fraudulent account charges on their account after using one of the pumps.
  The Texas Department of Agriculture, which inspects gas pumps, found the skimmer at the 7-Eleven at 7114 N. Interstate 35, next to St. John’s Avenue.
  VIDEO: Skimmer being installed at Johnson City Bank
  Austin police officers responded and rem
  
  Read more

• WATCH: Suspect installing credit card skimmer at Johnson City Bank

  28-06-2017 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  JOHNSON CITY, Texas (KXAN) — Finding credit card skimmers at gas pumps is fairly common, but to have one installed at a bank ATM while surveillance cameras are rolling is quite unusual.
  The Johnson City Police Department released surveillance video of the suspects in action in hopes of identifying and catching them. Authorities say the skimmer was installed at the Johnson City Bank in downtown Johnson City Saturday, June 24. A time stamp on the surveillance video shows a man approaching th
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: Credit card skimmer being installed at Johnson City Bank

  28-06-2017 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  JOHNSON CITY, Texas (KXAN) — Finding credit card skimmers at gas pumps is fairly common, but to have one installed at a bank ATM while surveillance cameras are rolling is quite unusual.
  The Johnson City Police Department released surveillance video of the suspects in action in hopes of identifying and catching them. Authorities say the skimmer was installed at the Johnson City Bank in downtown Johnson City Saturday, June 24. A time stamp on the surveillance video shows a man approaching th
  
  Read more

• Toddler abducted from Houston suburb found unharmed

  28-06-2017 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  GALENA PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Police were looking for 22-month-old Jesus Ludena, who was abducted from Galena Park, Texas, a few miles east of downtown Houston. According to KPRC, the boy was found Tuesday night unharmed and his father arrested.
  Alejandro Sebastian Ludena, 25, was wanted in connection with the toddler’s abduction. The suspect was last heard from in Galena Park and is driving a brown 2008 Honda Civic with Texas license plate number HBF2149, missing its front and rear bu
  
  Read more

• AMBER ALERT: Toddler abducted from Houston suburb

  28-06-2017 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  GALENA PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Police are looking for 22-month-old Jesus Ludena, who was abducted from Galena Park, Texas, a few miles east of downtown Houston.
  Alejandro Sebastian Ludena, 25, is wanted in connection with the toddler’s abduction. The suspect was last heard from in Galena Park and is driving a brown 2008 Honda Civic with Texas license plate number HBF2149, missing its front and rear bumpers.
  The toddler is described as a white male, 24 inches tall, weighing 30 pounds, wi
  
  Read more

• UT Austin faces another suit alleging discrimination

  28-06-2017 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin is facing another challenge to using race in its admissions process.
  On Tuesday, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) filed a lawsuit in Travis County alleging UT’s “racial preferences in admissions violate the Texas Constitution and a Texas statute.” SFFA is a non-profit membership organization comprised of more than 21,000 students and parents.
  Under state law, UT must let in any student in the top seven percent of their
  
  Read more

• Michael Jordan, Taylor Swift salute MVP Russell Westbrook

  28-06-2017 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Russell Westbrook has earned kudos from Michael Jordan and Taylor Swift after being honored with his first league MVP trophy at the NBA Awards show.
  A letter signed by Jordan and posted in an Instagram story on his Nike brand’s account reads: “Congrats Russell, I got my first MVP award before my first ring, too … keep going!” Westbrook is endorsed by the Jordan Brand.
  The Oklahoma City Thunder also shared a video tribute to Westbrook from Swift. The
  
  Read more

• Hays County calls for help handling overflow inmates

  28-06-2017 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – In November, Hays County voters passed a $106.4 million bond to go toward improving public safety facilities in the county. A large portion of that money is planned for expanding and updating the county’s jail.
  The change to the jail is something Sheriff Gary Cutler has been pushing for over a year. He says the county continues to be one of the fastest growing in Texas, which means more inmates are being housed at the jail.
  Cutler tells KXAN the jail can on
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!