Austin news

• Lightning sparks multiple house fires in Williamson County

  24-07-2017 23:05 via kxan.com
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Firefighters were called to a Cedar Park home after lightning struck as a band of storms moved through the city Monday afternoon.
  Three other homes in Leander, including one in the 3500 block of Goodnight Trail that resulted in fire shooting out of the roof, appear to be lightning related, according to Leander Fire Department. Multiple agencies took part in fighting the Goodnight Trail fire.
  Cedar Park officials tell KXAN the house on Paden Circle was fully engul
  
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• Lightning sparks Cedar Park house fire

  24-07-2017 23:05 via kxan.com
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Firefighters were called to a Cedar Park home after lightning struck as a band of storms moved through the city Monday afternoon.
  Cedar Park officials tell KXAN the house on Paden Circle was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on scene. Additional details weren’t immediately available.
  Track the storms moving through the Austin metro area
  As of 4:05 p.m., officials say the fire is still burning.
  On Sunday afternoon, a house in northwest Austin was hit
  
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• Abilene boy searching for dead father’s phone

  24-07-2017 22:10 via kxan.com
  ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — An Abilene 4-year-old is heartbroken after misplacing an iPhone that belonged to his late father.
  Xochilt Hernandez-Palomarez says her son, Javi, left his phone at the Neighborhood Walmart on Ambler Avenue on Sunday and the phone has not been recovered.
  Hernandez-Palomarez told KTAB and KRBC she returned to the store as soon as she noticed it was missing but it hadn’t been turned in and she couldn’t find it anywhere. She also says the ‘Find My
  
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• Texas Senate honors Austinite murdered in Greece

  24-07-2017 21:48 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The family of Bakari Henderson, the 22-year-old who was attacked and beaten to death while vacationing in Greece earlier this month, was on hand at the Texas Senate Monday morning where their son was publicly honored.
  Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, spoke in memoriam of Henderson, who Watson referred to as “one of our own” because he served the state of Texas as both a messenger in the Senate and also as an intern for Speaker of the House Joe Straus. Henderson atten
  
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• Suspect dead after shootout with police on I-55

  24-07-2017 20:39 via kxan.com
  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Authorities say a carjacking suspect died Monday after a shootout with police on a busy stretch of interstate near St. Louis.
  The incident began around 9 a.m. when a vehicle ran off the road near the intersection Interstate 55 and Interstate 270. When someone tried to help the driver of the wrecked vehicle, he allegedly pointed a gun and demanded that person’s car, St. Louis County police spokesman Shawn McGuire said.
  The suspect drove off on I-55, leading to a chase
  
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• Police: Driver heavily armed during interstate shootout

  24-07-2017 20:39 via kxan.com
  ST. LOUIS (AP) — A man who died following a shootout with police on a busy stretch of interstate near St. Louis was heavily armed, wearing a bulletproof vest, and had threatened to kill a relative and co-workers, investigators said Monday.
  The incident began around 9 a.m. when several passing motorists stopped to help 31-year-old Jerrod Kershaw after he ran his vehicle off the road near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Interstate 270 outside St. Louis, said Jefferson County Sheriff Da
  
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• Man dead after shootout with police on Missouri interstate

  24-07-2017 20:39 via kxan.com
  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Authorities say a carjacking suspect died Monday after a shootout with police on a busy stretch of interstate near St. Louis.
  The incident began around 9 a.m. when a vehicle ran off the road near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Interstate 270. When someone tried to help the driver of the wrecked vehicle, he allegedly pointed a gun and demanded that person’s car, St. Louis County police spokesman Shawn McGuire said.
  The suspect drove off on I-55, leading to a ch
  
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• Lawmakers to clarify rules on when someone can be resuscitated

  24-07-2017 20:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lawmakers will again attempt to clarify state rules around “do not resuscitate” orders–the policies doctors use to decide whether to attempt CPR or another life-saving maneuver when someone is going die.
  Because force is needed to resuscitate someone on the brink of death through CPR, sometimes a large amount of physical harm can be inflicted. If a patient does not want to be resuscitated, they get a do not resuscitate (DNR). DNRs are only applicable to pa
  
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• Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman saves man choking on brisket at Austin airport

  24-07-2017 19:07 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman is being credited with saving the life of a man who started choking while eating brisket at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Sunday.
  The Chicago Tribune reports Freeman was at the airport headed to training camp when his flight was delayed. While he waited for his flight, Freeman decided to get a brisket sandwich at the Salt Lick. As he was digging into his sandwich, he noticed a man, who was also eating brisket, in dist
  
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• Tacodeli, JuiceLand among new restaurants opening at Austin airport

  24-07-2017 18:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has always strived to have local restaurants in its terminal and the new expansion will be no different.
  On Monday, the airport announced the renovation of the East food court, across from Gates 7-8, will include Peached Tortilla, Mad Greens, Departure Lounge, Berry Austin Frozen Yogurt, and JuiceLand. The work on the east end will start later this year.
  On the west end of the Barbara Jordan Terminal, renovations slated to begin in ear
  
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• Man drowns while swimming in Lake Buchanan

  24-07-2017 17:24 via kxan.com
  LAKE BUCHANAN, Texas (KXAN) — A 28-year-old man who rescued from Lake Buchanan Saturday evening passed away at the hospital a few hours later.
  A spokesperson for the Texas Parks and Wildlife says Juan Antonio Volanos was on a tube when he fell out. His friends who were on shore said it was about 15 minutes before they noticed he wasn’t on the tube.
  Volanos’ friends were able to retrieve him before emergency crews arrived at the scene. Volanos was rushed to the hospital via medi
  
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• Armed man robs BBVA Compass Bank in Round Rock

  24-07-2017 16:49 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Police in Round Rock need help identifying a man who they say robbed the BBVA Compass Bank last week.
  The armed robbery happened on Friday, July 21 just before 5 p.m. at the bank located at the corner of Interstate 35 and E. Palm Valley Boulevard. Police say the suspect came in, displayed a firearm and demanded money from the teller; but he left without any money.
  The suspect wore a baseball cap, sunglasses and a bandana over his face. The suspect was last s
  
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• Thai police arrest Chinese and Taiwanese in telephone scam

  24-07-2017 15:51 via kxan.com
  BANGKOK (AP) — Police in Thailand say they have arrested 44 people — 19 Chinese citizens and 25 Taiwanese — suspected of running a telephone scam.
  The suspects made calls over the internet in which they claimed to be banking officials and accused their targets of financial crimes, Immigration Police said a statement received Monday.
  The targets would then be put in touch with a fake policeman — also at the gang’s headquarters — and told they could escape arres
  
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• Man with chainsaw wounds 5 in Swiss city; manhunt on for him

  24-07-2017 15:24 via kxan.com
  BERLIN (AP) — An unkempt man armed with a chainsaw wounded five people Monday at an insurance office in the northern Swiss city of Schaffhausen and then fled, police said. A manhunt was on for him.
  Police were alerted to the attack at 10:39 a.m. (0839 GMT). Five people were taken to the hospital, two of them with serious injuries who were employees of a health insurance company.
  Police warned “the suspect is dangerous” but added “this case is not a terrorist act.”Th
  
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• Hunt is on for chainsaw attacker who wounded 5 in Swiss city

  24-07-2017 15:24 via kxan.com
  BERLIN (AP) — A man armed with a chainsaw wounded five people at a health insurer’s office Monday in the northern Swiss city of Schaffhausen, police said, triggering a manhunt for a suspect described as aggressive and psychologically unstable.
  Suspect Franz Wrousis, 51, has two previous convictions for weapons offenses and no fixed residence, authorities said. A dog-walker said she had seen him in the woods near Schaffhausen for the last few weeks.
  The attacker wounded two insurance
  
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• Ford, transportation officials to survey Austin police SUVs

  24-07-2017 15:07 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the Ford Motor Company continues to state they haven’t found any issues with carbon monoxide leaks in their Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles, the Austin Police Department still has to deal with CO detectors going off in their units indicating there are potential leaks.
  The Austin Police Association tells KXAN the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration along with Ford engineers are in Austin this week to investigate what could be causing the leaks. APA Pr
  
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• Several types of Bush’s Baked Beans recalled

  24-07-2017 14:36 via kxan.com
  KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WAVY) – Bush Brothers & Company has voluntarily recalled three types of their 28-ounce cans of beans.
  The company said in a statement that the recall is due to some cans having defective side seams. These side seam defects may affect can integrity and may cause the cans to leak or allow for harmful bacteria to grow inside the product.
  The Baked Beans involved in the recall include:
  BUSH’S BEST ORIGINAL BAKED BEANS 28 ounce with UPC of 0 39400
  
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• Retreat offered for Central Texas veterans suffering from PTSD

  24-07-2017 14:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In order to be able to better serve veterans who have lost hope from post-traumatic stress disorder, a local non-profit has created a retreat to try to help.
  Operation: Warrior’s Path was created by veteran James Irwin–who suffered from PTSD and visited a similar conference elsewhere in the country. Afterward, he was so changed, he decided something like this needs to be offered to the veterans of Texas.
  The Warrior’s Path is a five to seven day PTSD
  
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• Work begins on new Post Road bridge destroyed in 2015 flood

  24-07-2017 13:27 via kxan.com
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Over the next seven months, Post Road at the Blanco River will be closed as crews work on constructing a new bridge to replace the temporary that has been in place since 2015.The original bridge connected Kyle to San Marcos was destroyed during the May 2015 Memorial Weekend flood, when a wall of water came rushing down. The Blanco River crested at 43 feet that day.
  Starting July 24, drivers should plan on using alternative routes if they need to cross the Blanco
  
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• Oregon man recreates Multnomah Falls using 80K Legos

  24-07-2017 13:04 via kxan.com
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Many people played with Legos growing up, but one Portland man recently recreated one of Oregon’s most popular tourist destinations — Multnomah Falls.
  Erik Mattson’s replica of the waterfall stands at more than 8 feet tall. Mattson strategically placed more than 80,000 Legos to create his masterpiece, which took time and patience.
  He said, “I spent half an hour to 45 minutes and kind of built the bridge itself and it took a year to get the br
  
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• One charged in relation to decomposed body found in southwest Travis County

  24-07-2017 12:33 via kxan.com
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A body that was found in southwestern Travis County on Sunday was so badly decomposed that authorities will have to wait for an autopsy to be done before any details regarding the person’s death are released. Monday, the sheriff’s office said a person has been arrested in relation to the death.
  The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to the 10000 block of Sandy Beach Road, which is off of Hamilton Pool Road, for a welfare che
  
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• Decomposed body found in southwest Travis County

  24-07-2017 12:33 via kxan.com
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A body that was found in southwestern Travis County on Sunday was so badly decomposed that authorities will have to wait for an autopsy to be done before any details regarding the person’s death are released.
  The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to the 10000 block of Sandy Beach Road, which is off of Hamilton Pool Road, for a welfare check around 10:30 a.m. When they arrived, they found a body that was in the “advanced sta
  
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• The Latest: Trump’s son-in-law denies colluding with Russia

  24-07-2017 12:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigations (all times local):
  6:30 p.m.
  Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner is denying that he colluded with Russians in the course of President Donald Trump’s White House bid.
  Kushner is also declaring that he has “nothing to hide.”
  Behind closed doors, the Trump son-in-law spoke Monday to staff members of the Senate intelligence committee for nearly three hours at the Capitol, then made a bri
  
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• The Latest: Trump calls senior House Democrat ‘sleazy’

  24-07-2017 12:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigations (all times local):
  9:20 a.m.
  President Donald Trump is calling the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel “sleazy” for conducting what he says is a “biased” Russia investigation.
  The president tweeted Monday that “Sleazy Adam Schiff, the totally biased Congressman looking into ‘Russia,’ spends all of his time on television pushing the Dem loss excuse!”
  
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• The Latest: Paul Ryan defends Special Counsel Robert Mueller

  24-07-2017 12:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigations (all times local):
  11:10 a.m.
  House Speaker Paul Ryan says special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, isn’t a biased partisan.
  Ryan’s comments in a radio interview in Milwaukee come as President Donald Trump repeatedly has dismissed Mueller’s investigation as a political witch hunt.
  On the “Jay Weber Show,” Ryan was asked w
  
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• The Latest: Kushner says he ‘did not collude with Russia’

  24-07-2017 12:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigations (all times local):
  1:25 p.m.
  White House senior adviser and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner says he did not collude with Russia.
  Kushner spoke to reporters at the White House Monday after meeting with Senate investigators probing Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible ties to the Trump campaign. Kushner told reporters he wanted to be “very clear.&rdquo
  
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• The Latest: Kushner leaves Capitol after interview on Russia

  24-07-2017 12:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigations (all times local):
  12:30 p.m.
  President Donald Trump’s son-in-law has concluded his meeting with Senate investigators probing Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
  Jared Kushner left the private meeting around 12:25 p.m., nearly three hours after it began. A man tried to hand him a Russian flag and police stopped him.
  Kushner is to make a public statement from the White House Monday aft
  
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• The Latest: Kushner got ‘random email’ demanding ransom

  24-07-2017 12:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the Russia investigations (all times local):
  7:20 a.m.
  President Donald Trump’s son-in-law says he received a “random email” during the presidential campaign from someone claiming to have Trump’s tax returns and demanding ransom to keep the information secret.
  Jared Kushner says he interpreted the email as a hoax. Kushner says the email came from a person going by the name “Guccifer400.” The name
  
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• Fresh ground chuck recalled from HEB in Buda

  24-07-2017 12:13 via kxan.com
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — If you recently purchased fresh ground chuck from the H-E-B store in Buda, you should check if it’s part of a recall.
  H-E-B says it’s issuing a precautionary recall for the “fresh ground chuck 80/20 packed on styrofoam trays.” The meat was only sold in the Buda store located on Interstate 35 on July 23, 2017 with a time stamp of 4:30 p.m. or later. There is a possibility there is metal from a mesh glove in the product.
  The meat being recalled is
  
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• Suspect to be charged Monday after 10 die in sweltering truck

  24-07-2017 12:07 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A suspect arrested in connection with the deaths of 10 people packed into a broiling tractor-trailer awaited a court appearance Monday over his alleged role in the immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong.
  Federal prosecutors said they planned to bring charges against James Mathew Bradley Jr., 60, of Clearwater, Florida. They would not immediately confirm he was the driver of the rig, though local authorities said over the weekend that the driver was arrested.
  Authorities
  
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• Suspect due in court Monday after 9 die in sweltering truck

  24-07-2017 12:07 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Nine people are dead and the death toll could rise after emergency crews pulled dozens of people from a sweltering tractor-trailer found parked outside a Walmart in the midsummer Texas heat, victims of what officials said was an immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong.
  The driver was arrested, and nearly 20 others taken from the rig were hospitalized in dire condition, many with extreme dehydration and heatstroke, officials said Sunday.
  “We’re looking at a hum
  
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• Driver charged after 10 die in sweltering truck

  24-07-2017 12:07 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO (AP/KXAN) — A suspect arrested in connection with the deaths of 10 people packed into a broiling tractor-trailer appeared before a federal judge over his alleged role in the immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong.
  Federal prosecutors charged James Mathew Bradley Jr., 60, of Clearwater, Florida with one count of transporting illegal aliens. If convicted, Bradley could face up to life in prison or even death.
  Just after midnight on Sunday, authorities discovered eight bodies insi
  
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• Train hits vehicle stuck on tracks in Kyle; no one hurt

  24-07-2017 10:38 via kxan.com
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Union Pacific says one of its trains hit a vehicle that was stuck on the tracks near Kyle Sunday night. Fortunately, no one was inside the vehicle at the time.
  According to UP, the vehicle became stuck at the railroad crossing on Roland Lane in Kyle around 11:00 p.m. The Union Pacific train that hit the vehicle was heading north from Laredo to Chicago carrying cargo containers.
  The company says Kyle Police and UP personnel responded to the call. It says the train was c
  
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• UT researchers on San Antonio human smuggling: “This happens every day”

  24-07-2017 05:44 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — News unfolded on Sunday about a deadly incident in San Antonio where 39 people were extricated from a trailer truck in a Walmart parking lot. As of Sunday evening, nine of those people were reported to have died and 20 were in serious or critical condition. The truck’s air conditioning was not working, so the people who survived were reported to have racing heart rates, heat stroke and dehydration.
  “We are looking at a human trafficking crime here,” said S
  
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• Texas Senate committee sends voter fraud bill to full Senate

  24-07-2017 05:35 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (Nexstar)– Senate Bill 5 unanimously passed out of the State Affairs committee on Sunday, as lawmakers plow through Gov. Greg Abbott’s 20-item special session call.
  The committee heard public testimony, where Texans had the chance to offer their opinions to senators.
  SB 5 relates to “the prevention of fraud in the conduct of an election; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties.”
  The bill essentially amends Texas Election Code to increase criminal
  
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• Float Fest welcomes thousands, adds security

  24-07-2017 05:20 via kxan.com
  MARTINDALE, Texas (KXAN) – The fourth annual Float Fest along the San Marcos River brought in thousands of people from all around the state. The festival has been rather controversial over the past few years whether it is complaints about noise, traffic or the trash left behind.
  However, new rules this year have event organizers saying there shouldn’t be a problem.
  In October, Guadalupe County Commissioners denied a mass-gathering permit for Float Fest organizers stating there were p
  
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• New education option for those short on time: ACC weekend college

  24-07-2017 04:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you’re considering a career change but you just don’t have the time during the week to tackle college coursework, now there’s a new program that just might help.
  Austin Community College is making it possible for students to earn an associate degree or certification on the weekend with Friday night and Saturday courses.
  “This program supports a segment of our student population that really wants to get an associate’s degree, but they just ca
  
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• Crash snarls traffic on US 290 between Dripping Springs, Cedar Valley

  24-07-2017 04:03 via kxan.com
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A three-car pile-up led to a traffic stand still in Hays County Sunday afternoon, said a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
  It happened at about 4:30 p.m. on US 290 at Trautwein Road between Dripping Springs and Cedar Valley.
  San Marcos Hays EMS said there were multiple patients with injuries, some of which were possibly life-threatening.
  No other information was released Sunday evening.
  Just this week, KXAN told you speed limits in that are
  
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• Snooty, world’s oldest known manatee, dies at age 69 in ‘heartbreaking accident’

  24-07-2017 03:20 via kxan.com
  BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — The South Florida Museum says Snooty, the world’s oldest known manatee, has died just one day after celebrating his 69th birthday.
  The museum made the devastating announcement Sunday afternoon on Facebook.
  His death is being referred to as a “tragic accident.” Circumstances are still being investigated, but investigators do not expect foul play.
  “Our initial investigation indicates that Snooty’s death was a heartbreaking accident
  
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• Wildflower Center celebrates ‘Lady Bird Day’

  24-07-2017 01:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – People gathered at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Sunday to get in touch with nature and learn about the influence of the center’s namesake and founder.
  The wildflower center celebrated Lady Bird Day with free admission, food, stories and a tour of the gardens.
  Officials at the center say it’s important to remember her influence on enacting more than 200 environmental laws, making a lasting impact.
  “Our Texas roadways are the beauty that they are
  
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• He was purrfect: Honorary cat mayor in Alaska town dies

  24-07-2017 01:33 via kxan.com
  TALKEETNA, Alaska (AP) — Stubbs, the honorary feline mayor of the Alaska town of Talkeetna, has died at the age of 20.
  The animal’s owners announced the cat’s death late Saturday in a statement.
  “Stubbs lived for 20 years and 3 months,” the family wrote. “He was a trooper until the very last day of his life; meowing at us throughout the day to pet him or to come sit on the bed with him and let him snuggle and purr for hours in our lap. Thank you, Stubbs, for c
  
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• Baby Charlie Gard protesters rally as hospital reports threats

  24-07-2017 01:15 via kxan.com
  LONDON (AP) — Protesters who want critically ill British baby Charlie Gard to receive an experimental medical treatment rallied Sunday, while hospital officials say emotions are running so high in the heart-breaking case they have received death threats.
  A small group of about 20 activists supporting Gard’s parents, including some from the United States, gathered Sunday afternoon outside the High Court in London where legal proceedings will resume Monday with new medical evidence exp
  
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• Quintuplet newborns head home, spent three months in Seton NICU

  24-07-2017 00:41 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – One Central Texas couple is carrying not one, but five, babies home this weekend. Their quintuplets spent several months in the Seton Medical Center Austin NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) getting stronger and waiting to go home.
  Doctors released all of the babies on Sunday.
  When Liz and Daniel Hodges first found out they were pregnant, doctors thought the couple was having twins. But, the head count kept growing.
  “He said, ‘let me take a look around and
  
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• 9 die in immigrant-smuggling attempt in sweltering truck

  24-07-2017 00:26 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — At least nine people died after being crammed into a sweltering tractor-trailer found parked outside a Walmart in the midsummer Texas heat, authorities said Sunday in what they described as an immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong.
  The driver was arrested, and nearly 20 others rescued from the rig were hospitalized in dire condition, many with extreme dehydration and heatstroke, officials said.
  “We’re looking at a human-trafficking crime,” said San Ant
  
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