• Senate confirms Christopher Wray, Trump’s choice for FBI

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray to lead the FBI, replacing James Comey, who was abruptly fired by President Donald Trump amid the investigation into Russian meddling in last year’s presidential election.
    The vote was 92-5 for Wray, a former high-ranking official in President George W. Bush’s Justice Department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud. Wray, 50, inherits the FBI at a particularly challenging time given Trump’s
  • Teenager accused of robbing south Austin bank

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — An 18-year-old is in jail accused of robbing a south Austin bank with an assault rifle on Monday morning.
    Around 10:30 a.m., a man entered the Capital Credit Union at 133 E. Ben White Blvd. and demanded money. Police say the man, later identified as Martin Anthony Castillo, was armed with an assault rifle and restrained bank employees during the robbery. While no one was injured, the suspect did manage to get away with an undisclosed amount of cash.
    Around noon, authorities
  • President Donald Trump says he won’t stay off social media

    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump may be trying for a reset in the West Wing, but he is making clear that he is not changing his twitter habit.
    On Twitter Tuesday, Trump said: “Only the Fake News Media and Trump enemies want me to stop using Social Media (110 million people). Only way for me to get the truth out!”
    The tweet came one day after retired Gen. John Kelly took over as Trump’s new chief of staff. Tapped to bring order to the chaotic West Wing, Kelly quick
  • Major 911 outage reported in Hays County

    HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A cut fiber line has the 911 system in Hays County shut down.
    Hays County says they’re experiencing a widespread outage Tuesday afternoon that could possibly be affecting residential customers are well depending on their provider. Numerous cities within the county are also reporting the same problem.
    San Marcos police say 911 calls to their agency are being routed to Travis County as a backup. People in San Marcos can also call 512-753-2108.
    Kyle police sa
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  • 911 service restored in Hays County after outage

    HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A cut fiber line had the 911 system in Hays County shut down for several hours Tuesday afternoon.
    Numerous cities within the county also had the same problem. During the outage, San Marcos police had 911 calls to their agency routed to Travis County as a backup.
    A spokesperson for AT&T says the outage affected some wireless and wireline customers in Kyle and the surrounding areas. The problem was fixed by 7:30 p.m.
  • 911 service impacted in Hays County due to major outage

    HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A cut fiber line has the 911 system in Hays County shut down.
    Hays County says they’re experiencing a widespread outage Tuesday afternoon that could possibly be affecting residential customers are well depending on their provider. Numerous cities within the county are also reporting the same problem.
    San Marcos police say 911 calls to their agency are being routed to Travis County as a backup. People in San Marcos can also call 512-753-2108.
    Kyle police sa
  • Human remains found in east Austin greenbelt

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several bicyclists who were riding the trails in east Austin came across human remains on Monday.
    Austin police say riders came across the remains around 7:45 a.m. When officers met the riders in the area of Johnny Morris Road and Daffan Lane, they took the officers down to the trails where the remains were found.
    Authorities say the human remains were already in advanced stage of decomposition. The Medical Examiner’s office will have to conduct an autopsy to determin
  • While parts of FM 973 sees upgrades, another section remains untouched

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Once a sleepy, rural stretch of road in east Travis County, Farm to Market 973 has become a popular alternative for drivers looking to avoid State Highway 130 Toll and the dreaded Interstate 35.
    People who live in the area contacted KXAN to express their concern about the narrow stretch of FM 973 between Harold Green Road and Farm to Market 969. They say the lack of shoulders and lighting, plus the increase in semi-trucks are going to continue to cause harm.
    “Mos
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  • Murder trial starts for man accused in deadly 2015 stabbing attack

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man accused of stabbing three people, killing one of them, two years ago was in a Travis County courtroom Tuesday to face trial.
    Christopher Harris, 30, pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder and two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon resulting from a stabbing attack on Aug. 7, 2015 in northeast Travis County.
    Byron Roberson, 44, was killed in the attack at the home he owned just outside Pflugerville on Endless Shore Lane; his son, Diamond Roberson, who
  • Man accused of stabbing, killing roommate in 2015 on trial

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man accused of stabbing three people, killing one of them, two years ago was in a Travis County courtroom Tuesday to face trial.
    Christopher Harris, 30, pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder and two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon resulting from a stabbing attack on Aug. 7, 2015 in northeast Travis County.
    Byron Roberson, 44, was killed in the attack at the home he owned just outside Pflugerville on Endless Shore Lane; his son, Diamond Roberson, who
  • Deadly 2015 stabbing near Pflugerville heads to trial

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man accused of stabbing three people, killing one of them, two years ago was in a Travis County courtroom Tuesday to face trial.
    Christopher Harris, 30, pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder and two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon resulting from a stabbing attack on Aug. 7, 2015 in northeast Travis County.
    Byron Roberson, 44, was killed in the attack at the home he owned just outside Pflugerville on Endless Shore Lane; his son, Diamond Roberson, who
  • Texas calf looks like rocker Gene Simmons

    KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — A newborn calf in Texas has strikingly similar black-and-white facial markings to KISS frontman Gene Simmons, and the rock star likes their shared look.
    Simmons’ onstage persona includes face paint, black leather clothing and wild hair. He tweeted his admiration for the calf named Genie, saying, “This is real, folks!!!”
    The female calf was born Friday at a ranch near Kerrville, 60 miles northwest of San Antonio.
    Heather Taccetta, who lives at the r
  • Waco police officer run over by drug suspect

    WACO, Texas (KWKT) — Police are asking for prayers for a Waco officer severely injured Tuesday morning while serving a search warrant near the intersection of North 23rd Street and Olive Avenue.
    Sgt. Patrick Swanton of the Waco Police Department says officers were serving a search warrant on a suspected drug dealer around 10:12 a.m., when the man ran over an officer, pinning him underneath the vehicle.
    The other officers fired at the driver, hitting him several times.
    They also worked toge
  • Religious leaders call for end to ‘bathroom bill’ at Texas Capitol

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Leaders of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths gathered on the steps of the Texas State Capitol Tuesday morning to urge legislators to drop attempts to pass controversial “bathroom bills.”
    The speakers wanted to make their voices heard in contrast to claims that faith leaders supported the bills — including House Bills 46, 50 and Senate Bills 3 and 91.
    Texas Impact, the state’s largest interfaith advocacy network, is leading the day’s worth
  • VIDEO: Little boy fist bumps every passenger on flight

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WCMH) — Flying can be tough, but a little boy in Kansas City may have outdone even the most hospitable flight attendants recently.
    And the cute gesture was all caught on video!
    According to CNN, the boy — offering unconditional fist bumps as he walked down the aisle, wasn’t stingy with the greeting either.
    New airline brings cheaper Austin flights to Europe 
    He extended his little fist to anyone on the plane willing to participate.
    And one after another,
  • Where does the money come from for the legislature’s teacher pay raise

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott charged lawmakers with finding a way to pay for teacher pay raises statewide. The most difficult part of that task will be finding the money.
    Tuesday at the State Capitol, a select panel of House members on education looked at several ideas. House Bill 198 by State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, would create a legal basis to pay for the system, but actual funding remains left out.
    According to state analysts the bill would require the average teacher pa
  • Texas House looks at new state money for Gov’s teacher pay raise call

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott charged lawmakers with finding a way to pay for teacher pay raises statewide. The most difficult part of that task will be finding the money.
    Tuesday at the State Capitol, a select panel of House members on education looked at several ideas. House Bill 198 by State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, would create a legal basis to pay for the system. Over the next 15 years it would phase in a program to give “merit pay” increases by adding $22 mil
  • Texas House looks at new state money for Abbott’s teacher pay raise call

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott charged lawmakers with finding a way to pay for teacher pay raises statewide. The most difficult part of that task will be finding the money.
    Tuesday at the Texas State Capitol, a select panel of House members on education looked at several ideas. House Bill 198 by State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, would create a legal basis to pay for the system. Over the next 15 years, it would phase in a program to give merit pay increases by adding $22 million ne
  • Police: CPS didn’t call back on baby in car weeks before death

    WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — A report obtained by Target 8 shows Children’s Protective Services failed to call Wyoming police back immediately after officers discovered a baby left unattended in a vehicle.
    According to the police report obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety turned the 5-month-old back over to his mom after the incident outside a Family Video store.
    Sixteen days later, Noah Johnson was dead, allegedly due to his mom’
  • Boater dies after hitting Lake Travis shoreline

    LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) — A man died Sunday morning in a boat accident on Lake Travis, Texas Parks and Wildlife confirms.
    The department says the boater hit the shore and was injured. He was then taken to a local hospital where he died.
    A Texas Parks spokesperson says no alcohol was involved. The boater, who has not been identified, did not see the shoreline.
    Two other people on the boat, the man’s wife and 4-year-old daughter, are OK, the official says.
    The investigation into the
  • KBVO to broadcast Westlake High School football games

    AUSTIN, Texas  (KXAN)  – Chaparral football is coming to KBVO-TV this fall under a new partnership between the station and the Eanes Independent School District.
    During the 2017 regular season, Central Texans may watch Westlake High School football games Saturdays at 7 p.m. on KXAN-TV’s sister station KBVO-TV. This innovative partnership will provide Westlake High School students production experience as they film and produce the games to air on KBVO-TV.
    The Westlake Chapar
  • Hundreds attend funeral for Oklahoma patrolman killed by patrol car

    NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Hundreds gathered at the University of Oklahoma to remember a state trooper who died after he was struck by another patrolman’s car during a chase.
    Lt. D. Heath Meyer died July 24 at a hospital where he was taken after being injured July 14.
    The Oklahoman reports police officers from other states including Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Georgia and Illinois attended the funeral Monday in the Lloyd Noble Center.
    The Oklahoma Highway Patro
  • Body of Texas woman found in hole on Maryland beach

    OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) — Police say the body of a 30-year-old woman has been found on a Maryland beach.
    Local news outlets report that Ocean City police were notified about the body Monday morning after beachgoers discovered it in a hole in the sand. City communications manager Jessica Waters says the remains have been identified as belonging to Plano, Texas resident Ashley O’Connor.
    Waters says O’Connor got separated from her family around 2 a.m. and that her death appears to be
  • How a bioterrorism drill turned into a vaccination debate at Hays CISD

    HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The vaccination debate unexpectedly came to the Hays CISD Facebook page on Monday following two posts about a planned “emergency response and mass vaccination drill” at Hays High School.
    The bioterrorism drill, from 7:30 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, took place in the high school parking lot, involving area first responders and volunteers. Hays County says they hold this kind of drill to practice the emergency distribution of relief items, vaccinations
  • Hays CISD Facebook posts pulled after igniting vaccination debate

    HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The vaccination debate unexpectedly came to the Hays CISD Facebook page on Monday following two posts about a planned “emergency response and mass vaccination drill” at Hays High School.
    The drill, from 7:30 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, is taking place in the high school parking lot. involving area first responders and volunteers. Hays County says they hold this kind of drill to practice the emergency distribution of relief items, vaccinations and med
  • 3 credit card skimmers found at east Austin 7-Eleven

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three skimmers were found at an east Austin 7-Eleven gas station on Monday by a Texas Department of Agriculture inspector.
    Austin police confirmed the devices found by the inspector were credit card skimmers at 6518 Ed Bluestein Blvd., at the corner of Loyola Lane.
    The gas station staff was unaware the devices were on the pumps and are not believed to be connected to the skimmers, the Department of Agriculture says.
    Drivers are encouraged to be aware at the pump. If the sca
  • Full lineup of 2017 Texas Tribune Festival released

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — U.S. Senators from Texas John Cornyn and Ted Cruz will share the stage in a rare joint appearance at the 2017 Texas Tribune Festival next month.
    The two are some of the political heavyweights appearing at the seventh annual festival, from Sept. 22-24 at the University of Texas at Austin.
    Around 250 legislators, leaders and media members will tackle the state and country’s most pressing political issues, the organization says.
    For the full festival program and to regis
  • VIDEO: Python found hiding in Australian newsroom

    DARWIN, Australia (NBC News) — A snake believed to be a carpet python found its way into the offices of an Australian news channel, Monday morning.
    A cameraman of 9 News in Darwin first spotted the reptile curled up on a desk.
    Program manager Alexia, who has handled snakes before on her property, used a coat hanger and a bag to capture the snake with sales executive Myk assisting her.
    PHOTOS: Snakes go missing after violent I-35 rollover
    The snake was released into the bushes outside the n
  • Hundreds of donated adult diapers help a growing need in Austin

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of senior citizens in Central Texas depend on diapers, but many cannot access them or afford them. The need continues to grow as Travis and other surrounding counties see a spike in the number of senior residents.
    Thanks to a generous donation, AGE of Central Texas is getting a helping hand.
    AGE is a local non-profit focused on tackling the challenges of aging. On Monday, a donation of 600 adult diapers came from of Autumn Leaves, a local assisted l
  • Hero kids rewarded for saving abused puppy

    HENRY COUNTY, Ill. (WHBF) — The Henry County Humane Society in Kewanee presented reward checks totaling $250 to the four children who first found Thor and the woman who then called police.
    A 17-year-old teen, who confessed to inflicting the injuries, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty. A 6-week-old puppy was found with deep cuts in its neck and officials say it’s one of the worst cases of animal abuse they’ve seen.
    The puppy, Thor, has received 22 sutures, which wi
  • Have an idea to make Austin streets safer for pedestrians? Tell the city

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city has come up with 21 recommendations to keep you and others safe while walking on Austin streets.
    It’s a draft to the city’s pedestrian safety action plan, and it’s now ready for you to look at. The plan’s key suggestions involve engineering, education, enforcement, evaluation, policy, and teaming up with other agencies to find other solutions.
    The city is asking for your feedback between now and midnight on Aug. 31. The feedback will then be
  • Texas House considers commission to review state’s school finance system

    AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A bill that would create a public education finance commission will be addressed in the Texas House on Tuesday.
    House Bill 191 would implement a commission “to recommend improvements to the public school finance system.”
    The bill, authored by State Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, would require that new commission to issue a report by the end of 2018 that “recommends statutory changes to improve the public school finance system, including any adjustm
  • Group behind ACL Music Fest buys Scoot Inn

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — The historic Scoot Inn in east Austin is officially under new ownership.
    C3 Presents announced Monday it purchased the building from Doug Guller of ATX Brands. C3 Presents is the company behind the Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza, so you can bet more music is in store for this 145-year-old venue.
    “We’ll be releasing more information in the coming weeks, but we’re looking forward to booking live music and curating events at this one-of-a-
  • San Marcos animal shelter hopes grant will help increase adoptions

    SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Around half of all animals that enter the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter are euthanized every year. The shelter says the issue is a lack of space and low adoption numbers.
    However, a new grant issued late last week to the shelter for a mobile adoption trailer has leaders at the shelter hoping to see fewer animals put down in the future.
    For eight years, Animal Services Manager Kara Montiel says the shelter has tried for a grant to get a trailer to help with a
  • Texas Gas Service reporting outage in east Austin

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several blocks in east Austin are without natural gas due to an outage being reported by Texas Gas Service.
    The company says the outage is in the area east of Interstate 35 but west of Mildred Street and south of Willow Street. Crews are currently going by homes and businesses to turn off the gas meters.
    Customers in the affected area will not have any natural gas service overnight. The company says it will provide an update Tuesday morning on how customers can get service
  • Father handling rooster accidentally shoots, kills 10-year-old son

    LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. (KOLR) — A 10-year-old Missouri boy died Sunday evening after being accidentally shot in the head by his father.
    Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay said Garrett Spaulding was with his dad, mom and another sibling as they were taking care of several animals. His dad was carrying a small caliber rifle.
    When a rooster got riled up, the father went to grab it but it attacked him. Authorities say the father was knocked backward, which caused his weapon to fire, hitting the
  • All Austin police Ford Explorers have been turned in

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two days after city staff began pulling all Austin Police Department Ford Explorers and Utility Interceptors from the field, the city says they have completed the process of stripping all 397 vehicles.
    While a small handful of police support vehicles have yet to be placed in storage, the city says they are not actively being used. All the pulled vehicles will remain out of service as the city continues to work with Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Campus carry on community college campuses start Tuesday

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Community College is now required by law to implement campus carry by allowing Licensed to Carry (LTC) holders to carry a concealed handgun on public college campuses. The law takes effect on August 1st.
    Implementation has been thought about since 2016, as ACC President and CEO Dr. Richard Rhodes appointed a Campus Carry Implementation Task Force comprised of college student and faculty representation from each campus community and other universities. They worke
  • #ManorMondays brings discounts, activities to stretch of east Austin

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Manor Road in east Austin has become increasingly dotted with cafes, bars and restaurants. But while it has become a popular spot for many, the city is teaming up with the Manor Road Merchants Association to get more customers to visit its shops and businesses.
    To kick off the new Soul-y Program, businesses are now taking part in #ManorMondays. On the last Monday of every month, starting with July 31, various businesses along Manor Road are taking part in discounts and give
  • Abbott’s list shows public dollars for private schools still tough sell in House

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — When the special session started, Gov. Greg Abbott promised to release lists about who supports his items—and one list, in particular, is coming up short.
    His list for “School Choice for children with disabilities” only has 20 lawmakers signed on to support the bill in the House, but it needs 75 supporters to pass. A similar idea flew through the Senate last week.
    “I got hundreds and hundreds of stories here from all over the state,” said Rep.
  • Amid station groundbreaking, AFD union says city still needs at least five more

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Emergency response times for people living in south Austin may soon improve thanks to the addition of a new joint Austin Fire Department/Austin-Travis County EMS station.
    Crews broke ground on the new Onion Creek station at 11112 Old San Antonio Rd. on Monday. It is expected to be complete in late 2018. Once finished, the 9,200-square-foot facility will house two fire vehicles and one ambulance, along with 10 firefighters and four EMS personnel.
    Although happy wit
  • AFD, ATCEMS team up for new south Austin fire station

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Emergency response times for people living in south Austin may soon improve thanks to the addition of a new joint Austin Fire Department/Austin-Travis County EMS station.
    Crews broke ground on the new Onion Creek station at 11112 Old San Antonio Rd. on Monday. It is expected to be complete in late 2018. Once finished, the 9,200-square-foot facility will house two fire vehicles and one ambulance, along with 10 firefighters and four EMS personnel.
    Although happy wit
  • TSA Pre-check travelers will only need ID at Austin airport

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you use TSA Pre-check, you’ll notice a change when you go through the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
    The TSA started testing a new technology for pre-check travelers that only requires a photo ID. The Credential Authentication Technology is expected to verify the authenticity of a passenger photo ID and validate information from the ID against TSA’s Secure Flight vetting system.
    How does it work? Pre-check passengers just need to hand their photo ID
  • Texas puts best foot forward in opening practice

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tom Herman joked on Monday its the first time he can remember actually coaching in July, but that’s the new world of college football. Still nearly five weeks before the Longhorns opener against Maryland
    Horns hit the field early Monday morning for their first of 29 practices. The first two days it’s just helmets and shorts, they will add shoulder pads Wednesday and then they’ll be in full pads Friday. Herman understands the grind that is training cam
  • Winners of the Xtreme Eating awards

    NEW YORK — (NBC News) — The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released its 2017 Xtreme Eating awards.
    Most people wouldn’t dream of eating five bacon double cheeseburgers from Burger King all at once, but at Buffalo Wild Wings you’d consume even more calories by eating just one Cheese Curd Bacon Burger and fries.
    “We’re seeing high calorie mash-ups from restaurants all over their menus,” says Lindsay Moyer, the center’s senior nutrition
  • Williamson County sheriff fighting to give jail employees a raise

    GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Being a control room operator at a county jail may not be glamorous, but it’s an important job.
    “We maintain the safety and security of the whole facility,” says control room operator Matthew Luna. “I think without us, I don’t think the jail would be possible, you know.”
    Luna monitors almost every room in the Williamson County Jail, unlocking doors, making sure officers get through, and inmates don’t, when they’re n

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