Austin news

• TV show ‘Live PD’ helps Austin police nab serial robber

  04-08-2017 23:17 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A serial robber that targeted numerous convenience stores from Pflugerville to San Marcos is behind bars thanks to someone who recognized him after the show Live PD featured the robberies.
  Austin police say the suspect, who has not been identified at this time, is believed to be responsible for at least 10 robberies. A couple of the businesses targeted were Woody’s Market, which is why police started calling the spree the “Woody Series.”
  The robberies star
  
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• Hutto leaders opposed to Valero’s proposed 70-mile pipeline

  04-08-2017 23:09 via kxan.com
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Hutto city leaders are voicing their concerns about Valero’s $200 million pipeline project, which would be capable of transporting up to 60,000 barrels of refined gasoline or diesel daily from Hearne to Williamson County.
  The 70-mile, 12-inch pipeline project includes the construction of a terminal on Farm to Market 1660 in Williamson County, just east of the county’s landfill located at 600 Landfill Road in Hutto. The proposed site is located within the H
  
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• Man gets life in prison for stabbing roommate to death

  04-08-2017 22:39 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 30-year-old man who was found guilty of murdering his roommate in 2015 will spend the rest of his life in prison.
  The Travis County jury decided Christopher Harris’ fate in a span of a few hours Friday afternoon. Byron Roberson, 44, died when Harris went on a stabbing spree at Roberson’s home near Pflugerville on Aug. 7, 2015. During the attack, Roberson’s son, Diamond, was also stabbed twice in the neck. 
  When Diamond took the stand earlier th
  
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• Man accused of tampering with evidence in deadly Del Valle shooting

  04-08-2017 21:57 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is charged with tampering with evidence after authorities say he moved evidence related to a deadly shooting in Del Valle.
  On Thursday around 12:42 a.m., Travis County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 8717 Linden Rd. for a man who had a gunshot wound. When deputies arrived, they found a 26-year-old man sitting in the back seat of a pickup truck with a gunshot wound to his right thigh. According to an arrest affidavit, deputies tried to save him but he died
  
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• The Salt Lick opens two concession stands at DKR Stadium

  04-08-2017 21:38 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Longhorn fans have another food option when they’re cheering on their team at the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium this season.
  The Salt Lick announced Friday that they’re opening two concession stands at the stadium. One stand will be located on Level 1 in section 30 and the second location will be on Level 3 in section 6.
  The offerings will be handy for your football watching needs, such as barbecue sandwiches, nachos and smoked sausage dog. While you&rs
  
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• Police seek suspects in Round Rock armed robberies

  04-08-2017 21:04 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock police are asking for your help identifying two robbers, one of whom robbed two convenience stores across the street from one another.
  The first suspect struck just days apart. On July 27, the robber, armed with a black handgun, walked into the Shop‐N‐Go at 1717 S. Mays St. and demanded money before running away. Then, police say the same man showed up across the street, at the 7‐11 at 1801 S. Mays St. and again demanded mon
  
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• Texas plans to move 1,000 inmates to air-conditioned prison units

  04-08-2017 20:34 via kxan.com
  This article was originally published by The Texas Tribune
  About 1,000 hot Texas prisoners might soon be moving to cooler accommodations.
  As part of a court order, Texas submitted a plan Thursday to move about 1,000 medically sensitive inmates from the Pack Unit southeast of College Station, which is not air conditioned, to other state jails and prisons that do have air conditioning. The plan came after a federal judge ordered air conditioning for the inmates i
  
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• White House anger over leaks grows, crackdown promised

  04-08-2017 20:02 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House’s anger about leaks is growing, and the Trump administration is stepping up efforts to crack down on them.
  The attorney general and the national intelligence director are set Friday to discuss what the Justice Department calls “leaks of classified material threatening national security.”
  A presidential adviser is raising the possibility of lie detector tests for the small number of people in the West Wing and elsewhere with access to tran
  
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• Texas House OKs school finance fix amid Senate uncertainty

  04-08-2017 20:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas House has again approved a sweeping, $1.8 billion plan to begin overhauling the state’s troubled school finance system.
  Republican Rep. Dan Huberty’s proposal increases per-pupil funding while offering extra money for school transportation and educating dyslexic students.
  Friday’s 130-12 vote mirrored House support during the regular legislative session. The original bill died after the Texas Senate attached a plan offering taxpayer-funded v
  
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• Sessions vows crackdown on leaks of classified information

  04-08-2017 20:02 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions pledged on Friday to rein in government leaks that he said undermine American security, taking an aggressive public stand after being called weak on the matter by President Donald Trump.
  The nation’s top law enforcement official cited no current investigations in which disclosures of information had jeopardized the country but said the number of criminal leak probes had dramatically increased in the early months of the Trump administra
  
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• Silver Star Nation is in Canton, Ohio, days before NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement

  04-08-2017 19:59 via kxan.com
  Silver Star Nation takes a look at the city of Canton and how deep football runs in the town. Fans from every team has been represented up to this point at the Hall of Fame, and Silver Star Nation’s Wes Moore has the story.
  
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• Police identify suspect after blind woman’s braille machine stolen

  04-08-2017 19:46 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials have identified a man who allegedly stole a legally blind woman’s portable braille machine.
  The victim told Austin Police Department officers she was working out in the 3500 block of Greystone Drive on June 18 realized she didn’t take her portable braille machine with her when she left, according to an affidavit. She told police she immediately returned to search for her machine, but it was gone.
  About four hours after the victim reported the braille m
  
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• Austin Fire Department given $80K grant to use drones for emergencies

  04-08-2017 19:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department has been given an $80,000 grant to use drones to help in emergency situations.
  They are working with New York University to test and implement new ultra-speed wireless communications technology. That will be used to send data used from drone video to emergency operation centers in real time.
  “Being able to fly over and get good situational awareness, being able to provide images and video back to our incident commander so they can make decis
  
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• Man dies from his injuries days after Bastrop Hwy crash

  04-08-2017 19:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man injured in a crash with a dump truck on Bastrop Highway last month died four days later, the Austin Police Department says.
  The crash happened around 11 p.m. on July 27. George Melvin, 88, was driving in the southbound lanes of the 800 block of Bastrop Highway, near the US 183 and State Highway 71 interchange, when a dump truck changed lanes to the right and struck the Buick LeSabre Melvin was driving.
  Police say Melvin’s car spun out of control into the median.
  
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• Rabies Alert: Live bat found outside Buda church tests positive

  04-08-2017 18:59 via kxan.com
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — A live bat found next to the doorbell of the educational building at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda has tested positive for rabies.
  City officials say the live bat was found around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the church, located at 1100 N. Main St. If you think you or someone you know may have come into contact with the bat, please call the City of Buda Animal Control at 512-313-1001.
  You can also call the Hays County Health Department at 512-393-5525 or the Departme
  
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• Hearing Day 3: Judge says Greg Kelley will not be released on bond today

  04-08-2017 15:58 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Judge Donna King said Greg Kelley will not be released on bond, during the final hearing on Friday as part of his attorneys’ attempts to prove Kelley’s innocence.
  Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick apologized to the family of the 4-year-old sexually assaulted in 2014, saying the criminal justice system didn’t get it right the first time.
  Kelley attorney Keith Hampton has painted a picture of another suspect committing the crime.
  
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• East Texas minister, family guilty of using hurricane funds for personal use

  04-08-2017 14:44 via kxan.com
  LUFKIN, Texas (AP) — An East Texas minister and his family have been convicted of using hurricane relief funds to pay off personal expenses and fund operations of a 40-member Jasper church.
  Walter and Rosie Diggles and their daughter Anita Diggles were all convicted Thursday of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
  Walter Diggles also was convicted of two counts of theft of federal funds, 11 counts of wire fraud and three of money laundering. Wife Rosie Diggles also was convicted of 10 counts o
  
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• West Virginia governor announces switch to Republican Party

  04-08-2017 14:31 via kxan.com
  HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced Thursday he’s switching parties to join Republicans as President Donald Trump visited the increasingly conservative state.
  Justice told about 9,000 Trump supporters at a rally in Huntington that he will be changing his registration Friday. He recently visited the White House twice with proposals on manufacturing and coal, neither he nor Trump are politicians and they both ran to get something done, he said.
  “This
  
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• Baby gorilla has pink princess-themed birthday party

  04-08-2017 13:51 via kxan.com
  WICHITA, Kan. (WFLA/KSNW) – A Kansas zoo held its first birthday party for a baby gorilla on Thursday.
  Baby Alika and her visitors enjoyed a pink princess-themed party.
  Keepers hung streamers and turned painted boxes into castles.
  The internet falls in love with Zola the dancing gorilla 
  Alika also had cupcakes made out of primate biscuit mix, mashed potatoes, pudding and food coloring.
  The zoo hopes the party and Alika’s milestone help educate guests about the importance of gor
  
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• Hundreds will watch Duck Derby on Saturday, benefiting Boys and Girls Club

  04-08-2017 13:25 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Saturday morning, hundreds of people will watch as 15,000 little rubber duckies launch into Lady Bird Lake and race to the finish line. It’s the fourth annual Austin Duck Derby.
  The event benefits the Boys and Girls Club of the Austin area — an after-school program designed to help kids succeed, including kids like 18-year-old Wendy Rodriguez who has some pretty big dreams.
  “I hope to run for mayor one day and be a politician,” she said.
  Rodriguez ju
  
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• One killed in firefight between teenagers in southeast Austin

  04-08-2017 12:25 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 19-year-old man was shot in a southeast Austin neighborhood late Thursday night, dying from his injuries at the hospital.
  Officers say someone in the 6600 block of Marble Creek Loop, not far from the intersection of McKinney Falls Parkway and East William Cannon Drive, called police at 11:28 p.m. about several men shooting.
  Callers told police that a man was dragged by others into a waiting vehicle that then sped away.
  Officers arriving to the house found fresh blood and
  
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• 28-year-old killed in southeast Austin shooting

  04-08-2017 12:25 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 28-year-old was shot in a southeast Austin neighborhood late Thursday night, dying from his injuries at the hospital. Police are questioning several people involved, but no arrests have been made.
  Officers say someone in the 6600 block of Marble Creek Loop, not far from the intersection of McKinney Falls Parkway and East William Cannon Drive, called police at 11:28 p.m. about a shooting.
  Police arrived, but did not find a victim. Another call at 11:51 p.m. alerted officer
  
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• UT adding $6M in upgrades to DKR Stadium before season opener

  04-08-2017 06:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The race is on to get $6 million in upgrades complete at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium before the Longhorns take on Maryland in the season opener.
  University officials tell KXAN feedback from fans led to the changes. They call it “good timing” as a new era in Texas football begins under new head coach Tom Herman.
  “I love giving fans a great time at our games and hopefully the product on the field is going to be a majority of that entertainment,” sa
  
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• PHOTOS: Cowboys beat Cardinals in Hall of Fame Game

  04-08-2017 05:26 via kxan.com
  CANTON, Ohio (KXAN) — Even though it’s only a preseason game, it still feels good to win. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-18. Cowboys beat Cardinals in Hall of Fame Game CANTON, OH - AUGUST 03: Uzoma Nwachukwu #16 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a 14-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter of the NFL Hall of Fame preseason game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 3, 2017 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Image
  
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• Cowboys win preseason opener

  04-08-2017 05:15 via kxan.com
  CANTON, Ohio (KXAN) — With just about all the projected starters watching the Hall of Fame game, the Cowboys beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-18 in Canton, Ohio on Thursday night.
  Sam Irwin-Hill kicked a 43-yard field goal in the 4th quarter to give the Cowboys the lead. The Cowboys first touchdown came on a 26-yard pass from back up quarterback Kellen Moore to former Baylor basketball star turned tight end Rico Gathers. Moore was 12-17 for 182 yards while playing the entire first half.  
  
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• Update: I-35 re-opened after pedestrian killed

  04-08-2017 04:47 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just north of US 183 are back open after a fatal auto-pedestrian crash.
  Austin police say the crash happened Thursday just before 9:30 p.m. The lanes re-opened around 12:30 Friday morning. Austin-Travis County EMS says the pedestrian who died is a woman in her 30s.
  No word yet on the identity of the person killed or why she was on the road at the time.
  This latest crash comes days after the city released it’s Pedestrian Safety action
  
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• Pedestrian killed on I-35, northbound lanes blocked at 183

  04-08-2017 04:47 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just north of US 183 are blocked due to a fatal auto-pedestrian crash.
  Austin police say the crash happened just before 9:30 p.m. Austin-Travis County EMS says the pedestrian who died is a woman in her 30s.
  Drivers are being routed off the freeway right before US 183.
  KXAN will update this story as more information becomes available. 
   
  
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• Northbound I-35 reopened after pedestrian was struck, killed

  04-08-2017 04:47 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just north of US 183 are back open after a pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle.
  Austin police say the crash happened Thursday just before 9:30 p.m. The lanes reopened around 12:30 a.m. Friday. Austin-Travis County EMS says the pedestrian who died is a woman in her 30s.
  No word yet on the identity of the person killed or why she was on the road at the time.
  This latest crash comes days after the city released its Pedestrian Safety Act
  
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• Lawyer for alternate Greg Kelley case suspect says he’s a ‘scapegoat’

  04-08-2017 04:41 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — After investigators revealed Thursday there are now three suspects in the reopened child sexual assault case against Greg Kelley, the lawyer for one of them said her client didn’t do anything wrong.
  Kellie Bailey represents Johnathan McCarty, 20, the focus of investigators’ renewed efforts in the case. Bailey says her client is “actually innocent” and believes her client is being used as a “convenient scapegoat.”
  “Even th
  
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• Parents of dyslexic students watch as House votes on school finance bill

  04-08-2017 04:18 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Friday, the Texas House will vote on an overarching school finance reform bill and one aspect of the bill hopes to get more resources for students with dyslexia.
  Raman Gill’s dyslexic seventh grader, Reva, has come a long way. Early on, this mom carried most of the burden.
  “Who’s going to evaluate your kid? How do you find that person? Then you have to pay for that person. Then you have to go out and find somebody to help you address the issue,”
  
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• Police: Baby kept in cage for 23 hours a day

  04-08-2017 03:50 via kxan.com
  MADISON Co., N.C. (WSPA) – A North Carolina couple is in jail accused of keeping a baby in a cage for most of the day and only feeding the child small amounts of food.
  Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood said in a Facebook post that Haley Trantham and Vincent Lee II are each charged with two counts of child abuse.
  Sheriff Harwood said deputies investigating a child neglect complaint found the baby in a “self-made cage” in the upstairs area of the couple’s home.
  “De
  
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• Capri controversy: Atlanta-area teachers upset over clothing memo

  04-08-2017 03:16 via kxan.com
  ATLANTA, Ga. (WXIA) — A capri controversy has teachers riled up in one metro Atlanta school district.
  The shorter pants are popular with teachers, straddling the line between professional dress and comfort in the hot Georgia temperatures, but when word leaked that Douglas County might be “banning” them, it sparked off a debate.
  In an email to teachers, the memo reads:
  “Please emphasize the expectation that attire be professional and appropriate. Some items of clothing tha
  
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• Lubbock woman arrested, accused of leaving child in car

  04-08-2017 02:42 via kxan.com
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) — Lubbock first responders had to rescue a child left alone in a locked car that wasn’t running Thursday morning. The incident occurred at a shopping center around 11:15 a.m.
  Officials found that 26-year-old Jacklyn Robledo left the child in the vehicle while going into a plasma donation center at Octopharm Plasma. Lubbock police believe the child had been alone for about 45 minutes.
  Authorities say the child was found in the back seat of the car and “appe
  
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• Privacy issues at forefront of SB 3 debate

  04-08-2017 02:32 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Discussions surrounding Texas’ divisive proposed legislation took center stage at the capitol on Thursday.
  Senate Bill 3, also known as the “bathroom bill” and the “privacy act,” would require people to use restrooms, locker rooms, and showers that correspond to the birth sex listed on birth certificates.
  Supporters said the bill would protect the privacy and safety of Texans. Opponents argue the bill has already impacted transgender Texans,
  
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• Some high-dollar homes still benefiting from Austin Energy utility discount

  04-08-2017 02:30 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin Energy customers rack up those high energy costs this hot summer, they’re helping foot the bill for the city’s low-income utility discount. But KXAN discovered that $16 million-fund is also benefiting million-dollar homes.
  “That money is going to subsidize people who may not necessarily need that help,” Council Member Ellen Troxclair told KXAN. “It’s still not fixed. And we need to get there as quickly as possible.”
  I
  
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• Pedestrian dies 10 days after being hit by a car in north Austin

  04-08-2017 02:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man who was struck by a car while crossing East Braker Lane at Interstate 35 on July 17 died from his injuries 10 days later.
  Austin police say Michael James Trujillo, 34, was crossing the street with another person when he was struck by a driver in a Ford Escape. Police say the pedestrians were crossing mid-block and they were not in a crosswalk.
  Trujillo was taken to the hospital where he died on July 27.
  According to a new Austin pedestrian safety plan, crash data show
  
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• VIDEO: Flames engulf residential skyscraper in Dubai

  04-08-2017 01:34 via kxan.com
  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Fire is engulfing a high-rise residential tower in Dubai in the middle of the night, sending plumes of smoke into the air and debris falling below.
  Dubai’s police say firefighters are on the scene and that no injuries have been reported so far in the blaze at the Torch Tower, located in Dubai’s popular Marina neighborhood.
  The Torch Tower is one of the world’s tallest residential towers reaching more than 80 stories high. It caught fire
  
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• Organization aims to connect cancer patients, families in Austin

  04-08-2017 01:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five years ago, 35-year-old Amber Lammons was diagnosed with two forms of breast cancer. Doctors told her it was stage 4, the most aggressive stage.
  “It’s a harsh reality,” she said. “You know that your time is limited.”
  She and her husband have two young daughters who have been very involved since the diagnosis in 2012.
  “They were in the doctor’s office when they told me,” Lammons said. “My kids know that when my time h
  
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• Man who stabbed roommate to death in 2015 found guilty

  04-08-2017 00:39 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It took a Travis County jury just a couple of hours to convict 30-year-old Christopher Harris in the 2015 murder of Byron Roberson, 44.
  On Aug. 7, 2015, Harris stabbed Roberson to death at his home near Pflugerville, where the victim was allowing Harris to stay. Authorities say Harris also stabbed Roberson’s son Diamond in the neck twice. 
  When Diamond took the stand earlier this week, he told jurors he didn’t see Harris holding a knife at first, but looked
  
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• Austin leaders move to honor first black city council member

  04-08-2017 00:11 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former City Council Member Berl Handcox was back in a familiar environment Thursday morning. Between 1971 and 1975, he sat on the Austin City Council. Now, it was time to honor the work done back then.
  “I didn’t know what to expect,” Handcox said, who arrived with several family members and community leaders. ” I didn’t know who was doing what.”
  Shortly after 11 a.m., Mayor Steve Adler read a proclamation to honor Handcox by renaming a wa
  
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• Cowboys take on Cardinals in NFL preseason game

  04-08-2017 00:01 via kxan.com
  CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals kick off the NFL preseason tonight in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game.
  The annual game in Canton, Ohio, will feature new turf, after last year’s game had to be canceled because the field was unplayable. Hall of Fame President David Baker promises the new turf will be as good as any the Cowboys and Cardinals will play on.
  There won’t be many stars or starters on the field. Both coaches, Jason Garrett for Dallas and
  
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