Austin news

• Woman fights off attacker on Lady Bird Lake trail

  27-09-2017 23:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman jogging on the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail Wednesday morning was attacked by a man who tried to drag her into the bushes.
  Police said the woman, who was attacked around 6:40 a.m. in the 1700 block of South Lakeshore Boulevard, near East Riverside Drive, was grabbed from behind and was able to fight off the attacker.
  The suspect was described by police in a Wednesday afternoon press conference as a Hispanic male in his 40s, 5-foot-11, with no facial hair, dark
  
  Read more

• Wells Fargo bank robbed on William Cannon in south Austin

  27-09-2017 23:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police are at the scene of a bank robbery on West William Cannon Drive at Manchaca Road in south Austin.
  Officers say they were called at 2:06 p.m. Wednesday to the Wells Branch in the Towne Square strip mall at 1901 W. William Cannon Dr.
  Austin police have not said if a suspect is in custody.
  KXAN will update this story as we get additional information.
  Police at the scene of a bank robbery at the Wells Fargo at 1901 W. William Cannon Dr. in Austin on Sept. 27, 2017 (KXAN
  
  Read more

• Wells Fargo bank robbed by male suspect wearing long wig, bright lipstick

  27-09-2017 23:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police were at the scene of a bank robbery on West William Cannon Drive at Manchaca Road in south Austin, Wednesday afternoon.
  Officers say they were called at 2:06 p.m. to the Wells Fargo branch in the Towne Square strip mall at 1901 W. William Cannon Dr.
  A suspect, described as a black male by police, demanded money and left the bank with an unknown amount. He is described as around 5-foot-6 and was wearing black medical scrubs with an undershirt that had blue sleeves.
  Po
  
  Read more

• Texas’ oil regulator took vacation amid Harvey

  27-09-2017 22:35 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (AP) — Records show that Texas’ chief oil and gas regulator was on vacation in the critical days surrounding Hurricane Harvey as the state grappled with fuel shortages and refinery spills.
  Kim Corley is a former Shell Oil executive and was executive director of the Texas Railroad Commission since 2016. Her work calendar obtained by The Associated Press showed her on vacation for at least 11 days before and after Harvey made landfall.
  Corley abruptly stepped down last week. She
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Pitbull sends private jet to Puerto Rico to evacuate cancer patients

  27-09-2017 22:22 via kxan.com
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Miami native Pitbull is being praised by a Puerto Rico congresswoman after the singer sent his private plane to the hurricane-ravaged island to evacuate cancer patients.
  Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon represents Puerto Rico.
  On Tuesday, she tweeted a special thank you to the rapper in Spanish.
  Translated, the tweet said, “Thanks to singer Pitbull providing private aircraft to transport PR USA cancer patients to take chemo.”Gracias al cantante @
  
  Read more

• Family of boy killed by gator near Disney World helps kids getting transplant

  27-09-2017 22:07 via kxan.com
  OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The family of a 2-year-old Nebraska boy who was killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World last year has created a foundation to help families with children receiving organ transplants.
  Matt Graves said Wednesday that after their son Lane’s death, they wanted to help other families fighting for their children’s lives. Melissa Graves dried tears from her eyes while her husband spoke.
  “Lane had a very special light about him. We promised him at his wake
  
  Read more

• Boy hurt after leading police on high-speed chase in Southeast Texas

  27-09-2017 21:33 via kxan.com
  VIDOR, Texas (AP) — A 10-year-old boy who took his mother’s pickup truck was injured when the vehicle crashed while leading police on a high-speed chase in Southeast Texas.
  Vidor police say an officer saw the pickup run a red light after authorities received several calls Wednesday morning about a recklessly driven vehicle.
  As the police car’s emergency lights were activated, the pickup truck accelerated, reaching speeds of up to 85 mph before going off the road. Officers then
  
  Read more

• Georgetown residents can register security cameras to help solve crimes

  27-09-2017 20:27 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Georgetown police hope to harness the power of home and business security systems to keep tabs on crime in the city. The police department is starting a new program asking people to register their cameras.
  The voluntary program lets residents and businesses register their location as having operational video equipment. If there is a crime, police can use the database to see if cameras in the area captured any evidence.
  Police say only local law enforcement will h
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• UT student punched in the back of her head north of campus

  27-09-2017 20:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A University of Texas student was punched in the back of her head while walking near campus Wednesday morning.
  Austin Police Department officers responded to Harris Avenue after the woman was attacked while in Eastwoods Neighborhood Park around 10:30 a.m. The student is being treated at the hospital, according to UT.
  “It was alarming to me because I was like, ‘Oh, I walk through there all the time,'” Amelia Ragsdale, a UT senior, told KXAN Wednesday aftern
  
  Read more

• UT student assaulted north of campus

  27-09-2017 20:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A University of Texas student was punched in the back of his head while walking near campus Wednesday morning.
  Austin Police Department officers responded to Harris Avenue after the woman was allegedly attacked while in Eastwoods Neighborhood Park around 10:30 a.m. The student is being treated at the hospital, according to UT.
  The University of Texas Police Department wrote in a letter sent to students that the suspect is a black man in his 30s. He may be homeless.
  &ld
  
  Read more

• Round Rock spa robbed with AK-47

  27-09-2017 18:48 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A man was arrested Monday after allegedly robbing a Round Rock business using an AK-47.
  Cruz Reyes Soliz, 27, faces a charge of aggressive robbery. He allegedly kicked in the back door of Seven Day Spa at 1510 Sam Bass Road Sept. 21 and ordered a victim to give him money from out of the lockers meant for personal property.
  According to an arrest affidavit, the victim told police “I thought I was going to die.”
  She told officers he stole her Louis Vuit
  
  Read more

• Woman charged with DWI after completely stopping on I-35

  27-09-2017 18:18 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly slammed on her brakes in south Austin while driving on Interstate 35, causing a collision when a Travis County deputy and two others had to swerve around her.
  Briana Sifuentes, 24, faces a driving while intoxicated charge.
  She was allegedly driving south on I-35 around 2:04 p.m. when she began to drift between the lanes without using her turn signal, then swerved multiple times to correct. At one point, she slammed on her bre
  
  Read more

• Woman arrested for DWI after completely stopping on I-35

  27-09-2017 18:18 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly slammed on her breaks in south Austin while driving on Interstate 35, causing a collision when a Travis County deputy and two others had to swerve around her.
  Briana Sifuentes, 24, faces a driving while intoxicated charge.
  She was allegedly driving south on I-35 around 2:04 p.m. when she began to drift between the lanes without using her turn signal, then swerved multiple times to correct. At one point, she slammed on her bre
  
  Read more

• Maine police officer helps skunk with head stuck in cup

  27-09-2017 17:54 via kxan.com
  YORK, Maine (KXAN/NBC) — A police officer helped out a skunk in Maine that was a little too eager to get the last drop of milkshake from the bottom of the cup.
  Officer David McKinnon from the York, Maine Police Department was working the night shift as a motorcycle cop. He found the animal wandering in the street with a McFlurry cup on to its head — not exactly a typical call. The cup’s lid was still attached to the cup.
  He followed the skunk and managed to remove the cup, all
  
  Read more

• Missouri bar owner accused of racism for using NFL jerseys as doormats

  27-09-2017 17:08 via kxan.com
  LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KOMU) — A Missouri bar owner is taking heat for what at least one passerby sees as a racist doormat at his business.
  “It’s not a race thing,” says Jason Burle, who owns the S.N.A.F.U Bar in Lake Ozark. “A lot of people want to twist it around to be a race thing.”
  Burle said he ordered two NFL jerseys to be used as doormats outside his bar after NFL players started kneeling during the national anthem.
  “We pulled them out of the box, taped
  
  Read more

• Velcro’s viral video implores consumers to say ‘hook and loop’

  27-09-2017 16:33 via kxan.com
  CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Lots of pop songs have hooks. This one has loops, too.
  Velcro Cos. this week released a music video with a message it hopes will stick as well as its products: “Don’t Say Velcro.”
  The video features actors portraying trademark attorneys, joined by a few actual lawyers in the background, pleading with the public to respect the company’s brand and refer to similar “scratchy, hairy” products as “hook and loop” fasteners.
  &l
  
  Read more

• Mark Cuban lends Mavericks’ plane to player bringing donations to Puerto Rico

  27-09-2017 15:57 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (KXAN) — A Dallas Mavericks player from Puerto Rico took the day off from the basketball court to deliver much-needed supplies to the hurricane-hit island.
  Point guard J.J. Barea left Tuesday morning and returned to Dallas around 7 p.m. with family and friends from Puerto Rico, KXAS reports.
  “I told my people, I gotta go down to Puerto Rico,” Barea said. “I’ve got to see it. I’ve got to be there and then I’ll come back. And when I come back I&rsqu
  
  Read more

• Whataburger sued after Florida manager allegedly told to only hire whites

  27-09-2017 14:47 via kxan.com
  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The government has sued the Texas-based fast-food chain Whataburger for allegedly retaliating against a white restaurant manager in Florida who refused to follow an upper management directive to hire only white applicants.
  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Monday that it filed the lawsuit last week in district court in Tallahassee after failing to reach a pre-litigation agreement.Houston police told to stop using Whataburger order numbers at cri
  
  Read more

• Trump says he’s spoken with Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones

  27-09-2017 14:15 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he has spoken to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones amid his extended attacks on NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem.
  On Twitter Wednesday, Trump says the two spoke Tuesday. He says: “Jerry is a winner who knows how to get things done. Players will stand for Country!”Spoke to Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys yesterday. Jerry is a winner who knows how to get things done. Players will stand for Country!
  — Donald J
  
  Read more

• Austin Diaper Bank low on cash, needs help delivering to Austin families

  27-09-2017 13:41 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Desiree Rodriguez can’t imagine going without diapers.
  “It is scary at times. It almost feels the same as when you you get the news, ‘OK, what am I going to do for formula or food for the evening,'” said the 29-year-old mother of four.
  Desiree gets food and diapers from the Round Rock Area Serving Center food pantry. The organization gets its diapers from the Austin Diaper Bank, which is struggling right now to deliver diapers to partner organiz
  
  Read more

• Special council meeting questions Downtown Puzzle

  27-09-2017 13:16 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin city council has called a special meeting to discuss how millions of taxpayer dollars should be spent. The meeting comes ahead of a vote Thursday on what’s called the “Downtown Puzzle.”
  Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler wants to expand the Austin Convention Center. It could cost between $400 million to $600 million, something Adler suggests could be paid for through a public/private partnership but also a 2 percent increase in the hotel occupancy tax
  
  Read more

• APD changes policy on immigration status checks after court ruling

  27-09-2017 05:29 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department says it is going to make policy changes after Monday’s federal appeals court ruling allowing more of the state’s sanctuary cities law to go into effect.
  Interim Chief of Police Brian Manley says he still worries the law will hurt public safety if immigrants stop reporting crimes.
  Manley says officers will not detain someone simply to figure out their immigration status, but if someone is already in custody, officers can check. Each t
  
  Read more

• Canadian dreamers bring new perspective to DACA fears

  27-09-2017 05:09 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the Oct. 5 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals deadline approaching next week, many young immigrants are filing applications, trying to extend their stay in the United States.
  In Central Texas, most stories heard about dreamers are of those who came to the U.S. from Mexico, but another large population of immigrants is facing uncertainty in the Austin area as well — those from Canada.
  Samantha Ilacqua was born in Montreal but says she remembers nothing about C
  
  Read more

• Firebrand jurist Moore wins GOP primary runoff in Alabama

  27-09-2017 04:18 via kxan.com
  MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Firebrand jurist Roy Moore won the Alabama Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, defeating an appointed incumbent backed by both President Donald Trump and deep-pocketed allies of Sen. Mitch McConnell.
  In an upset certain to rock the GOP establishment, Moore clinched a nine-point victory over Sen. Luther Strange to take the GOP nomination for the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Moore will face Democrat Doug Jones in a Dec. 12
  
  Read more

• Millions raised by Rebuild Texas on hold for now

  27-09-2017 02:51 via kxan.com
   AUSTIN (KXAN) — Millions of dollars for hurricane relief are sitting still for now.
  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s commission to Rebuild Texas after Hurricane Harvey is growing daily. So far it has raised more than $68 million. During a press conference Tuesday, Abbott said none of the money raised has been distributed yet, nor has the group identified which community organizations it will go to.
  The Rebuild Texas commissioner, John Sharpe, says eligible groups need to fill out
  
  Read more

• Students get immersive learning experience at ‘Barton Springs University’

  27-09-2017 02:40 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — High school and college students had the unique opportunity to learn more about the endangered Barton Springs salamanders and the environment they live in during an annual event called “Barton Springs University.”
  Pat Brodnax is the managing director of Save Our Springs Alliance. “We’re trying to educate a lot of newcomers and our youth, high schoolers, college students, to know more about it and therefore want to be better stewards of it,&rdquo
  
  Read more

• Could UT vs. Texas A&M rivalry game return with student-driven push?

  27-09-2017 02:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin Student Government sent out an email to the student body Tuesday morning asking for students to weigh-in on whether they’d like to see an annual rival football game between Texas and Texas A&M reinstated.
  Student body Vice President Micky Wolf explained to KXAN that this idea has been in the works for around seven months. Student leaders have met with both university leaders and the athletics department who’ve told SGA that
  
  Read more

• Hundreds of college student renters displaced by unfinished apartments

  27-09-2017 02:11 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A series of construction delays at an apartment complex is forcing hundreds of college students to jump from couch to couch or hotel to hotel. The residents were supposed to move into Pointe San Marcos apartments in August, but now they are being told they have to wait until the middle of October.
  “I have dresses, I have bags, I have my purses,” said Brianda Ramirez with the trunk of her car wide open, full of bags and clothes.
  Ramirez signed a lease
  
  Read more

• Saudi Arabia to allow women to drive for the first time

  27-09-2017 01:43 via kxan.com
  RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced that women will be allowed to drive for the first time in the ultra-conservative kingdom next summer, fulfilling a key demand of women’s rights activists who faced detention for defying the ban.
  The kingdom was the only the country in the world to bar women from driving and for years had garnered negative publicity internationally for detaining women who defied the ban.
  The move, which has been welcomed by the United State
  
  Read more

• Video of West Texas officer dragging woman prompts internal investigation

  27-09-2017 01:33 via kxan.com
  BIG SPRING, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — The Big Spring Police Department has opened an internal investigation after a video of an officer dragging a woman went viral online.
  The video, which shows the yet-to-be identified officer detain the woman then drag her behind his police car after she refused to stand up, has been shared thousands of times on social media.
  Two witnesses spoke to our sister station KMID and said they believe excessive force was used during the altercation.
  Marcus Sanchez, wh
  
  Read more

• 4-year-old chokes to death on meatball at school

  27-09-2017 01:20 via kxan.com
  PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — A Pensacola mother says her 4-year-old son has died days after choking on a meatball at Sherwood Elementary School.
  Lindsay Hall says her son Audi Anderson was a special needs student and nobody saw him choking until he was unconscious.
  Hall says her son was on a ventilator from Sept. 19 until his death on Sept. 23.
  A lawyer for the family says everything is still under investigation, and they’re still reviewing tapes from the incident.
  Superintendent for Esc
  
  Read more

• Texas man’s behavior prompted 911 call prior to killing of 8

  27-09-2017 01:12 via kxan.com
  PLANO, Texas (AP) — Police records show a Texas man’s behavior at a Dallas-area bar prompted employees to call 911 but it wasn’t soon enough to prevent him from going to his estranged wife’s home and fatally shooting her and seven others.
  Search warrants released Tuesday show 32-year-old Spencer Hight displayed a knife and handgun to bar employees in Plano on Sept. 10. He was escorted to his car to put away the weapons.
  Two employees were concerned enough to follow Hight
  
  Read more

• East 6th Street building evacuated over carbon monoxide fears

  27-09-2017 00:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Six people were taken to local hospitals for possible carbon monoxide exposure in the 1400 block of East Sixth Street in east Austin, Austin-Travis County EMS reports.
  Three ambulances were called to the scene and the building, near Navasota Street, was evacuated.
  EMS reports three patients were taken to Dell Seton Medical Center and three patients were taken to St. David’s Hospital.
  Additional details weren’t immediately available.
  KXAN has a crew on the way to
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!