Austin news

• Students get first look at The Thinkery’s self-driving car exhibit

  20-10-2017 23:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two years ago, Austin became the first city in the world to host a self-driving car ride. Now, a popular museum is giving Austinites a chance to see this high-tech invention up close and personal.
  The Thinkery unveiled a new exhibit featuring the Firefly, a self-driving car created by Waymo. It aims to teach people about the benefits these cars can offer, like passenger safety and increased mobility.
  Children from Overton Elementary and Metz Elementary schools attended the
  
  Read more

• Burger King bullying experiment goes viral

  20-10-2017 23:48 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Would you stand up if you saw a child being bullied? Burger King put its customers to the test as part of a partnership with NoBully.org.
  Actors were paid to bully and harass a high school junior, who was also an actor, directly in front of other customers in one of the restaurant’s stores. Then, Whopper Juniors were also bullied, hit, smashed and otherwise tortured before being served to customers.The results of this beefy social experiment? Only 12 percent of custom
  
  Read more

• Suspicious death near Austin Energy substation being investigated

  20-10-2017 22:47 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man’s body found Thursday morning near the Austin Energy Kingsbury solar station in east Austin is being investigated as a suspicious death by police.
  The body of Magdaleno Benitez Flores, 25, was found around 8:22 a.m. in the 5000 block of Alf Avenue, near the intersection of Springdale Road and Airport Boulevard.
  MasTec utility employees found the body and called police. Officers say they believe the body was there for several days before being found.
  The Travis C
  
  Read more

• East Texas church youth director arrested on sexual assault charge

  20-10-2017 22:05 via kxan.com
  LINDALE, Texas (KETK) — An East Texas church staff member has been arrested for sexual assault.
  According to Smith County judicial records, Clinton Brackett, 32, of Lindale, was arrested by the Texas Rangers on a sexual assault warrant out of Runnels County, near Abilene.
  The arrest was the result of information obtained from a DPS traffic stop in Runnels County.
  Brackett is listed on the First United Methodist Church in Lindale’s website as the Director of Student Ministries.
  S
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Look up to see the Orionids meteor shower tonight

  20-10-2017 21:48 via kxan.com
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA/WTNH) — Keep your eyes to the sky this weekend! Are you ready for it? The Orionid meteor shower will peak Friday night across the sky.
  The moon is barely past its “New” phase. This means there won’t be much light pollution away from the city lights. The shower will be visible both Friday and Saturday night.
  “If you can get away from city lights tonight, our weather should cooperate for watching these meteors. Temperatures will be in the mid-70s aro
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: Wild boars rip through store in Germany

  20-10-2017 21:07 via kxan.com
  HEIDE, Germany (NBC News) — We often see surveillance video of deer or bears getting into businesses, but in a northern German town, a pack of wild boars went on a rampage through a business.
  Authorities warned people to stay indoors after the adult boars appeared Friday and began aggressively attacking pedestrians. Surveillance video shows the boars going through the door and running amok.
  German media reported that four people were injured and one man had a finger partially bitten off. P
  
  Read more

• One dead, another missing after fuel barge catches fire off Texas coast

  20-10-2017 21:05 via kxan.com
  PORT ARANSAS, Texas (AP) — The Coast Guard is searching for a crew member who went missing when a fuel barge caught on fire off the Texas coast. Another crew member has died, KRISTV reported.
  Petty Officer Edward Wargo says the barge was attached to a tug boat when the fire began about 4:30 a.m. Friday about 3 miles from Port Aransas.
  The captain of the tug called for help and the Coast Guard responded with a boat and an aircraft to search for the missing crew. Other vessels are assisting
  
  Read more

• Coach who led Pflugerville High to 55-game winning streak dies in crash

  20-10-2017 20:40 via kxan.com
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A football coach who led the Pflugerville High School Panthers to 55 straight wins in the late ’50s and early ’60s died in car crash near Coupland, Texas Thursday afternoon.
  Charles Kuempel, 85, was driving in a Chevrolet pickup truck along County Road 458, near the intersection of County Road 459, when he crashed his vehicle.
  The Department of Public Safety says Kuempel was driving at an unsafe speed for a curve, when he tried to take evasive actio
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Coach who led Pflugerville High to 55-game winning streak dies

  20-10-2017 20:40 via kxan.com
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A football coach who led the Pflugerville High School Panthers to 55 straight wins in the late ’50s and early ’60s died in car crash near Coupland, Texas Thursday afternoon.
  Charles Kuempel, 85, was driving along County Road 459, near the intersection of County Road 458, when he crashed his car. Authorities have not released the cause of the single-vehicle crash.
  The Pflugerville Independent School District sent a letter to the district Friday morni
  
  Read more

• Concerts turbocharge U.S. interest in F1

  20-10-2017 19:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bobby Epstein is busy. Standing on pit road at Circuit of the Americas, he types a message on his phone, trying to hurry so we can start our interview.
  “I’m sorry,” he says as steps into place for the interview.
  I told him not to worry — no doubt he is busy with the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix coming to his track this week. He told me he was actually taking care of business for another event at the track later this year. F1 might be the biggest racin
  
  Read more

• Vampire scare in Malawi has killed at least 8 people

  20-10-2017 19:27 via kxan.com
  MULANJE, Malawi (NBC News) — Since September, a vampire scare has triggered mob violence in Malawi that has killed at least eight people accused of being bloodsuckers.
  The vampire rumors appear to have originated in neighboring Mozambique, although it’s not clear what sparked them.
  Belief in witchcraft is widespread in rural Malawi, a country in the southern section of Africa. Authorities say they are struggling to convince the population that the vampire rumors are not true.
  “
  
  Read more

• 3 arrested after shooting following white nationalist speech

  20-10-2017 18:03 via kxan.com
  GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Three men were arrested after a shot was fired at a group of people following the appearance of white nationalist Richard Spencer at the University of Florida, police said.
  A Gainesville Police Department report released on Friday said that Tyler Tenbrink, 28; William Fears, 30; and his brother, 28-year-old Colton Fears, all from Texas, were arrested on attempted homicide charges.
  Hours before the shooting, all three men had spoken with the media in support of Spen
  
  Read more

• Fliers promoting white supremacy found on Texas State campus

  20-10-2017 17:29 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The president of Texas State University issued a letter Friday morning stating the university celebrates its “diversity and inclusion” after fliers promoting white supremacy were found on campus late Thursday night into Friday morning.
  President Denise Trauth says the fliers were placed on the exterior of some of its buildings. The fliers were immediately removed and police are looking into who might have littered them across the campus.
  Last year, th
  
  Read more

• Some drivers paid $8.38 to take MoPac Express Lane last week

  20-10-2017 17:20 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — During the first full operational week of the northbound MoPac Express Lane, the most expensive transaction was $8.38 for the entire trip from downtown Austin to Parmer Lane. That peak cost happened on Thursday, Oct. 12.
  A spokesperson for the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority says while that number may seem high, only a handful of people paid that price for a 3-minute window between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. that day.
  Since Monday, Oct. 9 was a federal holiday, only 11,
  
  Read more

• New medical testimony could force mistrial in West Campus murder case

  20-10-2017 16:37 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At the close of the first week of the murder trial for Bryan Canchola, 22, prosecutors tell KXAN a hearing will be held Friday morning to determine whether a mistrial will be declared.
  During the trial, the medical examiner, Dr. Sam Andrews, said he altered his findings in regards to certain aspects of the autopsy. Andrews said after recently examining Stephen Sylvester’s records, he found a rupture in his brain area. When the new information came to light, Andrews sa
  
  Read more

• Spacewalking astronauts replacing blurry camera on robot arm

  20-10-2017 15:29 via kxan.com
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronauts went spacewalking Friday to provide some necessary focus to the International Space Station’s robot arm.
  The main job for commander Randy Bresnik and teacher-turned-astronaut Joe Acaba was to replace a blurry camera on the new robotic hand that was installed during a spacewalk two weeks ago. The two men were supposed to go spacewalking earlier this week, but NASA needed extra time to rustle up the repair plan.
  Sharp focus is essential in order f
  
  Read more

• Spacewalking astronauts replace blurry camera on robot arm

  20-10-2017 15:29 via kxan.com
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Spacewalking astronauts provided some necessary focus to the International Space Station’s robot arm on Friday.
  Astronaut Joe Acaba unbolted a blurry camera from a new robotic hand installed two weeks ago. He then popped in a spare, which flight controllers quickly tested from Houston. The replacement provided crisp, clear views.
  Sharp focus is essential when the space station’s robot hand grabs an arriving supply ship and anchors it. The next delive
  
  Read more

• Spacewalking astronaut copes with frayed tether, bad jetpack

  20-10-2017 15:29 via kxan.com
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacewalking astronaut successfully replaced a blurry camera outside the International Space Station on Friday, but had to contend with a balky jetpack and a frayed safety tether.
  Both jetpacks and safety ties are crucial for saving a flyaway astronaut.
  NASA said Joe Acaba was always securely attached to the orbiting outpost and never in any danger during the nearly seven-hour spacewalk.
  But one of his tethers had to be replaced shortly after he and station co
  
  Read more

• Motorcyclist collides with school bus in east Austin

  20-10-2017 14:44 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are investigating a motorcycle crash that happened around 7:20 a.m. Friday in east Austin.
  Initial information indicates the motorcyclist struck the side of a school bus on Springdale Road near Lyons Road.
  Austin-Travis County EMS says the crash happened near Govalle Elementary School and it does not appear any students were injured in the crash. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
  
  Read more

• Maggots found in catheter of Little Rock nursing home resident

  20-10-2017 14:21 via kxan.com
  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KARZ) — On the outside, Capital Health and Rehabilitation Center in Little Rock looks homey.
  But inside, a report from the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services details conditions no one would want their loved ones to live in.
  The survey found the nursing home “failed to ensure necessary care and services were provided for hygiene and urinary catheter maintenance” for one resident who had an indwelling catheter.
  According to the documents, nurses s
  
  Read more

• PHOTOS: Formula 1 racers getting ready for US Grand Prix

  20-10-2017 13:56 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the official race day is still a couple of days away, all the Formula 1 racers and their crews are settling in and getting ready for the next three days. Lewis Hamilton has dominated the U.S. Grand Prix with four wins in the last five years. F1 US Grand Prix Thursday Fans stand outside of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, and Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, of Finland, garage at the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Thurs
  
  Read more

• Red Bull rising into the form expected when the F1 season began

  20-10-2017 13:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (AP) — Young “Mad Max” Verstappen had plenty to be angry about for the first half of the Formula One season. After his breakout season in 2016, this year had been little more than a rash of retirements, crashes and clashes with other drivers.
  But a late burst over the last two races delivered his second career victory and a second-place. Those results have Red Bull rising and looking more like the fast and muscular team it was expected to be.
  Verstappen and teammate Dani
  
  Read more

• US Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks in Austin today

  20-10-2017 13:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions is in the Lone Star State on Friday for a press conference related to immigration.
  The nation’s top law enforcer, Sessions, will speak about “carrying out the president’s immigration priorities,” the Justice Department said.
  The announcement comes the same week that Sessions appeared in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in an oversight hearing. That testimony included questions from senators related
  
  Read more

• US Attorney General Jeff Sessions commends Texas for sanctuary cities law

  20-10-2017 13:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions is in the Lone Star State on Friday for a press conference related to immigration.
  The nation’s top law enforcer, Sessions, will speak about “carrying out the president’s immigration priorities,” the Justice Department said.
  The announcement comes the same week that Sessions appeared in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in an oversight hearing. That testimony included questions from senators related
  
  Read more

• Business Insider: In-N-Out more popular than Whataburger in Texas

  20-10-2017 13:27 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Is it really possible that In-N-Out is the most popular fast food chain in Texas? Well, that’s what Business Insider is reporting.
  Business Insider and Foursquare teamed up to determine the most popular fast food restaurant in each state. Business Insider says they looked at which chains received the most visits on average in every state based on the total number of visits to each chain divided by the number of locations in that state.
  Most of the country apparently l
  
  Read more

• Stand-up paddle boarders to trek across Lake Travis in honor of STAR Flight nurse

  20-10-2017 13:14 via kxan.com
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — STAR Flight nurse Kristen McLain always wanted to stand-up paddle board across the full distance of Lake Travis. All 60 miles of it.
  Event though McLain died in 2015 during a rescue call in the greenbelt, her goal never did. On Friday morning, a dozen stand-up paddle boarders will drop their gear into the water at Camp Creek in Marble Falls and attempt to make it from dam-to-dam in McLain’s honor.
  The group, PTSup, is not only paddling for McLain but to r
  
  Read more

• Record passengers and F1 leading to big changes at ABIA

  20-10-2017 12:36 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Formula One drivers hit the track at Circuit of the Americas Friday for the practice session before Sunday’s race. The 2016 race saw a record crowd of 269,889 over the three-day event.
  The number of visitors coming to town also means one of the busiest weekends for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The airport has been trying to keep up with the growth by opening a second terminal in April. KXAN looked into the busiest departure days for ABIA and found the M
  
  Read more

• US-backed Syrian force declares victory over IS in Raqqa

  20-10-2017 12:12 via kxan.com
  BEIRUT (AP) — A U.S.-backed Syrian force declared victory over the Islamic State group in its former “capital” of Raqqa on Friday, declaring the northern Syrian city free of any extremist presence after a four-month battle that left it in ruins.
  At a press conference held inside the city Friday, the Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces formally handed over administration of the devastated northern city to a council made up of local officials and tribal leader
  
  Read more

• US-backed Syrian force declare victory over IS in Raqqa

  20-10-2017 12:12 via kxan.com
  BEIRUT (AP) — A U.S.-backed Syrian force declared victory over the Islamic State group in its former “capital” of Raqqa on Friday, declaring the northern Syrian city free of any extremist presence after a four-month battle that left it in ruins.
  At a press conference held inside the city Friday, the Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces formally handed over administration of the devastated northern city to a council made up of local officials and tribal leader
  
  Read more

• Emotional Hernandez has 3 HRs, lifts Dodgers to World Series

  20-10-2017 12:07 via kxan.com
  CHICAGO (AP) — When it was over, when Los Angeles had finally secured another trip to the World Series and Enrique Hernandez’s three big swings had become a part of playoff lore, the emotional utilityman just wanted to give his dad a big hug.
  It was one sweet performance for Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw and the rest of the Dodgers.
  Hernandez homered three times and drove in a record seven runs, Kershaw breezed through six crisp innings and Los Angeles ended the Chicago Cubs’ titl
  
  Read more

• 10 elementary students in Killeen had mouths duct taped by substitute

  20-10-2017 05:37 via kxan.com
  KILLEEN, Texas (KWKT) — Killeen ISD has confirmed that a substitute female teacher was removed from a Maxdale Elementary School fifth grade classroom and barred from the campus after 10 students had duct tape placed over their mouths.
  A statement issued by the district said three other students put duct tape over their own mouths after it happened.
  As soon as it was learned about the incident, all 13 students were taken to the school nurse for observation and any necessary treatment.
  All 1
  
  Read more

• Speed City Radio’s Jonathan Green talks F1 on More than the Score

  20-10-2017 04:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jonathan Green, the voice of Circuit of the Americas and host of Speed City Radio joins Roger Wallace on More than the Score.
  
  Read more

• Hutto police investigating economic development corp.

  20-10-2017 04:46 via kxan.com
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — The Hutto Police Department has been investigating past operations of the Hutto Economic Development Corporation for the past two weeks, the city said Thursday night.
  A Hutto city council member had called for a formal investigation of the EDC at the beginning of Thursday’s city council meeting, only for the Police Department to reveal an investigation was already underway.
  Council Member Nate Killough said he became aware of some questionable expenditures, but
  
  Read more

• Thousands of cases under review by DA after APD Crime Lab concerns

  20-10-2017 02:52 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County District Attorney’s Office has reviewed thousands of cases that may have been impacted by compromised evidence at APD’s now-closed DNA lab. Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore’s staff have already flagged some of these cases that may present problems, and submitted them to a forensic expert at the University of North Texas for review.
  “In a way it’s kind of a shame that one or two or a few cases, or one analyst coul
  
  Read more

• Unknown man exposed himself in Williamson County Regional Park

  20-10-2017 02:28 via kxan.com
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A man in his late 20s or early 30s was seen exposing himself in Williamson County Regional Park, Wednesday evening.
  Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody tweeted a warning to people in the park to be alert, saying the suspect was seen pleasuring himself.
  The sheriff’s office said responding deputies were not able to find the suspect around 7 p.m., described as a white male, 250-300 pounds, wearing a black baseball cap, black t-shirt and blue jeans.
  The 800-ac
  
  Read more

• Boy injured from hole found in bounce house, as father considers suit

  20-10-2017 02:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Buda father is talking with attorneys and may potentially press charges after his 4-year-old son fell through a hole in a bounce house and injured his head.
  Jose Campista took his son Jayden to iPlay in south Austin on Sunday, Oct. 15.
  “He’s always telling me, ‘take me jumping, take me jumping,'” Campista said.
  Campista says his son was toward the back of one of the inflatable castles, when he turned away and then looked back, his son was gone
  
  Read more

• Feeding the 5000 campaign aims to stop food waste and hunger

  20-10-2017 01:41 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 700 pounds of chicken, donated vegetables and pasta went into cooking a free meal to feed 5,000 people in front of the State Capitol. It was for Feeding the 5000, a global campaign to raise awareness about food waste and hunger.
  “Everything we made today was from reclaimed food,” Jennifer Costello, a chef at The Bonneville, said. Costello and her husband, Chris Hurley, helped cook the meal over several days.
  “It’s kind of heartbreaking to s
  
  Read more

• Lake Travis voters face two big decisions in upcoming election

  20-10-2017 01:30 via kxan.com
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Early voting starts next week, and in many parts of Travis County, voters are likely to come across some confusing ballot language. Lake Travis Independent School District officials say that’s a big concern for them, as the district has two major items up for a vote Nov. 7.
  The district is asking voters to approve a $253 million bond package. Taxpayers will also be asked to vote in the district’s Tax Ratification Election, or TRE.
  School bond
  
  Read more

• Trees buckling sidewalks cause problems for Kyle neighbors

  20-10-2017 01:24 via kxan.com
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Most people would love to have large trees towering over their front yard, but some in Kyle say their big trees are a safety concern.
  Those living in the Plum Creek neighborhood say sycamore trees standing between the sidewalk and road are cracking roads and buckling sidewalks. If you take a drive through the neighborhood it’s easy to find patched sidewalks in some areas and large cracks in others.
  KXAN reached out to neighbors living with sycamore trees in their
  
  Read more

• Ride-hailing driver killed in Milam County crash

  20-10-2017 01:00 via kxan.com
  MILAM COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A ride-hailing driver died Wednesday night after authorities say he ran a red light and collided with an 18-wheeler in Milam County.
  The Texas Department of Public Safety says the two-vehicle crash happened just after 6 p.m. along US 79 at US 190 near the city of Milano.
  Justin Howard Weaver, 37, of Bryan, was driving his 2012 Nissan Murano westbound on US 79 when troopers say he ran a red light and slammed into an 18-wheeler driver who was making a left turn a
  
  Read more

• With murder trial looming, man accused of killing girlfriend goes missing

  20-10-2017 00:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A suspected killer who was slated to face a jury trial on his murder charge this week is nowhere to be found.
  Kevin Michael Waguespack, 34, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Catherine Dyer, in their north Austin home on Nov. 16, 2015. According to court documents, Waguespack called 911 the following day after Dyer was found dead and stated he “killed this woman and her name is Catherine Dyer.”
  Waguespack was taken into custody after a short standof
  
  Read more

• Days before murder trial, man accused of killing his girlfriend goes missing

  20-10-2017 00:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A suspected killer who was slated to face a jury trial on his murder charge this week is nowhere to be found.
  Kevin Michael Waguespack, 34, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Catherine Dyer, in their north Austin home on Nov. 16, 2015. According to court documents, Waguespack called 911 the following day after Dyer was found dead and stated he “killed this woman and her name is Catherine Dyer.”
  Waguespack was taken into custody after a short standof
  
  Read more

• New study: Austin’s ‘No Kill’ policy has $157 million economic impact

  20-10-2017 00:14 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A newly released study from the University of Denver claims, between 2010-2016, Austin’s “No Kill” policy has helped drive Austin’s economy to the tune of $157 million.
  WaterShed Animal Fund, based in New York, paid for the study that’s said to represent the most comprehensive analysis so far of the impacts of Austin’s resolution that designated the city as “no kill” in its animal shelters.
  READ: Economic Impacts of
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!