Austin news

• Missing Lago Vista woman found murdered in Houston

  02-11-2017 23:46 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — A woman who was reported missing out of Lago Vista on Sept. 16 was found dead in Houston on Oct. 27.
  Houston police say the body of Valarie K. Jones was found buried on the grounds of a business located at 2625 Bennington St., an area near Interstate 45 and North Loop 610. Police say they received a tip leading them to the location.
  When officers searched the area, they found a suspicious mound of dirt with tree limbs piled on top of it. Underneath everything was where Jon
  
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• Abilene mother indicted after 3 children test positive for meth

  02-11-2017 23:18 via kxan.com
  ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — An Abilene mother arrested after her three children tested positive for methamphetamine has been indicted.
  A Taylor County Grand Jury indicted Ashley Rodriguez, 30, for an Endangering a Child charge Thursday. She’s being held in jail on a $25,000 bond.
  Court documents state officers responded to Rodriguez’s home in March of 2017 to check her welfare after learning she was threatening suicide. When they arrived on scene, they learned Rodriguez had le
  
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• Take a tour: ALDI opens its first Austin-area store in Pflugerville

  02-11-2017 22:27 via kxan.com
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Even before the Austin-area’s first ALDI store opened its doors in Pflugerville Thursday morning, there was already a line forming around the grocery store.
  But once customers made it inside, they were met with a slightly different way of shopping — the biggest thing being the 25 cent deposit for a grocery cart.
  “When you get done shopping, you bring back that cart and your quarter is returned to you,” explained ALDI’s Matt Lundbor
  
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• Dairy Queen brand ‘remains strong’ despite franchisee’s bankruptcy filing

  02-11-2017 22:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When a Dairy Queen franchisee announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday and closed more than a dozen stores across Texas, many DQ fans lamented about the abrupt closures.
  Vasari LLC, the parent company of dozens of Dairy Queen locations, filed for bankruptcy listing a category of debt between $10 million and $50 million. Chapter 11 allows for debts to be reorganized as opposed to Chapter 7 which calls for liquidation.
  According to the petition, the company clos
  
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• Credit card theft suspect’s nationwide spree ends in his arrest

  02-11-2017 22:00 via kxan.com
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — The Secret Service, New Braunfels police and Best Buy employees are just some of the people who helped bring a credit card fraud suspect’s crime spree to an end.
  Adewale Vaughan, of Katy, is accused of making more than $300,000 in fraudulent purchases, including at Best Buy locations in New Braunfels and San Marcos.
  Vaughan, 30, used the credit cards — stolen from a locker at a New Braunfels gym, according to police — to buy high-dollar gift
  
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• Lamar Smith retiring from Congress

  02-11-2017 20:32 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (Texas Tribune) — U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, is retiring from Congress, two sources close to the congressman told The Texas Tribune on Thursday.
  “For several reasons, this seems like a good time to pass on the privilege of representing the 21st District to someone else,” he wrote in an email obtained by the Tribune.
  “At the end of this Congress, I will have completed my six-year term as chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee. I have
  
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• Scientists discover hidden chamber in Egypt’s Great Pyramid

  02-11-2017 20:19 via kxan.com
  CAIRO (AP) — Scientists say they have found a hidden chamber in Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza, in what would be the first such discovery in the structure since the 19th century and one likely to spark a new surge of interest in the pharaohs.
  In an article published in the journal Nature on Thursday, an international team said the 30-meter (yard) void deep within the pyramid is situated above the structure’s Grand Gallery, and has a similar cross-section.
  The purpose of the spac
  
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• ‘Mattress Mack’ loses $10M on Astros bet with customers

  02-11-2017 19:28 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — “Mattress Mack” may have lost $10 million, but he’s still smiling. First, because his customers are ecstatic, and second — because the Houston Astros won the World Series.
  The Gallery Furniture owner (also known as Jim McIngvale) congratulated fans on his Facebook page, and promised to pay up following a promotion the company ran called “Win It All, Get it All.” If customers spent more than $3,000 on a mattress or mattress set, and
  
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• All lanes of I-35 open after 4 car collision in south Austin

  02-11-2017 19:04 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A major wreck involving four cars blocked lanes in both directions of Interstate 35 Thursday afternoon as emergency responders cleared the scene.
  The collision happened around 12:20 p.m. on I-35 near Woodward Street, which is near St. Edwards University.
  There were 10 people total — seven adults and three children — in the four cars, according to Austin-Travis County EMS. Five ambulances were on the scene. All of the children were taken to Dell Children’s
  
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• 4-vehicle collision on I-35 in south Austin sends 8 to the hospital

  02-11-2017 19:04 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A major wreck involving four cars blocked lanes in both directions of Interstate 35 Thursday afternoon as emergency responders cleared the scene.
  The collision happened around 12:20 p.m. on I-35 near Woodward Street, which is near St. Edwards University.
  There were 10 people total — seven adults and three children — in the four cars, according to Austin-Travis County EMS. Five ambulances were on the scene. All of the children were taken to Dell Children’s
  
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• 4 car collision closes lanes in both directions of I-35 in south Austin

  02-11-2017 19:04 via kxan.com
  APP USERS: Tap the image above to start the live streamAUSTIN (KXAN) — A major wreck involving four cars blocked lanes in both directions of Interstate 35 Thursday afternoon as emergency responders cleared the scene.
  The collision happened around 12:20 p.m. on I-35 near Woodward Street, which is near St. Edwards University.
  Nine people total — seven adults and two children — were in the four cars, according to Austin-Travis County EMS. Five ambulances were on the scene. One of
  
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• What you need to know about Houston Astros parade Friday

  02-11-2017 18:40 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON, Texas (KXAN) — If you want to revel in all of the World Series fun, head to Houston Friday, Nov. 3 for Houston Astros Day!
  Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is inviting everyone to attend the Houston Astros World Championship Parade and Celebration that kicks off at 2 p.m. If you decide to attend, make sure to wear ALL of your Astros gear so you can help paint the town orange.
  “It’s a true privilege to proudly host this magnificent salute to our hometown team that has ear
  
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• PHOTOS: Astros popping bottles after winning the World Series

  02-11-2017 18:07 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP/KXAN) — Houston and the Astros are celebrating their first World Series championship, after beating Los Angeles 5-1 in Dodger Stadium.
  Playing for a city still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, the Astros brought home the prize that had eluded them since they started out in 1962 as the Colt .45s.
  George Springer was named World Series MVP after hitting a Series record-tying five homers, including one last night. He also became the first person to homer in four consecutive g
  
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• Deputy has close call with driver, constable says he needs more staff

  02-11-2017 18:03 via kxan.com
  WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) – A Hays County constable says growth in the area and increased traffic is putting a strain on his staff. Precinct 3 Constable Ray Helm says his deputies help with morning and afternoon school traffic but will be asking the county to help them soon.
  Earlier this week Helm says one his deputies was almost hit by a vehicle when directing traffic near Jacob’s Well Elementary. “The car’s mirror scraped the gun on his belt,” Helm says. “She
  
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• Setbacks keep Govalle, Shipe pools from reopening next summer

  02-11-2017 17:46 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN ( KXAN) — Due to the extensive leaks at Govalle and Shipe pools, the city of Austin says the two pools will not be ready in time for the public to use during the summer of 2018, despite their goal to reopen for the summer swim season, according to a city memorandum.
  Both pools were closed this spring “in an effort to be fiscally and environmentally responsible,” the city said, adding that both pools had excessive water loss from cracks and leaks as well as code comp
  
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• Child sex offenders to be named as such in US passports

  02-11-2017 17:31 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s registered child sex offenders will now have to use passports identifying them for their past crimes when traveling overseas.
  The State Department said Wednesday it would begin revoking passports of registered child sex offenders and will require them to apply for a new one that carries a “unique identifier” of their status. Those applying for a passport for the first time will not be issued one without the identifier, which will be a notice pr
  
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• UT contract employee robbed while riding bus, forced to withdraw money

  02-11-2017 17:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — University of Texas at Austin police issued a safety alert Wednesday night to its students and staff after a person was robbed while on a bus on campus.
  The aggravated robbery happened at the corner of San Jacinto Boulevard and East Dean Keaton Street around 9:30 p.m. Austin police say the male victim was on a bus when three suspects stole his backpack. In order to get his backpack back, the suspects made the victim withdraw money from an ATM.
  The victim, who is an employee
  
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• UT contract employee robbed on campus

  02-11-2017 17:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — University of Texas at Austin police issued a safety alert Wednesday night to its students and staff after a person was robbed while on a bus on campus.
  The aggravated robbery happened at the corner of San Jacinto Boulevard and East Dean Keaton Street around 9:30 p.m. An officer at the scene told KXAN the robbery happened on a bus.
  The victim, who is an employee of a UT contractor, told UTPD there were three victims, two black men and one Hispanic woman. Both UTPD and the A
  
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• North Texas businessman challenges Dan Patrick for lieutenant governor seat

  02-11-2017 16:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will face a challenger in the upcoming Republican primary election in March.
  Scott Milder, a businessman from Rockwall, announced Thursday he will run as a Republican and seek the nomination for Patrick’s current spot.
  “Texans are fed up with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s antics and deserve a choice on the Republican primary ballot,” Milder said. “Voters want to support a rational conservative leader who will govern with common se
  
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• More than 40M fire extinguishers that may not work recalled

  02-11-2017 16:06 via kxan.com
  DETROIT (AP) — More than 40 million fire extinguishers, some on the market for more than four decades, are being recalled because they may not work in an emergency.
  One death has been linked to problems with the extinguishers made by Kidde, according to a notice Thursday from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  In 2014, extinguishers failed to function as they should for emergency personnel responding to a fiery car wreck.
  The recall covers 134 models of push-button and plastic-ha
  
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• Suspect in Colorado Walmart killings called hostile loner

  02-11-2017 14:42 via kxan.com
  THORNTON, Colo. (AP) — A man arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting three people inside a suburban Denver Walmart was described Thursday by neighbors as a hostile loner who cursed at them and often carried a shotgun in and out of his third-floor apartment.
  Police arrested Scott Ostrem, 37, a day after the shooting that killed three people following a brief morning rush-hour chase in the northern Denver suburb of Thornton several blocks from his apartment building and about 5 miles (8 ki
  
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• Police arrest man suspected of killing 3 at Colorado Walmart

  02-11-2017 14:42 via kxan.com
  THORNTON, Colo. (AP) — A man suspected of walking into a suburban Denver Walmart and immediately opening fire with a handgun, killing two men and a woman, was arrested Thursday, about 14 hours after fleeing the store.
  Police used surveillance video to identify the suspect as 47-year-old Scott Ostrem. Television footage showed officers taking him into custody about 5 miles (8 kilometers) away from the Walmart after pulling over his car.
  The shooting appears random and there are no indicatio
  
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• 3 killed in Colorado Walmart shooting; police name suspect

  02-11-2017 14:42 via kxan.com
  THORNTON, Colo. (AP) — Colorado authorities have identified a man who police say nonchalantly walked into a Walmart and immediately opened fire with a handgun, killing two men and a woman Wednesday night.
  Thornton police are searching for Scott Ostrem, 47, who they say fled in a car before officers arrived. Authorities used security video to help identify the suspect.
  The shooting appears random and there are no indications that it was an act of terror, said Thornton police spokesman Victo
  
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• Hundreds affected in Spectrum internet outage

  02-11-2017 14:32 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hundreds of people have been without Spectrum internet for more than 12 hours in various parts of Texas.
  The company posted on Twitter around 4 a.m. that it was working to resolve the issues, and at 8:18 a.m. confirmed that services are returning to normal.
  “We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused our customers,” a company spokesman wrote.We appreciate your patience while we continue to working toward a resolution for the service interruptions in the
  
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• Called it: Sports Illustrated predicted Astros title in ’14

  02-11-2017 13:38 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — What jinx?
  Sports Illustrated boldly predicted an Astros’ World Series title on its cover in 2014 — after Houston had lost more than 100 games for three straight years — proclaiming: “Your 2017 World Series Champs.” It featured a picture of George Springer in a bright Astros jersey.
  It proved to be oh-so prophetic. Not only did the Astros win, Springer was named Series MVP after boosting Houston over the Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 on Wednesday ni
  
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• Trump calls for death penalty for NYC truck attack suspect

  02-11-2017 13:25 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the suspect in the New York City truck attack that killed eight people “SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!”
  Trump expressed his feelings late Wednesday, tweeting that “NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!”NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET
  
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• Texas governor voiced ‘concern’ about Red Cross after Harvey

  02-11-2017 12:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday he raised concerns with the American Red Cross following Hurricane Harvey that hundreds of millions of dollars in donations wasn’t getting to people who need it.
  His comments heaped another powerful voice onto questions surrounding the organization’s response to the Category 4 storm that struck Texas in August and left behind what may become the costliest natural disaster cleanup in U.S. history.
  Houston Mayor Sylvester
  
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• Downtown Austin advocates creating art project with your ideas for city’s future

  02-11-2017 11:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What do you want the future of downtown Austin to look like? A group that advocates for the heart of the city wants to know.
  The Downtown Austin Alliance has been gathering input from people all over the city at several workshops to help them create an art project called the Community’s Table that will incorporate visions for downtown from people across central Texas who have or want some connection to it.
  People at the workshops write or illustrate what they want to
  
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• New research finds attending women’s conference leads to raises, promotions

  02-11-2017 11:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas leadership conference is helping thousands of women network and take control of their careers.
  The Texas Conference for Women is now in its 18th year and runs all day Thursday at the Austin Convention Center. In all, 7,500 women are expected to attend the conference that will feature 150 speakers like Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, actress Viola Davis and Anita Hill — who made national headlines when she claimed sexual harassment against then-Supreme Court nomi
  
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• 2 Rings! Astros’ Carlos Correa makes post-title proposal

  02-11-2017 11:15 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Carlos Correa and Daniella Rodriguez both left Dodger Stadium with rings.
  The Astros shortstop proposed to his girlfriend on live television moments after Houston earned its World Series title with a 5-1 victory in Game 7 on Wednesday night.
  The proposal from her boyfriend of over a year completely surprised Rodriguez, a former Miss Texas USA.
  “He had been so focused on the game,” Rodriguez said. “All he ever talked about was winning the World Series,
  
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• Community support pours in for MLS Columbus team to move to Austin

  02-11-2017 05:36 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time in weeks, since news the Columbus Crew major league soccer franchise announced it is considering relocating to Texas’ capital city, the president of Precourt Sports Ventures, which owns the professional team, spoke publicly about the possibility in Austin.
  “We look at Austin as a modern-day trendsetter for Major League Soccer,” said Dave Greeley, president of Precourt Sports Ventures, during an MLS2ATX event Wednesday evening at an area
  
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• Astros World Series gear for sale at Academy Thursday morning

  02-11-2017 05:10 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Now that the Houston Astros has earned and made history, t-shirts and baseball caps emblazoned with the team as the 2017 World Series champs are ready for the public to buy!
  Academy Sports and Outdoors says the unopened boxes of Astros Champion gear arrived at their stores earlier this week — and they’re just waiting to be opened!
  All 31 Houston-area Academy stores will reopen after the game and stay open throughout the night so fans can get their ‘Stros g
  
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• Astros fans line up at Academy to buy World Series gear

  02-11-2017 05:10 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Now that the Houston Astros has earned and made history, t-shirts and baseball caps emblazoned with the team as the 2017 World Series champs are ready for the public to buy!
  Academy Sports and Outdoors says the unopened boxes of Astros Champion gear arrived at their stores earlier this week — and they’re just waiting to be opened!
  All 31 Houston-area Academy stores will reopen after the game and stay open throughout the night so fans can get their ‘Stros g
  
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• The Latest: Astros romp past Dodgers for 1st title

  02-11-2017 05:03 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers (all times local):
  8:57 p.m.
  George Springer and the Houston Astros rocketed to the top of the baseball galaxy Wednesday night, winning the first World Series championship in franchise history by romping past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7.
  Playing for a city still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, and wearing an H Strong logo on their jerseys, the Astros brought home the p
  
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• Astros win 1st World Series crown, top Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7

  02-11-2017 05:03 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — From laughingstock to lift off.
  George Springer and the Houston Astros rocketed to the top of the baseball galaxy Wednesday night, winning the first World Series championship in franchise history by romping past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7.
  Playing for a city still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, and wearing an H Strong logo on their jerseys, the Astros brought home the prize that had eluded them since they started out in 1962 as the Colt .45s.
  “I alway
  
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• Woman hit, killed on I-35 in Round Rock hasn’t been identified

  02-11-2017 03:04 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A pedestrian was hit and killed on Interstate 35 in Round Rock, just south of State Highway 45, police said.
  The northbound lanes of I-35 were shut down for nearly four hours starting around 7:17 p.m., and reopened Wednesday night.
  Now Round Rock Police Department is working to identify the woman who died. They say she is African-American or hispanic and about 35-45 years old. She’s between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-5 and weighs about 150-160 pounds. She was wear
  
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• Police trying to identify woman hit and killed on I-35 in Round Rock

  02-11-2017 03:04 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A pedestrian was hit and killed on Interstate 35 in Round Rock, just south of State Highway 45, police said.
  The northbound lanes of I-35 were shut down for nearly four hours starting around 7:17 p.m., and reopened Wednesday night.
  Now Round Rock Police Department is working to identify the woman who died. They say she is African-American or hispanic and about 35-45 years old. She’s between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-5 and weighs about 150-160 pounds. She was wear
  
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• Pedestrian hit on I-35 in Round Rock shut down northbound lanes

  02-11-2017 03:04 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A pedestrian was hit on Interstate 35 in Round Rock, just south of State Highway 45, police said.
  The northbound lanes of I-35 were shut down for hours, and reopened Wednesday night.
  The Texas Department of Transportation tweeted a warning to drivers at 7:36 p.m. Wednesday about the crash.
  Additional information on the crash was not immediately available.
  
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• UT scientists developing device to measure heart disease risk from home

  02-11-2017 01:20 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Researchers in UT Austin’s chemistry department have been tasked with creating a device that will help those with heart disease measure the stress on their heart from home.
  In October, the University of Texas announced that the National Institutes of Health awarded these scientists $2 million to create a product that will allow those with heart disease to monitor their heart health from home. The scientists say the device will work similar to the glucose meters diabet
  
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• Family of Chicon St. hit-and-run victim urging suspect to surrender

  02-11-2017 01:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An east Austin family is putting out a urgent plea to the driver who hit and killed a man Tuesday night.
  Austin police identified the man as 45-year-old Mark Morales. The hit-and-run happened around 8:40 p.m. near the intersection of Chicon and Willow streets. Police say Morales was critically injured when he was struck by a pickup truck that then left the scene. He later died at the hospital.
  Morales’ niece, Nicole Guerra, says her uncle spent the night at home with
  
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• Texas Senate talks about protecting homeowners after natural disasters

  02-11-2017 01:16 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — State lawmakers met to discuss several items related to storm response, following Hurricane Harvey.
  The Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce addressed four of the interim charges set by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
  The storm served as a reminder of the numerous ways homes — and the people who inhabit them — are impacted. Thousands of structures were destroyed by wind and water.
  “Our destruction was water,” said Mayor of Orange, Jimmy Sims. &ldquo
  
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• Road rage murder suspect is likely in Mexico

  02-11-2017 01:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force says they believe the suspect in September’s deadly road rage shooting in northeast Austin is in Mexico.
  A spokesperson for the agency says they’re working with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office to get the necessary paperwork to get a provisional arrest warrant for Juan de Dios Carbajal-Jaimes, 18.
  However, the DA’s Office says they do not know of the suspect’s location within Mexico.
  Carbajal-Jaimes
  
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• Austin Parks and Rec cracking down on off-leash dogs in parks

  02-11-2017 00:56 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s a rule many dog owners might not think twice about breaking, but Austin Parks and Recreation staff members say too many dogs are running without leashes in local parks.
  While some parks have off-leash spaces, Austin park ranger LeAnn Ishcomer says too many dog owners are letting their dogs roam outside of those designated areas.
  “It’s something that we see every day,” Ishcomer said. “One of our top contacts is dealing with folks who h
  
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• Republic Square Park supporters honored ahead of 2018 grand opening

  02-11-2017 00:33 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While a grand opening for Republic Square Park is planned for spring 2018, supporters and donors to the park’s revitalization efforts were honored Wednesday.
  The park, nestled between West Fourth and Fifth streets at 422 Guadalupe St., is being redeveloped through a public-private partnership made up of the Austin Downtown Alliance, Austin Parks Foundation and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
  The parks foundation was behind the design and construction
  
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• A Russian Facebook page organized a protest in Texas. A different Russian page launched the counter-protest

  02-11-2017 00:30 via kxan.com
  (Texas Tribune) — Federal lawmakers on Wednesday released samples of 3,000 Facebook ads purchased by Russian operatives during the 2016 presidential campaign. The ads conveyed the wide range of influence Russian-linked groups tried to enact on Americans – but one set of ads in particular hit close to home.
  Last year, two Russian Facebook pages organized dueling rallies in front of the Islamic Da’wah Center of Houston, according to information released by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr,
  
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• Williamson Co. taxpayers could see savings in paying for indigent health care

  02-11-2017 00:29 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Hospital visits add up quickly — especially without health insurance. Currently, taxpayers in Williamson County contribute to a fund that pays for people who can’t afford to pay their hospital bills.
  “We’re trying to address an ever-growing health care cost issue,” explains Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey.
  That is why the county has approved a Local Provider Participation Fund, or LPPF. If local hospitals agree to the plan, pro
  
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