Austin news

• Teaching assistant at LBJ Early College High accused of relationship with student

  03-11-2017 23:46 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A teaching assistant at LBJ Early College High School has been fired after a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of improper relationship with a student.
  The Austin Independent School District said the teacher, who has not been identified, was placed on administrative leave immediately after the district was notified of the allegations. The teaching assistant was fired on Oct. 30.
  The district is not releasing information on when the allegations took place, but sa
  
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• Budget for Hays County Jail renovation on schedule but over budget

  03-11-2017 23:00 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The plan to renovate the Hays County Jail and upgrade other public safety facilities is proving to be more costly than expected. The project is currently $7 million over budget.
  “I don’t believe it was anybody’s intent to go over the amount that the voters approved,” said Hays County Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe.
  At a Hays County Commissioners meeting in October, representatives from Turner Construction claim the busy hurricane season is p
  
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• East Austin murder suspect re-arrested after original charge was dismissed

  03-11-2017 22:20 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The suspect once charged with first degree murder for the January 2014 killing of a man in east Austin has been re-arrested and charged with murder again, Austin police said.
  David Diaz, now 52, was released following his initial charge in June 2015 for the stabbing death of 37-year-old Robert Morales, Jr., and the case was dismissed before being presented to a grand jury. Two others were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and also released. According to cou
  
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• Elliott freed to play by court, senses ‘burst of adrenalin’

  03-11-2017 22:09 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — Ezekiel Elliott felt a “burst of adrenalin” surge through the Dallas Cowboys locker room after a court freed him to play Sunday rather than begin a six-game suspension. He also blasted the claims against him, saying: “I’m not an abuser.”
  “My energy level is high like the rest of this team,” the star running back said at his locker after a federal appeals judge in New York ruled Friday he can play at least one more game — at ho
  
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• Man seriously injured in central Austin apartment fire

  03-11-2017 21:32 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is in the hospital after a fire broke out at an apartment in central Austin Friday afternoon.
  The Austin Fire Department said the fire at 104 West North Loop Blvd. started just before 3 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they found the injured man.
  Austin-Travis County EMS says they took the man to Dell Seton Medical Center with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
  KXAN News has a crew en route and will update this story as more information becomes available.
  
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• Travis County sheriff warns of widespread phone scam

  03-11-2017 21:21 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A phone scammer has been targeting Travis County residents, swindling thousands of dollars from their pockets.
  During the month of October, about three people per day reported being contacted by the scammer. Victims have lost anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000.
  It’s a problem that can affect anyone, from college students to the elderly. To avoid becoming a victim, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office said there are key signs to keep an eye out for.
  Houston man arreste
  
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• 6-year-old boy found wandering near Hutto late Thursday night

  03-11-2017 21:04 via kxan.com
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A 6-year-old boy who left home without telling his parents was found wandering on the side of a road late Thursday night.
  The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office say a deputy was traveling southbound in the 5300 block of Farm to Market 1660 — which is just north of Hutto — around 11:50 p.m., when he spotted the boy walking on the grass. The boy was fully clothed and had a backpack on.
  When the deputy asked him where he was going, the child
  
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• WATCH: Cigarette sparks gas pump fire

  03-11-2017 19:10 via kxan.com
  STUTTGART, Ark. (KARK) — For some, the process of pumping gas in your car is a mundane task, but video from a gas station in Arkansas shows the danger of doing so.
  The surveillance video from a Stuggart gas station shows two men standing by a car and then a small flame ignites. The fire then moves from the car to the pump. It’s believed to have started from a cigarette.
  “I see those kinds of videos a lot, but never one this close to home,” said Charles Anderson.
  Anderson
  
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• WATCH LIVE: World Series champs Houston Astros parade

  03-11-2017 18:43 via kxan.com
  APP USERS: Tap the image above to start the live streamHOUSTON, Texas (KXAN) — Friday, Nov. 3 is officially Houston Astros Day!
  The Houston Astros World Championship Parade and Celebration kicks off at 2 p.m. and hundreds of thousands of people are already lining up to show their support for the team. The parade is such a big deal that the Houston Independent School District canceled school for the day.
  KXAN.com will live stream the parade starting at 1:50 p.m. in this story.
  PHOTOS: Astro
  
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• FULL VIDEO: World Series champs Houston Astros parade

  03-11-2017 18:43 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON, Texas (KXAN) — Friday, Nov. 3 is officially Houston Astros Day!
  The Houston Astros World Championship Parade and Celebration kicks off at 2 p.m. and hundreds of thousands of people are already lining up to show their support for the team. The parade is such a big deal that the Houston Independent School District canceled school for the day.
  PHOTOS: Astros team popping bottles
  Parade Route
  The parade will start and finish at the corner of Smith Street and Lamar Street. The parade w
  
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• Harry Potter convention to apparate in Dallas next year

  03-11-2017 18:42 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (KXAN) – Texans won’t need floo powder or a fireplace to travel to the wizarding world next summer.
  LeakyCon, a Harry Potter Fan Convention, will apparate in Dallas from August 10-12, 2018. Muggles and wizards alike will be able to attend panels, performances and celebrity meet-and-greets dedicated to “The Boy Who Lived.”
  Check your local Gringotts account, because tickets go on sale Wednesday, Nov.15.
  Earlier this year, Round Rock was chosen as the site of the U.S
  
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• Reset your clocks: Daylight saving time ends Sunday

  03-11-2017 17:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) — It’s time for a change in America — a time change. Let’s sleep an extra hour to that.
  At 2 a.m. local time Sunday, daylight saving time is ending, and it’s back to standard time for most people in the United States.
  The shift means it’s lighter earlier in the morning and darker earlier in the evening. And you’ll get 60 minutes more of shut-eye between Saturday night and Sunday wake-up.
  Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, th
  
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• North Texas mother charged with killing daughters, 5 and 7

  03-11-2017 17:28 via kxan.com
  PAYNE SPRINGS, Texas (KETK) — Friends and community members have identified the two children who were allegedly killed by their mother.
  Community members say the children are 7-year-old KayLee Danielle and 5-year-old Kenlie.
  Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse confirmed the arrest of Sarah Nicole Henderson, 29, of Mabank. The suspect is charged with capital murder of a person under 10 years old. Law enforcement says Henderson is responsible for the deaths of her 5 and 7-year-old daugh
  
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• Leander chosen as site of Texas’ gold bullion depository

  03-11-2017 17:24 via kxan.com
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – Leander plans to build a high-tech security facility to house one of the most precious metals in the world – gold.
  That’s because the city will soon be home to the nation’s first state-controlled bullion depository. It’s expected to bring national investors to Texas. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced the decision Friday morning.
  Bullion depositories offer those with tangible assets, such as gold bars, an easy place to store their w
  
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• Houston man accused of impersonating Travis County investigator

  03-11-2017 16:51 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the past several months, several law enforcement agencies say they’ve received reports about a man who claims he is an investigator with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and he’s trying to collect money on hot checks.
  Most recently, a victim reported to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office that they had been scammed out of money by a man who wore a badge and handcuffs and claimed to be Robert Rodriguez, a detective with the “Travis County
  
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• Family celebrates baby girl born during Astros game

  03-11-2017 16:51 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (KXAN/KTRK) — Some Houston Astros fans got more than just a World Series win Nov. 7 — they also celebrated the birth of their daughter.
  The Roystons are season ticket holders and were excited to add a fourth Astros fan to their family. Chad Royston went to Game 6 and had tickets to Game 7. They thought they had plenty of time, because the baby’s due date was Nov. 7.
  Tuesday morning in Houston, Lindsay Royston went into labor.
  “What are we going to do? I hate to as
  
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• Bergdahl spared from prison; Trump calls sentence ‘disgrace’

  03-11-2017 16:43 via kxan.com
  FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who walked away from his post in Afghanistan and triggered a search that left some of his comrades severely wounded, was spared a prison sentence by a military judge Friday in what President Donald Trump blasted as a “complete and total disgrace.”
  The judge gave no explanation of how he arrived at his decision, but he reviewed evidence that included the five years Bergdahl was held captive by the Taliban and the wounds suffered b
  
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• Bergdahl spared any prison time, gets dishonorable discharge

  03-11-2017 16:43 via kxan.com
  FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier who walked off his post in Afghanistan and triggered a search that left several comrades severely wounded, will serve no prison time, a military judge ruled Friday at the end of the politically divisive case that stirred debate during the president campaign.
  President Donald Trump, whose campaign-trail criticism loomed over the case, quickly called the sentence a “disgrace.”
  The charges centered on a decision by one soldier tha
  
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• Lou Diamond Phillips arrested on DWI charge near Corpus Christi

  03-11-2017 16:15 via kxan.com
  PORTLAND, Texas (KXAN) — Actor Lou Diamond Phillips was arrested near Corpus Christi early Friday morning accused of driving while intoxicated.
  Portland police say an officer was conducting a traffic stop around 1:30 a.m. when another driver stopped next to the officer, got out of his vehicle and asked the officer for directions. Police say the driver, identified as Phillips, lost his balance and showed signs of intoxication.
  Phillips, 55, failed a field sobriety test, and a breathalyzer t
  
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• Suspect arrested in shooting near ACC Higland bus stop

  03-11-2017 15:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As many as two people were hurt after a shooting near Austin Community College Highland.
  Austin police say the call came in around 8:30 a.m. in the 6000 block of Airport Boulevard. It says one person is in custody.
  Austin-Travis County EMS reported in a tweet that two people at the intersection of Jonathan Drive and E. Highland Mall Boulevard were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police confirm one is the victim and the other is the suspect, and the
  
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• Suspect arrested in shooting near ACC Highland bus stop

  03-11-2017 15:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people were hurt after a shooting in front of a bus stop near Austin Community College Highland Friday.
  Austin police say the call came in around 8:30 a.m. in the 6000 block of Airport Boulevard. Joseph Vallejo, 28, has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
  Austin-Travis County EMS reported in a tweet that two people at the intersection of Jonathan Drive and E. Highland Mall Boulevard were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening
  
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• Shooting at bus stop near ACC Highland

  03-11-2017 15:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As many as two people were hurt after a shooting near Austin Community College Highland.
  Austin police say the call came in around 8:30 a.m. in the 6000 block of Airport Boulevard. It says one person is in custody.
  Austin-Travis County EMS reported in a tweet that two people at the intersection of Jonathan Drive and E. Highland Mall Boulevard were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One man has a gunshot wound.
  KXAN has reached out to ACC Highland and
  
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• Low voter turnout expected on Election Day as early voting ends

  03-11-2017 14:52 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Early voting numbers remain low on the last day people can head to the polls before Election Day.
  People have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballots Friday. Otherwise, they must wait until Tuesday to head to a polling place.
  Only about 30,000 people have voted in Travis County so far, out of a total of 724,000 registered voters. That means just 4 percent have made it to the polls.
  2017 Election: What you need to know
  Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvior said early voter turnout
  
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• iPhone X releases with lines out the door and overnight camping

  03-11-2017 14:01 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN/NBC) — People have lined up and camped out for every new iteration of the iPhone, and the iPhone X was no different. From coast to coast and across the world — people spent the night outside Friday waiting to get their hands on the coveted technology with a $999 or more price tag.
  The new phone is Apple’s 10th anniversary offering. New features include a Face ID system that unlocks the phone when users look at it, plus an upgraded camera.
  “I can nev
  
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• Small-town libraries see long-term benefits in Texas Book Festival grants

  03-11-2017 12:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Readers and writers are descending on the state capital this weekend to celebrate literature at the Texas Book Festival.
  More than 250 authors — including Gretchen Carlson, Kinky Friedman and Tom Hanks — will host book signings and panel discussions in and around the capitol building, according to the festival. Street closures started around the area Thursday and are scheduled through the two-day event.
  The impact extends beyond a few blocks in downtown Austin;
  
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• 18-wheeler fire shuts down I-35S in Georgetown

  03-11-2017 11:20 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — An 18-wheeler on fire has closed all lanes of I-35 southbound in Georgetown from Highway 195 to Williams Drive. That’s near mile marker 261.
  Around 2 a.m. the driver heard a pop and pulled over to the shoulder, according to Georgetown Fire Department. He got out and looked underneath and saw the engine was on fire, and it quickly spread to the rest of the semi-truck.
  The 18-wheeler is hauling tires so police say “it’s a tenuous situation.&r
  
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• 18-wheeler fire shuts down I-35 in Georgetown for 12 hours

  03-11-2017 11:20 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — An 18-wheeler that caught on fire forced the closure of Interstate 35 southbound in Georgetown from Highway 195 to Williams Drive for 12 hours.
  Around 2 a.m. Friday the driver heard a pop and pulled over to the shoulder, according to Georgetown Fire Department. He got out and looked underneath and saw the engine was on fire, and it quickly spread to the rest of the semi-truck.
  The 18-wheeler is hauling tires so police say “it’s a tenuous situatio
  
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• Energy chief Rick Perry: Fossil fuels can prevent sexual assault

  03-11-2017 04:48 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Energy Secretary Rick Perry says he thinks using fossil fuels can help prevent sexual assault.
  Perry said Thursday that using fossil fuels to power electricity can help villages in Africa and other developing regions. He said during a recent visit to Africa, a young girl told him electricity was important to her because she has to read by the light of a fire with noxious fumes.
  Speaking at an event sponsored by Axios and NBC News, Perry said electricity also was important
  
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• Departing Twitter employee deactivates Trump’s account

  03-11-2017 04:45 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A Twitter customer support worker who was on his or her last day on the job deactivated President Donald Trump’s account for a few minutes Thursday evening, the social media company reported.
  Shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday, social media reports surfaced that the president’s personal account, @RealDonaldTrump, was unavailable, providing the error message that the user “does not exist.” The account was restored by 7:03 p.m.
  Twitter took responsibilit
  
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• Three teens arrested after laced gummy bears sent students to hospital

  03-11-2017 04:15 via kxan.com
  IRVINGTON, Ala. (WKRG) — Three teens have been arrested after six high school students consumed drug-laced gummy bears and were sent to the hospital.
  The teens, three males who are 14 to 17-years-old, are charged with distribution of a controlled substance. The gummy bears are believed to have been laced with a stimulant, police said.
  The Mobile County Public School System confirms to News 5 that six Alma Bryant High School students are being treated at a local hospital after a teacher not
  
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• Woman accused of stealing 28 flip flops from Pflugerville store identified

  03-11-2017 04:12 via kxan.com
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — “Almost there, Facebook detectives!” the Pflugerville Police Department said Thursday, as officers came closer to arresting a woman accused of stealing 28 pairs of flip flops from Rack Room Shoes in Pflugerville.
  Amalia Aguilera, 32, is wanted by police for the Oct. 3 theft at 18700 Limestone Commercial Dr., near the State Highway 130 and State Highway 45 interchange.
  The video shows the woman — who was wearing a black shirt with “L
  
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• MoPac sound walls won’t be completed until next summer

  03-11-2017 03:23 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The express lanes are open on MoPac Expressway, but not all the work is done. About seven miles of sound walls are in construction limbo. This past spring, a design issue was found with some of the precast sound walls.
  Cracks were forming along some of the bottom panels. An independent engineering study was done to determine the cause of the issue. While the study was underway all sound wall installation was stopped.
  Unfortunately, for property owners along MoPac this
  
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• Cracking sound walls for MoPac delay installation until next summer

  03-11-2017 03:23 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The express lanes are open on MoPac Expressway, but not all the work is done. About seven miles of sound walls are in construction limbo. This past spring, a design issue was found with some of the precast sound walls.
  Cracks were forming along some of the bottom panels. An independent engineering study was done to determine the cause of the issue. While the study was underway all sound wall installation was stopped, this was in February.
  Unfortunately, for property ow
  
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• House committee chair term limits a factor in Lamar Smith’s retirement

  03-11-2017 03:14 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After 30 years representing Texas in the U.S. House, Congressman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, announced Thursday he is retiring at the end of his term.
  Congressman Smith has been the chairman of the powerful Science, Space, and Technology Committee for several years. The House has term limits on chairing committees and that played a large role in Smith’s retirement.
  “I love my job, frankly, I wouldn’t like to be doing anything else,” Rep. Smith told K
  
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• Central Texas bobsledder pushing through tough loss ahead of Olympics

  03-11-2017 02:50 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We’re just 99 days out from the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.
  By far, the sport with the most Olympic hopefuls from Texas is the bobsled team. One of the athletes to watch is from Killeen, Kehri Jones.
  She’s at the top of her game, but recently experienced one of her toughest moments yet with the loss of her great-grandmother.
  “Losing her on such an important year is really hard,” said Jones wiping away the tears.
  While training to make h
  
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• Central Texas bobsledder faced a tough loss ahead of Olympics

  03-11-2017 02:50 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We’re just 99 days out from the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.
  By far, the sport with the most Olympic hopefuls from Texas is the bobsled team. One of the athletes to watch is a young woman from Killeen, Kehri Jones.
  She’s at the top of her game, but recently experienced one of her toughest moments yet with the loss of her great-grandmother.
  KXAN’s Erin Cargile speaks to Jones and has her full story, tonight on the CW Austin at 9 and KXAN News a
  
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• Parking at Austin’s Central Library will cost you up to $30

  03-11-2017 02:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Visiting the new Austin Central Library, a question you’ll likely hear floated around is, “So what about parking?”
  Come Monday, the grace period of free parking will come to a close at the downtown library.
  Here’s how the city council-approved rates will break down:
  $0.00
  0 up to 30 minutes
  $3.00
  31 minutes up to 1 hour
  $5.00
  Over 1 hour up to 2 hours
  $7.00
  Over 2 hours up to 7 hours
  $9.00
  Over 7 hours up to 10 hours
  $15.00
  Over 10 hours up to 12 hou
  
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• Austin Central Library to start charging for parking come Monday

  03-11-2017 02:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Visiting the new Austin Central Library, a question you’ll likely hear floated around is, “So what about parking?”
  Come Monday, the grace period of free parking will come to a close at the downtown library.
  Here’s how the city council-approved rates will break down:
  $0.00
  0 up to 30 minutes
  $3.00
  31 minutes up to 1 hour
  $5.00
  Over 1 hour up to 2 hours
  $7.00
  Over 2 hours up to 7 hours
  $9.00
  Over 7 hours up to 10 hours
  $15.00
  Over 10 hours up to 12 hou
  
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• 44 kids join their forever families at Austin Adoption Day

  03-11-2017 02:18 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thirteen-year-old Destiny O’Karacalrke has waited for this day for a long time.
  On Thursday, she, along with 43 other children crowded into a room to celebrate Austin Adoption Day. Among the children were the 30 families opening up their arms to welcome the children as their forever families.
  Destiny O’Karacalrke getting a hug after she got teary-eyed during her speech. (KXAN Photo)As of September 2017, nearly 4,000 children are waiting to be adopted in Texas.&n
  
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• Medical marijuana seeds planted, soon will be sold in Texas

  03-11-2017 02:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two years after Texas legalized medical marijuana for patients with severe, otherwise untreatable epilepsy, patients are finally close to benefiting from the law.
  Earlier in the week, Austin dispensary Compassionate Cultivation received the final licensing it needed to begin growing cannabis. The company planted a couple of hundred seeds on Tuesday, which are now beginning to germinate.
  CEO Morris Denton says throughout the growth and refinement processes, his com
  
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• Trial begins over Texas’ ban on abortion procedure

  03-11-2017 01:50 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A federal trial over Texas’ new abortion law started Thursday in Austin.
  It’s over Senate Bill 8, which lawmakers passed in the 85th legislative session. The measure being challenged bans “dismemberment abortions” and abortion providers argue it would effectively prevent them from performing dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortions. This is a procedure that doctors use on second-trimester pregnancies, which is typically after 15 weeks.
  Whole Woman
  
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• Two pedestrians hit in Williamson County neighborhood in past week

  03-11-2017 01:32 via kxan.com
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — An intersection with a four-way stop may seem safe, but neighbor Jeff Mutschler says there have been problems at O’Connor and Great Oaks drives.
  “There have been a couple of times where people have come rather close to us and act like they didn’t even see us,” explains Mutschler.
  He tries to avoid crossing the intersection during his walks, especially after learning a woman died there Saturday, Oct. 28. Troopers say the driver of a
  
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• Pressure mounts on Apple to live up to hype for the iPhone X

  03-11-2017 00:44 via kxan.com
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The iPhone X’s lush screen, facial-recognition skills and $1,000 price tag are breaking new ground in Apple’s marquee product line.
  Now, the much-anticipated device is testing the patience of consumers and investors as demand outstrips suppliers’ capacity.
  Apple said Thursday that iPhone sales rose 3 percent in the July-September quarter, a period that saw the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus come out in the final weeks. Sales could have been higher if many custom
  
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