Austin news

• Sen. Kirk Watson on I-35 toll project: ‘Talk is cheap. Roads are not.’

  20-11-2017 23:52 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just weeks after supporting a project that would add four managed lanes to Interstate 35, State Sen. Kirk Watson is calling out Texas leaders who spoke out against allocating certain transportation funds toward toll roads.
  “Unless our leaders are willing to find the new money needed to invest in transportation infrastructure, all they are offering Texans is lip service,” Watson, D-Austin, said in a statement issued Monday. “Talk is cheap. Roads are not.&rd
  
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• Pipe bomb left at Lubbock bank, possibly related to Texas Tech incident

  20-11-2017 23:36 via kxan.com
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) — Lubbock police were called to the corner of 19th Street and Quaker Avenue just before 3 p.m. Monday for the report of a bomb threat. Police said someone dropped a bag inside a Happy State Bank and said, “It’s a bomb.” The person then ran away.
  Police described it as a pipe bomb.
  Roughly 30 minutes before that, Texas Tech police sent out an alert that officers were investigating a suspicious package. Lubbock police said the incident at 19th and Quak
  
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• One in custody after SWAT team call to northwest Austin apartment

  20-11-2017 23:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department’s SWAT team has one person in custody after they were called to an apartment in northwest Austin, Monday afternoon.
  Police were called to the Lodge at Stone Oak Ranch Apartments at 5400 West Parmer Ln., near McNeil Drive, at 2:03 p.m. About two hours later, police said the suspect came out of the apartment and was taken into custody without incident.
  Officers initially said there was possibly an armed suicidal person inside an apartment un
  
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• Officers, nurses sent to hospital after apparent opioid incident in Indiana

  20-11-2017 23:01 via kxan.com
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — An investigation is underway after 30 confinement officers and a nurse were taken to the hospital Monday morning following an incident at the Allen County Jail in downtown Fort Wayne, Ind.
  The confinement officers went to D-Block of the jail on the suspicion some inmates were smoking, according to Captain Steve Stone, spokesperson with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. While searching one of the cells the officers found a piece of paper infused with an
  
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• VIDEO: 3 officers almost hit by DWI suspect near Fort Worth

  20-11-2017 22:44 via kxan.com
  FOREST HILL, Texas (KXAN) — An alleged drunk driver plowed into a patrol car on the side of the road outside of Fort Worth, narrowly missing five people, including three police officers.
  KXAS reports the crash happened around 11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 as the officers were helping stranded motorists on Southeast Loop 820 in Forest Hill, about seven miles southeast of downtown Fort Worth.
  As the vehicle approached the group, one of the officers drew his gun, but no shots were fired. No on
  
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• Attorneys filing Vegas shooting lawsuits with 450 plaintiffs

  20-11-2017 22:27 via kxan.com
  LAS VEGAS (AP) — Attorneys who filed one of the first lawsuits after the Oct. 1 mass shooting that killed 58 concert-goers and left hundreds injured on the Las Vegas Strip are filing four more cases on behalf of more than 450 victims.
  But this time, they’re suing in Los Angeles — not in Nevada — against companies including Mandalay Bay resort and concert venue owner MGM Resorts International.
  Houston-based lawyer Chad Pinkerton said Monday many of the plaintiffs live in C
  
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• 60-year-old man identified by police as driver in I-35 chase

  20-11-2017 21:43 via kxan.com
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man who led numerous officers on a chase along Interstate 35 near San Marcos over the weekend was intoxicated, says a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
  DPS says on Saturday around 7:15 p.m. they received a 911 call about a truck traveling down the road with a flat tire and sparks coming from the vehicle. A trooper managed to catch up to the truck and tried to stop the driver, identified as Kyle Habich, 60, but he proceeded to lead the tro
  
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• Della Reese, of TV’s “Touched by an Angel,” has died

  20-11-2017 20:57 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Della Reese, the actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama “Touched by an Angel,” has died at age 86.
  Reese’s co-star on the series, Roma Downey, said in a statement that the actress died peacefully Sunday evening in her home in the Los Angeles area. No further details were included.
  Before “Touched by an Angel” debuted in 1994, Reese was mainly
  
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• Oklahoma QB Mayfield won’t start home finale after gesture

  20-11-2017 20:48 via kxan.com
  NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield will not start his final regular-season game Saturday at home against West Virginia after making a lewd gesture against Kansas.
  Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley also stripped the senior of his captain status for the game. Riley made the announcements Monday.
  Kansas team captains did not shake hands with Mayfield before last Saturday’s game. After getting slighted, Mayfield jawed with the Jayhawks and some fans seated behind the Okl
  
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• Top holiday cooking safety tips from AFD

  20-11-2017 20:35 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie all go great with a turkey dinner. One thing that doesn’t — fire.
  The Austin Fire Department put together a demonstration ahead of Thanksgiving showing the dangers of what can happen if someone tries to fry a turkey — but doesn’t do it right. This year there wasn’t a huge fire, but the firefighter dropping in the frozen turkey leaped out of the way as it splashed the boiling oil.
  “We were hoping t
  
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• Austin ISD to sell downtown headquarters for $36.5 million

  20-11-2017 20:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — To help offset the $1 billion bond voters approved earlier this month for the Austin Independent School District, at their next meeting board members are set to sign off on four major land sales that will net the district $53 million.
  The most lucrative deal will be the sale of the downtown AISD Headquarters located on West Sixth Street. The documents show the district is selling the Carruth Administration Center Property for $36.5 million to SDC Austin Development Services
  
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• Police association approves new contract, fate is in hands of Austin City Council

  20-11-2017 19:21 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Association has approved the latest 5 year contract with the city of Austin, which 85 percent of APD officers approved. The last step is a city council vote in December.
  This has been the longest and most controversial negotiations between the city and the police association in recent Austin history. A main driver for the delay has been an active presence of social justice advocates putting pressure on police and city leaders.
  If approved, police officers
  
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• US declares NKorea a terror sponsor; new sanctions expected

  20-11-2017 19:09 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Monday the U.S. is putting North Korea’s “murderous regime” on America’s terrorism blacklist, despite questions about Pyongyang’s support for international attacks beyond the assassination of its leader’s half brother in February.
  Trump said the designation of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism was long overdue, and he promised a new wave of sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure campaig
  
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• Harrison Ford comes to the rescue after car accident

  20-11-2017 19:04 via kxan.com
  SANTA PAULA, Calif. (AP) — Harrison Ford came to the real-life rescue of a woman who was involved in a car accident north of Los Angeles.
  Santa Paula, California, police tell the Ventura County Star that the actor and a friend were in the area when a car rolled off a highway in the small town Sunday around noon. Senior Officer Matt Alonzo says Ford and the friend came to the driver’s aid and acted as good Samaritans. He says Ford and other people on scene were able to help the woman
  
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• Increased Cesar Chavez Street traffic from MoPac toll prompts evaluation

  20-11-2017 18:55 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drivers using the new Express Lanes on North MoPac have the chance to get from Point A to Point B faster — but as of now, it’s coming at a cost of increased traffic on Cesar Chavez Street. The Austin Transportation Department plans to conduct a traffic study based on the demand.
  ATD says it will test out new signal patterns on the street as well as others nearby to decrease the backup.
  “In addition to its efforts to increase efficiency on impacted streets,
  
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• Former Dallas Cowboy Terry Glenn dies in car accident

  20-11-2017 18:05 via kxan.com
  Former Dallas Cowboy Terry Glenn died early Monday morning from injuries sustained in a car accident. Glenn was 43-years-old.
  According to SportsDay, Glenn was pronounced dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital around 12:00 a.m. Details concerning the crash were not immediately known.
  Glenn was plucked by the New England Patriots with the 7th pick of the 1996 NFL Draft. He spent five season in New England. Prior to the 2002 season, Glenn was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two draft p
  
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• Thousands of meals to be served Tuesday at H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing

  20-11-2017 17:09 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of volunteers will help prepare and serve the thousands of people who attend the annual Feast of Sharing in Austin.
  H-E-B is hosting its 28th Annual Feast of Sharing dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Palmer Events Center located at 900 Barton Springs Rd.
  More than 14,000 meals will be served at the dinner. While enjoying the festivities, guests will be treated to performances by numerous bands including a Beatles tribute band.
  Free parki
  
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• The Latest: Officials say border agent was killed in attack

  20-11-2017 16:43 via kxan.com
  VAN HORN, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the death in Texas of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent (all times local):
  8:50 a.m.
  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz have characterized it as an attack that caused the weekend death of a border agent and injuring of a second.
  The Republican senator said in a statement Sunday that 36-year-old Agent Rogelio Martinez died as a result of the attack earlier that day near Van Horn, which is about 30 miles from the Mexico border and 110 miles
  
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• $20,000 reward being offered in murder of Border Patrol agent

  20-11-2017 16:43 via kxan.com
  VAN HORN, Texas (AP/KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott’s office is offering a $20,000 reward through Texas Crime Stoppers for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for the murder of a Border Patrol agent.
  The Border Patrol has released few details about what led to the death of 36-year-old Agent Rogelio Martinez and the injury of a second agent, including whether investigators have any suspects or think smugglers or people who were in the country ill
  
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• Signing Santa brings joy to deaf and hard-of-hearing children

  20-11-2017 15:56 via kxan.com
  NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — For many families, a visit with Santa Claus is on the holiday to-do list, but for some, it’s not always easy.
  That’s why the MacArthur Center in Norfolk, Virginia, brought “Signing Santa” to the mall.
  Camron Ellis couldn’t contain his joy. It’s his third time visiting Signing Santa.
  “He’s just like any other little boy, very rambunctious,” said Temekka Ellis, Camron’s mother.
  At 5 years old, he’s alread
  
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• George Strait’s San Antonio mansion up for sale

  20-11-2017 15:25 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — Country legend George Strait is putting his San Antonio mansion up for sale.
  The 7,925-square-foot home is nestled in the hilltops of the exclusive neighborhood called The Dominion in northwest San Antonio. The home sits on just over 12 acres and even has a casita. There are 14 fireplaces and a gourmet kitchen.
  The San Antonio Express-News reports while the realtor Tamara Strait did not confirm that the home belongs to Strait, all the county and court recor
  
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• Turkeys stay at Washington, D.C. hotel ahead of presidential pardon

  20-11-2017 15:03 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN/NBC) — Not only will two turkeys be pardoned by the President in a time-honored Thanksgiving tradition, but they also spent the night in a luxury hotel.
  Two turkeys set for a presidential pardon this Thanksgiving spent the night at a Washington, D.C. hotel Nov. 19 (White House Photo)The two turkeys from Minnesota spent the night at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each settled down on its own bed, as seen in Snapchat photos from the White House.
  
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• Austin to release list of city manager candidates

  20-11-2017 14:31 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After meeting in executive session for a couple of hours, the Austin City Council is ready to release its list of candidates for the city manager position, which has been vacant for more than a year.
  Mayor Steve Adler says the list of “semi-finalists” will be narrowed down over the next few weeks. Adler says the list will be posted to the city’s message board forum sometime Monday. 
  Last week one of the candidates for the position dropped out, prompti
  
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• Austin releases list of six city manager candidates

  20-11-2017 14:31 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After meeting in executive session for a couple of hours, the Austin City Council is releasing its list of candidates for the city manager position, which has been vacant for more than a year.
  Mayor Steve Adler says the list of six “semi-finalists” will be narrowed down over the next few weeks.
  Current prospective city manager candidates:
  Spencer Cronk: Currently works as Minneapolis City Coordinator
  Cecil House: Currently works for the New York office of Gilban
  
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• Austin City Council holds special meeting on city manager search

  20-11-2017 14:31 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the Austin City Council will meet Monday morning to discuss its search for a new city manager. The position has been vacant for more than a year.
  The meeting is set to begin at 8:45 a.m. in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall and will then move to executive session for “discussions on legal and personnel issues,” according to a release.
  Last week one of the candidates for the position dropped out, prompting the city to delay both naming those
  
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• 3- 2-1, BAM! Georgia Dome imploded in downtown Atlanta

  20-11-2017 13:21 via kxan.com
  ATLANTA (AP) — One of the nation’s largest domed stadiums collapsed Monday into a pile of jagged concrete and a vast cloud of smoke in a scheduled implosion in downtown Atlanta.
  Nearly 5,000 pounds of explosives were used to blast the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to smithereens at 7:30 a.m. Onlookers gathered at skyscrapers’ windows, at a revolving hotel-top restaurant, in parking lots and on nearby streets to watch the controlled destruction of the landmark stadium.
  The dome opened
  
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• Food pantries, local groups step up to provide Thanksgiving foods

  20-11-2017 12:58 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As grocery stores around Central Texas prepare to stock and re-stock the shelves this week ahead of Thanksgiving, groups that serve people who often have to go without are also stepping up their efforts to provide holiday meal staples.
  Hope Food Pantry, in the Hyde Park neighborhood, served dozens of families Friday, the last day they were open before Thanksgiving. Willie Mae Thompson was among them, shopping for her Thursday meal with her 3-year-old granddaughter.
  “J
  
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• Hippie cult leader Charles Manson dead at 83

  20-11-2017 12:14 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charles Manson, the hippie cult leader who became the hypnotic-eyed face of evil across America after masterminding the gruesome murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in Los Angeles during the summer of 1969, died Sunday night after nearly a half-century in prison. He was 83.
  Manson died of natural causes at a California hospital while serving a life sentence, his name synonymous to this day with unspeakable violence and depravity.
  Michele Hanisee, presi
  
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• Charles Manson, whose cult slayings horrified world, dies

  20-11-2017 12:14 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charles Manson, the hippie cult leader who became the hypnotic-eyed face of evil across America after orchestrating the gruesome murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in Los Angeles during the summer of 1969, died Sunday after nearly a half-century in prison. He was 83.
  Manson, whose name to this day is synonymous with unspeakable violence and madness, died at 8:13 p.m. of natural causes at a Kern County hospital, according to a California Department of
  
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• “More needs to be done.” Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those killed

  20-11-2017 12:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTN (KXAN) – Monday night hundreds are expected to gather at Austin city hall for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Between November 2016 and this year, 29 transgender men and women were killed in the United States.
  “It’s an epidemic and primarily it’s transgender women of color that are murdered, and a lot of times if we look at minority populations they have lack of access to resources,” says Mason Vaughan, organizer of Transgender Day of Remembrance.
  In Austi
  
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• Black Friday ads: Be sure to read the fine print, experts advise

  20-11-2017 06:33 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You probably have seen the ads popping up for more than a week now as “Black Friday” approaches and all the holiday sales start rolling in.
  And if you head to the stores now, some deals are already happening.
  “We are getting ready for all the customers to come in,” said Best Buy sales associated Dillon Dority. “We have this really cool method of how to stop the rush. What we do is we have little tickets — door busters — that we will
  
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• Hundreds fill the seats for first Church Security Summit in Georgetown

  20-11-2017 06:31 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — It started as a post on Twitter following the mass church shooting in Sutherland Springs.
  Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody asked if there was any interest in a security summit for local churches. The responses starting flooding in, and the number of people registering kept rising as the days went on.
  Sunday, two weeks after the tragedy, representatives from more than 100 churches showed up to Celebration Church to learn something new.
  “You k
  
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• Eagles embarrass Cowboys showing division dominance

  20-11-2017 05:29 via kxan.com
  ARLINGTON (KXAN) — The Philadelphia Eagles laid claim to the title best team in the NFC East and there’s nothing the Cowboys could do about it Sunday night at AT&T Stadium. The Eagles (9-1) rocked the Cowboys 37-9 behind 218 rushing yards and four Dak Prescott turnovers.
  The Cowboys (5-5) held a 9-7 halftime lead behind three Mike Nugent field goals, but completely unraveled in the third quarter. In the last two games, Dallas has been outscored in the second half 47-0.
  Sunday nig
  
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• Father says wife took girls because they were in danger in foster care

  20-11-2017 04:26 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Central Texas mother remains in jail after police say she abducted her daughters from their AISD school last week.  The 10-year-old along with her two older sisters were found in Florida on Thursday.
  Their father tells KXAN that his wife left the state on Tuesday out of fear for their daughters safety.  Court documents say police were able to track their mother Sarah Jordan’s cell phone.
  “I want to put a face with the family,” said Anthony
  
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• ‘Dog Jog’ raises funds to support no-kill shelter

  20-11-2017 04:15 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A big event was held Sunday in hopes of helping Austin remain a no-kill city when it comes to animal shelters.
  The Outdoor Voices Dog Jog featured a fun run, music, tacos, beer, live music and dog adoptions.
  All the proceeds helped benefit Austin Pets Alive. If you didn’t make it out, you can still help.
  “Currently, we are in deep need of fosters to continue to support our life-saving efforts,” said Hannah Horstman, the group’s events and outreach ma
  
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• WilCo Sheriff: Asking residents at N. Austin apartments to stay inside for ‘situation’

  20-11-2017 01:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN is tracking a potential situation happening in north Austin.
  Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody tweeted out about a developing situation. It’s happening at 15450 FM 1325 Road at the Preserve at Rolling Hills Apartments. He is asking all residents to stay in place while they monitor the situation.
  Situation developing @ 15450 FM 1325 Rd. Preserve at Rolling Hills Apts.Asking all residents to stay in place safely but to monitor if events deem another actio
  
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• All clear given after ‘situation’ at north Austin apartment complex

  20-11-2017 01:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The all clear has been given after an investigation at a north Austin apartment complex.
  It was at 15450 Farm to Market 1325 Road at the Preserve at Rolling Oaks Apartments. Williamson County officials said a call came in at about 5:30 p.m. for someone making terroristic threats.
  Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody tweeted out about a developing situation just before 6 p.m. Sunday. A follow-up tweet at 7:45 p.m. Sunday said units responded to a specific threat, but
  
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• All clear given after ‘situation’ at N. Austin apartment complex

  20-11-2017 01:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The all clear has been given after an investigation at a north Austin apartment complex.
  It was at 15450 FM 1325 Road at the Preserve at Rolling Oaks Apartments. Williamson County officials said a call came in at about 5:30 p.m. for someone making terroristic threats.
  Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody tweeted out about a developing situation just before 6 p.m. Sunday. A follow-up tweet at 7:45 p.m. Sunday said units responded to a specific threat, but after search
  
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• Which area of Austin sees the highest number of bike thefts

  20-11-2017 01:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jill Welch only owned her $400 bike for a month when she took it out to Zilker Park for the first time this past summer. Within hours, it was stolen.
  “It was hard for me to believe that I had been (there) for two hours. It was broad daylight. It was super busy out here and that someone just took it in front of a lot of people and no one noticed,” Welch said. The Austinite’s 2016 Specialized Vita Sport was stolen Aug. 19 from the Robert E. Lee entrance to B
  
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• TransCanada sends more crews to Keystone pipeline leak

  20-11-2017 00:45 via kxan.com
  AMHERST, S.D. (AP) — TransCanada Corp. says the company has sent additional crews and equipment to the site of a 210,000-gallon oil spill in South Dakota from its Keystone pipeline.
  TransCanada said Saturday it is making progress in its investigation into the spill cause on farmland in Marshall County, near the North Dakota border, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) west of Minneapolis. But the company did not elaborate on the cause. The company says additional equipment and workers continue
  
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• Trump says he should have left UCLA players in Chinese jail

  20-11-2017 00:30 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he should have left three UCLA basketball players accused of shoplifting in China in jail.
  Trump’s tweet Sunday comes after the father of player LiAngelo Ball minimized Trump’s involvement in winning the players’ release in comments to ESPN.
  “Who?” LaVar Ball told ESPN on Friday, when asked about Trump’s involvement in the matter. “What was he over there for? Don’t tell me nothing. Everybody wants
  
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• Border Patrol agent dies after being injured in Texas

  20-11-2017 00:23 via kxan.com
  VAN HORN, Texas (AP) — Authorities are searching Texas’ Big Bend for potential suspects and witnesses after a U.S. Customs Border Patrol agent was fatally injured responding to activity there.
  Authorities did not provide any details Sunday on what caused the agent’s injuries or what led to them.
  Border Patrol spokesman Douglas Mosier says in a statement that agent Rogelio Martinez and his partner were transported to a local hospital, where Martinez died. Martinez’s partne
  
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• Border agent dies after being injured in Texas

  20-11-2017 00:23 via kxan.com
  VAN HORN, Texas (AP) — Authorities are searching Texas’ Big Bend area for potential suspects and witnesses after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was fatally injured responding to activity there.
  Border Patrol spokesmen said they could not provide any details Sunday on what caused the agent’s injuries or what led to them. Spokesman Carlos Diaz said the FBI has taken over the investigation.
  Another spokesman, Douglas Mosier, said Agent Rogelio Martinez, 36, and his par
  
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