Austin news

• ‘Where’s Waldo?’ among list of banned books in Texas prisons

  02-12-2017 22:01 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (AP) — The children’s book “Where’s Waldo? Santa Spectacular” is among the 10,000 books banned from Texas prisons, but Adolf Hitler’s autobiography “Mein Kampf” makes the cut.
  The Texas Department of Criminal Justice provided to The Dallas Morning News the list of banned publications and the more than 248,000 works that inmates are allowed to read.
  Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple,” a Pulitzer-Prize winner for fiction and t
  
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• Man charged with hiding death of missing N Carolina girl

  02-12-2017 21:35 via kxan.com
  JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of a young girl and said they will continue to use volunteers to look for the child’s body in the North Carolina woods.
  Earl Kimrey of Jacksonville was arrested late Friday and was being held at the Onslow County Detention Center on a $1 million bond in the disappearance of 3-year-old Mariah Woods, deputies said.
  Investigators think the girl is dead, but they have not found her body, the sh
  
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• Girl’s body found; mom’s boyfriend charged with hiding death

  02-12-2017 21:35 via kxan.com
  JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The body of a missing 3-year-old North Carolina girl was found in a creek less than a day after her mother’s boyfriend was charged with hiding her body after knowing she didn’t die of natural causes, authorities said.
  Investigators continue to stay tight-lipped about what happened to Mariah Woods. But they left little doubt Earl Kimrey knew how she died and was trying to cover it up. He was charged late Friday with concealing of death.
  “It was to
  
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• American, pilots reach deal to avoid canceling flights

  02-12-2017 21:19 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — American Airlines has reached an agreement with its pilots’ union to avoid canceling thousands of flights during the holiday season.
  A scheduling glitch had left thousands of flights without a captain, co-pilot or both between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31 at dozens of airports. The airline and the Allied Pilots Association had disagreed how to overcome the problem.
  American said Friday that the two sides “have put that worry to rest to make sure our flights will operate
  
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• Police: Man escapes mental health facility, sets fire to family home

  02-12-2017 19:54 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is in the Travis County jail on arson charges after police said he escaped from a mental health facility on Thursday and tried to burn down his family home when he discovers that his brother had moved into his bedroom.
  According to an arrest affidavit, Edward Avalos, 28, had been a mental health facility for about three weeks before the incident. Around 7 p.m., Avalos called his mother to tell her that he had escaped from the facility. He arrived at the family home on
  
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• Blue Santa toy drive and car show underway in Pflugerville

  02-12-2017 18:07 via kxan.com
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — We know Santa is the MVP of the Christmas season, but even he needs a little help. The Sweet Rides of Central Texas is hosting a Blue Santa Toy Drive and Car show on Saturday.
  They ask that all attendees bring an unwrapped toy for kids age 14 and younger. The gifts will benefit the Blue Santa Toy Drive as part of Austin Police Department’s Operation Blue Santa. As a reward for your donation, you will receive a free unlimited attractions pass to Austin&rsq
  
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• Blue Santa toy drive and car show underway

  02-12-2017 18:07 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We know Santa is the MVP of the Christmas season, but even he needs a little help. The Sweet Rides of Central Texas is hosting a Blue Santa Toy Drive and Car show on Saturday.
  They ask that all attendees bring an unwrapped toy for kids age 14 and younger. The gifts will benefit the Blue Santa Toy Drive as part of Austin Police Department’s Operation Blue Santa. As a reward for your donation, you will receive a free unlimited attractions pass to Austin’s Park whi
  
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• Group assisting Central Texans with health insurance enrollment

  02-12-2017 17:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The beginning of December marks not only the holiday season but also a two-week countdown to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare.
  The deadline to enroll is December 15 and to help you get on track, Insure Central Texas is hosting a “Get Enrolled ATX” event Saturday.
  The program, which is part of Foundation Communities, aims to enroll as many community members as possible. As part of the event, Central Texans will be
  
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• Police looking for suspect in central Austin stabbing

  02-12-2017 16:16 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is in the hospital after he was stabbed in central Austin. Austin police say they were called to the scene at 8:01 a.m. Sunday after the man was stabbed at the 6900 block of Bennett Avenue just west of North IH-35 and south of E Koenig Lane.
  Austin Emergency Medical Services said the victim- man in his 50’s- was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
  It is not clear at this time what caused the incident but police say the victim and
  
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• Tax bill clears Senate in big boost for Trump, GOP

  02-12-2017 14:29 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans muscled the largest tax overhaul in 30 years through the Senate early Saturday, taking a big step toward giving President Donald Trump his first major legislative triumph after months of false starts and frustration on other fronts.
  “Just what the country needs to get growing again,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in an interview after a final burst of negotiation closed in on a nearly $1.5 trillion package that impacts the bre
  
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• Senate OKs tax bill as Trump, GOP near big legislative win

  02-12-2017 14:29 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans pushed a nearly $1.5 trillion tax bill through the Senate early Saturday after a burst of eleventh-hour horse trading, as a party starved all year for a major legislative triumph took a giant step toward giving President Donald Trump one of his top priorities by Christmas.
  “Big bills are rarely popular. You remember how unpopular ‘Obamacare’ was when it passed?” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in an interview, shrugg
  
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• High School Football Playoff Scores- Round 3

  02-12-2017 05:58 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — 3rd round high school football playoff scores from around the area
  6A D2  Region 4Austin Westlake- 70Edinburg Vela- 14
  5A D1 Region 2Cedar Park- 17Manvel- 56
  5A D2   Region 3Hutto- 32Fort Bend Marshall- 35
  4A D1  Region 4China Spring- 28Liberty Hill- 33
  4A D2 Region 4Wimberley- 42Sweeny- 17
  3A D1  Region 3Rockdale- 31West- 21
  2A D1  Region 4Yorktown- 7Mason- 40
  
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• Austin Transportation Department looks to loosen taxi, limo regulations

  02-12-2017 05:39 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you’re thinking about hailing a ride, you’ve got options. Rideshares, taxis, limos, all with different regulations. Now, the Austin Transportation Department is moving forward to loosen restrictions on ground transportation options in an effort to increase competition and level the playing field.
  But not everyone is eager to hear of the approach.
  “I was a cab driver 33 years, I think like a cab driver, I look after the cab driver,” Aus
  
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• Musicians see uphill climb in storied ‘Live Music Capitol of the World’

  02-12-2017 05:27 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A country singer who got her start in Austin says it’s now much harder for musicians to make a go of it here. Despite a history of attracting musicians eager to play in the live music capital of the world, some of them feel like they’re being priced out of town.
  Sunny Sweeney moved to town in 1996 for college. “My dad, the day I graduated, was like, ‘You can do anything you want,’ and I said, ‘OK, well I’m going to start a band!&rsq
  
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• Musicians see uphill climb in storied ‘Live Music Capital of the World’

  02-12-2017 05:27 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A country singer who got her start in Austin says it’s now much harder for musicians to make a go of it here. Despite a history of attracting musicians eager to play in the live music capital of the world, some of them feel like they’re being priced out of town.
  Sunny Sweeney moved to town in 1996 for college. “My dad, the day I graduated, was like, ‘You can do anything you want,’ and I said, ‘OK, well I’m going to start a band!&rsq
  
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• Austin gym delays opening, frustrating members over billing issues

  02-12-2017 04:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Frustrated and angry members of a local gym want answers and some are trying to get their money back. They claim the new north Austin location of Tech Ridge Fitness Connection was supposed to open a month ago and despite several delays, members are getting billed.
  It was the perks that first caught Keiyonna Brown’s attention. “The price was right, $10 a month and the sales pitch was really nice,” Brown said.
  For Juanita Gregg, it was the location of t
  
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• Operation Blue Santa looking for volunteers to help less fortunate

  02-12-2017 03:35 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the holiday season kicks into full swing, Operation Blue Santa is looking for volunteers to help make this time of year special for those a little less fortunate. The non-profit will be holding several upcoming events where patrons can donate toys and cash donations.
  The Austin Police Department kicked of their annual Christmas drive this morning with a silent auction at KOKE Austin where patrons were treated to breakfast and music this morning. Assistant Police Chief Fr
  
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• Fallen Texas trooper remembered as ‘one of a kind’

  02-12-2017 02:23 via kxan.com
  MEXIA, Texas (KXAN) — Eight days after Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Damon Allen was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on Thanksgiving, loved ones and law enforcement from across the country gathered to remember his life.
  The shooting suspect was later caught and faces a murder charge. Allen, 41, served 15 years with DPS prior to his death, the agency said.
  The football stadium at Mexia High School where Allen played football in the early 1990s was filled to
  
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• In wake of national reports, sexual harassment policy updated for Texas House

  02-12-2017 02:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As reports of sexual harassment allegations continue coming out across the country, the Texas House of Representatives is updating its own policies.
  The Committee on House Administration adopted a new set of policies that defines sexual assault, requires training of members, employees and interns and outlines an internal complaint process. It applies to all members, employees and interns of the Texas House of Representatives.
  Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said she hopes it e
  
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• Austin firefighters take time to help elderly man fix his roof

  02-12-2017 01:25 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When 82-year-old Jesse Lagunas and his wife Joyce, 63, decided they needed some roofing work done on their shed, the estimates came back too costly.
  Instead, Jesse decided to do the work himself. Before getting up on the roof though, Jesse purchased a safety harness but he wasn’t able to figure out how to use it. The couple went to the fire station near their south Austin home for help.
  Austin firefighters Daryl Burns was in the office writing his morning report when
  
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• No Refusal back in place for the first 2 weekends in December

  02-12-2017 01:23 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After being short-staffed in their toxicology department, the Austin Police Department has enough staff to reinstate No Refusal for the next two weekends.
  At the beginning of the year, Austin police started implementing No Refusal every weekend through September but had to put it on hold for a few weeks due to the employee shortage.
  Upcoming weekends for No Refusal are Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10. The initiative runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day, Friday night through Sunday m
  
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• Girl whose pet miniature horse was killed gets new friend

  02-12-2017 01:13 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (KPRC) — A 5-year-old girl is smiling again after grieving for weeks after her beloved pet, a miniature horse named “Chicken Nugget,” was shot and killed. 
  Thursday a new miniature horse named “Chicken Wing” was delivered to her family’s Liberty County, Texas home with the help of the community.
  It was a long haul for Chicken Wing. Volunteers picked up the animal in New Mexico then drove 11 hours to the family’s property in Hull.“I gue
  
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• Texas Gov. Abbott joins those mourning slain Texas trooper

  02-12-2017 00:47 via kxan.com
  MEXIA, Texas (AP) — Gov. Greg Abbott has joined law enforcement officers from across the state in paying tribute to a Texas state trooper who was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Thanksgiving Day.
  The funeral for Trooper Damon Allen was held Friday at a high school about 40 miles northeast of Waco.
  Allen, a married father of four children, was a trooper for 15 years and was the first to die in a shooting incident since 2008.
  Authorities say he was in his car after making a traffic
  
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• Students made to do ‘bear crawls’ end up with blisters, bruises

  02-12-2017 00:40 via kxan.com
  FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN) — Parents of numerous students at Florence Middle School are demanding answers after their children came home with hands covered in blisters and bruises after being told to do an exercise as punishment.
  One parent told KXAN on Thursday afternoon in sixth period Physical Education class, the substitute teacher ordered the students to do “bear crawls” as punishment for a student not following the rules the day before. The students had to do the bear crawls
  
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• Middle school students training for weekend’s Trail of Lights Fun Run

  02-12-2017 00:29 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Avid runners have a knack for discovering the best nature paths and scenic city streets Austin has to offer. This weekend runners of all skill levels can get both at the Trail of Lights Fun Run.
  One of the groups hitting the two-mile trail are middle school students from the Boneshaker Project, a non-profit organization that launches run clubs in Austin middle schools. Twice a week, Boneshaker coaches teach more than 300 students how to run long and short courses, said
  
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