Austin news

• San Marcos police officer shot and killed while serving warrant

  04-12-2017 22:51 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A police officer has been shot and killed in San Marcos while serving a warrant, the Police Department confirmed Monday afternoon. The suspect was also shot during a standoff with San Marcos/Hays County SWAT and taken to an Austin hospital.
  The officer, who has not been identified, was shot in the El Camino Real subdivision, about two miles south of downtown San Marcos. Police say the officer was shot multiple times and he was wearing his protective ves
  
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• San Marcos police officer killed in ‘ambush-type’ shooting

  04-12-2017 22:51 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The San Marcos police officer shot and killed Monday afternoon has been identified as 58-year-old Kenneth Copeland, in what has become the first officer killed in the line of duty in the Police Department’s history.
  Copeland, who had a wife and four children, was working on what would have been his day off, serving an arrest warrant for a violent crime around 2:23 p.m., Chief of Police Chase Stapp said in an emotional news conference Monday evening.
  Shortly
  
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• Report: Police officer shot in San Marcos

  04-12-2017 22:51 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A police officer has been shot in San Marcos, according to the San Marcos Daily Record.
  The paper indicates the shooting happened near Bowie Elementary School, located at 4020 Monterey Oak, which is on the southeast side of town, around 3 p.m. The San Marcos Police Department and Hays County Sheriff’s Office are reportedly on the scene with a SWAT team.
  The San Marcos Daily Record reports some homes have been evacuated because the shooter is barricaded insi
  
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• UT school of business removes ‘racially offensive’ holiday decoration

  04-12-2017 21:32 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A “racially offensive” holiday decoration has been removed from the University of Texas business school Friday. It was put up as part of an annual employee decorating contest, according to McCombs School of Business Dean Jay Hartzell.
  The nutcracker image — wearing grills and with the words “#BIZ LIFE” on its knuckles — was displayed on the doors of the dean’s office.
  Hartzell wrote a letter to the community and said his leadership
  
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• After sex abuse claims at T. Don Hutto detention facility, advocates want answers

  04-12-2017 21:30 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — More than 20 people gathered with signs outside the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Monday morning demanding answers.
  Grassroots Leadership, which works to end prison profiteering and reduce reliance on detention, claims the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has jurisdiction over the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor, but failed to act after a sexual abuse allegation by detainee Laura Monterrosa. Last month, Monterrosa spoke out, saying a
  
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• ‘Large brush pickup’ mailer confuses some Austin residents

  04-12-2017 21:26 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For some Austin residents, when they received a flier in the mail regarding their next scheduled “large brush collection,” they were confused by the date: Dec. 25, 2017 — Christmas Day.
  Austin Resource Recovery says the large brush collection won’t actually be picked up that morning since it’s a holiday. The schedule that week slides to Tuesday and the rest of the week to accommodate for the holiday.
  A spokesperson for Austin Resource Recovery
  
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• 12 states launch new legal challenge to California egg law

  04-12-2017 20:53 via kxan.com
  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A dozen states want the U.S. Supreme Court to block a California law requiring any eggs sold there to come from hens that have space to stretch out in their cages.
  The Missouri attorney general says a lawsuit will be filed Monday alleging California’s law has cost consumers nationwide up to $350 million annually because of higher egg prices since it took effect in 2015.
  The lawsuit claims California’s requirements violate the U.S. Constitution’s
  
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• Motorcyclist killed in north Austin crash

  04-12-2017 20:37 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A deadly collision between a car and a motorcycle in north Austin has the northbound frontage of US 183 blocked.
  The collision happened around 1:10 p.m. on the northbound Research Boulevard frontage road near Anderson Square. Austin-Travis County EMS says a man in his 20s died at the scene.
  Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and expect delays. You can check out current backups and alternate routes on KXAN’s traffic page.
  KXAN has a crew on the way and will updat
  
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• New York couple’s pinball machine collection grows to more than 200

  04-12-2017 20:28 via kxan.com
  BALLSTON SPA, New York (WNYT) — A New York couple has expand their home twice to accommodate their considerable collection of pinball machines.
  In 1996, George and Pat Riley were outfitting their finished basement when Pat thought it would be cool to have a pinball machine. After buying one, George was hooked, and one pinball machine became two, then three, then ten and then, 230 machines.
  “It’s habit forming,” admitted George. “Each machine is so different from the
  
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• Trump, Kaepernick, Kim Jong Un make shortlist for Time’s Person of the Year

  04-12-2017 19:16 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK CITY (KXAN) — The shortlist of Time’s Person of the Year released Monday — includes not one, but two movements instead of just individuals.
  One of them was the “Me Too” movement, launched to highlight sexual assault that coincided with claims of sexual misconduct against Hollywood and other industries. The other was “The Dreamers,” undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children, who this year received heightened attention becau
  
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• Florida cop brings K-Y jelly to courtroom to taunt attempted killer

  04-12-2017 18:48 via kxan.com
  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida officer who survived a shooting last year brought K-Y jelly to a courtroom to taunt the culprit, The Florida Times-Union reports.
  Kevin Rojas, 21, was sentenced to life behind bars for the shooting of an undercover officer who was taking his child to school. The officer is not being named to protect his undercover status.
  In March 2016, authorities say Rojas was fleeing a fight with his girlfriend when he was spotted driving recklessly. Though the
  
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• Water line relocation forces Stage 4 restrictions in Dripping Springs area

  04-12-2017 18:41 via kxan.com
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, people who get their water from the West Travis County Public Utility Agency will have to conserve water for two days as crews work to relocated a 20-inch transmission main.
  The agency says the line, which is located on US 290 near Nutty Brown Road, will be taken out of service and relocated for the Belterra Commercial Project. During the two-day construction, Stage 4 emergency measures will be implemented.
  Customers li
  
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• Victoria’s Secret employee pepper-sprayed during robbery

  04-12-2017 18:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Victoria’s Secret Pink store employee at The Domain shopping center suffered injuries after she was pepper-sprayed by shoplifters last week, according to an arrest affidavit.
  On Nov. 30, around 3:30 p.m., employees at the Pink store noticed five suspects come in and stuff unpaid items into shopping bags. When they saw what was happening, one of the employees went to the front of the store to watch the suspects as they congregated around a table.
  “Without provo
  
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• New trend? Some people opt for upside-down Christmas trees

  04-12-2017 16:54 via kxan.com
  GARDENDALE, Ala. (KXAN/WVTM) — Those tired of the same old holiday celebrations and decorations are changing things up this season — with upside-down Christmas trees.
  One Alabama woman has made it a tradition, which started when she wanted to change up her style and began searching high and low for upside-down trees. Lo and behold, one of her friends had one. Her almost Seussical design features a snowman at the “top” where the trunk reaches toward the ceiling.
  Retailers
  
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• Supreme Court lets stand Texas ruling on gay spouse benefits

  04-12-2017 16:22 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let stand a Texas ruling that gay spouses may not be entitled to government-subsidized workplace benefits — a potential victory for social conservatives hoping to chip away at 2015’s legalization of same-sex marriage.
  In June, the Texas Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s decision favoring spousal benefits for gay city employees in Houston, ordering the issue back to trial. That was a major reversal for the all-Re
  
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• Justices reject Houston appeal over benefits for gay spouses

  04-12-2017 16:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has declined to step into a case over a Texas high court ruling that says gay spouses may not be entitled to government-subsidized workplace benefits.
  The justices’ action Monday comes without dissent or comment. It means a Texas court now will have to rule in a lawsuit from social conservatives who want to block spousal benefits for gay city employees in Houston.
  The case follows the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision extending same-sex marriage
  
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• Texas A&M to announce Jimbo Fisher as new football coach

  04-12-2017 16:17 via kxan.com
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN/AP) — On Monday morning, Texas A&M University will officially introduce Jimbo Fisher as the school’s new head football coach.
  Fisher handed in his resignation after a meeting with Florida State President John Thrasher on Friday.
  “Coach Fisher did an exceptional job as both an assistant coach at FSU and in the challenging role of successor to the legendary Bobby Bowden. I believe Texas A&M is getting one of the best coaches in college footbal
  
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• $75M deal for Texas A&M’s new football coach Jimbo Fisher

  04-12-2017 16:17 via kxan.com
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN/AP) — On Monday morning, Texas A&M University officially introduced Jimbo Fisher as the school’s new head football coach.
  Fisher has a 10-year, $75 million contract with the school. Fisher takes over for Kevin Sumlin, who was fired Nov. 26 after the Aggies finished the regular season 7-5 and 4-4 in the Southeastern Conference. The 53-year-old Sumlin, who went 51-26 and led the Aggies to a bowl game in each of his six seasons, is still owed $10 mi
  
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• Two elderly women die in Fayette County house fire

  04-12-2017 15:40 via kxan.com
  WINCHESTER, Texas (KXAN) — Two elderly women died in a fire Friday at their home in Fayette county.
  The fire happened at the home on Valentine Road near Farm to Market Road 153 in the Winchester area around 1:24 p.m., according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. When fire crews arrived, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. After it was extinguished, investigators found two bodies inside.
  A state medical examiner will perform autopsies. The women have not yet been identifi
  
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• Billy Bush says Trump ‘Access Hollywood’ tape is real

  04-12-2017 15:20 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Bush said it was indeed Donald Trump’s voice captured on a 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape talking about fame enabling him to grope and try to have sex with women.
  “Of course he said it,” the former “Access Hollywood” and “Today” show personality said in an op-ed published Sunday in The New York Times.
  The video shows Trump, who was the star of “The Apprentice,” riding on an “Access Hollywood”
  
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• Round Rock ISD will text parents when school buses are late

  04-12-2017 15:04 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — As the weather cools down, waiting outside longer than you have to is frustrating for some parents and their children who ride the school bus.
  “Certainly there are some days where you don’t want to be out in the elements, you want to come right down and hop on,” Jake Finley explains.
  Finley, whose kids attend Elsa England Elementary School in the Round Rock Independent School District, says their school bus was late 10 minutes this week. “
  
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• Trump offers full support for embattled Republican Roy Moore

  04-12-2017 14:21 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed embattled Republican Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race on Monday, looking past sexual misconduct allegations against the GOP candidate to argue that his vote is needed in Congress.
  Trump tweeted early Monday that “Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama.”
  It was Trump’s strongest show of support for Moore since allegations surfaced that the candi
  
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• Proposed $82 million Austin Police contract headed to council

  04-12-2017 13:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a 6-2 vote, the Austin Public Safety Commission voted Monday night to recommend passage of the proposed $82 million police contract. The city is running out of time to approve the contract before the Dec. 31 deadline. 
  Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday told the commission 85 percent of APA members voted to show support for the new labor contract. 
  The contract continues to face strong opposition from social justice activists, including the Au
  
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• New Austin police contract faces next big test amid strong opposition

  04-12-2017 13:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday marks the next key step in the months-long process of hammering out a new contract for Austin police officers.
  The city’s Public Safety Commission meets in the afternoon to discuss the deal, approved by 85 percent of the Austin Police Association’s members last month, before city council is set to vote on it later this month.
  But, the contract faces strong opposition from social justice activists, including the Austin Justice Coalition, and from the Travi
  
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• Highlights of Senate, House GOP bills to overhaul tax code

  04-12-2017 12:27 via kxan.com
  The Senate and the House seek to achieve a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s tax code but go about it in different ways. With the Senate bill passed Saturday and the House bill passed two weeks ago, congressional Republicans now will work quickly on a compromise measure to send to President Donald Trump by Christmas.
  A comparison of the Senate and House bills, each coming in at nearly $1.5 trillion:
  — Personal income tax rates: Senate bill retains the current number of brackets, seve
  
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• ‘Hamilton’ actor ‘devastated’ over end of UT Musical Theater Program

  04-12-2017 06:52 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A former University of Texas at Austin music theater student and current Broadway performer is expressing his frustrations that UT’s Musical Theater Training Program will come to an end this spring. The program was cut in a department decision following several years of budget cuts, the Department of Theater and Dance cited it as one of the more expensive programs.
  J. Quinton Johnson (who goes by Q) has been performing on Broadway in the hit musical “Hamilton&rd
  
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• Austin evacuee hopes to inspire others with kidney donation to father

  04-12-2017 06:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kayla Firova is already wrapping presents to go under her Christmas tree, but she’s also preparing to give an even more enduring gift. Firova hopes to donate her kidney to her father Alfred this holiday season.
  Alfred has dealt with kidney failure for two years, but needed to lose weight to get on the kidney transplant list.
  “He has half a foot, can hardly walk, has leg problems and back problems,” Firova explained.
  Over Thanksgiving, her father was approv
  
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• Kids honored at Trail of Lights for demonstrating core values

  04-12-2017 05:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin holiday tradition is serving as a big back drop for some kids.
  The First Tee of Greater Austin handed out its Second Annual 9 Core Values Awards for Rising Stars on Sunday.
  The mission is to help kids learn different skills, honesty, working with others and sportsmanship.
  Remember, next weekend the Trail of Lights officially opens to the public.
  Tickets are free for the first week and then most nights it will cost you $3 to get in.
  KXAN is a proud sponsor of the T
  
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• New center in Jonestown celebrates Okinawan culture

  04-12-2017 04:56 via kxan.com
  JONESTOWN, Texas (KXAN) — One of the state’s only centers dedicated to the culture of Okinawa, Japan opened this weekend in Jonestown.
  David Williams created the Okinawan Arts Research Studies World Scene in memory of his wife, who passed away in February.
  Her family emigrated from Okinawa to Hawaii.
  “This cultural center helps me keep my wife’s family heritage alive,” Williams said. “As far as the genealogy, the children, it helps me have an avenue to keep he
  
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• Fire damages northwest Austin apartment complex

  04-12-2017 04:26 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fire crews were able to quickly knock down a fire at an apartment complex in northwest Austin Sunday afternoon, said the Austin Fire Department.
  It happened at about 2:15 p.m. at the Arbors of Tallwood Apartments on Tallwood Drive near Mopac and US 183.
  Fire investigators said it started in the fireplace.
  And as we prepare for a cold front that will move into the area early this week, it’s serving as a reminder to stay safe.
  “If you are going to use your firepla
  
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• Push to educate public on Blue Alert

  04-12-2017 03:50 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s similar to the Amber and Silver Alerts, but aimed at protecting police officers. The Blue Alert has been in place since September.
  The Department of Public Safety pushes the alert out if an officer is hurt or killed in the line on duty, and a suspect is on the run.  Requirements would include a clear description, car information, suspect name, or an imminent and credible threat.
  “Anything we can do to increase the odds of catching that p
  
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