Austin news

• New Mexico mosque vandalized by ‘a real Christain’

  19-12-2017 23:48 via kxan.com
  CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE) – Vandals left their mark on a mosque in New Mexico and what they wrote on that mosque is raising eyebrows.
  On the corner of Mitchell and Ninth street in Clovis sits the Golden Mosque. This past weekend, vandals paid a visit to the building. A neighbor noticed the vandalism right away Monday morning.
  “I pass by this every day and it was about 7:30 this morning, and of course you’re going to notice big red spray paint,” said Toni Pop.
  The red spray
  
  Read more

• Austin names Spencer Cronk as new city manager

  19-12-2017 23:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly 14 months after Marc Ott turned in his resignation as Austin’s city manager, the city has finally filled the position.
  After narrowing down the field to Spencer Cronk and Howard Lazarus, the Austin City Council decided to go with Cronk.
  Cronk recently worked as the city coordinator for Minneapolis. His job was to direct the management of Minneapolis city government.
  Lazarus, however, did have a history with the city of Austin where he worked as a director
  
  Read more

• FM 620 closes after crash injures 3 adults, 3 children near Lake Travis

  19-12-2017 22:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Farm to Market 620 near the intersection of Quinlan Park Road has been shut down following a crash that left two women with potentially serious injuries.
  Austin-Travis County EMS medics were called to the FM 620 intersection with Marshall Ford Road at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday for the two-vehicle crash that is sending three adults and three children to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center.
  The other woman and three children have non-life threatening injuries.
  Photos from the
  
  Read more

• 3 adults, 3 children injured in crash on FM 620 near Lake Travis

  19-12-2017 22:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Farm to Market 620 near the intersection of Quinlan Park Road is back open following a crash that left two women with potentially serious injuries.
  Austin-Travis County EMS medics were called to the FM 620 intersection with Marshall Ford Road at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday for the two-vehicle crash that is sending three adults and three children to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center.
  The other woman and three children have non-life threatening injuries.
  Photos from the scene
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 23-year-old motorcyclist killed in downtown crash identified by police

  19-12-2017 22:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 23-year-old man killed in a motorcycle crash in downtown Austin on Sunday, Dec. 5 has been identified by the Austin Police Department.
  Deion Lee Odom was riding a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle west on West Cesar Chavez Street around 12:45 a.m.
  Police say he lost control near Walter Seaholm Drive, went off the road and hit several objects.
  Odom was pronounced dead at the scene. The case is still under investigation by APD.
  Anyone with information on the crash is asked
  
  Read more

• American cruise passengers among the injured in deadly Mexico bus crash

  19-12-2017 21:59 via kxan.com
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — At least 12 people died when a bus carrying cruise ship passengers to Mayan ruins in eastern Mexico flipped over on a highway early Tuesday, officials said.
  Seven Americans and two citizens of Sweden are among the injured, according to Quintana Roo state Civil Defense spokesman Vicente Martin, who said authorities haven’t yet established the nationalities of the dead.
  Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises said in a statement that passengers from two of its ships, the
  
  Read more

• Residents: Downtown porta potty is flushing Wimberley’s charm

  19-12-2017 21:55 via kxan.com
  WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — Thousands of tourists visit the Wimberley area every year to experience the unique and quirky little town. But some say a new addition right in the middle of the square is putting a damper on the city’s charm.
  “It looks terrible, it’s an eyesore,” said downtown business owner Tom Keyser. “We pride ourselves on being a quaint cool little community with a certain amount of funkiness, that’s not the funkiness we had in mind.”
  
  Read more

• 5 members of family traveling from Ga. killed in South Texas crash

  19-12-2017 21:42 via kxan.com
  SINTON, Texas (AP) — Authorities say five members of a family have died when their SUV went off a South Texas overpass and plunged to the roadway below.
  Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Nathan Brandley says the driver of a Chevy Suburban may have fallen asleep early Tuesday while traveling from Georgia to Mexico.
  He says nine people were in the SUV and DPS was notified of the wreck about 3:30 a.m.
  The Suburban, which was towing a trailer, caught fire when it fell from the overpass no
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Senate moves tax cut legislation to brink of final passage

  19-12-2017 20:46 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Jubilant Republicans pushed on early Wednesday to the verge of the most sweeping rewrite of the nation’s tax laws in more than three decades, a deeply unpopular bill they insist Americans will learn to love when they see their paychecks in the new year. President Donald Trump cheered the lawmakers on, eager to claim his first major legislative victory.
  After midnight, the Senate narrowly passed the legislation on a party-line 51-48 vote. Protesters interrupted with
  
  Read more

• House passes massive tax package; Senate to vote next

  19-12-2017 20:46 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Gleeful Republicans on Tuesday muscled the most sweeping rewrite of the nation’s tax laws in more than three decades through the House. House Speaker Paul Ryan dismissed criticism of the widely unpopular package and insisted “results are what’s going to make this popular.”
  The vote, largely along party lines, was 227-203 and capped a GOP sprint to deliver a major legislative accomplishment to President Donald Trump after a year of congressional stu
  
  Read more

• GOP on the verge of huge tax overhaul _ with one hiccup

  19-12-2017 20:46 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Jubilant Republicans pushed on Tuesday to the verge of the most sweeping rewrite of the nation’s tax laws in more than three decades, a deeply unpopular bill they insist Americans will learn to love when they see their paychecks in the new year. President Donald Trump cheered the lawmakers on, eager to claim his first major legislative victory.
  Perhaps emblematic of the stumbles along the way, there was one last hiccup. Speaker Paul Ryan, who has worked years toward
  
  Read more

• Former San Antonio State Rep. Ruth McClendon dies

  19-12-2017 20:38 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — San Antonio news outlets are reporting former state lawmaker Ruth Jones McClendon has passed away.
  WOAI reports State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins confirmed McClendon, 74, died Tuesday morning. She had battled brain cancer and in 2014 underwent an operation to remove water on her brain.
  The San Antonio democrat served as a state representative for 20 years. She resigned from her Texas House seat in 2016. During her last legislative session in 2015, she had t
  
  Read more

• Fort Worth police officer fired after arrest involving Taser

  19-12-2017 20:22 via kxan.com
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN/KXAS) — A Fort Worth police officer was fired Monday for “multiple violations” following an internal review of an arrest involving a Taser.
  In August, Sgt. Kenneth Pierce and other officers responded to a domestic violence call. Officials said in a statement that body camera footage showed that when a woman was trying to show her ID, Pierce became “impatient, initiated an unnecessary physical confrontation, and then ordered a rookie police officer
  
  Read more

• Ring in A Miracle: How you can help while you check out

  19-12-2017 20:20 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – You can do your part to help the needy families in Central Texas all while you’re doing your grocery shopping!
  Join HEB and KXAN to support The Salvation Army and “Ring in a Miracle”.
  From now until January 10th, you can donate at any HEB or Central Market register.
  Your donation of $1, $3 or $5 will stay right here in Central Texas to support local women, children and men who need it most this holiday season – and 365 days a year!
  For more informati
  
  Read more

• People lining up to play ‘Harambe Kong’ arcade game

  19-12-2017 20:20 via kxan.com
  BOISE, Idaho (KIVI/CNN) —  At an arcade bar in Boise, Idaho, people are crowding around and lining up to put quarters into a game called Harambe Kong.
  It’s similar to Donkey Kong, but this new game lets you play as Harambe, the gorilla that was shot and killed by a Cincinnati zoo keeper after a toddler fell into his cage. In the game, Harambe runs and jumps around to catch falling food for points, but if he touches a child, it’s game over in a dramatic and bloody fashion.
  
  Read more

• Dogs who mauled owner to death euthanized in Virginia

  19-12-2017 19:32 via kxan.com
  GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Two dogs who authorities say mauled their 22-year-old owner to death in Virginia have been euthanized, according to Goochland County Sheriff’s Office.
  Investigators say Bethany Stephens’ two pit bulls attacked and killed her while out for a walk in the woods last Thursday evening.
  The disturbing case has made headlines across the country, and with misinformation being spread on social media, the sheriff’s office held a press conference Monda
  
  Read more

• 26-year-old woman gives birth to baby who spent 24 years as a frozen embryo

  19-12-2017 19:28 via kxan.com
  KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – The longest-frozen embryo to be successfully implanted and delivered joined her East Tennessee family at the end of November, according to the University of Tennessee Preston Medical Library.
  The National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) says baby Emma Wren was born Nov. 25 to Benjamin and Tina Gibson.
  Emma was cryopreserved in 1992 before being transferred to Tina’s uterus earlier this year through frozen embryo transfer. Emma was originall
  
  Read more

• Texas inmate accused of sexually assaulting teacher

  19-12-2017 19:05 via kxan.com
  HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas prison inmate has been accused of sexually assaulting a teacher after she had taught a class at a penitentiary.
  The teacher says she had finished teaching at a classroom at the Ferguson Unit on Nov. 13 when the inmate, who was hiding behind a door after everyone had left, assaulted her.
  The teacher says there were no prison guards or any working cameras in the area where she was attacked.
  The prison system’s Office of the Inspector General has served
  
  Read more

• Texas GOP moves to dismiss Farenthold ballot lawsuit

  19-12-2017 19:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Republican Party has moved to dismiss a lawsuit it filed last week against the Secretary of State’s Office that originally aimed to remove U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas 27, from the March 2018 primary ballot. Farenthold announced Dec. 14 he would withdraw from the race amid verbal and sexual harassment allegations at his office.
  Farenthold’s announcement came after the formal deadline to withdraw, leading to the state party’s challenge of S
  
  Read more

• Police: Man who they shot stabbed his boyfriend about 10 times

  19-12-2017 18:56 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man who police say was stabbed approximately 10 times by his boyfriend lay in his own blood for more than five hours before police were notified of the crime.
  According to an arrest affidavit, on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 10:36 a.m., Quinton Anthony Wiles, 59, called 911 stating “some man is saying I have a gun and I’m going to use.” Another unidentified caller stated they believe Wiles “may be suicidal.”
  When an Austin police officer arrived at th
  
  Read more

• Rain forces Trail of Lights to close again Tuesday

  19-12-2017 18:33 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a soggy Tuesday morning, the organizers of Trail of Lights and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department decided to not open Trail of Lights Tuesday evening.
  The organization says Zilker Park is currently saturated from all the rain. According to the KXAN First Warning Weather Team, approximately 1.6 inches of rain has fallen in the Austin metro area since midnight.
  “In order to protect the community’s park land and the safety of event goers, the Austin P
  
  Read more

• Senior dance group will continue to groove despite city rental rate increase

  19-12-2017 18:01 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) said they were going to raise rates at its event facilities in 2018, seniors with the dancing group “Let’s Dance” were worried they would have to pass down the cost to its members who just wanted to have a good time dancing and socializing on Friday nights.
  However, the group was able to come to an agreement with PARD, which will now sponsor the group and its dances every Friday night.
  For years, the g
  
  Read more

• Tickets still available for Texas Bowl in Houston

  19-12-2017 17:26 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With eight days left until the Longhorns take the field at NRG Stadium to face-off against the Missouri Tigers, tickets to the Texas Bowl are still relatively cheap for those debating whether to go or not.
  Texas takes on Missouri at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27 in their 54th Bowl appearance in the school’s history. According to TicketOffices.com, the company that NRG Stadium uses for its ticket sales, the cheapest tickets in the “Grid Iron” section are sel
  
  Read more

• No new police contract after APA decides to not renegotiate right now

  19-12-2017 17:17 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police will officially not have a new contract by the end of the year, as a majority of officers supported the Austin Police Association’s decision to operate under a civil service law instead of renegotiating with the city council.
  After months of negotiations, last week Austin city council voted unanimously to reject the proposed police contract and send it back to the negotiating table. It said it wanted to consider a new proposal at the end of March. Howeve
  
  Read more

• No new police contract after APA decides to not renegotiate

  19-12-2017 17:17 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police will officially not have a new contract by the end of the year, as a majority of officers supported the Austin Police Association’s decision to operate under a civil service law instead of renegotiating with the city council.
  After months of negotiations, last week Austin city council voted unanimously to reject the proposed police contract and send it back to the negotiating table. It said it wanted to consider a new proposal at the end of March. Howeve
  
  Read more

• 5-year-old calls 911, afraid the Grinch would steal his Christmas

  19-12-2017 15:44 via kxan.com
  BYRAM, Miss. (WLBT) A 5-year-old Mississippi boy called 911 when he thought the Grinch was going to ruin his Christmas.
  Tylon Pittman, of Byram, was watching a video on his smartphone and did not like what he saw, so he decided to call the police. An officer responded to the call and showed up to the Pittman family home to assure Tylon that the Grinch would not ruin his Christmas.
  “He calls people all the time,” said Tylon’s mother Teresa Brown-Pittman. “If he gets y
  
  Read more

• Texas Rangers pitcher donates mansion to camp for children with disabilities

  19-12-2017 14:56 via kxan.com
  REEDS SPRING, Mo. (AP) – Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife, Heidi, are donating a mansion and 100 acres of land in southwest Missouri to charity that provides camps for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses and their siblings.
  The 32,000-square foot home will be donated to Camp Barnabas.
  The mansion and land is near Table Rock Lake near Reeds Springs. Heidi Hamels grew up in Buffalo, Missouri.
  The Springfield News-Leader reports an attorney for the couple said they
  
  Read more

• Report: NBC considers reviving ‘The Office’

  19-12-2017 14:31 via kxan.com
  COLUMBUS (WCMH) – NBC may be getting ready to launch a revival of ‘The Office’, TVLine reports.
  TVLine reported the revival would feature a mix of new and old cast members. Steve Carell will not be involved, according to TVLine’s sources.
  NBC did not comment to TVLine to confirm any details of the story.
  ‘’The Office,’ based on a BBC series of the same name, ran for nine seasons between 2005 and 2013. It followed the everyday lives of employees of t
  
  Read more

• Donald Trump joins Disney’s Hall of Presidents

  19-12-2017 14:11 via kxan.com
  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — An animatronic figure of Donald Trump has joined Disney’s Hall of Presidents in Florida.
  The Orlando Sentinel reports that a robotic facsimile of the 45th president of the United States stood front and slightly off-center Monday for the soft reopening of the long-running Walt Disney World attraction.
  The Trump figure moves his head during the traditional roll call of leaders, motions with his arms and gives a brief speech. A Disney spokeswoman says Trump recorded
  
  Read more

• Two Austin bike routes are the best in the nation

  19-12-2017 13:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pro-cycling group on Tuesday named two Austin routes to its 2017 list of Best New Bikeways in the U.S., the first time the city has been on the list since 2013, when Colorado-based PeopleForBikes started compiling it.
  The Mopac Mobility Bridge, which crosses Barton Creek and helps connect southwest Austin to the rest of the city, is No. 2 on the list, and the protected bike lane on Third Street downtown is No. 4 on the list.
  “Austin’s work connecting networks
  
  Read more

• Austin bike routes named two of nation’s best as city pushes alternatives to driving

  19-12-2017 13:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pro-cycling group on Tuesday named two Austin routes to its 2017 list of Best New Bikeways in the U.S., the first time the city has been on the list since 2013, when Colorado-based PeopleForBikes started compiling it.
  The Mopac Mobility Bridge, which crosses Barton Creek and helps connect southwest Austin to the rest of the city, is No. 2 on the list, and the protected bike lane on Third Street downtown is No. 4 on the list.
  “Austin’s work connecting networks
  
  Read more

• 28 AISD schools will be frozen to transfers for 2018-2019 year

  19-12-2017 13:30 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than two dozen Austin schools will not allow transfers for the next school year. The Austin Independent School District says all of these schools are expected to either meet or exceed their capacity.
  AISD said even priority transfer requests — such as those for siblings, tracking and majority-to-minority transfers — will not be available at these frozen schools and will only be accepted at schools that have space.
  Frozen high schools:
  Akins
  Bowie
  McCallum
  F
  
  Read more

• Sarah Palin’s son Track accused of assaulting his father

  19-12-2017 12:23 via kxan.com
  WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — Sarah Palin’s oldest son, Track, has been arraigned on charges that he assaulted his father at the family’s home in Alaska.
  Police were called to the home Saturday night, after Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, told police her son was “freaking out” and on some type of medication, according to an affidavit by Wasilla Police Officer Adam LaPointe.
  The affidavit states that Todd Palin was blee
  
  Read more

• Rain closures costly for Trail of Lights organizers

  19-12-2017 06:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Trail of Lights organizers say the rain Austin’s getting lately is putting a financial damper on this year’s event.
  The Trail of Lights Foundation was forced to close the lights show on Saturday due to rain and Sunday due to the ground still being saturated. Organizers say in some spots, there were six inches of standing water that had to be vacuumed out by pump trucks.
  “They suck the water off in heavily saturated areas, and we then put mulch on top of th
  
  Read more

• AISD gets $4.5M to offer mental health support for child crime victims

  19-12-2017 06:06 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District is drastically expanding mental health services to students.
  The Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor has awarded the district a grant totaling nearly $4.5 million to make it happen.
  Monday, AISD trustees approved a contract with Vida Clinic to provide the extra mental health support to the youngest children. AISD says it’s the only district in the state to get funds from this particular division.
  In 2011, the
  
  Read more

• Longhorns survive offensive struggle

  19-12-2017 05:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Matt Coleman made a driving shot in the lane with nine seconds left, enabling Texas to escape an upset attempt by Tennessee State 47-46 on Monday night.
  Dylan Osetkowski led Texas with 16 points, including back-to-back baskets late in the game, and Kerwin Roach II scored 12 for Texas (8-3).
  Christian Mekowulu led Tennessee State (5-5) with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Delano Spencer scored all 11 of his points in the second half. His 3-pointer gave the Tigers a 46-45 lea
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: Child in stroller caught up in Florida mall brawl

  19-12-2017 05:30 via kxan.com
  FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA/WBBH) – A brawl broke out at Edison Mall in Fort Myers on Sunday afternoon during the busy holiday shopping season.
  The graphic video shows a group of people punching and kicking one another, and a woman pushing a child’s stroller appears to kick one of the women in the head.
  She then leaves the baby off to the side as she goes running.
  Fort Myers police said they were called at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday for a disturbance of peace call at the mall. When officer
  
  Read more

• Amtrak train collides with semi truck in San Marcos

  19-12-2017 04:12 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — An Amtrak train and a semi truck collided in San Marcos, Monday evening.
  In video sent to KXAN, firefighters are seen at the Wonder World Drive train crossing just west of Interstate 35. An official on scene said it did not appear there were any injuries. A passenger on board the train said the train has not moved for more than an hour and it appeared crews were working to clear debris.
  A KXAN viewer took video of the crash around 8 p.m. The status of the train &
  
  Read more

• Possible scenarios if lawsuit to remove Rep. Farenthold from ballot fails

  19-12-2017 02:09 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Republican Party is suing the Texas secretary of state over U.S Rep. Blake Farenthold’s appearance on the March primary ballot.
  A federal judge is scheduled to hear the case Tuesday morning in an Austin court. The suit was filed late last week.
  Days after filing for re-election, Farenthold announced on Dec. 14 he would not run again, amid accusations of vulgar behavior in his office. His announcement came after the deadline to withdraw from contention f
  
  Read more

• Benefit concert tickets for fallen San Marcos officer’s family selling quickly

  19-12-2017 01:52 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A popular band is planning a benefit concert for the family of the San Marcos police officer who was shot and killed earlier this month. Blue October will be taking the stage in San Marcos on Thursday.
  The event is promoted as an extended acoustic set by the band. To put on a concert like this promoters say they usually like to have at least three months to prepare. But considering the circumstances, they are putting together a show in less than two weeks.
  Within
  
  Read more

• When is force necessary? Austin police chief details what officers should do

  19-12-2017 01:13 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the second time in three days, Austin police officers shot a knife wielding suspect. The latest was Sunday on Greenhill Place in west Austin. KXAN wanted to know more from Chief of Police Brian Manley about their use of force policies — what the department calls “response to resistance.”
  “Because I think that really conveys a message to our officers that the only time you should use force is to overcome someone’s resistance,” said APD
  
  Read more

• Natural gas smell prompts dozens of complaints across Central Texas

  19-12-2017 00:25 via kxan.com
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – Area fire departments say they have been receiving numerous calls all weekend regarding a natural gas smell, but say they never found any reason to be concerned.
  Callers describe it as a “rotten eggs” smell connected to natural gas. The Kyle Fire Department usually receives one or two calls a month about the smell. Last week alone they received around a dozen.
  “That’s a lot more than normal,” said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Vasil.
  Vasil say
  
  Read more

• Natural gas smell prompts dozens of complaints

  19-12-2017 00:25 via kxan.com
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – Area fire departments say they have been receiving numerous calls all weekend regarding a natural gas smell, but say they never found any reason to be concerned.
  Callers describe it as a “rotten eggs” smell connected to natural gas. The Kyle Fire Department usually receives one or two calls a month about the smell. Last week alone they received around a dozen.
  “That’s a lot more than normal,” said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Vasil.
  Vasil say
  
  Read more

• East Texas teen charged with murder of high school football player

  19-12-2017 00:11 via kxan.com
  HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — An East Texas teenager has been charged with murder.
  According to Hopkins County judicial records, Gavin Gilbert, 17, of Sulphur Springs, has been charged with one count of murder and four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
  Although officials say it’s very early in the investigation, the HCSO received a call around 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, on reports of a shooting. Officials say Gilbert reportedly met Tyrese Pryor, 18, of Sulphur Sprin
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!