Austin news

• Passerby helps rescue couple from Manor house fire

  22-12-2017 23:14 via kxan.com
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — A woman in a wheelchair and her husband managed to escape a fire that ripped through their Manor home thanks to the help of a good Samaritan who drove by and saw the smoke.
  The fire started around 2:14 p.m. Friday at a home in the 12800 block of New Katy Lane. The Austin Fire Department was called in to help the Manor Fire Department.
  Alex and Christine, who live inside the home, said they were able to get out safely because of the passerby.
  
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• DPS to cut retire/rehire program which will eliminate 117 troopers

  22-12-2017 22:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety wants to cut the agency’s retire/rehire program for commissioned officers as a way to slash its budget.
  While an official memo to the media has not been sent, KXAN obtained a letter DPS Director Steven McCraw sent out regarding the “layoffs.” The Texas State Troopers Association also confirmed to KXAN the letter was sent by McCraw.
  In the letter, it states the DPS proposed to the Public Safety Commission (which had a r
  
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• Driver killed in southeast Austin crash identified

  22-12-2017 21:47 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man who died when he lost control and crashed into a wall on Burton Drive Thursday morning has been identified as Shane Goldstein, 33.
  Austin police say Goldstein was driving southbound on Burton Drive, near East Oltorf Street, at a high rate of speed around 1:30 a.m. when he ran off the road and crashed. Goldstein died at the scene.
  No one else was injured in the crash.
  
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• Elderly couple says 60 pounds of pot was for presents

  22-12-2017 20:04 via kxan.com
  YORK, Neb. (AP) — An elderly couple who was arrested in Nebraska with 60 pounds of marijuana in their truck told officers that the drugs were meant to be Christmas presents.
  The York News-Times reports the couple were arrested Tuesday by the York County Sheriff’s Department after they were stopped for a traffic violation.
  Officers found the bags of marijuana in the Toyota Tacoma driven by the 83-year-old man, identified as Patrick Jiron, and 80-year-old woman. They said they were dri
  
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• Cautious Texas among last states to OK medical marijuana

  22-12-2017 19:51 via kxan.com
  MANCHACA, Texas (AP) — When California rings in the new year with the sale of recreational pot for the first time, Texas will be tiptoeing into its own marijuana milestone: a medical cannabis program so restrictive that doubts swirl over who will even use it.
  Texas is the last big state to allow some form of medical marijuana, albeit an oil extract so low in the psychoactive component, THC, that it couldn’t get a person high. Though it might seem that Texas policymakers have softened
  
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• Video: Train crew not using electronic devices before crash

  22-12-2017 19:42 via kxan.com
  SEATTLE (AP) — Video from the cab of the Amtrak train that hurtled off the tracks in Washington state, killing three people and injuring dozens, shows that the engineer did not appear to be using a cellphone or any other personal electronic device just before the derailment, federal investigators said Friday.
  The video and audio captured from a camera facing inside the cab also revealed that the engineer was heard commenting about the train’s speed just before the train crashed while
  
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• Dozens of kids sport new bikes thanks to Hispanic Contractor’s Association

  22-12-2017 19:06 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN)– Dozens of children in Austin received a brand new bicycle for Christmas thanks to the Hispanic Contractor’s Association.
  On Friday, the kids picked up their bikes with the help of the Austin Police Department.
  Two children with their new bikes, courtesy of the Hispanic Contractor’s Association and the Austin Police Department. (KXAN Photo/Julie Karam)A child with their new bike courtesy of the Hispanic Contractor’s Association and the Austin Police Departme
  
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• 3 Longhorns suspended, won’t play in Texas Bowl

  22-12-2017 18:55 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three Longhorns have been suspended and won’t play in the Texas Bowl, according to an email sent out by the University of Texas at Austin.
  The school says junior tight end Garrett Gray, sophomore wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and freshman running back Toneil Carter have all been suspended for violating team rules. Coach Tom Herman announced the suspensions Friday morning.
  Texas take on the Missouri Tigers in Houston on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at the NRG Stadium.
  
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• ‘WhataChristmas’ house in Houston celebrates all things Whataburger

  22-12-2017 18:36 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — The Whataburger love at one Houston family’s home is being publicly shown in their holiday light display.
  The Pennebaker’s home on Bayland Avenue in the Heights neighborhood is decked out in orange lights and has “WhataChristmas” adorned on the front.
  KPRC reports Matt and his wife, Lyndsay, have been Whataburger fans for as long as they can remember. This is the third year the family has dressed up their home with the “WhataChristmas” t
  
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• Trump to sign $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package

  22-12-2017 18:25 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s getting ready to sign into law a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package. It provides generous cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans and smaller ones for the middle class and low-income families.
  Trump tweeted that he’ll sign the law in the Oval Office before jetting off to his Florida estate for Christmas.
  It is the first major overhaul of the nation’s tax laws since 1986, but far from the largest tax cuts in Ame
  
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• Pflugerville shelter dog transforms into narcotics K-9

  22-12-2017 18:18 via kxan.com
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) —  When a family adopted a 2-year-old pit bull from the Pflugerville Animal Shelter and realized she was too much dog for them, the shelter didn’t put her back on the adoption list, but rather decided to put her into training courses and make her a K-9.
  Through a partnership with Starmark Academy, Coco spent there months getting basic and advanced obedience training as well as scent detection. Once she she completed that training, the Pflugerville Anim
  
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• 6-year-old killed by stray bullet when Bexar Co. deputies opened fire identified

  22-12-2017 17:48 via kxan.com
  SCHERTZ, Texas (KXAN) — A little boy shot and killed when Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies opened fire on a burglary suspect at a mobile home park in Schertz has been identified.
  The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms Kameron Prescott, 6, died on Thursday afternoon. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar originally said the victim was 7 years old. 
  The incident started on Thursday around 11 a.m. when a car was reported stolen in the area of Farm to Market 1518 and
  
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• Apple sued after news that it intentionally slows down older iPhones

  22-12-2017 17:43 via kxan.com
  COLUMBUS (WCMH/NBC News) — Apple is being sued after it admitted to slowing down older iPhone models to keep them running longer.
  California residents Stefan Bogdanovich and Dakota Speas filed the class action lawsuit. They claim Apple never requested consent from them to “slow down their iPhones.”
  Both plaintiffs are owners of an iPhone 7.
  The lawsuit claims the plantiffs “suffered interferences to their iPhone usage due to the intentional slowdowns” which cau
  
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• Buyer beware: Gift cards can be vulnerable to hacking

  22-12-2017 17:34 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK CITY (NBC News) — Even Santa is exhausted from rounding up gifts in time for Christmas, and for those of us without the help of elves, gift cards are an easy last minute option.
  But, buyer beware.
  Cybersecurity expert Jim Stickley says it can be easy to steal gift card information and drain the balance.
  “Not only can I hack those, but also the cards that are for sale right now, I can hack those when they become activated, drain the funds from them as well,” he warns.
  W
  
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• Families unite after sentimental teddy bear stolen

  22-12-2017 16:58 via kxan.com
  HUDSONVILLE, Mich (WOOD) — A Hudsonville family says they’ve received a Christmas miracle.
  Last weekend, a teddy bear was stolen during a car break-in. It was more than just a toy — it had huge value to a 19-year-old woman named Grace. The community gave that bear to her as a child when her brother died. Now, another member of the community stepped up to help her again. In an emotional moment, a family gave her another bear this week.
  It’s not the exact bear that was stol
  
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• Credit card skimmer found in Georgetown

  22-12-2017 16:38 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Officials removed a credit card skimmer from a gas pump in Georgetown Thursday.
  Officials say the skimmer was at a pump outside the Berry Creek Food Store at 30713 Chi Chi Dr. Texas Department of Agriculture inspectors responded to the scene and Georgetown police worked to remove the devices and follow up. The Department of Agriculture says the fuel station was not aware of the skimmer and isn’t implicated in any illegal activity related to the device.
  Cust
  
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• Florida, Texas may attract athletes after tax law change

  22-12-2017 15:56 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — Teams in Texas, Florida, Nevada and Washington state may have become more attractive destinations for free agents following the enactment of tax law changes.
  Deductions for state and local taxes are capped at $10,000 in the year starting Jan. 1 for married couples filing jointly. That has a huge impact for athletes with seven- and eight-figure salaries.
  “Obviously, the zero income-tax states have now more of an advantage than before,” said baseball agent Scott B
  
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• 12-year-old sets a goal to get healthy, loses 43 pounds in 8 months

  22-12-2017 15:25 via kxan.com
  KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – If you’re planning to get healthy as part of your New Year’s resolution, this story might provide just the inspiration you need.
  A 12-year-old Knoxville girl has lost 43 pounds over the past eight months. No one shamed her, no one told her to lose weight. She just decided to do it on her own.
  Her name is Abigail Trempe. She works out hard at Lakeshore Park three times a week, with the support and encouragement of her dad, David Trempe, a local minister
  
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• Man accused of beating 5-year-old who opened Christmas present early

  22-12-2017 13:46 via kxan.com
  OKMULGEE, OK (WCMH) – An Oklahoma man is facing charges after police say he beat his girlfriend’s five-year-old son because the child opened a Christmas present early.
  KJRH reports the mother’s boyfriend was watching her children while she went Christmas shopping over the weekend. When she got home, she saw bruises on the child’s arms and back, welts on his forehead and what appeared to be a handprint on his cheek.
  Wesley McCollum, 25, is accused of beating a boy who open
  
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• Don’t have a tree yet? Don’t panic, but don’t expect much left

  22-12-2017 13:18 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you haven’t gotten your Christmas tree yet, don’t panic. Despite a shortage around central Texas this year, there are still trees available — just maybe not quite the size or shape you were hoping for.
  “We saw this tent as we were driving down the highway and we said, ‘Hey, come and see if we can get something,'” Rob Kidd, a local musician, said Thursday morning, just after buying one of the last trees from the Papa Noel lot in Oak Hil
  
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• Hundreds crowd through Dallas Love Field TSA after fire alarm evacuation

  22-12-2017 13:03 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Busy holiday travel hub Dallas Love Field has reopened after hundreds of passengers evacuated when a fire alarm sounded in the terminal.
  Around 4:33 a.m. the alarm went off after an over-heated component in an AC unit created smoke. The airport said Dallas Fire Rescue had completed a thorough inspection and fixed the issue in 20 minutes.
  Passengers forced to leave the area posted photos and videos of those waiting outside before 5 a.m. Around 5:28 a.m. the airport twee
  
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• Dallas Love Field reopens after fire evacuation

  22-12-2017 13:03 via kxan.com
  APP USERS: Tap the image above to start the live streamDALLAS (KXAN) — Busy holiday travel hub Dallas Love Field has reopened after hundreds of passengers evacuated when a fire alarm sounded in the terminal.
  Around 4:33 a.m. the alarm went off after an over-heated component in an AC unit created smoke. The airport said Dallas Fire Rescue had completed a thorough inspection and fixed the issue in 20 minutes.
  Passengers forced to leave the area posted photos and videos of those waiting
  
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• US official says rape and abortion both forms of violence

  22-12-2017 12:26 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (AP) — The government official in charge of the agency that shelters unaccompanied immigrant children says in a newly-released document that abortion and rape are both forms of “violence.”
  Scott Lloyd heads the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which faces an ongoing lawsuit over its refusal to allow teens in its care to have abortions.
  A court document Thursday includes a memo in which Lloyd explains why he would not ap
  
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• Two Cavaliers sign with Texas, Ohio State in early signing period

  22-12-2017 05:14 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Four days before they play for their second straight state championship, and seventh overall, two Cavaliers signed their letters of intent to play college football.
  Despite actually signing on Wednesday, the start of the new, early signing period, Lake Travis held a special ceremony on Thursday for Matthew Baldwin and Cameron Dicker.
  Baldwin, who signed with Ohio State, is in his first and only season as a starting quarterback for the Cavs. This year, he’s thrown for
  
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• Williamson County to train local deputies in federal jail immigration duties

  22-12-2017 04:51 via kxan.com
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office will train some of their deputies in federal immigration procedures to participate in a controversial program.
  The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement to perform immigration duties. Sheriff Robert Chody says deputies will only participate in the program in the jail. Before this, only federal agents were allowed to perform immigration duties.
  “Essentially, the 287(g) program allows us to be more suf
  
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• In a good sign for city, last-minute shoppers swarm San Marcos outlets

  22-12-2017 02:33 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The rush is on to wrap up Christmas shopping. Outlet malls in Central Texas are bustling, a good sign for San Marcos after the city reported a bit of a struggle with sales earlier this year.
  Everyone has their own approach when it comes to Christmas shopping. “Once I buy things I don’t like going back and returning it,” said San Marcos shopper Isaiha Doucet. “In my opinion, in-person is the best way to do any Christmas shopping or shopping
  
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• Papa John’s founder exiting as CEO weeks after NFL comments

  22-12-2017 02:03 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — Papa John’s founder John Schnatter will step down as CEO next month, about two months after he criticized the NFL leadership over national anthem protests by players — comments for which the company later apologized.
  Schnatter will be replaced as chief executive by Chief Operating Officer Steve Ritchie on Jan. 1, the company announced Thursday. Schnatter, who appears in the chain’s commercials and on its pizza boxes, remains chairman of the board. He is al
  
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• RM 620 widening costs will trickle down to many water bills

  22-12-2017 01:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting in January, Water Control and Improvement District 17 customers around Lake Travis will feel a slight rise in their monthly rate.
  The water district is adding a $5 monthly fee to customers’ bills, to help pay for the cost of moving utility lines as part of a Texas Department of Transportation project on Ranch to Market 620.
  In November, WCID 17 sent out letters to customers, notifying them of the change. The water district also held a public informational mee
  
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• Rockdale Tigers take home state championship!

  22-12-2017 01:09 via kxan.com
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — Forty-one years. That’s how long it took the Rockdale Tigers to take a state championship title back to the small town in Milam County.
  The Tigers beat the Brock Eagles 45-29 during Thursday afternoon’s game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
  Since the team won the 3A Division 1 title, that means the “Victory V” sign at the stadium in Rockdale will stay lit for another year. The lighted sign was started to honor Matt Lehmkuhl, a player&rsquo
  
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• House GOP unveils $81B disaster relief for hurricanes, fires

  22-12-2017 00:27 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Monday unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid package to help hurricane-ravaged communities and states hit by wildfires, almost double the amount requested by President Donald Trump.
  GOP leaders promised a vote this week on the measure, which would bring the total provided in response to this year’s devastating round of hurricanes to more than $130 billion — exceeding the cost to taxpayers of Hurricane Katrina.
  The emergency aid would provid
  
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• Gas leak at Westgate shopping center forces evacuation

  22-12-2017 00:14 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One business in the Westgate shopping center in south Austin has been evacuated due to a gas leak in the area.
  The Austin Fire Department said a 4-inch gas line was struck around 4:30 p.m. Thursday. As crews work to repair the line, firefighters decided to evacuate one of the businesses in the immediate area of 2555 Western Trails.
  A call to Central Market indicated the business was not impacted by the gas leak.
  Gas leak at the Westgate shopping center in south Austin on De
  
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• 7-year-old killed when deputies opened fire on suspect near San Antonio

  22-12-2017 00:03 via kxan.com
  SCHERTZ, Texas (KXAN) — A 7-year-old boy was killed in a San Antonio suburb Thursday when four Bexar County deputies opened fire on a suspect with outstanding felony warrants outside of San Antonio.
  Authorities were looking for a female suspect in her 30s involved in a vehicle theft around Farm to Market 1518 and Schaefer Road in the town of Schertz, northeast of San Antonio and next to Randolph Air Force Base.
  When found by a deputy hiding in a closet, she allegedly told the deputy that s
  
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• 7-year-old killed in shootout between suspect and deputies near San Antonio

  22-12-2017 00:03 via kxan.com
  SCHERTZ, Texas (KXAN) — A 7-year-old boy was killed in a San Antonio suburb Thursday during a shootout between a woman and four Bexar County deputies, according to WOAI. The suspect was killed in the shootout.
  Authorities were looking for a female suspect involved in a vehicle theft around Farm to Market 1518 and Schaefer Road in the town of Schertz, northeast of San Antonio and next to Randolph Air Force Base.
  The San Antonio NBC affiliate reports she was trying to break into a trailer ho
  
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