Austin news

• Russian airliner crashes moments after takeoff, killing 71

  11-02-2018 23:58 via kxan.com
  MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian airliner that had just taken off from the country’s second-busiest airport crashed Sunday, killing all 71 people aboard and scattering jagged chunks of wreckage across a snowy field outside Moscow.
  The pilots of the An-148 regional jet did not report any problems before the twin-engine aircraft plunged into the field about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Domodedovo Airport, authorities said.
  The Saratov Airlines flight disappeared from radar just minutes after d
  
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• Professor replaced after insisting Australia isn’t a country

  11-02-2018 23:52 via kxan.com
  MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — An online adjunct professor incorrectly told a student that Australia isn’t a country and gave her a failing grade, prompting Southern New Hampshire University to replace the instructor.
  Buzzfeed News reports that the 27-year-old student in Idaho was assigned to compare American social norms to that of another country. She chose to study social media use in Australia, but the professor gave her a zero on that portion of the assignment, saying Australia is a co
  
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• Trump to unveil $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan

  11-02-2018 23:36 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday will unveil his long-awaited infrastructure plan, a $1.5 trillion proposal that fulfills a number of campaign goals, but relies heavily on state and local governments to produce much of the funding.
  The administration’s plan is centered on using $200 billion in federal money to leverage local and state tax dollars to fix America’s infrastructure, such as roads, highways, ports and airports.
  “Every federal dollar should be
  
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• Fast-moving brush fire threatens homes in Florence; officials temporarily ask for evacuations

  11-02-2018 22:48 via kxan.com
  FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN) – Some residents in Florence were asked to evacuate their homes as a precaution as a fast-moving brush fire fed by wind sped by, said the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
  The evacuations for homes along County Road 220 took place shortly before 2 p.m., but the danger had passed by 3:20 p.m. and residents were allowed back in, an official said.
  No homes have been damaged in the fire.
  The fire burned about 75-100 acres and fire departments from Leander, George
  
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• Fast-moving brush fire in Florence 100 percent contained

  11-02-2018 22:48 via kxan.com
  FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN) – Some residents in Florence were asked to evacuate their homes as a precaution as a fast-moving brush fire fed by wind sped by, said the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
  The evacuations for homes along County Road 220 took place shortly before 2 p.m., but the danger had passed by 3:20 p.m. and residents were allowed back in, an official said.
  The fire was 100 percent contained by 5:25 p.m., crews on the ground told KXAN.
  No homes were damaged in the fire. T
  
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• PHOTOS: It’s not rain, but thundersleet!

  11-02-2018 19:57 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Sunday afternoon, people heard thunder and then saw sleet — leading to what meteorologists call “thundersleet.” It’s a real term! PHOTOS: Hail falling across Central TexasKXAN photo of hail in Pflugerville (KXAN photo) Hail in the Pflugerville/Hutto area on Feb. 11, 2018. (Report It: Nicole Hohensee A cupful of hail in central Austin on Feb. 11, 2018. (Report It: Gretchen Doyle) KXAN Viewer David Connolly sent us this picture of hail in the Circle
  
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• PHOTOS: Freezing rain, sleet AND hail, we saw it all!

  11-02-2018 19:57 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Sunday afternoon, people heard thunder and then saw a mix of sleet, graupel and hail — leading to what meteorologists are calling a rare spring-like storm…during freezing weather! PHOTOS: Hail falling across Central TexasKXAN photo of hail in Pflugerville (KXAN photo) Hail in the Pflugerville/Hutto area on Feb. 11, 2018. (Report It: Nicole Hohensee A cupful of hail in central Austin on Feb. 11, 2018. (Report It: Gretchen Doyle) KXAN Viewer David Connolly sen
  
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• Moped of man who was hit, killed by suspected drunk driver was lodged under car

  11-02-2018 18:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is dead and a 21-year-old woman is in jail after police say she hit and killed the man on Red River Street while driving home drunk early Friday morning.
  According to an arrest affidavit, Olivia Gruwell admitted to drinking six to nine alcoholic drinks at various bars in Austin before driving home. Police say around 3 a.m. the victim was traveling northbound on a moped. Gruwell was also traveling northbound on Red River Street in her Jeep when she struck the moped fro
  
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• Moped of man hit, killed by suspected drunk driver was lodged under car

  11-02-2018 18:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is dead and a 21-year-old woman is in jail after police say she hit and killed the man on Red River Street while driving home drunk early Friday morning.
  According to an arrest affidavit, Olivia Gruwell admitted to drinking six to nine alcoholic drinks at various bars in Austin before driving home. Police say around 3 a.m. the victim was traveling northbound on a moped. Gruwell was also traveling northbound on Red River Street in her Jeep when she allegedly struck the
  
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• Roundabout on I-35 at 51st street opens, working as planned

  11-02-2018 16:21 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin’s newest and biggest roundabout opened Saturday afternoon.
  Traffic signals are removed and officers will be on site to direct traffic through the new intersection. However, only one lane is currently open at the southbound Interstate 35 at 51st Street roundabout. The project, started in October 2016, is expected to be completed in spring 2018 with the opening of the second lane.
  Residents who live near the roundabout say they have been keeping a close eye
  
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• UT Police: Person stabbed during fight on University of Texas campus

  11-02-2018 16:01 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas Police are investigating after a person was stabbed early Saturday morning on 20th Street and San Jacinto Boulevard.
  UTPD received the call around 3:15 a.m. of a fight near the recreation center on campus. They say the fight was between a UT student and a non UT affiliate who know each other. Police say both of the people involved were taken into custody.
  UTPD responded to a fight between a UT student and a non UT affiliate who know each other, at 20
  
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• Person stabbed during fight on University of Texas campus

  11-02-2018 16:01 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas Police are investigating after a person was stabbed early Sunday morning on 20th Street and San Jacinto Boulevard.
  UTPD received the call around 3:15 a.m. of a fight near the recreation center on campus. They initially said the fight was between a UT student and a non UT affiliate who know each other but after further investigation they said both people were not UT affiliates. Police say both of the people involved were taken into custody.
  UTPD respo
  
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• Let them eat chips! Thousands of women to eat snack in public protest

  11-02-2018 16:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bunch of women plan to head to the Texas Capitol Sunday and eat crunchy chips in public, lick their fingers and maybe pour the crumbs at the bottom of the bag into their mouths.
  It’s an event that has spiraled in popularity over the last few days, firing back at a recent comment by PepsiCo Inc’s CEO Indra Nooyi on the Freakonomics Radio podcast suggesting that women don’t like the messiness and loud crunch of typical chips. After that comm
  
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• Let them eat chips! Dozens of women eat snack in public protest

  11-02-2018 16:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dozens of women headed to the Texas Capitol Sunday and ate crunchy chips in public, licked their fingers and maybe poured the crumbs at the bottom of the bag into their mouths.
  It was an event that saw lots of online popularity over the last few days, firing back at a recent comment by PepsiCo Inc’s CEO Indra Nooyi on the Freakonomics Radio podcast suggesting that women don’t like the messiness and loud crunch of typical chips. After that comment,
  
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• State of Texas: Cracking down on sexual predators

  11-02-2018 15:30 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced a set of policy proposals to strengthen reporting protocols for sexual harassment in the workplace. One part of the plan targets allegations of misconduct by lawmakers at the Capitol. The Governor’s plan would put the Texas Rangers in charge of those criminal investigations.
  “Putting these claims in the hands of the Texas Rangers will ensure that allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment are fair an
  
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• Redmond Gerard snags first gold for U.S.

  11-02-2018 15:21 via kxan.com
  Redmond Gerard of the United States snags the first golf for United States. Gerard competes during the Snowboard Men’s Slopestyle Final on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Phoenix Snow Park on February 11, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. Redmond Gerard snags first gold for U.S.(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (Photo b
  
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• Team Korea’s Olympic house offers unique glimpse into Korean culture

  11-02-2018 15:20 via kxan.com
  PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (WCMH) — A unique glimpse inside Korean culture lies right next to the busiest area of the Gangneung Olympic Park: the Team Korea House.
  [WATCH VIDEO: Tap or click here to launch video]
  It’s not unusual for individual countries to have their own team houses at the Olympics. Known as hospitality houses, most are open to the public, and they are all different. Team Korea’s house lies right next to the ice rinks that are home to hockey, curling, figure ska
  
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• Chris Mazdzer wins historic silver, the first U.S. men’s singles luge medal ever

  11-02-2018 14:32 via kxan.com
  Erin Hamlin did it four years ago. Today, it was Chris Mazdzer’s turn. Mazdzer put together two phenomenal runs to climb from fourth to third in runs 3 and 4 to win the silver medal in men’s singles luge — the first men’s singles luge medal in U.S. history. He ended a 54-year drought for Team USA.
  Mazdzer, the 29-year-old from Pittsfield, Mass., finished behind Austria’s David Gleirscher, who won a shocking gold as Germany’s Felix Loch faltered
  
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• Grand Canyon helicopter crash ‘horrible’; 4 rescued, 3 dead

  11-02-2018 14:18 via kxan.com
  GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Four survivors of a deadly tour helicopter crash onto the jagged rocks of the Grand Canyon were being treated at a Nevada hospital on Sunday while crews tackled difficult terrain in a very remote area to try to recover the bodies of three other people.
  Six passengers and a pilot were on board the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters chopper when it crashed under unknown circumstances on Saturday evening on the Hualapai Nation’s land near Quarterm
  
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• 4 survivors of tour helicopter crash in Grand Canyon rescued

  11-02-2018 14:18 via kxan.com
  GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Four survivors of a tour helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon were airlifted to a Nevada hospital Sunday while crews were recovering the bodies of three others, authorities said.
  Six passengers and a pilot were on board the Papillion Grand Canyon Helicopters chopper when it crashed under unknown circumstances around 5:20 p.m. Saturday on the Hualapai Nation near Quartermaster Canyon, which is near the Grand Canyon’s West Rim.
  Hualapai Nation P
  
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• 3 dead in tour helicopter crash at Grand Canyon

  11-02-2018 14:18 via kxan.com
  PHOENIX (AP) — A tour helicopter carrying seven people on board crashed in the Grand Canyon, killing three people and injuring four others.
  Six passengers and a pilot were on board the Papillion Grand Canyon Helicopters chopper when it crashed around 5:20 p.m. Saturday on the Hualapai Nation near Quartermaster Canyon, Hualapai Nation Police Chief Francis Bradley said. The four who were injured were level 1 trauma patients and were being treated at the scene.
  An after-hours phone call and e
  
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• 3 dead, 4 rescued after Grand Canyon helicopter crash

  11-02-2018 14:18 via kxan.com
  PHOENIX (AP) — Four survivors of a deadly tour helicopter crash onto the jagged rocks of the Grand Canyon were being treated at a Nevada hospital Sunday while crews tackled difficult terrain in a remote area to try to recover the bodies of three other people.
  Six passengers and a pilot were on board the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters chopper when it crashed under unknown circumstances Saturday evening on the Hualapai Nation’s land near Quartermaster Canyon, by the Grand Canyon&rsq
  
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• Whoops! Wardrobe malfunction mars Olympic debut for ice dancers

  11-02-2018 06:44 via kxan.com
  GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) – Five seconds into your Olympic debut, you suffer a wardrobe malfunction. What do you do? Keep your shoulders back and keep smiling.
  That’s exactly what happened to South Korean ice dancers Yura Min and Alexander Gamelin during their performance in Sunday’s team event. A hook on the back of Min’s red dress slid loose, threatening to reveal rather more than it already did.
  “I know that if this comes undone, then the whole thing is going t
  
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• City hosts open house on Anderson Mill Road mobility project

  11-02-2018 04:38 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Things may start to look a lot different for drivers in north Austin in a few years.
  The city’s transportation department held an open house Saturday to update the public on big changes for Anderson Mill Road between Spicewood Springs and US Highway 183.
  The city is in the design and permitting phase of the project now, and construction is expected to start in 2020.
  Among the changes could be new sidewalks and medians along with changes for bicycles.
  “The bigges
  
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• Pets take center stage in two colorful benefits

  11-02-2018 04:29 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People aren’t the only ones hoping to spend Valentine’s day with a companion.
  Austin Pets Alive hosted an event to match animals with a human partner at The ABGB in south Austin.
  There was live music, a kissing booth, even doggie speed dating.
  They’re focusing on their pups that have had a hard time finding their forever home.
  If you adopt one of these dogs, Austin Pets Alive will offer free behavior assistance to help your pet thrive in his or her new hom
  
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• Unmarked police car rear-ended at stop sign in east Austin; 2 officers injured

  11-02-2018 00:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A car rear-ended an unmarked Austin Police vehicle in East Austin Saturday afternoon, the Austin Police Department said.
  It happened at about 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of East 5th Street and Tillery Street east of North Pleasant Valley Road, police said.
  Police said the two officers were stopped at the intersection when the second car struck their car from behind.
  They suffered minor injuries – one officer complained of neck pain and the other back pain. They were
  
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• Two APD officers injured when driver rear-ends unmarked patrol car

  11-02-2018 00:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A car rear-ended an unmarked Austin Police vehicle in East Austin Saturday afternoon, the Austin Police Department said.
  It happened at about 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of East 5th Street and Tillery Street east of North Pleasant Valley Road, police said.
  Police said the two officers were stopped at the intersection when the second car struck their car from behind.
  They suffered minor injuries – one officer complained of neck pain and the other back pain. They were
  
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• Police vehicle rear-ended in east Austin; 2 officers with minor injuries

  11-02-2018 00:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A vehicle rear-ended an Austin Police patrol vehicle in East Austin Saturday afternoon, the Austin Police Department said.
  It happened at about 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of East 5th Street and Tillery Street east of North Pleasant Valley Road, police said.
  They said that the police vehicle may have been in an unmarked unit. There were two officers inside who suffered minor injuries – one with neck pain and the other with back pain.
  It was unclear if their injuries
  
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• No pants, no problem! … in 6th annual Cupid’s Undie Run

  11-02-2018 00:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Hundreds of Austinites left their house without their pants today and it was all for a good cause.
  They ran through downtown streets in their underwear to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
  The idea behind what’s called Cupid’s Undie Run is to raise awareness for the 1 in 3,000 children who are affected by Neurofibromatosis.
  It’s a cause that’s close to the hearts of many who participated, including Ross Wilson who did it for his
  
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• Asbestos documentary spurs fight to unseal deposition in Travis County

  11-02-2018 00:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 20 years after a deposition at the center of an asbestos lawsuit was sealed, a Dallas lawyer is still fighting to learn just what those documents contain.
  Last year, a Travis County court ruled that it didn’t have jurisdiction to unseal the documents lawyer Christine Biederman wanted to see. Biederman said a source told her the documents in that case, initially filed in 1993, could contradict testimony given in a separate asbestos case.
  She’s also lear
  
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