Austin news

• Texas Public Safety to start tracking troopers’ weight

  09-03-2018 23:35 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Department of Public Safety will begin recording the height, weight and waistlines of its more than 4,000 troopers during their routine physical readiness tests.
  The Dallas Morning News reports that the measurement recording starting this month is part of the department’s new obesity data collection program. Department official Skylor Hearn wrote to officers last week that obesity “significantly detracts from an officer’s command presence and negat
  
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• Police haven’t reached gunman with hostages at veterans home

  09-03-2018 22:46 via kxan.com
  YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A gunman slipped into an employee going-away party at the largest veterans home in the United States and took three people hostage Friday in a standoff that has kept the sprawling California grounds locked down for hours, authorities and family members said.
  Officials said the hostages’ conditions were not known because they had not contacted the gunman after several hours. They know who he is but didn’t reveal his identity or know the motive for the a
  
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• Gunman in California vet center killings was former patient

  09-03-2018 22:46 via kxan.com
  YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — The gunman who killed three people who work for a California program that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder was kicked out of the program, a relative of one victim said Friday.
  Albert Wong, 36, was identified as the man who went to The Pathway House therapy center on the sprawling campus of the largest veterans homes in the country and took a psychologist and two executives hostage, authorities said.
  Wong slipped into a going-away party for two em
  
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• 3 hostages, gunman found dead in California veterans home

  09-03-2018 22:46 via kxan.com
  YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Three workers for a program that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder were found dead Friday along with the suspect who took them hostage in a daylong standoff at the largest veterans home in the U.S., officials said.
  The bodies of the four were discovered nearly eight hours after the gunman slipped into an employee going-away party in a building where combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan receive treatment, said California Highway Patrol Assistant
  
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• 19-year-old shot and killed during drug deal in The Domain, police say

  09-03-2018 22:10 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 19-year-old gunned down in a parking lot outside DICK’S Sporting Goods in The Domain shopping mall Tuesday afternoon has been identified by the Austin Police Department.
  Officers rushed to 3210 Kramer Ln. after a 911 call reported shots fired at around 4:47 p.m. Adam Shorter was found with critical injuries and taken to Round Rock Medical Center by Austin-Travis County EMS medics. He died from his injuries at the hospital at 6:23 p.m.
  Homicide detectives believe t
  
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• VIDEO: High-speed chase of stolen motorcycle in Dallas

  09-03-2018 21:55 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (KXAN) — A high-speed motorcycle chase came to a peaceful end in Dallas, almost an hour after it started.
  NBC affiliate KXAS reports the motorcycle was stolen in Dallas and police began the chase in Seagoville, a suburb southeast of Dallas, after 1:30 p.m. Friday.
  The three-city chase through Seagoville and Balch Springs returned to Dallas and was heading to downtown when the suspect pulled into a gas station and sat on his motorcycle until he was arrested by police on Buckner Boule
  
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• Man shot to death at east Austin apartment complex identified

  09-03-2018 21:55 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man who was shot to death at the Reserve at Springdale Apartments in east Austin Monday morning has been identified by police as 20-year-old Damarcio V. White.
  Austin police say White was found shot to death around 6:25 a.m. at the apartments located at 5605 Springdale Rd. Homicide detectives are currently interviewing witnesses but no suspect has been identified at this time.
  Investigators do not believe there is threat to the public in regards to this incident.
  Anyone w
  
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• Take a tour of 99 Ranch Market that just opened in north Austin

  09-03-2018 20:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new grocery option arrived in Austin at the beginning of March and is holding a grand opening Saturday.
  99 Ranch Market’s first Austin store is at 6929 Airport Boulevard, near where it crosses Lamar Boulevard and close to rail lines. The chain already has 5 stores in Texas, with a total of 48 nationwide, according to marketing specialist Ruoqi Liao. He said the Airport location was ideal because it’s still easily accessible from downtown and the University of
  
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• PHOTOS: See inside Austin’s first 99 Ranch Market

  09-03-2018 20:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — From produce to fresh seafood and to-go meals, 99 Ranch Market offers a variety of options for grocery shoppers.
  The location at 6929 Airport Boulevard is the company’s first store in Austin, although it has five others in Texas. PHOTOS: Inside 99 Ranch Market’s first Austin storePork, peking duck and squid at 99 Ranch Market (KXAN Photo/Kate Winkle) 99 Ranch Market opened a store at 6929 Airport Boulevard (KXAN Photo/Kate Winkle) The bakery inside 99 Ranch Mark
  
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• Let there be light, an hour longer into the evening sky

  09-03-2018 20:22 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Time to set your clocks and watches one hour ahead.
  And maybe save some time to grouse about losing an hour’s sleep Saturday night.
  The shift from standard to daylight saving time officially comes at 2 a.m. Sunday across much of the country. Daylight will last longer into the evening but take an hour longer to emerge in the morning.
  No time change is observed in Hawaii, most of Arizona, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas.
  
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• Two drivers in two separate crashes slam into buildings

  09-03-2018 20:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police worked two crashes back-to-back Friday morning where the drivers both slammed into separate buildings.
  The first crash happened just after 10 a.m. in central Austin at the corner of Jefferson Street and West 35th Street. Police say the driver slammed into the building that houses the Westbank Dry Cleaning. Photos from the scene show a white car and it appears the dry cleaning sign also fell on it.
  The second crash happened in south Austin in the 1400 bloc
  
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• Stacey Stites’ fiancé released on parole after serving almost 10 years

  09-03-2018 19:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jimmy Fennell, an original person of interest in the 1996 murder of his fiancé Stacey Stites, is a free man again after serving a 10-year sentence for his role in the kidnapping and improper sexual activity with a person in his custody.
  Fennell was approved for parole on Feb. 23. He was released under mandatory supervision on Friday just before 1 p.m. from the Huntsville Unit.
  “Jimmy’s looking forward to resuming his life with his family in a quiet a
  
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• Stacey Stites’ fiancé released from prison after serving 10-year sentence

  09-03-2018 19:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jimmy Fennell, an original person of interest in the 1996 murder of his fiancé Stacey Stites, is a free man again after serving a 10-year sentence for his role in the kidnapping and improper sexual activity with a person in his custody.
  Fennell was approved for parole on Feb. 23. He was released under mandatory supervision on Friday just before 1 p.m. from the Huntsville Unit.
  Fennell, 45, was accused of raping a woman under his arrest in 2007, when he was a Geo
  
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• New entry opens for long-term parking lots at ABIA

  09-03-2018 19:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you’re traveling and parking your car at one of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s long-term parking lots you’ll need to look out for some new changes.
  The lots B-G will now have a new entrance. To access the lots, you’ll have to take the newly expanded exit from the road leading to the Presidential Boulevard terminal and look out for the new entrance on the left side of Presidential Boulevard.
  Officials say the exit to the lots was exp
  
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• Spring breakers beware: Some Texas beaches report high fecal bacteria levels

  09-03-2018 19:11 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Spring Break is upon us! As families get ready to load up the minivan and head down to the Texas coast for a week of sun and sand, it’s probably a good idea to check to see whether or not you should put your head under the water.
  To see the water quality at beaches along the Texas coast, the Texas General Land Office has a website called Texas Beach Watch. The Texas Beach Watch program is to provide the public with information about bacteria levels at recreational bea
  
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• Headed to the Texas coast for Spring Break? Check the water quality

  09-03-2018 19:11 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Spring Break is upon us! As families get ready to load up the minivan and head down to the Texas coast for a week of sun and sand, it’s probably a good idea to check to see whether or not you should put your head under the water.
  To see the water quality at beaches along the Texas coast, the Texas General Land Office has a website called Texas Beach Watch. The Texas Beach Watch program is to provide the public with information about bacteria levels at recreational bea
  
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• Senator Bernie Sanders makes first SXSW appearance

  09-03-2018 18:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s expected to a packed house when CNN’s Jake Tapper sits down with the former presidential nominee and Senator Bernie Sanders at South by Southwest Friday afternoon.
  The interactive festival hosts many political events including in the past talks with former Vice President Joe Biden, former Presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton. Earlier this week, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos gave a keynote address.
  Sanders, who will be making his first appea
  
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• Sen. Bernie Sanders makes first SXSW appearance

  09-03-2018 18:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It was a packed house when CNN’s Jake Tapper sat down with the former presidential nominee and Senator Bernie Sanders at South by Southwest Friday afternoon.
  The interactive festival hosts many political events including in the past talks with former Vice President Joe Biden, former Presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton. Earlier this week, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos gave a keynote address.
  Sanders, who made his first appearance at SXSW, is seen as t
  
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• Austinites to see lower water bills starting in May

  09-03-2018 18:24 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting in May, Austin residents should expect to see their water bill go down by a couple of dollars.
  On Thursday, the Austin City Council voted to approve a mid-year water and wastewater rate decrease. The average residential customer will see a $2.40 reduction in their monthly bill.
  “When we were going through the drought we had severe water restrictions, once a day watering and there was more enforcement, so there was a lot of compliance with our restrictions,&rd
  
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• Major I-35 closure in Round Rock this weekend

  09-03-2018 17:51 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — All lanes of Interstate 35 will be closed at Old Settlers Boulevard in Round Rock throughout various times this weekend.
  The Texas Department of Transportation says the overnight construction closures are needed as crews work on reconstructing the bridge over I-35.
  The first closure starts at 8 p.m. Friday, March 9, and runs through 8 a.m. Saturday morning. The north and southbound I-35 frontage roads will be reduced to one lane at Old Settlers Boulevard. At 10 p
  
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• ‘You’re a monster’: Victim to drunk driver who killed her husband, unborn child

  09-03-2018 17:09 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A Hays County jury has sentenced a 22-year-old woman who drove drunk and slammed into a car, killing a man and his unborn child, to a total of 14 years in prison. On Friday afternoon, just before 2 p.m., the judge read the jury’s decision.
  The jury sentenced Shana Elliott to 10 years probation for one count of intoxication assault, seven years in prison for one count of intoxication manslaughter, and another seven years in prison for a second count of intox
  
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• Former Texas State student who killed man, unborn child soon to learn fate

  09-03-2018 17:09 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A Hays County jury is still deliberating the fate of a 22-year-old woman who drove drunk and slammed into a car, killing a man and his unborn child.
  The jury started deliberating Thursday afternoon after an emotional three days of witness testimony. Shana Elliott took the stand Thursday morning and said, “I’m guilty.” She admitted to being intoxicated and should not have been driving the evening of Aug. 2, 2016 after a day of tubing on the
  
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• Former Texas State student who killed man, unborn child in crash gets 14 years in prison

  09-03-2018 17:09 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A Hays County jury has sentenced a 22-year-old woman who drove drunk and slammed into a car, killing a man and his unborn child, to a total of 14 years in prison. On Friday afternoon, just before 2 p.m., the judge read the jury’s decision.
  The jury sentenced Shana Elliott to 10 years probation for one count of intoxication manslaughter, seven years in prison for the second count of intoxication manslaughter and seven years in prison for the third count of i
  
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• Report: Obama in discussions to produce shows for Netflix

  09-03-2018 16:16 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Barack Obama and Netflix reportedly are negotiating a deal for the former president and his wife, Michelle, to produce shows exclusively for the streaming service.
  The proposed deal was reported Friday by The New York Times, which cited people familiar with the discussions who were not identified.
  Netflix did not immediately respond for a request for comment. Obama spokeswoman Katie Hill declined comment on the report.
  Obama senior advisor Eric Schultz, in a statement pr
  
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• PHOTOS: Take a tour of the SXSW Westworld experience

  09-03-2018 15:29 via kxan.com
  SWEETWATER, A Delos Destination (KXAN) — Guests to the “Westworld” experience at South By Southwest have a chance to experience “life without limits” — up to a point. From exploring re-created locations from the show to trying food and drink, visitors could wander around Sweetwater as they pleased and both interact with and observe the drama between hosts in the town.
  There were limited spaces for the experience, with half sold out before SXSW began and t
  
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• Inside the Westworld SXSW experience

  09-03-2018 15:19 via kxan.com
  SWEETWATER, A Delos Destination (KXAN) — The journey to famed theme park “Westworld” began in east Austin for a select few able to snag tickets to HBO’s interactive experience in town (though, really, not technically in town) for three days of South By Southwest.
  The hit series kicks off its second season April 22, but from March 9 to 11 fans have a chance to explore the (fortunately mostly less-violent) world of Sweetwater. Half of tickets for the experience sold ou
  
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• Interior spending $139K to upgrade doors in Zinke’s office

  09-03-2018 14:46 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Interior Department is spending nearly $139,000 to upgrade three sets of double doors in the office of Secretary Ryan Zinke.
  Zinke was not aware of the contract for the work prior to a request about it from The Associated Press, spokeswoman Heather Swift said. The project was planned by career facilities and security officials as part of the decade-long modernization of the historic building erected in 1936 a few blocks from the White House, she said.
  “The secre
  
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• Free screening of “A Wrinkle in Time” for black girls in Austin

  09-03-2018 14:11 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The movie “A Wrinkle in Time” opens Friday in U.S. theaters, and a group of organizers have been fundraising to get free screenings of the films in cities around the country, including one in Austin. The Austin screening of this film based on the classic children’s book will be on March 18 at 1 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller.
  There are 126 seats available, but the woman behind this Austin event, Jasmine Whittaker, said she’s open to exploring m
  
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• Secret spots to see SXSW films without the crowds

  09-03-2018 13:52 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Get ready to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to Austin as the South by Southwest Film and Interactive portions of the festival get underway Friday.
  The opening night film “A Quiet Place,” directed by John Krasinski, stars himself and his wife Emily Blunt. The suspense thriller follows a family that has to live in silence to avoid danger.
  Over the next nine days, there will be 130 feature films and 110 shorts, which include music videos, showing on 13 scree
  
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• US: Trump decision to meet Kim leader validates his approach

  09-03-2018 13:10 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Friday the U.S. push to isolate North Korea compelled the reclusive nation to reach out for presidential-level talks, validating the Trump administration’s hard-line strategy of economic penalties and bellicose barbs.
  No time and place has yet been set for what would be a historic meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. No sitting U.S. president has ever met with a North Korean leader.
  South Korean officials,
  
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• President Trump plans to meet Kim Jong Un for nuke talks

  09-03-2018 13:10 via kxan.com
  SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump plan to meet in May for nuclear disarmament talks, a whiplash development that would put two leaders who’ve repeatedly insulted, threatened and dismissed each other in the same room, possibly in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
  It would have been an unthinkable suggestion just a few months ago, when the insults were at their peak — Trump was a “senile dotard” and Kim was &ld
  
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• Austin police says they’re ready for big crowds at SXSW

  09-03-2018 06:14 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The biggest event of the year is upon us: South by Southwest. However, before the event kicks off officially, some are questioning if our police department is ready to handle it. Staffing is still an issue for the department and now 15 police officers on administrative leave after recent officer-involved shootings.
  Austin Interim Police Chief Brian Manley says he has a plan to fill the gap and is ready for the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to spend the next sev
  
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• 2 shot outside east Austin Fiesta Mart show up at hospital

  09-03-2018 06:06 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police believe two people were shot outside Fiesta Mart in east Austin Thursday night. The two then showed up at an Austin hospital.
  Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to the 3900 block of North Interstate 35 service road northbound at 9:26 p.m. Thursday for the report of a gunshot wound incident.
  Medics canceled the call after no patients were found at the scene, the agency said in a tweet. APD says the two people who were shot showed up at St. David’s North A
  
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• Texas loses to Texas Tech despite Young’s career night

  09-03-2018 05:45 via kxan.com
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Texas now has to sit and wait to see if its done enough to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
  Keenan Evans scored 25 points, including a pretty fadeaway jumper in the closing minutes, and the No. 14 Red Raiders held off hot-shooting Jacob Young and the Longhorns for a 73-69 victory on Thursday night that ushered them into the semifinal round for the first time since 2005.
  Jarrett Culver added 13 points for the deep and talented Red Raiders (24-8), who had lost four
  
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• Luke Pluymen is Westlake’s unsung hero

  09-03-2018 05:39 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With so many stars and cant’-miss prospects, it’s not easy to be seen on Westlake’s state tournament-bound team.
  “We could compete with some D-1 programs, honestly,” Keonte Kennedy, a Xavier signee, said. “I’ve never been on a high school team this good.”
  The Chaps have four high-Division 1 prospects on the roster. But hidden behind those talented teammates is the starter that puts it all together: Point Guard Luke Pluymen.
  &
  
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• Council says wildfire mitigation should be a priority in budgeting, CodeNEXT

  09-03-2018 05:10 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Though arson was to blame for a series of fires set along the Barton Creek Greenbelt Thursday, we wanted to check back in on where Austin stands on wildfire protection.
  Thursday, Austin City Council adopted the Austin Strategic Direction 2023 Plan, that prioritizes budgeting for areas most at risk due to a changing climate. That includes extreme heat, drought and flooding, along with wildfires.
  “That’s why it’s so important that we mentioned prot
  
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• Robert Lucero joins MTTS

  09-03-2018 04:52 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake head coach Robert Lucero joins Roger Wallace on More than the Score ahead of the Chaps’ first state tournament appearance in school history.
  
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• City council looks to turn the tide of gentrification in east Austin

  09-03-2018 04:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday, the Austin City Council amended and approved a resolution to give the city manager the green light to explore a policy to reverse gentrification in east Austin.
  The city’s Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities Task Force recommends that Austin adopt their own version of Portland, Oregon’s policy for bringing former residents back to gentrified areas.  Austin’s policy hasn’t been finalized yet, but it would give priority status t
  
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• More service changes happening at Seton Healthcare

  09-03-2018 03:42 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just two weeks after KXAN reported Dell Children’s Medical Center’s Pediatric Dental Clinic was cutting general dentistry services, we learned about another service being discontinued.
  Friday, March 9, will be the last day Seton Southwest Hospital offers physical and occupational therapy services.
  Seton’s spokesperson sent us a statement saying, “We continually review the programs and services we offer to patients, because in addition to providi
  
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• Too much screen time could be a link to dry eye uptick, doctor says

  09-03-2018 03:25 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Don’t blink.
  Doctors say many people are not blinking enough. It’s why one doctor is seeing a surge in a condition commonly found in elderly patients.
  It is called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
  For years, 30-year-old Catherine Chavez couldn’t turn away from her smartphone and other digital devices.
  “I was a volleyball coach at one point and I recruited players,” she said. “I just watched videos of kids from morning to evening. I don’
  
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• SH 130 evacuated near Parmer Lane due to liquid nitrogen truck fire

  09-03-2018 02:56 via kxan.com
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — State Highway 130 has been shut down near Parmer Lane after an 18-wheeler hauling a liquid nitrogen trailer caught on fire, according to the Austin Fire Department.
  A half-mile area around the fire is being evacuated due to the risk of a tank explosion, AFD said. All lanes of SH 130 are closed.
  Automated emergency phone calls warning about the situation are going out to the area.
  The cab is engulfed in flames, AFD said.KXAN Traffic MapKXAN will update this sto
  
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• Evacuation of SH 130 near Parmer Lane lifted after liquid nitrogen truck fire

  09-03-2018 02:56 via kxan.com
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — State Highway 130 was shut down near Parmer Lane after an 18-wheeler hauling a liquid nitrogen trailer caught on fire, according to the Austin Fire Department. The southbound lanes remain closed.
  A half-mile area around the fire was evacuated due to the risk of a tank explosion, AFD said. No area residents were affected and only one business was within the half-mile radius, but no word on whether anyone was there at the time.
  All lanes of SH 130 were clos
  
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• Columbus Crew’s owner honing in on site near The Domain

  09-03-2018 00:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The owner of MLS’ Columbus Crew says they believe the lot at McKalla Place in north Austin has “potential,” after being denied most of Austin’s parkland spaces that were originally on their wish list. 
  Anthony Precourt, CEO of Precourt Sports Ventures, issued a statement Thursday stating, “We’ve heard the concerns about a possible site for a stadium. Soccer is inclusive and celebratory, so we want to shift the focus onto the long-ter
  
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• Columbus Crew’s owner home in on site near The Domain

  09-03-2018 00:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The owner of MLS’ Columbus Crew says they believe the lot at McKalla Place in north Austin has “potential,” after being denied most of Austin’s parkland spaces that were originally on their wish list. 
  Anthony Precourt, CEO of Precourt Sports Ventures, issued a statement Thursday stating, “We’ve heard the concerns about a possible site for a stadium. Soccer is inclusive and celebratory, so we want to shift the focus onto the long-ter
  
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• Girl power: Central Texas celebrates International Women’s Day

  09-03-2018 00:16 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Organizations worldwide are celebrating International Women’s Day to recognize accomplishments of women and girls around the world.
  The global celebration aims to applaud progress women have made toward achieving equity and equality. Groups around Texas hosted events to challenge stereotypes and biases, while promoting inclusive communities. The recognition on March 8 comes with a call by female leaders to push gender parity worldwide.
  One of the goals is to bridge th
  
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