Austin news

• Texas congressional campaign received $28,000 loan designed for small businesses struggling during the pandemic

  06-07-2020 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The political committee of Dr. Christine Mann, a candidate in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas’ 31st Congressional District, received a $28,000 loan through a federal program designed to help struggling small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Christine Mann for Congress received a $28,000 loan from First Bank Texas on May 5, according to pre-runoff campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The line item is labeled “Pa
  
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• Austin’s police union leader encourages officers to avoid writing no-mask citations

  06-07-2020 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin police officers are encouraged to enforce Gov. Greg Abbott’s mask order, citing people who don’t wear a mask in public after a first-time warning, the Austin Police Association’s leader says he doesn’t agree with orders for officers to do so.APA President Ken Casaday says like some other law enforcement agencies across Texas, he feels the governor’s order could be interpreted in a way that would make it unlawful for officers to write
  
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• Hays CISD to recommend to school board name change for ‘Rebel’ mascot

  06-07-2020 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays High School is expected to replace its “Rebel” mascot following survey results among students, teachers and staff — pending a vote from the school board.In a release on Monday, Hays Consolidated Independent School District administration announced it will recommend the change to the school board, saying the rebel mascot isn’t serving its purpose as a unifying symbol.Based on local school board policy, the board of trustees must vote
  
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• Hays CISD to recommend school board changes rebels high school mascot

  06-07-2020 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays High School is expected to replace its rebels mascot following survey results among students, teachers and staff — pending a vote from the school board.In a release on Monday, Hays Consolidated Independent School District administration announced it will recommend the change to the school board, saying the rebel mascot isn’t serving its purpose as a unifying symbol.Based on local school board policy, the board of trustees must vote to change an
  
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• ‘I came here for a reason’: What it’s like to stay at Austin’s COVID-19 isolation facility

  06-07-2020 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas) — The Fourth of July weekend looked very different for one Austin man — spending the holiday inside his room at the City’s isolation facility with COVID-19.
  “I turned it into my home because I know that I have to accept the fact that I’m here, and I came here for a reason,” he told KXAN Investigator Avery Travis.
  He asked to remain anonymous during his stay at the facility.
  Two weeks ago, this viewer began feeling sick. He said his “first
  
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• Texas Mutual Sponsored Content: When Hiring for the Summer, Know How To Protect Young Workers

  06-07-2020 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS MUTUAL SPONSORED CONTENT — With the arrival of summer, many young Texans will find themselves on the job facing new challenges in new surroundings. While this experience benefits young workers, Texas employers should know the responsibilities associated with youth employment and take steps to keep those new workers safe.As the state’s largest workers’ comp provider, Texas Mutual Insurance Company is committed to protecting young workers who traditionally have high rates o
  
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• More than 52K Texas businesses got government loans of $150K or more, newly-released data shows

  06-07-2020 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department on Monday released the names of more than 650,000 companies that received funds from the government’s small business lending program, a massive effort intended to support the economy as states shut down in April to contain the viral outbreak. More than 52,000 Texas businesses were listed as having loans of more than $150,000, and 4,064 of them were in Austin.More than 337,000 Texas businesses were listed as having loans under $150,000, and 19
  
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• Pandemic learning: Thousands of Texas State students may be charged hundreds of dollars in online fees

  06-07-2020 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN)– A fee for online courses is set to go into effect for Texas State students taking Summer II and Fall classes.
  The fee is $50 per credit hour for classes that are fully online or hybrid.
  “It makes me feel like they don’t care,” says 22-year-old Jason Peake, who didn’t know about the fee for his summer class until a week before it started.“It gives me a lot of anxiety. When I first saw the email, I was very upset,” he says.
  Peake
  
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• Texas pediatric group says schools should reopen safely in the fall

  06-07-2020 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As school districts try to figure out what things will look like in August, the Texas Pediatric Society said students need to return to learning in person with safety concerns as a priority.The Texas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics explained as pediatricians are starting to see more children, they’re also noticing the effects of isolation. “They have had so many episodes not feeling like they’re connected to their peers, as well as teach
  
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• Texas pediatric group says schools should reopen in the fall

  06-07-2020 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As school districts try to figure out what things will look like in August, the Texas Pediatric Society said students need to return to learning in person.The Texas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics explained as pediatricians are starting to see more children, they’re also noticing the effects of isolation. “They have had so many episodes not feeling like they’re connected to their peers, as well as teachers, and we realize the detrimental
  
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• Country rocker and fiddler Charlie Daniels dies at age 83

  06-07-2020 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music firebrand and fiddler Charlie Daniels, who had a hit with “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” has died at age 83.A statement from his publicist said the Country Music Hall of Famer died Monday at a hospital in Hermitage, Tennessee, after doctors said he had a stroke.He had suffered what was described as a mild stroke in January 2010 and had a heart pacemaker implanted in 2013 but continued to perform.Daniels, a singer, guitarist and fiddler, star
  
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• Expanded coronavirus testing coming to Williamson County

  06-07-2020 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County officials say a new contract with Family Emergency Room will provide better service for those who need to be tested for COVID-19.On June 30, the Williamson County Commissioners Court signed an agreement to improve service, which includes more testing sites and a scheduling process where people will not have to wait for a call back to get an appointment. The two had originally signed an agreement April 27, which provided two testing locati
  
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• Person dies after reportedly getting stuck in machinery in Elgin

  06-07-2020 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — Someone died after reportedly getting stuck in machinery in Elgin, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATC EMS said the “industrial rescue” call came in at 10:30 a.m. and that it happened on the 15900 block of East U.S. Highway 290 westbound, which is near Abrahamson Road. At 11:01 a.m. ATC EMS tweeted that an adult had died at the scene.It is not clear who died or what happened to lead to their death.The Elgin Fire Department, Travis County ESD 12 and S
  
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• First responders work to rescue person reportedly stuck in machinery in Elgin

  06-07-2020 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — Someone is reportedly stuck in machinery and needs to be rescued in Elgin, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATC EMS said the “industrial rescue” call came in at 10:30 a.m. and that it happened on the 15900 block of East U.S. Highway 290 westbound, which is near Abrahamson Road.
  The Elgin Fire Department, Travis County ESD 12 and STAR Flight are also responding.
  #ATCEMS is on scene of a Critical Incident at E 7TH ST / CHICON ST: #ATCEMSMedics have tran
  
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• Supreme Court upholds cellphone robocall ban

  06-07-2020 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a 1991 law that bars robocalls to cellphones.The case, argued by telephone in May because of the coronavirus pandemic, only arose after Congress in 2015 created an exception in the law that allowed the automated calls for collection of government debt.Political consultants and pollsters were among those who asked the Supreme Court to strike down the entire 1991 law that bars them from making robocalls to cellphones as a violation of
  
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• Austinite competes in remote 2020 Braille Challenge Finals

  06-07-2020 17:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — “Keep calm and braille on.”That’s the new motto for the Braille Challenge Finals, which an Austin boy will soon compete in, Sergio Oliva said in a press release.(Courtesy: Braille Institute)Oliva is the associate vice president for the Braille Institute’s national and youth programs. He and others have had to re-imagine the 2020 finals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They found a way to carry on and accommodate by bringing it to the students, remotely,
  
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• Newsfeed Now: 4th of July party goes viral; Tracking Bruno the Bear

  06-07-2020 17:29 via kxan.com
  
  Weekdays at 11:30 a.m. EST, Newsfeed Now will be streaming the top stories in the U.S. utilizing our newsrooms across the country. If you miss the live report, you’ll be able to see a replay minutes after the stream ends.(KARK/NEXSTAR) – A video showing hundreds of people partying in Diamond Lake, near the Michigan-Indiana boarder Saturday, has gone viral. WOOD’s Donovan Long reports.
  For the full story: CLICK HERE.Other stories in today’s show:RECORD CASE NUMBERS: F
  
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• Road closed after package discovered outside Round Rock police station

  06-07-2020 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Police Department has shut down the road outside its police station after a suitcase was left outside the building.The 2700 block of North Mays Street was closed off to the public after the package was discovered on Monday morning.Police said that officers are working to determine the contents of the package.The police station has not been evacuated, the police department said.This is a breaking news story and will be updated when KXAN has more inf
  
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• No ‘items of concern’ found in suitcase left outside Round Rock police station

  06-07-2020 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Police Department reopened the road outside its police station after a suitcase was left outside the building. Police say no items of concern were found in the suitcase.The 2700 block of North Mays Street was closed off to the public after the package was discovered on Monday morning.The police station was not evacuated, the police department said.
  
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• Uber buys Postmates in $2.65 billion all-stock deal

  06-07-2020 16:49 via kxan.com
  
  SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Uber finally got its food delivery company, acquiring Postmates in a $2.65 billion all-stock deal, the ride-hailing giant confirmed Monday.Uber and its Uber Eats food-delivery division will gain ground against DoorDash, which controls about 37% of the U.S. food delivery market. That’s compared with Uber Eats’ 20% share before the Postmates deal. Grubhub holds around 30% of the U.S. food delivery market, according to Second Measure, a data analysis comp
  
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• Capital murder case dismissed against man connected to 1979 cold case

  06-07-2020 16:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The capital murder case has been dismissed against an Austin man who was arrested in connection to the 1979 cold case murder of a newlywed woman.Michael Galvan was arrested in May 2018 after police said new DNA evidence tested in a cold case murder helped detectives “positively link” him to the death of Debra Sue Reiding, who was found dead in her south Austin apartment. Galvan was denied bond in July 2018.The case has been dismissed “pending further
  
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• Experts fear bad tick season amid coronavirus pandemic

  06-07-2020 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (Nexstar) — As if there wasn’t enough to worry about in 2020, experts are warning about a potentially bad tick season.The Lyme Disease Research Group reports a mild winter could mean an especially rough time for ticks.Medical experts fear that many people who’ve been stuck inside due to coronavirus may “let their guard down” once they’re able to venture outdoors and not pay attention to tick bite prevention.Some symptoms of Lyme disease are very similar
  
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• Museum: ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ car with Confederate flag to stay

  06-07-2020 15:32 via kxan.com
  
  VOLO, Ill. (AP) — A northern Illinois auto museum has no plan to stop displaying a Dodge Charger from the “Dukes of Hazzard” television show with the Confederate battle flag painted atop the vehicle.Statues of Confederate generals and soldiers are being taken down across the country, NASCAR has banned the flag from its races and the Confederate emblem is being removed from the Mississippi state flag.But the Volo Auto Museum about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Chicago sa
  
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• The history, enduring power of Black national anthem ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’

  06-07-2020 14:38 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Black national anthem was born more than a century ago, but the popular hymn within the African American community called “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has resurrected a beacon of hope during nationwide protests.In recent weeks, countless rallies were held from D.C. to Seattle with arm-locked protesters of different races reciting the song’s lyrics while marching against police brutality of unarmed Black people. The demonstrations throughout
  
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• Here is your risk of getting the coronavirus during various activities

  06-07-2020 14:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Going to a bar tops the list of activities that put people — even those wearing masks — most at risk for getting COVID-19, according to a new chart the Texas Medical Association is sharing with doctors to better inform their patients.The chart ranks common activities from 1 (low risk) to 10 (high risk). Low-risk activities include opening the mail (1), getting takeout from a restaurant (2) or pumping gas (2).Going to a bar (9), attending a religious service with
  
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• Former Longhorn’s new company brings Fredericksburg to customer’s doorsteps

  06-07-2020 14:23 via kxan.com
  
  FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) — As businesses once again face uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many are looking for ways to evolve. One Fredericksburg man’s idea brings the bounty of the tourist destination to people at home.Dave Jobe’s family has been in the peach industry for more than 70 years and they’ve been in the city since it was founded. He saw a need, not only for himself but for other local businesses.“I want to sell you pecans,” said Olan Tis
  
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• Second stimulus check: Report shows first payment saved thousands from poverty

  06-07-2020 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (Nexstar) — New research shows the first round of stimulus checks sent to Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic prevented a large increase in poverty.A Columbia University study estimated the country’s poverty level would have jumped to roughly 16 percent had checks not been distributed.Before the crisis, the poverty level was 12.8 percent.According to Fox Business, the poverty rate remained steady at 12.7 percent in the months that followed.As a comparison, Fox Business rep
  
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• ADA: Businesses can require masks, but still need to make accommodations

  06-07-2020 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A business can require customers to wear masks amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but must still make “reasonable accommodations” so people can access its services, according to a group that provides resources on the Americans with Disabilities Act.As businesses comply with local and now state mask mandates, the Southwest ADA Center said it’s aware that there may be some customers who say they have medical conditions that prevent them from wearing mask
  
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• China’s Inner Mongolia region reports bubonic plague case

  06-07-2020 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — While China appears to have reduced coronavirus cases to near zero, other infectious threats remain, with local health authorities announcing a suspected bubonic plague case in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Authorities in the Bayannur district raised the plague warning on Sunday, ordered residents not to hunt wild animals such as marmots and to send for treatment anyone with fever or showing other possible signs of infection.Plague can be fatal in up to 90% of people
  
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• Austin launches COVID-19 test sites for Dove Springs, Rundberg neighborhoods Monday

  06-07-2020 06:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beginning Monday, two new Austin Public Health testing sites will come online in some of the neighborhoods seeing the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases — Rundberg and Dove Springs. It’s an effort to continue expanding COVID-19 testing options for those who are uninsured or without a car by Austin health leaders.
  These two new testing sites are for residents of those neighborhoods and specifically for those who are uninsured and may not be able to access a test e
  
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• Austin launches COVID-19 test sites for Dove Springs, Rundberg neighborhoods

  06-07-2020 06:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin health leaders look to continue expanding COVID-19 testing options for those who are uninsured or without a car, two new Austin Public Health testing sites will come online Monday in neighborhoods seeing higher numbers of COVID-19 cases — Rundberg and Dove Springs.
  These two new testing sites are for residents of those neighborhoods and specifically for those who are uninsured and may not be able to access a test elsewhere. Due to recently increased demand f
  
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• Mayor Adler calls on Gov. Abbott to cede control to local government to help slow COVID-19 spread

  06-07-2020 05:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Steve Adler and other city leaders are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to give local government the same control and authority they had at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic to help slow the rapid spread of the virus in the state.On Sunday, Adler said one option, considered to be a last resort at this time, would be a 35-day shutdown in the city.The 35-day shutdown would mean operating on a limited economy — similar to phase one of the city’s respon
  
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• 35-day shutdown in Austin a ‘last resort,’ Mayor Adler says

  06-07-2020 05:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Steve Adler and other city leaders are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to give local government the same control and authority they had at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic to help slow the rapid spread of the virus in the state.On Sunday, Adler said one option, considered to be a last resort at this time, would be a 35-day shutdown in the city.The 35-day shutdown would mean operating on a limited economy — similar to phase one of the city’s respon
  
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• Crews recover body from Lake Bastrop

  06-07-2020 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Crews from the Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 2 recovered a body from Lake Bastrop on Friday.
  The agency posted on Facebook about clearing the scene around 3:30 p.m. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” the post read in part.
  It also included reminders to always wear life jackets while boating or being out on the water.
  
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• Prosecutors seek Friday court appearance for Epstein friend

  06-07-2020 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  New York (AP) — Prosecutors on Sunday asked a judge to schedule a Friday court appearance in New York for Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime associate to face charges she helped him recruit women to sexually abuse.British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, 58, was arrestedThursday at a $1 million estate on 156 acres that she purchased last December in Bradford, New Hampshire.She has been detained without bail after agreeing to be moved to New York. Prosecutors have labeled her an “extreme ri
  
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• Prosecutors seek Friday court appearance for Epstein associate

  06-07-2020 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  New York (AP) — Prosecutors on Sunday asked a judge to schedule a Friday court appearance in New York for Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime associate to face charges she helped him recruit women to sexually abuse.British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, 58, was arrested Thursday at a $1 million estate on 156 acres that she purchased last December in Bradford, New Hampshire.She has been detained without bail after agreeing to be moved to New York. Prosecutors have labeled her an “extreme r
  
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• 2 dead after chase leads to crash in Pflugerville, police say

  06-07-2020 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Pflugerville police said two people have died after a chase with officers led to a crash on Friday.
  A Pflugerville Police Department spokeswoman said officers saw a driver speeding around midnight on July 3. They tried to catch up with the driver, who headed southbound onto Dessau Road, which is west of State Highway 130.
  Officers later caught up with the driver and saw the vehicle was off the roadway. The driver struck a tree on Dessau Road south of Howard Lan
  
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• Hays County, Texas State come to agreement on COVID-19 quarantine location

  06-07-2020 02:54 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A preemptive agreement is in place between Hays County and Texas State University to house quarantining COVID-19 first responders at a student housing facility through July.Alex Villalobos with Hays County Emergency Management says the agreement with Bobcat Village could be extended past July — depending on Texas State’s fall semester plans. There are currently no first responders in need of a quarantine location. So far, local COVID-19 testing shorta
  
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• Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office won’t enforce statewide mask order

  06-07-2020 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office will not enforce Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide face mask order and will not require deputies to wear a mask while on duty, according to the GCSO’s Facebook page.Abbott’s order to require the use of face masks in most public places went into effect Friday at 12 p.m. for residents of counties with more than 20 positive cases of COVID-19. At last report, Gillespie County had 26 active cases and 41 to
  
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• Family attorney confirms remains positively identified as missing soldier Vanessa Guillen

  06-07-2020 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  KILLEEN, Texas (KXAN) — The Guillen family attorney Natalie Khawam confirmed to FOX 44 in Waco on Sunday that the remains found along the Leon River in Bell County have been positively identified as Specialist Vanessa Guillen.Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier, went missing April 22.On Tuesday, investigators found the partial human remains after returning to the area of interest.A suspect in the disappearance of Guillen killed himself early Wednesday morning after fleeing Fort Hood, the base sai
  
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• Attorney confirms remains of missing Texas soldier Vanessa Guillen identified

  06-07-2020 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  KILLEEN, Texas (KXAN) — The Guillen family attorney Natalie Khawam confirmed to FOX 44 in Waco on Sunday that the remains found along the Leon River in Bell County have been positively identified as Specialist Vanessa Guillen.Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier, went missing April 22.On Tuesday, investigators found the partial human remains after returning to the area of interest.A suspect in the disappearance of Guillen killed himself early Wednesday morning after fleeing Fort Hood, the base sai
  
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• ‘Mask it or casket’ says state emergency chief as Governor orders Texans to wear masks

  06-07-2020 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The surge of new COVID-19 cases that led Gov. Greg Abbott to put a statewide mask order in place also has state leaders defending the response to the virus.“We have had a very dynamic response to this,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.As an example, he pointed to the expansion of testing for the virus in Texas.“Not that long ago, there was one lab in the nation that was capable of returning a COVID-19 test.Now we’re at over 960 site
  
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• Affidavit: Austin man accused of using Molotov cocktail to start apartment fire

  06-07-2020 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man is accused of using a Molotov cocktail to start a fire at an east Austin apartment, according to an arrest affidavit.The affidavit says the Austin Fire Department was called to an apartment fire at 8401 Garcreek Circle on Thursday. When responders arrived at the east Austin location, AFD found a mattress on fire at the bottom of the stairs of the residence.Witnesses told AFD a man that they knew was seen carrying a liquor bottle with a rag hanging out the neck
  
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