Austin news

• 2018 south Austin shooting spree suspect found not guilty by reason of insanity

  10-12-2021 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A former Texas legislative staff member accused in a July 2018 murder and south Austin shooting spree was found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to court documents filed this month.
  Charles Curry, Jr. was accused of murdering his neighbor, Christian Meroney, then going on a south Austin shooting spree that hurt two people, including a woman who was shot in the head.In June 2020, Curry was found competent to stand trial. Court documents said the case "proceed
  
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• Central Texas fentanyl dealer sentenced to 78 months in federal prison

  10-12-2021 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A federal judge sentenced Manuel Ramon Martinez, of Austin, to 78 months in federal prison Friday for possession and intent to distribute fentanyl. Martinez will be booked into prison in January and will not leave until at least 2028, according to federal records and his defense attorney.Federal and local law enforcement arrested Martinez, 31, in February following a search of his home that netted roughly 1,120 pills laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid 50 to 10
  
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• Hays County to upgrade radios for all emergency agencies using COVID-19 relief funds

  10-12-2021 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays County is getting new radios for its first responding agencies, funded by federal dollars.Improving communication systems was something emergency management staff recommended for years after catastrophic flooding. It was detailed in an action report.So why wasn't the transition for all agencies made sooner? County officials told KXAN it came down to funding.Hays County at risk of losing some federal funding for housing assistanceWimberley and all other Hays
  
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• Reptile rescue: Austin Fire pulls iguana out of tree to be reunited with owner

  10-12-2021 22:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You've probably heard the age-old joke: don't firefighters spend all day saving cats from trees? The Austin Fire Department's most recent "cat save" came in the form of an iguana.
  AFD says one of its fire engines was going to refuel when a call came up for an iguana stuck in a tree. Intrigued, Engine 24 decided to go check out it. Meteorologist Sean Kelly reminds us of the carbon monoxide dangers as we head into the winter monthsTurns out iguanas like to sunbathe in trees,
  
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• Hundreds of Texas women flock to other states as court battle over abortion law continues

  10-12-2021 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "We've been very inundated with Texas patients," said Zack Gingrich-Gaylord of Trust Women clinics.
  The group has seen its patients double, saying Texans now make up about 50% of its Kansas location and about 60% of its Oklahoma location.
  "We have people who are driving 10 hours one way," he said. "We see people from as far south as Galveston and Houston and Corpus Christi and, you know, driving all the way across Texas."
  On Friday, the United States Supreme Court ruled to
  
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• Dozens of Texas women flock to other states as court battle over abortion law continues

  10-12-2021 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "We've been very inundated with Texas patients," said Zack Gingrich-Gaylord of Trust Women clinics.
  The group has seen its patients double, saying Texans now make up about 50% of its Kansas location and about 60% of its Oklahoma location.
  "We have people who are driving 10 hours one way," he said. "We see people from as far south as Galveston and Houston and Corpus Christi and, you know, driving all the way across Texas."
  On Friday, the United States Supreme Court ruled to
  
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• FDA says not to use these 9 over-the-counter 'sexual enhancement' drugs

  10-12-2021 20:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is telling people not to buy nine over-the-counter supplements available at various online retailers because of undeclared ingredients in them.All nine drugs are marketed and promoted for "sexual enhancement", the FDA said. All the drugs have either sildenafil, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved medication Viagra, or tadalafil, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved medication Cialis.
  The FDA said the use of those medications
  
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• Texas Medical Association pushing for long-term solution after Congress agrees to delay Medicare cuts

  10-12-2021 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday, which is expected to be signed by President Biden, that stalls several Medicare cuts scheduled for the first of the year. The House passed the bill through to the Senate Tuesday.
  Overall, the cuts to physicians next year could have been as dramatic as 10% over the year prior, which the Texas Medical Association has previously said would make an already critical physician shortage worse and force those who stayed in the field to cut pa
  
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• All but 1 Texas power generator shared winter weatherization plans

  10-12-2021 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- All but one of Texas' power generators have submitted plans for weatherization the state, according to a new filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.Hundreds of transmission and power generation entities were required to submit their plans for winter weather readiness with the agency by Dec. 1, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, submitted a report about who is in compliance Friday morning. This assessment of their preparedness for severe weather
  
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• Meteorologist Sean Kelly reminds us of the carbon monoxide dangers as we head into the winter months

  10-12-2021 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Despite unusually warm December temperatures, record breaking even, we are heading towards our coldest months of the year. With that in mind, there's a threat that many central Texans aren't really prepared for — carbon monoxide poisoning. Meteorologist Sean Kelly spoke with David Whiting who is a retired Assistant Chief of the Columbus Division of Fire to discuss the dangers.Carbon monoxide poisonings typically follow major storms in which people lose power and searc
  
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• 2 workers installing signs hit, killed next to I-35 frontage road

  10-12-2021 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two road workers were killed Friday after a vehicle hit them on the Interstate 35 northbound frontage road in southeast Austin, Austin-Travis County EMS said.In an update at noon Friday, Autin Police Department public information officers said the driver of a 2015 Porsche went off the road and hit two workers installing road signs. APD said the workers were "actively installing signs" in the grassy area off the road when they were hit and that other workers were in the area
  
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• 2 workers hit, killed installing signs next to I-35 frontage road; speed was a factor, police believe

  10-12-2021 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two road workers were killed Friday after a vehicle hit them on the Interstate 35 northbound frontage road in southeast Austin, Austin-Travis County EMS said.In an update at noon Friday, Autin Police Department public information officers said the driver of a 2015 Porsche went off the road and hit two workers installing road signs. APD said the workers were "actively installing signs" in the grassy area off the road when they were hit and that other workers were in the area
  
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• 2 people hit, killed on I-35 frontage road

  10-12-2021 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two pedestrians are dead Friday after a vehicle hit them on the Interstate 35 northbound frontage road in east Austin, Austin-Travis County EMS said.ATCEMS said the vehicle's driver had to be cut out and was taken to St. David's South Austin Medical Center with injuries not expected to be life-threatening.Austin police said the area of the crash is near the frontage road's intersection with Teri Road and APD's vehicular homicide team is investigating.
  #ATXTrafficFatality UP
  
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• LIVE: Bob Dole to be honored on National Mall during public funeral service

  10-12-2021 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Bob Dole was being honored with a private service at Washington National Cathedral and a public one at the World War II Memorial on Friday, after lying in state at the U.S. Capitol, where President Joe Biden and top leaders from both parties saluted a “giant in our history."A friend of Dole's from the decades both men spent in the Senate, Biden is set to speak at Friday's invitation-only cathedral ceremony, which will feature the late Kansas senator's
  
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• Bob Dole to be honored on National Mall during public funeral service

  10-12-2021 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Bob Dole was being honored with a private service at Washington National Cathedral and a public one at the World War II Memorial on Friday, after lying in state at the U.S. Capitol, where President Joe Biden and top leaders from both parties saluted a “giant in our history."A friend of Dole's from the decades both men spent in the Senate, Biden is set to speak at Friday's invitation-only cathedral ceremony, which will feature the late Kansas senator's
  
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• Bob Dole honored on National Mall during public funeral service

  10-12-2021 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Bob Dole was being honored with a private service at Washington National Cathedral and a public one at the World War II Memorial on Friday, after lying in state at the U.S. Capitol, where President Joe Biden and top leaders from both parties saluted a “giant in our history."A friend of Dole's from the decades both men spent in the Senate, Biden is set to speak at Friday's invitation-only cathedral ceremony, which will feature the late Kansas senator's
  
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• Winter surge looks likely, Austin-Travis County health leaders issue warning

  10-12-2021 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As a growing number of Americans learn they've contracted the omicron variant, Austin-Travis County health leaders are issuing warnings ahead of the holidays.
  "We know the 's' word is in our future... surge," Adrienne Sturrup, interim director for Austin Public Health said in a media Q&A Friday.That's something leaders at the University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium have echoed recently, saying a winter surge looks likely in Austin-Travis County based on nationa
  
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• LIVE: Austin-Travis County health leaders talk omicron variant, booster shots

  10-12-2021 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more Americans learn they contracted the omicron variant, Austin-Travis County health leaders will hold a media Q&A Friday to talk about the variant and the importance of getting booster shots.The briefing will take place Friday at 10 a.m. and will include Dr. Desmar Walkes, the local health authority, Adrienne Sturrup, the interim APH director and other public health officials.The first case of omicron was reported in Texas just over a week ago in Harris County. Hea
  
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• Austin-Travis County health leaders talk omicron variant, booster shots

  10-12-2021 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more Americans learn they contracted the omicron variant, Austin-Travis County health leaders are issuing warnings ahead of the holidays in a media Q&A Friday.
  The briefing will happen at 10 a.m. and will include Dr. Desmar Walkes, the local health authority, Adrienne Sturrup, the interim APH director and other public health officials.The first case of omicron was reported in Texas just over a week ago in Harris County. Health leaders in Houston have also said they s
  
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• Texas abortion law: U.S. Supreme Court rules to allow future challenges

  10-12-2021 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON D.C. (Nexstar) — The United States Supreme Court ruled Friday to allow lawsuits to move forward in Texas in regards to the law that bans most abortions.Justices ruled Friday morning in the case of Whole Women's Health v. Jackson that abortion clinics can continue to challenge the law, coming more than a month after justices first heard the case on Nov. 1, considering procedural questions about the law, not the substance of the law itself.State judge declares Texas abortion law u
  
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• LIVE: Texas abortion law: U.S. Supreme Court rules to allow future challenges

  10-12-2021 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON D.C. (Nexstar) — The United States Supreme Court ruled Friday to allow lawsuits to move forward in Texas in regards to the law that bans most abortions.Justices ruled Friday morning in the case of Whole Women's Health v. Jackson that abortion clinics can continue to challenge the law, coming more than a month after justices first heard the case on Nov. 1, considering procedural questions about the law, not the substance of the law itself.
  The high court dismissed the Department
  
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• Austin suing Netflix, Hulu, Disney for not paying their share to stream

  10-12-2021 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council approved Thursday hiring attorneys to represent the city in a lawsuit against streaming services.The approved resolution says Netflix, Hulu and Disney aren't paying the required 5% of their gross revenue to use transmission lines and other public property to deliver streaming video programming. Reality show ‘Twentysomethings: Austin’ now streaming on NetflixIt goes on to say the companies "use the City’s public rights of way to prov
  
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• Reality show 'Twentysomethings: Austin' now streaming on Netflix

  10-12-2021 13:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Get ready for a binge-watching weekend!
  Netflix's newest show based in Austin is now streaming. "Twentysomethings: Austin," formally "Roaring Twenties," debuted on the streaming platform Friday.
  It's a coming-of-age story where eight strangers in their 20s become roommates. The group sets out to find success, friends and love while learning to navigate the "new normal" of America today. Living together and leaning on each other, they experience the highs and lows that come with b
  
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• Austin-based reality show 'Twentysomethings: Austin' now streaming on Netflix

  10-12-2021 13:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Get ready for a binge-watching weekend!
  Netflix's newest show based in Austin is now streaming. "Twentysomethings: Austin," formally "Roaring Twenties," debuted on the streaming platform Friday.
  It's a coming-of-age story where eight strangers in their 20s become roommates. The group sets out to find success, friends and love while learning to navigate the "new normal" of America today. Living together and leaning on each other, they experience the highs and lows that come with b
  
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• Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail celebrates 50 years

  10-12-2021 13:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, Austin's most iconic hike and bike trail celebrates 50 years Friday, but not everyone knows it wasn't always a place to run, walk or bike.Logan Campbell has been running the trail since he was little and now he cherishes every chance he gets to bring his son, Hunter. 2 unrelated homicides in 2 days: Travis County Sheriff’s Office investigating"Daddy, I want to run the trail," said Hunter seconds before he bolted down the gravel path.The Ann and Roy Butler H
  
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• Record heat replaced by a 20°+ high temperature drop into the weekend

  10-12-2021 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As expected temperatures soared and broke high temperature records.
  The unofficial high at Austin's Camp Mabry was 84° beating the previous record of 81°, last set on this day in 1983. We'll get official high temperatures by early this evening.Next up? The cold front...An overnight and early Saturday morning cold front will bring a low (20%) chance for a few showers or thunderstorms, mainly for our Eastern Counties. That's where a Marginal (Level 1 out of 5) severe
  
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• Record December heat cut short by strong overnight cold front

  10-12-2021 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bizarre. Unusual. Weird. Whatever you want to call it, this warm December weather is not normal... and it's expected to continue today.A record-warm morning will be followed by a record warm afternoon with highs likely to soar well into the 80s under a partly sunny sky. Austin's forecast high of 85° is expected to surpass the current record of 81°, last set in 1983. A temp of 85° would also tie the third-hottest temperature ever observed at Camp Mabry during the
  
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• Early Saturday cold front brings big temperature drop for the weekend

  10-12-2021 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As expected temperatures soared and broke high temperature records on Friday.
  The official high at Austin's Camp Mabry was 85° beating the previous record of 81°, last set on December 10th,1983.Record high set on FridayWe also broke the record high at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport reaching 85° beating the previous record of 83° back in 1947.Next up? The cold front...An overnight and early Saturday morning cold front will bring a low (20%) chance for
  
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• Texas high school football: Will the Liberty Hill rematch with Crosby be another classic?

  10-12-2021 07:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It was an insane finish in last year's playoffs, and one Liberty Hill would like to reverse when it clashes Friday with Crosby in the Class 5A Division 1 semifinals in Bryan.In the semifinals last year, Crosby escaped with a 62-61 overtime victory after the Panthers fumbled the ball inside the 1-yard-line on the 2-point conversation to try to win it. Crosby lost the state title game to Aledo the following week in Arlington.This year, the Panthers and its run-heavy slot-T of
  
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• LIVE: Liberty Hill clashes with Crosby in 5A D2 semis

  10-12-2021 07:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It was an insane finish in last year's playoffs, and one Liberty Hill would like to reverse when it clashes Friday with Crosby in the Class 5A Division 2 semifinals in Bryan.In the semifinals last year, Crosby escaped with a 62-61 overtime victory after the Panthers fumbled the ball inside the 1-yard-line on the 2-point conversation to try to win it. Crosby lost the state title game to Aledo the following week in Arlington.This year, the Panthers and its run-heavy slot-T of
  
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• Liberty Hill clashes with Crosby in 5A D2 semis

  10-12-2021 07:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It was an insane finish in last year's playoffs, and one Liberty Hill would like to reverse when it clashes Friday with Crosby in the Class 5A Division 2 semifinals in Bryan.In the semifinals last year, Crosby escaped with a 62-61 overtime victory after the Panthers fumbled the ball inside the 1-yard-line on the 2-point conversation to try to win it. Crosby lost the state title game to Aledo the following week in Arlington.This year, the Panthers and its run-heavy slot-T of
  
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• No. 23 Seton Hall edges No. 7 Texas 64-60 for 2nd top-10 win

  10-12-2021 06:13 via kxan.com
  
  NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — After getting overlooked in the preseason polls, Jared Rhoden and his Seton Hall teammates decided to do something about it — and they have.Rhoden scored 18 points and made the go-ahead basket as the No. 23 Pirates knocked off their second top-10 team this season, beating No. 7 Texas 64-60 on Thursday night. Texas mounts massive comeback beat Washington, advance to Elite EightSeton Hall also has an impressive road win at then-No. 4 Michigan on Nov. 16.“I thi
  
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• Texas volleyball mounts massive comeback to beat Washington, advance to another regional final

  10-12-2021 06:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas was down, 2-0, to Washington and in a 15-10 hole in the third set before going on a 40-16 run all the way through the fourth set to tie the match at 2-2.The Longhorns never trailed in the fifth and final set en route to a 15-9 win to complete the comeback and lock up a 3-2 win. Texas women’s hoops beats Texas A&M in showdownWith the win, Texas advances to the regional finals for the 15th time in the past 16 seasons. Former Big 12 foe Nebraska will be waiting
  
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• Texas mounts massive comeback beat Washington, advance to Elite Eight

  10-12-2021 06:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas was down, 2-0, to Washington and in a 15-10 hole in the third set before going on a 40-16 run all the way through the fourth set to tie the match at 2-2.The Longhorns never trailed in the fifth and final set en route to a 15-9 win to complete the comeback and lock up a 3-2 win. Texas women’s hoops beats Texas A&M in showdownWith the win, Texas advances to the regional finals for the 15th time in the past 16 seasons. Former Big 12 foe Nebraska will be waiting for
  
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• 53 migrants dead, 54 injured in truck crash in south Mexico

  10-12-2021 04:50 via kxan.com
  
  TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico (AP) — A cargo truck jammed with people who appeared to be Central American migrants rolled over and crashed into a pedestrian bridge over a highway in southern Mexico on Thursday, killing at least 53 people and injuring dozens more, authorities reported.The federal Attorney General’s Office said the preliminary estimate lists 53 dead, with three of the injured in critical condition.Luis Manuel Moreno, the head of the Chiapas state civil defense office, said
  
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• Concerns raised over jet fuel storage facility project near Austin airport

  10-12-2021 04:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Plans for a 3 million-gallon jet fuel storage facility is drawing concerns from people who live near the airport.Officials with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said the project is necessary to keep up with traveler demand. Passenger traffic is up about 200% from this time last year.Austin airport sees increase of more than 13,000 passengers from July to AugustThe existing fuel tanks hold a two to three-day supply, while most airports hold a five to seven-day supply o
  
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• Austin, Hays ISDs awarded grants to expand school meal programs

  10-12-2021 03:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District and Hays Consolidated Independent School District were among several Texas school districts awarded grants from No Kid Hungry to provide free meals for kids and families during the holiday season. Austin City Council approves hotel purchase for new family violence shelterNo Kid Hungry, a nonprofit dedicated in solving childhood hunger and poverty, provided nearly $300,000 in grants that will expand programs like school breakfast,
  
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• Record warm temperatures likely overnight and Friday

  10-12-2021 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clouds were slow to break in the Austin area Thursday afternoon, keeping high temperatures at 79° and saving us from breaking the record high of 83°, set in 2019. Some Hill Country communities spiked into the lower 80s, and even warmer weather is in the forecast areawide on Friday.Why so warm? An approaching low pressure system from Mexico is leading to a southwesterly wind in the low-levels of the atmosphere. This wind blows downhill from the 6,000 ft. mountains of
  
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• Austin City Council approves hotel purchase for new family violence shelter

  10-12-2021 03:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council approved the purchasing and renovation of a hotel on Thursday that will be used as a family violence shelter, marking the first time in nearly a decade the city has added a new space for survivors of family violence. State judge declares Texas abortion law unconstitutional — but does not stop it from being enforcedThe new shelter will be run by The Stop Abuse For Everyone Alliance (SAFE), an organization that serves violence and abuse survivors. Th
  
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• USPS installs robots to speed up mail deliveries, but supply chain issues linger

  10-12-2021 01:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — This year, the U.S. Postal Service is modernizing to make sure you get your holiday packages on time.
  It's installed 112 automated sorters in facilities across the country, all part of USPS' $40 billion plan for financial stability and improved service over the next decade.Here in Texas, that includes Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas.They range from mobile robots for smaller packages, which can handle 9,000 packages an hour, to larger machines."Another new piece o
  
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• Former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett convicted of staging attack, lying to police

  10-12-2021 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was convicted Thursday on charges he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it.In the courtroom as the verdict was read, Smollett stood and faced the jury, showing no visible reaction.The jury found the 39-year-old guilty on five counts of disorderly conduct — one count for each separate time he was charged with lying to police in the
  
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• State judge declares Texas abortion law unconstitutional — but does not stop it from being enforced

  10-12-2021 00:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) —A Texas judge on Thursday ruled that the state’s controversial law restricting abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy violates the Texas Constitution, saying it should not be enforced in court.It was not immediately clear how the order would affect procedures in the state. The judge did not issue an injunction to block cases from being filed.John Seago, legislative director for Texas Right to Life, a prominent anti-abortion group named as a defendant in&
  
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