Austin news

• After record rainfall at the Austin airport, lighter showers remain possible

  25-04-2022 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday brought Austin's heaviest rainfall in three months, with record daily rainfall reported at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.Camp Mabry's rain total stands at 1.55" as of 5 p.m. Monday, and Austin-Bergstrom has tallied 1.96" -- a new record rainfall for Apr. 25. The airport's previous Apr. 25 rainfall record was 1.75", set in 1980.Up-to-date rainfall totals across Central TexasA few low water crossings are closed following heavy rainfall, so if you ever come acr
  
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• 1 person dead in auto-pedestrian crash on U.S. 183 in east Austin

  25-04-2022 23:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person is dead after a crash involving a car and a pedestrian in east Austin, Austin Travis County EMS said.
  The crash happened just before 3:15 p.m. on Monday in the southbound lanes of the 1400 block of Ed Bluestein on U.S. 183.
  ATCEMS said a single-vehicle crash happened in the area, followed by a secondary crash that involved another vehicle and a pedestrian. One person died at the scene.
  Expect closures in this area for investigation, EMS said.
  No other details wer
  
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• Cedar Park standout Gisella Maul commits to Texas basketball

  25-04-2022 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — After helping lead the Cedar Park girls to back-to-back state basketball championships, Timberwolves' junior Gisella Maul announced Monday she will be committing to play college basketball at the University of Texas."I just think it's the perfect fit for me," said Maul. "Obviously, it's a great academic program and it's a good basketball program as well." Cedar Park junior named Gatorade Texas Player of the YearThe Timberwolves standout had a fashion-forward way
  
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• San Marcos police arrest 34-year-old man for deadly crash on south I-35

  25-04-2022 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS (KXAN) — The San Marcos Police Department has arrested one person in a deadly hit-and-run crash that happened on Interstate 35 early Monday.
  San Marcos Police said the crash happened just after 1:30 a.m. April 25 on southbound I-35 near mile marker 210.
  When emergency crews arrived, SMPD said they found a white Chevrolet truck on its roof in the southbound lanes. Police said the driver of the truck fled on foot. A gray car then hit the truck, causing the car to leave the roadway
  
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• Residents sue Llano County officials, library director, board members to end book bans

  25-04-2022 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY (Texas Tribune) —Seven Llano County residents filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the county judge, commissioners, library board members and library systems director for restricting and banning books from its three-branch public library system.The lawsuit states that the county judge, commissioners and library director removed several books off shelves, suspended access to digital library books, replaced the Llano County library board with community members in favor of book
  
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• Phone call audio: Texas lawmaker informs Melissa Lucio about stay of execution

  25-04-2022 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution for Melissa Lucio Monday just two days before her set execution date. The stay allows a lower court to hear Lucio and her lawyers' claims that new evidence would exonerate her, according to the Associated Press.Lucio was convicted of killing her 2-year-old in Harlingen 15 years ago. Advocates from all aspects of life have come to Lucio's defense as the day of her potential execution moved closer. Melissa Lucio e
  
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• Heaviest rain exits, but scattered showers linger through early Tuesday

  25-04-2022 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —A potent spring cold front will continue to clear the area through the early afternoon, leaving behind a cooler and wet day. (It's about time we had some rain on radar!)Up-to-date rainfall totals across Central TexasPeriods of showers, downpours and thunderstorms are expected on and off all afternoon and evening. This much needed rain will generally be welcome news, but some minor flooding and a low severe weather risk will continue.High-resolution clouds/radar forecast show
  
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• Musk reaches deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion

  25-04-2022 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- Twitter on Monday reached an agreement to sell itself to Elon Musk for approximately $44 billion, leaving one of the world’s richest men in control over one of the most influential social media platforms.The price per share agreed in Monday’s deal is higher than the roughly $48 that the company was trading at before Musk first announced his stake, but significantly lower than the $70 shares were trading at last year.Musk has said that he views the acquisition of Twitter
  
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• Musk reaches deal to buy Twitter

  25-04-2022 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- Twitter on Monday reached an agreement to sell itself to Elon Musk, leaving one of the world’s richest men in control over one of the most influential social media platforms.The price per share agreed in Monday’s deal is higher than the roughly $48 that the company was trading at before Musk first announced his stake, but significantly lower than the $70 shares were trading at last year.Musk has said that he views the acquisition of Twitter as a way to protect free spee
  
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• Austin to get new connected park system thanks to $9M federal grant

  25-04-2022 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction on a new park system in Austin will begin later this year, thanks to funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  Waterloo Greenway announced Monday morning it's set to receive the $9 million grant from the corps.The organization wants to use the money to create a new 1.5-mile connected park system in downtown Austin called "The Confluence, Phase II."
  The goal of the project centers on environmental restoration and creating an ecosystem that can clean and man
  
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• Melissa Lucio execution: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issues stay

  25-04-2022 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has granted a stay of Melissa Lucio's execution, according to Texas Rep. Jeff Leach.Lucio was convicted of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah, in Harlingen 15 years ago. Her execution was scheduled for Wednesday.Just 3 days before Melissa Lucio’s set execution, here’s how Texas could step in to halt itHer lawyers say new evidence shows Mariah's injuries were caused by a fall down a staircase. They also believe Lucio may h
  
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• Melissa Lucio execution: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halts her death

  25-04-2022 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A Texas woman on death row will not die on Wednesday, after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of Melissa Lucio's execution, halting her execution indefinitely.
  The court's Monday order came just two days before her scheduled death, amid growing doubts about whether she was responsible for the 2007 death of her daughter. Lucio was convicted of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah, in Harlingen 15 years ago.
  The case for her innocence has garnered suppor
  
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• LIVE: Melissa Lucio execution: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issues stay

  25-04-2022 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has granted a stay of Melissa Lucio's execution, according to Texas Rep. Jeff Leach.Lucio was convicted of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah, in Harlingen 15 years ago. Her execution was scheduled for Wednesday.Just 3 days before Melissa Lucio’s set execution, here’s how Texas could step in to halt itHer lawyers say new evidence shows Mariah's injuries were caused by a fall down a staircase. They also believe Lucio may h
  
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• Beto O'Rourke tests positive for COVID on the campaign trail

  25-04-2022 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (Nexstar)— Texas governor candidate Beto O'Rourke has COVID-19, and is showing mild symptoms, according to a tweet he put out on Monday.
  "In addition to being fully vaccinated and boosted, I regularly test for COVID-19 while traveling the state for town hall meetings," he wrote. He said he tested negative Sunday but positive Monday.O'Rourke's latest campaign stop was in Livingston, Texas. Other places he's traveled to recently include Missouri City, Ford Bend County, Comal Co
  
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• Judge holds Trump in contempt for failing to comply with NY AG subpoena

  25-04-2022 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- A New York state judge on Monday found former President Donald Trump in contempt for not turning over documents after he was ordered to comply with a subpoena from the New York attorney general’s office.New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $10,000 a day until he’s shown that he’s complied with the document demands.New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) applauded the ruling on Monday.
  “Today, justice prevailed,” James sa
  
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• Body of missing Texas National Guard soldier recovered

  25-04-2022 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  EAGLE PASS, Texas (KXAN) — The body of a missing Texas National Guard soldier was found, Gov. Greg Abbott wrote in a release Monday."We are heartbroken to learn of the death of SPC Bishop E. Evans who was reported missing in Eagle Pass on Friday," Abbott said. "Our National Guard soldiers risk their lives every day to serve and protect others and we are eternally grateful for the way SPC Evans heroically served his state and country. I ask that Texans join Cecilia and me in praying for the
  
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• Trial starts for Kyle mother charged with capital murder in alleged killing of 2-year-old son

  25-04-2022 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY (KXAN) — A jury will decide over the next couple of weeks whether Dazrine Chagoya-Williams — the young Kyle mother charged for her alleged role in her two-year-old son's death — is guilty of capital murder.
  Stevie Dwayne Williams, Chagoya-Williams' husband and Mason's father, was found guilty of capital murder in October for his involvement in the young boy's death. He repeatedly told police it was "demons" who killed the young boy, according to body camera video sh
  
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• "Mason's not okay": New video shown in trial for Kyle mom who allegedly killed 2-year-old son

  25-04-2022 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY (KXAN) — Opening comments were made and testimony began Tuesday in the trial for the Kyle woman charged for her alleged role in her two-year-old son's death back in 2018.
  Video not shown in a previous trial gave jurors a look at conversations Dazrine Chagoya-Williams had with police and with family after being told her son was dead. In one of the most emotional moments in court yet in this case, Chagoya-Williams cried while listening to a recording, caught on a police officer's
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Trial underway for Kyle mom who allegedly killed 2-year-old son

  25-04-2022 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY (KXAN) — Opening comments wrapped up Tuesday morning in the trial for the young Kyle woman charged for her alleged role in her two-year-old son's death back in 2018.
  A jury will decide over the next couple of weeks whether Dazrine Chagoya-Williams is guilty of capital murder in the death of her son, Mason.
  "They did not call 911 immediately because they knew they had killed him," the state started their opening comments Tuesday before laying out for the jury what they could exp
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Trial starts for Kyle mother charged in alleged killing of 2-year-old son

  25-04-2022 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY (KXAN) — A jury will decide over the next couple of weeks whether Dazrine Chagoya-Williams — the young Kyle mother charged for her alleged role in her two-year-old son's death — is guilty of capital murder.
  Stevie Dwayne Williams, Chagoya-Williams' husband and Mason's father, was found guilty of capital murder in October for his involvement in the young boy's death. He repeatedly told police it was "demons" who killed the young boy, according to body camera video sh
  
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• Former Austin news anchors start new project focused on telling positive stories

  25-04-2022 17:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Who doesn't like some good news?That's the thought behind a new venture former Austin news anchors Leslie Rhode and Judy Maggio debuted on social media and YouTube earlier this year.
  ATX Good News is posting stories several times per week that all follow three rules: keep it positive, no politics and no profanity, hate speech or bullying. Blog: Austin trio learns to turn pain into purpose, leads free community workouts"We think we’re living through kind of a humanitar
  
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• Lizzo set to bring new tour to Austin's Moody Center

  25-04-2022 17:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The truth doesn't hurt that Lizzo's newly-announced tour is making a stop in downtown Austin.
  The Grammy-winning singer said "The Special Tour," which is named after her new album, will come to Austin's Moody Center on Oct. 25. Fans can start buying tickets online for the show this Friday at 10 a.m.
  In a tweet sharing news about the tour Monday morning, Lizzo wrote, "3 years since my last tour… and I’m finally coming back to YOU!"The Moody Center officially ope
  
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• How fast can you legally drive on 183, 45SW tolls?

  25-04-2022 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the construction of the 183 and 45SW toll roads, drivers have new speed limits they'll need to heed.On Monday, members of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority approved maximum speed limits for both toll roads. Board members approved capping the legal speeds at 75 miles per hour for 183 and 70 miles per hour for 45SW.Engineers took into consideration crash and fatality rates along CTRMA roadways when compared to statewide averages and conducted speed limit stud
  
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• Death row inmate Rodney Reed to get Supreme Court review

  25-04-2022 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear an appeal from Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed, who claims untested crime-scene evidence will help clear him.Reed was sentenced to death for the 1996 killing of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. Prosecutors say Reed raped and strangled Stites as she made her way to work at a supermarket in Bastrop, a rural community about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of Austin. Rodney Reed’s attorneys reject ‘rubberstamped&rsqu
  
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• Pollen leads to at least 2,000 customers without power in east Austin

  25-04-2022 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — About 2,000 Austin Energy customers in east Austin lost power Monday morning.
  According to the Austin Energy map, the outage is taking place near Rogge Lane and Blanton Elementary School, which is in the Windsor Park neighborhood.Widespread rain today, heavy downpours possibleThe utility told KXAN the outage was caused by a power pole catching fire due to rain falling on pollen debris.
  Crews are hoping to have power restored by 10:49 a.m.
  A similar incident occurred in Apri
  
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• At least 2,000 customers without power in east Austin

  25-04-2022 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — About 2,000 Austin Energy customers in east Austin lost power Monday morning.
  According to the Austin Energy map, the outage is taking place near Rogge Lane and Blanton Elementary School, which is in the Windsor Park neighborhood.Widespread rain today, heavy downpours possibleThe utility told KXAN the outage was caused by a power pole catching fire due to rain falling on pollen debris.
  Crews are hoping to have power restored by 10:49 a.m.
  A similar incident occurred in Apri
  
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• Hundreds of volunteers help clean up Lake Travis

  25-04-2022 15:32 via kxan.com
  
  LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) — Hundreds of volunteers came together Sunday to clean up the shores of Lake Travis from Lago Vista to Webberville.
  The cross-county event was organized by the Colorado River Alliance and Travis County Parks. This year marked the 27th annual cleanup on Lake Travis. It's considered to be the largest scuba diving, shoreline and waterway litter pickup in the state. Earth Day cleanup crews remove tons of trash from Lady Bird LakeOrganizers said 200 divers visited four
  
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• Reports: Twitter in talks with Musk over bid to buy platform

  25-04-2022 15:17 via kxan.com
  
  Twitter’s board is negotiating with CEO Elon Musk over his bid to buy the social media platform and a deal could be announced as early as Monday, according to media reports.Twitter and Musk negotiated into the early hours Monday over his bid to buy the social media platform, The New York Times reported, less than two weeks after the billionaire first revealed a massive stake.
  Musk said last week that he had lined up $46.5 billion in financing to buy Twitter, putting pressure on the company
  
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• Reports: Musk's bid to buy and privatize Twitter heats up

  25-04-2022 15:17 via kxan.com
  
  Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter is gaining steam and could be announced as early as Monday, according to media reports about the social media company's late-stage negotiations with the Tesla CEO, who has offered more than $40 billion to privatize the platform and pledged to be more lenient when it comes to policing users' speech.
  Twitter and Musk spoke Sunday and into the early hours Monday, The New York Times reported, less than two weeks after the billionaire first revealed a 9 percent st
  
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• William Cannon at I-35 to reopen after SWAT response

  25-04-2022 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A SWAT response in south Austin caused William Cannon Drive at Interstate 35 to be shut down for about an hour Monday morning. Now, roadways are being reopened, Austin first responders said.
  A man with a weapon was reported in the area, according to the Austin Police Department.
  The Austin Transportation Department said William Cannon at I-35 was closed at about 7:30 a.m. because of the police activity. The Texas Department of Transportation said to take the frontage road a
  
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• William Cannon at I-35 reopens after SWAT response

  25-04-2022 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A SWAT response in south Austin caused William Cannon Drive at Interstate 35 to be shut down Monday morning. Austin first responders said William Cannon was being reopened around 8:30 a.m.
  A man with a weapon was reported in the area, according to the Austin Police Department.
  The Austin Transportation Department said William Cannon at I-35 was closed at about 7:30 a.m. because of the police activity. The Texas Department of Transportation said to take the frontage road as
  
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• William Cannon at I-35 closed due to SWAT response

  25-04-2022 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A SWAT response in south Austin has shut down William Cannon Drive at Interstate 35 Monday morning.
  A man with a weapon was reported in the area, the Austin Police Department said.
  The Austin Transportation Department said William Cannon at I-35 is closed because of the police activity. Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes.
  APD should be releasing more information later on Monday.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Round Rock mother shares tragic story in hopes of ending distracted driving

  25-04-2022 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jamie White remembers when her husband and three of their children, including 2-year-old Allie, went to Old Settlers Park in Round Rock one Sunday in September 2019. The family was there to play soccer when tragedy struck.
  "Allie was standing right here," said White as she stood in the same spot her daughter did on that Sunday."She walked behind [her dad], and she came in this direction. And then she stepped off this curve. And it was about right here that she was hit."Whit
  
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• Widespread heavy rain, downpours continue through the evening

  25-04-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —A potent spring cold front will continue to clear the area through the early afternoon, leaving behind a cooler and wet day. (It's about time we had some rain on radar!)Up-to-date rainfall totals across Central TexasPeriods of showers, downpours and thunderstorms are expected on and off all afternoon and evening. This much needed rain will generally be welcome news, but some minor flooding and a low severe weather risk will continue. UPDATED BLOG: Widespread rain for Central
  
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• Blog: Austin trio learns to turn pain into purpose, leads free community workouts

  25-04-2022 12:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A special kind of movement is building in east Austin. It’s a training ground that’s pulling people out of darkness, and it’s giving hope to some who are ready to give up on life: getting fit by embracing vulnerability.“My journey to where I am now started when I hit rock bottom,” said Braydon Alley. He’s conquered some dark moments in his life. “I created a chain that was attached to my ankle, and it dragged me down.”I met Br
  
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• USPS hosting two job fairs this week in Central Texas

  25-04-2022 12:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The United States Postal Service needs people to deliver your mail, especially if you live outside of major cities. The Postal Service is hosting two fairs Monday and Thursday.It is looking to fill openings right now in the Austin area for Rural Carrier Associate (RCA), Assistant Rural Carrier (ARC), City Carrier Assistant (CCA) and Mail Handler Assistant (MHA).
  Monday's job fair is at the main post office in Round Rock.
  2250 Double Creek Dr., Round Rock, TX 7866411 a.m. to
  
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• NEW: timing of today's widespread rain, thunderstorms

  25-04-2022 10:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some of the wettest weather of the year is heading to drought-stricken areas overnight through Monday.A cold front that will eventually stretch from New England through Texas will help to finally bring some much-needed rain to Central Texas.TimingMonday morning: Rain and storms push west to east, increasing in coverageMonday afternoon: Periods of rain and thunderstorms, isolated severe stormsMonday night: Lingering showers and thunderstorms, especially earlyTuesday morning:
  
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• Takeaways from the Texas Longhorns' Orange-White game

  25-04-2022 06:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Steve Sarkisian's second spring practice is in the books after Saturday's Orange-White game.Sarkisian chose not to do a full spring game, citing offensive line depth, but his version of Texas' final spring practice may stick around. Texas went through a set amount of plays, around 100, before a red zone competition closed out the event in under two hours. What Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said after the spring gameMost Texas fans will focus on the quarterback competition bet
  
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• Austin neighborhood worried after homes hit by gunfire

  25-04-2022 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Residents of a southeast Austin neighborhood say that bullets struck two homes on Bankhead Drive Saturday night.Laura Gomez, who is currently pregnant, says that a bullet came through her window and struck her bed."I walked in and saw a hole in my curtain. I saw the stuff on the floor, the glass, my shattered window and saw where it hit my mattress, right by where my abdomen area would have been if I was sleeping," Gomez said. "I couldn't even sleep there last night, I had
  
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• Wordy ballot language confuses some Texans ahead of May 7 election

  25-04-2022 04:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (Nexstar) — The May 7 election is just a few weeks away and there is confusion surrounding one of the propositions that has to do with your taxes.We've been hearing from neighbors who say Proposition 1 is difficult to understand.Here's how it reads:
  "Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public s
  
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• 15 migrants, driver injured after chase with Texas deputies

  25-04-2022 03:01 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Fifteen migrants and another individual were injured after the truck they were in rolled over following a high-speed chase with Texas deputies on Sunday, according to authorities.A deputy had pulled over the truck around 8 a.m. in Medina County, located west of San Antonio, when one person fled the vehicle before it sped off, according to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office.The chase continued into nearby Bexar County, where the driver lost control and the truck rol
  
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• Buda Wiener Dog Races return after COVID-19 hiatus

  25-04-2022 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — The dogs were back on the move in Buda this weekend.The 25th annual Wiener Dog Races returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Dozens of dogs competed to be crowned the "The Wiener King." This year's theme was a play on Disney's "The Lion King."The two-day event featured races, live music and several cook-off competitions.Photo: Mariano Garza/KXANAll proceeds go toward the Buda Lions Club, which is a national service organization with local chapters
  
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• New signings — Austin FC introduces its Special Olympics Unified Team

  25-04-2022 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC celebrated new signings Sunday. The club hosted its Special Olympics Unified Team signing day at the St. David's Performance Center.Austin FC partnered with Special Olympics Texas in 2020. Teams will play in exhibition games before or after Austin FC home games. Maxi Urruti lifts Austin FC to 1st place with 3-0 win over VancouverOn Sunday, athletes took signing day photos in front of the Austin FC backdrop and settled in to play some soccer."I feel awesome, I feel
  
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