Austin news

• Emergency SNAP benefits in Texas extended through May

  29-04-2022 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is extending emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits through May, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday.The Texas Health and Human Services commission will provide more than $317.9 million in benefits, which is expected to help around 1.6 million households in the state."I’m proud that HHSC is able to give a helping hand to Texas families in need,” said Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Way
  
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• When an isolated strong storm is possible this weekend

  29-04-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our stretch of warm, humid and mainly cloudy weather continues through the weekend, but an approaching cold front may act as a focal point to produce a few isolated rain showers and thunderstorms on Saturday.As the front rolls into our area, we will be greeted by cloudy skies and a few light rain showers before noon Saturday. As the front dissipates, warm sunshine returns through the afternoon. The lingering boundary plus daytime heating could spark a few isolated thunderst
  
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• Security gates can slow first responders when seconds matter

  29-04-2022 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Automatic gates can provide communities a sense of safety and security. Through keypads and sensors, these gates grant access to residents and their guests, seemingly keeping out individuals who should not have access to the area.
  In an emergency, when every second matters, these gates can delay first responders.This was the case for the Ubalde family, who called Round Rock Police to their home on the night of April 23.Neil Ubalde saw a young man attempting to br
  
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• Gov. Abbott redirects $500M from other agencies to fund border security mission through end of year

  29-04-2022 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday he is moving another $500 million to fund Operation Lone Star, his border security initiative at the Texas-Mexico border. The move comes three weeks after state military officials said the multibillion-dollar operation was in need of an infusion of cash to keep it afloat through the end of the year.Abbott said the money would be taken from the budgets of other Texas agencies, including nearly $210 million from the state&r
  
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• HEB issues voluntary recall for brownie products due to potential metal fragments

  29-04-2022 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Grocery chain HEB has issued a voluntary recall for two brownie products because of the possibility of metal fragments.The recall affects HEB Bakery Two Bite Brownies (12 oz) and HEB Simply Delicious Cookies with Brownie Bites Party Trays. The products were manufactured by an outside supplier and distributed to HEB and Joe V's Smart Shop stores in Texas and Mexico.HEB says it has removed all products related to the recall from its shelves. The recall was issued after an inv
  
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• H-E-B issues voluntary recall for brownie products due to potential metal fragments

  29-04-2022 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Grocery chain H-E-B has issued a voluntary recall for two brownie products because of the possibility of metal fragments.The recall affects H-E-B Bakery Two Bite Brownies (12 oz) and H-E-B Simply Delicious Cookies with Brownie Bites Party Trays. The products were manufactured by an outside supplier and distributed to H-E-B and Joe V's Smart Shop stores in Texas and Mexico.H-E-B says it has removed all products related to the recall from its shelves. The recall was issued af
  
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• Affidavit: Man leads deputy on chase in vehicle connected to April 19 homicide

  29-04-2022 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK (KXAN) -- A man was arrested after officials said he evaded arrest on April 27, in a vehicle of interest in an unrelated homicide.
  The Travis County Sheriff's Office said the suspect, identified by an arrest affidavit as Laronte Johnson, 17, evaded arrest on April 27. According to the arrest affidavit, a deputy spotted a stolen vehicle in the northbound lanes of the 17600 block of North State Highway 130 just after 10 p.m.1 person dead, 2 injured after shooting in Round RockWhen the d
  
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• APD: Man arrested in connection to two separate Austin shootings

  29-04-2022 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man has been arrested in connection to a shooting on East Sixth Street and is also a suspect in another shooting that happened on Webberville Road, Austin Police said Friday.
  Police said Eric Rollins, 51, was charged in connection to a homicide that happened in the 400 block of East Sixth Street on Thursday. The shooting happened just before 1 p.m. near East Sixth Street and Trinity Street. Austin Police said officers arrived on the scene and found a male victim with "app
  
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• 'Over capacity is an understatement': San Marcos animal shelter needs to clear 30 kennels ASAP

  29-04-2022 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter says it needs to clear out at least 30 kennels as soon as possible, adding "over capacity is an understatement" when it comes to space at its facility.
  The shelter posted to social media Thursday around 2 p.m., saying it's looking for adopters, fosters and rescues to take in dogs to help the situation."If we don't have a significant number of dogs leave the shelter today, we will be forced to make extremely difficult decisio
  
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• Hermès eager to tackle affluent Austin market

  29-04-2022 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  (Austin Business Journal) —Hermès International SA, a French luxury fashion designer and retailer that has had its Birkin handbags put up as an investment that rivaled gold and the S&P 500, is opening a brick-and-mortar shop on Austin's hip South Congress Avenue.The 7,600-square-foot store at 1221 S. Congress Ave. will open on April 30. This will be the third Hermès store in Texas — the other two are in Dallas’ Highland Park Village and Houston&rsquo
  
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• Latino-focused banned books caravan rolling into Austin

  29-04-2022 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Latino-focused "caravan of banned books" will roll into Austin on Friday as part of a three-city day trip.The demonstration, organized by the group Librotraficante (or "book traffickers" in English) was slated to begin in Houston before traveling to San Antonio and then wrapping up in Austin with a march to the Texas state capitol.Group fights to keep subjects like critical race theory in Texas classroomsThe caravan comes in response to Texas schools pulling books from li
  
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• 'No child in our system should be hurt by an educator,' Texas lawmaker says

  29-04-2022 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Former teacher and Texas Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, said Texas can do better to protect vulnerable students with special needs and improve the state systems that serve them.This comes after KXAN investigated cases of students being physically restrained by public school employees and officials, including a case out of Hutto Independent School District. In that case, which happened in 2018, a Special Education director, teacher and a high school principal face misdemeanor
  
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• Couple has dream wedding on Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas to Las Vegas

  29-04-2022 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — One lucky couple said "I do" over the weekend, but unlike other couples' big days, their wedding was on board a Southwest Airlines flight out of Dallas Love Field.
  On Thursday, April 27, Southwest Airlines took to its Facebook page and told the unusual wedding story of Pam and Jeremy.
  Their story begins with a leap of faith. After the couple jokingly brought up the idea of booking a flight to Las Vegas and getting married, their "what if" turned into a "let's do it." So the
  
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• Over 1,000 Austin ISD employees affected by 'payroll issue'

  29-04-2022 17:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 1,000 employees with the Austin Independent School District are being affected by a payroll issue, the district said.
  "We are experiencing a payroll issue that has affected 1,320 employees. We are working with the bank to fix this issue today and will provide an update on our progress by noon," the district said in a text alert to all staff.
  Right now, more than 10,400 people are employed with AISD, a district spokeswoman said. That means about 12.6% of staff
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Trial for Kyle mom who allegedly murdered son continues Friday

  29-04-2022 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Testimony continued Friday in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams — the young Kyle mother who allegedly murdered her nearly 2-year-old son — after jurors were sent home early Thursday.
  Family members of Chagoya-Williams' husband reportedly revealed new information Thursday during an afternoon break, the state said. Those comments warranted a witness statement to be written and for it to be given to the defense. What exactly was said was not disclos
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Trial for Kyle mom who allegedly murdered son continues after Thursday interruption

  29-04-2022 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Testimony will continue Friday in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams — the young Kyle mother who allegedly murdered her nearly 2-year-old son — after jurors were sent home early Thursday.
  Family members reportedly revealed new information Thursday during an afternoon break, the state said. Those comments warranted a witness statement to be written and for it to be handed to the defense. What exactly was said was not disclosed to the court.
  As of F
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Family testifies in trial for Kyle mom who allegedly murdered son

  29-04-2022 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Testimony continued Friday in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams — the young Kyle mother who allegedly murdered her nearly 2-year-old son — after jurors were sent home early Thursday.
  Family members of Chagoya-Williams' husband reportedly revealed new information Thursday during an afternoon break, the state said. Those comments warranted a witness statement to be written and for it to be given to the defense. What exactly was said was not disclos
  
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• Group fights to keep subjects like critical race theory in Texas classrooms

  29-04-2022 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One organization is fighting to keep subjects like critical race theory in classrooms by recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Librotraficante Caravan arriving in Austin.
  The HABLA y VOTA Action Fund says 10 years ago, a group of Chicano activists and writers smuggled forbidden Chicano history and other books from Texas into Arizona. They defied a 2010 ethnic studies ban in Arizona public schools.A federal judge in 2017 prohibited Arizona education officials from enforcin
  
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• Half of new Travis County homeowners left out this key document in their appraisal value protest

  29-04-2022 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The deadline for homeowners to protest their home’s appraisal value is quickly approaching; May 16 is the deadline.Travis Central Appraisal District expects more than 150,000 protests to be filed this year with a high number of homeowners seeing a resolution. How to protest your 2022 property appraisal in Central Texas“There is a good majority of the accounts that will have some sort of reduction applied to them,” said Mayra Crigler the chief
  
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• Experts say gas prices may have peaked

  29-04-2022 15:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Depending on where you live in Texas, gas prices have been inching down from a March 10 high of $4.10 state average.El Pasoaens are paying $3.93 on average as of Thursday, whereas in refinery-dense Corpus Christi, folks are paying an average of $3.62 a gallon.
  The minor decline doesn't mean Texans and Americans aren't feeling a pinch at the pump, but gas experts said the prices might have peaked.
  Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum and gas analysis at GasBuddy, said i
  
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• 'They deserve a stage': Conjunto music festival returns to Austin this weekend

  29-04-2022 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Conjunto music is alive in Austin this weekend, with the Rancho Alegre Conjunto Music Festival making a return in Austin.The genre originated with Tejanos in Texas during the 18th and 19th century, and it's still very popular among Mexican-Americans in the state.One local nonprofit hopes the festival this weekend will promote and preserve the historic melody. Eeyore’s Birthday Party returns for 1st time in 3 years — what to knowConjunto music runs in Susan Torre
  
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• Drought causes Texas farmers to turn to unexpected solution — robots

  29-04-2022 14:24 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — At least half of Texas is dealing with extreme drought right now, according to the latest drought monitor. A recent report by the United Nations found droughts are becoming more frequent and more intense as a direct result of climate change. These droughts are forcing farmers to search for unique ways to conserve fresh water.Grover is one of the many robots at Iron Ox making growing more sustainable and efficient. (Courtesy: Iron Ox)A recently opened farm in Lockha
  
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• Why Willie Nelson celebrates his birthday twice

  29-04-2022 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Happy birthday Willie Nelson! The Texas country music legend is celebrating his 89th birthday.Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, just north of Waco on April 29, 1933 but also celebrates on April 30. He told listeners on his SiriusXM radio show in 2018 why he has two birthdays. Nelson said he was born late on April 29. The county courthouse in Abbott didn't record late-night births until the next morning.
  To coincide with both birth dates, Nelson released his 17th album calle
  
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• State board considers tougher teacher certification standards in Texas

  29-04-2022 13:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state of Texas could make it harder for teachers to get certified. The State Board of Educator Certification on Friday could change its certification exam.According to the Texas Tribune, the state certification board said changing the exam teachers need to take would better prepare them and maybe keep them in their jobs longer. Texas has used the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam since 2002.It's a test of 100 multiple choice questions.The new test is the E
  
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• Austin ISD bus drivers upset with proposed holiday pay cut

  29-04-2022 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District has proposed plans to give its transportation employees a raise.This would mean moving the minimum wage for bus drivers from $17 to $21 an hour.However, the school district will need to take away their drivers' holiday pay in order to offset the cost.This has upset some Austin ISD bus drivers, such as Laura Cruz.“We deserve a raise, but we don’t deserve to have our holiday pay taken away,” she said. “We rely on
  
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• NEW: Severe weather risk rising on Saturday

  29-04-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our stretch of warm, humid and mainly cloudy weather continues today... but our weekend may look a bit different for some.A storm system moving to our north will drag a cold front into north Texas Saturday. Forecast models are undecided as to where this front will stall (if at all), meaning rain chances are still a bit of a question mark.Given the latest data, our thinking continues to trend towards the cold front stalling close enough to bring at least a few isolated storm
  
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• Isolated storms possible this weekend

  29-04-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our stretch of warm, humid and mainly cloudy weather continues today... but our weekend may look a bit different for some.A storm system moving to our north will drag a cold front into north Texas Saturday. Forecast models are undecided as to where this front will stall (if at all), meaning rain chances are still a bit of a question mark.Given the latest data, our thinking continues to trend towards the cold front stalling close enough to bring at least a few isolated storm
  
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• SWAT responds to warrant call in nw Austin

  29-04-2022 10:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say the SWAT team is helping them serve a warrant in a northwest Austin neighborhood Friday morning. They say a person inside a home refuses to come out.Police say the SWAT operation was a planned part of the warrant service which began around 1 a.m. on North Ute Trail. That is off McNeil Drive near Jollyville Elementary School.Austin Police Dept are out on a planned Swat deployment at Blackfoot Trail and Ute Trail— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) A
  
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• SWAT responds to warrant call in northwest Austin

  29-04-2022 10:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police said the SWAT team is helping officers serve a warrant in a northwest Austin neighborhood Friday morning. They said a person inside a home refuses to come out.Police said the SWAT operation was a planned part of the warrant service, which began around 1 a.m. on North Ute Trail. That is off McNeil Drive near Jollyville Elementary School.
  Police have shut off the following intersections:North Ute Trail at Wittmer DriveNorth Ute Trail at Blackfoot TrailNorth Ute
  
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• 2 found unresponsive in northwest Austin home after fentanyl bust

  29-04-2022 10:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two suspects were taken to the hospital early Friday morning following a fentanyl bust at a storage unit and a SWAT callout at a northwest Austin home, the Austin Police Department said. Police are wrapping up the scene.
  Police said earlier, detectives conducted a search warrant at a storage facility not far from the home. They found a large amount of fentanyl, other drugs and weapons inside the unit.TMA ‘alarmed’ by spike in accidental overdose deaths, points t
  
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• Scooter rider killed in east Austin crash

  29-04-2022 10:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a man is dead after a vehicle hit him and the scooter he was riding on East Seventh Street in east Austin Friday morning. Seventh Street is currently shut down between Allen Street and Springdale Lane.
  The crash happened on Seventh Street between Allen and Gunter Streets around 2:30 a.m.
  Police say the driver stayed at the crash scene. No arrests have been made.Scooter safety has been an issue in Austin for several years. A 2019 study by the Centers for Disease
  
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• 1 arrested after scooter rider killed in east Austin crash

  29-04-2022 10:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person was arrested on a DWI charge after a man riding a scooter on East Seventh Street early Friday morning was hit and killed by a vehicle, the Austin Police Department said.
  Seventh Street is shut down between Allen Street and Springdale Lane.
  The crash happened on Seventh Street between Allen and Gunter Streets around 2:30 a.m.
  Police said the driver did stay at the crash scene.Scooter safety has been an issue in Austin for several years. A 2019 study by the Centers
  
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• Cowboys draft offensive lineman in first round

  29-04-2022 05:11 via kxan.com
  
  FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys took Tulsa tackle Tyler Smith with the 24th overall pick in the first round, targeting a once-dominant offensive line that is in a state of flux for the first time in years.
  It's a homecoming for Smith, who was born in Fort Worth and played his high school football career at North Crowley High School. Lake Travis High School product Garrett Wilson drafted in first round by JetsSmith was the choice, after two other targets were already off the board:
  
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• Texans take defensive back, offensive lineman and add picks on first day of the draft

  29-04-2022 04:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)--LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has been taken by the Houston Texans with the third overall pick in the NFL draft. It’s the first time since 2019 that the Texans have had a pick in the first round.Stingley had six interceptions and broke up 15 passes as a freshman in 2019 but has played just 10 games in the last two seasons because of injuries. He played just three games last season before having foot surgery.Stingley was dazzling in his pro day earlier this month running
  
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• Lake Travis High School product Garrett Wilson drafted in first round by Jets

  29-04-2022 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Travis High School and Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson was drafted with the 10th overall all-pick in the NFL draft by the New York Jets on Thursday. Wilson is the second Lake Travis High School graduate in five years to get drafted in the first round. Baker Mayfield, the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, is to be selected in the first round.Wilson was a first team All-American in the 2021 season at Ohio State University, with 70 receptions for 1,054 yards a
  
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• Mack, Jack and Matthew McConaughey celebrate 10th anniversary fundraising for kids

  29-04-2022 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Mack, Jack and McConaughey annual fundraising effort kicked off with a gala downtown Austin, celebrating the foundation's 10th anniversary.
  It's a joint effort started by former UT coach Mack Brown, artist Jack Ingram and actor Matthew McConaughey.Since the event began, MJ&M has donated more than $20 million to organizations benefiting children. The 2022 event will support CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center, HeartGift, just keep livin Fo
  
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• 'We could have a serious issue': Drought-prone Central Texas and the business boom

  29-04-2022 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the last 15 years, Round Rock grandmother Seem Monsoor said she's watched Central Texas transform as big companies build big facilities and bring in new neighbors.
  "Lots of changes, lots and lots of changes," Monsoor told KXAN while watering her garden, with her young granddaughter toddling about.With the growth showing no signs of slowing and increasing concern over drought conditions, Monsoor said she wonders what the future holds for the area's water supply —
  
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• Dallas Cowboys prepare to fill holes in the roster with 2022 NFL Draft

  29-04-2022 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  LAS VEGAS (KFDX/KJTL) — After a disappointing first-round playoff exit and the departure of several key starters, the Dallas Cowboys now look to the draft to fill the holes in their roster.Head coach Mike McCarthy enters his third season at the helm without a playoff win under his belt, and many insiders believe he has to earn one this season to keep his job as the leader of America's Team.Owner and general manager Jerry Jones and his son, president of the Cowboys, Steven Jones, have seen
  
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• Jury finds former Hutto police officer guilty of assault, official oppression

  29-04-2022 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A jury has found a former Hutto police officer guilty of both assault and official oppression.
  The prosecution finished its case on Thursday in the trial of Gregory Parris. The former Hutto Police officer was on trial for injuries Jeremy Rogers sustained during a May 2018 call. Parris will be sentenced in June.
  The defense deferred its opening statement at the start of the trial. Once the prosecution finished its case, defense attorneys began calling witne
  
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• Jury begins deliberating in former Hutto police officer trial

  29-04-2022 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The jury has begun deliberating in the case of a former Hutto police officer charged with assault and official oppression.
  The prosecution finished its case on Thursday in the trial of Gregory Parris. The former Hutto Police officer faces counts of both assault and official oppression for injuries Jeremy Rogers sustained during a May 2018 call.The defense deferred its opening statement at the start of the trial. Once the prosecution finished its case, defe
  
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