Austin news

• Scuba diver reunites man with UT class ring after it was lost in Lake Travis

  13-08-2022 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Michael Valintin didn't think "in a million years" he was going to see his University of Texas class ring again after diving off a boat on Lake Travis a year and a half ago and having it sink to the depths of the lake.
  That was until he got a text from Robert Weiss at Lake Travis Scuba earlier this week letting Valintin know he had found the ring on one of his scuba missions."I just couldn't believe my ears, man," Valintin said. "I've been praying for that ring for the longest."
  
  Read more

• One of three men tied to San Marcos murder found guilty, sentenced to 27 years

  13-08-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- One of three men tied to a 2018 San Marcos murder has been found guilty and sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in the crime.Adrien Terrell Rose was arrested by the US Marshals in 2018 in Mississippi in connection to the death of Matthew Jacob Rodriguez Jr.PREVIOUS: Third suspect arrested in San Marcos deadly shootingPolice said Rodriguez was shot multiple times in the chest and died at the Park North Condos in the 1600 block of Aquarena Springs Drive in San
  
  Read more

• 'Devastating': Austin mom joins effort asking Biden to do more about fentanyl

  13-08-2022 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on the horizon, an Austin mom is joining families around the country in asking federal lawmakers to do more.Carilu Bell lost her son, Casey Copeland, to fentanyl poisoning less than a year ago. Bell has used her story to connect with other victims' families and to advocate for more education locally.
  Casey Copeland died after taking a pill that was laced with fentanyl in 2021 (courtesy Carilu Bell)
  "He took what he thought
  
  Read more

• 'Unprovoked': Arrest made in murder of 70-year-old Florence grandmother

  13-08-2022 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in the murder of a 70-year-old Florence grandmother. Investigators said they believe this was an "unprovoked" and "random" act of violence.Joshua Anthony Gilbreath, 26, has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of Diana Lynn Pier after she was found shot to death. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
  Diana Lynn Pier, 70 (KXAN photo)The sheriff's office said Gildbreath was found b
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Arrest made in murder of 70-year-old Florence grandmother

  13-08-2022 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in the murder of a 70-year-old Florence grandmother. Investigators said they believe this was an "unprovoked" and "random" act of violence.Joshua Anthony Gilbreath, 26, has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of Diana Lynn Pier after she was found shot to death. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
  Diana Lynn Pier, 70 (KXAN photo)The sheriff's office said Gildbreath was found b
  
  Read more

• Free school supplies distributed in Del Valle

  13-08-2022 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) – Some students in Del Valle got free school supplies Friday.Texas YES Project, or the Youth Education Support Project, gave out their "Box of Dreams" supplies at Hillcrest Elementary. The law firm, Thomas J. Henry, hosted the event.The "Box of Dreams" includes anything an elementary school student might need for the year."There's tissues, there's crayons, and there's pencils, and there's paper, and there's a notebook,” Xavier Ramirez, a third grader, said.Tex
  
  Read more

• Police identify suspect in Leander fatal shooting

  13-08-2022 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Leander Police arrested a man Saturday hours after a homicide that happened earlier that day.LPD said it responded to a call at 3:15 a.m. that a man had reportedly shot his girlfriend in the 1100 block of Snow Goose Lane. When officers arrived, they found a dead 24-year-old woman who was shot once with a pistol.
  Police later arrested a 41-year-old Leander man who initially fled the scene before Williamson County deputies located and detained him, police said. He is
  
  Read more

• Man arrested in connection to murder of Leander woman

  13-08-2022 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – Leander Police arrested a man Saturday hours after a homicide that happened earlier that day.
  LPD said it responded to a call at 3:15 a.m. that a man had reportedly shot his girlfriend in the 1100 block of Snow Goose Lane. When officers arrived, they found a dead 24-year-old woman who was shot once with a pistol.
  Police later arrested a 40-year-old Leander man who initially fled the scene before Williamson County deputies located and detained him, police said. He is
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Leander police investigate homicide Saturday morning

  13-08-2022 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – The Leander Police Department said it was investigating a homicide Saturday morning in the 1100 block of Snow Goose.According to police, a suspect is in custody. Officials said the incident was isolated, and there was no danger to the public.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for updates.
  
  Read more

• ATCEMS preps for monkeypox

  13-08-2022 15:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While monkeypox isn't nearly as transmissible as COVID, medics' preparations look very similar."Eye protection, gowns, the respirator, the N95 or P100s that we carry as well as decontamination procedures after the fact," said Captain Christa Stedman with Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS). Monkeypox tracker: How many cases are there in Texas?The City and County declared monkeypox a public health emergency earlier this week.
  "So we're in line for reimbursement for funding should a
  
  Read more

• Texas mother, daughter charged with assaulting pregnant woman

  13-08-2022 14:04 via kxan.com
  
  ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) -- Three women were arrested late last month following a fight that left two people, including a pregnant woman, injured.Bianca Renee Pineda, 44, has been charged with two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity and one count of assault. Her daughter, 17-year-old Janelle Pineda, was charged with two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity. Janell's unnamed girlfriend, a 16-year-old, has also been charged with two counts of engaging in organized crimi
  
  Read more

• Austin ISD tries to stabilize student enrollment

  13-08-2022 05:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin’s population grows at a rapid rate, the Austin Independent School District isn't keeping pace with its student enrollment.Katie Casstevens is the student enrollment and attendance interim executive director at AISD."A lot of families can't continue to afford to live in the city,” she said. “So we're seeing some families move into some of the surroundings of our communities."According to the district, these students are enrolling in districts outs
  
  Read more

• Lawmakers vote on Inflation Reduction Act

  13-08-2022 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEXSTAR) -- The inflation Reduction Act cleared the House on Friday. This bill has been more than 18 months in the making. Democrats say just getting this far is a victory. But Republicans returned to Washington Friday, united in opposition.
  Democrats praise their bill as life changing legislation.
  "If you are sitting at your kitchen table and wonder how you're going to pay the bills, your healthcare bills, your prescription drug bills, this bill is for you," House Speaker Nanc
  
  Read more

• AISD 2022 bond would address open floor plans

  13-08-2022 04:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If it passes in November, the 2022 bond package would upgrade and improve safety at campuses across Austin Independent School District."We are investing 2.44 billion, in ourselves, in our teachers, in our community," said Geronimo Rodriguez, AISD board of trustees president.Locks, fencing, security vestibules, these are just a few of the upgrades schools will see."Every modernized school gets brought up to the highest standard of safety and security," said Matias Segur
  
  Read more

• AISD to provide free meals for all students at 76 schools

  13-08-2022 04:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin ISD will continue providing free breakfast and lunch for students at 76 schools in the district through a federally funded program, a press release from the district said.
  The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program is a federally funded meal service option for schools in low-income areas that allows districts to serve free meals to all enrolled students without any application or documentation. The schools participating in the program are listed below.Students
  
  Read more

• Texas man accused of flying drone over federal prison to deliver drugs, other contraband

  13-08-2022 02:51 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) – A Smithville man was arrested Thursday after officials said he attempted to use a drone to deliver drugs and other contraband into a Texas prison.Bryant LeRay Henderson, 42, was federally charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide contraband in prison, serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.“Con
  
  Read more

• Family of Vanessa Guillen seeking $35 million in damages

  13-08-2022 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — The family of a Texas soldier who was was sexually harassed and killed at a military base near Killeen in 2020 filed a lawsuit Friday seeking $35 million in damages from the U.S. government.The family of 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen is seeking damages on the basis of sexual harassment, abuse, assault, rape, sodomy and wrongful death. Vanessa Guillen’s family fighting to end ‘Dead Suspect Loophole’An investigation by military officials into the death
  
  Read more

• Hays County confirms two monkeypox cases

  13-08-2022 02:39 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY (KXAN) -- The Hays County Local Health Department has confirmed two cases of monkeypox within the county. HCLHD is investigating the cases and working to identify anyone who may have had direct contact with the patients.
  The HCLHD has received a limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine, which can be administered to individuals on a case-by-case basis. HCLHD is working collaboratively with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), healthcare providers and other local health d
  
  Read more

• Hays County man sentenced to 90 years in prison for child porn

  13-08-2022 02:35 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A 44-year-old man was sentenced to 90 years in prison on multiple counts of child pornography Friday.Benjamin Wilcox was sentenced to 60 years in prison for one count of sexual performance by a child, 20 years for three counts of possession of child pornography with intent to promote, and 10 years for 11 counts of possession of child pornography, according to a Hays County press release.The judge ordered some of the charges to be served consecutively.A San Marco
  
  Read more

• Alex Jones' company sees sales 'surge' after trial, according to bankruptcy court filing

  13-08-2022 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Alex Jones has seen his company's sales "surge," according to recent court filings, after a jury's multi-million dollar verdict against the Austin-based conspiracy theorist and media personality.Free Speech Systems, LLC -- the parent company of Jones' website, Infowars -- filed for bankruptcy at the end of July, amid the ongoing defamation trial over his claims the Sandy Hook shooting was fake.Q&A: How could tort reform affect the Alex Jones verdict?In a court filing this we
  
  Read more

• Texas to receive millions for transportation projects

  13-08-2022 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas is getting tens of millions of dollars from the Biden Administration to make transportation safer, and help with some supply chain issues across the state.In total, $101.6 million will be put toward six projects, detailed in a press release from the White House."They've got to do what they can, there's a lot of improvements to be made in a lot of different areas," Johnathan, an active bicycylist, said.These projects are good news for bicyclists across Texas.The mon
  
  Read more

• Man arrested in 7th Street shooting that killed one, injured another

  13-08-2022 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An 18-year-old was charged with first-degree murder after a shooting on East 7th Street that left one person dead and another injured, according to the Austin Police Department.
  Austin police said the shooting happened in the 500 block of E. 7th St. near the intersection of Neches Street at approximately 2 a.m. Aug. 6.
  When officers arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds and took him to the hospital. They later found a second man lying on the ground unresponsive with
  
  Read more

• Affordable internet now available for thousands of Austinites; How to see if you're eligible

  13-08-2022 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of Austin households now qualify for free or discounted broadband internet through the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program.
  Internet access has become more and more of a necessity in the Digital Age, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic forced most people into their homes, relying on the internet for work or school.The ACP will provide a $30 per month discount toward broadband services. Many Austin-area internet providers have a $
  
  Read more

• Pet fees hit Texas renters unequally, but landlord group says they're necessary

  13-08-2022 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Many pet owners have likely paid an extra deposit or rent for their non-human companions, but that extra expense can act as a barrier to pet ownership for some. Troubling research suggests that additional pet fees in Austin disproportionally target lower income and non-white communities. Clear the Shelters: Enter KXAN’s ‘Animals Got Talent’ contestA study titled "Pet-Friendly for Whom? An Analysis of Pet Fees in Texas Rental Housing", published in Frontier
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!