Austin news

• Lizzo plays James Madison's never-used crystal flute at DC concert

  28-09-2022 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - A crystal flute that once belonged to then-President James Madison got some lawmaker-level protection on its way to a Lizzo concert, guarded by Capitol Police officers on its way to its first performance.The singer, who is a classically trained flute player, beamed as she excitedly showed off the precious instrument, on loan from the Library of Congress, at her show at the Capitol One Arena in Washington on Tuesday.The flute was crafted for Madison in 1813 in honor of his second ina
  
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• More Dems want Biden run in 2024; Harris top choice if he doesn't: poll

  28-09-2022 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  After support for a President Biden reelection bid dipped earlier this year, more Democrats are now saying they’d back a 2024 run from the president, new polling shows. If he doesn’t enter the ring, Vice President Harris is their top choice in a hypothetical party primary. A new Morning Consult-Politico poll found that 59 percent Democrat voters think Biden should make another run for the Oval Office, up from 53 percent in August. In March of this year, Biden boasted a
  
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• More Democrats want Biden to run in 2024; Harris top choice if he doesn't: poll

  28-09-2022 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  After support for a President Biden reelection bid dipped earlier this year, more Democrats are now saying they’d back a 2024 run from the president, new polling shows. If he doesn’t enter the ring, Vice President Harris is their top choice in a hypothetical party primary. A new Morning Consult-Politico poll found that 59 percent Democrat voters think Biden should make another run for the Oval Office, up from 53 percent in August. In March of this year, Biden boasted a
  
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• More Democrats want Biden run in 2024; Harris top choice if he doesn't: poll

  28-09-2022 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  After support for a President Biden reelection bid dipped earlier this year, more Democrats are now saying they’d back a 2024 run from the president, new polling shows. If he doesn’t enter the ring, Vice President Harris is their top choice in a hypothetical party primary. A new Morning Consult-Politico poll found that 59 percent Democrat voters think Biden should make another run for the Oval Office, up from 53 percent in August. In March of this year, Biden boasted a
  
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• Eanes ISD postpones banned books discussion

  28-09-2022 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eanes ISD is rescheduling a lesson surrounding banned books to October, amid some concerns from community members about the lesson.Eanes ISD officials confirmed its planned Hill Country Middle School presentation, originally scheduled to coincide with "Banned Book Week," will likely take place in October. Officials said in an email to KXAN they "fundamentally support conversations and lessons about intellectual freedom and access to reading materials."Officials said when a
  
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• McConnell downplays impact of abortion politics on battle for the Senate

  28-09-2022 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday downplayed the impact of abortion politics on the battle for the Senate majority, predicting that the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade will play differently in different states.  McConnell has sought to make the 2022 midterm elections a referendum on President Biden by focusing on inflation, the influx of migrants across the southern border and rising crime rates in big cities.  But political handicappers now say
  
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• Third deadly crash of the year in Taylor claims life of 26-year-old man

  28-09-2022 22:38 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Taylor police are investigating the town's third deadly crash of the year, which took the life of a 26-year-old man.
  It happened in the 10300 block of Chandler Road, at the intersection of County Road 101. Police got the call at 6:20 Wednesday morning.
  Preliminary investigation showed that a black GMC pickup truck, being driven by Mario David Salinas Rodriguez, 26, was traveling north in the 3300 block of County Road 101.
  Police said Rodriguez did not yield to the right o
  
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• Austin's iconic Nau's Enfield Drug closing soon

  28-09-2022 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nau's Enfield Drug opened its doors in 1951, but after decades of serving Austin, the iconic business will close.The family who runs Nau's says their lease was not renewed by the landlord and they will have to close in March.This is a developing story and will be updated after the 6 p.m. newscast.
  
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• Austin City Council set to vote on federal I-35 'cap and stitch' funding

  28-09-2022 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council is expected to vote on a resolution to submit the "Our Future 35: Connecting Equitably Study" for a federal pilot program Thursday. It would kickstart planning on the city's I-35 cap and stitch program.
  The Texas Department of Transportation is planning to lower I-35 as a part of its Capital Express Central Project. That controversial project is intended to expand the highway in an attempt to ease congestion and update infrastructure.
  Tangentially, the C
  
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• Brush fire in Buda prompts lockout at McCormick Middle School

  28-09-2022 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Buda first responders are working on containing a brush fire in Southeast Buda near McCormick Middle School.
  The school is not at risk but is on lockout. Parents/guardians should contact school administrators for information about student release or pickup.
  Residents and motorists are asked to avoid the area of Suffield Drive and Dacy Lane. Road closures are expected at Apple Blossom St./Dacy Lane, Kelly Smith Lane, Industrial Way, and up to Hillside Terrace.
  No evacuation
  
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• $1.5 million worth of fentanyl seized in Amarillo

  28-09-2022 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) -- Officials with the Amarillo Police Department's narcotics unit recently seized around 100,000 fentanyl pills during an investigation.
  According to a news release from the department, the narcotics unit, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency's Amarillo office, conducted an investigation that led to officials seizing around 100,000 fentanyl pills.
  Officials said in the release that the pills were disguised as M30 prescription pills, or oxycodone hydrochlor
  
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• Austin man to compete in London Marathon 8 months post-ALS diagnosis

  28-09-2022 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin resident Bill Corrigan has been a marathoner for 20 years, with 12 marathons under his belt. Now, he's working to tackle the World Marathon Majors and complete the six greatest marathons around the world — and said a recent ALS diagnosis won't deter him.On Sunday, Corrigan will tackle the London Marathon, racing alongside 50,000 competitors from around the globe. It's a race he's been training for for several months but a dream years in the making, he said.And
  
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• DOJ: Dripping Springs woman defrauded VA, claimed husband was paralyzed

  28-09-2022 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A federal jury on Tuesday convicted a Dripping Springs woman for cheating the Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration out of more than $300,000 by claiming her husband was paralyzed.
  The U.S. Department of Justice said Josephine Perez-Gorda, 39, was found guilty of the following:
  11 counts of wire fraudone count of mail fraudone count of health care fraudthree counts of false statements related to a health care matterone count of conspira
  
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• Hays County fills mental health court positions, taking cases soon

  28-09-2022 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — After three years, the Hays County mental health court will start taking cases soon. That's after the county filled both of its mental health court positions.Those positions include a case worker and administrator.Commissioners created the court in December 2019. It's meant to provide an alternative to jail if mental health might have played a role. It would take on both criminal misdemeanor and felony cases.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hays County mental health court has
  
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• Hays County fills mental health court positions, currently taking cases

  28-09-2022 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — After three years, the Hays County mental health court is taking cases. That's after the county filled both of its mental health court positions.Those positions include a case worker and administrator.Commissioners created the court in December 2019. It's meant to provide an alternative to jail if mental health might have played a role. It would take on both criminal misdemeanor and felony cases.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hays County mental health court has taken no cas
  
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• Longhorns focusing on ability to close tight games

  28-09-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2021 season that brought about a 5-7 record for the Texas football team is one that fans, players and coaches surely want to forget. But with the loss Saturday at Texas Tech, a key factor that plagued the Longhorns last fall popped up again.In Texas' key defeats last year against the ranked teams of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Baylor, the Longhorns blew second-half leads. In their Big 12 opener this season in Lubbock, Texas let a 31-17 lead late in the third quarter sl
  
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• San Antonio Spurs plan trip to Uvalde before season

  28-09-2022 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs know they cannot erase the pain that the residents of Uvalde, Texas have felt since May 24.They can, however, continue reminding the city of 16,000 people that they’re not forgotten. Austin artists paint Uvalde murals honoring victimsThe Spurs are planning what they’re calling a community impact event in Uvalde on Oct. 8; details are still being finalized, but it seems likely the entire team and Popovich will be making
  
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• VIDEOS: Florida braces for Hurricane Ian impact

  28-09-2022 18:55 via kxan.com
  
  FLORIDA (KXAN) — Following its first landfall in western Cuba Tuesday morning, Hurricane Ian approaches Category 5 strength as it nears Florida.As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center had placed the eye of the storm about 50 miles southwest of Naples, Florida. Now, Ian is heading toward the north and northeast region of the state at 90 miles per hour.LIVE: Hurricane Ian near Category 5 strength ahead of landfallWith planned wind speeds of 155 miles per hour, and gusts that co
  
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• Texas deputies involved in local fair shooting 'no-billed' by grand jury

  28-09-2022 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) -- Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety told MyHighPlains.com Wednesday that all three deputies involved in the recent shooting at the Tri-State Fair were no-billed by a Potter County Grand Jury.
  To be "no-billed" means that the grand jury believes the deputies decided to act accordingly in the incident and will not be charged, according to officials.This comes after a suspect opened fire at the Tri-State Fair on Sept. 20, hitting William Jacob Snyder
  
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• Man pleads guilty to June 2020 murder in east Austin

  28-09-2022 16:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In late August, a man pleaded guilty to shooting his friend inside a vehicle in east Austin in June 2020, court documents showed.
  According to the paperwork, Adrian Whitley, who was 43 at the time of the shooting, was sentenced to 15 years in jail. He has jail credit for 792 days.
  Adrian Whitley (APD) PAST STORY: Suspect arrested in connection with east Austin homicideThe murder happened at the corner of Airport Boulevard and Gunter Street. Darnell E. McClain, 37, was prono
  
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• APD: Man hit Tesla employee with his vehicle at charging station

  28-09-2022 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is looking for a man who harassed a Tesla employee and hit them with his car in late August.
  APD said the incident took place Aug. 29 around 5:39 p.m. at the Tesla supercharging station at 6406 N. Interstate 35 service road southbound.APD officers slam city, department management in workforce surveyAPD said the man parked his vehicle, which wasn't a Tesla, in one of the charging spots. After entering a restricted area at the supercharging statio
  
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• Tracking Hurricane Ian's impact on Tampa Bay

  28-09-2022 14:29 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- People around the Tampa Bay area have either evacuated or are now taking cover as Hurricane Ian closes in on Florida's west coast as an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane.
  WFLA has crews stationed around the area, safely monitoring conditions as the storm gets closer. Here are the latest updates as we track Ian (most recent updates will appear at top, all time are EDT):Sarasota County, 6:50 a.m. WednesdayConditions are deteriorating quickly in Sarasota County. Jack
  
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• Austin metro schools use more solar power than all other Texas school districts combined, report reveals

  28-09-2022 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If your child is going to a school in the Austin metro, their campus may be generating power for your home. A new report published by the nonprofit Generation 180 found schools in the Austin metro are using more solar power than all other Texas school districts combined.Schools in the state are in general lagging behind. About 8,409 K-12 schools in the United States use solar power, either through their own generation or by opting to use solar power through their local util
  
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• APD officers slam city, department management in workforce survey

  28-09-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police officers blasted their department and city leadership in a workplace survey that showed Austin Police Department employees have some of the lowest opinions of the city’s direction and management of any department.APD employee sentiment was well below the citywide average in every measure, according to the Listening to the Workforce Survey. Only 20% of responding APD employees said they felt their department was well managed, just 17% said they felt it wa
  
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• 3 ways to watch the Abbott-O'Rourke Texas Governor debate Friday

  28-09-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Friday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke will meet for a televised debate hosted by Nexstar Media Group. The debate is ahead of the November election, where voters will decide who will represent them as the state's chief executive officer.There are three ways viewers can watch the debate when it begins at 7 p.m. Friday — broadcasted on KXAN, on KXAN.com or on the KXAN News app. Nexstar stat
  
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• Austin Energy crew leaves for Florida to help with Hurricane Ian recovery

  28-09-2022 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than a dozen line workers and personnel from Austin Energy left their homes Wednesday morning to help families in Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Ian.As of Wednesday morning, the storm was a high-end Category Four expected to hit the Florida peninsula by the afternoon. Ian made its first landfall in Cuba on Tuesday.RELATED: Hurricane Ian near Category 5 strength ahead of landfallAustin Energy said 18 crew members were headed to Jacksonville along with six bucket t
  
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• LIVE: Hurricane Ian near Category 5 strength ahead of landfall

  28-09-2022 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  FLORIDA (KXAN) — Hurricane Ian made its first landfall in western Cuba early Tuesday morning as a major category 3 storm packing winds of 125 mph. The next landfall will take place in Florida this afternoon as a high-end Category 4 storm.The 6 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center places the center of the storm less than 50 miles southwest of Naples, Florida. It is now moving to the north-northeast at 9 mph. The storm is packing 155-mph winds with gusts to 165 mph -- a catastrophi
  
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• LIVE: Hurricane Ian makes landfall with 150 mph winds

  28-09-2022 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  FLORIDA (KXAN) — At 3:10 p.m. eastern time Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 150 mph near Cayo Costa, Florida, just west of Fort Myers.Ian entering Charlotte Bay1:00 update on Ian's projected pathLate this morning a record storm surge of at least 6.18' at Naples. It's worth noting that the sensor that took this measurement stopped working after this report.
  Rain totals of 10" to 20" are still predicted for much of Florida increasing the freshwate
  
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• Hurricane Ian near Category 5 strength ahead of landfall

  28-09-2022 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  FLORIDA (KXAN) — Hurricane Ian made its first landfall in western Cuba early Tuesday morning as a major category 3 storm packing winds of 125 mph. The next landfall will take place in Florida this afternoon as a high-end Category 4 storm.The 6 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center places the center of the storm less than 50 miles southwest of Naples, Florida. It is now moving to the north-northeast at 9 mph. The storm is packing 155-mph winds with gusts to 165 mph -- a catastrophi
  
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• Bastrop ISD students can win a car

  28-09-2022 13:16 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — High school students in the Bastrop Independent School District have an opportunity to gain more than recognition for perfect attendance.
  The district is giving them a chance to win a new car.
  Bastrop ISD kicked off the first “Drive Sames 4 Education” Perfect Attendance Program on Monday.
  According to an announcement from the district, the Drive Sames 4 Education Perfect Attendance Program was created in 2013 by Sames Auto Group to highlight the importan
  
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• Warm days, but cooler nights ahead

  28-09-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While our friends in Florida continue to deal with the impacts of Hurricane Ian, we're as clear as can be here in Central Texas.Tonight will be clear and dry. With light winds temperatures should drop quickly down into the 70s by late evening and down near 60 in Austin to begin your Thursday. Most areas away from the city will start tomorrow in the cooler 50s.Sunshine will make for almost a repeat of Wednesday for Thursday with highs back in the low 90s along with very low humid
  
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• Gorgeous fall weather continues

  28-09-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a LONG hot summer, Mother Nature is throwin' us a bone with a prolonged stretch of beautiful autumn weather.Morning lows in the 50s will warm to the upper 80s to low 90s today through the weekend, just a few degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.Following another sunny, low-humidity afternoon on Tuesday, widespread lows in the 40s and 50s are expected Wednesday morning. The weather pattern changes very little through the coming weekend with low humidity, cool mo
  
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• Southeast Austin house fire displaces adult, 2 kids

  28-09-2022 12:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire crews said an adult and two children have to find another place to stay after a house fire just before midnight Tuesday night in southeast Austin.
  Austin Fire said crews were called to the 6300 block of El Mirando St. at 11:55 p.m.
  Austin Fire Info tweeted at 12:35 a.m. crews had the fire under control.AFD said no one was hurt, and the cause was under investigation.
  AFD said the fire destroyed an outbuilding and damaged a two-story home.
  The three people inside
  
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• Man convicted of super aggravated sexual assault connected to offenses starting in 2012

  28-09-2022 04:55 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A 36-year-old man was convicted by a Travis County jury of two counts of super aggravated sexual assault of a child.Michael Dwain Bostic was charged on March 12, 2019 with two counts of super aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact in connection to offenses that happened in 2012 and 2013.
  Bostic was already in prison at the time of those charges, convicted on a separate case of indecency with a child. He
  
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• 'Difficult, heartbreaking,' Austin musician identified as homicide victim in Portland

  28-09-2022 04:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- A memorial is growing in a Portland, Oregon park for an Austin woman.
  On Tuesday, Portland police identified 26-year-old Erika Evans as the victim of a fatal shooting at the park on Friday night."It was just-- it's shocking. It's still is; I mean, it's it was what, three, four days ago, and it's still... difficult, heartbreaking," said Daniel Fernandez, Evans' former bandmate and friend.
  Fernandez is visiting family in Spain and received the news from another friend and former ba
  
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• Man acquitted after being accused of shooting, killing teen

  28-09-2022 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- During a trial last week, a Travis County jury acquitted a 20-year-old of a murder charge after he was accused of shooting and killing a 15-year-old in north Austin in April 2021.
  Gregorio Vences-Benitez, 20, was found not guilty of murder on the justification of self-defense.
  He was arrested on April 27, 2021 and charged in connection with the shooting death of Juan Cruz, which happened two days before.At the time, a car of young people was detained, and they told officers Venc
  
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• Bus driver shortage spurs possible raises in Jarrell ISD

  28-09-2022 02:33 via kxan.com
  
  JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — The $18 an hour Jarrell ISD bus drivers are making could soon get a bump as trustees called a special meeting to discuss driver compensation. The district is working to address its driver shortage amid a growing student population. Some Bastrop ISD buses suspended amid driver shortagesTuesday, the district posted on its Facebook page that several bus routes would be altered because of the driver shortage. Parents on social media noted their displeasure after not bei
  
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• Blanco County ESD board to end contract with Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department

  28-09-2022 01:49 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Administrative issues between a volunteer fire department and an ESD board led to the end of a service contract last week.
  North Blanco County Emergency Services District commissioners voted to discontinue its contract Sept. 19 with the Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department. Meeting minutes show the decision was unanimous. In a statement, ESD 1 said the reasons for the cancellation “are many and varied.” It said the ESD board has requested in
  
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• Hays County Commissioners respond to letter opposing SH 45 project

  28-09-2022 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Hays County Commissioners addressed concerns about the State Highway 45 expansion project.
  Concerns were laid out in a letter sent by the Travis County Commissioners Court.
  The project would complete the loop around Austin letting drivers avoid I-35. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Final section of SH 45 Southwest enters engineering and design phaseIt's an expansion that Shannon Williams supports. She lives about a half a mile from the SH 45 and 1626 interchange. She sees the traf
  
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• Texas officer arrested, intended to bring fentanyl into Lubbock jail, sheriff says

  28-09-2022 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas – An officer with the Lubbock County Detention Center was arrested Tuesday, Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe said.Taylor Millett, 27, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Specifically, it was fentanyl, Rowe said. Texas police department warns emojis on social media being used to buy, sell fentanyl“There was an intention to deliver some in here to a specific inmate,” Rowe also said. It was too early to know if she had been
  
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• City of Austin working to resolve issue of trash in creeks

  28-09-2022 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin wants to bring in some new ideas to get trash out of local waterways.At Tuesday's work session, the City's Watershed Protection revealed details about the trash found in local creeks. This was part of a study launched two years ago. RELATED: 130-page report details why there’s trash in Austin creeks, how it can be fixedOne of the biggest takeaways was that roughly three-quarters of all the trash found was in 10% of the area. Single-use plastic was t
  
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