Austin news

• Don't get caught off guard — How to be ready to vote in smaller, down-ballot races

  12-10-2022 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Maybe it's happened to you. It's election day and you get to the voting machine, confident and prepared to cast your ballot in the big races like governor or mayor — But then you get to the down-ballot races (think school board trustees, county clerks, judicial seats), and suddenly, you're not so sure who gets your vote.KXAN recently visited the University of Texas at Austin to learn how we can all be a little better informed when it comes to those smaller races that
  
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• First Warning: Coldest air since March possible early next week

  12-10-2022 23:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a warm and dry start to October, a major change could bring a much cooler plunge of air along with much needed rain to Central Texas.With big events this weekend like the final day of Weekend Two of ACL as well as Austin FC's first-ever playoff game both happening on Sunday...the weather could certainly be impactful. KXAN First Warning Weather ForecastWhat's happening?A strong cold front, the strongest we've seen in months, will approach Central Texas Sunday, bringing
  
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• Is Halloween candy really being laced with drugs? We asked Austin first responders

  12-10-2022 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's a question we've been getting a lot at KXAN: Why aren't you warning us about Halloween candy being laced with drugs?
  The short answer is there's no evidence it is — at least not here in Austin"Halloween candy can certainly be tampered with in some form or fashion, but I've been doing this for a long time — 27 years here with Austin Travis County EMS — and I'm not aware of any cases that resulted in an overdose from Halloween candy," said Captain Darre
  
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• Gas leak closes road near Georgetown businesses

  12-10-2022 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A section of a road in Georgetown is closed Wednesday afternoon due to a reported gas leak, according to firefighters.
  The Georgetown Fire Department shared on Twitter that crews are working to repair a gas leak at the intersection of North Austin Avenue and Morrow Street. Firefighters said Morrow will remain closed in both directions there.
  Crews are asking drivers to avoid the area because of the ongoing response.
  According to a map shared by the fire departmen
  
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• Lower humidity behind a weak cold front

  12-10-2022 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A cool front blowing through the area this evening is bringing a few isolated downpours, then a pleasant drop in humidity through the day Thursday.Following near-record high temperatures of 98° at Camp Mabry and 96° degrees at Austin-Bergstrom, high temperatures remain in the 90s Thursday and Friday, but morning low temperatures will be cooler as humidity plummets.Humidity drops significantly on ThursdayHumidity increases again quickly Friday, leading to a hot and muggy
  
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• Austin considers new ways to cut down on single-use plastic at bars, restaurants

  12-10-2022 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City Council is looking at a new way to reduce the use of single-use plastics at bars and restaurants.According to the council agenda, one of the items asks the city manager to "implement a strategy, engage with stakeholders, and provide public information campaigns," about the matter.Supporting council members want the City to work with the Texas Restaurant Association to encourage businesses to replace single-use plastic and Styrofoam with biodegradable materials.At Counter Cu
  
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• Austin considers new initiative to replace single-use plastic, Styrofoam with biodegradable materials at restaurants

  12-10-2022 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City Council is looking at a new way to reduce the use of single-use plastics at bars and restaurants.According to the council agenda, one of the items asks the city manager to "implement a strategy, engage with stakeholders, and provide public information campaigns," about the matter.Supporting council members want the City to work with the Texas Restaurant Association to encourage businesses to replace single-use plastic and Styrofoam with biodegradable materials.They also wan
  
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• 3 adults, 1 child injured after being trapped in vehicle in northeast Austin

  12-10-2022 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Travis County EMS transported four people after responding to a vehicle rescue with entrapment on Cameron Road Wednesday.
  Three adults were taken to Dell Seton and one child was taken to Dell Children's, all with potentially serious injuries.
  It happened around 1:30 p.m. in the 9200 block of Cameron Road, about two miles north of the intersection of U.S. Hwy 183 and U.S. Hwy 290.
  KXAN will update this story as information becomes available.
  
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• 3 adults, 1 child hurt after being trapped in vehicle in northeast Austin

  12-10-2022 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS took four people to the hospital after responding to a vehicle rescue with entrapment on Cameron Road Wednesday.
  Three adults were taken to Dell Seton and one child was taken to Dell Children's, all with potentially serious injuries.
  It happened around 1:30 p.m. in the 9200 block of Cameron Rd., about two miles north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and U.S. Highway 290.
  
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• REAL ID deadline in less than 1 year: What Texans need to know

  12-10-2022 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - On May 3, 2023, US travelers will need an updated driver's license or identification card in order to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. While that deadline may be a bit more than six months away, many officials have recommended starting the process sooner rather than later.
  As previously reported, the REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 with the intention of enacting certain minimum federal security standards for driver's licenses and identifi
  
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• MAPS: Thousands of birds flying over Central Texas skies

  12-10-2022 20:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday and Thursday, thousands of birds will migrate through Central Texas and Austin to get to warmer locations as temperatures drop.Maps of the migration will be available through BirdCast, a website created by ornithologists and computer scientists from Cornell University and Colorado State University. The website provides a forecast that tracks nightly bird migration. October bird forecastThe forecast predicted Wednesday and Thursday nights would be big night
  
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• 15-foot homecoming mum: Round Rock floral design students unveil giant creation

  12-10-2022 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — They say "everything is bigger in Texas" — that's including a homecoming mum that students at a Round Rock high school put together.
  The students are part of the Stony Point High School floral design program. They worked to construct a mum that measured up to a staggering 15 feet tall.
  "This has been a learning experience to say the least," the floral design class wrote on social media Tuesday. "The kids have loved being a part of the process, and it’
  
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• Men accused of stealing $278K in vodka, cognac from Dallas liquor distributor

  12-10-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Four men were arrested and charged with felony organized retail theft after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission says they stole an estimated $278,000 worth of alcohol from a Dallas liquor distributor.
  The men charged are:
  Janish Pankaj Vaishnav, 33Victor Antonio Aguilar-Leon, 34Carlos Jaime Munoz, 43Michael Angel Medrano, 22 2 men arrested, suspected of stealing catalytic converters in Cedar ParkThey were booked into the Dallas County Jail and later relea
  
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• Longhorns hoping to keep momentum rolling against ISU

  12-10-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas football is coming off the biggest win of the Steve Sarkisian era, routing Oklahoma 49-0 in the Red River Showdown. Now as Texas enters the back half of their season, they are hoping to keep things rolling.With the victory over the Sooners, Texas vaulted back into the Top 25, sitting at No. 22 in the AP Rankings. That game really shifted the momentum of Texas' season, and they want to keep it all trending in the right direction. Texas Longhorns back in AP Top 25, USA
  
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• New poll: Abbott up 8% over O'Rourke among likely Texas voters

  12-10-2022 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new poll released Wednesday morning shows those who definitely plan to vote in the November election favor giving Texas Gov. Greg Abbott another term over supporting challenger Beto O'Rourke.
  According to results from the latest Marist Poll about the Texas governor's race, Abbott has an eight percentage point advantage over O'Rourke among likely voters (52%-44%). When the poll took into account only the registered voters who responded, though, Abbott's lead over O'Ro
  
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• Texas State Parks recieve $1M donation

  12-10-2022 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, H-E-B donated $1 million to commemorate 100 years of Texas State Parks, according to a release.The supermarket company said the donation was set to support programming aimed to engage all Texans in discovering and enjoying the nearly 90 state parks in Texas. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers magical time for adventurers, familiesH-E-B said the donation was presented at the site of Palo Pinto State Park, the first new state park to be opened in north Texas
  
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• Texas State Parks receive $1M donation

  12-10-2022 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, H-E-B donated $1 million to commemorate 100 years of Texas State Parks, according to a release.The supermarket company said the donation was set to support programming aimed to engage all Texans in discovering and enjoying the nearly 90 state parks in Texas. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers magical time for adventurers, familiesH-E-B said the donation was presented at the site of Palo Pinto State Park, the first new state park to be opened in north Texas
  
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• H-E-B donates $1M for Texas State Parks

  12-10-2022 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, H-E-B donated $1 million to commemorate 100 years of Texas State Parks, according to a release.The supermarket company said the donation was set to support programming aimed to engage all Texans in discovering and enjoying the nearly 90 state parks in Texas. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers magical time for adventurers, familiesH-E-B said the donation was presented at the site of Palo Pinto State Park, the first new state park to be opened in north Texas
  
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• Where is the cheapest place to live in Texas? We ranked 18 cities to find out

  12-10-2022 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS -- Everyone knows everything is bigger in Texas, but does that include the cost of living?Using data from the Cost of Living Index (COLI), EverythingLubbock.com ranked 18 metropolitan areas in Texas from most expensive to least expensive. Most cars in Austin are grayscale in color, new study showsThe index is developed and published by the Council for Community And Economic Research (C2ER).The average Cost of Living Index for all places in the U.S. is 100. That means that anything above 10
  
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• CapMetro, Workforce Solutions to collab on 1,000+ Project Connect job creation

  12-10-2022 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro's finance committee approved Wednesday moving forward on a collaboration with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to help develop more than 1,000 jobs for the transit authority's Project Connect program.The three-year partnership will begin in December, with a total cost capped at $366,000. Central Texas transportation news: Kyle voters to decide on $294.4 million transportation bondThe collaboration will tap into WFSCA's education and business partners to expand CapM
  
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• Human remains found in Williamson County near SH 45, MoPac

  12-10-2022 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating after human remains were found in the southern part of the county north of State Highway 45 and MoPac Expressway Tuesday evening.
  WCSO a person working in the field discovered the remains, which are confirmed to be human. The remains have been there for a while, and currently, WCSO said there are "no apparent signs of criminal activity."Woman found guilty of 2019 murder in Cedar Park, sentenced to lif
  
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• Kyle voters to decide on $294.4 million transportation bond

  12-10-2022 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Anyone who’s dealt with the tons of traffic in Kyle during rush hour could tell you something needs to be done. Next month, voters will decide if they want to pay more in taxes to make their roads nicer.The City of Kyle is asking residents for a $294.4 million bond package to help keep up with its growing population.According to a city spokesperson, Kyle’s population nearly doubled since 2016 — moving from around 35,000 to 60,000 residents. Road impro
  
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• Pedestrian killed in north Austin crash on Anderson Lane

  12-10-2022 14:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pedestrian was killed in a crash in north Austin Wednesday morning, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  The crash happened at 500 Anderson Ln. Google Maps lists that as an address of an apartment complex near U.S. Highway 183 and Interstate 35.
  ATCEMS reported one adult was pronounced dead at the scene.The agency said to expect closures in the area for the crash investigation. Please use alternate routes if possible.
  
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• Are some Austin seniors paying a utility fee they don’t have to?

  12-10-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Marcy Goodfleisch learned she was exempt from paying Austin’s transportation user fee “by accident.” People 65 or older don’t have to pay that fee, which shows up on city utility bills and ranges from about $10 to $15 a month. But there’s a catch: you have to apply for the exemption.She first discovered the exemption while correcting her birthdate, which had been somehow retained incorrectly in the city’s online billing system. That was about
  
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• Central Texas home to all 5 of state's dark-sky communities

  12-10-2022 13:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas lies within the main corridor of North American bird migration with flocks of aviators flying south for the winter and vice versa for the summer. But despite the innate directional awareness, some birds can get confused or harmed by lights shining in our backyards, neighborhoods and towns. READ MORE: October bird forecastTo avoid migration disruptions, some local cities are doing their part to protect the skies overhead by cutting down on light pollution. This
  
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• Oilcan Harry's finds temporary space before move into new downtown tower

  12-10-2022 12:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Oilcan Harry’s is setting up a temporary home just a few doors down from its original location. The future of the business, a fixture in Austin's gay community and larger nightlife scene, has been a major topic of interest since plans emerged earlier this year to redevelop a portion of Fourth Street in downtown.In late September, paperwork was filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation indicating Oilcan Harry’s would open in T
  
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• Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of White Cane Day in Austin

  12-10-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wednesday marks a milestone in the effort to educate everyone about the accomplishments of the blind and visually impaired in our area.
  Oct. 12 is the 20th anniversary of White Cane Day in Austin.Travis Association for the Blind, also known as the Austin Lighthouse, will mark the anniversary with a march from Austin City Hall to the State Capitol starting at 8:15 a.m. Groups from the Texas Workforce Commission and Texas School for Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) wi
  
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• Walk to School Day event to mark pedestrian improvements in Austin neighborhood

  12-10-2022 12:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is using a nationwide celebration Wednesday to highlight improvements made to sidewalks and crosswalks for students in one north Austin neighborhood.The city is hosting a Walk to School Day celebration group walk from Navarro Early College High School on Payton Gin Road to Wooldridge Elementary School on Norseman Terrace.
  People with Safe Routes’ education and training and community engagement teams will distribute items from Aus
  
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• LIVE: High heat and humidity ahead of late day cold front

  12-10-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two cold fronts arrives later today with a slight chance of rain and a drop in humidity.Unfortunately, heat and humidity will surge this afternoon ahead of the cold front. Expect afternoon highs in the mid-90s - more than 10° hotter than normal - under a mostly to partly sunny sky.
  Summer-like heat and humidity expected this afternoonWith little moisture to work with, only a few isolated showers are possible along today's front. The majority of us will stay dry,
  
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• Hottest day of the month ahead of a weak cold front

  12-10-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two cold fronts arrives later today with a slight chance of rain and a drop in humidity.Unfortunately, heat and humidity will surge this afternoon ahead of the cold front. Expect afternoon highs in the mid-90s - more than 10° hotter than normal - and the hottest temperatures of the month and possibly for the rest of the year. Our sky will range from mostly sunny early in the afternoon to a mix of sun and scattered clouds by the end of the afternoon as our front
  
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• High heat and humidity ahead of late day cold front

  12-10-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two cold fronts arrives later today with a slight chance of rain this evening.Heat and humidity will surge this afternoon ahead of the cold front. Expect afternoon highs in the mid-90s - more than 10° hotter than normal - under a mostly to partly sunny sky. With little moisture to work with, only a few isolated showers are possible along the front. The majority of us will stay dry, but keep an eye to the sky for an isolated shower 7PM-10PM.Behind the front, drie
  
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• Stuck in a not-so-perfect storm: Some buyers of new homes are dropping out of contracts

  12-10-2022 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More people in Austin are being forced to make a tough decision for their dream home: Pay thousands of extra dollars, or walk away and lose thousands.
  One local realty company said folks who bought at the top of Austin's housing market earlier this year, or even earlier, now find themselves trapped in confusing contracts with their builders."With interest rates, the homes are much cheaper," said Tim Behe, an agent with Spyglass Realty. "Other homes-- same exact floor plans, are
  
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• Ex-San Antonio cop charged over shooting teen eating hamburger

  12-10-2022 03:12 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A now-former San Antonio police officer was charged Tuesday with two counts of aggravated assault by a peace officer in last week’s shooting of a teen who was eating a hamburger in his car in a McDonald’s parking lot.James Brennand, 25, was charged in the Oct. 2 shooting of Erik Cantu, 17, according to a police statement.Cantu's family said in a statement Tuesday that “there is no improvement in his condition. He is still unconscious and is on life supp
  
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• $1 million in support secured for Round Rock Crisis Response Unit

  12-10-2022 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A $1 million grant to the City of Round Rock's Crisis Response Unit (CRU) will be used to bolster efforts to get those in need of mental health services the assistance they need.The unit made its debut just this year and is made of 14 team members, said Mayor Craig Morgan. A majority of those employees are some type of mental health professional.While funding for the crisis response unit has already been laid out in this year's budget, Morgan said the additional
  
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• 'I have broken my foot three times on our field'; Travis High hoping for facility improvements

  12-10-2022 01:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis Early College High School opened in 1953, and some of it's original features can still be seen around campus."My whole family came to this school," said Junior Mata, who is a junior.Mata is proud to be a student at Travis, but he's not proud of the conditions he's faced with."Something that could improve, number one would be AC," said Mata. "That is a major issue."Mata said when the rooms heat up, it can be hard to concentrate."It really does affect our learning
  
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• 'I have broken my foot three times on our field': Travis High hopes for facility improvements

  12-10-2022 01:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis Early College High School opened in 1953, and some of its original features can still be seen around campus."My whole family came to this school," said Junior Mata, who is a junior.Mata is proud to be a student at Travis, but he's not proud of the conditions he's faced with."Something that could improve, number one would be AC," said Mata. "That is a major issue."Mata said when the rooms heat up, it can be hard to concentrate."It really does affect our learning,
  
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• It's less than 30 days until the election. See how much Austin council candidates raised

  12-10-2022 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Election Day is less than one month away, and new election finance reports show just how much each candidate for Austin City Council raised—and spent—between July and September.Austin's Nov. 8 ballot will include races for mayor and five council seats in addition to a $350 million bond proposition for affordable housing. Districts 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9 are all up for grabs this election cycle. There are nearly 30 candidates vying for those seats.One of the most crowd
  
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• Dell Seton at UT lifts lockdown after reports of nearby weapon

  12-10-2022 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas was locked down Tuesday after receiving reports of a person with a weapon in the nearby area.
  The hospital was immediately locked down out of an abundance of caution.Investigations: Gunshot fired at Austin hospital bridge highlights health care violenceAustin Police, UT Police, and hospital security worked together to ensure the hospital and surrounding areas were safe, according to a statement provided by Dell Seton.
  Ultimate
  
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• Supreme Court hears death row inmate Rodney Reed's case

  12-10-2022 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday morning regarding the case of Rodney Reed, a 54-year-old Texas man who was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 19-year-old Stacy Stites, who was killed in Bastrop 26 years ago.Reed has sat on death row for 24 years but has maintained his innocence since he was convicted. He argues that the DNA testing of certain items related to Stites’ murder, including the belt used to strangle her, would exonerate him. INVESTIG
  
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• Rockdale ISD put on temporary lockout after student threat

  12-10-2022 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  ROCKDALE, Texas (KXAN) -- Rockdale ISD was put on a temporary lockout after a student at Rockdale Junior High sent a threat to several other students' phones on Tuesday afternoon.
  According to Rockdale ISD, the threat was sent via an air-dropped image during the lunch period. The students shared the message with campus administrators, who then contacted district administration.
  All Rockdale ISD campuses were placed on "secure lockout" to ensure no one could enter or exit the building as police i
  
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• Travis County adds staff positions to help survivors of sex assault, family violence

  12-10-2022 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On Thursday, Travis County Commissioners passed an item funding positions for an additional attorney and two victim counselor positions in the District Attorney's Office.
  These new positions will particularly focus on sex assault cases and cases involving family violence between intimate partners.In June of 2021, Travis County settled a $580,000 lawsuit with 14 sex assault survivors.About half of those funds went toward policy changes within the DA's office. DA Jos
  
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