Austin news

• Sixth-warmest March on record underway, but cooler weather arrives Friday

  07-03-2023 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures during the first week of March in Austin averaged out to the sixth-warmest start to March on record -- nearly 10 degrees above normal levels. Abnormally warm, humid weather is in the forecast through Thursday, but we are tracking two cold fronts that will change how it feels outside.Austin is in the midst of its sixth-warmest start to March on recordThe first cold front arrives late Thursday night, leading to a drop in temperatures Friday and a brief chance of showe
  
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• Not only spring temperatures but spring humidity

  07-03-2023 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures during the late morning passed our normal high for today which is 71°.In addition to the spring-like temperatures we are also dealing with high humidity today as dew points remained in the 60s for most locations heading to this afternoon. Higher dew points in the low to mid 70s were noted over much of Bastrop, Caldwell, and Fayette Counties.Humid conditions will prevail for the next three days until a Friday morning cold front.
  Muggy days aheadThere likely won't
  
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• Uvalde senator unveils bills to close 'gun show loophole,' require safe gun storage

  07-03-2023 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Families of victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting gathered again at the Texas Capitol Tuesday as their state senator unveiled a new set of legislation aimed at preventing gun violence.Uvalde's state senator Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) announced five new bills in the last of a weekly series of press conferences that have gathered Uvalde families at the Capitol. Gutierrez and state senator Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) have filed a total of 21 bills addressing gun vio
  
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• Artificial Intelligence coming to a classroom near you

  07-03-2023 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Artificial Intelligence in the classroom, can it work?As technology advances, educators are taking a closer look at AI and how the application could benefit or negatively impact those who use it.Eric Wang, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Turnitin, said AI is already being used, but in the future we could see it expand and become more widespread."When we write emails, which everyone does including teachers and students, Gmail autocorrects your sentence for you and tha
  
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• New bill filed in response to looming Houston ISD takeover

  07-03-2023 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Four Texas lawmakers filed legislation Monday to put a stop to the anticipated takeover of the Houston Independent School District by the state’s education agency.Houston ISD first received notice in 2019 the Texas Education Agency planned to replace its elected school board for at least two years with an appointed board of managers. The decision was in response to alleged education code violations and years of low performance at Phillis Wheatley High School.The takeo
  
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• How to get to, from South by Southwest for 2023 festival

  07-03-2023 21:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2023 South by Southwest Conference & Festivals kicks off Friday, with a week-and-a-half's worth of keynote speakers, pop-ups, film screenings, concerts and other festivities planned. But with that comes the big question: How do I get to and from the festival?Road closures, impactsSeveral downtown-area roads will be fully or partially closed for the duration of SXSW, per the city's 2023 spring festival season guide. Here's a breakdown of those road closures and impac
  
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• 'HEAL Texans' Act would expand nurses' powers, target healthcare gaps

  07-03-2023 21:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- State Senator César Blanco (D-El Paso) on Tuesday presented legislation he argues will reduce Texas' healthcare gaps and enable Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to better care for patients.SB 1700, dubbed HEAL or "Healthcare Expanded and Accessed Locally," would allow APRNs to practice primary care services, such as diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medications, without the supervision of a physician. Under current law, they may only do so under the authority of
  
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• Woman arrested in Fayette County after 12 kilos of cocaine found in her car

  07-03-2023 21:09 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A woman was arrested in Fayette County after 12 kilos of cocaine was found in her car during a traffic stop, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
  Johanna Mendoza-Cuellar, 36, was arrested for felony drug possession on March 4.
  Cuellar was stopped on I-10 in Fayette County by a sergeant with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office narcotics canine unit around 11:55 a.m. for a traffic violation.
  After speaking to the driver and passenger, the sergeant notic
  
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• Man charged with manslaughter, racing after deadly crash in east Austin

  07-03-2023 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested after a crash that led to the death of a 49-year-old woman in east Austin on Feb. 14, according to an APD release. 1 dead after crash in east AustinSilverio Castillo-Hortelano, 19, was arrested and booked into the Travis County Jail on March 3. Castillo-Hortelano is charged with manslaughter and racing on a highway causing death — two second-degree felonies, APD said.Police said Denise Maxine Cunningham, 49, died at the scene of the crash.The crash
  
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• Butler Shores exercise equipment upgrade near completion

  07-03-2023 19:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Butler Shores Park is undergoing some major renovations.The area that holds the exercise equipment is getting an updated 'lift'. The space is located on West Riverside near the headquarters of Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD).The Trail Conservancy partnered with PARD on this project with the goal of completely replacing and enhancing the old equipment area. The construction is projected to be fully completed and open to the public by the end of
  
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• 'Deeply heartbreaking': Intentional fire started at historic Black church

  07-03-2023 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 7, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A little over 24 hours after a Sunday service, Goodwill Baptist Church Senior Pastor Kelvin Austin got a late call that the building was on fire.He didn't know what to think at first and didn't want to jump to conclusions.
  Senior Pastor Kelvin Austin seen through charred rubble, outside of Goodwill Baptist Church. (KXAN photos/Tim Holcomb).
  But on Tuesday morning, Austin Fire
  
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• 'Deeply heartbreaking': 'Incendiary' fire started at historic Black church

  07-03-2023 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 7, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A little over 24 hours after a Sunday service, Goodwill Baptist Church Senior Pastor Kelvin Austin got a late call that the building was on fire.He didn't know what to think at first and didn't want to jump to conclusions.
  Senior Pastor Kelvin Austin seen through charred rubble, outside of Goodwill Baptist Church. (KXAN photos/Tim Holcomb).
  But on Tuesday morning, Austin Fire
  
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• A Zillow analysis ranks Austin as the most 'pet-friendly' city in the U.S.

  07-03-2023 19:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – When looking at all Zillow rental listings, Austin ranked as the most “pet-friendly” city in the U.S., according to a Zillow analysis. The analysis showed that while only around half of Zillow rental listings nationwide indicate that pets are allowed, in Austin, four of five listings do. Further, three Texas cities claimed the top spot for the highest number of listings allowing pets, and four Texas cities showed up in the top ten, according to the ana
  
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• 5 Texas women suing state over abortion ban, say their lives were at risk

  07-03-2023 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Five Texas women are suing the state after they say they were denied abortion access, despite having pregnancy complications that risked their lives or the life of their baby.
  The women, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, filed suit against the state of Texas on Monday night and plan to share their stories during a 12:30 p.m. press conference at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday.Their 91-page complaint says they — along with "countless" other pregnant wo
  
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• Here's how the Austin Fire Department trains to handle water rescues

  07-03-2023 18:11 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 7, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Austin 911 gets a call about a water rescue, a special group within the Austin Fire Department quickly responds.“In Battalion Six, the special operations group, we do swift water rescue, flatwater rescue swimmer,” Austin Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Pomroy said. Bluebonnets celebrate 122nd anniversary as Texas state flower“We have several bodies of wat
  
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• Second gentleman to speak about women's rights in Austin next week

  07-03-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A trip to Texas is in store for the country's second gentleman next week so that he can discuss gender equity and advancing women's rights at the South by Southwest Festival.
  The White House shared Tuesday that Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, will travel to Austin on March 15 for a SXSW speaking engagement. According to a news release posted on the festival's website, Emhoff's speech "will delve into gender equity and advancing rights and opport
  
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• Largest indoor rock climbing gym in the Southwest opens in Austin

  07-03-2023 17:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rock climbing is quickly gaining traction in Central Texas.Tuesday, the largest climbing gym in the southwestern portion of the U.S. officially opened its doors in northeast Austin.The Mesa Rim Climbing Center is a 50,000 square foot warehouse featuring 55-foot-tall climbing walls, bouldering terrain and a speed climbing course.
  Mesa Rim Climbing Center opens in Austin (Photo courtesy: Mesa Rim)
  Mesa Rim Climbing Center opens in Austin (Photo courtesy: Mesa Rim)The brand ne
  
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• Bluebonnets celebrate 122nd anniversary as Texas state flower

  07-03-2023 17:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' favorite wildflower is celebrating its anniversary Tuesday.The 27th Texas Legislature adopted the bluebonnet as the official state flower on March 7, 1901, according to documents from the Texas State Historical Association. The bluebonnet — scientifically named Lupinus subcarnosus — earned its popular name due to its resemblance to a sunbonnet, per TSHA records. Bluebonnets are blooming earlier in Central Texas this year — here’s whyOn March 8
  
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• SUV drives into popular Texas bakery Czech Stop north of Waco

  07-03-2023 17:05 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 7, 2023.WEST, Texas (FOX 44/KWKT) — An SUV smashed through the front of the popular Czech Stop in the city of West, Texas, Monday evening.The white Toyota RAV4 drove through bricks and glass, before coming to a stop several feet inside the well-known bakery and store.
  Courtesy: West VFDDespite the damage, the West Volunteer Fire Department says no one was hurt.
  Courtesy: West VFDThe store is expected
  
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• Several lane closures along I-35 this week for maintenance, road work

  07-03-2023 17:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you're planning on commuting on Interstate 35 around Central Texas this week, be on the lookout for some lane closures both north and southbound.
  Here's a list of lane closure alerts from the Texas Department of Transportation's Austin office:I-35 at Williams Drive
  Williams Drive bridge closed nightly at I-35Friday, March 10 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Northbound and southbound I-35 right lane closed from Lakeway Drive to SH 29Wednesday, March 8 through Thursday, March 9
  
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• Mexican governor says 4 kidnapped Americans found: 2 dead, 1 wounded

  07-03-2023 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- Two of the Americans who were kidnapped at gunpoint just over the Mexican border on Friday have been found dead, while two others were found alive with one wounded, a Mexican state governor said Tuesday.Tamaulipas Gov. Américo Villarreal said that the fourth kidnapping victim had no injuries, according to The Associated Press. The FBI revealed on Sunday that the group of four Americans were kidnapped by armed men on Friday, and asked for the public’s assistance in help
  
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• Alligator returned to Central Texas zoo 20 years after volunteer allegedly stole it as an egg

  07-03-2023 16:34 via kxan.com
  
  Above video courtesy of Texas Parks and WildlifeNEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS (KXAN) -- An alligator that was reportedly stolen from a New Braunfels zoo as an egg or a hatchling was returned to the zoo this week after being located by Texas Parks and Wildlife, social media posts show.
  A post by the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo, which is roughly an hour from Austin, says a former volunteer at the zoo appears to have pocketed an alligator hatchling or egg at least two decades ago, according to their p
  
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• How to prepare your yard for spring migration

  07-03-2023 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas sits in the 'Central Flyaway' during spring migration as thousands of birds return north from the warmer winter climates to our south. Not only are birds returning, but we're also seeing Texas wintering birds flock further north as well.As we prep for these birds to fill our sky, there are simple adjustments we can make in our yards to help our feathered friends make the journey. Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with the Executive Director of Travis Audubon, Nico
  
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• Win tickets to Rodeo Austin

  07-03-2023 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  Win one of the following prizes for Rodeo Austin:
  Six tickets to see Ryan Bingham on March 21, as well as six unlimited-ride carnival wristbands and fairground admission.Two unlimited-ride carnival wristbands and fairground admission for March 20.Four unlimited-ride carnival wristbands and fairground admission for the duration of the rodeo, which ends on March 25.
  The contest opens March 7 and closes March 13.
  
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• Despite admitting issues, some veterinarians worry about proposed Texas vet board changes

  07-03-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Lawmakers are trying to reform the state agency in charge of Texas animal doctors, but some veterinarians are pushing back against the current treatment plan.
  Rep. Justin Holland, R-Rockwall, filed a bill last week that would temporarily attach the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) to another state agency, in order to help with its ongoing data and management issues. EXPLORE: KXAN Investigates the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical ExaminersHolland serves as the
  
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• Former Austin post office flipped into grocery store, restaurant and bookstore

  07-03-2023 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A shuttered post office in the Hyde Park neighborhood is getting a second life in a near-complete redevelopment process.
  The building on Speedway is undergoing renovations with a bookshop and grocery store-restaurant concept planning to open in summer 2023. A group of theaters used to line Congress Avenue. Here’s what’s left of Austin’s ‘Show Row’The post office closed in June 2021, and services moved to the Northcross Station in north Austin,
  
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• City of Austin plans search for new city manager

  07-03-2023 12:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin city council will meet Tuesday to discuss the plan for finding a new city manager, after council members voted to fire ex-city manager Spencer Cronk on Feb. 15.
  The discussion will happen during an executive session at city hall. Executive sessions are held behind closed doors and are not open to the public.
  The city council work session agenda shows two items will be discussed during the private meeting. The first part of the meeting will "discuss the employment, duties,
  
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• Woman dead after being pulled from vehicle in Lake Austin

  07-03-2023 12:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A woman was pronounced dead after being pulled from a vehicle in Lake Austin Tuesday morning.
  The call came in as a water rescue around 3:45 a.m., according to the Austin Fire Department. The Austin Police Department is investigating the incident as a suspicious death and is planning on holding a briefing. The time of the briefing has not yet been announced.
  There was a vehicle in the lake about 20 feet from the edge of the water when AFD arrived on the scene.
  CPR was performed
  
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• Two pushes of cooler air within the next week

  07-03-2023 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Same song and dance today as unseasonably warm and humid conditions continue for all of Central Texas.Scattered fog and pockets of drizzle will gradually disappear through late morning. Afternoon highs will return to the 80s with more sunshine expected after lunchtime. More of the same can be expected tomorrow and Thursday ahead of slight changes brought in by a cold front Thursday night.COLD FRONT #1: Our first of two cold fronts will roll in Thursday night into Friday morning
  
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• Wanted Odessa sex offender makes Texas Top 10 Wanted list

  07-03-2023 05:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KMID/KPEJ)- Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Salomon Marquez is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during the month of March if the tip is received this month.Salomon Olivas Marquez, 59, of Odessa, has been wanted since March 2022, when the Ector County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements with a previous conviction.In 2002, Marqu
  
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• Safety concerns after residents say people experiencing homelessness started fire off South Congress

  07-03-2023 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health told KXAN it plans to send an outreach team to a South Congress neighborhood in response to concerns from neighbors regarding some people experiencing homelessness in the area.The neighborhood is near the intersection of South Congress Avenue and Crockett Street.
  Video from a KXAN viewer shows a fire near a condo complex there. Neighbors said the homeless individuals they reported started the fire.
  "Given the safety issues and everything, like the fire,
  
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• Safety concerns after residents say people experiencing homelessness start fire off South Congress

  07-03-2023 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Public Health told KXAN it plans to send an outreach team to a South Congress neighborhood in response to concerns from neighbors regarding some people experiencing homelessness in the area.The neighborhood is near the intersection of South Congress Avenue and Crockett Street.
  Video from a KXAN viewer shows a fire near a condo complex there. Neighbors said the homeless individuals they reported started the fire.
  "Given the safety issues and everything, like the fire, it's
  
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• New Mexico border town booming thanks to pot sales

  07-03-2023 04:48 via kxan.com
  
  SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (Border Report) – Business is booming in Sunland Park thanks to legalized marijuana sales.At least 15 dispensaries are now operating, employing hundreds; shopping center vacancies are low, and the city just got $79,976 from the state in tax revenue from December cannabis sales alone, Mayor Javier Perea said.“One of the benefits this is creating for us is new revenue for the municipality that we can use to improve services within the city and better salaries,&
  
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• City of Austin now has an ice storm debris zone lookup map

  07-03-2023 03:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin now has an ice storm debris zone lookup map on the Austin Resource Recovery page, Mayor Kirk Watson said in a tweet."Over 123K tons of debris have been collected so far, which would fill more than three Q2 stadiums," Watson said.The map gives a search option by clicking the "Find address or place" search box, or choose "use current location," according to the website.The map is broken down into four different sections, which include:
  Not startedWork in pr
  
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• Texas ranks 4th in U.S. for most number of endangered animals

  07-03-2023 03:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, endangered species are plants and animals that have become so rare that they are at risk of extinction. A species is considered "threatened" if it is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. As of last year (2022), there were more than 1,300 species listed as endangered or threatened in the United States.Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Lily Velez, head of Special Reports at Veterinarians.org, to find out w
  
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• 'It's a grind and a dogfight': Austin FC plays in first-ever CONCACAF Champions League match Tuesday

  07-03-2023 02:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC is set to play its first-ever CONCACAF Champions League game Tuesday against Haitian side Violette AC, and while the franchise is brand new to the tournament, some of the players and coaches have experienced the spectacle.Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff played in the tournament with the Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City (then the Kansas City Wizards), and while those days were long ago, Wolff said the talent level and competitiveness that Major League Soccer t
  
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• How did Texas get its shape?

  07-03-2023 01:31 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - Defined in seven natural regions by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the state of Texas stretches over 268,597 square miles. It reaches as far west as to be within spitting distance of White Sands National Park in New Mexico, and as far north as the Rita Blanca National Grasslands.
  Texas is large enough to house tropical beach destinations to the south and the frigid, awesome expanse of the Llano Estacado in the Panhandle, with an immense collection of wil
  
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• Court records say juveniles, young adults both distributors and victims in fentanyl-related overdoses in Hays Co.

  07-03-2023 01:20 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)-- An affidavit from Hays County provided more information leading to the arrest of a teen linked to a fatal fentanyl overdose of a minor.Kyle and San Marcos police worked together to arrest Jubenal Flores Sanchez, 18, after the overdose. Officials arrest teen in connection to Hays County fatal fentanyl overdose involving a minorBeginning in August 2022, detectives with the San Marcos Police Department Narcotics Division began investigating a series of fentanyl-related o
  
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• Affidavit: Juveniles, young adults distributors and victims in fentanyl-related overdoses in Hays Co.

  07-03-2023 01:20 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)-- An affidavit from Hays County provided more information leading to the arrest of a teen linked to a fatal fentanyl overdose of a minor.Kyle and San Marcos police worked together to arrest Jubenal Flores Sanchez, 18, after the overdose. Officials arrest teen in connection to Hays County fatal fentanyl overdose involving a minorBeginning in August 2022, detectives with the San Marcos Police Department Narcotics Division began investigating a series of fentanyl-related o
  
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• Nurses say violence pushes some out of the job. One bill hopes to change that.

  07-03-2023 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Former nurse and State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) is leading a bipartisan push in the Texas House to improve the safety of Texas nurses.HB 112 would require hospitals to have a violence prevention plan in place and would make it easier for hospital staff to report violent incidents to police. Howard presented the bill to the House Public Health Committee on Monday."I have experienced violence myself, which is a very common thing to happen, actually, in the healthcare settin
  
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