Austin news

• Heaviest rain since August, and rain continues through Friday

  06-04-2023 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin is in the midst of its heaviest one-day rainfall event since Aug. 22, when 3.73" fell. Parts of Austin have recorded over 2" of rain, and occasional rain and thunderstorms continue overnight and through the day Friday.
  Live radarLive traffic conditionsCentral Texas Rainfall Totals
  Dry, thirsty soil is soaking up much of the lighter rainfall totals in the Hill Country, so the Highland Lakes are not expected to benefit much from this rain event.But as heavier rain focuses e
  
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• VIDEO: APD searching for suspects in connection with north Austin apartment shooting

  06-04-2023 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin Police said detectives were searching for several suspects after multiple calls reporting shots fired on March 31 at an apartment complex in the 8400 block of Martin Court.APD said the calls came in at approximately 9:52 p.m., and when APD arrived, officers noticed an apartment with several bullet holes.“A family, including small children, was inside the residence during the shooting. No one was injured by the bullets that hit the apartment,”
  
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• FIRST LOOK: 2 new tiny homes unveiled at Community First! Village

  06-04-2023 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  Two new tiny homes were unveiled Thursday at the Community First! Village --   a large community that provides affordable, permanent housing to people coming out of chronic homelessness. Brohn Homes, a Central Texas home builder company, teamed up with Austin nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes to create the two new homes -- one with a large, roof-covered patio and the other built to be wheelchair-accessible.  MORE: Mobile Loaves and Fishes breaks grou
  
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• New medicine option helps ATCEMS keep patients out of emergency room

  06-04-2023 20:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Travis County EMS has added a new tool for its mental health crisis response team.
  It's an antipsychotic medicine, called olanzapine, and it can help with lower-level symptoms of several mental health conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to the medication's website.ATCEMS has it on hand because of Capt. Kim Griffith."This came from a call where I really could have used it and instead the patient had to go to an ER and was unhappy with that op
  
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• Conjunto Music Festival still on, releases lineup despite losing city funding

  06-04-2023 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Rancho Alegre Conjunto Music Festival is officially set for the last weekend of April, thanks to grassroots fundraising efforts after the fest lost the city funding it has relied on for nearly a decade.
  The festival is organized by the local Rancho Alegre nonprofit and celebrates the historic genre of Conjunto music in Austin. The music, played with a button accordion and bajo sexto, is commonly heard in South Texas and Northern Mexico and is considered the root of Teja
  
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• Man accused of intentionally setting Austin synagogue on fire to give plea Thursday afternoon

  06-04-2023 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The man accused of intentionally starting a fire at an Austin synagogue on Halloween 2021 is set to give his plea in federal court Thursday afternoon.Franklin Barrett Sechriest was indicted on three counts related to the arson investigation at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue.An affidavit reported surveillance cameras filmed Sechriest with a gas can in his hand. Agents also found glass bottles, lighter fluid, a lighter and waterproof matches in his car.
  The fire was estim
  
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• Man accused of intentionally setting Austin synagogue on fire pleads guilty

  06-04-2023 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 6, 2023.0AUSTIN (KXAN) — The man accused of intentionally starting a fire at an Austin synagogue on Halloween 2021 plead guilty in federal court Thursday afternoon.Franklin Barrett Sechriest was indicted on three counts related to the arson investigation at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue. He plead guilty to two charges — damage to religious property and arson. Another charge was dismissed.A
  
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• Former AUS executive director had conflict of interest with previous employer, report says

  06-04-2023 18:59 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 6, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The former Austin-Bergstrom International Airport executive director acted on a conflict of interest when she approved invoices worth $550,000 from her previous employer while working with the City, an investigative report from the Austin Office of the City Auditor states.Jacqueline Yaft resigned from her role with the airport at the beginning of March 2023.The report states Y
  
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• APD: 'Unprovoked attack' from unknown suspect left man with skull fracture

  06-04-2023 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department officers are searching for a suspect who they say attacked a man unprovoked and caused him to suffer serious head injuries.
  It happened Tuesday, March 28 between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. in the 6800 block of Airport Boulevard, which is in the Highland neighborhood area.
  According to APD, the department received an emergency call about a man bleeding from his head, and the caller told operators he found the victim while riding along a bike path in the area.
  O
  
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• It's National Burrito Day! Companies now offering special deals to celebrate

  06-04-2023 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — April 6 is National Burrito Day. Here are some deals to look out for.Freebirds World Burrito said it was bringing back its Texas Smoked Brisket for a limited time.“On National Burrito Day on Thursday, April 6 fans can order a Freebirds-sized burrito with Brisket, online, through the official Freebirds app, or in-store for just $6,” Freebirds said.Another deal to look for is from Chipotle Mexican Grill.Chipotle said it began Wednesday, and the company gave away 2
  
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• Texas House blocks school voucher funding in blow to Gov. Abbott

  06-04-2023 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House of Representatives on Thursday voted to prohibit state money from funding private school vouchers or education savings accounts.The move all but ends one of Gov. Greg Abbott's top priorities to provide "school choice" with state-funded private school tuition subsidies.The House approved State Rep. Abel Herrero's amendment to the state budget on a bipartisan 86-52 vote. The amendment prohibits the budget from funding "a school voucher, including an education sa
  
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• All eyes on education in crucial day at Texas legislature

  06-04-2023 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- In a split-screen legislative affair expected to last late into Thursday night, Texas lawmakers are set to vote on a pair of proposals that may spell out the future of Gov. Greg Abbott's ambitious plans for education.In the Senate, Abbott's "Parental Bill of Rights" is set to pass. That's what top Republicans are dubbing Senate Bill 8, a novel bill for Texas' public education system that would create "education savings accounts" (ESAs).Through those accounts, the state would
  
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• PHOTOS: Viewers share images from storms moving through Central Texas

  06-04-2023 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Storms began moving through Central Texas Wednesday evening and are expected to continue through Friday.KXAN viewers shared some of their photos from the weather event, which included hail and flashes of lightning.Lightning strike photo taken in Manor, Texas on Thursday, April 6 at 12:47 a.m. (Credit: Gary Russell)Pea sized hail in BertramPhoto taken in Dale, Texas Wednesday nightHail photo from the Wednesday night storm (Credit: Alexis Moyer)Photo taken over the elementary
  
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• Climate change is changing what plants can grow where

  06-04-2023 17:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the United States continues to warm from heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions, plants that would once thrive in a particular area and latitude are no longer surviving. Instead planting zones as a whole are shifting northward. This in return is forcing farmers and gardeners to adapt to their changing climate. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location.According to th
  
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• San Antonio Spurs to play at Moody Center Thursday

  06-04-2023 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The first-ever NBA regular season game in Austin is set to tip-off tonight, as the San Antonio Spurs will host the Portland Trailblazers at the Moody Center.Two years ago, the Spurs set up an office in Austin with the goal to bring its brand of basketball into the capital city.Now, they’ve converted the court at the Moody Center and will host two games this weekend. Related: San Antonio Spurs help refurbish 5 basketball courts around AustinBrandon James, the Spurs' se
  
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• New TSA scanners being added at AUS

  06-04-2023 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Security at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is getting an upgrade.
  AUS officials announced construction work to add new Computed Tomography, or CT, x-ray scanners at all four TSA checkpoints at the airport.
  These scanners will scan carry-on bags in 3D, meaning that travelers can leave everything in their bags, including electronics larger than a cell phone and food, according to a press release from AUS. The new features will allow people to move through the TSA check
  
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• Man identified after deadly crash on Ed Bluestein Boulevard

  06-04-2023 14:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police have identified the driver of a pick-up truck who died in a single-vehicle crash in Northeast Austin on Monday just after 10 a.m.Previous: 1 dead after Monday crash on Ed BluesteinAPD says Eddie Robert Rodriguez, 36, died at the scene of the crash on the northbound service road of Ed Bluestein Boulevard. That’s just south of Manor Road near LBJ Early College High School.APD is investigating this as Austin's 28th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 28 fatal
  
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• APD identifies man killed in April 2 crash

  06-04-2023 14:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police have identified a pedestrian who died after a crash with a tow truck on Sunday morning in south Austin.
  According to APD, Joseph Barron, 28, died at the scene of the crash at the intersection of the service road of East Ben White Boulevard and South Congress Avenue. APD officers responded to the crash at 1:05 a.m. Sunday, according to police.
  Police say the tow truck driver remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation.Austin Police say they
  
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• Teddy Bear Program helps children cope with trauma

  06-04-2023 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin firefighters got hundreds of stuffed animal donations Wednesday. The Austin Fire Department says firefighters will give the toys to children after a fire.
  According to AFD, the teddy bears and stuffed Dalmatians came from the Austin Junior Forum's Teddy Bear Program.
  According to its website, AJF raises money every year to buy the toys for the Fire Department, as well as for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Police Depa
  
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• What caused the giant seaweed blob in the Atlantic Ocean?

  06-04-2023 14:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A giant floating blob of Sargassum seaweed, floating in the Atlantic Ocean, can be detected and tracked all the way from space. It is already devastating many beach resorts from Mexico northward to Florida.
  This bloom of seaweed is expected to grow in size and, depending on the wind and ocean currents, impact more and more beaches. Seaweed that washes up on shore can cause devastation to the ecosystem as well as deter tourism. Seaweed bloom reaches record size: ‘Major
  
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• How a Texas sanctuary uses social media to highlight animal conservation needs

  06-04-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- Tucked away in the Texas Hill Country is Alveus Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization where emus, cows, foxes and chinchillas have delighted audiences for more than two years.
  As founder Maya Higa works to educate the public on animal conservation needs, she's tapped into social media to expand her audience and help people see the humanity in exotic animals. Austin Public Library launches podcast to dive into classic, niche horror literatureAlong with its role as an animal
  
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• Residents of 12 east Austin apartment units displaced after fire caused by smoking materials

  06-04-2023 13:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Residents of 12 units in an east Austin apartment complex were displaced after an overnight fire late Wednesday.
  It happened at the Mueller Flats Apartments on Clayton Lane, near the intersection of I-35 and Hwy 290.
  The Austin Fire Department responded to the fire around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and found flames that were 10-15 feet above the roof line.
  The fire started on the third floor balcony because of improperly discarded smoking materials, according to AFD. The fire spread t
  
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• San Antonio Spurs help refurbish 5 basketball courts around Austin

  06-04-2023 13:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The San Antonio Spurs, along with the city of Austin and the Austin Parks Foundation, unveiled a refurbished basketball court in the Dove Springs neighborhood this week as the start of a new program to upgrade some of the parks around the city.
  The initiative, known as Play ATX, is a $500,000 investment to build and refurbish five basketball courts around the city. The money was donated by Spurs Give and the Austin Parks Foundation (APF).
  Play ATX planDove Springs District Park
  
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• Widespread rain ahead of drier, milder weekend

  06-04-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin tallied its heaviest one-day rainfall event since Aug. 22, with 1.97" of rain on Thursday. A daily rainfall record of 1.85" fell at the Austin-Bergstrom airport. Occasional rain and thunderstorms continue overnight and through the day Friday.
  Live radarLive traffic conditionsCentral Texas rainfall totals
  Dry, thirsty soil is soaking up much of the lighter rainfall totals in the Hill Country, so the Highland Lakes are not expected to benefit much from this rain event.Addit
  
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• Rainy, chilly Friday evening, much nicer Easter weekend ahead

  06-04-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Patchy, but persistent light rain will continue well into Friday evening, but much drier and warmer weather will return just in time for Easter weekend.
  Live radarLive traffic conditions
  Repeated batches of showers and storms are expected to impact most of our area through this evening. Additional rainfall totals will remain under 1" for most, but a few isolated spots could top 1" by the end of the day today.
  Central Texas rainfall totals
  Remember, if you ever come across a wate
  
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• LIVE: Widespread rain over the next 48 hours

  06-04-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Grab the rain gear - widespread showers and storms are a good bet across most of Central Texas today (and it's about time!)
  Live radarLive traffic conditions
  Periodic showers and storms can be expected through the day with coverage leaning slightly heavier east of I-35. Rain could be heavy at times, but no major flooding issues are anticipated at this time. Nuisance flooding is certainly possible, and by that we mean ponding on highway shoulders, standing water in low-lying spot
  
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• DPS investigating incident after Uvalde mom shoved by trooper at elementary school

  06-04-2023 05:08 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas -- The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed it was investigating an incident after a video posted on Twitter showed a DPS trooper shoving a Uvalde mother who's child was a victim in the Robb Elementary mass shooting.The video shows Ana Rodriguez, Maite's mother, walking up and banging on the door of Flores Elementary School in Uvalde to pick up her son to participate in a national gun violence school walkout protest that was planned to protest gun reform, according to the ma
  
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• Texas school district making Narcan more available on campuses

  06-04-2023 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The latest push for school safety is not just targeting guns, it is also focusing on dangerous drugs, like fentanyl.Round Rock ISD is taking a proactive approach to the nationwide opioid epidemic.The district has teamed up with The Williamson County EMS Community Health Paramedic program and Public Education program to make Narcan more available to staff, students or visitors on campus."I think being proactive can be a good thing," said Keryn Hawthorne, who has two kids in
  
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• Scheffler hits an ace during Par 3 Contest, looks to defend Masters title

  06-04-2023 04:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUGUSTA, Ga. (KXAN) — Defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler jarred an ace on the ninth hole of Wednesday's Par 3 Contest, but perhaps thankfully for him, he didn't win it.Tom Hoge fired a 6-under-par to win the family-centric exhibition event on Augusta National's newly-renovated par-3 course, but it's well-known that the Par 3 winner has never won the real tournament in the same year. Scheffler said he was out there just for fun, anyway.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sport
  
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• Sandy Hook family's attorney calls for sanctions against Alex Jones' legal team over motion for new trial

  06-04-2023 03:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Attorneys representing the family of a Sandy Hook shooting victim are facing off with Infowars host Alex Jones' attorneys again. This time, they're asking the judge to sanction Jones' legal team over what they call "false statements" in his motion for a new trial.
  Last summer, a jury handed down a nearly $50 million judgement against Jones in the defamation and mental anguish case filed against him by Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis -- the parents of a 6-year-old who died in a sh
  
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• Gregg Popovich talks Hall of Fame induction ahead of Spurs swing in Austin

  06-04-2023 03:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is one of the six new members of the 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
  His accomplishments run pretty deep and for his remarkable efforts as the Spurs head man, he enters the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, which is an esteemed distinction.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersPopovich has coached the Spurs since 1
  
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• What does Texas DPS' forensic artist do?

  06-04-2023 03:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Jorge Molina, the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) forensic imaging specialist, ultimately landed his role after applying to be a police officer."Then I found an opening in the digital imaging section," he said.
  He's the only full-time forensic artist for the department and said other agencies across the state have officers who can do composite sketches — but do so part-time in addition to their other law enforcement duties.Molina is officially with the Texas Rang
  
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• Yee haw! Austin man taking 100-day long horseback riding trip to Seattle

  06-04-2023 01:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – There’s nothing better than a cross-country road trip. You get to see the sites, stop at some quirky roadside stops and listen to that podcast series everyone has been raving about. Cyril Bertheau is about to do a cross-country road trip of his own from Austin, Texas, to Seattle, Washington. But Bertheau’s trip won’t be your typical American extended drive– instead of a car, he’s hopping on the back of his horse, Shiok.Bertheau said that t
  
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• What Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said about the upcoming transfer portal window

  06-04-2023 01:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The free agency-esque player movement because of the transfer portal in college sports has helped usher in a new era of roster management, and Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian is embracing it.Speaking after Tuesday's spring practice, Sarkisian said he and his coaching staff, "have to be realistic to the landscape of college football right now."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports
  
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• Travis Co. Grand Jury clears 5 APD officers in May 2022 deadly shooting, Travis Co. DA says

  06-04-2023 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas -- The Travis County Grand Jury concluded its review involving five Austin Police Department Officers in a deadly use-of-force shooting that occurred in May 2022, according to a news release from the Travis County District Attorney's Office.Those officers were identified as Derek Baroody, Travis Buck, Antonio Camps, Jennifer Perez Molina and Andrew Klinger. The grand jury did not return an indictment for either officer, according to the release.On May 26, 2022, officers were
  
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• Grand jury clears 5 APD officers in May 2022 deadly shooting, DA says

  06-04-2023 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Travis County grand jury finished its review involving five Austin Police Department officers in a May 2022 deadly use-of-force shooting, according to a news release from the Travis County District Attorney's Office.Those officers were identified as Derek Baroody, Travis Buck, Antonio Camps, Jennifer Perez Molina and Andrew Klinger. The grand jury did not return an indictment for the officers, according to the release. APD: Man killed by officers in May called 91
  
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• Texas lawmaker responds to former staffers' allegations, House investigation

  06-04-2023 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas lawmaker responded Wednesday to claims made in a joint resignation letter submitted by three senior staff members that have now apparently led to an investigation by state leaders.
  Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, posted a statement on her Facebook page addressing accusations raised in her former staffers' resignation letter, including about her son's mental health and an alleged relationship he had with an intern. One week ago, her chief of staff Kory Haywood, legisl
  
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• Daniel Perry murder trial almost over, jury set to deliberate

  06-04-2023 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's now up to 12 jurors to decide the fate of a man accused of murder in the deadly shooting of a Black Lives Matter protester.A diverse group of a dozen jurors will decide whether Perry, an Army sergeant, is guilty or not guilty of murdering a protester, Garrett Foster, in July 2020 in downtown Austin. Murder trial: Expert says Daniel Perry slowed down as he made turn into crowd of protestersClosing arguments for the Daniel Perry murder trial concluded Thursday morning.&n
  
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• Daniel Perry murder trial almost over, attorneys prepare for closing arguments

  06-04-2023 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The courtroom was at capacity with some people waiting in an outside hallway on one of the final days of the Daniel Perry murder trial.Soon, a verdict could be reached. A diverse group of a dozen jurors will decide whether Perry, an Army sergeant, is guilty or not guilty of murdering a protester, Garrett Foster, in July 2020 in downtown Austin. Murder trial: Expert says Daniel Perry slowed down as he made turn into crowd of protestersDuring opening statements last week, sta
  
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• Tallest building in Austin will be home to Elon Musk's brother's restaurant

  06-04-2023 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin’s tallest tower is scheduled to open in the Fall and will host the first Austin restaurant owned by Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal Musk. The 66-story skyscraper – located at the corner of 6th Street and Guadalupe – is nearing completion and is already pre-leasing a number of its 349 luxury apartments. The building, aptly named 6G, is a million square feet of mixed-use space –combining office, residential, retail and outdoor space. 
  
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• Man allegedly uses AirTag to track down stolen truck, fatally shoots person inside

  06-04-2023 00:28 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A Texas man was accused of tracking down his truck, which he said was stolen, and shooting the person he found inside of it, police said.According to the San Antonio Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting on March 29 at a shopping center. Responding officers found a man standing near a vehicle, who told them he was involved in a shooting.Suspected catalytic converter thief crushed to death at Georgia car lotThe man explained to police that his v
  
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