Austin news

• Texas House committee recommends impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, sets date to consider

  25-05-2023 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas House members will consider whether to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday — two days after a Texas House committee voted to adopt articles of impeachment against him.The five-member panel of the House Committee on General Investigating agreed unanimously to move forward with impeaching Paxton on Thursday. Their decision came one day after they heard from a team of lawyers specializing in public corruption lay out extensive details about alleged misc
  
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• Texas House committee recommends impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton

  25-05-2023 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas House committee voted Thursday afternoon to adopt articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton.
  The five-member panel of the House Committee on General Investigating agreed unanimously to move forward with impeaching Paxton. This decision came one day after the members heard from a team of lawyers who laid out years of misconduct allegations about the three-term Republican official.
  The investigators began looking into Paxton in March after a proposal
  
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• LIVE: Texas House committee recommends impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, sets date to consider

  25-05-2023 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas House members will consider whether to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday — two days after a Texas House committee voted to adopt articles of impeachment against him.The five-member panel of the House Committee on General Investigating agreed unanimously to move forward with impeaching Paxton on Thursday. Their decision came one day after they heard from a team of lawyers specializing in public corruption lay out extensive details about alleged misc
  
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• City names new interim director of Police Oversight

  25-05-2023 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin announced the appointment of the new interim director of Police Oversight.According to a city memo, Gail McCant will fill the role beginning June 5.Interim City Manager Jesús Garza said McCant had more than 25 years of experience enforcing civil rights, human rights and employee rights. Past coverage: Director of Austin Police Oversight Farah Muscadin resigns“She has served as Human Rights Director for persons with disabilities and Lead Inves
  
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• TPWD authorized to 'take all necessary steps' to save Texas state park from development

  25-05-2023 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state of Texas is taking steps to save a popular state park from closure and development into a private community, but time is running out before the land is sold to the developer.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously Thursday to authorize the executive director of the Parks and Wildlife Department to "take all necessary steps to purchase approximately 5
  
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• Warmer, drier weather settles in for several days

  25-05-2023 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Yet another complex of light rain moved through the Hill Country today, producing light rain totals generally under 0.25". Rain has cleared the area, with drier and warmer weather in the forecast for the next several days.Thanks to repeated storms recently, parts of the Hill Country have seen more rain in the last two weeks than they have recorded the entire year up until that point. Parts of Mason County have recorded as much as 11 inches of rain in the last 30 days. BLOG: Summ
  
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• Lanes shut down on north MoPac Expressway after crash, APD says

  25-05-2023 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department responded to a crash that is currently impacting traffic in north Austin, the agency said on Twitter.Shortly before 3:30 p.m., APD said officers were at the scene of the crash in the 10400 block of North MoPac Expressway. All southbound lanes were shut down.According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Lanes 1-4 were all blocked, which includes the three main lanes and the shoulder.The crash was confirmed at approximately 2:52 p.m., according
  
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• 1 person dead after motorcycle crash on north MoPac Expressway, ATCEMS says

  25-05-2023 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead as a result of a motorcycle crash in north Austin Thursday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.Shortly before 3:30 p.m., the Austin Police Department on Twitter said officers were at the scene of the crash in the 10400 block of North MoPac Expressway. That's near Capital of Texas Highway. All southbound lanes were shut down due to the crash, police said.According to the Texas Department of Transportation, lanes 1-4 were all blocked, which includes the th
  
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• Hutto expects more growth as economic interest soars

  25-05-2023 22:19 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Economic leaders in Hutto said announcements on businesses coming to the area could be shared as soon as the end of this summer.Bob Farley, economic development director, said interest in Hutto has grown in recent months as support industries to the Samsung semiconductor plant in Taylor look to plant roots ahead of the plant's anticipated opening late next year.He said he is not at liberty to say what businesses could be coming to the area just yet but said that plans
  
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• Point in Time data released, not likely a full count of people experiencing homelessness in Austin

  25-05-2023 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Data from the first Point in Time (PIT) count conducted since the pandemic was released Thursday. The PIT count is done nationwide and is intended to be an estimate of the number of people sleeping outside on any given night in a community.
  During this year's count, more than 2,300 people were counted, according to the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO). Of those, nearly 1,300 were people sleeping outside or in cars and more than 1,100 were people sleeping in shelter
  
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• 'Once-in-a-generation opportunity': Austin mayor applauds $25B in transportation upgrades

  25-05-2023 21:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Just days after Project Connect developers released a recommendation for the first phase of light rail in Austin, Mayor Kirk Watson praised the "once-in-a-generation opportunity" facing the city on its billions of dollars' worth of transportation projects.The multi-billion-dollar Project Connect mass transit system is one component in $25 billion's worth of enhancements planned across the city, Watson said. Other key projects coming down the pipeline include the upcoming I-35 Ca
  
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• Two Step Inn to return to Georgetown in April 2024

  25-05-2023 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, Two Step Inn announced the 2024 dates for the festival’s return to San Gabriel Park in Georgetown.The festival will run in 2024 from April 20-21, according to organizers.Two Step Inn and C3 Presents also announced it recently presented Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation a $1.2 million check toward future park and community improvements. RELATED: 30,000 attend first day of sold-out Two Step Inn country music festival“Two Step Inn is proud to
  
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• NOAA releases 2023 Atlantic hurricane outlook: Here's what to expect in Texas

  25-05-2023 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its seasonal hurricane forecast on Thursday. Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1.NOAA is calling for a "near-normal" season similar to last year, following six consecutive busier-than-normal seasons 2016-2021.NOAA 2023 Atlantic hurricane season predictions
  Tropical storms:12-17 (average: 14)Hurricanes:5-9 (average: 7)Major hurricanes:1-4 (average 3)
  2023 Atlantic hurricane name list
  This is largely in line w
  
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• Texas could ban instruction on sexual orientation, gender identity at all grade levels

  25-05-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is another step closer to barring students at all grade levels from receiving any instruction that mentions sexual orientation and gender identity. If it ultimately becomes law, the legislation would expand upon similar proposals in other states where critics labeled those bills as "don't say gay."The Texas Senate passed its version Tuesday of House Bill 890, which now includes a provision that schools may not provide "instruction, guidance, activities, or programming
  
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• Longhorns go 2-and-out in Big 12 tournament, have to wait and see if they'll host NCAA regional

  25-05-2023 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Conference baseball tournament is out after just two games.Texas lost to fifth-seeded Kansas State 6-0 Thursday at Globe Life Field in Arlington to go 0-2 in the tournament and leave its NCAA regional hosting aspirations in question. Had the Longhorns won a couple of games in the tournament following a 3-game sweep of West Virginia, the selection committee would potentially be more inclined to put Texas in the top 16. Now, there's another reason
  
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• $350K in safety upgrades coming to North Lamar, West Koenig intersection

  25-05-2023 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Safety improvements are underway this summer to enhance the North Lamar Boulevard and West Koenig Lane intersection.The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department will begin construction this month on a $350,000 intersection upgrade project, funded through the 2016 Austin Mobility Bond. The intersection has been flagged as a high-crash zone in the past, with more than 150 cra
  
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• 3 more APD officers facing possible indictments related to 2020 protests

  25-05-2023 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Multiple sources have confirmed three more indictments against Austin Police Department officers are being presented to a special grand jury Thursday related to their actions during racial justice protests in May 2020.
  KXAN reached out to the Travis County District Attorney's Office about the new APD officer cases, but the office told KXAN it could not confirm or provide a comment at this time. RELATED: 2 more APD officers indicted related to 2020 protestsThe new cases
  
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• Man treks 21 miles for Uvalde massacre victims

  25-05-2023 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  BELL COUNTY, Texas (KWKT) — One year ago Wednesday at 11:33 a.m., shooter Salvador Ramos entered the Robb Elementary School campus in Uvalde.Now, the father and sole participant is walking the 21 miles in honor of the lives lost in the massacre. Daniel Chapin, shares his sentiments in a moment of silence for the victims.Chapin laid out flags with the names of the victims written on them and placed them in the ground this morning.
  He used each one as a mile marker throughout his trek."We've
  
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• Murder trial for Austin police officer to begin Thursday afternoon

  25-05-2023 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Opening statements are set to begin Thursday afternoon for the trial of an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, according to attorneys familiar with the case.
  Christopher Taylor, 31, shot and killed Mike Ramos on April 24, 2020. Officers responded to an apartment complex on South Pleasant Valley Road after a 911 call reported someone dealing drugs in a
  
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• Court runs through every available juror for APD officer murder trial this week, still not enough

  25-05-2023 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The trial of an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, expected to begin earlier this week, won't start until after the holiday weekend.
  Attorneys with the case originally told KXAN opening statements would begin Thursday afternoon, but additional delays with jury selection have pushed the timeline back.
  Currently, seven jurors are seated in the case. The
  
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• Simply the best: A look back at Tina Turner's Texas performances

  25-05-2023 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- She was simply the best: Legendary R&B, rock and soul singer Tina Turner passed away Wednesday at the age of 83. A staple whose multi-decade career led to more than 100 million records sold, 12 Grammy Awards and a two-time membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Turner also graced Austin several times throughout her illustrative career.Turner performed with then-husband Ik
  
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• Fire crews respond to dumpster fire near State Capitol, Attorney General's office Wednesday

  25-05-2023 16:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Fire Department crews responded Wednesday evening to a dumpster fire near the offices of Attorney General Ken Paxton and other Texas State Capitol offices.
  AFD put out the flames around 7 p.m.KXAN reached out to investigators on the cause and the contents inside the dumpster. It's unclear if they're looking for a suspect, but the Attorney General's Office tweeted a video that shows who his office said is a person of interest.
  Person of interest in Wednesday evening dumpst
  
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• Senate moves forward on its plan to create border police force

  25-05-2023 16:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) – The Texas Senate gave final approval Wednesday evening to the GOP’s priority immigration legislation, which would create a new state border police force.House Bill 7 would also make it a state crime for migrants to enter the state anywhere but a port of entry, create a mandatory 10-year minimum sentence for human smugglers, and devote $100 million for new detention centers, courts, security and economic development projects for border communities.It
  
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• Austin plastic surgeon volunteers medical treatments in West Africa

  25-05-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-based plastic surgeon is volunteering her time and talent to help those who need it most.Earlier this month, Dr. Tosan Ehanire treated several skin cancer patients and burn victims in Liberia.Within the West African nation, the use of open fires for cooking in homes has made severe burn injuries a common occurrence.Due to the country’s scarce medical resources, many of these wounds remain untreated for years."Injuries are very common, especially among women
  
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• Travis County dive team stays busy searching for bodies in Lake Travis

  25-05-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "You are literally searching with five eyeballs, which are attached to the end of your fingers. You're going by feel only," described Travis County Sheriff's Office Dive Team Captain Jeremy Turner.Turner, the no-nonsense leader and veteran of the team, is describing the conditions his divers are up against when searching for bodies up to 100 feet below the surface of Lake Travis. Watch KXAN documentary "The Wake: Secrets of Lake Travis"We met Turner along with his 16-member
  
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• Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Hilton over fees and room rates

  25-05-2023 14:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Attorney General's office announced Wednesday it sued the Hilton hotel chain for "misleading consumers about the true costs of hotel rooms in violation of Texas consumer protection laws."Tuesday's lawsuit filing came after the AG's office sued Hyatt Hotels on May 15 accusing that company of violating Texas law by “marketing hotel rooms at prices that were not available to the public as advertised.”Texas AG sues Hyatt over unadvertised room feesThe 
  
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• New water reservoirs to help south Austin in emergencies

  25-05-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City council approved the design contracts for two water reservoirs in south Austin that are meant to increase water access to people during emergencies. Southwest residents were hit hardest during the 2021 winter storm, according to Austin Water.
  Southwest Parkway Transmission Main & Elevated Reservoir project and the South I-35 Elevated Reservoir project will enter the design phase for the next three years, be under construction for an extra three years, and be operational
  
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• Body cam video shows San Marcos police used stun gun on deaf man in 2019

  25-05-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Four years ago Thursday, San Marcos Police used a stun gun against a deaf man after they responded to a call of a physical disturbance.
  For the first time, KXAN received body camera video from that day. The video shows the man with his hands up before officers used the stun gun.
  That incident led to a lawsuit against the City of San Marcos and the officers involved.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Deaf man and wife suing San Marcos PD for alleged excessive force that landed hi
  
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• Illinois soldier killed in WWII to be buried in Killeen, Texas

  25-05-2023 13:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The remains of a soldier killed in World War II will arrive at Austin Bergstrom International Airport Thursday evening in preparation for burial in Killeen, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
  In November 1944, Army Pvt. Myron E. Williams, 29, of Dixon, Illinois, was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, according to the DPAA release.
  Williams' unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Hürtgen, Ger
  
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• Mainly dry, warm weather to finish the week

  25-05-2023 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Storms in West Texas will make a run at our area late this morning through midday, but I wouldn't hold your breath on meaningful rain.Mainly dry conditions under a mix of sun and clouds can be expected for most today. Afternoon highs will return to the mid-80s, slightly below normal for this time of year. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days beginHotter, mainly dry weather is in the forecast Friday through Sunday, but scattered late-day storms return on the Mem
  
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• Hill Country showers before a few dry days

  25-05-2023 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Storms in West Texas have arrived in parts of the Hill Country this afternoon bringing brief rain to parts of Mason, Gillespie, Llano and San Saba Counties. Other parts of the area may see a stray shower, but most of the rest of us stay dry.Mainly dry conditions under a mix of sun and clouds can be expected for most of today. Afternoon highs will return to the mid-80s, slightly below normal for this time of year.Next 24 hours BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º day
  
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• Georgetown, TxDOT hearing opinions on RM 2243 improvements starting Thursday

  25-05-2023 12:46 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Transportation said Tuesday it and the City of Georgetown will host a two-week virtual public meeting starting Thursday on proposed improvements to Ranch to Market Road 2243 in Williamson County.
  Here are the proposed changes according to TxDOT:widening RM 2243 (Leander Road) from Southwest Bypass to Norwood Drive to two lanes in each directionadding raised medians with turn lanesproviding pedestrian and bicyclist paths from Southwest Bypa
  
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• Travis County STAR Flight to host open house Thursday

  25-05-2023 12:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County STAR Flight will host an EMS Week open house Thursday, Travis County said in a press release Tuesday.
  According to the release, the open house will give the public a chance to meet STAR Flight crews, see a STAR Flight helicopter and learn the basics of stop of the bleed and hands only CPR.
  Travis County said refreshments will be provided.
  According to the release, the open house will be at the STAR Flight Hangar on 7800 Old Manor Rd. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Nat
  
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• New warning signs on Lake Travis not a priority; LCRA focuses on social media to alert boaters

  25-05-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  LAKE TRAVIS, TEXAS (KXAN) — Lake Travis is considered by many to be a dangerous lake. Since 2010, the Travis Country Sheriff's Office has tracked 61 deaths on the lake. To prepare boaters and swimmers about the potential danger, the agency that manages the lake Lower Colorado River Authority is pivoting to social media."A traditional approach to trying to get information into people's hands, in today's world, is limiting," said John Hofmann, Executive Vice President of Water at the LCRA. K
  
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• Austin FC can't get anything going in 2-0 U.S. Open Cup loss to Chicago

  25-05-2023 05:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC bowed out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 loss to Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.The Fire scored a goal in each half, and while Austin FC has plenty of chances of their own to score, they simply couldn't put many of them on goal. Of their nine total shots, Austin put two on goal.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/newsletters"It's disappointi
  
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• One person in custody after incident in southeast Austin, police say

  25-05-2023 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was arrested after an incident occurred in southeast Austin Wednesday, according to the Austin Police Department.Shortly before 8 p.m., officers responded to a call of shots fired on Sand Dunes Avenue near McKinney Falls Parkway, police said.Police told KXAN a person was in custody but said they could not elaborate on what happened or what the person was charged with. However, police said deadly conduct was a possibility.This is a developing story. Check back for upda
  
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• Travis County neighbors fight concrete plant to be built nearby

  25-05-2023 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — More than 100 people from the community of New Sweden attended a public meeting in protest of a proposed concrete-batch plant. Nearly every neighbor who made a comment criticized the Texas Commission Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for "insufficient notification."According to the TCEQ notice of application for an air-quality standard permit, the site of the plant would be off Manda Carlson Road northeast of Manor — a developing but still rural area of Travis
  
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• New Sweden neighbors fight concrete plant to be built nearby

  25-05-2023 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — More than 100 people from the community of New Sweden attended a public meeting in protest of a proposed concrete-batch plant. Nearly every neighbor who made a comment criticized the Texas Commission Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for "insufficient notification."According to the TCEQ notice of application for an air-quality standard permit, the site of the plant would be off Manda Carlson Road just left of Manor -- a developing but still rural area of Travis Coun
  
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• No more paper license plates? Bill clears Senate

  25-05-2023 03:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Could Texas soon be saying goodbye to its paper license plate problem?A bipartisan bill to eliminate temporary paper license plates -- inspired in part by a series of KXAN investigations into widespread fraud -- cleared the Senate on Wednesday in a vote of 30-1. It now goes back to the House for final approval."We're well on the road to making certain we deal organized crime," said Sen. Royce West-Dallas, "a severe defeat as it relates to these tags."If it passes, and is signed
  
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• Houston man arrested in Fayette County after road-rage incident

  25-05-2023 02:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office reported a Houston man was arrested on multiple charges after a road rage incident Sunday on Interstate 10.Deputies responded to a call involving a vehicle reportedly shooting a handgun out the window. The vehicle was found and pulled over, according to the sheriff’s office.“The occupants, two males and a woman traveling with a small child, at first denied any involvement in any shooting or weapons being in th
  
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• Patient safety bill, sparked by KXAN, passes Senate

  25-05-2023 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A major bipartisan bill aimed at protecting Texans from dangerous doctors and reforming the Texas Medical Board passed the Senate on Wednesday and is closing in on becoming law. The bill is in direct response to our "Still Practicing" series of investigations.It now heads back to the House for final review before going to the governor."HB 1998 will save lives in our state, protecting patients and healthcare professionals alike," said the executive director of the nonpartisan non
  
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• Tennessee's Kiki Milloy, pitching staff areas of focus for Longhorns in super regionals

  25-05-2023 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When the Texas Longhorns softball team heads to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, they'll face one of the country's most feared hitters and stingiest pitchers.Lady Vols outfielder Kiki Milloy, daughter of 15-year NFL veteran defensive back Lawyer Milloy, leads Division I with 25 home runs and a slugging percentage of 1.013, meaning she has more total bases (152) than at-bats (150) this season. She's fourth in on-base percentage at .580 and has stolen 37 ba
  
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• 'Today is a really happy day' ATP Board approves initial Project Connect recommendation

  25-05-2023 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Transit Partnership Board of Directors gave Wednesday its official approval of the Austin Light Rail plan recommendation that was laid out Monday.Austin City officials packed the ATP boardroom and congratulated each other for getting to this milestone in the transportation initiative, almost three years after 58% of Austin voters approved Project Connect in November 2020. “Today is a really happy day,” Veronica Castro de Barrera, Chairwoman of th
  
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