Austin news

• Records: 20 Texas corrections officers, incarcerated people diagnosed with heat-related illness this summer

  11-08-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- At least 36 people working and living inside Texas prisons were diagnosed with heat-related illnesses during some of the hottest months this summer and last, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records obtained by KXAN. The agency reported at least 16 incarcerated people and workers getting sick from the heat from May 1 to July 5, 2022, records show. This year, records show at least 20 people diagnosed with heat-related illnesses.Agency officials said none of
  
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• Scorching heat, critical fire danger during weekend plans

  11-08-2023 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Heat and fire danger warnings continue this weekend during Austin's longest heat wave ever recorded. As fire danger remains critically high, make sure you don't accidentally spark a dangerous situation this weekend.Excessive Heat Warnings and Fire Weather Warnings continue. Friday was Austin's 51st 100-degree day so far this year (8th most), and our 35th-consecutive triple-digit heat day (longest stretch on record).Little changes this weekend and next week with record high tempe
  
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• Texas men's basketball lands key 2024 recruit

  11-08-2023 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) - Rodney Terry and the Texas men's basketball team received some good news Friday as they landed their first recruit in the class of 2024 with Cam Scott. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is from Lexington, South Carolina.
  Scott chose the Longhorns over Alabama, South Carolina, Oregon and others. The Austin-bound guard is ranked the 32nd best player nationally, according to 247 sports.The consensus top-ranked player in South Carolina started playing varsity basketball in eighth grade. He
  
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• 60-year-old arrested in deadly southeast Austin shooting

  11-08-2023 20:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 11, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 60-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of a 54-year-old in southeast Austin Tuesday evening.APD investigating homicide in southeast AustinThe shooting happened in the 7900 block of Lee Hill Drive, which is south of East Riverside Drive, off of Hoeke Lane.
  Austin Police Department officers responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m. after someone called 911 saying
  
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• 2 teens arrested in shooting death of Austin 18-year-old

  11-08-2023 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 11, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A juvenile suspect and a 17-year-old were arrested after being accused of being involved in the death of an 18-year-old who was shot and killed during a robbery in southeast Austin Monday.
  According to the Austin Police Department, the 18-year-old, identified as Gregory Orork, was taken to St. David's Medical Center with life-threatening gunshot wounds Monday afternoon.
  APD officers arrived at the ho
  
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• ERCOT extends weather watch a week as heat not expected to let up

  11-08-2023 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video shares tips for responding to heat-related illnesses.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has extended its latest weather watch yet again as summer heat persists in the state.Its watch originally went into effect Sunday and was expected to last until Monday. It then extended it that day to Friday and on Friday announced it would be in place until the following week on Aug. 18. How you can check Texas power grid conditionsWeather watches d
  
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• First responders train participants to act as 'immediate responders' ahead of Austin Pride

  11-08-2023 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin first responders on Thursday held a safety training for multiple businesses ahead of this weekend's City of Austin Pride Festival and Parade, expected to bring thousands downtown.The Austin Police Department, Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire Department hosted a combined Stop the Bleed and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, or CRASE, training on Thursday for multiple LGBTQ+ businesses ahead of the celebrations.
  Organizers said the training empowers busines
  
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• Wildfire near Lockhart burns estimated 300 acres, 50% contained

  11-08-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A grass fire sprang up Friday in Caldwell County, according to the Austin Fire Department, which said crews from Travis County were headed there to help fight it.The fire is near State Highway 130 south of Lockhart. It's called the Boggy Creek Fire, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported. MAP: More than 2,500 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this yearThe fire was estimated at 300 acres and is 50% contained as of 8:15 a.m. Saturday, according to the Texas A&am
  
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• Wildfire near Lockhart burns estimated 300 acres

  11-08-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A grass fire sprang up Friday in Caldwell County, according to the Austin Fire Department, which said crews from Travis County were headed there to help fight it.The fire is near State Highway 130 south of Lockhart. It's called the Boggy Creek Fire, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported. MAP: More than 2,500 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this yearThe fire was estimated at 300 acres and is 25% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.Shortl
  
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• Wildfire near Lockhart burns 228 acres, 95% contained

  11-08-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A grass fire sprang up Friday in Caldwell County, according to the Austin Fire Department, which said crews from Travis County were headed there to help fight it.The fire is near State Highway 130 south of Lockhart. It's called the Boggy Creek Fire, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported. MAP: More than 2,500 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this yearThe fire was about 228 acres and is 95% contained as of 5 p.m. Saturday, according to the Hays County Office o
  
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• Wildfire near Lockhart burns 228 acres, 75% contained

  11-08-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A grass fire sprang up Friday in Caldwell County, according to the Austin Fire Department, which said crews from Travis County were headed there to help fight it.The fire is near State Highway 130, just south of Lockhart. It's called the Boggy Creek Fire, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported. MAP: More than 2,500 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this yearThe fire was about 228 acres and is 75% contained as of 6 a.m. Sunday, according to the Texas A&M Fo
  
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• Wildfire near Lockhart burns 228 acres, 65% contained

  11-08-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A grass fire sprang up Friday in Caldwell County, according to the Austin Fire Department, which said crews from Travis County were headed there to help fight it.The fire is near State Highway 130 south of Lockhart. It's called the Boggy Creek Fire, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported. MAP: More than 2,500 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this yearThe fire was estimated at 228.6 acres and is 65% contained as of 11:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Texas A
  
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• Crews respond to wildfire near SH 130 south of Lockhart in Caldwell county

  11-08-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 20-acre grass fire sprang up Friday in Caldwell County, according to the Austin Fire Department, which said crews from Travis County were headed there to help fight it.The fire is near State Highway 130 south of Lockhart. It's called the Boggy Creek Fire, Texas A&M Forest Service reports. MAP: More than 2,500 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this yearFive brush trucks from the Travis County Strike Team were responding to a request from the county.This is a
  
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• LIVE: Austin moving to Stage 2 drought restrictions Tuesday; Watering times shortened by 3 hours

  11-08-2023 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it would move to Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan Tuesday, as water levels on Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan continue to drop.A press release from the city last week said the combined storage level in the lakes was projected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within a few days. LCRA enters Stage 2 drought response; asks water cutback of 10-20%Interim City Manager Jesus Garza ordered the move to Stage 2 effective Tuesday, Aug. 15."For many years, A
  
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• Austin moving to Stage 2 drought restrictions Tuesday; Watering times shortened by 3 hours

  11-08-2023 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it would move to Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan Tuesday, as water levels on Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan continue to drop.A press release from the city last week said the combined storage level in the lakes was projected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within a few days. LCRA enters Stage 2 drought response; asks water cutback of 10-20%Interim City Manager Jesus Garza ordered the move to Stage 2 effective Tuesday, Aug. 15."For many years, A
  
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• Austin moving to Stage 2 drought restrictions next week; Watering times shortened by 3 hours

  11-08-2023 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin will move to Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan next week, as water levels on Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan continue to drop.A press release from the city said the combined storage level in the lakes is projected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within the next few days.Interim City Manager Jesus Garza ordered the move to Stage 2 effective Tuesday, Aug. 15."For many years, Austin has leaned into water conservation in normal weather as well as drought,
  
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• A prison guard says she was forced to stay at her post during labor pains. Texas is fighting compensation for her stillbirth.

  11-08-2023 17:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — On a warm November night, Salia Issa had just begun her shift as an Abilene prison officer when she felt the intense pain of what she believed was a contraction.Seven months pregnant, Issa said she quickly alerted her supervisors. She told them she needed to go to the hospital but knew prison policy wouldn’t allow her to leave her post until someone could replace her.No one came for hours.Issa kept calling for relief, but her supervisor repeatedly refused her
  
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• Having trouble breathing from wildfire smoke? Advice from a respiratory protection expert

  11-08-2023 17:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Smoke has been billowing from the sky as Central Texas firefighters work to contain wildfires, making it hard for some people to breathe.“Wildfire smoke is a large contributor to air pollution, to those small particles that are in the air,” said Dr. Nikki Vars McCullough a Respiratory Protection Expert with 3M.“You really want to be paying attention to the air quality index. That is a number that you'll see often reported by the Environmental Protection Agency
  
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• ABJ: Austin's future may depend on these farmers

  11-08-2023 16:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- About 70 miles north of Austin, in a 20-acre agricultural manufacturing site, scores of lettuce seeds are evenly sowed by machines into dirt rows in palettes. Those palettes are then shuttled through a labyrinth of machines and conveyor belts, before coming to rest floating in water in a humid greenhouse.Over the next 20 days, their exposure to sun is varied by a retractable roof and potential contaminants are meticulously measured. When the plants are ready t
  
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• Construction on south I-35 could impact your back-to-school commute

  11-08-2023 16:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Over the last few months, the quiet summer traffic conditions and lack of rain allowed the construction crews working on the I-35 Capital Express South Project to ramp up work between Ben White Blvd and State Highway 45 Southeast.That's where two non-tolled High Occupancy Vehicle, or H-O-V lanes are being built in each direction in South Austin.Construction on I-35 Capital Express South Project near William Cannon Dr
  TxDOT is also reconstructing bridges there, adding pedestrian
  
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• Grand jury indicts Raul Meza on murder, capital murder connected to woman's 2019 death

  11-08-2023 16:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A grand jury has indicted Raul Meza, Jr., 62, in the 2019 death of his neighbor Gloria Lofton, 65, according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office.
  Online court records show he's being held on $1,000,000 bond. KXAN is working on getting official copies of the indictment. He was arrested by the Austin Police Department in May capital murder.
  In May, he was also charged with murder in the death of his roommate Jesse Fraga, 80.A grand jury also indicted Meza in that case
  
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• Grand jury indicts Raul Meza Jr. in 2 Austin area murders

  11-08-2023 16:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A grand jury has indicted Raul Meza, Jr., 62, in the 2019 death of his neighbor Gloria Lofton according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office.
  Online court records show he's being held on $1,000,000 bond. He was arrested by the Austin Police Department in May for capital murder.TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal historyIn May, he was also charged with murder in the death of his roommate Jesse Fraga, 80.A grand jury also indicted Meza in that case on c
  
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• Austin Public Libraries closed Friday; Cooling Centers impacted

  11-08-2023 14:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin-Travis County EMS said Thursday all Austin Public Libraries would be closed on Friday, impacting cooling center locations across the city.
  ATCEMS said the libraries will be closed for staff training. Because of the closure, only one of the libraries will be available as a Cooling Center.
  The Terrazas Branch Library will be available as a cooling center from 12 to 8 p.m. on Friday, ATCEMS said.
  According ATCEMS, the libraries will reopen on Saturday.Here is a link to
  
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• '7 out of 10' homes have drought foundation problems

  11-08-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video explains the best type of grass for the Central Texas climate.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Drought has already been a contributing factor in our recent increase in wildfires, but more problems may be developing under your feet. What are the best grasses for Central Texas homes?The lack of rain in Central Texas is creating a shift in the earth below. Soil is contracting, drying up and pulling away from homes, leaving the foundation with room to move.Grass and soil pu
  
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• Austin Achieve overcomes academic ineligibility with NCAA

  11-08-2023 13:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As students get set for school, many young athletes may be missing out on the opportunity to play at the next level.According to Honest Game — an academic compliance software — more than 20% of high school student-athletes in Texas are deemed academically ineligible to play college sports each year.Lizzie Ten Brook is the director of college counseling at Austin Achieve High School, a charter school preparing its students to attend top universities.“NCAA c
  
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• Which school supplies are included in Texas' sales tax holiday?

  11-08-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will host the state's annual sales tax holiday Aug. 11-13 in an effort to encourage supporting Texas-based businesses. During that time, customers can make tax-free purchases on many clothing items, footwear, school supplies and backpacks. 76 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeksWith the 2023-24 school year just around the corner, here's a look at which school supplies items made the sales tax-free cut. Only the items listed
  
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• Austin ISD discusses plans to add more officers

  11-08-2023 13:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees heard a recommendation Thursday night to beef up security at campuses district-wide.
  Dr. Jacob Reach, AISD's Chief of Governmental Relations & Board Services, recommended the board name one school police officer per campus with the discretion for potentially adding two school police officers for some campuses depending on size and student population.
  Districts across Texas have to comply with House Bill 3. It requ
  
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• Austin, University of Texas study cool pavement technology on roadway

  11-08-2023 12:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin and the University of Texas are studying the environmental effects of cool pavement technology on a stretch of road in south Austin. Early results from the pilot program show temperatures are almost two degrees cooler than areas without the cool pavement treatment.
  The city is looking at ways to reduce the urban heat that impacts cities across the United States. Some cities, like Phoenix, use cool pavement technology to combat the amount of urban heat.
  Treatin
  
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• Pedestrian dies in crash with trash truck at Riverside Drive, police say

  11-08-2023 12:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said one person died Friday morning in a crash between a trash truck and a pedestrian at the intersection of East Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue, just south of downtown Austin.The crash happened in a parking lot in the 300 block of South Congress Avenue, police said.Police said the driver stayed on the scene of the crash, which occurred around 3:30 a.m. The pedestrian who died hasn't been identified.Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media an a
  
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• Austin Police investigating deadly crash at Riverside and Congress

  11-08-2023 12:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said one person died Friday morning in a crash on East Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue just south of Downtown Austin.
  Police said the driver stayed on the scene of the crash, which occurred around 3:30 a.m.
  According to police, it appeared to be an auto-pedestrian crash.Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media an adult was pronounced dead on the scene, and no other patients were involved.
  Police told KXAN one lane of Riverside Drive was closed a
  
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• With loads of talent returning, another national title is the goal for Texas volleyball

  11-08-2023 04:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns volleyball team's goal is simple — win another national title.Coming off a dominant 28-1 season while playing just two matches that went to all five sets, Texas overwhelmed opponents in a variety of ways from all over the floor. However, this year is just that — another year — and the Longhorns know they'll get everybody's best shot because they are the reigning champs.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, a
  
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• One seriously injured after motorcycle crash in southeast Austin, ATCEMS says

  11-08-2023 04:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was seriously injured after a single-motorcycle crash in southeast Austin Thursday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.At approximately 9 p.m., medics responded to the crash at 4902-4912 Todd Ln, the tweet said.One adult was taken to St. David's South Austin Medical for serious, potentially life-threatening injuries, medics said.No other information was available Thursday. The incident remained under investigation.
  
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• Why South Llano River landowner wants to build a private dam

  11-08-2023 04:55 via kxan.com
  
  ROCKSPRINGS (KXAN) -- Fiery testimony came from Hill Country residents at a public comment meeting held Thursday night by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as the organization decides the fate of a proposed private dam on a crucial Lake Travis tributary.Houston-based oil executive Gregory Garland applied to build the dam in 2018 for 'recreational' purposes. Garland was at the meeting Thursday night. Dried Up: The impact the proposed dam would have on Lake Travis inflowsGarland
  
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• Arrest warrant provides more information after suspect arrested in connection with west Austin homicide

  11-08-2023 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An arrest warrant provided more information after a man was arrested in connection with a murder in west Austin that occurred last month.At approximately 6:40 a.m., July 15, Austin Police officers responded to reports of multiple shots fired at an apartment complex at 3500 North Capital of Texas Highway. The warrant said the 911 caller heard several gunshots and shortly after found the victim, Jarod Mason, 45, bleeding heavily in the parking lot.APD officers and EMS personnel ar
  
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• Critical fire conditions persist during record heat wave

  11-08-2023 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Drought conditions are worsening across the area as Austin's longest heatwave on record shows little signs of abating. Thursday was Austin's 50th 100-degree day of the year so far -- the 8th-highest 100-degree day count on record.New drought data released Thursday morning showed worsening drought across much of the area.Worsening drought conditions BLOG: When will 100º days end in Austin?Excessive Heat Warnings in effect todayExcessive Heat Warnings and Fire Weather Warning
  
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• 'When there's a large fire it's everybody's problem': Fire coordination happening across Central Texas

  11-08-2023 03:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With destructive fires popping up in all corners of Central Texas this week, from Hays County to Cedar Park to east Austin, Travis County Emergency Services Districts said they're constantly coordinating among themselves and those surrounding counties to make sure resources are in the right place.
  "It's not just Travis County, we're doing Hays County, Williamson County, and all the surrounding. When there's a large fire it's everybody's problem," Travis County Fire Chief Robert
  
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• Longhorns men's hoops announce nonconference schedule, play tourney at MSG

  11-08-2023 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fans will be able to see the Texas men's basketball team quite a bit during its nonconference schedule this upcoming season.The Longhorns announced their nonconference schedule Thursday and will play nine of 13 games at Moody Center. Texas will open the season Nov. 6 against Incarnate Word.
  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/newslettersThe slate also includes two games at o
  
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• Two dead after murder/suicide in Georgetown, WCSO says

  11-08-2023 03:27 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas -- Two people are dead after a murder/suicide in Georgetown Thursday, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.At approximately 5 p.m., WCSO responded to a residence in the 500 block of Vaughn Street in Georgetown after a 911 caller said two people were shot, according to a news release from WCSO.Officials arrived on the scene and found one man and one woman dead, the release said.According to the investigation, WCSO said there was an isolated murder/suicid
  
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• Two dead after murder/suicide in Georgetown, sheriff's office says

  11-08-2023 03:27 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Two people are dead after a murder/suicide in Georgetown on Thursday, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.At approximately 5 p.m., WCSO responded to a residence in the 500 block of Vaughn Street in Georgetown after a 911 caller said two people were shot, according to a news release from WCSO.Officials arrived on the scene and found one man and one woman dead, the release said.According to the investigation, WCSO said it was an isolated murder
  
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• Son kills mother in murder/suicide in Georgetown, sheriff's office says

  11-08-2023 03:27 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Two people are dead after a murder/suicide in Georgetown on Thursday, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.At approximately 5 p.m., WCSO responded to a home in the 500 block of Vaughn Street in Georgetown after a 911 caller said two people were shot, according to a news release from WCSO.Officials arrived on the scene and found one man and one woman dead, the release said.According to the investigation, WCSO said it was an isolated murder/suic
  
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• Trial ends in Harris County election challenge

  11-08-2023 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Attorneys delivered closing arguments Thursday in a lawsuit asking a Harris County court to nullify one November election result, posing an challenge the election administration in the state's largest county.On Nov. 8, Republican Erin Lunceford lost a race for district judge to incumbent Democrat Tamika Craft by 2,743 votes - a margin of 0.26%. She is calling for a do-over, joining the Harris County Republican Party and numerous other candidates in raising concerns about acce
  
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• AAC sees increase in canine distemper cases, asks for help moving healthy dogs out of shelter

  11-08-2023 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Animal Center said it has seen an increase in dogs entering the shelter with the distemper virus and asked for help moving 60 healthy dogs out of the shelter and into foster or adoptive homes.“Since mid-July, AAC has seen six confirmed distemper cases and several presumptive cases. Additional disease control measures have been put in place to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading, however, because the shelter consistently operates above capacity, creating ad
  
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