Austin news

• TDCJ: Man serving life sentence for capital murder killed by cellmate in East Texas prison

  23-09-2023 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  TENNESSEE COLONY, Texas (KETK) - A man serving two life sentences for capital murder in an East Texas prison was murdered by his cellmate, Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials said.50-year-old Billy Chemirmir was found dead in his cell at the Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony early Tuesday morning.Chemirmir was serving two life sentences without parole for two counts of capital murder out of Dallas County. His cellmate, who TDCJ said is serving a sentence for a Dallas County murder, wa
  
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• Best towns in Texas to see the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse

  23-09-2023 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Imagine walking outside to see a "ring of fire" in the sky as the world around you falls into a deep twilight, but how? It isn't even noon yet!
  That will be the case for several towns in Texas on Saturday, Oct. 14, as the annular solar eclipse casts a shadow across portions of the U.S. for almost five minutes.
  The partial eclipse will begin in Texas between 10:15 a.m. and 10:25 a.m., depending on the location. Those in the pathway of the annular
  
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• PD: Texas man arrested for impersonating Dallas cop in Valley

  23-09-2023 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mansfield, Texas, man was arrested in McAllen this week for pretending to be a Dallas police officer, documents reveal.Shaun Kennedy is charged with interfering with public duties and impersonating a public servant, Hidalgo County Jail records indicate.At 1:18 a.m. Wednesday, Kennedy was outside the 80s Brewery, located at 400 W. Nolana. At the time, a McAllen police officer was speaking to a woman outside the brewery who claimed she had been assaulted an
  
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• South Texas border epicenter for crossings of asylum-seekers

  23-09-2023 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  EAGLE PASS, Texas (Border Report) -- As thousands of asylum-seekers stream across the Rio Grande from Mexico into South Texas, Washington is taking note that the region is the epicenter for migration right now.Eagle Pass a ‘war zone’ as thousands cross border illegally
  Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas plans to visit the South Texas border town of McAllen Saturday, DHS officials announced Friday.And he intends to visit with Honduran President Xiomara Castro.Their visit t
  
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• Sweet, Spicy, Savory: Texas business creates Mexican candy-flavored apples

  23-09-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A local shop in Brownsville turned a simple candy apple hobby into a business.
  Maribel Lopez, owner of Candy Apple Factory, started her business 21 years ago after visiting a local candy apple stand in California.
  Lopez said during her trips to visit family in California, they would buy apples after running errands, return to her uncle's house and spend time together. This is where her idea of opening her own candy apple shop was born.
  (Photo by: Gerard
  
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• Best queso in Austin, according to KXAN viewers

  23-09-2023 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In queso you're looking to try something new, KXAN has put together a list of our viewers' favorite queso spots in Central Texas.
  Several commenters said their own queso was the best in town. But if you can't make it to their house for dinner, some popular queso recs were Matt's El Rancho (known for their Bob Armstrong Dip), Torchy's Tacos and Kerbey Lane Cafe.Here's where KXAN viewers recommend to find the best queso in Austin:Amaya'sChuy'sCruztecaDe Nada CantinaDos Salsas
  
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• 2nd man sentenced in Austin car dealership employee murder

  23-09-2023 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to 15 years in state prison on a first-degree murder charge in connection with a November 2020 incident at a northwest Austin car dealership.According to Travis County court documents, Modesto Hernandez-Hernandez, 33, was convicted and sentenced Sept. 7.The murder charge was related to the Nov. 6, 2020, shooting death of 61-year-old Jerry Paul Lee, an employee at the car dealership on Ranch Road 2222.RELATED: 2 charged with capital murder after man dies
  
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• TribFest speakers say overturning of Roe V. Wade worsened health care shortage in Texas

  23-09-2023 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Tribune hosted Saturday a panel discussion on female reproductive health, with panelists discussing the ripple effects of some substantial recent events, like the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, as well as efforts to undo some damage in the legislature. Evelyn Delgado, chair of the Texas Women's Health Care Coalition and CEO of Healthy Futures of Texas, and Texas State Representative Donna Howard (D-Austin) talked about how staffing shortages in h
  
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• Man sentenced in 2022 aggravated kidnapping

  23-09-2023 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to five years deferred adjudication Sept. 8 in connection with an Aug. 8, 2022, incident.According to court documents, Brandon Munoz, 38, was charged with aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon. PAST COVERAGE: Motorist involved in officer shooting charged with kidnappingAs a part of the sentence, Munoz must undergo drug/alcohol treatment and write an apology letter, among other conditions. During the five years, he must also complete 80 hours of comm
  
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• Christmas in September? Downtown Round Rock is ready to celebrate the holidays

  23-09-2023 18:29 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — While it might be early for some, Round Rock is ready for the holidays.“Too early?! No such thing!” the city said in a social media post.On Wednesday, crews decked the halls with festive lights ahead of the holiday season.Crews set up holiday lights in downtown Round Rock (Downtown Round Rock photo)Crews set up holiday lights in downtown Round Rock (Downtown Round Rock photo)Crews set up holiday lights in downtown Round Rock (Downtown Round Rock photo
  
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• Man sentenced to 10 years for 2021 San Marcos homicide

  23-09-2023 18:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A San Marcos man pleaded guilty Monday to a 2021 homicide in San Marcos, according to court documents.
  Melvin Nicholas, 62, pleaded guilty to criminal negligent homicide and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. For both, he was sentenced to 10 years in state prison. He has a 971-day jail time credit.Nicholas' charge of tampering with physical evidence was dismissed in the plea bargain.
  In January 2021, San Marcos police officers responded to the Econo Lodge Hotel on
  
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• 9 rattlesnakes of Texas and how to spot them

  23-09-2023 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Hiss! It's that time of year in Texas when rattlesnakes are slithering out as temperatures (hopefully) start cooling.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a handy education guide on snakes of Texas, including copperheads, cottonmouths and coral snakes. But the most plentiful type of snake in Texas is the rattlesnake, which we'll focus on. Rattlesnakes are out and about, and here’s what to do if you get bittenThe department notes that Texans should not kill or distur
  
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• Police look for suspect in Austin store robbery

  23-09-2023 15:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for help identifying a suspect in an East Austin store robbery.APD said the robbery happened Aug. 24 just after 11:30 a.m. at the Conn's HomePlus store in the Capital Plaza off Interstate 35.
  Police said the suspect made threats to shoot the store employee and left the store with merchandise.
  The suspect is described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 20 and 30. Police said he is 5 feet, 2 inches in height and about 120 pounds. APD
  
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• Central Texas Food Bank opens new food pantry at St. Edward's University

  23-09-2023 14:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the Central Texas Food Bank cut the ribbon on a new food pantry.The Monarchs Food Pantry is located on the St. Edward's University campus to serve the student community.The pantry is stocked with frozen and nonperishable foods, as well as school supplies and toiletries.The pantry will be accessible 24-7, for anyone with a St. Edward's ID.
  
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• Salvation Army, city agree to lease for downtown Austin shelter

  23-09-2023 14:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Salvation Army said it approved a one-year lease with the City of Austin to use the nonprofit's former downtown shelter on Friday. The lease is non-renewable.
  Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit that also runs the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, will run the single-adult emergency shelter at 501 8th St., according to a release. The Salvation Army will be the shelter's landlord, while the city and Urban Alchemy will be responsible for repairs, maintenance, operations and
  
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• LIST: Best employers in Texas

  23-09-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Forbes released its fifth annual list of America’s best employers in each state, and Texas' top 3 might not be surprising.Forbes put together the list by surveying 70,000 full and part-time employees across the country by asking them to evaluate employers by criteria such as working conditions, diversity and potential for development.No. 3 – GoogleGoogle, a company that focuses on IT, internet, software and services, has accumulated roughly 156,500 employees sin
  
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• Two days of heat, then the rain comes

  23-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Bergstrom reached 100° this afternoon, the 58th day of triple digit heat this year (second-most on record). Camp Mabry got close recording a temperature of 99°.A few isolated sea breeze showers will make a run at our extreme eastern counties this evening, but no meaningful rain is expected. We'll likely see another opportunity for isolated rain tomorrow, but this round will favor the far northwest Hill Country. Again, most areas stay dry.A better chance of showers
  
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• Severe thunderstorms possible Sunday and Monday

  23-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Well, fall officially started at 1:49 a.m., but the weather didn't cooperate. Highs at both Austin's Camp Mabry and at Austin - Bergstrom International Airport reached 101º, which broke the record and tied the record respectively.Amazingly...it could be ever hotter tomorrow!Tonight should be quiet with mostly clear skies giving way to patchy low clouds to begin Sunday morning. BLOG: October forecastMost of Sunday looks hot and dry with sunshine and scattered clouds. We're n
  
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• Round Rock police respond to fatal auto-pedestrian crash on I-35

  23-09-2023 13:49 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — One person died after an auto-pedestrian crash on Interstate 35 in Round Rock overnight Saturday.
  Police said the crash happened on I-35 northbound near the Old Settlers Boulevard exit.
  As of 6:30 a.m., northbound lanes were still closed in the area. Drivers are asked to use alternative routes.
  RRPD said the driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
  
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• Texas high school football scores for Friday, Sept. 22

  23-09-2023 06:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Battle of the Lakes went to Westlake for the third consecutive time as the Chaparrals held off the Cavaliers 20-14 on Friday, part of all kinds of high school football action across the Lone Star State.Dripping Springs dropped Bowie 49-12 at home while Buda Johnson topped Anderson 49-27. Del Valle picked up its first win of the season 22-14 over Akins and Weiss blasted Harker Heights 52-14.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we nee
  
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• Court documents identify man found dead at east Austin park

  23-09-2023 05:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Court documents obtained by KXAN on Friday provided more details, including the name of the man who's body was found at an east Austin park on Sept. 11.The man was identified as Salvador Sanchez, 30, according to an affidavit.Shortly after 9:30 p.m., Austin Police officers responded to a call from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office after a body was found with gunshot wounds at John Trevino Jr., Metro Park, located at 9501 FM 969, according to police.When police arrived on
  
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• Animal hoarding cases cause struggles for Hill Country Humane Society

  23-09-2023 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  BUCHANAN DAM, Texas (KXAN) —The Hill Country Humane Society has taken in nearly 70 dogs this week after back-to-back seizures from animal hoarding cases. The influx of animals has caused staff to rush to find fosters and homes for adoptable animals.Paighton Corley, executive director of HCHS, said 19 animals were seized from a home in Granite Shoals Monday. Nearly 50 more were seized from a Bertram home days later Wednesday.Corley said this sudden intake of animals has presented spatial ch
  
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• Round Rock ISD expects to be compliant with school safety bill by 2025-26

  23-09-2023 02:56 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock Independent School District said it expected to be compliant with House Bill 3, which included a requirement of an armed security guard at each campus, by 2025-26.RRISD’s police chief said was until the district police department had the right number of officers for each campus, it would prioritize presence on high school and middle school campuses.The district said it would assign officers to groups of elementary schools and reduce the number of
  
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• Central Health wants $56 more a year from you, commissioners push back on services

  23-09-2023 01:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Central Health Board of Managers will take another look at its finances in a special called meeting Monday after Travis County Commissioners pushed back on the more than $744 million FY-24 budget proposed to them.
  The budget breaks down to include the following:Nearly $300 million for healthcare delivery
  Nearly $30 million for administration
  $35 million for an agreement with the University of Texas to provide services at Dell SetonAnd more than $379 million for contingency r
  
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• Oklahoma judge arrested in east Austin for firing gun, road rage

  23-09-2023 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN — A judge from Oklahoma was arrested Sept. 11 in east Austin, and he now faces charges of reckless driving and deadly conduct of discharging a firearm.Judge Brian Lovell, who lives in Waukomis, Okla., works at the Garfield County Courthouse in Enid, Okla. He was nearly 500 miles from his home when the incident occurred. It's unclear why Lovell was in Austin.According to the arrest affidavit, Lovell fired shots into at least five cars at the intersection of Matamoros Street and Santa
  
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• Oklahoma judge arrested in Austin for firing gun, road rage

  23-09-2023 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KFOR) — Long-time Garfield County judge, Brian Lovell, was arrested September 11 in Austin, Texas, and now faces charges of reckless driving and deadly conduct discharge firearm.Lovell, who lives in Waukomis and works at the Garfield County Courthouse in Enid, was nearly 500 miles from his home with the incident occurred. News 4 is unsure why Lovell was in Austin.According to the arrest affidavit, Lovell fired shots into at least five cars at the intersection of Matamoros Street an
  
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• Next rain chance comes with a low severe risk

  23-09-2023 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Bergstrom reached 100° this afternoon, the 58th day of triple digit heat this year (second-most on record). Camp Mabry got close recording a temperature of 99°.A few isolated sea breeze showers will make a run at our extreme eastern counties this evening, but no meaningful rain is expected. We'll likely see another opportunity for isolated rain tomorrow, but this round will favor the far northwest Hill Country. Again, most areas stay dry.Weekend forecastA better c
  
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• Austin City Council approves funding to improve APD Sex Crimes Unit

  23-09-2023 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin City Council members approved several items Thursday as part of a considerable effort to improve the Austin Police Department’s handling of sexual assault cases following years of issues. In 2016, an audit showed that APD lab technicians weren’t using proper techniques when calculating the odds of DNA results, potentially botching thousands of cases. Further, the audit found that evidence had been contaminated in at least one case and that lab techni
  
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• No. 4 Westlake holds off No. 8 Lake Travis in Battle of the Lakes 20-14

  23-09-2023 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2023 Battle of the Lakes lived up to the hype.No. 4 Westlake held Lake Travis to 87 yards rushing and held off the No. 8 Cavaliers 20-14 to win at Cavalier Stadium for the first time since 2006 on FridayREPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to [email protected] and we'll get it on our websiteJack Kayser provided the big play for the Chaps with a 40-yard touchdown run in the third
  
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• LIVE: Westlake leads Lake Travis 10-7 at halftime of Battle of the Lakes

  23-09-2023 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's one of the most anticipated games on the high school slate in Texas, and this year it's a showdown with two of the Lone Star State's top 10 teams.Westlake and Lake Travis face off in the Battle of the Lakes at 7:30 p.m. from Cavalier Stadium, and whoever comes out on the short end of it will do so for the first time this season. Westlake enters the game No. 4 in the Dave Campbell's Texas Football/Associated Press Class 6A Top 25 and Lake Travis is No. 8.REPORT YOUR SCO
  
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• LIVE: Battle of the Lakes takes center stage, Lake Travis and Westlake clash in top 10 tilt

  23-09-2023 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's one of the most anticipated games on the high school slate in Texas, and this year it's a showdown with two of the Lone Star State's top 10 teams.Westlake and Lake Travis face off in the Battle of the Lakes at 7:30 p.m. from Cavalier Stadium, and whoever comes out on the short end of it will do so for the first time this season. Westlake enters the game No. 4 in the Dave Campbell's Texas Football/Associated Press Class 6A Top 25 and Lake Travis is No. 8.REPORT YOUR SCO
  
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• Battle of the Lakes takes center stage, Lake Travis and Westlake clash in top 10 tilt

  23-09-2023 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's one of the most anticipated games on the high school slate in Texas, and this year it's a showdown with two of the Lone Star State's top 10 teams.Westlake and Lake Travis face off in the Battle of the Lakes at 7:30 p.m. from Cavalier Stadium, and whoever comes out on the short end of it will do so for the first time this season. Westlake enters the game No. 4 in the Dave Campbell's Texas Football/Associated Press Class 6A Top 25 and Lake Travis is No. 8.REPORT YOUR SCO
  
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