Austin news

• How many passengers have flown through Austin-Bergstrom this year?

  27-02-2024 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After two record-setting years in a row, 2024 is likely to be another incredibly busy year at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.Last year saw a little more than 22 million passengers fly in and out of AUS, more than 1 million more than the previous record, set in 2022. Passenger growth at Austin’s airport is hitting forecasts five years ahead of scheduleKXAN is keeping track of all the numbers. Follow along with our interactive charts below.
  We have created sever
  
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• Former Blanco County detention officer accused of sexually assaulting inmate, affidavit says

  27-02-2024 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A former Blanco County Sheriff’s Office detention officer was charged with sexual assault after he was accused of touching an inmate inappropriately, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.In a statement sent to KXAN, the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office said the Texas Rangers conducted an investigation of the detention officer for reported misconduct. The investigation led to the arrest of former detention officer James Gray.In an interview with a
  
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• 'Bring back our flag': Students protest Pride flag removal at St. Edward's University

  27-02-2024 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Speeches as well as chants of "bring back our flag" rang out Tuesday from the center of the St. Edward's University campus in south Austin. Students and faculty members gathered to protest a decision to remove and relocate an LGBTQ+ Pride flag from one facility to another.
  The university shared the flag got taken down last summer from an on-campus coffee shop during a redesign of the space. However, students said they repeatedly asked the administration to put it back on di
  
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• 'Smokehouse Creek' Fire in Hutchison County burns 300,000 acres, 0% contained

  27-02-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  Update: Wednesday, 12:55 a.m.Officials with Texas A&M Forest Service report that the fire has burned an estimated 300,000 acres and is 0% contained.
  TFS said firefighters continue structure protection in and around Canadian and Miami.Update: Wednesday, 12:01 a.m.Officials with Texas A&M Forest Service report that a second fire was spotted in Hutchinson County. The fire is estimated to have burned about 2,000 acres and is 0% contained.Update: Tuesday, 11:55 p.m.Officials with the City of
  
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• 'Smokehouse Creek' Fire in Hutchison County burns 250,000 acres, 0% contained

  27-02-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  Update: Tuesday, 5:29 p.m.Katlyn Butler provided videos of cattle being released to escape the fires near the Turkey Track Ranch, six miles east of Stinnett. "The ranch is 80,000 acres, and we’ve been burning for over 24 hours," said Butler.Katlyn ButlerKatlyn ButlerUpdate: Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.The City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM reports that the area near 687 towards "Big Creek" in the Borger area is being evacuated.Update: Tuesday, 4:13 p.m.The City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM repo
  
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• 'Smokehouse Creek' Fire in Hutchison County burns 200,000 acres, 0% contained

  27-02-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  Update: Tuesday, 4:13 p.m.The City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM reports that Meadowlark back towards Marcy Drive in the southwest part of Borger in the Bunavista part of the city is being evacuated. Officials note that residents in that area need to turn on their sprinklers and vacate the area.The area includes Milner Road southwest of Borger.Update: Tuesday, 3:33 p.m.Officials with the City of Borger said those who cannot make it to Celebration Family Church can also evacuate to the City of
  
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• 'Smokehouse Creek' Fire in Hutchinson, Roberts County burns 850,000 acres, 3% contained

  27-02-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  Update: Wednesday, 9:25 a.m.
  As of 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday, a number of evacuations and road closures related to the “Smokehouse Creek” fire in the Hutchinson County area and “Windy Deuce” fire in Moore County were active, including:
  Armstrong CountyTexas A&M Forest Service reports that the “Juliet Pass” Fire burned an estimated 2,963 acres and is 100% contained.Carson CountyCarson County Emergency Management said an evacuation was issued for remaining resi
  
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• 'Smokehouse Creek' Fire in Hutchinson, Roberts County burns 500,000 acres, 0% contained

  27-02-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  Update: Wednesday, 7:20 a.m.
  Officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service reported on Wednesday morning that the "Smokehouse Creek" fire had burned an estimated 500,000 acres and was considered 0% contained.
  Update: Wednesday, 12:55 a.m.Officials with Texas A&M Forest Service report that the fire has burned an estimated 300,000 acres and is 0% contained.
  TFS said firefighters continue structure protection in and around Canadian and Miami. MORE UPDATES | Multiple fires in areas of the High
  
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• 'Smokehouse Creek' Fire in Hutchinson County burns 300,000 acres, 0% contained

  27-02-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  Update: Wednesday, 12:55 a.m.Officials with Texas A&M Forest Service report that the fire has burned an estimated 300,000 acres and is 0% contained.
  TFS said firefighters continue structure protection in and around Canadian and Miami.Update: Wednesday, 12:01 a.m.Officials with Texas A&M Forest Service report that a second fire was spotted in Hutchinson County. The fire is estimated to have burned about 2,000 acres and is 0% contained.Update: Tuesday, 11:55 p.m.Officials with the City of
  
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• Rouse High School coach charged with sexual assault

  27-02-2024 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- A Rouse High School staff member was arrested and charged with sexual assault, according to Williamson County jail records.Jail records show Brandon Hopp was booked on Tuesday on a charge of sexual assault. He is listed in Rouse High School's staff directory under "football, soccer." His exact position is not clear. KXAN reached out to Leander Independent School District for more details and clarification.Teacher accused of inappropriate relationship with student at Rous
  
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• Much cooler weather arrives Wednesday and Thursday

  27-02-2024 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a more than one-week stretch of much warmer than normal temperatures, a brief chill returns to our forecast Wednesday and Thursday.The cold front is going to come through during the overnight hours. It arrives around 4 a.m. in Lampasas and San Saba Counties. It should clear Austin by 6 a.m., then pass south and out of Caldwell and Fayette Counties between 7 and 8.Strong northwest to north winds will affect the entire area after the front passes. It is possible that win
  
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• AT&T, Verizon raising prices on some phone plans starting this week

  27-02-2024 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Some Verizon and AT&T customers are about to see their phone bills get more expensive in the coming weeks.
  Starting March 1, customers on certain older unlimited plans will be hit with a price increase of $4 per month, per line. The increase will take effect with customers' first bill cycle that comes on or after March 1, a company spokesperson told Nexstar.
  Prices for Verizon's newer "myPlan platform" will stay the same, the company said.
  The price hike follows recent
  
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• Austin Mayor Kirk Watson declares Feb. 28 as 'David Yeomans Day'

  27-02-2024 22:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson officially declared Feb. 28, 2024, as "David Yeomans Day" in the City of Austin.KXAN announced the departure of Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans, who has been with the station for 12 years. His last day on-air will be Wednesday. KXAN announces departure of Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans"Donning his iconic pocket squares and white accent collars, David Yeomans has always jumped into action to guide Austinites through whatever unpre
  
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• Nearly 700 CapMetro employees received incomplete pay in January

  27-02-2024 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro and its third-party bus operator, Keolis, are working to address weeks' worth of pay discrepancies impacting hundreds of bus operators and employees, following frustrations shared by employees during Monday's CapMetro board meeting.Darrell Sorrells serves as the vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1091. On Monday, he highlighted payment issues impact
  
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• Nearly 700 CapMetro bus operators received incomplete pay in January

  27-02-2024 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro and its third-party bus operator, Keolis, are working to address weeks' worth of pay discrepancies impacting hundreds of bus operators, following frustrations shared by employees during Monday's CapMetro board meeting.Darrell Sorrells serves as the vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1091. On Monday, he highlighted payment issues impacting operators
  
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• Gov. Greg Abbott signals support for IVF in Texas after Alabama ruling

  27-02-2024 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday that he supports Texas families having access to in vitro fertilization treatments and has “no doubt” the state will address issues raised by a recent controversial court ruling out of Alabama. Abbott did not call on the Legislature to take specific action to protect IVF treatment.“Texas is a pro-life state, and we want to do everything possible that we can to maintain Texas being a pro-life state,” Abbott told CNN&rsqu
  
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• ATCEMS program aimed at combating opioid crisis reaches 500 people served

  27-02-2024 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-Travis County EMS program that launched a little over three years ago and aims to combat the growing opioid crisis hit a milestone last week.
  ATCEMS is celebrating after it reached its 500th patient enrolled in the program.
  The Buprenorphine Bridge Program launched in November 2020 and has been working to provide critical support and care to people experiencing Opiate Use Disorder or OUD. The program, which is run by ATCEMS' Community Health Paramedic (CHP) Progra
  
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• What's the latest on Austin's HealthSouth property downtown?

  27-02-2024 20:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council and city staff discussed Tuesday various development options for the city's HealthSouth building downtown, which had previously been earmarked as a site for affordable housing development opportunities.In late September, council directed city leadership to convert at least a portion of the former HealthSouth property into affordable housing. The total complex is located at both 1215 Red River St. and 606 E. 12th St. and includes the former hospital and the no
  
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• How record February heat is priming the US for crop-wrecking 'whiplash'

  27-02-2024 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Forget spring: This week, much of the interior U.S. is getting a sneak preview of summer.A wave of unusual high temperatures — often 30 to 40 degrees above average — are blasting states from Texas to the Dakotas and east to the shores of the Great Lakes.That heat follows the hottest December on record, and may push February into first place as well — a dynamic that is a harbinger of a hotter summer to come, and that is pushing several heartlands of
  
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• Trial of former WCSO deputies for in-custody death of Javier Ambler continues

  27-02-2024 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The second day of the manslaughter trial for two former Williamson County Sheriff's Deputies picked up Tuesday morning. The state and defense examined law enforcement witnesses before a sudden delay just an hour into the trial.Former deputies James Johnson and Zach Camden are charged with manslaughter for the death of Javier Ambler, Jr. They're accused of acting recklessly while arresting Ambler after a pursuit with police ended in a crash. The pair allegedly used a taser o
  
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• Questions arise over videos during trial of WCSO deputies for in-custody death of Javier Ambler

  27-02-2024 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The second day of the manslaughter trial for two former Williamson County Sheriff's Deputies picked up Tuesday morning. The state and defense examined law enforcement witnesses before a sudden delay just an hour into the trial.Former deputies James Johnson and Zach Camden are charged with manslaughter for the death of Javier Ambler, Jr. They're accused of acting recklessly while arresting Ambler after a pursuit with police ended in a crash. The pair allegedly used a taser o
  
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• Hays County applies for funds to create comprehensive fentanyl task force

  27-02-2024 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays County Commissioners Court approved on consent Tuesday an application for nearly $1 million in funding to develop a more unified strategy to tackle the fentanyl crisis in Central Texas. The proposal comes as fentanyl overdoses emerge as the leading cause of death among people 18 to 45, according to the application. Further, overdoses in adolescents age
  
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• Downtown Austin safety solutions discussed in Travis County DA race

  27-02-2024 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As early voting continues, the candidates for Travis County District Attorney are talking about public safety, particularly in downtown Austin.Opportunity Austin and Downtown Austin Alliance hosted a conversation between Jeremy Sylestine, a Democrat challenging incumbent José Garza, and Daniel Betts, a defense attorney running on the Republican ticket.MORE: Meet the candidates running in the Democratic primary for Travis County District AttorneyBetts is running unopp
  
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• Texas Attorney General sues pornography distributor over age verification

  27-02-2024 17:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the major pornography distribution company that owns Pornhub and other sites over their age verification measures.
  The suit, filed against Aylo Global Entertainment, claims the company violates HB 1181, which requires reasonable age verification measures to protect minors from being exposed to obscene materials, according to a release from Paxton's office.Paxton is seeking an injunction against Aylo Global to require
  
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• Man arrested after neighbors complain of constant gunfire in his yard

  27-02-2024 17:46 via kxan.com
  
  SMITHVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A Bastrop County man was arrested last week following complaints from neighbors that he was constantly shooting firearms on his property.
  The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that it carried out a search warrant on Hidden Shores Loop in Smithville after neighbors had complained about the constant shooting, which was happening on a lot that was smaller than the five acres required to legally shoot on a lot in a platted subdivision in Bastrop
  
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• Bar exam and flower trade show at Convention Center this week

  27-02-2024 15:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Flowers and prospective lawyers will be the order of the day on Wednesday and Thursday at the Austin Convention Center. The Center is hosting the 2024 Tradewinds Farm Direct Floral Show on both days. According to the show's website, it connects flower farms with flower buyers. Attendees will find sessions on technology and marketing, as well as more than 70 floral booths. Registration is $350 per person and is online. Lawyers looking to ge
  
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• City to hold 3 meetings on plans for south side of Lady Bird Lake

  27-02-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin will hold three community meetings for the public to learn and talk about the city’s plan for development on the south side of Lady Bird Lake.The city released a draft of rules for developing what it calls a combining district and density bonus program for the 118-acre South Central Waterfront District.  The city said the triangle-shaped area stretches west to east from South First Street to East Bouldin Creek and north to south from the l
  
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• UT study: Increasing Paxlovid use could save millions of dollars during COVID outbreak

  27-02-2024 13:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin said Monday that if a small percentage of symptomatic COVID-19 patients took an antiviral drug during the 2022 omicron wave, the number of hospitalizations would have been reduced by hundreds of thousands and billions of dollars would have been saved.According to the UT announcement, in 2023 the National Institutes of Health found about 15% of high-risk patients take Paxlovid when infected with COVID-19.UT said thei
  
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• Strong winds, cooler temperatures follow strong cold front

  27-02-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another unseasonably warm day today ahead of a strong cold front expected to bring a significant swing in our temperatures and wind.
  Today will look and feel similar to Monday with afternoon highs soaring well above average into the 80s and 90s (hottest in the Hill Country). Skies will feature a bit more cloud cover but dry skies will persist throughout the area.Gusty winds out of the north will follow Wednesday morning's cold frontOur next cold front dives in from the north ear
  
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• Strong wind gusts come in tomorrow morning

  27-02-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The overcast sky that greeted you this morning will stick around for much, if not all, of this afternoon. The satellite image and water vapor loop are showing a good amount of moisture flowing into the area.Today is another afternoon with highs in the 80s. The prediction here is that we won't have as many low 90s in the Hill Country because of the clouds.Today's normal high is 69°The cold front is going to come through during the overnight hours. It arrives around 4 a.m. in
  
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• New program aims to help local companies compete in city contracts

  27-02-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) -- Lago Vista's city council unanimously passed a new program that will give local companies preferential treatment when it comes to bidding on city contracts.According to the new rules, which were proposed by new city council member Shane Saum, Place 1, any local company that comes within 3-5% of the lowest bid on non-professional city contracts, depending on the size of the contract, will receive preference.
  Here's how the rules work. For non-professional service contr
  
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• Ultramassive galaxy discovery provides new look at early universe

  27-02-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Imagine seeing a forty-pound baby. It looks like a baby, acts like a baby, but it's one really big baby. It shouldn't exist and yet there it is. This is essentially the problem astronomers are facing while observing the early universe using the James Webb Space Telescope.
  Last April, scientists with the University of Texas published findings in Nature Astronomy that showed several galaxies that existed during the early universe, but appeared to have far greater mass than they sh
  
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• Complaint alleges Hays County candidate doesn't live in Hays County

  27-02-2024 05:17 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – When voting for a candidate, you might want them to be knowledgeable, passionate and experienced. But what about living in the district where the candidate is running to serve?There are certain residency requirements for offices, but if it turns out a candidate does not live where they’re hoping to represent, experts said that can be hard to prove. “When it gets down to actually determining where someone resides, it really becomes almost a matte
  
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• Did Nikki Haley really need South Carolina to win the White House? Here's what history says

  27-02-2024 05:16 via kxan.com
  
  As campaign season continues, politicians are turning up the volume on campaign rhetoric. To cut through the noise, we’re launching Campaign Context, a weekly series providing clarity on the messages you’re hearing from candidates on the campaign trail. We’re digging past the politics and into the facts to provide you with the transparent, spin-free information you need to make informed decisions this election season.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Even before her loss in Saturday's
  
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• Multiple fires in areas of the High Plains

  27-02-2024 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Multiple crews are fighting grass fires in parts of the High Plains Monday afternoon.Armstrong CountyUpdate: 6:12 p.m.Texas A&M Forest Service reports that the "Juliet Pass" Fire has burned about 2,963 acres and is 90% contained.Texas A&M Forest Service said foward progression on the fire has stopped and containment lines have been built.Firefighters are patrolling the area and working to mitigate hot spots.Update: 4:50 p.m.Armstrong County Sheriff, Me
  
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• Court documents: Indicted Georgetown homebuilder allegedly tried to get witness to lie

  27-02-2024 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- A grand jury in Williamson County indicted Georgetown homebuilder Norman Ashby on the charges of witness tampering, theft of service greater than $300,000 and misapplication of fiduciary property greater than $300,000.
  Court documents KXAN obtained Monday detail those charges further.
  Court records - Ashby allegedly mishandled customer's money: A grand jury believed there was probable cause to believe Ashby "comingled" more than $300,000 he received from a man, who th
  
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• Cedar Park girl's basketball proving themselves right

  27-02-2024 03:19 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) - Even though the Cedar Park girl's basketball team won the state championship two and three years ago, getting back to the state tournament this season has been unexpected for a lot of people. It just hasn't surprised anyone inside the program."I do feel like we were underrated this season," said Cedar Park girl's basketball coach Kami Williamson. "I feel like people have counted us out and I feel like we kind of carry that underdog story."The Timberwolves carry that st
  
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• Invasive species can have devastating impact in Texas, forest service says

  27-02-2024 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Lone Star State has a lot of invasive species that can bring devastating impacts to Texas ecosystems. These invasives have the potential to wipe out entire species of native Texas trees.“Invasive species produce a measurable impact,” Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Health Coordinator Demian Gomez said in a press release. “If left unchecked, invasives can threaten native species, biodiversity, ecosystem services, water resources, agricultural and fores
  
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• It's early, but Texas catcher Reese Atwood is in the hunt for national triple crown

  27-02-2024 01:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There's plenty of softball left to be played this season, but if Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood continues to hit like she has the first 13 games of the season, Texas will be playing well into the summer.Atwood, a sophomore from Sandia, currently leads NCAA Division I with nine home runs, 31 RBIs and is second with a .632 batting average. She has 24 hits in 38 at-bats in the middle of a potent lineup that's hitting .398, second-best in the country.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay u
  
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• AISD teaching assistant arrested, charged with DWI in Comal County

  27-02-2024 01:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin Independent School District employee was arrested in Comal County earlier this month and charged with DWI with a child under 15 years old, which is a felony, according to Comal County online court records.Ralph Patrick Hutchens, 37, is listed on the Summit Elementary website as a physical education teacher's assistant. AISD confirmed Hutchens was an employee with the district and was on administrative leave.Ralph Patrick Hutchens, 37 | Courtesy Comal CountyKXAN is work
  
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• Lago Vista ISD investigating community member presenting as 'private coach'

  27-02-2024 01:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Lago Vista Independent School District said it is investigating after learning a “private coach” working with high school runners was not properly vetted. It adds the Lago Vista Police Department "continues to be involved."In an email sent Friday to parents, the district said a community member presented himself as a “private coach” and approached a group of high school male athletes, practicing independently over the summer.The district said in
  
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• Former Blanco County detention officer faces sexual assault charge

  27-02-2024 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A former Blanco County Sheriff's Office detention officer has been charged with sexual assault, BCSO told KXAN Monday.In a statement sent to KXAN, the sheriff's office said the Texas Rangers conducted an investigation of the detention officer for reported misconduct. The investigation led to the arrest of former detention officer James Gray.KXAN asked the county's district clerk's office for an arrest affidavit. The clerk's office said it wasn't available as o
  
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