Austin news

• How many 2023 citations in Austin's downtown precinct came from DPS?

  01-03-2024 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Judge Rick "Rico" Olivo, the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5 - which includes all of downtown - said nearly 400 citations DPS issued in his jurisdiction last year are still pending in the county court system.When the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) came to Austin as part of the Austin Violent Crimes Task Force (AVCTF), the agency made more than 87,000 traffic stops, according to DPS data.Many citations that came from those ended up in Olivo's court."Bringing citation
  
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• DA Garza campaign sends cease and desist letter over flyer, texts

  01-03-2024 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The campaign of Travis County's current district attorney running for reelection sent a cease and desist letter to an entity responsible for flyers and texts that have been sent to the community this week. The letter claims the group listed on the flyers, Saving Austin, is breaking Texas election laws.The flyers, which incorporate similar colors and font to ones José Garza's own campaign has been using, urge people to call Garza's office and "stop cutting plea deals" with
  
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• Officials responding to rollover crash on north MoPac Expressway

  01-03-2024 22:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Officials are responding to a rollover crash that happened on north MoPac Expressway in north Austin on Friday.Around 3 p.m., Central Texas Mobility Authority posted a photo on social media showing the rollover where Austin Fire Department responded on the southbound lane of MoPac before RM 2222.Officials responded to a rollover on north MoPac Expressway on Friday | Courtesy Central Texas Mobility AuthorityDrivers are urged to avoid the area. This article will be updated as more
  
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• North MoPac Expressway now clear after rollover crash

  01-03-2024 22:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Roads are now clear on north MoPac Expressway after a rollover crash in north Austin on Friday.Around 3 p.m., Central Texas Mobility Authority posted a photo on social media showing the rollover where Austin Fire Department responded on the southbound lane of MoPac before RM 2222.Officials responded to a rollover on north MoPac Expressway on Friday | Courtesy Central Texas Mobility AuthorityShortly after 4:30 p.m., the agency said the road was all clear and back open.
  
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• Gov. Abbott reacts after Trump says he is on a shortlist for his running mate

  01-03-2024 21:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott said he plans to stay in Texas after his name was floated as a possible vice presidential candidate.During his border visit Thursday, former President Donald Trump told Fox News he was considering Abbott as his running mate.Trump said Abbott was on his shortlist of vice presidential candidates.However, Abbott told Nexstar Friday that doesn't align with his plans.
  "Listen, obviously, it's very nice of him to say, but I think you all know that my focus is entirely
  
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• APD: One person taken to hospital after bus crashes on south I-35

  01-03-2024 21:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was taken to the hospital after the Austin Police Department said a bus crashed on south Interstate 35 on Friday.Around 2:20 p.m., APD said all northbound lanes in the 8400 block of South I-35 were closed to the crash with a private passenger bus, the agency said on social media Friday. That's near Slaughter Lane. TxDOT's traffic map indicated all but one lane is blocked.Furthermore, all passengers who were in the private passenger bus are now being transported using
  
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• Williamson County Sheriff's office investigating suspected fentanyl poisoning death of teen

  01-03-2024 20:54 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 17-year-old, which it suspects was because of fentanyl poisoning.
  The sheriff's office said its organized crime unit responded to the 100 block of Round Up Drive in Liberty Hill around 7 p.m. Thursday in response to a call about a suspected fentanyl poisoning death.
  WCSO said the incident is an active investigation and information is limited but urged the community to get educated on the dan
  
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• Nearly 40 people applied to be Austin's next city manager, here's what comes next

  01-03-2024 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After extending the application deadline, 39 people applied to be Austin's next city manager, according to an update sent to council by Mayor Kirk Watson.
  Watson noted some of the people who applied will not meet minimum requirements and will not move forward.
  The application process closed February 26 and Austin City Council will review the candidates Tuesday, March 5, according to the mayor.
  "We have additional time identified later this month and in early April for candidate
  
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• Faith leaders gather at Texas Capitol in opposition of school chaplain bill

  01-03-2024 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several religious groups gathered at the Texas Capitol Thursday in opposition of a new law created by Senate Bill 763 that passed last year, which allows school districts to hire chaplains as staff members.Read more: Texas passes bill to let unlicensed chaplains serve as counselors in schoolsThe groups also said they were gathering to "celebrate the large number of Texas school districts that chose not to create those problematic school chaplain programs." They also said such pr
  
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• State lawmaker undergoing IVF calls on Texas to protect the procedure

  01-03-2024 20:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A Democratic state representative currently undergoing fertility treatment is calling on Texas to safeguard in vitro fertilization access after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled embryos are children last month.Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, is trying to garner public support for protecting IVF therapy in Texas, through a petition she created on Tuesday.
  Her petition is in response to the Alabama ruling that said frozen embryos have the same rights as children under state law
  
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• Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Division of Emergency Management brief on state wildfire response

  01-03-2024 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  BORGER, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - Amid ongoing efforts to reckon with massive wildfires that have burned across the Texas Panhandle since Monday afternoon, the office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced he will receive a briefing and hold a press conference on the state's response on Friday.
  Abbott's office noted that he will be joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, as well as other state and local officials, in Borger on Friday afternoon to receive an update on the wild
  
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• Defense, state clash on use of force expert's credibility during in-custody death trial

  01-03-2024 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Without the jury present, the state and defense debated Friday over the qualifications of the state's first expert witness. Roger Clark, a use of force expert, was set to weigh in on the actions of two former Williamson County Sheriff's deputies the night Javier Ambler died in custody. ‘Doesn’t change because there are cameras’: WCSO asst. chief testifies on Day 4 of in-custody death trialAmbler died after leading police on a 20-minute chase that ended in
  
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• Defense and state clash on use of force expert's credibility on Day 5 of in-custody death trial

  01-03-2024 18:22 via kxan.com
  Austin (KXAN) — Outside the presence of the jury, the state and defense debated over the qualifications of the state's first expert witness. He's set to weigh in on the actions of two former Williamson County Sheriff's deputies the night Javier Ambler died in custody.Ambler died after leading police on a 20-minute chase that ended in a crash on March 28, 2019. James Johnson and Zach Camden are accused of acting recklessly while trying to arrest Ambler by using a stun gun despite him tellin
  
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• 144 sex assault victims turned away from nonprofit in 2023 due to underfunding, police say

  01-03-2024 18:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- SAFE Alliance, a nonprofit organization that serves survivors of child abuse, sex assault and domestic violence, is "critically short-staffed," according to an Austin Police Department (APD) report included in the agenda for next week's Public Safety Commission Meeting.According to the report, sex assault victims aren't getting the medical help they need from SAFE nor have all of their evidence collected.The notes on SAFE are part of an APD report about the police department's C
  
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• PHOTOS: Assembly of the Pease Park troll begins

  01-03-2024 18:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, workers began to assemble the Pease Park troll, which is located in Central Austin. PAST COVERAGE | Giant troll will soon appear at Austin’s Pease ParkThe installation was created by Thomas Dambo, a world-leading recycle artist. It's expected to be about 18 feet tall, 15 feet wide and made from a water tower at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus of the University of Texas at Austin.Dambo spoke about his vision for his art around the world and in the park as th
  
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• Women veterans 2x more likely than male veterans to attempt suicide, according to new study

  01-03-2024 16:55 via kxan.com
  
   AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new study by the non-profit Disabled American Veterans (DAV) found from 2020-2021, the suicide rate among women veterans jumped 24.1 percent, four times higher than male veterans.“It is a comprehensive look at the risk factors contributing to the staggering suicide rate among women veterans, and how the VA can do better,” said Naomi Mathis an Air Force veteran now advocating with the DAV.Some risk factors include military sexual trauma, according to the repor
  
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• Celebrating life-saving work of the American Red Cross in March

  01-03-2024 15:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The American Red Cross has hundreds of chapters serving communities across the world. Through a network of staff and generous volunteers, the organization prepares for and responds to emergencies, big and small, and that work is celebrated every year in March.Although they are widely known for their disaster response, the American Red Cross does so much more.Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Alex Villa, Director of Latino Engagement with the American Red Cross, to find out
  
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• Study on how sports impact brain health expands, seeks non-athletes

  01-03-2024 15:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The College Level Aging Athlete Study is underway, as researchers aim to understand how college sports can impact brain health later in life.CLEAATS has already surpassed its original goal to survey 500 former college athletes, in both contact and non-contact sports.UT Southwestern’s O’Donnell Brain Institute is conducting the study, focusing on former college athletes over the age of 50, who didn’t go on to play professional sports. Brain health study sea
  
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• Strange holidays for every day in March

  01-03-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — These holidays might not be included in your paid time off, but you can still strike gold celebrating March's strange holidays. Strange holidays for every day in JanuarySaint Patrick’s Day is the most commonly celebrated holiday in March, but here are a few more to look forward to during the month's 31 days.March 1National Hotel Slipper Day & Plan a Solo Vacation DayA view of Playa los Cerritos in Baja California Sur, Mexico. (Getty Images)
  March 2National Old Stu
  
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• VOTE: Help us choose the best KXAN viewer photo of February 2024

  01-03-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we get hundreds of photos sent to us each month by viewers just like you.We want to showcase some of the best pictures we receive, so we narrowed them down to our 10 favorites for the month.Help us choose the best viewer photo of February 2024. Look through the 10 pictures below, then vote for your favorite. The winning photo will move on to repres
  
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• RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer photo of February 2024, as voted by you

  01-03-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest forecast from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we get hundreds of photos sent to us each month by viewers just like you.We want to showcase some of the best pictures we receive, so we narrowed them down to our 10 favorites for the month.The winning photo will move on to represent February in the best viewer photos of the year poll.#10. Through the Trees (0.8% of votes)Jonestown, Feb. 4. Courtes
  
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• Top 10 countdown: These are the most popular Texas state parks each spring

  01-03-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Looking for an outdoor adventure this spring? Depending on the weather, one of Texas' many state parks may be just what you're looking for.Across the Lone Star State, there are 85 state parks, natural areas and historic sites currently operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. What is the most-visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown for 2023The first parks were opened to the public in the 1930s and the newest, Old Tunnel State Park, op
  
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• Round Rock Express to host job fair Saturday

  01-03-2024 12:57 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) – The Round Rock Express and the company that provides the food and beverages for fans at the Dell Diamond said Tuesday they are looking for workers.The Express and RS3 Strategic Hospitality will host a job Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the United Heritage Center at the Diamond. They are looking for game day and event staff for the 2024 Minor League Baseball season.Candidates must be 16 or older to apply, pass a background check, and work all Express ho
  
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• Significantly warmer heading into the weekend

  01-03-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the calendar flips to March today, spring-like warmth returns just in time for the weekend.We start today cold with morning temperatures in the 30s and 40s. But don't let the early chill fool you! Temperatures warm quickly courtesy of dry air, southerly winds and plenty of sunshine, putting most of us in the low 70s by the end of the afternoon.Weekend forecastThis weekend will feature cool mornings and warm afternoons as temperatures both Saturday and Sunday are expected to t
  
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• More clouds on Sunday, but storms return next week

  01-03-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Highs on Saturday jumped another 10-15º and reached the low 80s thanks to plenty of sun and a warm south wind. This will set us up for a warm night and another warm day on Sunday.Tonight we'll get more clouds, fog and even some drizzle than we had Saturday morning.Don't be surprised if your Sunday morning starts gray and misty. Visibility in some areas may be on the low side to start the day.Sunday morning fogAlthough Sunday's cloud cover will likely hold on longer, the aft
  
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• Great weather expected for first March weekend

  01-03-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the calendar flipped to March today, spring-like warmth returned just in time for the weekend.We started today cold with morning temperatures in the 30s and 40s, with several Hill Country locations recording lows below freezing. But don't let the early chill fool you! Temperatures warm quickly courtesy of dry air, southerly winds and plenty of sunshine, putting most of us in the low 70s by the end of the afternoon.Weekend forecastThis weekend will feature cool mornings and wa
  
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• Even warmer this weekend, but rain returns next week

  01-03-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- February wrapped up as the 7th warmest on record for the Austin area.
  Temperatures should wrap-up the afternoon in the upper 60s and low 70s, generally 20-30 degrees warmer than we were on Thursday afternoon!Tonight will be mostly clear, but areas of low clouds and patchy fog could develop near and east of I-35 by morning.Weekend forecastThis weekend will feature mild mornings and warm afternoons as temperatures both Saturday and Sunday are expected to top out near or into the 8
  
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• Dry weekend followed by a couple opportunities for rain

  01-03-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- You may have heard the familiar saying "In like a lion, out like a lamb" in reference to March beginning with nasty winter storms and finishing with spring sunshine. Well that may be true for most of the U.S., but here in Central Texas, the opposite is more often the case. We tend to start the month with manageable "winter" temperatures, but finish in the thick of severe weather season.This March is likely follow suit with this weekend featuring unseasonably warm temperatures an
  
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• Car crashes into business; no one hurt

  01-03-2024 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The owner of a North Austin restaurant said no one was hurt went a car crashed into his business Thursday.
  The driver smashed into the front of the Pho Van restaurant in a shopping center at 8557 Research Boulevard.
  The vehicle shattered the glass wall and plowed through some tables.
  KXAN requested information about the crash from Austin Police and will update the article when we hear back.Hospital employee describes scene after car crashes into ERThis is the second major c
  
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• Cedar Park falls to No. 1 Mansfield Timberview in 5A girls hoops semifinals

  01-03-2024 05:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cedar Park's run through the 5A girls basketball tournament came to an end Thursday at the Alamodome in a 67-45 semifinal loss to top-ranked Mansfield Timberview.Timberview rode a huge second quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 19-4, to a 34-13 halftime lead. Timberview outrebounded Cedar Park 51-29 including 20-9 on the offensive end to score 21 second-chance points. Cedar Park shot 31% from the field while Timberview connected on 35% of its shots and was 18 of 22 from th
  
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• YouTube Music workers laid off after Cognizant contract ends

  01-03-2024 04:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A contract between professional services company Cognizant and tech company Alphabet ended Thursday, leading to layoffs of YouTube Music workers, Cognizant said in a statement to KXAN.Cognizant and Google both tell KXAN that the contract reached its planned expiration date."These associates will become part of our deployable talent pool, better known as our ‘bench,’ where they are given seven weeks of dedicated, paid time to explore other roles within the organi
  
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• Longhorns' Byron Murphy shows out at NFL Combine

  01-03-2024 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Byron Murphy is nearly 300 pounds, but at the NFL Combine on Thursday in Indianapolis, he certainly didn't move like a guy that size.Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
  Murphy, one of the highest-graded defensive tackles at the combine along with teammate T'Vondre Sweat, clocked the third-fastest 40-yard dash time at his position at 4.87 seconds. Only F
  
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• AISD putting emphasis on student outcomes, St. Elmo shines as Gold Ribbon School

  01-03-2024 04:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the worst of the pandemic is in the rearview mirror, the impacts on students, and even teachers, still lingers.Time away from the classroom took its toll, especially on students facing economic challenges."We are working now on not just building the capacity in our students and addressing the gaps that were created during the pandemic," said La Kesha Drinks, Austin Independent School District assistant superintendent of elementary schools. "But we are also building th
  
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• More Texas restaurants turning to AI, technology advancements

  01-03-2024 03:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Digital menus, contactless ordering and robot servers are just a few of the technology investments some restaurants are considering this year.
  According to the National Restaurant Association's 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, more restaurants are turning to technology.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New report highlights what’s next for Texas restaurants in 2024The report said 60% of restaurant operators nationwide plan to make technology investments to enhance the custo
  
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• Airbnb: Austin, Hill Country most booked ahead of solar eclipse weekend

  01-03-2024 02:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Airbnb said it was seeing a “celestial trend” ahead of the solar eclipse in April.The property rental company noted Austin and the Hill Country, both along the eclipse’s path of totality, were top trending destinations for travelers.The eclipse is set to appear mid-day April 8, across Mexico, the US and Canada, which will be the last time a total solar eclipse will cross North America for more than 20 years.According to Airbnb, Texas was among the most-boo
  
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• Program successful in reducing Hays County inmate population

  01-03-2024 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Hays County officials said the formation of the Hays County Judicial Services Department has successfully reduced the number of pretrial inmates in the county jail.In July 2022, 83% of inmates in the county jail were held with no conviction. As of Feb 7, the number has gone down to 76%. “Overall, the effort of this department is to help process people [who] had just been recently incarcerated and create alternatives to keeping them in jail before thei
  
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• 'Grandma Piper' honored for 50,000 hours mentoring Travis County children in the Foster Grandparent Program

  01-03-2024 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After 30 years with the Foster Grandparent Program, a woman fondly known as "Grandma Piper" was honored with state and national awards for her more than 50,000 hours of service mentoring Travis County children.
  At the age of 92, Willie Piper is still actively serving and attending court twice a week with kids, serving as moral support for those who have no family present and spending mornings with them before their classes, according to Texas officialsWillie Piper poses with chi
  
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• Austin FC looks to get back on track in Seattle, one of the toughest places to play in MLS

  01-03-2024 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC central defender Leo Väisänen will be out for at least a month following an injury in the season-opener, testing an already-thin roster early in the season.Head coach Josh Wolff spoke Thursday about the upcoming match Saturday on the road against the Seattle Sounders, saying he's hoping that last year's injury woes at center back aren't making another lap.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on The CW Austin
  
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• 5 takeaways from dueling Trump, Biden southern border trips

  01-03-2024 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  President Biden and former President Trump made dueling trips to the southern border on Thursday that had them in simultaneous meetings with local officials followed by back-to-back remarks.The split-screen moment with Biden and Trump in locations hours apart offered the most glaring preview of how they will handle the hot-button issue of immigration and compete over other matters in 2024.Biden visited Brownsville, Texas, where he met with Border Patrol agents and chastised congressional Republi
  
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• Prominent local businessman arrested in Austin, accused of arson

  01-03-2024 00:05 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A prominent Austin businessman and founder of Continental Automotive Group, or CAG, was arrested Thursday on charges of Felony Arson and a State Jail Felony offense of Burglary.Dorsey Bryan Hardeman, 75, is accused of starting a fire at a downtown Austin building on Sunday, according to an arrest affidavit.KXAN is working to find representation for Hardeman. When that informat
  
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