Austin news

• Peter Pan Mini-Golf secures another short-term lease extension

  13-08-2024 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Peter Pan Mini-Golf will hang on a little bit longer at its longtime location with another short-term lease renewal, though the long-term future of the iconic hangout remains in limbo.The 76-year-old mini golf business secured another six-month lease extension, beginning Oct. 1 through March 31, 2025, that extends its stay when its current six-month lease ends Sept. 30.The Texas Juvenile Justice Department board voted to approve the extension on Aug. 9, said B
  
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• Trump, Musk discuss assassination attempt, immigration, Harris on X

  13-08-2024 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — A conservation between former President Donald Trump and Tesla founder Elon Musk on X was delayed by tech issues Monday, which Musk blamed on an alleged cyberattack."There appears to be a massive DDOS attack on 𝕏. Working on shutting it down. Worst case, we will proceed with a smaller number of live listeners and post the conversation later," Musk posted.It also represents a return to X for the former president, who has subsequently posted on the platform.The platfor
  
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• APD identifies man killed in south Austin train crash

  13-08-2024 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified a 55-year-old man who died in a crash between a train and an SUV that happened last week in south Austin, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.One person is dead after a train crashed into a vehicle in south Austin Friday, according to Austin-Travis County EMS. (Tim Holcomb/KXAN News)On Friday, Aug. 9, APD officers responded around 4:20 p.m. to the 1700 block of Matthews Lane for the crash. That's near Menchaca Road. MAP: Where have A
  
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• Hays CISD welcomes students back with brand new Jim Cullen Elementary School

  13-08-2024 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Hays Consolidated Independent School District welcomed students back to school Tuesday, with some students attending a brand new elementary school in Kyle.
  Officials cut the ribbon on Cullen Elementary School just in time for the 2024-25 school year. It's the district’s 16th elementary school, with a 17th under construction.Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright said the school district is trying to keep up with growth.
  “We have been averaging about 1,100
  
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• Austin rolls back proposed entry fee increase at Barton Springs Pool

  13-08-2024 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is no longer considering a potential pool entry fee increase at specialty city pools, city officials said in a memo obtained by KXAN Tuesday.KXAN reported last week the city's fiscal year 2024-25 draft budget outlined the potential price hike on seasonal entry fees at Bartholomew, Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Springwoods, Northwest and Garrison pools. Under the initial proposal, those entry fees would have jumped from $5 to $8 for resident adults, if approved.In
  
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• Police identify pedestrian killed in Tarrytown crash

  13-08-2024 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police identified the pedestrian hit and killed by a vehicle Thursday in a Tarrytown intersection.Allison Baker, 65, died after the crash at Hillview Road and Greenlee Drive, APD said.Police said another pedestrian - whom they did not identify - was involved in the crash and went to the hospital with serious injuries.
  According to investigators, the driver of
  
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• APH reports rising number of HIV cases for 4th year in a row, launches new campaign

  13-08-2024 19:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Public Health (APH) on Tuesday announced it launched a campaign called "Ending the HIV Epidemic" to highlight local resources, testing and treatment as the number of diagnoses for the virus is on the rise in Travis County.
  APH said in a release that for the fourth year in a row, Travis County has seen a "steady rise in new HIV diagnoses." The organization said it launched the campaign as part of its continued efforts, and hopes it will highlight local resources such as te
  
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• Travis County OKs road work, traffic detours on southern county road

  13-08-2024 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Construction is set to begin later this month on paving, water and wastewater improvements along a roadway in southern Travis County.Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved Tuesday implementing a temporary detour and traffic restriction along Bob Johnson Road, running from the intersection of Johnson Lane and Black Bear Drive down to Koala St
  
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• Judge blocks Texas from releasing this year’s school accountability ratings

  13-08-2024 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — A Travis County judge has blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its ratings of the state’s school districts and campuses for a second year in a row.Judge Karin Crump on Monday issued a temporary restraining order the same day Texas school districts filed their second lawsuit over the state’s changes to the metrics used to measure their performance. Here’s what you need to know:The background: How Texas school districts should be graded for th
  
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• Tropical Storm Ernesto expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday | Tracking the Tropics

  13-08-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Tropical Storm Ernesto will impact the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Tuesday.The storm's center was located about 250 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as of the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. update. Its maximum sustained winds were 50 mph.
  Ernesto is expected to move across the U.S. and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday evening and near Puerto Rico Tuesday night into Wednesday. The storm will then take a northward turn into the Atlan
  
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• Tropical Storm Ernesto expected to become a hurricane by tomorrow | Tracking the Tropics

  13-08-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Tropical Storm Ernesto will impact the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Tuesday.The storm's center was located about 250 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as of the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. update. Its maximum sustained winds were 50 mph.Ernesto is expected to move across the U.S. and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday evening and near Puerto Rico Tuesday night into Wednesday. The storm will then take a northward turn into the Atlant
  
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• LIVE: Tropical Storm Ernesto expected to become a hurricane by tomorrow | Tracking the Tropics

  13-08-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Tropical Storm Ernesto will impact the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Tuesday.The storm's center was located about 250 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as of the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. update. Its maximum sustained winds were 50 mph.Ernesto is expected to move across the U.S. and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday evening and near Puerto Rico Tuesday night into Wednesday. The storm will then take a northward turn into the Atlant
  
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• Ford, Texas electric provider partner on free EV charging initiative

  13-08-2024 17:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN -- Ford Motor Company and Texas electricity provider TXU Energy announced Monday a free at-home electric vehicle charging initiative for some Texas drivers.The TXU Free EV Miles program is designed to benefit Ford electric SUV and truck owners in Texas, allowing drivers to charge their EVs for free at home, per Ford's announcement. Through the program, Ford EV drivers who double as TXU Energy customers will receive credits on their energy bill "for all home energy used for vehicle chargin
  
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• More than 800 Round Rock students gifted new shoes for school

  13-08-2024 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New school year, new shoes.
  More than 880 children in the Round Rock area returned to class with brand new kicks, thanks to the Round Rock Police Department and other local organizations.
  The third annual Step N2 Success event was held Sunday at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. The event aims to provide new shoes to students in need.School supplies: Here’s what they cost at 10 U.S. storesIn 2023, more than 400 students received shoes and socks, the city's website s
  
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• Taking care of Texas' beautiful parks

  13-08-2024 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's not just the summer when people take their vacations — it's all year. In other words, any time is a good time to visit any of the nearly 90 parks that adorn the state of Texas.There are a few recommendations that visitors to our parks are encouraged to follow.
  Rich Segal speaks with Shannon Casey about some park visitation tips. Casey is the marketing and outreach specialist for Take Care of Texas.
  She speaks of the importance of having a plan before visiting. Proper
  
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• Trial begins for former Williamson County sheriff, prosecutor in connection with 2019 in-custody death

  13-08-2024 16:55 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The trial for a former Williamson County sheriff and a former county prosecutor who are charged in connection to a 2019 in-custody death began Tuesday morning. A jury panel was selected Monday.
  Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Jason Nassour, a former prosecutor with the county, were charged with tampering with evidence related to the in-custody death of Javier Ambler back in 2019. BACKGROUND | Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody indicted, ar
  
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• Round Rock ISD board to finalize nearly $1 billion bond proposal as school year begins

  13-08-2024 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Parents made the walk Tuesday morning toward the front doors of Berkman Elementary, flanked by their children dressed in new clothes and carrying nearly empty backpacks. It's the usual ritual for a first day of school, and families were welcomed by Round Rock Independent School District Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez.
  As these Bees -- the school's mascot -- begin their new school year journey, their future is being shaped by the Round Rock School Board. Later this week,
  
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• Liberty Hill Police chief resigns after 7 years of service

  13-08-2024 16:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Liberty Hill Police chief has resigned after seven years of service to the department, according to the City of Liberty Hill.The City of Liberty Hill said Police Chief Royce Graeter's resignation went into effect Monday. He started in the department as a patrol officer in February 2017 and was appointed chief of police in May 2020.
  Graeter said in his resignation letter that he "enjoyed serving the department and our community.""The City is graciously thankful for the years
  
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• LIVE: 'A lot of animosity.' How young Americans feel about this year's presidential election

  13-08-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2020 election saw one of the highest young voter turnouts, according to Tufts University research. It estimated that about 50% of young people voted in 2020, which is 11 percentage points higher than what they saw in 2016. Will it be the same this year?The answer is all over the board, with some very eager to vote but many feeling apathetic about this year's election, according to Joshua Blank, research director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas.
  
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• 'A lot of animosity:' How young Americans feel about this year's presidential election

  13-08-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2020 election saw one of the highest young voter turnouts, according to Tufts University research. It estimated that about 50% of young people voted in 2020, which is 11 percentage points higher than what they saw in 2016. Will it be the same this year?The answer is all over the board, with some very eager to vote but many feeling apathetic about this year's election, according to Joshua Blank, research director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas.
  
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• 'Trying to feel around and find him': 911 call gives insight into Lady Bird Lake drowning death

  13-08-2024 12:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than a year after KXAN filed a public records request for a 911 call tied to the death of Jason John, one of the men found dead in Lady Bird Lake after being last seen near Rainey Street, we finally have that recording.
  Amid a swirl of online misinformation and conspiracy theories tied to John's death, and several others in the area, we feel -- even a year and a half later -- that it's important to share the contents.
  KXAN has previously reported that John's death was ruled
  
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• Travis County votes to put affordable child care tax bump on your ballot

  13-08-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners are expected to vote on whether or not they'll send a property tax rate hike to your ballot this November. The proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate increase would go toward creating new affordable child care.
  According to county staff, the tax rate increase would generate roughly $75 million in the first year. It would cost the average homeowner roughly $125 in the same time period.Travis County to discuss how taxpayers can help low-income fam
  
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• Travis County could vote Tuesday to put affordable child care tax bump on your ballot

  13-08-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners are expected to vote on whether or not they'll send a property tax rate hike to your ballot this November. The proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate increase would go toward creating new affordable child care.
  According to county staff, the tax rate increase would generate roughly $75 million in the first year. It would cost the average homeowner roughly $125 in the same time period.Travis County to discuss how taxpayers can help low-income fam
  
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• Travis County Commissioners send affordable child care to your ballot

  13-08-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners unanimously voted to send a property tax rate hike to your ballot this November. The proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate increase will go toward creating new affordable child care.
  According to county staff, the tax rate increase would generate roughly $75 million in the first year. It would cost the average homeowner roughly $125 in the same time period.
  In return, Travis County thinks it can stimulate an industry that was hit hard by the pan
  
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• Travis County Commissioners add an affordable child care tax bump to your ballot

  13-08-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners unanimously agreed and voted to send a property tax rate hike to your ballot this November. The proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate increase will go toward creating new affordable child care.
  According to county staff, the tax rate increase would generate roughly $75 million in the first year. It would cost the average homeowner roughly $125 in the same time period.
  In return, Travis County thinks it can stimulate an industry that was hit hard
  
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• LIVE: Travis County votes to put affordable child care tax bump on your ballot

  13-08-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners are expected to vote on whether or not they'll send a property tax rate hike to your ballot this November. The proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate increase would go toward creating new affordable child care.
  According to county staff, the tax rate increase would generate roughly $75 million in the first year. It would cost the average homeowner roughly $125 in the same time period.Travis County to discuss how taxpayers can help low-income fam
  
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• LIVE: Boeing mission leaves astronauts stranded in space -- what it means for their health

  13-08-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  In this photo provided by NASA, Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams pose for a portrait inside the vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Station's Harmony module and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 13, 2024. (NASA via AP)
  SPACE (KXAN) -- A two week journey into space could likely become an eight month stay aboard the International Space Station.Astronauts Butch Willmore and Suni Williams became the first pilots for Boeing's new
  
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• Boeing mission leaves astronauts stranded in space -- what it means for their health

  13-08-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  In this photo provided by NASA, Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams pose for a portrait inside the vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Station's Harmony module and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 13, 2024. (NASA via AP)
  SPACE (KXAN) -- A two week journey into space could likely become an eight month stay aboard the International Space Station.Astronauts Butch Willmore and Suni Williams became the first pilots for Boeing's new
  
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• Central Austin apartment catches fire Tuesday morning, no one hurt

  13-08-2024 10:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Central Austin apartment caught fire Tuesday morning after a fire was found between two walls. The apartment was located in the 700 block of W 21st Street.The Austin Fire Department said the call came in at 1:20 a.m.AFD said there were no reported injuries. People were evacuated from units.Austin Fire said it called an additional alarm for staffing due to the elevated humidity and temperature. A total of 84 firefighters responded to the incident.AFD said it is investigating th
  
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• New nurse anesthesia program in Austin aims to address growing demand

  13-08-2024 04:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- As the demand for anesthesia services grows across Texas, there's a new program in Central Texas aiming to get more nurses specialized in that area.
  Fairfield University expanded its nurse anesthesia program to Austin.
  The university is based in Fairfield, Connecticut. However, it expanded to Austin to address the growing need for more certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) within the state.
  "We really chose the right place in moving to Austin because we feel that ther
  
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• Some questions start to get answers following Saturday's scrimmage for Texas Longhorns

  13-08-2024 04:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If college football had "dog days" of training camp, it would be right now. You're far enough away from the start of camp that excitement has worn off and it's not quite time to start game planning for Week 1, so it's a weird in-between period where things could potentially get stale and focus can waver.That's not the case with this year's Texas Longhorns, head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. He said that's a direct reflection of the team's leadership.MORE THAN THE SCORE
  
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• Drugging in Austin — why it's difficult to track

  13-08-2024 02:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- "I was drugged downtown.""My friend and I were recently drugged and robbed.""Just kind of scary to think about what could have happened."Those three quotes are snippets KXAN has received from viewers via email or on social media regarding drugging incidents in Austin.Spiked drinks at Austin bars? We check in on a program aimed at preventing thatThe majority of people who reach out with these concerns didn't end up wanting to speak out or provide additional information on their c
  
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• Police: 2 arrested after body found near SH 71 in Bastrop

  13-08-2024 01:42 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Two men were arrested after another man was found dead on State Highway 71 in July, according to the Bastrop Police Department.In a Facebook post, BPD said officers were called to the 300 block of SH 71 West around 9 p.m. on July 25 and found a man with a "significant amount of bodily injury."The man was identified by police as Robert Yarbrough, 42.Police arrested two men in connection with Yarbrough's death. Keith A. Pennington, 53, was charged with murder and Nich
  
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• Lake Travis set to reload, attack 2024 season with tough non-district schedule

  13-08-2024 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Travis head coach Hank Carter knows how the old biblical adage "iron sharpens iron," goes. One look at the Cavaliers' non-district schedule proves that.
  Ranked No. 8 in the Dave Campbell's Texas Football preseason Class 6A poll, the Cavs started official practices Monday and have a loaded schedule leading up to their District 26-6A slate. Three of their four games are against 6A teams that advanced further than the 6A-Division 1 bi-district round.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE:
  
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• Over 30 families are being displaced from Dripping Springs mobile home community

  13-08-2024 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRING, Texas (KXAN) – Over 30 families and dozens of people will be displaced from a mobile home community in Dripping Springs. Some of the families said they have been there for decades. According to families living in the neighborhood, they received a letter on July 29, saying they had 60 days to move their homes and their belongings or items remaining could be considered abandoned. “I’ve lived here since I was born -- so 19 years,” said Irving Avila
  
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• Over 30 families are being displaced from a Dripping Springs mobile home community

  13-08-2024 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRING, Texas (KXAN) – Over 30 families and dozens of people will be displaced from a mobile home community in Dripping Springs. Some of the families said they have been there for decades. According to families living in the neighborhood, they received a letter on July 29, saying they had 60 days to move their homes and their belongings or items remaining could be considered abandoned. “I’ve lived here since I was born -- so 19 years,” said Irving Avila
  
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• McDonald's France jokingly considers removing item after losing gold to USA's basketball team

  13-08-2024 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – McDonald’s France is apparently feeling a bit salty after its home team’s loss to the U.S. basketball team at the Olympics on Sunday.The day after Team USA defeated France to win gold at the 2024 Games on Saturday, a message posted to Instagram by McDonald's France jokingly stated that the country’s restaurants were thinking of removing their curry dipping sauce from the menu “for obvious reasons.”“For at least 4 years,” McDonald’
  
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• Bank of America CEO says research team 'does not have any recession predicted anymore'

  13-08-2024 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — The CEO of Bank of America, Brian Moynihan, said that the financial giant no longer believes a recession is on the horizon for the American economy, hinting that the Biden administration and Federal Reserve have achieved a “soft landing” after inflation troubles in recent years.Moynihan told CBS’s Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation” Sunday that while the economy is slowing, consumer spending remains in-line with pre-pandemic levels.“Our te
  
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• Fort Worth police officer killed while working early morning crash scene

  13-08-2024 00:13 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Police Departments across the state are morning the loss of a Fort Worth police officer who died in the line of duty Monday morning.Sgt. Billy Randolph, badge number 2797, died Monday while working the scene of a car accident.
  Randolph was working the scene of a crash on Interstate 35 Southbound near Sycamore School Road when a car drove through the scene and hit him.The driver of that vehicle is in police custody, officials said.Randolph was taken to an
  
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• 4.4 magnitude earthquake rattles Los Angeles and beyond

  13-08-2024 00:11 via kxan.com
  
  An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 hit Southern California Monday afternoon, sending shockwaves that were felt across the region.
  According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake, which was initially reported as magnitude 4.7, struck around 12:20 p.m. about 2.5 miles south, southeast of Highland Park near Los Angeles' Chinatown neighborhood.The earthquake struck at a depth of 7.5 miles and hundreds of people across the greater Los Angeles area reported feeling shaking, according to the USGS
  
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