Austin news

• Affidavit: Man accused of arson at apartment complex where person he met on dating app was staying

  19-09-2024 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man is facing arson and aggravated assault charges after being accused of starting a fire at a north Austin apartment complex, leaving two people with serious injuries, according to Travis County court records.According to an arrest warrant affidavit and online jail records, Pavel Sapronov, 37, is facing one count of arson and two counts of aggravated assault.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Two seriously hurt in 2-alarm apartment fire in north AustinKXAN reached out to the attorney for Sap
  
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• Man gets 40 years related to 2021 death of Fayette County woman

  19-09-2024 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to serve 40 years in state prison in connection with the 2021 death of a woman in Fayette County.According to the Fayette County District Clerk's Office, Denzale Myles pleaded guilty May 8, ahead of his sentencing, and received a jail credit of 978 days toward his prison time. PAST COVERAGE: Woman killed in Fayette County earlier this month identified by sheriff’s officeHis sentence was related to the death of 20-year-old Ezrianna Po
  
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• Man convicted in 2021 murder of Austin woman

  19-09-2024 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A jury convicted a man for the 2021 murder of an Austin woman, according to a document from the Travis County District Clerk's Office. Man arrested about a month after woman shot, killed at her Austin apartmentArlun Raythunda Watford, 31, will serve 25 years in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison.The victim, Delilah Guzman, 33, was found on Aug. 11, 2021, at her apartment after calling 911 to report a break-in and that she had been shot. KXAN previously reported t
  
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• Austin advancing work on 30-mile 'Big Loop' trail system

  19-09-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin is advancing work on a 30-mile looped trail initiative to bring better connectivity and mobility to the city's existing trail network.City leaders incorporated "The Big Loop" into the 2023 Urban Trails Plan. The loop incorporates portions of Shoal Creek, the Red Line Trail, the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, the Northern Walnut Creek Trail, the Southern Walnut Creek Trail and the Mokan Trail. There are 68 existing miles of trail within the city's current urban
  
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• FBI charges man with allegedly cyberstalking 'high level' UT Austin employees

  19-09-2024 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Nevada man faces federal cyberstalking charges for allegedly sending a barrage of threatening messages and tormenting two unnamed "high level" University of Texas at Austin employees, causing one to move from her home in fear.The FBI arrested Brian Solomon on Monday, and he faces criminal charges of interstate communications with threat to injure and cyberstalking. KXAN reached out to his attorney, a federal public defender, for comment.Solomon allegedly admitted to investigat
  
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• FBI arrests man for cyberstalking 'high level' UT Austin employees

  19-09-2024 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Nevada man faces federal cyberstalking charges for allegedly sending a barrage of threatening messages and tormenting two unnamed "high level" University of Texas at Austin employees, causing one to move from her home in fear.The FBI arrested Brian Solomon on Monday, and he faces criminal charges of interstate communications with threat to injure and cyberstalking. KXAN reached out to his attorney, a federal public defender, for comment.Solomon allegedly admitted to investigat
  
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• Social media company X cites Bastrop address as its official headquarters

  19-09-2024 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — The world's richest man is trading high-rise offices in San Francisco for a more modest Texas building with views of an empty field.Elon Musk's X has named Bastrop as its headquarters — at least temporarily. It cited a location near the small city southeast of Austin as its official address in a recent California court filing.Musk's Hyperloop Plaza at 865 FM 1209 already houses manufacturing and office spaces for a number of his companies. Local fac
  
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• Arch Manning will get first career start Saturday for Longhorns vs. Louisiana-Monroe

  19-09-2024 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Thursday that redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning will start Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe in place of the injured Quinn Ewers.Ewers suffered an abdominal strain in the second quarter of the Longhorns' 56-7 win over UTSA last week, and Manning dazzled in relief, accounting for five touchdowns including a 67-yard scoring run. It was the longest touchdown run by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young scored fro
  
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• Affidavit: 42-year-old man arrested in connection with May rideshare sexual assault

  19-09-2024 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with a sexual assault that allegedly happened in May while he was driving for a rideshare company, according to an arrest affidavit.Court documents identified the rideshare driver as Maurys Madruga-Mesa.KXAN reached out to Madruga-Mesa's attorney for comment. We will update this article if a statement is received.Maurys Madruga-Mesa (Courtesy Austin Police Department)The alleged assault happened on May 6 when the victim requested a ri
  
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• Judge allows Texas State Fair’s gun ban to stand for now

  19-09-2024 21:46 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (Texas Tribune) -- On Thursday, a Dallas County District Court struck down Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to temporarily block the State Fair of Texas’ new policy banning all firearms from its fairgrounds. Previous: Paxton threatens to sue Dallas over State Fair’s gun banAfter a two-hour hearing in the District Court, Judge Emily Tobolowsky agreed with state fair officials that they could enforce a gun ban as a private nonprofit.Last month, Paxton sued the ci
  
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• Travis County flags Texas law enforcement after convicted arsonist flees

  19-09-2024 21:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County District Clerk's Office issued a warrant on Sept. 13 for a convicted arsonist who failed to appear at his sentencing hearing earlier that day, according to court records. Previous: Man accused of starting multiple dumpster fires arrested
  Richard Dale Price, 60, had pled guilty to felony arson causing reckless damage to a building.
  Mugshot of Richard Dale Price (APD)Austin Fire Department arson investigators arrested Price while investigating a number of dumpste
  
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• 'Unsafe' abandoned building getting demolished in central Austin

  19-09-2024 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Crews have started tearing down an abandoned building on Old Koenig Lane, just off N. Lamar Boulevard, in central Austin."Just a huge sense of relief and optimism that something is happening here," Ryan McCulloch, who lives nearby, said.
  Since the building went vacant, encampments popped up at the property, and neighbors noted an uptick in crime, including vandalism, illicit drug activity, harassment and indecent exposure.
  "Concerning for us as we're walking around as well as co
  
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• Dallas police chief hired as city of Austin assistant city manager

  19-09-2024 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin has hired Dallas Police Department police chief Eddie Garcia as an assistant city manager overseeing public safety, according to an internal memo sent to the mayor and council members that KXAN obtained."He most recently served as Police Chief of the Dallas Police Department, commanding the ninth largest police department in the country," said Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax in the memo. "In Dallas he introduced a comprehensive Use of Force Dashboard providi
  
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• New water tower in Leander almost complete

  19-09-2024 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- The massive growth in parts of central Texas, like what's being seen in Leander, has city officials there trying to keep up. That includes a new water tower to help keep things flowing through the city.Once complete, it will be 135 feet tall and hold more than 1.25 million gallons of water. It's located just southwest of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and the East San Gabriel Parkway intersection.The city said it is a key part of Leander's water system. It will help move water
  
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• City of Austin to hold job fair geared toward people over 50 years old

  19-09-2024 20:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin invites all individuals 50 years old and up to join their community job fair Wednesday, Sept. 25.The 50+ Community Job Fair hosted by the City of Austin will provide community members with opportunities to meet multiple City of Austin departments and employers.The job fair will take place Wednesday Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Texas Workforce Solutions Capital Area North building.
  A list of all the COA Employers that will be at the job fair is availa
  
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• Fiesta de Salud: A free health fair for the community

  19-09-2024 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This Saturday, Sept. 21, the City of Austin invites all community members to join them at their "Fiesta de Salud," and participate in free health screenings.The city of Austin, Austin Public Health and Del Valle Independent School District have teamed up to provide a health fair to community members at no cost.The Fiesta de Salud will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary School, located at 4601 Hound Dog Trail in Austin.The health fair will fea
  
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• LIST: Austin-area museums with free entry this Sunday

  19-09-2024 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites are welcomed to bask in the city's arts, cultural, history, music, nature and science museums for free this weekend as part of the 27th annual Austin Museum Day.More than 30 museums within the greater Austin area are participating in this year's event, slated for Sunday. Those organizations include:
  Art Galleries at Black Studies: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.On display: "Nicole Awai: In the thick of it" at Christian-Green Gallery and "Rashaun Rucker: Patron Saints of a Blac
  
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• More than 24K people sought resources for homelessness in Austin last year, report says

  19-09-2024 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new report, required annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, gives an extensive look at homelessness trends in the Austin area and what gaps still exist in resources. How many people are homeless in Austin? City commits to more transparencyHere are some highlights:More people exited homelessness in 2023 than the year prior by about 50%. That's roughly 3,000 people who are no longer experiencing homelessness.It also showed an increase in the n
  
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• Man sentenced to 25 years in 2023 murder

  19-09-2024 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was sentenced Sept. 9 in connection with an August 2023 southeast Austin shooting death.According to Travis County court documents, 62-year-old Jorge Flores-Duran was convicted of murder and sentenced to serve 25 years in state prison. RELATED: 60-year-old arrested in deadly southeast Austin shootingDocuments said he pleaded guilty to the charge related to the Aug. 8, 2023, death of 54-year-old Isaias Martinez.Toward his sentence, Flores-Duran received a jail credit of 398
  
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• Education commissioner calls for cellphone ban in Texas schools

  19-09-2024 18:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The idea of banning cellphones in Texas public schools received a big endorsement from the state's top education leader.
  While discussing recent student performance in key skills testing, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told the members of the Texas Senate Committee on Education Wednesday that he would encourage them to pursue this as a policy during next year's session. He argued smartphones are negatively impacting student progress. ‘It just can’t be
  
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• How Austinites can earn cash for carpooling, using mass transit

  19-09-2024 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas transportation management association Movability is rolling out a new app to Austinites that offers financial perks to those making more sustainable commutes around town.Carbon Cred allows users to track their commutes and earn money as a reward for any sustainable commute trip taken, Movability officials said in a release Monday. Those seeking out active mobility modes or shared commute trips — such as carpooling or riding mass transit — can
  
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• 'We will not let up': Number of Hays County inmates awaiting trial for longer than 3 years shrinks

  19-09-2024 18:02 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays County announced Thursday that the number of defendants awaiting trial for more than 1,000 days has reduced significantly since 2023. In March 2023, 25 defendants were awaiting trial in jail for longer than 1,000 days. As of mid-September, that number has come down to only one. “When I took the bench in 2023, I  was shocked to see the data showing how long defendants were waiting for trial,” Hays County District Judge Tanner Neidh
  
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• How this September's drought levels compare to years prior

  19-09-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Periods of drought aren't out of the ordinary in Central Texas. Compared to years prior, this year's drought levels are significantly reduced compared to years prior.Meteorologists at the Weather Forecast Office (WFO), which is an office of the National Weather Service (NWS), constantly monitor drought levels across the country and provide weekly maps showing where drought is and how severe it is across the country.USDM MapThe U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a map released e
  
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• Plans for huge River Park project in east Austin evolving to meet the market, developers say

  19-09-2024 17:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Plans for a huge mixed-use project on Riverside Drive in east Austin now call for inclusion of a 65,000-square-foot venue for live shows and events as developers continue tweaking an initiative that has spent years on the drawing board.The development — called River Park — will sit on 109 acres between Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park, E. Riverside Dr., Pleasant Valley Road and Country Club Creek. Dallas-based Presidium
  
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• LIVE: Austin FC and Zach Theatre host exciting weekend events

  19-09-2024 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Soccer kids and theater fans will have a wealth of things to do this weekend, as Austin FC and Zach Theatre both have events happening over the next few days.
  Starting with Zach Theatre, "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" is a jukebox musical on stage and it's a winner. It follows the career of singer-songwriter King as she navigates the songwriting of some of her biggest hits, including "Natural Woman," per the Zach Theatre website.
  The Tony Award-winning musical features an
  
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• Austin FC and Zach Theatre host exciting weekend events

  19-09-2024 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- Soccer kids and theater fans will have a wealth of things to do this weekend, Austin FC and Zach Theatre both have events happening this weekend that you won’t want to miss.Starting with Zack Theatre, "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" is a jukebox musical on stage and it's a winner. It follows the career of singer songwriter King as she navigates songwriting of some of her biggest hits, including "Natural Woman."
  The Tony award winning musical features an all star cast. I
  
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• Person dies after early Tuesday hit-and-run in east Austin

  19-09-2024 15:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person died early Tuesday morning in east Austin after being hit by a vehicle, which left the scene without stopping or calling 911, according to the Austin Police Department.
  APD said officers responded to a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian in the 7400 block of Ed Bluestein Boulevard Service Road NB shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17.That area is near the intersection of Ed Bluestein and Manor Road.
  The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene. Poli
  
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• How the Texas Longhorns' true freshmen are making a difference

  19-09-2024 15:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It took almost 16 years for Texas to get back to being the top-ranked team in the country. Now as the Longhorns continue to ascend in 2024, they do so with a lot of young talent.There are a number of Longhorns who have stepped up in their second year with the program like Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammed, Quintrevion Wisner and DeAndre Moore. Some true freshmen, too, have made an impact. Texas QB Quinn Ewers ‘questionable’ for Saturday’s game against Louisiana
  
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• City clears up concerns about strange structure near busy Austin bridge

  19-09-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:A Travis County man said something that caught his eye on his daily drive soon turned his curiosity into concern: what he considers strange structures near a busy bridge. Worried they were a sign of trouble with the bridge, he contacted KXAN. Investigator Mike Rush found out what the formations are and why they’re there.AUSTIN (KXAN) – As he plays music in his south Travis County home, it’s clear Jeff Farris has a passion.“Always loved pianos,&rdquo
  
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• Dead bat found at Cedar Park clinic tests positive for rabies

  19-09-2024 13:57 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- A dead bat that was found in Cedar Park has tested positive for rabies.
  The Cedar Park Police Department posted a PSA on social media Wednesday notifying people that a dead bat found at the entrance to the Baylor Scott & White Clinic on East Whitestone Boulevard had tested positive for rabies.
  Police said there is only one person known to have come in direct contact with the bat.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bats that carry rabies o
  
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• Rain chances on the horizon

  19-09-2024 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The days of summer are winding down but the summertime heat refuses to leave.Afternoon highs will return to the upper 90s today. Austin's forecast high of 99° will come within 2° of tying the daily record. Morning clouds will clear to afternoon sunshine, and although we expect most of us to stay dry, there is a slim chance (<10%) at a stray shower popping up on us.More of the same is expected tomorrow ahead of a subtle pattern change late weekend. Afternoon highs will
  
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• Hot days coming to an end as rain chances return

  19-09-2024 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The heat isn't gone just yet but we could see a small break from it as we move into next week.Austin's forecast high of 99° today will come within 2° of tying the daily record. More of the same is expected Friday ahead of a subtle pattern change late weekend. Afternoon highs will come down a few degrees Saturday and Sunday leaving us in the mid-90s. Dry skies continue for now.Hot... but a few degrees "cooler" this weekendSaturday is still expected to be pretty hot ahead
  
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• Heat peaks before the weekend with showers after

  19-09-2024 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We are pushing our luck with highs heading for 99º today and tomorrow. Easily these highs could be triple digits, which wouldn't feel much hotter, but would not be a moral victory.We'll find mostly clear skies this evening giving way to some patchy low clouds by morning. Overnight lows will be unusually warm and in the middle 70s.Early clouds on Friday should give way to a mostly sunny late morning and afternoon. Highs will head very close to triple digits for, potentially,
  
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• Jury finds man guilty for murder of 70-year-old woman

  19-09-2024 05:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Williamson County jury found a 28-year-old man guilty of the murder of a 70-year-old woman that happened in August 2022 and sentenced him to 60 years in prison, according to a news release from the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.The shooting happened on County Road 245 in Florence, the release said. According to investigators, Diana Pier likely pulled over to "assist" Gilbreath. This is when Gilbreath shot Pier after she stopped behind his vehicle, the release sa
  
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• 23andMe board quits over plans to take DNA testing company private

  19-09-2024 04:07 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — All seven independent directors of 23andMe’s board resigned on Tuesday, citing disagreements over the chief executive’s plan to take the company private.  The departures leave just one sitting member of the board, its chair, Anne Wojcicki, who co-founded the genetics-testing company in 2006 and serves as its chief executive officer.Wojcicki submitted a proposal in late July to take the company private, after earlier expressing interest in acquiring the company
  
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• Big Lots: 47 more stores across 19 states to close; total closures surpass 300

  19-09-2024 03:55 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Nearly 50 additional Big Lots stores are set to close as the company navigates through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filings.The Ohio-based company announced earlier this month that it planned to sell assets and business operations to a private equity firm amid the bankruptcy filing.
  As part of the process, Big Lots said it plans to close roughly 250 stores by mid-January. That’s on top of the nearly 300 stores that are already on track to close in the coming month
  
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• Trump gifted handcuffs used to arrest 'would-be assassin' by sheriff's office

  19-09-2024 03:24 via kxan.com
  
  MAR-A-LAGO, Fla. (WFLA) — Former president Donald Trump met with the Martin County deputies who arrested the suspect in an apparent assassination attempt over the weekend in Florida.The Martin County Sheriff's Office said Trump contacted their agency to meet the deputies involved in arresting "would-be assassin" Ryan Wesley Routh. Trump Florida assassination attempt suspect: What we knowRouth was arrested Sunday after Secret Service agents noticed a rifle poking out of the bushes at a golf
  
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• Spirit Halloween criticized over bullet belt placed in prep school costume section

  19-09-2024 03:19 via kxan.com
  
  VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A pop-up Halloween store chain has been accused of being tone-deaf in light of recent school shootings across the U.S. after showcasing a bullet belt in a section apparently marketed to teens.Among Spirit Halloween's selection of costumes, often organized by themes or styles, some customers found what they described as a "prep school" display that included a "bullet belt."Nexstar's WAVY visited two Spirit Halloween locations in Virginia Beach and found that dis
  
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• Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to remain in jail after second judge denies bail

  19-09-2024 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs is staying locked up after a judge Wednesday rejected the hip-hop mogul’s proposal that he await his sex trafficking trial in the luxury of his Florida mansion instead of a grim Brooklyn federal jail.U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter ruled that Combs' plan — which included a $50 million bail offer, GPS monitoring and strict limitations on visitors — was “insufficient” to ensure the safety of
  
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