Austin news

• TDCJ correctional officer arrested, accused of performing sexual act with inmate

  18-12-2024 23:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) correctional officer was arrested after she was accused of performing a sexual act with an inmate at the Travis County State Jail over the weekend, according to court documents.Court records identified the correctional officer as Brittany Cummings. She was charged with violation of civil rights of person in custody. She was booked into jail on Dec. 15 on a $10,000 bond and was released Dec. 17, according to online jail records.A
  
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• Father of four diagnosed with stage 4 cancer: A journey of hope, family, and resilience

  18-12-2024 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When Christopher Arias started to feel back pain about two months ago he thought pain from a car crash that nearly took his life and his family two years ago had returned. The pain spread to his abdomen, and he noticed a sudden weight loss.“My stomach started hurting. I started having bad pains, I was not able to sleep. And then I started getting very nauseous and not wanting to eat, no appetite, and I lost 25 pounds,” Arias said. “I wasn’t feeling myself
  
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• Daniel Perry's attorneys urge judge to drop misdemeanor deadly conduct charge

  18-12-2024 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In less than three weeks, a Travis County judge will determine whether the third and final criminal charge of misdemeanor deadly conduct will be dismissed against Daniel Perry for his alleged actions during a racial justice protest in July 2020.
  Perry and his attorneys, Doug O'Connell and Clinton Broden, appeared in Travis County court Tuesday for a pretrial hearing to present motions to drop the pending misdemeanor case against Perry.The hearing came nearly seven months to
  
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• Emergency funds: What are they? How much should you have?

  18-12-2024 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — In life, it's best to expect the unexpected.
  Unfortunately, job losses, vehicles breaking down and health crises can all be a part of that. To better handle these life events, experts suggest getting an emergency fund, though many people don't have one, according to Bankrate.In its annual report for 2024, Bankrate found that nearly 59% of U.S. adults are uncomfortable with their level of emergency savings. Around 27% of those polled don't have anything saved up at all.Still,
  
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• How to get to, from UT vs. Clemson College Football showdown Saturday

  18-12-2024 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A burnt orange National Championship? That's the dream for the Texas Longhorns as they take on the Clemson Tigers in their journey through the College Football Playoff.The University of Texas at Austin will host Clemson on Saturday at Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. As Longhorns and Tigers fans flock DKR, there will be plenty of traffic before and after the game — and road closures in effect in and around the stadium.If the Lo
  
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• 31-year-old arrested, charged with murder in Round Rock fentanyl overdose death

  18-12-2024 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A 31-year-old man was arrested last week and charged with murder in connection with an overdose death that happened at a Round Rock home in July.According to the U.S. Marshals, Caleb Anthony Toledo, 31, of Pflugerville, was arrested last Thursday and charged with murder. He was booked in the Williamson County jail on Friday, where he is being held on a $250,000 bond.
  No attorney information was listed for Toledo at the time of this story's publication, but if tha
  
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• Natives, environmental groups sue Texas agency, allege it bypassed permitting process for SpaceX

  18-12-2024 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A lawsuit filed Monday in Travis County District Court claims the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) bypassed its wastewater dispersal permitting process for Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s (SpaceX) Cameron County launch facility.The SpaceX launch facility is located between a wildlife refuge and a wildlife management area. is also approximately three miles from the mouth of the Rio Grande.A "deluge system" was installed after an April 202
  
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• City of Kyle flags 'increased presence' of feral hogs

  18-12-2024 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Kyle is working to mitigate a growing number of feral hogs spotted within the city, the Kyle Parks and Recreation Department shared on Facebook Tuesday.City staff have an existing feral hog trapping contract and are reviewing opportunities for how to tackle "the increased presence" of the hogs. City leaders are also looking into other solutions to minimize the feral hogs' impacts on public land and local ecosystems, per the Facebook post.Feral hogs can be aggres
  
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• Former DPS trooper makes plea in use of force case, surrenders TCOLE license

  18-12-2024 20:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Zachary Maini, a former trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety, pleaded no contest Wednesday to Official Oppression, a Class A misdemeanor.This stems from a traffic stop Maini made in August of 2022 when he pulled over Clateachia Stewart on U.S. Highway 183. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DPS trooper suspended after Austin traffic stop"Mr. Maini was accused of intentionally subjecting Ms. Stewart to mistreatment that he knew was unlawful by deploying... a Taser," the Travis Coun
  
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• Texas school districts asked to return $16.2 million in Medicaid funding

  18-12-2024 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Health and Human Services is asking hundreds of school districts to return the money they received through a state Medicaid reimbursement program over a decade ago after the federal government found it was billed incorrectly.The request comes after a 2017 federal audit reviewed expenditures claimed on behalf of Austin Independent School District and Dallas Independent School District from fiscal year 2011.Inspectors said they found more than 238 instances where servic
  
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• VIDEO: Driverless Waymo avoids scooter rider who fell into Austin road

  18-12-2024 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Footage recorded by a Waymo autonomous vehicle driving in central Austin captured the moment a scooter rider stumbled into traffic — and the autonomous vehicle successfully swerved out of their way.A Waymo vehicle was driving along Guadalupe Street near West 29th Street, slowing down to about 16 miles per hour as it traveled near the scooter. As the scooter rider fell into the lane, Waymo's internal footage captured the autonomous car slowing down to 11 miles per hour
  
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• What is the state of xylazine or ‘tranq’ in Texas?

  18-12-2024 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (TEXAS) – In March 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA, issued an alert about the widespread threat of fentanyl with xylazine, or tranq – a non-opiate sedative authorized in the U.S. only for veterinary use.Several months later, Travis County announced its first overdose deaths in which xylazine was detected during someone’s autopsy. Since then, xylazine deaths have not significantly increased in Travis County, according to officials.  Xylazine, a sometim
  
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• APD identifies person found in Lady Bird Lake in early December, needs help finding next of kin

  18-12-2024 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police have identified the woman who was found dead in Lady Bird Lake earlier this month, but now they need help finding her next of kin.
  Thi Lang Nguyen, 73, was found dead in Lady Bird Lake near Brazos Street on Dec. 1. The Austin Police Department needs help identifying her next of kin.(Austin Police Department photo)
  The Austin Police Department posted a release Wednesday saying the person found by a kayaker in Lady Bird Lake near Brazos Street on Dec. 1 was Thi Lang Nguyen,
  
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• APD identifies person found in Lady Bird Lake in early December

  18-12-2024 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police have identified the woman who was found dead in Lady Bird Lake earlier this month.
  Thi Lang Nguyen, 73, was found dead in Lady Bird Lake near Brazos Street on Dec. 1. The Austin Police Department needs help identifying her next of kin.(Austin Police Department photo)
  The Austin Police Department posted a release Wednesday saying the person found by a kayaker in Lady Bird Lake near Brazos Street on Dec. 1 was Thi Lang Nguyen, 73. Body found by kayaker in Lady Bird Lake, po
  
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• Yelp serves up 4 Texas eateries among best new restaurants of 2024

  18-12-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Americans clearly have an appetite for dining out, as food industry sales are expected to reach $1 trillion this year, Yelp analysts said in a December release. As more Americans spend time and money on dining experiences, Yelp compiled its list of the best new restaurants of 2024 — with four Texas spots making the ranks.Wicked Butcher in Dallas claimed the No. 6 spot in the country, a downtown steakhouse centered around "elevated American comfort food with an emphasi
  
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• Texas A&M Forest Service opens emergency ops center

  18-12-2024 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) — The Texas A&M Forest Service celebrated its grand opening of its newly outfitted Emergency Operation Center in College Station with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday.The center will use state-of-the-art technology to monitor wildfire risk and keep track of any active wildfires. It will also keep track of the availability and use of firefighting resources, equipment and personnel across the state.“The work done in the EOC is vital to our agency&rs
  
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• Injuries reported in CapMetro vehicle rollover in south Austin

  18-12-2024 17:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least three people were injured after a CapMetro vehicle rolled over in south Austin Wednesday morning, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.The Austin Fire Department posted on X at 10:31 a.m. that firefighters were working to remove passengers from the vehicle in the area of South First Street and West William Cannon Drive, according to the post.ATCEMS said multiple people were involved, and three were transported to a hospital with injuries — one with serious i
  
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• Injuries reported in bus rollover in south Austin

  18-12-2024 17:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least three people were injured in a bus rollover in south Austin Wednesday morning, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.The Austin Fire Department posted on X at 10:31 a.m. that firefighters were working to remove passengers from a rolled over bus in the area of South First Street and West William Cannon Drive, according to the post.
  ATCEMS said multiple people were involved, and three were transported to a hospital with injuries — one with serious injuries and
  
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• Webb County renames courthouse after Senator Judith Zaffirini

  18-12-2024 17:38 via kxan.com
  
  WEBB COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Webb County Courthouse was recently renamed to honor area native Texas Sen. Judith Zaffirini. In doing so, it became the first local courthouse in Texas named after a woman, according to Zaffirini's office.The courthouse, which is located in Laredo, was officially renamed the Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini Justice Center at a dedication on Dec. 10 after the Webb County judge and Commissioners Court members voted unanimously in February to rename the cour
  
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• Austin police identify victims in Dec. 14 fatal crash on East Stassney Lane

  18-12-2024 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified the victims of a deadly December 14 crash between a sedan and a pick-up truck at the intersection of East Stassney Lane and Peppertree Parkway.APD identified the victims as 18-year-old Anthony Benitez-Castaneda and 75-year-old Ignacio Jaimes-Jaimes.Authorities said Jaimes-Jaimes was the driver of the sedan, and Benitez-Castaneda was a passenger of the pick-up truck. They were both pronounced deceased at the scene.The driver of the p
  
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• TxDOT launches AI plan to improve road safety, more

  18-12-2024 16:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said it has launched a plan to leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI).TxDOT said the goal of the plan was to help make Texas roads safer, as well as enhance mobility across the state. The department said the plan also provides recommendations to help enhance data quality and train employees on AI.The Artificial Intelligence Strategic Plan is a step toward enhancing processes and policies of the state’s transpo
  
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• Paxton files motion to block auction of border wall materials

  18-12-2024 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion Tuesday to stop the sale of pieces of the border wall.
  Paxton said in a press release that he took action "following reports that the Biden Administration is illegally selling segments of the border wall at the United States-Mexico border."
  Paxton's motion claims the sale of border wall pieces violates a May 2024 federal court order that ruled the Biden Administration must continue border wall construction using roughly $1.4 billi
  
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• Water pipeline decision reached amid pushback from worried landowners

  18-12-2024 15:31 via kxan.com
  
  Map shows proposed water line to Mirasol Springs development (colored blue). Courtesy: WTCPUA
  Bee Cave, TX (KXAN) -- After months of protests and discussions, the future for water in western Travis County was decided Wednesday.The West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA) came to an agreement with Mirasol Springs, a new development, concerning the construction of a water line.The line will connect the controversial development to a water supply drawn from Lake Travis. The new water line
  
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• Water pipeline decision following pushback from worried landowners

  18-12-2024 15:31 via kxan.com
  
  Map shows proposed water line to Mirasol Springs development (colored blue). Courtesy: WTCPUA
  Bee Cave, TX (KXAN) -- After months of protests and discussions, the future for water in western Travis County could be decided today.
  The West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA) could come to an agreement with Mirasol Springs, a new development, concerning the construction of a water line.
  The line would connect the controversial development to a water supply drawn from Lake Travis. The new
  
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• Cedar season came early; how you can keep pollen and smells out of your home's air

  18-12-2024 14:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's the worst time of the year: cedar season. It's the time of year when Ashe Juniper trees across Central Texas release clouds of orange dust onto unsuspecting crowds, coating our lungs and making our eyes water.Changing your air filters likely won't help with your allergies unless you take some extra steps. (Credit: Storyblocks)
  Unfortunately, simply changing your air filter isn't going to make the problem go away."The original purpose of that filter is really to keep the equ
  
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• Round Rock police arrest 32-year-old man for alleged theft of catalytic converters

  18-12-2024 13:47 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Police Department arrested 32-year-old Christopher Smith for the alleged theft of multiple catalytic converters and the possession of narcotics on Monday.
  As of Wednesday morning, Smith did not have an attorney listed for comment regarding his case. Whenever Smith has an attorney listed, KXAN will reach out for a comment. Bill passes Texas Senate that would crack down on catalytic converter thievesThe Round Rock Police Department arrested 32-year-old Ch
  
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• Wimberley farm rebrands after lawsuit from New York restaurant

  18-12-2024 12:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dirt Candy Farm in Wimberley has changed its name following a lawsuit from a Manhattan restaurant with a similar name. On Tuesday, the family-owned farm announced it will now be known as Wild Candy Farm.
  This comes after the Wimberley farm received a cease and desist letter from the New York City restaurant's attorney in April 2023 claiming the farm was infringing on the restaurant owner's trademark. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Wimberley farm says they received cease and desist letter fr
  
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• 'What are we getting?': We pulled the data from 264 HOME initiative applications

  18-12-2024 09:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Turning a garage into a single-family residence in north Austin, building a series of two-story townhomes near south Congress and adding an accessory dwelling unit to anexisting home near Parmer Lane and Mopac.
  Those are some of the changes requested in applications under the city of Austin's new HOME initiative.
  KXAN looked through all 264 HOME applications submitted as of Monday, from both phase one and two of the initiative, after hearing concerns from some community groups t
  
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• LTISD Superintendent Paul Norton placed on paid leave pending investigation

  18-12-2024 05:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Lake Travis school board placed Superintendent Paul Norton on paid leave after it held a special meeting "to discuss a personnel matter" of a report, which contained "allegations of misconduct," according to a news release from Lake Travis Independent School District Board President Erin Archer.The statement added that those allegations were presented to the board In a closed board meeting session. The release said the allegations are "confidential and protected from disclos
  
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• This Colorado restaurant only has 2 items on the menu

  18-12-2024 04:25 via kxan.com
  
  DENVER (KDVR) — A Michelin-starred chef co-opened a restaurant in Denver with only two items on the menu: a burger and fries.NADC Burger originally laid roots in Texas and Chicago as a partnership between Michelin-starred chef Phillip Frankland Lee and famous skateboarder Neen Williams.The concept came as a "laidback setting," and with only a few options on the menu at the restaurant on Larimer Square, the vibe is just that. Is that a drone or a plane? How to spot the differencesWhile the
  
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• 1 dead, 9 injured in mass shooting at Maryland funeral home: police

  18-12-2024 04:21 via kxan.com
  
  TOWSON, Md. (WDCW) -- Maryland police are investigating a mass shooting at a funeral home that left one person dead and multiple people injured Tuesday evening.The Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) said the shooting happened at a funeral home in Towson around 7:15 p.m.‘Rest easy, our protector’: Calvert County Sheriff’s Office mourning K-9’s passing
  During a news conference, BCPD Police Chief Robert McCullough said nine people were taken to nearby hospitals for tr
  
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• 1 dead, 9 injured in Maryland shooting and fiery car crash: police

  18-12-2024 04:21 via kxan.com
  
  TOWSON, Md. (WDCW) -- One person has died and nine others were injured following a shooting and related fiery car crash in Maryland on Tuesday, police said.
  Officers were dispatched to an intersection near Johnson-Fosbrink Funeral and Cremation Services in Towson around 7:15 p.m. after receiving reports of multiple gunshots in the area, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.
  A car crashed outside the funeral home, which appeared to be closed at the time, Baltimore County Police Chi
  
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• APD: 30-year-old man arrested, accused of driving intoxicated in deadly southeast Austin crash

  18-12-2024 03:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 30-year-old man was arrested after a deadly crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in southeast Austin over the weekend, the Austin Police Department said Tuesday in a news release.Police identified the suspect as Ali-Mbemba Kembilu. Online court records did not list an attorney for him. We will update this if that changes. 1 dead in southeast Austin following crash involving pedestrianAli-Mbemba Kembilu, 30 | Mugshot provided by Austin Police DepartmentAPD officers respon
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 person dead after vehicle, motorcycle crash in northwest Austin

  18-12-2024 03:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a crash involving a vehicle and a motorcycle in northwest Austin on Tuesday, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.The agency said on social media it responded to the crash around 7:10 p.m. at West Parmer Lane and Ganymede Drive.ATCEMS medics said traffic delays were expected in the area and to "be alert" for any first responders still on the scene. Austin police said on social media northbound Parmer Lane was closed at Silver Creek Drive.No other detail
  
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• Concerns over the future of the Inflation Reduction Act

  18-12-2024 02:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The push for renewable energy has been prevalent in recent years, with global EVs sales growing about 25% in the first quarter of 2024, according to the International Energy Agency.The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, has propelled such growth by allocating billions of dollars towards investments in renewable energy sources. However, the future of such policies remains uncertain.During his campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump criticized the IRA in
  
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• Rear seat belt reminders to be required in 2027

  18-12-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — The Department of Transportation is going to mandate rear seat belt reminder systems to be implemented by late 2027 in all new cars as part of ongoing efforts to reduce traffic crash deaths and injuries.In a final rule released Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized its rule that would require rear seats in trucks and cars to have enhanced warnings for drivers.NHTSA estimated the new rule will prevent more than 500 injuries and save about
  
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• Viral study on black kitchen utensils had glaring error, researchers issue correction

  18-12-2024 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – If you were caught up in last month's panic over black kitchen cooking utensils, you now have a reason to breathe easier. The concern over the common kitchen tools appears to have been overblown, all because of a mistake in the scientific study.
  The study, published last month in the journal Chemosphere, tested 203 household products made of black plastic. The researchers found 85% of them contained high concentrations of flame retardant.The findings went viral, spreading
  
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• Data: Teacher diversity slowing, what districts can do

  18-12-2024 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA (KXAN)—Data from the National Council on Teacher Quality shows while there's more teacher diversity now, it's happening at a slow pace.This is the case across the country, including in Texas. Districts like Hays Consolidated Independent School District are working to address this with recruitment efforts.'Not a lot of Polynesians in the teacher world'On Tuesday, Ms. Keke Powell led her class in a Hawaiian themed Christmas song and dance.Powell has been an educator for 10 years, is Pol
  
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• Texas counties failed 800 times to report people for firearm background checks

  18-12-2024 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Across Texas, district and county clerks failed more than 800 times in recent years to report people found incompetent to stand trial to state law enforcement so they could be flagged in federal firearm background checks before purchasing a gun, according to a recent state audit.Texas district and county clerks are required to report court orders of people charged with crimes and found incompetent to stand trial to the Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS then sends the i
  
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