Austin news

• Liam Payne of One Direction dies: reports

  16-10-2024 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) — Former One Direction member Liam Payne has reportedly died in Argentina. The singer was 31.Reuters reports that Payne fell from the third story of a hotel in Buenos Aires, information first reported by local outlet La Nacion.TMZ said the outlet secured images of the scene and matched the tattoos on the deceased man's body to Payne. TMZ also specified that Payne fell from the fourth, not the third, floor.La Nacion says police were first called to the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires
  
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• Liam Payne of One Direction dies after falling from hotel balcony

  16-10-2024 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA/NEXSTAR) — Former One Direction member Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. The singer was 31.While on Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel, Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system confirmed Payne fell into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires.Reuters reports that Payne fell from the third story of a hotel in Buenos Aires, information first reported by local outlet La Nacion.La
  
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• Stars Cafe moving after nearly 60 years, clearing I-35 expansion path

  16-10-2024 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stars Cafe, a 58-year-old Austin business, announced its East 31st Street location will close Nov. 10, in order to make way for the expansion of Interstate 35."Well.......it’s finally here. We finally got our walking papers," read a post on the restaurant's social media.
  The café, which Austin residents sometimes refer to as "Star Seeds," plans to relocate. The post said that a new location will be announced after Nov. 10."We have been a cherished part of the A
  
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• Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the November 2024 general election?

  16-10-2024 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Early voting has not yet started in Texas, but some mail ballots have already been returned to and reported by some county election offices. KXAN is keeping track of how many Texans have voted in the Nov. 5 general election.Millions of Texans are expected to vote. In addition to the top-of-the-ticket presidential race, Texans will also choose who will represent the state in the U.S. Senate, as well as several statewide and local races. KXAN Voter Guide: What to know for the
  
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• $2.5M settlement reached over 'staged' Williamson County SWAT raid for ‘Live PD’

  16-10-2024 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — During a meeting Tuesday, Williamson County commissioners approved a $2.5 million settlement regarding a May 2019 incident involving the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.Gary Watsky, the plaintiff in the case, sued Williamson County, former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody, former WCSO Lieutenant Mark Luera and former WCSO commander Steve Deaton among other deputies in their official and individual capacities. KXAN INVESTIGATES | Lawsuit: Former Williamson County Sh
  
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• LIVE: Austin man overcomes testicular cancer twice, pursues dream of fatherhood

  16-10-2024 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin resident Darrell Garza has a passion for making dog leashes. It’s a hobby he picked up 15 years ago -- today, the dog leashes he makes are a way to pay tribute to his father.“My dream is to create leashes and collars for our military canine units,” Garza said. “As a child, I always wanted to be in the military. My dad was in the Air Force, and I remember when I was about four years old, I was like, ‘I want to do that.’“Garza'
  
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• Austin man overcomes testicular cancer twice, pursues dream of fatherhood

  16-10-2024 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin resident Darrell Garza has a passion for making dog leashes. It’s a hobby he picked up 15 years ago -- today, the dog leashes he makes are a way to pay tribute to his father.“My dream is to create leashes and collars for our military canine units,” Garza said. “As a child, I always wanted to be in the military. My dad was in the Air Force, and I remember when I was about four years old, I was like, ‘I want to do that.’“Garza'
  
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• A Texas board rejects clemency plea from a man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome case

  16-10-2024 21:37 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Wednesday denied a request for clemency for a man who this week could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
  The parole board voted to not recommend that Robert Roberson’s death sentence be commuted to life in prison or that his execution be delayed.
  The decision is a major setback for efforts by Roberson's attorneys and a diverse coalition of individuals
  
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• Texas board votes against clemency for a man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome case

  16-10-2024 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Wednesday denied a request for clemency for a man who this week could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
  The parole board voted to not recommend that Robert Roberson’s death sentence be commuted to life in prison or that his execution be delayed.
  Gov. Greg Abbott can only grant clemency after receiving a recommendation from the board. Abbott does have
  
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• Oct. 17 to be declared 'Austin City Limits Day' by Texas, city of Austin

  16-10-2024 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Limits will receive recognition on a local and state level as it celebrates its 50th birthday. The TV show has established itself as the longest-running music program in television history and has made waves in Austin's culture and history throughout its 50-year run.
  Willie Nelson was the first person to ever perform on Austin City Limits. That inaugural performance was taped on Oct. 17, 1974.
  The show has been celebrating its golden anniversary all year long and wil
  
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• Man pleads guilty to shooting at Georgetown police officer in 2021

  16-10-2024 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Oct. 10 after pleading guilty to aggravated assault of a public servant related to the shooting of a Georgetown police officer in May 2021.According to the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, 25-year-old Malcolm Watts, of Hutto, received a prison sentence of 30 years. Court documents showed a range of 5-30 years for the charge.Toward his sentence, Watts received a jail credit of 1,245 days. PAST COVERAGE | Georgetown police arrest man acc
  
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• Mirasol Springs development pursues alternative water source following pushback

  16-10-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  Plans for Mirasol Springs include around 40 homesites, cabins and a hotel. Much of the land will be placed in a conservation easement, preventing further development on the land. (Credit: Mirasol Capital)
  TRAVIS COUNTY, TX (KXAN) -- Mirasol Springs, a "conservation-scale" development in western Travis County, may soon have permission to a new source of water. In exchange, the development would no longer have the option to access groundwater through wells or surface water from the Pedernales Riv
  
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• Texas legislature could consider a mask ban at protests next session

  16-10-2024 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony Tuesday regarding banning the use of masks or hoods at protests, which some believe encourages criminal behavior. Lawmakers invited Hannah Meyers, a director of policing at the Manhattan Institute, to testify. She said she drafted mask-banning legislation that partially inspired new legislation in Nassau County, New York, which bans face masks in public places with some exceptions, according to the reports. &ld
  
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• APD: Bicyclist dies after southeast Austin crash, man charged with DWI

  16-10-2024 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was charged with driving while intoxicated after police said he crashed with a bicyclist in southeast Austin on Sept. 20. The bicyclist later died in the hospital, according to police.
  The Austin Police Department on Tuesday identified the driver as Abel Martinez, 26. Jail records show he was booked into and released from the Travis County Jail the same day as the crash.KXAN has reached out to Martinez's attorney. We will update this article if a response is received.
  
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• LIVE: Kristen's Classroom: When is Texas' wildfire season?

  16-10-2024 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Cooler temperatures behind our recent cold front is a treat most can agree on but, what's the downside? The wildfire concerns that come with the change.Gusty northeast winds, ongoing drought and dry air (low humidity) will result in high to very high fire danger across Central Texas today. With 40+ days of rain-free skies in Austin, finer fuels across the area will make it easy for any ignited wildfire to spread rapidly.Central Texas' wildfire danger WednesdayIf you were to ask a
  
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• Kristen's Classroom: When is Texas' wildfire season?

  16-10-2024 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Cooler temperatures behind our recent cold front is a treat most can agree on but, what's the downside? The wildfire concerns that come with the change.Gusty northeast winds, ongoing drought and dry air (low humidity) will result in high to very high fire danger across Central Texas today. With 40+ days of rain-free skies in Austin, finer fuels across the area will make it easy for any ignited wildfire to spread rapidly.Central Texas' wildfire danger WednesdayIf you were to ask a
  
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• Handling emotions: How the Longhorns stay composed

  16-10-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There are a lot of ways to hype up the matchup at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium this weekend. When Texas hosts Georgia, it will be two brands that carry some weight and serious history.Georgia has been the class of the sport since head coach Kirby Smart took the helm in Athens. Texas has steadily improved under its head man Steve Sarkisian to the point where they are now the top-ranked team in the nation.Texas always repeats the cliché that they want t
  
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• Police chase spanning 2 counties ends with Kerrville officer shooting, killing driver in Fredericksburg

  16-10-2024 13:57 via kxan.com
  
  KERRVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- A police chase that involved multiple agencies and spanned two Hill Country counties ended with a Kerrville Police Department officer shooting the driver who was attempting to flee police, resulting in that person's death.It started around 1:19 a.m. Tuesday when the Kerrville Police Department officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop for "multiple traffic violations" for a vehicle heading north on Sidney Baker Street, the police department said in a post on Facebook
  
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• APD looking for individuals involved in robbing elderly woman

  16-10-2024 13:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department's robbery unit is asking for the public's help in identifying three people involved in an "Aggravated Robbery of an elderly person" at a Walmart parking lot in northwest Austin on Wednesday.
  Police said it happened at the Walmart located at 13201 North FM 620 on Wednesday at noon. The store is located near North FM 620 and Lake Creek Parkway.APD said the woman was putting her groceries in the back of her car and heading to the driver's door when she
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 dead after vehicle rollover in south Austin Tuesday night

  16-10-2024 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person died after a vehicle rollover in south Austin on Tuesday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  The crash was located at the South I-35 northbound service road and East Stassney Lane. ATCEMS said the rollover happened around 10:30 p.m.
  The Austin Fire Department said that during the crash, someone had been pinned under the vehicle and had to be extricated. They were later pronounced deceased by ATCEMS.One person dead after a vehicle rollover at S I-35 and E. St
  
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• Travis County fire agencies warn of increased wildfire risk, urge preparedness

  16-10-2024 03:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local Travis County fire agencies issued a warning about the heightened risk of wildfires in the region due to current dry conditions, increased fire activity and volatile wildland fuels.
  In response, they've launched a multiagency coordination group to boost resource sharing and wildfire response across the county.“This step recognizes the increased risk of wildfires for the region and better prepares the Travis County fire agencies to respond to local and regional n
  
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• Cybersecurity conference held in Austin discusses workforce need

  16-10-2024 03:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hundreds of cybersecurity experts arrived in Austin this week to attend the MSSP Alert Live conference. It focuses on understanding security breaches and how to prevent them."Over 500 people here, all in the MSSP and MSP space, which is the Managed Security Service Providers and Managed Security Providers," CyberRisk Alliance Executive Vice President John DelMauro said.Organizers said more than 500 people attended this year's MSSP Alert Live in Austin. (Photo: KXAN)Organize
  
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• Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired educator charged with improper relationship with student

  16-10-2024 02:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In an arrest affidavit filed Friday, an educator at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) was accused of having an improper relationship with a student related to an October 2023 incident.Court documents identified 36-year-old Craig Edgley as the suspect in the investigation. As of Friday, Travis County court records showed an active warrant for Edgley’s arrest and police said he had not been taken into custody.Edgley was employed at the school
  
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• Longtime CLEAT executive director announces retirement

  16-10-2024 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Charley Wilkison, the longtime executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), will retire after 31 years of service, according to a press release from the organization.The release said Wilkison will retire on Dec. 31. He was hired in 1994 and became the executive director in 2013. CLEAT President Marvin Ryals said Wilkison has played a pivotal role in the organization."Charley's impact…moved the needle of officer employment rights d
  
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• Can Apple Watch 10 be used as a medical device?

  16-10-2024 01:21 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – The Apple Watch has long been seen as the Bad Bad Leroy Brown of smartwatches (as in the "baddest" in town). The new Series 10 — bigger, brighter, slimmer — seems to maintain that status.But it’s also increasingly clear that the future of the Apple Watch isn’t just as an alternative to cell phones, but also as a medical device. And the Series 10 takes an already-impressive skillset in that regard and adds even more oomph under the hood.The Apple Watch measu
  
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• The Super Bowl will return to Atlanta in 2028: Where will it be played before that?

  16-10-2024 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — The Super Bowl will return to Atlanta in 2028 at the home of the Falcons, following a vote of approval by NFL team owners on Tuesday at the league's annual fall meeting.This will be the fourth time the NFL’s championship game is played in Atlanta and the second in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which was the site when the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams in 2019.“This is a tremendous honor for the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia to be selected as h
  
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• Rufus Wainwright blasts Trump playing 'Hallelujah' at town hall: 'The height of blasphemy'

  16-10-2024 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Rufus Wainwright says he's "mortified" that his version of "Hallelujah" was played at former President Trump's town hall this week, calling it "the height of blasphemy."The 51-year-old "Gay Messiah" singer said in a social media message posted Tuesday that he was "horrified" to learn his 2001 cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" was part of the playlist at the Trump campaign event a night earlier.Trump cut questions short at the town hall following two lengthy i
  
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• 'Beloved' Chips Ahoy! flavor returning after 8 year hiatus

  16-10-2024 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Sure, new items are fun. Take the Krabby Patty burger Wendy's is currently offering, or the Chicken Big Mac McDonald's is rolling out. But sometimes, you want old, no-longer-available items to return, like the Boo Buckets at McDonald's, the Choco Taco, or a fan-favorite cookie.Chips Ahoy! is preparing to bring one such cookie back to store shelves for the first time in more than eight years: Chips Ahoy! Hot Cocoa.The cookies are advertised as being made with real cocoa, a cream
  
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• Police seize 130,000 fentanyl pills near border wall

  16-10-2024 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Police in Juarez, Mexico, say they have arrested a man and a woman in possession of 14 kilograms of fentanyl pills, powder and precursor chemicals in a neighborhood just south of the U.S. border wall.Chihuahua state police arrested Juan Carlos T. P., 37, and Maria Concepcion L. L., 58, on Oct. 9 as the pair rode in a black 2013 GMC Terrain in the Anapra neighborhood of northwest Juarez.Saving a Generation: The Fentanyl Crisis
  The SUV was carrying two large
  
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• San Marcos could get a new H-E-B, providing more food access

  16-10-2024 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The San Marcos City Council will consider approving an incentive deal for a new H-E-B at the southeast corner of Interstate 35 and McCarty Lane. This item follows a decision in May, where council members approved the parameters of an incentives agreement to attract more grocery stores to the city. San Marcos has five grocery stores – which doesn’t include convenience stores – for the over 70,000 people in the city limits. “It&rsq
  
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• What's next after an appeals court removes federal judge in longstanding Texas foster care case?

  16-10-2024 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An appeals court has ordered the removal of the federal judge who has overseen the legal fight over foster care in Texas for more than a decade.
  In its ruling released Friday night, a panel of three judges of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the state's request to remove U.S. District Judge Janis Jack and reassign the case because of her "intemperate conduct on the bench." The ruling also reversed the hundreds of thousands of dollars in daily fines Judge Jack recently or
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Ted Cruz, Colin Allred to face off in only debate tonight

  16-10-2024 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred will debate for the first and only time Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Dallas, each vying to win a crucial seat in the U.S. Senate as polls show a razor-tight race. ‘We have a battle on our hands’: Cruz kicks off Texas tour, Allred rallies DNC in fight for SenateWFAA in Dallas will host the debate with WFAA political reporter Jason Whitely and Dallas Morning News' Gromer Jeffers. You can watch their stream in the video player below.T
  
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• Ted Cruz, Colin Allred to face off in only debate tonight

  16-10-2024 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred will debate for the first and only time Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Dallas, each vying to win a crucial seat in the U.S. Senate as polls show a razor-tight race. ‘We have a battle on our hands’: Cruz kicks off Texas tour, Allred rallies DNC in fight for SenateWFAA in Dallas will host the debate with WFAA political reporter Jason Whitely and Dallas Morning News' Gromer Jeffers. You can watch their stream in the video player below.T
  
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• Ted Cruz, Colin Allred face off in only debate Tuesday night

  16-10-2024 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred will debate for the first and only time Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Dallas, each vying to win a crucial seat in the U.S. Senate as polls show a razor-tight race. ‘We have a battle on our hands’: Cruz kicks off Texas tour, Allred rallies DNC in fight for SenateWFAA in Dallas will host the debate with WFAA political reporter Jason Whitely and Dallas Morning News' Gromer Jeffers. You can watch their stream in the video player below.T
  
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• Banned Wagon distributes free books in Austin as part of national tour

  16-10-2024 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin independent bookstore welcomed a 'banned wagon' Tuesday to highlight book titles banned and challenged across the country.Black Pearl Books off Burnet Road housed the stop Tuesday afternoon, which offered visitors a free book from a list of titles as well as the opportunity to shop other books and receive freebies or giveaways from the Banned Wagon. Penguin Random House, United Against Book Bans, Little Free Library and First Book were the organizations behind the
  
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