Austin news

• Pflugerville ISD teacher arrested, accused of fracturing fingers of 5-year-old student

  18-09-2024 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Pflugerville Independent School District teacher is facing an injury to a child charge after reportedly fracturing two fingers of a 5-year-old student with autism, according to an arrest affidavit.That court document identifies the teacher as McKinzie Merrell, 31. Booking records showed Merrell was booked into the Travis County jail and also released Wednesday morning. No attorney information is listed for Merrell at this time, but KXAN will reach out for comment once tho
  
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• Texas prison 'staffing crisis' harms public safety, lawmakers say

  09-11-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice's staffing shortages harm the safety of staff, inmates, and the public, state lawmakers found in a new report, as the nation's largest state prison system aims to better handle an inmate population of more than 130,000.The Sunset Advisory Commission, a committee of lawmakers tasked with reviewing the efficacy and efficiency of government agencies, compiled the report ahead of the next legislative session beginning in January.Conti
  
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• How an Austin running group is empowering the next generation of girls

  09-11-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites can go for a spin Sunday — and help benefitting programs empowering young girls in the community.Girls on the Run Austin will host a fundraiser event at 1p.m. on Sunday at RIDE, a cycling studio at 117 Lavaca Street in downtown Austin. Donors can enjoy a spin class while also benefitting programming aimed at promoting young girls' confidence and getting them active.GOTRRIDEQR-2DownloadGirls on the Run Austin serves girls in third through eighth grades in Tr
  
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• Texas comes to life in 2nd half to pummel Houston Christian 90-59 in home opener

  09-11-2024 06:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Freshman guard Tre Johnson scored 28 points and No. 19 Texas defeated Houston Christian 90-59 on Friday night.Arthur Kaluma added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Longhorns (1-1), who began pulling away with a 15-0 run that started late in the first half. PREVIOUS GAME: Ohio State starts hot, Texas doesn’t in 80-72 Buckeyes victory in Las VegasChendall Weaver had 12 points, five rebounds and three steals. Kadin Shedrick finished with 10 points, six rebounds and
  
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• Texas high school football scores from Friday, Nov. 8

  09-11-2024 06:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas high school football regular season wrapped up Friday and teams from Central Texas are either getting ready for the postseason or moving on to the winter sports season.Monroe Stadium at Vandegrift High School. (KXAN photo/Noah Gross)
  REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score in this scoreboard, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to [email protected] and we'll get it on our websiteWestlake locked up its fifth consecutive distric
  
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• Chicago rapper Lil Durk faces life in prison over alleged plot targeting rival

  09-11-2024 05:41 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (WGN) – Grammy Award-winning Chicago rapper “Lil Durk” is facing new charges in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting a rival rapper. He could now be facing life in federal prison.The 32-year-old rapper, whose birth name is Durk Devontay Banks, has been charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a mach
  
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• Applebee's, IHOP to open first combo restaurant in US

  09-11-2024 05:39 via kxan.com
  
  (WGN-TV) — It's a match made in menu heaven. Applebee's and IHOP are joining forces for one location that will house both restaurants. Dine Brands, which owns both restaurant chains, announced this week it will open the "Dual-branded" location in Seguin, Texas, in the first quarter of next year.It's the latest in a trend of major companies combining two of their brands into one location — think of KFC-Taco Bell or Pizza Hut-Buffalo Wild Wings.DidMyFriendsVote lets you look up your fr
  
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• Tony Todd, 'Candyman' actor, dies at 69

  09-11-2024 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Actor Tony Todd, best known for playing horror icon Candyman in the film series of the same name, has died at the age of 69, according to several outlets. The actor died at his home in California on Wednesday.Todd leaves behind a wide-ranging and long-lasting entertainment career. The Washington, D.C.-born actor appeared in over 200 films and TV shows. Todd's debut role was in 1986's fantasy-drama "Sleepwalk," which he followed up with roles in 80s hits like "Platoon" and "Lean
  
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• TxTag transition to Harris County Toll Road Authority begins Saturday in Austin

  09-11-2024 04:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A change for TxTag customers begins Saturday. People using Austin toll roads are going to be billed through the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), according to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This change also applies for drivers without a toll tag.TxDOT entered into the agreement with HCTRA on Nov. 6, the release said.Customers with TxTag will also transition their EZ TAG account via HCTRA.org instead of TxTag.org, the release said. Cu
  
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• TxTag transition to Harris County Roll Road Authority begins Saturday in Austin

  09-11-2024 04:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A change for TxTag customers begins Saturday. People using Austin toll roads are going to be billed through the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), according to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This change also applies for drivers without a toll tag.TxDOT entered into the agreement with HCTRA on Nov. 6, the release said.Customers with TxTag will also transition their EZ TAG account via HCTRA.org instead of TxTag.org, the release said. Cu
  
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• Funding boost secures live music in Austin's Red River District

  09-11-2024 03:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Friday nights are a time when many people head to downtown Austin for some live music. In the Red River Cultural District the tunes will continue. The group was having trouble with funding, but it got a much needed boost."We want people to check out Red River as a destination for exploring a new band that might become your favorite, for trying new food that you've never had before or even meeting new people," Nicole Klepaldo said. She's the interim Executive Director for the Red
  
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• Former Austin ISD employee facing new felony charge after second student victim discovered

  09-11-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A former Austin ISD employee faces additional charges after a second student victim was discovered during an investigation into an improper relationship with a different student, an arrest affidavit states.According to court documents filed Thursday, 41-year-old Rodney Tyrone Childers, who had been employed at LBJ Early College High School at the time of the incidents, was charged with improper relationship between an educator and student, a second-degree felony, concerning
  
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• Ex-interim city manager Jesús Garza accused of violating ethics code

  09-11-2024 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A complaint was filed by the city of Austin Office of the City Auditor with the Ethics Review Commission (ERC) against former interim city manager Jesús Garza for allegedly violating the city's code of ethics.KXAN reached out to the city of Austin, and a spokesperson provided this statement:"The City of Austin has been apprised of this allegation, which has now been referred to the Ethics Review Commission, and will let the process run its course."Shortly after Garza was
  
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• Owner of bar near homicide scene trying to stop late-night 'underage' parking lot crowds

  09-11-2024 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Luis Sol, the owner of Michelobos, a sports bar in a strip mall on Braker Lane near I-35, said the man shot and killed on Halloween night was a regular customer.Luis Sol is the owner of Michelobos, a sports bar on Braker Lane near I-35.
  "He was our friend. And I feel sorry for his loss," Sol said.He's talking about Tyler Cochran, 30, who police said was shot and killed by Clayton Taitague, 20, in the parking lot of the strip mall around bar close Halloween night. 1 arrested in c
  
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• San Marcos police arrest man related to sexually motivated crimes at apartment complex

  08-11-2024 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A man was arrested Friday in connection with the sexually motivated crimes at a San Marcos apartment complex.The San Marcos Police Department said 31-year-old Patrick Mendoza was arrested on charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felonies, sexual assault, indecent assault, felony evading in a motor vehicle, two counts of evading on foot and possession of marijuana. PAST COVERAGE | San Marcos police search for suspect in reported apartment
  
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• After appeals denied, Austin real estate investor Nate Paul ordered to jail for 10 days

  08-11-2024 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Travis County district judge on Friday ordered Austin real estate investor Nate Paul to jail for 10 days for contempt of court, according to a court order.Paul is ordered to report to Travis County jail by the morning of November 15 for the sentence to begin, according to the filing by Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer.The finding of contempt and potential jail term is tied to a lawsuit between Paul and the Mitte Foundation, a charity that sued him years ago over an
  
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• Westlake locks up 5th consecutive district title 35-14 over Dripping Springs

  08-11-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the fifth year in a row, the Westlake Chaparrals are district champions.The No. 11 Chaps capped off a perfect District 26-6A season with a 35-14 win over Dripping Springs on Friday at Tiger Stadium. KBVO Game of the Week: Georgetown runs away from Cedar Park 31-7 in win district title"This was our goal when we started our camp," Chaps head coach Tony Salazar said. "It was a long week, but no matter what adversity brought, we kept rising to the challenge. I knew we'd com
  
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• Westlake locks up 5th consecutive district title 35-14 over Dripping Spings

  08-11-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the fifth year in a row, the Westlake Chaparrals are district champions.The No. 11 Chaps capped off a perfect District 26-6A season with a 35-14 win over Dripping Springs on Friday at Tiger Stadium. KBVO Game of the Week: Georgetown runs away from Cedar Park 31-7 in win district title"This was our goal when we started our camp," Chaps head coach Tony Salazar said. "It was a long week, but no matter what adversity brought, we kept rising to the challenge. I knew we'd com
  
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• Westlake, Dripping Springs meet in regular season finale with playoffs on horizon

  08-11-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake and Dripping Springs clash to cap the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium, and with a win, the Chaparrals can wrap up a perfect District 26-6A season.Westlake, ranked No. 11 in the latest Texas Football Class 6A Top 25, has won six consecutive games while Dripping Springs is coming off a bye after defeating Del Valle 39-17 on Oct. 25. KBVO Game of the Week: Georgetown runs away from Cedar Park 31-7 in win district titleBoth teams will advance to the
  
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• LIVE: Westlake, Dripping Springs meet in regular season finale with playoffs on horizon

  08-11-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake and Dripping Springs clash to cap the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium, and with a win, the Chaparrals can wrap up a perfect District 26-6A season.Westlake, ranked No. 11 in the latest Texas Football Class 6A Top 25, has won six consecutive games while Dripping Springs is coming off a bye after defeating Del Valle 39-17 on Oct. 25. KBVO Game of the Week: Georgetown runs away from Cedar Park 31-7 in win district titleBoth teams will advance to the
  
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• Austin FC, Dani Pereira agree to contract extension

  08-11-2024 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC and midfielder Dani Pereira agreed to a contract extension that could keep him around through the 2026 season.The club announced the deal Friday, three days after picking up the option year on his previous contract. He signed a one-year guaranteed contract with a club option for 2026. According to Major League Soccer Players Association data, Pereira made a base salary of $125,000 last season — one of the biggest bargains on the team. Terms of the deal weren
  
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• Austin ISD superintendent responds to racist texts targeting local students

  08-11-2024 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura spoke out against the recent surge of racist text messages being sent to students across the Austin area."What they're saying, are pretty egregious and gross," Segura said.
  While the FBI is already involved in investigating the ongoing situation, Segura said that these texts are not something AISD would ever support and their job to protect students remains their top priority. RELATED | ‘You are in Slave Group B’: Racist texts
  
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• Original pair of Judy Garland's ruby slippers on auction in Texas after nearly 20 years

  08-11-2024 21:08 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — Judy Garland's original pair of ruby slippers worn in The Wizard of Oz have been found after nearly two decades missing.On Monday, Heritage Auctions in Dallas announced that the iconic sequined shoes are up for bid now until December 7.According to reports, in 2005, the iconic slippers were on loan at the Judy Garland Museum in Minnesota when they were stolen.The thieves believed the shoes were covered in valuable jewels. They were located by the FBI in 2018 and have been
  
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• The Broken Spoke dancehall celebrates 60 years this weekend

  08-11-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local dancehall The Broken Spoke, located on S Lamar Blvd., will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Sunday. But one day isn't enough for the venerable venue -- festivities begin on Saturday and continue until Nov. 16.Musician Alvin Crow will headline the Saturday show. He's performed there hundreds of times since his first in 1972.Musician Alvin Crow performs at Austin's famed Broken Spoke in 2023. (KXAN Photo/Mariano Garza)“Not a whole lot has changed,” said Cro
  
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• Texas DPS announces arrests in ‘clean scanning’ operation

  08-11-2024 20:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said it was continuing to address illegal activity surrounding fraudulent vehicle inspections known as “clean scanning.”Clean scanning relates to a fraudulent “pass” for a vehicle's emissions test. RELATED | What is an emissions test and which Texans need them?During its most recent operation in Houston, DPS said it secured 19 arrest warrants for criminal activity related to clean scanning. Of the 19, DPS s
  
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• Husband of missing San Antonio woman charged with murder

  08-11-2024 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — The husband of a Texas woman who has been missing for more than a month has been charged with murder, according to court and jail records.Brad Simpson, 53, was charged Thursday in Bexar County, where he is jailed on $5 million in bonds on charges of murder, unlawful restraint, assault, tampering with evidence and possession of a prohibited weapon.An attorney for Simpson, who was first arrested in early October on the unlawful restraint and assault charges, did not immediately return
  
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• LIST: Thanksgiving meals, food donations in Central Texas

  08-11-2024 19:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's the season of giving, and Austinites have numerous opportunities to aid those in need during the holidays (and year-round!). With Thanksgiving just around the corner, a slew of local organizations and grocers are helping feed those in need — and you can help them in those efforts.Here's a look at some of the ways to give back this Thanksgiving.Austin Empty Bowl ProjectThe annual Austin Empty Bowl Project — scheduled for Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the
  
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• Sarkisian calls on Texas students to be 'good sports' after throwing trash during Georgia game

  08-11-2024 18:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian and University of Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte have a simple message ahead of Saturday's home game against Florida."Stay in the game."Texas Athletics released a video Thursday with Sarkisian and Del Conte calling on UT students to show good sportsmanship after an incident during the most recent home game grabbed national headlines.On Oct. 19, Texas lost its first game of the season in a highly anticipated showd
  
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• Dak Prescott wants to avoid surgery on hamstring and return this season, Jerry Jones says

  08-11-2024 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott wants to avoid surgery so the star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys can play again this season after tearing a hamstring, owner Jerry Jones said Friday.
  Jones confirmed on his radio show that Prescott's hamstring was partially torn off the bone, a condition known as partial avulsion.A full tear of the tendon off the bone requires surgery, and that’s what happened two years ago in training camp when former Dallas left tackle Tyron Smith missed 13 gam
  
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• Kind Clinic to hold 4th annual 'Blue Dress Bar Crawl' fundraiser

  08-11-2024 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you see a lot of people wearing blue dresses downtown this Sunday, it's for a cause. Kind Clinic's "Blue Dress Bar Crawl," a fundraiser for the clinic and its HIV prevention efforts, returns for its fourth year this weekend.
  A wristband for the event costs $20 ahead of Sunday and grants drink specials at the bars. However, attendees can donate more; the event's webpage lists how far those donations can go:
  $50 provides 6 HIV tests or 10 Syphilis tests$100 provides 12 HIV
  
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