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7 KXAN Investigates-inspired bills head to Gov. Abbott's desk this legislative session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following the end of the Texas Legislature's regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott has already or is poised to sign seven bills into law that were prompted by KXAN investigations.HB 30: Closing the 'dead suspect loophole'House Bill 30 centered on closing the "dead suspect loophole," an exemption in place since 1997 intended the privacy of those wrongfully accused. In the years since, the loophole has emerged that has allowed law enforcement agencies across the state to deny families, lawyers and journalists from accessing records involving someone who died in police custody and, therefore, would never go to court.This loophole has been the central focus of DENIED, a six-year KXAN investigation spanning four legislative sessions that has encouraged policymakers to close the legal gap. The initiative gained momentum this legislative session following the Robb Elementary mass shooting in Uvalde last May, where the gunman died.KXAN Investigates' DENIED series (KXAN Photo)It...

Spotty storm today, but mostly dry until the weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A period of mostly dry and seasonably warm weather will be part of the forecast today through the middle of Friday afternoon. It'll be hotter with temperatures near 90º, but that's where we should be this time of year.Highs next few daysA spotty shower or storm is possible this afternoon through early evening, but most of us will stay rain free until this weekend. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin Rain chances rise noticeably late Saturday, but especially for Sunday. More rain is possible into next week as a wetter weather pattern appears to be setting up over Central Texas. INVESTIGATION: LCRA didn't plan for climate change until KXAN investigation FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters Stay up-to-date with the First Warning Weather teamFollow the KXAN First Warning Weather team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.You can also follow our meteorologi...

Special election set to fill former Rep. Bryan Slaton's seat after expulsion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's now known when voters will head to the polls and decide who will fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Bryan Slaton after his resignation and expulsion from the Texas House of Representatives. Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation Monday night that the special election will happen on Nov. 7. Only those who live in Texas House District 2 -- which covers Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt counties -- can cast a ballot. Early voting will begin on Oct. 23. Slaton, a Republican from Royse City, resigned from his House seat on May 8 after an investigative panel found he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 19-year-old woman on his staff, providing her with enough alcohol before their encounter that she felt dizzy and had double vision. Even though he stepped down, the House still voted unanimously to expel him from office over the sexual misconduct allegations. Slaton became the first state representative to face expulsion from the House since 1927.The House Commi...

Suspect in Pflugerville man's death arrested, connected to 'multiple' murders: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department announced Tuesday afternoon the arrest of a man connected to "multiple" murders. Raul Meza Jr. was identified last week as a person of interest in the death of Jesse Fraga, 80, after Farga was found dead in his Pflugerville home. Pflugerville police identify man found dead in home, identify person of interest in case A Pflugerville Police Department release says Meza Jr. is accused of fatally stabbing Farga in his home. According to court records, there are two first-degree felony charges and one charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle. APD was listed as the arresting agency.Meza Jr. was apprehended in north Austin on Monday after PfPD filed an arrest warrant charging him with capital murder, according to the PfPD release. Days after Meza Jr. was named as the person of interest in Farga's death, the Pflugerville Police Department confirmed that Meza ...

Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival takes off

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The 21st annual hot air balloon festival is set for this weekend in Cambridge, Washington County. It includes fireworks, family-friendly activities all over town, tons of food, and huge lit-up balloons floating through the air. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Friday night starts with balloon launches, a craft fair, and food vendors at the Cambridge Central School. For $15 and a reservation—email [email protected] or contact (51) 677-0887—you can support the Pilot's BBQ. The block party at Railroad Park—across from The Cambridge Assisted Living—will be capped off by fireworks at the Mansion Park behind Cambridge Village Market. Friday night fireworks start at dusk. Then, Saturday kicks off with an early morning balloon launch. Plus, there's the Cambridge Lyons Auto Show, the Cambridge Flying Club Fly In at the Airport on Plains Road, and rides at the carnival.Moonglow at Cambridge Central ...

Not-so-much 'Air' Jordan: Cardinals prospect Walker tweaks hitting approach in minors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - More than a month has passed since the St. Louis Cardinals abruptly optioned young star Jordan Walker to the minor leagues, and it's unclear when he might rejoin the big-league club.Walker, who just turned 21 years old last week, earned his MLB call in late-March with an impressive spring training. He made his debut on Opening Day and began his career with a record-tying 12-game hitting streak among 20-year-olds. His first run came with a bit of a learning curve, and he's now trying to regain top form in Triple-A Memphis. RELATED - Is Jimmy Butler’s new St. Louis Browns hat a source of NBA trash talk? Before his option, Walker spent several days working with Cardinals’ hitting coach Turner Ward, specifically asked to adjust his posture and rotation. The Cardinals hoped to reduce some habits, like ground-ball outs and chasing low pitches, that became a bit more common once Walker’s hitting streak ended. Walker, speaking to WMAC's Matt Infield and other Memphis spo...

Search continues for missing rural Missouri doctor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

CASSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Authorities in a small Missouri town continue to search for an emergency room physician a week-and-a-half after his mysterious disappearance.Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last heard from on May 21. Police said he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work that day at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.“This is very unusual for him,” Forsyth’s brother, Richard Forsyth, told KOLR-TV. “This is a punctual man who has never missed a day of work in his life, not even for being sick.” Becky Rothman known as ‘Queen of Carpet’ around St. Louis, dies Forsyth's black Infiniti was found in a remote area near an aquatic park in Cassville. The car was unlocked with his wallet, two phones and a laptop inside.Several law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, have joined in the search using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.“My brother has n...

Western lowland gorilla Kayin arrives at Saint Louis Zoo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A male western lowland gorilla arrived at Saint Louis Zoo last week to join the zoo's bachelor program, with the long-term goal of propagating the species.Kayin was born at the Buffalo Zoo in 2016, and has lived in a family troop with his parents, aunts, and siblings ever since. Kayin, now 7, is at an age where males typically leave their troop to find a mate or join what's known as a bachelor gorilla group.The western lowland gorilla is the most common of four subspecies of gorilla. However, it’s a critically-endangered species, and they are facing complete extinction in the wild. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW Kayin will be part of the zoo's bachelor gorilla group, joining Joe, Bakari, and Zachary in the Jungle of the Apes e...

Elizabeth Holmes enters Texas prison to begin 11-year sentence for notorious blood-testing hoax

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

By LEKAN OYEKANMI and MICHAEL LIEDTKE (Associated Press)BRYAN, Texas (AP) — Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes is in custody at a Texas prison where she could spend the next 11 years for overseeing a blood-testing hoax that became a parable about greed and hubris in Silicon Valley, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.Holmes, 39, on Tuesday entered a federal women’s prison camp located in Bryan, Texas — where the federal judge who sentenced Holmes in November recommended she be incarcerated. The minimum-security facility is about 95 miles northwest of Houston, where Holmes grew up aspiring to become a technology visionary along the lines of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. As she begins her sentence, Holmes is leaving behind two young children — a son born in July 2021 a few weeks before the start of her trial and a 3-month old daughter who was conceived after a jury convicted her on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy in January 2022. Holmes ha...

Nuggets 2023 championship odds: What sportsbooks think Denver’s chances are against Miami Heat in NBA Finals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:08 GMT

And then there were two.After Miami’s 103-84 Game 7 win over Boston Monday night, Denver finally learns its opponent in the NBA Finals. And if oddsmakers are to be believed, the Nuggets are the favorites to bring home their first-ever Larry O’Brien trophy.Denver has -380 odds — meaning a $380 bet would win $100 — to win the series, according to Caesars Sportsbook.The odds point even more in the Nuggets’ favor at -400, according to BetMGM and DraftKings Sportsbook, and Fanduel Sportsbook has Denver at -480. Miami, meanwhile, has odds ranging from +300 to +330 to win the championship.Related ArticlesDenver Nuggets | Where to eat and drink near Ball Arena for a Denver Nuggets game Denver Nuggets | Denver Nuggets mural on Colfax grabbing Nuggets Nation’s attention Denver Nuggets | As Nuggets await NBA Finals clash vs. Heat, KCP relishes shot at another title Denver Nuggets | Heat vs. Celtics G...