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Developer expresses 'astonishment' over hearing to consider state park takeover

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days after a meeting was scheduled to consider acquiring a state park through eminent domain, the developers purchasing the property have expressed their "astonishment" that the state would consider that option.Fairfield Lake State Park permanently closed to the public on Sunday. The park, about 70 miles east of Waco, has been leased to the state for decades by Vistra Energy, which formerly operated a power plant on Fairfield Lake. After the plant closed in 2018, the company gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department notice that it would terminate its lease.Vistra says it encouraged TPWD to put in a bid to purchase the property, but it did not. The company then entered into a contract with developer Todd Interests in April 2022. ‘Not constitutional’: Lawmakers hear how efforts to save a state park from permanent closure failed The developer plans to turn the property into a gated community with multi-million dollar homes and a golf course. TPWD's l...

APD provides details surrounding deadly motorcycle crash in northwest Austin

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department provided information Tuesday about a crash that killed a motorcyclist last month in northwest Austin.According to police, at approximately 2:38 a.m. on May 26, officers responded to a single-motorcycle crash in the 10200 block of Research Boulevard heading north. Body found at Zilker Park near volleyball courts Monday evening APD said detectives believed the motorcyclist lost control and crashed into the inside guardrail. The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital and died shortly thereafter, according to police.In a news release, APD said the motorcyclist who died remained unidentified.Austin police said an investigation into this incident is still pending, but they're looking into it as Austin's 39th fatal crash of 2023.Anyone with any information regarding this incident was asked to contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visit...

Austin man finds multiple puppies at golf course

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Charlie Crenshaw has earned the nickname "The Dog Whisperer of Balcones" after finding three puppies at a golf course in the past month. "Quote."Crenshaw, who works as a golf instructor at the Balcones Country Club, said the puppies were found on or near the country club property. Austin Animal Center, the city's no-kill shelter, said abandoned animals XXX. The shelter previously told KXAN it cannot track the number of "dumped" animals unless there is a witness. But it does track animals as "demonstrably abandoned." The shelter has taken in 268 abandoned animals so far in 2023, including 192 dogs. The shelter took in over 300 animals in the past two years. These include "demonstrably abandoned" animals, including animals left tied up, witnessed to be dumped out of a car or similar situations. An AAC spokesperson said many people make assumptions that an animal is "dumped" but usually the animal is lose from its home." INVESTIGATON: Neighbors worry about abandoned ...

Eanes ISD board approves creation of district police department

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Eanes ISD Board of Trustees approved a policy Tuesday that would form a school district police department.According to the district, the policy authorizes armed peace officers on each of its campuses, including elementary schools."The new Eanes ISD security force will work closely with district and school officials, local law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to create safe surroundings for all students, staff and community," the district said.Eanes ISD said the policy would have specific training, protocols and procedures in accordance with state law enforcement code and Texas Education Agency requirements."This policy places a strong emphasis on training related to student mental health, restorative justice and accommodations for students with special needs," the district said.According to a release from the district, the newly formed police department would assume a broad range of responsibilities, including:Emergency response to incidents on campusE...

Black Music Month: How one organization is using $100,000 to help Black Austin musicians, promoters, studios

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In what's been deemed the Live Music Capital of the World, those whose contributions have perhaps laid the foundation have one message: "There is no Austin without US."That's the tagline for the month-long celebration put on by an organization called the Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action (DAWA). Where much of Austin's musical soul is tied to, DAWA will showcase some of the city's Black musicians at Antone's Nightclub downtown, from June 8 through the 30 for Black Music Month. 'Austin's best and brightest'During the month-long celebration, you can expect performances from jazz/funk band Sketch.Band, Latasha Lee, Past Lives, Riders Against the Storm and Topaz Jones. "From blues to rock, soul, hip hop, house, and country, the sonic imprint of Black musicians is indelible," DAWA Founder and Director Jonathan 'Chaka' Mahone said. "We have been here, producing abundantly, but our incredible fruits have not necessarily benefited us directly due to the industry prac...

Where support for same-sex marriages stands in Texas

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Pollsters found support for same-sex marriages remains at an all-time high among Americans as a whole, but another recent survey tells a slightly different story about how Texans feel about these unions. Gallup released its latest numbers Monday showing 71% of Americans said they believe same-sex marriages should remain legal in the U.S., which is a record that held steady from last year's poll. Since the early 2010s, the polling organization noted public support for legally recognizing gay marriages has now exceeded 50%. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: What rights does the Respect for Marriage Act protect? The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 by a narrow 5-4 vote that same-sex couples had the right to marry. Congress passed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act last year to protect some of the rights that came from that decision should it be overturned by the high court's new conservative supermajority. In its latest poll conducted between May 1-24, Gallup found majorities o...

Dan Patrick to hold press conference as Republican impasse beats on

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — One week after Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to

Platonic co-parenting offers an alternate model for family building

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Nick Farrow wanted what a lot of people do: a child, and a parenting partner. At 45, after a long-term romance didn’t work out, he decided to take matters into his own hands, entering into a platonic open arrangement that has flourished for nine years, since daughter Milly was born.Whether it’s with friends, known sperm dors or co-parenting connections made on so-called mating sites, more families are coming together platonically, without the pain of divorce or the added stress and expense of going it alone.Choosing to parent together platonically while living separately or under the same roof is an idea that’s been around for years among LGBTQ+ people. It has gained ground more recently among heterosexuals, and interest skyrocketed during the pandemic.Farrow and his parenting partner live about 15 miles apart, he in the English seaside town of Brighton. Their daughter, conceived through insemination, shuttles between the two. Not unlike divorced co...

Ballston Spa felon sentenced on drug conspiracy, firearm convictions

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, a Ballston Spa man was sentenced to 130 months in prison. Maxwell Leiser, 36, admitted to being part of a Schenectady-based drug trafficking organization and unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Leiser admitted that between December 2020 and April 2021, he conspired to distribute approximately 465 grams of cocaine base and 198 grams of heroin from New York City to individuals in Saratoga County. Leiser's co-conspirator, Terell M. Patrick, aka Lite, has pled guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and faces ten years to life in prison.Leiser will serve 4-years of supervised release following his release from prison. Other defendants in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy include:Donovan Milhouse, 25 - Sentenced to 60 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release.Gregory Sherills, Jr., 40 - Sentenced to 60 months in pris...

2023 Scrabble Word Cup coming to Albany

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- World-renowned Scrabble players are making their way to Albany for the 2023 Scrabble Word Cup. The event is scheduled for June 30 through July 4 at the Albany Marriott. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Over 300 avid Scrabble players will be in Albany for "Scrabble's most prestigious tournament of the year." This year's players include 'G.I.' Joel Sherman, a former World and U.S. champion, Adam Logan, a former World, U.S., and Canadian champion, as well as keynote speaker Stefan Fatsis, who is a New York Times bestselling author of a book about competitive Scrabble."We're excited to showcase the strategic brilliance and linguistic prowess of Scrabble players from around the world," said Josh Greenway, Director of the 2023 Word Cup. "The Word Cup is not only a competition but a celebration of language, community, and inclusivity." Phone-free music festival coming to Greene County There are a few ways...