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APD launches internal review into handling of 2020 DNA linked to Raul Meza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video shows previous coverage of the police investigation into Raul Meza Jr.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- DNA evidence from the 2019 death of Gloria Lofton linked her case to Raul Meza, Jr., according to court documents — and police arrested him on a murder charge related to her death this week. TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal history Meza's arrest affidavit stated that in 2020, a DNA profile obtained from a sexual assault kit for Lofton's matched Meza's DNA, but police did not arrest Meza at that time.On Thursday, the Austin Police Department said it's conducting an internal review of how investigators pursued the case upon obtaining the DNA match. "[APD Chief Joseph] Chacon was recently made aware of all of the details in this case. Chief Chacon has opened an administrative review regarding potential investigative lapses," an APD spokesperson told KXAN.Meza was convicted of murdering Kendra Page, 8, in 1982.This week, police also arrested Meza on a mu...

How did Texans in Congress vote on the debt ceiling bill?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday night to suspend the debt ceiling.The bill, negotiated by President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, passed by a vote of 314-117. It now heads to the Senate.How did the Texas congressional delegation vote?There are 38 Texans in the U.S. House: 25 Republicans and 13 Democrats. Both parties were split on the bill.Of the 25 Republicans, 11 voted in favor while 14 were opposed. Meanwhile, nine of the 13 Democrats supported the bill, while four voted against.Here's a look at how each member voted:Republicans voting in favorRep. Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock): "Do the biggest cuts to the woke and bloated bureaucracy, record rescission of fed funds, & reforms to welfare and enviro regs constitute a meaningful step in the right direction? I believe they do."Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville): "This bill is not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction toward the goal of bringing fiscal responsibility bac...

'Music in the Garden' planned for Thursdays at Zilker Botanical Garden throughout summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you're looking for a bit of weeknight fun without having to stay out too late this summer, the Zilker Botanical Garden may have the perfect event for you. The Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy is hosting "Music in the Garden" on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. Each week, musicians will perform in the shaded Rose Garden from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The lineup is as follows: June 15: Lew ApolloJune 29: Natalie PriceJuly 13: Scott StricklandJuly 27: Nik ParrAugust 10: Aubrey HaysDowntown Burgers and Austin Beerworks will be available for attendees to buy food and drinks from each week. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Music in the Garden is family-friendly and included with general admission to the garden. Attendees can reserve tickets online for the date of the event you wish to attend and arrive at the time of the show. All ages are welcome and the garden is dog-friendly. There is free parking on site.

Austin student 1 of 11 advancing to Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A competition beginning with 231 contestants has dwindled down to 11 students, and one student from Austin has made it into the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals.Tarini Nandakumar, a student at Challenger School – Avery Ranch in northwest Austin, advanced through the quarterfinals and semifinals of the competition Wednesday. Texas is home to most Scripps National Spelling Bee champions Shrethan Botla, another student from Austin participating, was one of 48 students disqualified during round four of the spelling competition.The finals are set to air Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Longhorns prepare for Ragin' Cajuns team that defends, runs like the nation's best

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Texas takes on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the Coral Gables regional of the NCAA baseball tournament Friday, the Longhorns will have to hit it where they ain't.The timeless baseball cliche is particularly important for the Longhorns because Louisiana is one of the best defensive teams in the country. In 2,222 total chances this season, the Cajuns have committed just 40 errors, equating to a .982 fielding percentage that's tied for fourth in the country. They've turned 42 double plays, which puts them just outside the top 50 nationally, and the solid defense has helped them shut teams out on five occasions this year. Texas Longhorns placed in Coral Gables regional, will take on Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Coupled with how Louisiana loves to run and put pressure on opposing defenses, ranking third in the country with 161 stolen bases, the Longhorns will have their hands full with the squad from the Sun Belt Conference as they regroup from an 0-2 performance in th...

A few dry days before the rains return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned with sunshine and fair-weather clouds. It will end pretty much the same way with fewer clouds by late this afternoon. Today's normal high is 91. Most highs this afternoon will average the upper 80 to low 90s.Most highs at or a little below normalThe start of this sixth month will be dry. Rain chances go up in the western Hill Country Friday evening with only minor coverage and only a few hundredths of an inch for parts of Gillespie, Llano, Mason, and San Saba Counties. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin An area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere is in northeast Arizona moving towards Texas. It makes its presence known Saturday night with an increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms. This wet weather pattern will continue Sunday and Monday, the two days with our highest rain totals.Marginal flood threat both Sunday and MondayRain chances diminish some Tuesday and Wednesday.Some precipitation accumulation ...

Austin's summers are becoming hotter, more extreme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Meteorological summer (June, July, August) brings us the three warmest months of the year. Astronomical summer, which is designated by the Earth's position relative to the sun, falls on June 21. Our partners over at Climate Central found that Austin and the vast majority of cities across the country are experiencing warming summers. In fact, out of 247 locations across the country that they analyzed, 229 of them are experiencing an average warming of 2.4°F since 1970. That comes out to a whopping 93% of locations analyzed experiencing this warming. More impressively, a third of these locations warmed at least 3.0°F or more during the summer months since 1970.Not only are cities in the summer warming as a whole, but they are also experiencing more and more days above their average summer-time high temperatures. Climate Central found that since 1970, 60% of their locations analyzed are now experiencing at least 2 more additional weeks of above-average summer days.Who r...

Former NBA guard Troy Bell new head coach at alma mater Holy Angels

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

Former NBA guard Troy Bell is returning to his roots. The former All-American guard at Boston College and first-round NBA draft pick recently was named the next boys basketball coach at Holy Angels, his alma mater.Bell played for the Stars from 1995-99. He still stands as the program’s all-time leading scorer, tallying more than 2,000 career points.The 42-year-old is the second all-time leading scorer in Big East Conference history and had his jersey retired by Boston College in 2020. The guard played 13 years professionally, with the bulk of that time coming overseas.“We are thrilled to welcome Troy back on campus where his legendary basketball career began. I’m excited to see where he can take the Stars boys basketball program,” Stars athletic director Carolyn Arnebeck said in a statement. “Troy has an elite knowledge of the game and brings a contagious and unparalleled level of energy and enthusiasm in all that he does. I know the student-athletes, assistant coa...

NYSP: Gloversville man arrested following a loose dog complaint

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, New York State Police arrested Ernest J. Fancher III following an investigation into a complaint of multiple dogs on the loose in the area of State Route 29A. The dogs were initially returned to Fancher III but ended up in the possession of Mayfield Animal Control following an investigation into Fancher III's residence. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the police, other dogs at the residence appeared underweight. They were kept in unsanitary conditions and without available water. Police also located items determined to have been stolen from a resident in Fulton County. Fancher III was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, and an Agriculture and Markets Law violation. He was arraigned at the Mayfield Town Court on June 1 and remanded to the Fulton County Correctional Facili...

Ham radio fans to gather in East Greenbush

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:08 GMT

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Ham radio enthusiasts are holding a celebration of the hobby in East Greenbush on Saturday. The Annual Hamfest of the East Greenbush Amateur Radio Association (EGARA) will meet at the East Greenbush Town Park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. MORE NEWS from News10 Fans consider the pastime a pre-cursor to social media. “One minute you might be talking to someone across town and the next minute you might be in contact with someone in England, Germany or Japan” said EGARA Club president Bryan Jackson. “It really makes it the world’s first social media platform” he added. Jackson added that Ham radio is still useful in the event that natural disasters, such as a hurricane, disables internet, cell phone, or landline usage. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The celebration will also be a swap meet for ham radio gear and accessories. Prizes and equipment will be distributed.For more details on the event, ...