Alex Jones’ personal assets will be sold to help pay Sandy Hook debt as judge decides Infowars’ fate - Austin news - NewsLocker (2024)

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday ordered the liquidation of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ′ personal assets but was still deciding on his company’s separate bankruptcy case, leaving the future of his Infowars media platform uncertain as he owes $1.5 billion for his false claims that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax.
Judge Christopher Lopez approved converting Jones’ proposed personal bankruptcy reorganization to a liquidation. He planned to he

SCOTX pauses Harris County's guaranteed income pilot program amid legal battle

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Supreme Court of Texas issued a ruling that pauses Harris County's "Uplift Harris" program on Friday, which would give monthly payments of $500 to 1,928 impoverished county residents for 18 months.The Texas Office of Attorney General sued Harris County in a local district court and sought a temporary injunction pending the case's outcome, but was denied. It appealed that temporary injunction decision to an appeals court and was also denied. It then asked S

Killeen ISD to implement phone-free campuses

KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) - A Central Texas school district approved a plan on Tuesday night to set up cell phone free zones for all secondary campuses.Killeen ISD trustees said it was a step toward eliminating what was termed a constant disruption to the district's learning environment.“Just ask any educator and they will tell you what a tremendous distraction cell phones have become in schools,” Dr. Susan Buckley, assistant superintendent for Administrative Services, said. “Our

Southwest plane goes into 'Dutch roll' during flight, prompting FAA investigation

(The Hill) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max fell into a “Dutch roll” during a flight last month, The Associated Press reported Thursday.A “Dutch roll” is a dangerous oscillating motion consisting of a tail slide and roll motion at the same time. It can be difficult to control and recover from, though the pilots of the Southwest flight were able to do so without injuries reported.The May 25 flight

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This Wisconsin town lays claim to being birthplace of Flag Day

WAUBEKA, Wis. (AP) — Each June, the people of Waubeka venerate perhaps the nation's most enduring symbol, celebrating Flag Day, a holiday that escapes the notice of many Americans.But this unincorporated Wisconsin town about 35 miles north of Milwaukee takes the day seriously. After all, it lays claim to being the birthplace of Flag Day, thanks to a tenacious teacher in a one-room schoolhouse.Here are some things to know about the obscure flag-waving holiday.What is Flag Day?Flag Day comme

Why KXAN is spending the day at Marbridge for 'Founders Day of Caring'

AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN employees are spending part of their week giving back to those living and working at a residential community for those with cognitive disabilities — from teaching people how to fish to going on a fossil hunt and playing bingo.The volunteer effort at Marbridge in Manchaca is part of Nexstar's Founder's Day of Caring, where news stations throughout the country spend the day giving back to their communities. Last year, 5,700 employees volunteered at 240 charitable o

An Austin music venue is turning 50, and it's throwing a month-long party

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you've been around Austin for long enough, you're sure to have heard a sentiment along the lines of "I miss the Old Austin."
While it's true that Austin -- like most metropolises -- is ever-changing, one music venue/bar near the University of Texas' campus has remained. And it's older than the average Austinite.
After avoiding closure last year, Hole in the Wall on Guadalupe Street is celebrating in a big way this year. The music venue/bar opened on June 15, 1974, according t

Man sentenced to 35 years in 2 separate 2020 murders

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison last week in connection to two separate murders that occurred in 2020, according to court paperwork obtained by KXAN.
The first incident happened Nov. 25 in the 4400 block of East Riverside Drive, when 20-year-oldOmar Munguiawas shot in his vehicle while driving to the store. The second incident happened Dec. 26, when 21-year-oldMiranda Gloria Lopezwas shot at the corner of East St. Elmo and South Pleasant Valley

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What happened to Austin airport's frequent parker program?

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Recurrent passengers traveling out of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will have to wait to use AUS' frequent parker program amid its extended outage.AUS' frequent parker program is an automated rewards program for travelers to earn points toward free parking, per AUS' parking guide. Membership is free for those interested.KXAN received a viewer tip inquiring about the system and its longer-term outage. AUS confirmed to KXAN that airport officials paused the frequent p

Austin Water wants customer feedback on potentially higher rates for 2025

Austin, Texas (KXAN) — Austin Water is asking for customers to weigh on potentially higher rates in the coming year. The agency said the increase would be used to pay for projects needed for its systems to keep up with demand.Austin Water has already hosted several open houses for its Cost of Service Rate Study in recent weeks. The next open house is planned for Saturday, June 15 from 10am-1pm at the Austin Public Library at 5500 Menchaca Road.Christina Romero, a financial manager for Aust

Georgetown man sentenced to life in prison, pleads guilty to murder of wife

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- A Georgetown man pleaded guilty this week after he was charged with shooting and killing his wife in December 2022, Georgetown District Attorney Shawn Dick said in a news release Thursday. He will serve a sentence of life in prison.The shooting happened on Dec. 27, 2022. This was less than two weeks after Lindsey Whitman, 31, filed for divorce from Ricardo Quinones, 39, the release said. Whitman was living with a family member at a home in Georgetown, and Quinones liv

El Paso man electrocuted in jacuzzi at Puerto Peñasco resort

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An El Paso man has died after he was electrocuted in a jacuzzi Tuesday evening, June 11, at a private resort in Puerto Peñasco, according to the General Prosecutor's Office of Justice for the State of Sonora.
Jorge Guillen, 43. Photo: Western Technical College of El Paso's Facebook pageThe General Prosecutor's Office for the State of Sonora says Jorge Guillen, 43, and his wife, Lizzette Zambrano, 35, were in a jacuzzi just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, at

Trash bag of dead puppies dumped near mailboxes in Burnet

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- A neighborhood wants answers after someone dumped a bag of dead puppies right near their community mailbox.
Now, the Burnet County Sheriff's Office said it is investigating the case.
"Inside this plastic bag were several decomposed puppies. They were decomposed to the point that they couldn't really be made as to what type of dog that might have been," said BCSO Support Services Captain Michael Sorenson.'Hope they didn't suffer'Miranda Lowry and her family were the ones who saw

Austin's pro pickleball team hosts watch party

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Calling all pickleball fans!The Texas Ranchers, Austin's Major League Pickleball team is inviting you to kickoff the season and cheer on the team as they take on the D.C. Pickleball Team at the upcoming Major League Pickleball Tournament.The team will host a watch part at Skinny's Off Track Bar on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.The event is free, but you do have to register online.There will be a pickle eating contest, trivia night, prizes and much more.The team is supported by a l

'Why us?': Pride, BLM signs stolen from Austin church

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A West Austin Church wants to know why they were targeted after putting up signs to welcome everyone to their church."One was an LGBTQ rainbow sign that said y'all means all -- we had a sign that was supporting our Jewish and Muslim friends -- and one that said Black Lives Matter," said The Church at Highland Park Pastor Cheryl Kimble.Kimble said they put the signs out to let their neighbors know that they are accepting of anyone and everyone no matter race, religion or sex

City of Pflugerville breaks ground on wastewater treatment plant

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- A wasteful treatment plant nearly 20 years in the making is one step closer to being complete.City of Pflugerville officials broke ground today at the Wilbarger Wastewater Plant after they brought the land back in 2009. The $247 million dollar plant is meant to double the amount of water the city can process.
The city's utility director, Brandon Pritchett, said growth is one of the drivers for increasing that processing capacity.
Officials with the City of Pflugervi

TV host and musician Johnny Canales dies at 77

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (ValleyCentral) — TV host and musician Johnny Canales has died at 77. Canales' wife, Nora Canales, posted on Facebook Thursday of his passing just before 8 a.m.American Norteno/Tejano Band "Siggno" (Lead Singer Jesse Turner & Professional Drummer Cesar "Chato" Sanchez), Tejano Singer Lucky Joe with La Machy from La Conquista, and Nora and Johnny Canales.Texas State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa expressed his thoughts on Canales's passing, "Today, we lost an icon, a

Joey Chestnut, Kobayashi to go head-to-head in live hot dog eating contest on Netflix

(WXIN/WTTV) — Being banned from America's most famous eating competition isn't stopping Joey Chestnut from staying in the news.Streaming giant Netflix announced on Wednesday that Chestnut, the number one ranked competitive eater in the world, will face off against long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi, who was dubbed "the godfather of competitive eating" before claiming to retire earlier this year.The event is set to stream live on Monday, Sept. 2 on Netflix, the streamer posted on social media

Texas woman celebrates 107th birthday: 'I don't feel my age'

WACO, Texas (KWKT) – The family of a Texas woman held a special get-together to celebrate her 107th birthday this week.June Vera's family traveled across the country to St. Anthony's Care Center in Waco to celebrate her 107th trip around the sun.Gifts, birthday cake, flowers and hand-written letters filled her room Wednesday as her family sang "Happy Birthday.""This has been so wonderful," said Vera.The centenarian was born on June 12, 1917, in Welch, Oklahoma, and grew up and raised her f

Disney owes 100K people money: Are you one of them?

(NEXSTAR) — Some Disneyland fans who purchased a Dream Key pass nearly three years ago will be able to claim their piece of a $9.5 million class-action lawsuit settlement as early as this week, according to an email obtained by Nexstar.Thelawsuit, filed by California passholder Jenale Nielsen in 2021, alleged the company misled customers into believing its most expensive yearly pass would have "no blockout dates" when making reservations at Disneyland Resort theme parks.
However, whe

Austin FC needed a break, but they're back into a quick schedule with Colorado up next

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC needed a break after suffering its worst loss of the season. Thankfully, the schedule obliged and now they've reset only to have another 3-match week ahead.Verde and Black had a weekend off to collect their thoughts after a 5-1 defeat in Salt Lake on June 1, but there's no rest for the weary with a trip to Denver to face the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on CW Austin throughout the s

LIST: Juneteenth events in Central Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Those planning to celebrate Juneteenth have a number of options in communities throughout Central Texas this weekend.What is the history of Juneteenth?Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the day in 1865 that people in Galveston learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation freeing those who were enslaved on Jan. 1, 1863.Celebrations commemorating the day began the fol

Group files petition to reverse decision that allows council members to access health insurance

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – A group of citizens have filed a petition hoping to reverse a decision the Kyle City Council made on April 2, saying the move violated the city’s charter.Kyle City Council members earn $1,000 monthly for their service and an additional $500 stipend for expenses. For the last five years, city council members could access the City’s health insurance but premiums were deducted from their monthly salary.In a 4-3 vote on April 2, the city council vot

Austin housing market report shows decline in homes sold in May

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The May 2024 report from the Austin Board of Realtors showed the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area housing market had a 12.8% decline in homes sold with 4.9 months of available inventory. The report stated this was a level that hasn't been seen in 13 years.
The May report also said active listings saw an uptick of 37.7% year-over-year. Due to this increase in available options, buyers now have the ability to be more selective when purchasing a home, acco

City of Austin could revive homeless prevention services lost during pandemic

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nonprofit groups that work to end and prevent homelessness are asking the City of Austin to reinvest in some homelessness prevention measures -- like rental and utilities help -- as the homeless strategy office balances its budget.
The City of Austin will be forced to make tough cuts as federal pandemic funding dries up, KXAN has previously reported.
As a result, some groups have asked the city focus its limited resources on permanent supportive housing, other groups are asking

Zilker Park Boat Rentals launches petition to preserve business

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For more than half a century, Zilker Park Boat Rentals has been a mainstay for outdoor recreation on Barton Creek. Now, the business is rallying community support amid contract uncertainties with the City of Austin.Laura Massengale serves as co-owner of Zilker Park Boat Rentals, a business started in 1969 by her father, Howard Barnett. A writer at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine at the time, Massengale recounted how her dad wanted to create a space where people could

Garden dedicated to KXAN station mascot, Kaxan

AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN honored one of its own, celebrating the life of station mascot and therapy dog Kaxan.KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan Thursday at the station's Austin building. Kaxan died in March 2023.Kaxan was found in an alleyway behind the KXAN studios more than a decade ago. He was taken to the Austin Animal Center by KXAN senior forecaster Jim Spencer, and his former owners were notified. They decided to surrender Kaxan back to the shelter, and Spencer decided to make

Report: Texas ranks second to last for maternal health care access

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new report by ValuePenguin found more than 30% of women giving birth don't have access to adequate postnatal care.KXAN's Erica Brennes sat down with Divya Singh from Lending Tree to discuss the numbers.Brennes:Joining me today is Divya Singh with Lending Tree, we're going to be discussing a recent report that found that Texas is the second to last worst state when it comes to prenatal and maternal care in the country. Personally, as a mom in Texas, this is a tough thing

Police searching for suspect in series of east Austin burglaries

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying a suspect detectives believe is connected to a series of burglaries that happened in east Austin earlier this month.
APD said the burglaries happened on June 7 around 5 p.m. in the 1600 block of Chatham Avenue.
Police said during one of the burglaries, the suspect broke into a home in the area holding a knife. Preliminary investigation revealed he may live near the Windsor Park area.
The suspect is describe

Williamson County animal shelter introduces new program, hosts free adoption weekend

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter on Thursday unveiled a pilot adoption program aimed at speeding up the rehoming process for pets in need of a new family.
The program's launch will coincide with the shelter's upcoming free adoption weekend, commencing with its inaugural PAWjama Party on Friday evening.Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter PAWjama Party (Photo courtesy: WCRAS)WCRAS said in a press release the shelter's primary focus remains on reuniting lots pets wit