Texas

Motorbike Passenger Law Poised to Pass

Nathan Bernier, KUT News — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:32:22 +0000

Ramping up motorcycle safety is the goal of a measure that is heading for final passage in the Legislature.

Motorcycles designed to carry more than one person would be required to have foot pegs and handlebars for the passenger under Malorie’s Law, which is named after a 19-year-old woman from Sherman who died in a motorcycle crash in 2010.

Texas is one of only three states that does not require footrests for passengers on motorcycles, according to the American Motorcyclist Association. The other states are Mississippi and Missouri.

Listen: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Trailblazing Texas Women

Jennifer Stayton, KUT News — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

You think moving a piano is a pain now: Try doing it over rough terrain ... with no moving van.

Some of the women who came with their families to Texas in the early days of the 1800's insisted on bringing their pianos with them. While many of these women came from more genteel Southern backgrounds, the rough and rugged environment in Texas did nothing to dampen their spirits or enthusiasm.

Texas Settles E-book Suit vs. Penguin Group

Trey Shaar, KUT News — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:59:16 +0000

The Texas attorney general’s office has settled a lawsuit against Penguin Group, accusing the country's largest book publisher of colluding with Apple to raise the prices of electronic books.

Texas sued along with 32 other states and territories.

If the agreement is approved by a federal judge, $75 million will go to people who bought e-books.

Texas had already settled with four other publishers. The claims against Apple are scheduled for trial next month.

Federal Agency Claims It Was Shut Out of West Investigation

Nathan Bernier, KUT News — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:00:36 +0000

The head of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) says other government agencies are getting in the way of its investigation into the fertilizer plant explosion in West.

In a letter to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, CSB chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso says the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives blocked CSB investigators from accessing the site for a month, and "altered or removed almost all relevant physical evidence from the site."

Amber Alert for Missing Baby Discontinued

Matt Largey, KUT News and Matt Largey, KUT News — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:56:20 +0000

Update: Police say the child has been found. The Amber Alert has been discontinued.

Earlier: Police in McKinney, Texas -- north of Dallas -- have issued an Amber Alert for 10 month old Isabella Reyes. She has black hair and brown eyes and weighs 17 pounds.

As Texans Rush to Help OK, Gov. Perry Urges Emergency Plan

KUT Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:10:24 +0000

Central Texas is helping those in Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding areas in relief and rescue efforts.

Last night, Texas Task Force 1 was dispatched to Oklahoma, an elite search and rescue team which includes 5 members from the Austin Fire Department.

Texas Task Force 1 Assists With Oklahoma Recovery

KUT Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:01:00 +0000

Members of an elite search team from Texas were dispatched to Oklahoma last night. The team is already on the field helping with recovery following the massive tornado that hit Moore on Monday afternoon.

Gov. Rick Perry announced the activation of Texas Task Force 1 last night. The rescue group includes 70 first responders specialized in victim extraction and medical treatment, also including rescue dogs, hazardous material specialists and structural engineers. Five members of Texas Task Force 1 are from the Austin Fire Department.

Cause of Blast in West Fertilizer Plant Explosion Still Unkown

Kate McGee, KUT News — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:49:32 +0000

State and federal fire officials say it’s still unclear what caused a fire that led to the explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West. The investigation will remain open. Despite many unknowns, residents are trying to move forward.

On North Reagan Street, the only sounds you hear are screeching grackles and the occasional resident returning to what’s left of his or her home. Nearly every house on this street is destroyed. Windows and doors are blown out. Roofs caved in. Broken furniture is scattered across lawns. There is a stench in the air that originates from a fly covered refrigerator. Someone has written "Do Not Open, Spoiled Meat" on the front.

Bill Would Give Unclaimed Ashes of Veterans Final Resting Place

Laura Rice, KUT News — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:35:00 +0000

Funeral homes across the country face a challenge that might surprise you. They’re storing thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of unclaimed cremated human remains.

A bill before the Texas Senate today would address part of the problem – at least for deceased veterans.

Clean Up in North Texas: 10 Tornadoes Struck Area Overnight

Wells Dunbar, KUT News — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:41:21 +0000

Cleanup is underway in North Texas after devastating tornadoes claimed six lives and multiple injuries.

The National Weather Service’s preliminary count says 10 tornadoes stuck North Texas last night. The Fort Worth suburb of Granbury, Texas took some of the worst damage, with damage showing signs of wind gusts up to 260 MPH.

Texas Tornado Leaves 6 Dead, Dozens Hurt, Hundreds Homeless

Mark Memmott, NPR — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:30:22 +0000

"A massive emergency response" is underway in North Texas, where tornadoes blew through Wednesday night, The Dallas Morning News says.

Reports: 'Multiple Fatalities' After Tornado Strikes North Texas

Wells Dunbar, KUT News — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:38:26 +0000

Severe weather in North Texas has left confirmed fatalities it its wake.

Officials to Announce Results from Investigation into West Explosion

Kate McGee, KUT News — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:14:57 +0000

State Fire Marshal's Office and ATF officials Thursday will announce the final results of their investigation into the fertilizer plant explosion in West.

The April 17 explosion killed 15 people and injured hundreds.

'Hate Map' Collects, Charts Texas' Racist, Homophobic Tweets

Andrew Weber — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:15:10 +0000

Language on social media is honest, instant and, sometimes, inappropriate. And the Internet’s elephantine memory holds on to every last questionable comment.

Researchers at Humboldt State University used Twitter’s geo-coding to tag over 150,000 tweets from the better part of the past year to map what they call the “Geography of Hate,” an interactive database of hateful language all over the US.

Member Of Fort Hood Sexual Assault Response Team Accused Of Abuse

Wed, 15 May 2013 02:59:00 +0000

An Army sergeant who was part of the Fort Hood, Texas, sexual-assault response office is under investigation for abusive sexual contact.

NPR's Larry Abramson is reporting on the story for our Newscast unit:

"The Army refused to release the name of the sergeant first class, who was part of the response team at Fort Hood, Texas, dealing with sexual assault cases. The man faces accusations of pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates. The sergeant was suspended from all duties, and has not been charged.