Crystal Chavez, KUT News

Austin Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

The Department of Defense has announced the death of a solider from Austin. 38 year-old Sergeant James M. Darrough was one of four U.S. soldiers killed in a suicide car bombing Saturday in Kabul Province, Afghanistan. Sgt. Darrough was with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Associated Press reports he is survived by his parents, his wife, two sons and two daughters.

Funeral Today for Round Rock Soldier

What does the future hold for the Texas drought? Two Texas Senate committees heard testimony today on what has become the worst single-year dry spell in Texas history. The state’s climatologist, John Nielsen- Gammon, told lawmakers not to expect relief anytime soon.

“Going forward this drought is likely to last another year at least because the primary trigger of the drought, La Nina in the Pacific, has returned so it’s extremely unlikely we will come out of drought conditions by the winter,” Nielsen-Gammon said during a hearing at the Capitol Tuesday morning. 

Texas Senators to Discuss Drought

Two Texas Senate committees are meeting this morning to discuss the state's ongoing drought. The Senate's Natural Resources Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee are meeting together to hear invited testimony from experts about the drought and how long it's likely to last. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of the state is still in exceptional or extreme drought status.

Officer-Involved Shooting in Georgetown

Hasan Court Hearing Today

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled this morning for the accused Fort Hood shooter. A military judge will hear two motions brought forward by Major Nidal Hasan's defense. The defense is asking whether Hasan is entitled to certain expert assistance at the government's expense. Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder for the shootings at Fort Hood in November 2009. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Former Morton Prosecutor to Testify

Former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson will have to provide testimony in an investigation into whether alleged misconduct by his office led to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has denied Anderson's request to void a subpoena requiring him to answer question's from Morton's lawyers.

Austin’s not the only U.S. destination planning a Formula One auto race. A second F1 race, the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial, will be run in New Jersey, starting in 2013. The race for the track being built southeast of Austin, the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix, is scheduled for November 2012. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says no public subsidies will be used for their race.

2nd Drone to Patrol Texas-Mexico Border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will soon have second drone to patrol the Texas-Mexico border. The Associated Press reports the Predator drone is scheduled to arrive in Corpus Christi next week. Officials had announced in July that the state would be getting another drone. Here are more details from the AP:

Several groups gathered at city hall today to speak out against proposed Austin Energy rate increases. The average residential electric bill would go up $10 to $20  a month next year.

The Austin Independent School District says early estimates show they would have to pay an additional $3 million more a year if rates increase. AISD officials say that would be a 25 percent jump in their utility costs.

Bastrop County: On the Road Back

Bastrop County is holding its second open house to talk about wildfire recovery. Everyone affected by the Labor Day wildfires is invited to the come-and-go event. Local, state and federal officials will be on hand to answer questions about debris removal, utilities, FEMA aid and more. Bastrop County officials say more than 250 families attended the first open house. Tonight’s meeting is from 6-8 p.m. at the Smithville Recreation Center.

AISD Board Discussing Facilities Plan Tonight

The Austin Independent School District’s board has a full agenda tonight. The board will hear some possible scenarios about how facilities could be used during the 2012-2013 school year.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board is once again considering whether to approve specialty license plates displaying the Confederate battle flag. The proposal has proved to be a hot button issue. Nineteen state representatives have sent a letter to the TxDMV expressing their opposition. Representative Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) says he’s deeply troubled by the proposal.

“It couldn’t be clearer to most people of color that the Confederate flag symbolism is reprehensible and is a reminder of a period in history that while we need to remember it, we don’t need to glorify it and for the State of Texas to lend any credibility to this symbolism is totally inappropriate,” Burnam told KUT News. 

Mexican Truck to Enter U.S. Today Under Trade Agreement

The first Mexican truck to deliver goods in the U.S. interior in the long-delayed portion of the NAFTA free-trade agreement is scheduled to cross the border at Laredo today. The Associated Press reports the truck, owned by Transportes Olympic, will be making a delivery to Garland, in the Dallas area.

This trucking agreement complies with a provision of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement. Some lawmakers and the Teamsters union are opposed, saying it will make U.S. highways more dangerous and cost American jobs. Here's KUT's reporting on when the deal was struck this summer. 

Autopsy Report Details Officer Involved Shooting

Precautionary Recall for Bagged Salads

Taylor Farms Retail Inc., a California company, is voluntarily recalling over 3,000 cases of various bagged salad blends because they could be contaminated with salmonella. The salad products were distributed in several states including Texas.

The Lower Colorado River Authority’s Board voted unanimously today to pay the San Antonio Water System $30 million dollars to settle a $1.2 billion lawsuit SAWS had filed for breach of contract.

LCRA to Vote on Key Water Policy Changes

The Lower Colorado River Authority’s trying to rework how it manages water in the face of this persistent drought. The LCRA Board is meeting this morning to vote on key changes to its water management plan.

High Fire Danger Today

A wind advisory is in effect for Central Texas until 6 p.m. We could see wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. A red flag warning is in effect from noon until 7 p.m.  A dry cold front has arrived, bringing strong winds and drier air meaning any wildfires would spread fast. Today's also going to be a lot cooler than it's been lately. High temperatures will only be in the mid 70s.

Parents Can Chime in on School Overcrowding

The Austin Independent School District is going to address overcrowding at North Central Austin schools during a public meeting tomorrow. This is part of the district’s planning for how facilities should be used in the 2012-2013 school year. The Board will vote on that year's plan this December. Tomorrow’s meeting is from ten to noon at the Dobie Middle School cafeteria.

Family Mourning Death of Fallen Marine