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Dateline correspondents talk with KXAN about Austin crimes ahead of their first SXSW appearance at 4 p.m.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Keith Morrison and Josh Mankiewicz of Dateline – which has covered several notorious Austin murders, including Moriah Wilson and Heidi Broussard – will appear at SXSW for their first panel discussion Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. CT at the Austin Convention Center. The two sat down with KXAN’s Sam Stark ahead of their session to talk Dateline, their voyage into podcasting and reporting on Texas crimes. Can you talk about the explosion of the true crime genre in recent years?“I give credit to our boss, frankly, who persuaded us. He saw the zeitgeist and saw what was coming – he recognized that [true crime] were the sorts of stories that most attracted people's attention. Whenever we did a true crime story, back in the 90s, the numbers show a pretty clear indicator that it was what people wanted to watch,” Morrison said. “Most people in their lives will never be the victim of violent crime. But everybody has been in a relationship that did not work out how ...

Suspect disguised as technician robs two Austin businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a man suspected of robbing an Austin business March 1.According to police, the suspect entered two Verizon locations attempting to pass himself off as an IT employee.Police said the suspect initially tried the disguise at the Verizon Store at 2401 S. Lamar Blvd. in south Austin but was turned away. However, according to police, the suspect entered the Barton Creek Square Verizon store approximately 30 minutes later, confronted a store employee in the back room and made threats indicating he had a weapon.APD said the suspect then accessed the store’s safe and quickly left with an undisclosed number of devices.The suspect was described as a 6-feet tall white man between 20 and 30 years old with a thin build and short, light brown hair. Police said he was last seen wearing:Red Nike baseball capDark Hoodie with Verizon “V” logo, red zipper, and gray liningBlack pantsWhite sneakersBlack computer bag with silver laptop...

This Louisiana bird is gorgeous, despite binge-eating and whining

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

ATHENS, La. (KTAL/KMSS) - Most people like to associate certain birds with certain seasons, for instance, bluebirds with spring, goldfinch with winter, or bats with Halloween. (I know! - Don’t write me! - Just seeing if you’re paying attention.) Anyhoo, we get one species in winter that regularly becomes more observable in March as it gorges itself on the remaining crops of holly berries or other native goodies to put on extra fat to convert for energy in its upcoming migration, and that species is Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).The beautiful Cedar Waxwing; Image by Jody CokerCedar Waxwings are among the most beautiful of birds. I always say they look airbrushed.They’re the size of bluebirds and are mostly a smooth, light pinkish brown. The light brownfades into yellow toward the belly, but it transitions into gray along the lower back and rump. They have a black “bandit” mask across their eyes, bordered in white, that's handsomely garnished with a crest. The tips of their tail...

Lockhart man found not guilty of murder, aggravated assault after May 2021 incident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — Court documents showed a man accused of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Caldwell County was found not guilty by a jury Feb. 24.Roberto Cruz, who was 48 at the time the charges were filed, was accused of shooting and killing a 55-year-old man and wounding another. PREVIOUS: Lockhart man faces murder charge following Thursday shooting near city park According to past coverage, the incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. May 6, 2021, in the 900 block of E. Market Street in Lockhart, near Lockhart City Park.

RTD W-Line train derails at station in Golden; two people taken to hospital  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

Two people were taken to a hospital Saturday morning when a train on RTD’s W-Line derailed at the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden.The incident happened about 9:30  a.m., when the “first car of a light rail train derailed,” RTD said in a news release. Four people and the operator were on board. Two people reported “minor injuries” and were taken to a hospital by emergency responders. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.A bus shuttle is in place between the Jefferson County stop and the Red Rocks Community College station while crews work to safely rerail the train, RTD said. The W-Line is running on schedule.Rail service to the government center will be restored as soon as possible, the station is currently closed to the public.

Storm breaches Northern California river's levee, thousands evacuate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

A Northern California agricultural community famous for its strawberry crop was forced to evacuate early Saturday after the Pajaro River’s levee was breached by flooding from a new atmospheric river that pummeled the state.Across the Central Coast's Monterey County, more than 8,500 people were under evacuation orders and warnings Saturday, including roughly 1,700 residents — many of them Latino farmworkers — from the unincorporated community of Pajaro. Officials said the Pajaro River's levee breach is about 100 feet (30.48 meters) wide. Crews had gone door to door Friday afternoon to urge residents to leave before the rains came but some stayed and had to be pulled from floodwaters early Saturday.First responders and the California National Guard rescued more than 50 people overnight. One video showed a member of the Guard helping a driver out of a car trapped by water up to their waists.“We were hoping to avoid and prevent this situation, but the worst case scenario has arrived wit...

Indian actress, model part of Celebration of South Asian Culture night at SAP Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

The San Jose Sharks are hosting its annual Celebration of South Asian Culture before and during their game with the Minnesota Wild tonight at SAP Center.Festivities began Saturday morning with a free UPMA Holi Celebration outside of SAP Center on Barack Obama Blvd. They included celebratory color throwing, music, guided dancing, and food (for purchase). Those participating in color throwing must change clothes before they enter the arena for the Sharks game.Indian actress, model and producer Huma Qureshi will drop the ceremonial first puck before the game begins. Fans can still purchase a special VIP package ticket that includes a pre-game meet-and-greet with Ms. Qureshi from 6-7 p.m. as well as light food and beverage and a group photo with her on the ice after the game. For more details, visit www.sjsharks.com/indian.Additional pregame activities will include festive dancing and live vocal performances by Voice of Bay Area founded by Jagruti Desai Shaw in the Hop Valley Bar locate...

How did Silicon Valley Bank collapse in 48 hours? Here’s a timeline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

In just two days, the Santa Clara-based bank that served nearly half of US tech and healthcare startups came rapidly unglued, leaving its high-powered customers and investors in limbo.Silicon Valley Bank, facing a sudden bank run and capital crisis, collapsed Friday morning and was taken over by federal regulators.It was the largest failure of a US bank since Washington Mutual in 2008 and the second-biggest bank collapse in US history.Here’s what we know about the bank’s downfall, and what might come next.What is SVB?Founded in 1983, SVB specialized in banking for tech startups. It provided financing for almost half of US venture-backed technology and health care companies.While relatively unknown outside of Silicon Valley, SVB was among the top 20 American commercial banks, with $209 billion in total assets at the end of last year, according to the FDIC.Why did it fail?In short, SVB encountered a classic run on the bank.The longer version is a bit more complicated.Several forces co...

Pac-12 men’s basketball: Selection Sunday preview for the two NCAA Tournament locks and three bubble teams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

The Pac-12’s late-season salvage operation appears to have worked as college basketball prepares for the most anticipated day of the year.During stretches of a decidedly subpar season, the conference looked like it might send just two teams (UCLA and Arizona) to the NCAA Tournament.But solid finishes by USC and Arizona State have improved the outlook for Selection Sunday, with at least one of those teams — and perhaps both — sneaking into the 68-team field.Not that four bids would be a source of pride. But it’s exponentially better than three.Before we dive into the at-large locks and contenders, three reminders about the NCAA selection committee’s process:— Overall record, conference affiliation and conference record are irrelevant.— The committee uses both subjective and objective criteria, with the latter focused on NET ranking, quality wins, bad losses, non-conference strength of schedule and performance away from home.— Teams are ...

Gov. Newsom working with White House, Treasury after fall of Silicon Valley Bank

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:09 GMT

(KRON) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement on Saturday in response to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation seizing the assets of Silicon Valley Bank on Friday. When is it Ok to drive after consuming marijuana? "Over the last 48 hours, I have been in touch with the highest levels of leadership at the White House and Treasury. Everyone is working with FDIC to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, to protect jobs, people’s livelihoods, and the entire innovation ecosystem that has served as a tent pole for our economy." -- Gov. NewsomNewsom's statement comes just a day after news broke that Silicon Valley Bank, one of the 20 largest banks in the country, was struggling to raise $1.75 billion to strengthen its capital position after higher interest rates hit. SVB held about $210 billion in assets before the FDIC takeover, and many of those funds were tied directly to technology and venture capitalist startups. Close Thanks ...