News 8 Austin Top Stories

Texas primary date in doubt by redistricting saga

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:33:00 EST

Both the state and minority groups suing over the Republican-drawn maps are due back Friday in a San Antonio federal courtroom. At issue again is when Texas will hold its primary after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling but the latest proposed date in doubt.

Fort Hood shooting suspect wants to delay trial

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:10:00 EST

A military judge set a hearing next week to consider Maj. Nidal Hasan's request to delay the trial. It's unclear why defense attorneys want more time or if they're proposing a new date. The high-profile military trial is expected to last about two months at Fort Hood.

Suspected King Street killer committed suicide, police say

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:04:00 EST

Austin police believe that a man who killed himself here in early January is a prime suspect in several unsolved assault cases against women, including the News Year's Day murder of Esmerelda Barrera.

1st Fort Hood multimedia town hall deemed success

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:35:00 EST

The first multimedia town hall meeting in the Army is now in the history books. Hundreds of questions were posted on Facebook as part of the event at Fort Hood. Officials said the level of participation is the greatest they have ever seen.

Bus wreck sends 20 to hospital with minor injuries

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:02:00 EST

According to officials, 57 students were on a bus that was rear-ended by a vehicle around 8 a.m. Friday. EMS command said 20 patients were transported, all sustained minor injuries.

Drought threatens water supply in Burnet County communities

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:48:00 EST

While Wednesday's rain offered some welcome relief, some communities in Burnet County may soon be out of water. The record drought has caused a well field that serves over 1,000 people to go dry.

Lake Waco nearly full after recent rains

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:23:00 EST

At Lake Waco, all of the public boat ramps are open again thanks to recent rains. The drought plaguing Central Texas caused the lake to drop seven feet below normal. However, Lake Waco rose about five feet in 24 hours after Wednesday's rains, and is now nearly full again.

Council approves new sign ordinance for pregnancy centers

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:22:00 EST

Two months after a federal court shot down a two-year-old ordinance which required certain pregnancy centers to display signs, Austin's City Council agreed upon a new ordinance which provides different sign mandates. Council members say they just want expectant mothers to know who they are dealing with, but a few pregnancy centers are fighting the city, saying the ordinance infringes on their free speech.

Business Now: Big money headed to Bastrop

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:06:00 EST

A big check from the federal government is on its way to Bastrop to aid in wildfire relief. Find out more in this edition of "Business Now."

Northeast Austin tornado rated EF1

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:55:00 EST

The tornado which caused heavy damage across a Northeast Austin neighborhood is said to have traveled 1.14 miles and created a path of damage 50 years wide.

BBB warns of storm damage scams

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:40:00 EST

Austin's Better Business Bureau offers advice to people who have to deal with repairs following Wednesday's severe weather.

Fort Hood to host first multimedia town hall meeting

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:57:00 EST

Fort Hood Commander Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell will be taking to the airwaves Thursday as part of a town hall meeting. While town hall meetings have been held in the past, the multimedia platform will make it the first of its kind in the Army.

Thousands seek new opportunities at Austin-Travis County job fair

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:24:00 EST

Two-thousand jobs were up for grabs Wednesday and more than 3,000 Austinites tried to nab them at an Austin-Travis County job fair. The eager crowd browsed tables, picked up material and talked with company reps at the Palmer Events Center. Many of these folks have been out of work for months and welcome any job opportunity that comes their way.

Horns Making It Tough For Themselves Early In Games

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:20:00 EST

If Texas wants to pull off a resume-building win, it needs to stop falling behind early

Rare tornado destroys northeast Austin industrial building

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:42:00 EST

Photo Gallery: A rare January tornado touched down in an industrial park in northeast Austin during Wednesday morning's storms. The severe weather caused one building to collapse between Springdale and Manor roads, and damaged nearby homes.