โShe was amazingโ: Family of Audrii Cunningham shares exclusive insights into the life of the Livingston girl murdered
Audrii Cunningham's family sat down with KPRC 2 for the nearly hour-long interview, where they talked about Audriiโs life, who she was, what she liked to do and who she wanted to be.
Victim attorney and witness tied to man accused in Livingston girlโs murder come forward
Six months before Steven McDougal was charged with capital murder in 11-year-old Audrii Cunninghamโs death, court documents show he was accused of stabbing a man in Livingston. Attorney David Feldman represents the victim. He said it all started in August when a woman knocked on his clientโs door.
How law enforcement, community members can cope after helping search for Audrii Cunningham
The search and outcome of 11-year old Audrii Cunninghamโs case has been heartbreaking for family, friends and the community but it can also have a lasting impact on the emergency responders and volunteers who spent days trying to find her.
Whatโs next for Audrii Cunninghamโs accused killer?
The five-day search for missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham ended Tuesday when her body was found in the Trinity River. The Polk County Sheriff's office says they're building a capital murder case against the prime suspect in her death, Don Steven McDougal.
Seeking lower electricity rates, residents in two East Texas towns hope the state will intervene
Livingston and Jasper residents hope a lawsuit will force their municipality-operated utility company to offer lower rates and create more transparency in setting rates. Theyโre among the 5 million Texans living outside the stateโs deregulated market and cannot choose their energy provider.
โWho ever thought I would be chief?โ Texasโ Alabama-Coushatta tribe elects first female chief
Millie Thompson Williams was elected the tribeโs first female second chief, a lifetime appointment, last year. For the first time, her accession comes as women make up the majority of the tribeโs council.
Livingston ISD parents express concern over services offered to students with intellectual abilities after they say their 8-year-old son was mishandled
The family of an 8-year-old boy who is diagnosed with Autism expressed concern over services offered to students with intellectual challenges after they said a teacher mishandled their son during an emotional outburst.
Austin and Travis County officials can keep enforcing local mask mandate for now, judge says
Paxton sued the local officials for refusing to end the mandate after Gov. District Judge Lora Livingston has yet to issue a final ruling on the merits of the case, meaning Austin and Travis officials may later be told to comply with state officials. AdโI've been doing everything that I can to protect the health and safety of people in Travis County,โ Brown said in an interview. However, this was not the case in Travis County where officials said they would continue to require public mask use. Therefore, masks remained required in Travis County in the meantime.
Austin can keep enforcing mask mandate for at least two weeks until trial is held, judge says
Austin and Travis County officials can continue enforcing their mask mandates after a district judge delayed action on the Texas attorney generalโs request to immediately stop the mandates. That means city and county officials can continue to require masks until at least March 26, when District Judge Lora Livingston will hold a trial. "I told Travis County and the City of Austin to comply with state mask law. Travis County Judge Andy Brown counts the two-week delay as a win. The pandemic has especially impacted Texans of color โ including in El Paso where Paxton previously blocked a county judge from ordering non-essential businesses to shut down.
UK data: COVID-19 vaccines sharply cut hospitalizations
โThis new evidence shows that the jab protects you, and protects those around you,โโ U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said. More than 17.5 million have received one vaccine dose so far โ more than a third of the U.K.'s adult population. Overall, hospitalizations and death should be reduced by over 75% after one dose of the vaccine, Public Health England said. The Scotland study was conducted by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, the University of Strathclyde and Public Health Scotland. Because hospitalization data was collected 28 days after inoculation, the data on hospital admissions came from a subset of 220,000 people who received the Pfizer vaccine and 45,000 who got the AstraZeneca shot.
IN FOCUS (Photo Gallery): Chapel Hill knocks off Livingston in playoff action
The Chapel Hill Bulldogs took down Livingston in the first round of the postseason 49-37. The Lions were back in the postseason for the first time in seven years as coach Finis Vanover is moving the program in the right direction. Jeff Riordan is also building his Chapel Hill program after coming over from Crosby. Check out the gallery by Andy Tolbert.
FEATURE: Winless to District Champions, Livingston wins first outright title in 57 years.
Five wins, outscoring opponents 130-61, later, capping the year with a 21-20 victory over previously undefeated Huffman last week, the Lions were 8-2 overall and outright District 10-4A-DI Champions. "It makes all the difference in the world in everybody's attitude and everybody's energy," Livingston third-year head coach Finis Vanover said. "We followed the same plan just like we were opening a new school," Vanover said. In 10 games, Livingston surrendered a total of 181 points, the most being 36 to Needville in the season opener, which was a one-point loss. Two years ago, Livingston gave up - Vanover's first season - the Lions' defense gave up 507 points.
Vidor's move to Class 4A make the Pirates a favorite
District 10-4A-DIVYPE Preseason AwardsMVP: Zane Obregon, SplendoraOffensive MVP: Damien Ruiz, LivingstonDefensive MVP: Caleb Pierson, HuffmanBreakout Player of the Year: Quentin Root, VidorSleeper Team: Little Cypress-Mauriceville... This grouping brings back a lot of defensive prowess along with some new signal-callers to step in under center. Vidor makes the move down from District 12-5A-DII to Class 4A, making them a clear favorite to win this district. Defensively, Jordan Smith was the Newcomer of the Year for the district and will be one to watch on the DL. Offensively, Trenton Conn will tote the rock for the Pirates, while Quentin Root has returned to the pirate ship to play QB.
VYPE Football 2020 Preview: District 10-4A-DI
Vidor PiratesVidor makes the move down from District 12-5A-DII to Class 4A, making them a clear favorite to win this district. First-team, all-district wide receiver Luke Thomas will make the move to quarterback in 2020. Jagger Kennedy, who made first-team, all-district as a receiver, will shift into the starting quarterback role for 2020. QB Drake Boykin returns for his senior year after earning second-team, all-district honors in 2019. Also returning are first-team DB Julian Gardner, who also plays receiver, and second-teamers DB Chris Washington, DT LaDanian Walker and P Dustin Heflin.
3 killed, at least 20 injured after tornado rips through Onalaska in Polk County Wednesday
ONALASKA, Texas โ At least 20 people were injured and three people were killed after a tornado ripped through multiple neighborhoods in Onalaska in Polk County Wednesday evening, according to the Polk County Office of Emergency Management. Polk County subdivisions hit hardest by tornado (Polk County Emergency Management, Texas)National Weather Service storm spotter Ian Shelton told KPRC 2 he started chasing the storm in the early afternoon. Multiple agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety, the San Jacinto County Sheriffโs Office and the Polk County Sheriffโs Office are enforcing blockades, assessing damage and helping residents in the area, Shelton said. VIDEO: Residents describe terrifying moments they saw a tornado touch down in Polk County WednesdayShelters:Polk County Emergency Management said anyone who might need shelter is asked to go to Dunbar Gym in Livingston as the schools in Onalaska have lost power. Posted by Polk County Emergency Management, Texas on Wednesday, April 22, 2020Gov.
Thursday evening storms cause damage in Cypress, Crosby and Livingston
CYPRESS, Texas โ The line of storms moved through the area pretty quickly Thursday evening, but they still managed to pack quite a punch in some parts. A power pole toppled on the Crosby Freeway, blocking one lane of traffic. @SheriffEd_HCSO @HCSOTexas @HCSOPatrol @HCSO_D3Patrol pic.twitter.com/iT8U5GBuqh โ Captain J. Shannon (@HCSO_NightShift) April 10, 2020Another spot in the stormโs crosshairs was Livingston where a tree toppled into a home although no one was hurt. โAll the tree and all the roof right now is in my living room,โ said Jesus Valentin, a Cypress homeowner. โThank God, my wife sheโs alive because itโs like right there you know in our living room.โ Valentin said.
Cheating, fraud revealed in school audit; principal resigns, teacher fired, Livingston ISD says
HOUSTON โ The principal of Livingston High School Academy resigned and a teacher was fired after an audit revealed that students were admitted to the academy fraudulently and that teacher was helping students cheat, according to a press release from the Livingston Independent School District. The audit, which was conducted at the direction of the LISD superintendent, revealed โsubstantial admission and academic policy violations,โ at the academy, the school district wrote. โThe campus principal resigned when presented with the investigative findings, which revealed that students were fraudulently admitted into the Academy that did not meet at-risk criteria and/or were not Livingston residents,โ district officials wrote. โThis resulted in students accelerating through classes required for graduation at astronomical speed, some completing entire semester courses in mere minutes and an entire high school curriculum in weeks,โ the district wrote. Livingston High School Academy is an alternative education program that creates alternative routes to graduation for students who have not been successful in a traditional school setting, according to the schoolโs website.
One-tank trips: 4 spots to relax and recharge in Livingston
HOUSTON โ One-tank trips can take you from Houston to some pretty amazing places. Distance from Houston to Livingston: 74 milesAbout an hour outside of Houston, Livingston is a short and easy one-tank trip. This small town serves as a great pit stop if you are trying to break up your drive north or just escape the city for the day. Polk County Memorial MuseumIf you are looking for more of an educational experience, the Polk County Memorial Museum offers a unique perspective of the history of Polk County. Pit Row Pit StopFor those who want some fun and a hearty diner meal on the way through Livingston, be sure to stop at the Pit Row Pit Stop.