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 Pressreports 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 struckthis summer.
Autopsy Report Details Officer Involved Shooting
A 20 year-old killed by an Austin police officer in May was shot four times. That's according to an autopsy report obtained by the Austin American-Statesman. The report says Byron Carter Jr. was shot once in the back of the head, and as the paper reports:
Carter also was shot in the left shoulder, the abdomen and the left thigh while he was a passenger in a car that police said lunged toward officers. The cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds. Adam Loewy, an attorney representing Carter's family, who is suing the officer and the city over the death, said Thursday that the report bolsters their case that Carter was killed unjustly by police. "They shot someone in the back of the head who was unarmed and was no threat," Loewy said. "I think (police) will have a hard time explaining why the passenger, not the driver, has four bullets in him."
A teen who was driving the car in which Carter was a passenger hit a police officer, injuring him. APD has said the shooting officer was acting in defense of his partner. Carter's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Austin. The Statesman reports a toxicology report shows Carter tested positve for cocaine and marijuana.
Hispanic Futures Conference
The Austin Independent School District is holding another one of its Hispanic Futures Conferences this Saturday. The theme is "Preparing for Success in College, Career & Life." Students and parents from all AISD schools are invited.
There will be sessions about what's required to get into a college or university, how to apply for financial aid and how to prepare for a job. Community leaders will be on hand to answer questions families may have. The conference is at Crockett High School tomorrow from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Street Closures Galore This Weekend
If you want to avoid a driving headache, you may want to avoid the downtown area tomorrow. The City of Austin says there will be a record number of simultaneous street closures. At least eight events are scheduled, including the Texas Book Festival, the Austin Film Festival, and Purple Stride 5K. A KUT Google Map shows which streets will be shut down and you can check that map out here.