July 4 takes on special meaning for some
Senior Austin patrol officer Tony Vanboekhout is living his dream, patrolling the streets of Austin to help to keep citizens safe. The Fourth of July has always been a special day for Vanboekhout. This year he plans to make up for lost time. KVUE's Steve Alberts reports.

Former Longhorn Means Business
Former Longhorn running back Rod Walker making a name for himself in the business world. Bryan Mays has the story.

Some Austin Energy customers expect jump in bills
Some Austin residents have found the triple-digit temperatures more uncomfortable thanks to a spike in their electric bills. KVUE's Jim Bergamo reports.

Man stabbed outside fraternity party
A 20-year-old was stabbed while escorting a man out of a party at a fraternity house on West Campus early Thursday morning, Austin police said. KVUE's Jessica Vess reports.

Groups call for more water conservation
With Lake Travis water levels at some of the lowest on record, some groups have asked the city to increase spending to conserve water. They say the current drought should be a warning to start conserving now to preserve the lake?s future. KVUE's George Kanuck reports.

Which helmet protects best?
When it comes to kids sports injuries, bike injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits. Consumer Reports just tested kids helmets so you can make sure your child is protected.

Scientists create important new genetic map of parasite
San Antonio scientists have constructed a genetic map of a parasite that causes disease in millions of people around the globe. It?s a development that could have worldwide implications. KENS-TV's Wendy Rigby reports.

How to stay safe around fireworks
Fireworks are synonymous with the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, so are fireworks-related injuries. Melissa Long has some tips on staying safe.

Summer grilling tips with Flemings Chef Erick Nixon
July Fourth is this Saturday and families across America will be firing up the gril. We're getting some expert grilling tips from the folks over at Flemings.

Can roads be earth-friendly?
The economic stimulus package already includes billions for a new high speed rail line. But what about earth-friendly improvements to existing roads and infrastructure? Jill Cordes has more.

Fans wait for word on Jackson memorial
After much speculation, the Jackson family says there will be no public viewing at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The focus now turns to the Staples Center in LA, where barricades are already up for a possible memorial next week. Sandra Endo has the story from Encino, California.

Sears Tower installs glass ledges
The view from the top of the Sears Tower just got a whole lot more spectacular. But, it might make you a bit squeamish if you're afraid of heights. Judy Wang reports.

Weight gain and smoking
Quitting smoking, and losing weight, both are good for you, but trying to accomplish both at the same time can be difficult.

Grilling tips for the holiday
July fourth is around the corner and families across America will be firing up the grill. We're getting some expert grilling trips from one of Austin's finest chefs. KVUE's Melissa Gale joins us with the chef from Flemings.

Aggressive panhandling on the rise
Austin police say three times in the past few months panhandlers have gotten violent when people wouldn't turn over spare change.

Victim, police seek answers in hit and run
Austin Police and an Austin cyclist are sending out a desperate plea to the public for help in finding a taxi cab driver who injured a cyclist and kept going.

Taekwondo Championships
Thousands of athletes are in Austin this week for the US Taekwondo Championships. Bryan Mays has the story.

Obesity rates rising; cost of care to increase
In the study released Wednesday, 23 states saw adult obesity rates rise since 2008, and the report showed that treating obesity costs everyone financially. The report found the adult obesity rate is 27.9 percent in Texas -- the 14th highest in the nation. KVUE's Jim Bergamo reports.

Builders give tour of tallest building
The Austonian officially became the tallest building in Austin on Monday when workers completed the top floor, surpassing the Austin 360 condominiums and changing the downtown skyline. KVUE's Steve Alberts reports.

Top cars made in America
The uncertainty of American Automakers leaves consumers wondering if cars are actually made in America. Joining us to talk about auto trends is cars.com Managing Editor Patrick Olsen. He joins us courtesy of the cars.com with the list of top cars made in America.

Can lawmakers finish before holiday?
Lawmakers are back in Austin for a special session which started this morning. But can they finish in time for the holiday weekend? KVUE's Elise Hu reports.

Caution urged with fireworks
Fire officials are warning Central Texans planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks not to be tricked by this week's rains. Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee says grass in the area is still dangerously dry and combustible. KVUE's Clara Tuma reports.

Emotion in Obama's health care pitch
President Barack Obama wanted to put a human face on his plans to overhaul health care, and a Virginia supporter did just that Wednesday. Fighting back tears, Debby Smith, 53, told Obama of her kidney cancer and her inability to obtain health insurance or hold a job. KVUE's Mike Goldfein reports from Washington.

Carstarphen officially begins in AISD
AISD's new superintendent officially started Wednesday. It's been 10 years since AISD hired a superintendent, and Meria Carstarphen is faced with tough decisions -- the preliminary district budget shows a $22 million shortfall. KVUE's Amy Johnston reports.

Grow a garden without digging
There's no better way to save money right now than to grow some of your own food. KVUE's Sherry Williams shows us how to do it, without digging.

Texas commences special session
The Texas House gaveled in just after 10 a.m. Wednesday to kick things off. The plan for this session -- which Gov. Rick Perry called after the regular session ended June 1 -- is to wrap things up quickly, the governor says. KVUE's Quita Culpepper reports.

Best athletic shoes on a budget
Are you looking for a new pair of athletic shoes, but don't have a lot of money to spend? Consumer Reports just tried out some of the latest models -- from Adidas to Nike.

Loan program helps finance clean cars
A new government loan program is powering a brand new generation of clean cars. Jill Cordes has more.

Plan to prevent water spread parasite in North Texas
Last year North Texas was hit by an outbreak of the cryptosporidium parasite. The water-spread parasite causes a flu-like illness with symptoms including fever, nausea and vomiting. This summer several North Texas counties are starting a proactive plan called "no crypto" to keep residents safe.

President Obama to hold Town Hall meeting on healthcare
President Obama holds another Town Hall meeting on healthcare today. This time some of the questions will come online from people using Facebook, Youtube and Twitter. And he may be asked about claims that his plan will lead to millions of Americans losing their coverage.

Fathers a cause of colicky babies?
For years, studies have shown that crying, colicky babies are often linked to mothers who are depressed during pregnancy. But as Susan Hendricks reports, a new report finds that fathers may also contribute to their infants' well-being.

New goverment rule causes appraisal problems
A new federal rule designed to enhance the integrity of home appraisals is making it even harder for some people to sell or buy a new home.

Woman in jail after she leaves her child in a hot car
An Austin woman is in jail tonight for leaving her five month old son alone in a hot car.

Tougher to escape across the border
New numbers show criminals wanted in the U.S. are having a tougher time hiding in Mexico. In the first 6 months of this year, Mexico has extradited more than 50 fugitives people, including convicted drug traffickers, murders and child molesters. KVUE's Angela Kocherga reports.

Plane takes off after toll road landing
Some drivers stopped in the middle of their drive to watch. Others took pictures and video. DPS troopers shut down the toll road while it tried to clear the plane from the lanes. KVUE's Jessica Vess reports.

Police suspect alcohol after car crashes into home
A car slammed into a bedroom in Pflugerville Tuesday morning, causing a gas rupture and forcing the residents to evacuate. Investigators say a teen driver crashed through a fence and hit the house in the 1100 block of Pitcairn Drive. KVUE's Elise Hu reports.

Teen makes stop in Austin on historic flight
A 15-year-old California teen made a brief stop in Austin Tuesday on her way into what she hopes is a place in the record books. Kimberly Anyadike is hoping to become the youngest African-American female to fly a plane cross country. KVUE's Clara Tuma reports.

Firefighters battle fires from lightning strikes
The Austin Fire Department responded to several calls after lightning struck local buildings. One woman was inside her Southeast Austin house when it was hit. KVUE's Amy Johnston reports.

Plane makes highway landing in Williamson Co.
A plane made an emergency landing on a highway in Williamson County Tuesday morning. It happened just before 9 a.m. on State Highway 130, south of 79. DPS officials say the pilot told troopers she thought the problem was fuel-related. KVUE's Quita Culpepper reports.

First Forecast: Rain, lightning in Central Texas
KVUE Storm Team Meteorologist Meghan Danahey says lightning strikes associated with much-needed rain has caused problems across Central Texas.