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AUSTIN – A federal trial is set to begin Monday over claims that supporters of former President Donald Trump threatened and harassed a Biden-Harris campaign bus in Texas four years ago, disrupting the campaign on the last day of early voting.

Democrats on the bus said they feared for their lives as Trump supporters in dozens of trucks and cars nearly caused collisions, harassing their convoy for more than 90 minutes, hitting a Biden-Harris campaign staffer’s car and forcing the bus driver to repeatedly swerve for safety.

“For at least 90 minutes, defendants terrorized and menaced the driver and passengers,” the lawsuit alleges. “They played a madcap game of highway ‘chicken’ coming within three to four inches of the bus. They tried to run the bus off the road.”

The highway confrontation prompted an FBI investigation, which led then-President Trump to declare that in his opinion, “these patriots did nothing wrong.”

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Among those suing is former Texas state senator from Fort Worth and Democratic nominee for governor Wendy Davis, who was on the bus that day. Davis rose to prominence in 2013 with her 13-hour filibuster of an anti-abortion bill in the state Capitol. The other three plaintiffs are a campaign volunteer, staffer and the bus driver.

Videos of the confrontation on Oct. 30, 2020, that were shared on social media, including some recorded by the Trump supporters, show a group of cars and pickup trucks — many adorned with large Trump flags — riding alongside the campaign bus as it traveled on I-35 from San Antonio to Austin. The Trump supporters at times boxed in the bus, slowed it down, kept it from exiting the highway and repeatedly forced the bus driver to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision, the lawsuit says.

On the two previous days, Biden-Harris supporters were subjected to death threats, with some Trump supporters displaying weapons, according to the lawsuit. These threats in combination with the highway confrontation led Democrats to cancel an event later in the day.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified monetary damages, accuses the six defendants of violating the “Ku Klux Klan Act,” an 1871 federal law to stop political violence and intimidation tactics. It alleges the defendants were members of local groups near San Antonio that coordinated the confrontation.

The same law was used in part to indict Trump on federal election interference charges over attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Enacted by Congress during the Reconstruction Era, the law was created to protect Black men’s right to vote by prohibiting political violence.

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Francisco Canseco, an attorney for three of the defendants, said his clients acted lawfully and did not infringe on the free speech rights of those on the bus.

“It’s more of a constitutional issue,” Canseco said. “It’s more of who has the greater right to speak behind their candidate.”

Judge Robert Pitman, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, is set to preside over the trial. He denied the defendants’ pretrial motion for a summary judgment in their favor, ruling last month that the KKK Act prohibits the physical intimidation of people traveling to political rallies, even when racial bias isn’t a factor.

While one of the defendants, Eliazar Cisneros, argued his group had a First Amendment right to demonstrate support for their candidate, the judge wrote that “assaulting, intimidating, or imminently threatening others with force is not protected expression.”

“Just as the First Amendment does not protect a driver waving a political flag from running a red light, it does not protect Defendants from allegedly threatening Plaintiffs with reckless driving,” Pitman wrote.

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A prior lawsuit filed over the “Trump Train” alleged the San Marcos Police Department violated the Ku Klux Klan Act by failing to send a police escort after multiple 911 calls were made and a bus rider said his life was threatened. It accused officers of privately laughing and joking about the emergency calls. San Marcos settled the lawsuit in 2023 for $175,000 and a requirement that law enforcement get training on responding to political violence.



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Austin, TX

Celebrate Dental & Braces South Austin Expands Access to Affordable Family Dental Care and Invisalign for Austin Residents

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Celebrate Dental & Braces South Austin Expands Access to Affordable Family Dental Care and Invisalign for Austin Residents


Austin, TX , Dec. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Celebrate Dental & Braces South Austin is expanding access to affordable Invisalign and comprehensive family dental care for Austin residents through its South Congress location. As more families seek convenient and cost effective orthodontic and dental solutions the practice is responding by offering flexible treatment options designed to fit real life needs.

Celebrate Dental & Braces

With rising demand for clear aligner therapy and orthodontic transformations, Celebrate Dental & Braces South Austin is making it easier for patients to begin treatment without delay. The practice focuses on comfort, quality and long term oral health while emphasizing friendly, compassionate care for both children and adults.

Patients throughout South Austin and surrounding areas including South Congress, William Cannon, Buda, Circle C, and Del Valle benefit from a convenient location that offers general dentistry and orthodontics under one roof. This integrated approach reduces referrals, shortens treatment timelines and ensures continuity of care for the entire family.

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The South Austin location is led by Dr David Ensley and Dr Nazgol Gharbi who bring extensive experience and patient focused care to the community.

Dr David Ensley a board certified orthodontist in Austin explains that orthodontic treatment goes beyond straightening teeth. Proper orthodontic care can improve facial balance, jaw development and the natural resting position of the lips. According to Dr Ensley the most significant transformations often occur when treatment begins during childhood typically between the ages of 7 and 14. He encourages families to remember that a healthy smile is a beautiful smile and invites patients of all ages to schedule a free consultation to determine the most effective treatment plan.

To support access to orthodontic care Celebrate Dental & Braces South Austin is offering a free Invisalign consultation with Dr Ensley. Invisalign payment plans start at only $169 per month and braces are available starting at $160 per month. Most major insurance plans are accepted allowing patients to move forward with confidence.

Celebrate Dental & Braces is a multi location dental and orthodontic provider serving communities across Texas.
Celebrate Dental & Braces

Alongside orthodontic care Dr Nazgol Gharbi provides comprehensive dental services for adults and children. Dr Gharbi is a board certified dentist with more than 14 years of experience delivering gentle preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care. She emphasizes that preventive dentistry plays a key role in long term oral health and that consistent care helps patients avoid more complex issues in the future. By combining general dentistry and orthodontics in one location the practice helps families stay proactive about their oral health.

The South Austin office uses cutting edge, modern digital imaging and treatment planning technology to create precise personalized care plans for each patient. This approach supports accurate diagnosis, efficient treatment and improved patient comfort throughout the care process.

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Celebrate Dental & Braces South Austin has earned the trust of the community with over 700+ five star patient ratings and continues to be recognized as a trusted dental and orthodontic provider in Austin. The practice accepts most PPO insurance plans and Medicaid and remains committed to transparent pricing, flexible financing and compassionate care.

Austin residents interested in Invisalign braces or family dental services are encouraged to schedule a free orthodontic consultation or visit the South Congress location to learn more about available treatment options.

About Celebrate Dental & Braces

Celebrate Dental & Braces is a multi location dental and orthodontic provider serving communities across Texas. Known for patient centered care modern technology and accessible pricing the practice offers comprehensive dental and orthodontic services for patients of all ages with a focus on long term oral health and confident smiles.

Celebrate Dental & Braces also connects with the Austin community through its active presence on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook where the team shares educational and entertaining content focused on oral health awareness, smile care, and everyday dental tips for families.

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Media Contact

Muhammad Ibrahim Khan Turk

Celebrate Dental & Braces

ibrahim@celebratedental.com

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Austin, TX

Texas Battling Two Rivals for Highly Sought-After Offensive Tackle Recruit

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Texas Battling Two Rivals for Highly Sought-After Offensive Tackle Recruit


Four-star offensive tackle Brian Swanson has tallied 33 offers from Division I football programs, 11 of which have come from SEC schools.

Among the SEC schools who have extended him offers are the Texas Longhorns, along with their two biggest intraconference rivals: the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas A&M Aggies. 

As Swanson gets closer to making a decision, On3’s Sam Spiegelman has disclosed that these three schools have emerged as frontrunners.

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Who is Swanson?

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Trevor Goosby (74) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Swanson is a member of the class of 2027 at South Oak Cliff High School. 247Sports has ranked him as the No. 17 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 25 prospect in Texas.

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With a height of 6-foot-5 and a weight of 295 pounds, Swanson’s frame and skill level make him a key candidate for schools across the nation. 

However, as indicated earlier, it doesn’t seem as though Swanson feels the need to traverse the country to find his landing spot. 

Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M are all located relatively close to Swanson’s hometown, which could be part of the reason they have risen to the top of his list. They could also be top contenders due to their recent histories of success. 

The Sooners and Aggies both made their way into the 2025 College Football Playoff, and although they each lost in the first round, their appearances signified the impressiveness of each team’s season. 

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While the Longhorns didn’t make the cut this year, they made back-to-back semifinal appearances in 2023 and 2024. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and company look to climb back to where they were before and beyond, which will likely rely heavily on his ability to assemble elite recruiting classes.  

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Swanson could be a key aspect of their 2027 group. A recent 5A Division II state champion, Swanson knows what it’s like to help a team find postseason success. 

The only question that remains is which team will have the opportunity to utilize his talent at the collegiate level. The three schools already addressed, along with 30 other ones, are competing for his attention. 

He still has plenty of time to make his final selection, but the fact that the Longhorns are prominent contenders is a promising sign. Earning Swanson’s commitment over two rivals could mark a huge victory on the recruiting trail for Texas, especially as it looks to assert dominance within the region from a recruitment standpoint. 



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Austin, TX

Woman struck and killed by vehicle on Christmas Eve in South Austin

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Woman struck and killed by vehicle on Christmas Eve in South Austin


A woman died after being struck by a vehicle on Christmas Eve in South Austin.

Police officers responded to a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in the intersection of W. Slaughter Lane and Francia Trail on Dec. 24 at around 8:14 p.m.

ALSO| Police identify pedestrian killed in Christmas Eve collision in downtown Austin

The woman, who is yet to be identified, was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene, was not impaired, and is cooperating with the investigation.

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The collision is being investigated as Austin’s 93rd fatal crash of 2025, resulting in 97 fatalities.

The investigation is still pending.

Anyone with any information should contact APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.



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