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Texas shooting spree suspect asks to represent himself

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Texas shooting spree suspect asks to represent himself


On Friday morning, a man accused of a multi-county shooting rampage in December appeared in Travis County court for the first time. Shane James, Jr. asked the judge if he could represent himself after a disagreement with his attorneys.

James’ attorney, Russell Hunt, Jr., said this was an unexpected development that appears to have come within the past 24 hours. He said it was a terrible idea for James to represent himself.

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James walked into the 147th Travis County Criminal District Court looking significantly different from his mugshot from eight months ago.

Shane James, the man accused in December’s multi-county shooting spree, had his first Travis County court appearance on Friday, August 23.

“I want to represent myself,” James told the court. He says his attorneys, Michael Watson and Hunt, are doing things without his consent.

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“I asked them to work with me, through me, they would show me first what they were doing, and they said no,” James said.

“In terms of making decisions about what experts are going to be hired, what witnesses are interviewed, what records are interviewed, interacting with prosecutors, that’s all stuff the lawyers do and the lawyers don’t need to get clearance from the clients to approach the case in that way,” Hunt said.

Hunt said they requested James receive a mental competency check, and he refused.

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“I thought it was unnecessary, it’s unfounded, it’s baseless, there’s no reason for it and they told me that they don’t believe I’m competent,” James said.

“In cases where a person may be mentally incompetent, it’s not at all unusual for that person not to believe that they’re mentally incompetent, not to believe that they need any kind of psychiatric help. That’s not unusual,” James said.

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MORE ON THE TEXAS SHOOTING SPREE

Judge Clifford Brown told James if he wanted to represent himself, he would have to have a competency evaluation regardless.

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“What I’m going to suggest to you is that you work through your attorneys, and you speak with the expert psychologist that they have retained, and we can address that in the future,” Judge Brown said.

James currently faces four capital murder charges, two attempted capital murder charges, and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Travis County. He also faces two capital murder charges and three family violence misdemeanors in Bexar County. Police said James killed his parents in San Antonio before driving to Austin and killing four more people and injuring two police officers and a cyclist in December.

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“He’s in jail. He’s charged with terrible crimes. He does have a history of psychiatric disturbances,’ Hunt said. ‘The guy’s in a terrible spot, and he’s trying to do what he can to control his situation.”

If James is found incompetent, this case could be delayed for years until he receives treatment in the state hospital. Hunt said James’ refusal of the mental competency check isn’t delaying the case at this point because attorneys are still gathering evidence.

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James’ next hearing is set for October 10.



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Austin, TX

Arch Manning Shares Why He Is Staying With Texas

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Arch Manning Shares Why He Is Staying With Texas


Texas football has lost its fair share of players to the NFL draft and transfer portal over the past few weeks, dwindling the roster. Despite the loss of a few big names such as linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., safety Michael Taaffe and others, the Longhorns have held onto star quarterback Arch Manning.

While it was unlikely that Manning would enter the portal, there was some hype surrounding the possibility of the first-year starter entering the NFL Draft. Why did the young star decide to forego the pros? According to Manning, his journey at Texas isn’t quite finished.

Manning Wants to Continue His Development With Texas

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Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning keeps the ball and runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

“I felt like I developed a lot this year, especially towards the back half, and I want to keep it going,” Manning said, according to Inside Texas’s Evan Vieth. “There’s no reason to leave. I feel like I got a lot more football left to play, and excited to still be a part of this team.”

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Manning didn’t quite have the season that most fans and analysts envisioned for him, struggling at the start of the year. Despite these struggles, Manning went on to improve throughout the regular season, demonstrating why he is one of the nation’s top quarterback talents.

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At the start of the season, Manning’s accuracy and timing were a bit off. The offense as a whole seemed out of sync, and Texas was not looking like the powerhouse that was promised heading into the season.

Eventually, though, Manning found his stride, and more than just improving his stats, the Longhorn quarterback looked more comfortable. Eventually, the stat sheet reflected his improvements, posting 1,625 passing yards over the last six games of the season, alongside 16 total touchdowns.

Now, returning to Texas for what will likely be his last year in college before departing for the NFL, next season should be an exciting one for the Longhorns. Not only is Manning more experienced as the team’s top quarterback, but the wide receiving core will have developed as well.

Texas wide receivers had their struggles with drops this season, but showed improvements at some points throughout the year.

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Though it may be difficult to abstain from declaring for the draft, ultimately Manning made perhaps the best decision for his career and development. With another year to grow, by the time he enters the NFL, Manning will be much more experienced and likely better prepared.

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Manning will have one more chance to take the field this season in the upcoming Citrus Bowl, where Texas will take on the Michigan Wolverines on December 31.



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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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