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The Latest Weapons In Austin's Abortion Battle? You Won't Believe It

Filipa Rodrigues for KUT News

Update, Saturday 11 a.m.: Pro-abortion-rights protesters say they don't believe the DPS statement about feces and urine, and the Texas Tribune couldn't find a single DPS officer who reported confiscating bodily fluids.

Update, 7 p.m.: Add bodily fluids to the list of unusual items abortion activists reportedly tried to sneak into the state Capitol today.

To be more specific: "..one jar suspected to contain urine, 18 jars suspected to contain feces, and three bottles suspected to contain paint."

That's according to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) press release which adds glitter and confetti to the list.
State troopers are searching bags of anyone trying to get into the public gallery. They're looking for items that could be thrown at the senators who are debating the high octane abortion bill on the floor below.
Earlier this afternoon social media went wild when troopers also confiscated tampons and feminine products.

Sen. Kirk Watson, an Austin Democrat, called that a "boneheaded" decision  and the troopers stopped.
Our original post:  

Yes, it's come to this.

Friday's Texas Senate debate over a tough abortion bill became a social media sensation -- after reports that security officers at the Capitol were confiscating tampons, along with coat hangers and other items, from people trying to enter the chamber.

Senate Democratic leader Kirk Watson of Austin called the confiscations "boneheaded" and "crazy," according to the Associated Press. And he said they'd been stopped

Our intrepid pals at KUT in Austin are following the debate (and the tampon controversy) here.

Rick Holter was KERA's vice president of news. He oversaw news coverage on all of KERA's platforms – radio, digital and television. Under his leadership, KERA News earned more than 200 local, regional and national awards, including the station's first two national Edward R. Murrow Awards. He and the KERA News staff were also part of NPR's Ebola-coverage team that won a George Foster Peabody Award, broadcasting's highest honor.
Former KERA staffer Shelley Kofler was news director, managing editor and senior reporter. She is an award-winning reporter and television producer who previously served as the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.