American Scene

Two killed in scaffold collapse

AUSTIN — Two workers fell to their deaths after scaffolding collapsed at a construction project in Austin, fire officials said.

Battalion Chief Harry Evans said another man was hospitalized but the extent of his injuries was not known.

The collapse happened Wednesday afternoon at a residential building near the University of Texas. Chief Evans said the cause was not known.

The two workers who died fell between 11 and 13 floors. The third worker fell onto a roof structure that was about seven floors below the scaffolding.

A fourth worker was injured but not taken to the hospital.

UTAH

Two dozen indicted in artifact theft

SALT LAKE CITY — Two dozen people have been indicted in a sweeping federal investigation into ancient artifacts stolen from public and Indian lands in the Southwest’s Four Corners area, federal authorities said.

The federal indictments unsealed Wednesday accuse the people of stealing, receiving or trying to sell artifacts including bowls, stone pipes, sandals, arrowheads, jars, hair ornaments, necklaces and other items.

Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Utah, said the men and women were arrested Wednesday after an investigation that lasted more than two years.

The indictments say the crimes took place in 2007 and 2008. Dozens of items, many valued at more than $1,000, are listed in the court documents.

Charges include trafficking in stolen artifacts and theft of government or tribal property.

• From wire dispatches and staff reports