Austin news

• Trick or treat? CDC outlines COVID-friendly Halloween safety tips

  27-09-2021 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — No tricks here: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined new guidance for this year's Halloween festivities.CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said children should be able to safely go trick-or-treating this year, with some health recommendations. In an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation" Sunday, she said outdoor trick-or-treating options are the safest at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.“If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely,” she
  
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• Hiring ramps up at Tesla gigafactory, though experts say it's just the beginning

  27-09-2021 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Hiring efforts are ramping up for Tesla Inc.'s future vehicle manufacturing plant east of Austin.Tesla had nearly 315 job descriptions posted on its website by publication time, which is up several dozen compared with late last month. Each description likely represents more than one job opportunity, and the positions listed on Tesla's website fell into a wide range of categories, such as engineering, manufacturing, finance, human resources, design an
  
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• Homeland Security Secretary: 13K migrants from Del Rio have been conditionally allowed into US

  27-09-2021 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) -- As the Biden administration continues to take criticism for its handling of 15,000 migrants who were huddled under the Del Rio International Bridge for weeks, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told an online legal conference Monday that 13,000 migrants are having their asylum cases heard before a U.S. immigration judge.In response to a question from ABC News that cited Mayorkas as telling another network that 12,000 migrants -- mostly Haitians -- we
  
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• Man found dead at Round Rock hotel, police investigating as homicide

  27-09-2021 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Police in Round Rock are investigating a man's death, which took place early Saturday morning at a hotel, as a homicide.
  The Round Rock Police Department says at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a shots fired report at WoodSpring Suites (1950 North Interstate 35).
  When officers got there, they found 30-year-old Brandon Sims of Round Rock dead. No other injuries were reported, RRPD says.Round Rock Police investigate homicide. If you have any info
  
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• Tickets and parking for F1 US Grand Prix SOLD OUT

  27-09-2021 22:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over 360,000 people are expected to be at Circuit of the Americas for October's Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix — the race is officially a sell out.Tickets and all on-site parking passes for the Oct. 22-24 race weekend in Austin are sold out, according to a release sent Monday. Twenty One Pilots join Billy Joel as F1 concert headliners at COTAWith so many people expected around the track, officials are urging fans to lock in a transportation plan for the wee
  
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• Man found guilty, sentenced to life for 2017 Fayette County murder

  27-09-2021 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was found guilty last week of murdering a La Grange resident in 2017.
  The Fayette County Sheriff's Office says the trial for Dylan Nelson took place Monday through Friday of last week. Nelson was found guilty of the murder of Jeremy Cornwell, who was 43 at the time of the killing.BACKGROUND: Man found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in Fayette CountyNelson was sentenced to life and assessed a $10,000 fine by the jury, according to the sheriff's office
  
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• Worker shortage leads to changes in Austin ISD's student menus

  27-09-2021 22:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With numerous kitchen vacancies across Austin ISD's campuses, student lunches might look a bit different than what's being advertised on the menu.In an explainer posted late last week, AISD officials said there are nearly 100 open positions across campus kitchens. However, workforce shortages aren't limited to AISD. TRENDING NOW: Most employers are monitoring employees’ online activity. ‘Tattleware’ makes it worseOfficials acknowledged similar workforce shortag
  
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• What do people with disabilities want from Austin PD? Office of Police Oversight share findings from town hall

  27-09-2021 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin's Office of Police Oversight has released its findings from a May town hall gauging feelings about policing among people with disabilities — and has made recommendations for the Austin Police Department and city leaders as a result.The 196 responses collected for analysis point to reflect that people with disabilities in Austin feel more work is needed to develop trust in policing. The OPO is a local governmental agency that's independent of APD. He
  
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• After-hours club in downtown Austin closing temporarily after KXAN report

  27-09-2021 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bar the Austin Police Department says was operating illegally is temporarily shutting down.
  This comes after KXAN reported on Tellers Austin Friday. Police say the after-hours club on Trinity Street has attracted "numerous" violent crimes from assaults to robberies and even shootings.BACKGROUND: Austin Police reports ‘numerous’ violent crimes at downtown after-hours club APD records show 81 total crime reports connected to the bar's address since 2018.
  Th
  
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• R&B superstar R. Kelly convicted in sex trafficking trial

  27-09-2021 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly, the R&B superstar known for his anthem “I Believe I Can Fly,” was convicted Monday in a sex trafficking trial after decades of avoiding criminal responsibility for numerous allegations of misconduct with young women and children.A jury of seven men and five women found Kelly guilty of racketeering on their second day of deliberations.Deliberations first began on Friday at federal court in Brooklyn before the panel of seven men and five women t
  
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• Red River Showdown set for 11 a.m. kickoff at Cotton Bowl

  27-09-2021 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — The Longhorns and Sooners will take their customary spot in the Cotton Bowl for an 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday, Oct. 9 in the Red River Showdown, the schools and television networks announced Monday.ABC will televise the 117th meeting between Texas and OU. ‘Elephant in the room’: Steve Sarkisian, Longhorns won’t ignore past struggles against TCUThis will be Texas' third straight 11 a.m. kickoff of the season following up 11 a.m. games against Texas Tech and T
  
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• After another weekend shooting in downtown Austin, what's being done to make the area safer?

  27-09-2021 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following another shooting in downtown Austin's Entertainment District over the weekend, KXAN is looking into whether the city is on track to make safety changes council members called for earlier this year.According to the Austin Police Department, two people were hurt in a shooting at 500 East 7th Street early Sunday morning, close to an hour after bars closed. A 20-year-old, Jaylin Gibson, was arrested.Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday described the shootin
  
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• 'Elephant in the room': Steve Sarkisian, Longhorns won't ignore past struggles against TCU

  27-09-2021 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The challenges only get bigger as the college football season progresses. Texas knows the challenge it has ahead, traveling to Fort Worth to play TCU Saturday at 11 a.m.TCU enters this weekend's contest off a loss to SMU, but Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian knows the Horned Frogs will give Texas their best shot. The past decade of results says TCU's best is often good enough to beat Texas.POLL: Texas A&M drops, Baylor appears and Texas sits on outside of latest AP
  
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• Renewable energy costs continue to plummet — is it time to make the switch?

  27-09-2021 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — It's been nearly two months since the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has released their most recent climate report. The last one that came out in 2013 helped shed light on the changing climate around the world and helped establish the Paris Climate Accord.
  The findings from this most recent report have exceeded previous predictions that the climate crisis is here and more present than ever before. Warnings were issued in the report that cited if little to no acti
  
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• Wettest period of the month starts Tuesday

  27-09-2021 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After almost a week of fall-like weather, heat, humidity and clouds are returning to Central Texas this afternoon.Two separate storm systems are lined up to give much of the state of Texas rounds of rain and storms beginning late Tuesday. The first storm, currently centered out near the Four Corners, will spark a few showers and storms late in the day Tuesday. But Tuesday night into early Wednesday look to be the best chance for widespread rain and storms from a complex of
  
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• Rounds of rain and storms this week beginning tomorrow

  27-09-2021 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After almost a week of fall-like weather, heat, humidity and clouds are returning to Central Texas Monday.Two separate storm systems are lined up to give much of the state of Texas round of rain and storms beginning Tuesday. The first storm, centered out near the Four Corners, will spark a few showers and storms throughout the day Tuesday. But Tuesday night/early Wednesday look to be the best chance for widespread rain and storms.We get a bit of a break Wednesday afternoon
  
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• Watch: President Biden gets COVID-19 booster shot

  27-09-2021 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden is set to receive a COVID-19 booster shot Monday afternoon, days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine for all Americans 65 and older.
  U.S. health officials late Thursday endorsed the additional Pfizer jab for older Americans— along with tens of millions of younger people who are at higher risk from the coronavirus because of health conditions or their jobs.NewsNation will live st
  
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• 'Boosters are important': Biden gets COVID-19 booster shot

  27-09-2021 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden received a COVID-19 booster shot Monday afternoon, days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine for all Americans 65 and older.
  "Boosters are important," Biden said. "But the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated."Biden, 78, got his first shot on Dec. 21 and his second dose three weeks later, on Jan. 11, along with his wife, Jill Biden. It was not immediately cl
  
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• LIVE: Confederate monument relocation controversy continues in Caldwell County

  27-09-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — The debate over a Confederate monument in Lockhart, Texas, continues Monday as a Caldwell County group discusses its ongoing fight to remove a granite obelisk dedicated to soldiers of the Civil War in 1923. Caldwell County Confederate memorial will be relocated to museumThe monument is located near the county courthouse.
  Last summer, Caldwell County commissioners voted unanimously to remove and relocate the monument elsewhere. But a group of locals says the county
  
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• Confederate monument relocation controversy continues in Caldwell County

  27-09-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — The debate over a Confederate monument Lockhart, Texas, continues Monday as a Caldwell County group discusses its ongoing fight to remove a granite obelisk dedicated to soldiers of the Civil War in 1923. Caldwell County Confederate memorial will be relocated to museumThe monument is located near the county courthouse.
  Last summer, Caldwell County commissioners voted unanimously to remove and relocate the monument elsewhere. But a group of locals says the county lef
  
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• Advocates raise enough money to relocate controversial Confederate monument in Caldwell County

  27-09-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — The debate over a Confederate monument in Lockhart, Texas, continues Monday as a Caldwell County group discusses its ongoing fight to remove a granite obelisk dedicated to soldiers of the Civil War in 1923. The group announced on Monday that it had raised enough money for the relocation project.Caldwell County Confederate memorial will be relocated to museumThe monument is located near the county courthouse.
  Last summer, Caldwell County commissioners voted unanimou
  
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• Austin City Limits festival: Limited supply of tickets now available

  27-09-2021 17:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Limits Festival unlocked a limited supply of tickets Monday morning for its events coming up this weekend, Oct. 1-3 and next weekend Oct. 8-10 at Zilker Park in downtown Austin. Attending ACL? How to get to the festival and avoid parking nightmaresA one-day general admission ticket for either weekend costs $135 and goes up to $2,100 for upgraded packages. Three-day general admission tickets for either weekend cost $300 and go up to $4,000 for upgraded packages.A
  
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• Most employers are monitoring employees' online activity. 'Tattleware' makes it worse

  27-09-2021 17:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The thought of your boss checking in on you every minute just to make sure you're still working at your desk may sound like a nightmare scenario, but for many, it's their reality.This tool is already being used by employers all over the country with remote workers and is becoming more common as the pandemic drags on. Helping Austin’s homeless: Ground breaks at new state-sanctioned facilityIn fact, a survey from earlier this year found 78% of employers reported using employ
  
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• Austin space company expands tech footprint with satellite launch

  27-09-2021 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For one Austin-based company, its latest endeavor is, quite literally, out of this world.CesiumAstro builds and designs space communications technology, with specializations in active phased array technology. APA technology includes software-controlled systems where radio wave beams are electronically steered to communicate and transfer data back to their targeted destination.
  The company works with customers such as NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency
  
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• LIVE: Helping Austin's homeless: Ground breaks at new state-sanctioned facility

  27-09-2021 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Work is set to begin at the site of what's to become a community aimed at helping homeless Austinites transition off the street. The state-sanctioned site will be located at 780 State Highway 183 in south Austin.The Esperanza Community complex will be developed by The Other Ones Foundation, a nonprofit that works to give low-barrier work opportunities, case management and aid to the local homeless population. The facility will be able to temporarily house around 150 people,
  
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• Helping Austin's homeless: Ground breaks at new state-sanctioned facility

  27-09-2021 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Work is set to begin at the site of what's to become a community aimed at helping homeless Austinites transition off the street. The state-sanctioned site will be located at 780 State Highway 183 in south Austin.The Esperanza Community complex will be developed by The Other Ones Foundation, a nonprofit that works to give low-barrier work opportunities, case management and aid to the local homeless population. The facility will be able to temporarily house around 150 people,
  
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• Texas' 2 new congressional districts added to Austin and Houston in proposed redistricting map

  27-09-2021 17:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas lawmakers on Monday released their first draft of a new congressional map for the next decade that includes two new districts in Austin and Houston — metropolitan areas with diverse populations which fueled much of the state's population growth over the past 10 years.While many incumbents appear safe in these maps, others were drawn into districts that overlap with one another — for example the proposed map pits Houston Republican Rep. D
  
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• CapMetro offers free rides, needs bus drivers in Austin

  27-09-2021 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Capital Metro announced last Friday that all their bus fares in Austin will be free throughout October. It's happening as the agency struggles with staff shortages amidst the pandemic.
  Earlier this month, the agency adjusted several routes to deal with this shortage. The agency is primarily looking to hire bus operators and mechanics, plus they're offering a $3,500 hiring bonus. We spoke to the agency about these jobs and how they help set up employees for management roles.
  
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• City of Austin launches $2.5M grant fund to support local artists

  27-09-2021 14:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local artists who are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic can look forward to new funding option.The City of Austin will launch The Live Music Fund next month — it'll provide about $2.5 million worth of resources intended to help local artists create music festivals and events.The program prioritizes opportunities for historically underserved groups, including racial and ethnic minorities and members of LGBTQIA, female-identifying and disability communities.
  "
  
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• Man dies after shooting in east Austin

  27-09-2021 10:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are investigating the death of a man in east Austin. Police say they found the man shot after midnight Monday morning.A 911 caller said a man was shot on Garcreek Circle, near the intersection of Loyola and Decker Lanes, close to the Travis County Expo Center.
  Police and paramedics tried to save the man but pronounced him dead at the scene.Police had no information about any possible suspects.
  
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• Pedestrian dies after being hit on southbound I-35 near Parmer Lane

  27-09-2021 06:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pedestrian died late Sunday night after being hit by a car on the main lanes of southbound Interstate 35 near Parmer Lane.
  Austin-Travis County EMS responded to 12200 N. I-35 southbound just after 11 p.m.
  Austin police confirmed witnesses said someone was walking on the interstate before the man was hit.
  The interstate's main lanes will be shut down for several hours as law enforcement investigates.
  The driver did stay on the scene, according to APD.ATCEMS says it respond
  
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• Move over, calculator: These apps solve math problems by taking a picture

  27-09-2021 06:35 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) - Have you ever tried typing a complex equation into Google for the answer? It can be a challenge.These apps solve math problems - and explain the process - just by taking a picture!SnapchatSnapchat has long had the ability to help solve math problems, but now the feature is front and center."It’s all about making the camera feel more magical," said Eva Zhan of Snap.SnapchatJust open the app and hold your phone over a math problem, then tap the new "scan" icon, which is located unde
  
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• Investigators probe deadly Amtrak derailment in Montana

  27-09-2021 06:16 via kxan.com
  
  JOPLIN, Mont. (AP) — A team of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board was at the site of an Amtrak derailment in north-central Montana that killed three people and left seven hospitalized Sunday, officials said.The westbound Empire Builderwas en route from Chicago to Seattle when it left the tracks about 4 p.m. Saturday near Joplin, a town of about 200.Trevor Fossen was first on the scene. The Joplin resident was on a dirt road nearing the tracks Saturday when he saw &
  
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• Austin FC snaps month-long losing streak with 2-0 win in national spotlight

  27-09-2021 06:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC won't go through the month of September without earning a point in the Major League Soccer standings.Verde shined bright on the national stage Sunday night, defeating LA Galaxy 2-0 at Q2 Stadium behind two second-half goals. A pair of 21-year-old recent arrivals snagged the goals for Austin. Austin FC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Selena tifoThis is Austin's first win and points since the 3-1 victory Aug. 21 at home against Portland. Austin had lost five
  
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• Georgetown petition nears 15,000 signatures, supporting change after pet resort fire

  27-09-2021 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — One week later, hearts are still aching after dozens of dogs lost their lives in the Ponderosa Pet Resort fire.Now, close to 15,000 neighbors have signed a petition, supporting change that could prevent something like this from happening again. Memorial built after at least 75 pets killed in Central Texas boarding facility fireOn Sunday, it was with heavy hearts that Don and Pam Richards visited the growing memorial outside of Ponderosa's fence.There are flowers,
  
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• Austin FC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Selena tifo

  27-09-2021 05:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC celebrated Selena and Hispanic Heritage Month Sunday night with its tifo before kickoff against LA Galaxy. Final Whistle ATX: Adrian Healey returns to break down Austin FC’s ‘craziest game of the year’Raised in front of the supporters section at Q2 Stadium, the banner showed Selena dressed in green with the text — "Somos del equipo de la 512". The tifo is a traditional banner that is common to soccer and has a connection to the club and its
  
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• Former Longhorns Spieth, Scheffler help Americans to dominant Ryder Cup win

  27-09-2021 03:51 via kxan.com
  
  SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — The Americans won back the Ryder Cup and perhaps a whole lot more Sunday, sending a strong message with their youngest team by giving Europe its worst loss ever.They never lost a session. They rode the experience of Dustin Johnson, who won all five of his matches and leaned on six Ryder Cup newcomers who combined for a 14-4-3 record. POLL: Texas A&M drops, Baylor appears and Texas sits on outside of latest AP pollDaniel Berger won the final hole in the final matc
  
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• 3 keys to a Dallas Cowboys win against Philadelphia

  27-09-2021 03:20 via kxan.com
  
  FRISCO, Texas (Silver Star Nation) — The Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles in their home opener at AT&T Stadium Monday night. This will be quarterback Dak Prescott's first home game since his ankle injury in October 2020 that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.America's Team is coming off a narrow win against the Chargers, thanks to a last second field goal from kicker Greg Zuerlein last week.WATCH: Dallas Cowboys win on last-second field goal against ChargersInjuries and
  
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• Utah football player from Texas killed in shooting at party

  27-09-2021 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KTVX) - Aaron Lowe, a 21-year-old football player at the University of Utah, was killed in a house party shooting early Sunday morning. Another person, an unidentified woman, is in critical condition.Salt Lake City Police say the shooting happened around midnight. Police were still searching for the suspect Sunday morning.Lowe was in his third season with the University of Utah’s football team. Lowe was the first recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, an awa
  
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• POLL: Texas A&M drops, Baylor appears and Texas sits on outside of latest AP poll

  27-09-2021 00:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) — The Baylor Bears enter this week's Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season after a 31-29 win over Iowa State Saturday.Baylor is No. 21, starting the season undefeated with two wins in the Big 12. Oklahoma State also entered the polls at No. 19 after a 31-20 win over Kansas State. Oklahoma dropped two spots to No. 6 after a close win against West Virginia. What Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said after blowout win against Texas TechThe Longhorns scored 70 poin
  
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