Austin news

• Britney Spears freed after nearly 14-year conservatorship ends

  12-11-2021 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) —Britney is free. A Los Angeles judge on Friday ended the conservatorship that has controlled Britney Spears’ life and money for nearly 14 years.The decision capped a stunning five-month odyssey that saw Spears publicly demand the end of the conservatorship, hire her own attorney, have her father removed from power and finally win the freedom to make her own medical, financial and personal decisions for the first time since 2008. Why didn’t Britney Spears&rsquo
  
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• 9,000 restaurants have closed since March 2020, Texas Restaurant Association says

  12-11-2021 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With inflation expecting to persist into 2022, the restaurant industry is bracing for a tryingholiday season.EXPLAINER: Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease"Think about the last time you went to a grocery store, and you were like, 'wow, that seems high.' Well, restaurants are experiencing the same thing," said Melissa Stewart, senior executive director for the Texas Restaurant Association.
  This, as we've seen, is resulting in higher prices for customers as rest
  
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• Burn your bird? Yelp lists best Texas restaurants for Thanksgiving foods

  12-11-2021 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Picture this: You wake up at 4 a.m. to start cooking your famous annual turkey so it's ready in time for your mom's 1 p.m. Thanksgiving dinner. You wake up from an unregulated mid-afternoon nap to the sound of the Bears at Lions game and something burning.
  You did it, you burnt your bird. But you don't need to show up empty-handed.Yelp put together a list of "Best Places for Thanksgiving Food in Texas" and several Austin restaurants made the list.
  A spokesperson for Yelp said th
  
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• Kalahari celebrates 1 year: Did resort fulfill its deal with Round Rock?

  12-11-2021 23:14 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Kalahari Resort & Conventions, Round Rock's 351-acre, family-friendly resort, is celebrating one year of operations in the city Friday.
  The resort opened Nov. 12, 2020 at a time when COVID-19 cases were surging in Texas and large gatherings were considered unsafe.BACKGROUND: Kalahari Resort, complete with nation’s largest indoor water park, opens amid pandemicAt the time, capacity was limited to 3,000 people inside a place that can accommodate 7,000 to
  
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• Officers investigating suspicious death in southwest Austin

  12-11-2021 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a suspicious death in southwest Austin Friday afternoon.
  Police say the investigation is happening in the 6500 block of Aden Lane. That's near Escarpment Boulevard and Highway 45.
  APD is asking people to avoid the area. Officers are expected to give an update some time Friday.
  This is a developing story; check back with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Officers investigate suspicious death in SW Austin; EMS says 1 other injured

  12-11-2021 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a suspicious death in southwest Austin Friday afternoon. Another person was taken to the hospital.
  Police say the investigation is happening in the 6500 block of Aden Lane. That's near Escarpment Boulevard and Highway 45.
  Austin-Travis County EMS says its crews were called to the area at 1:48 p.m. Medics pronounced one adult dead at the scene and took another adult with critical, life-threatening injuries to the hospital.
  APD is
  
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• LIVE: Officers investigate suspicious death in SW Austin; EMS says 1 other injured

  12-11-2021 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a suspicious death in southwest Austin Friday afternoon. Another person was taken to the hospital.
  Police say the investigation is happening in the 6500 block of Aden Lane. That's near Escarpment Boulevard and Highway 45.
  Austin-Travis County EMS says its crews were called to the area at 1:48 p.m. Medics pronounced one adult dead at the scene and took another adult with critical, life-threatening injuries to the hospital.
  APD is
  
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• 1 found dead inside southwest Austin home, another taken to the hospital

  12-11-2021 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person was found dead inside a southwest Austin home Friday afternoon, and another was taken to the hospital, according to the Austin Police Department.
  Police say the APD Homicide Unit is investigating the incident, which is being treated as a suspicious death, in the 6500 block of Aden Lane. That's near Escarpment Boulevard and Highway 45.
  A 911 call was placed from the location around 1:49 p.m., APD says. Officers responded and found one person dead inside a residenc
  
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• Here's how you can name Hays CISD's newest elementary school

  12-11-2021 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Hays Consolidated Independent School District is seeking nominations for the district's 15th elementary school.
  The new elementary school, which was approved by voters in the 2021 bond, is scheduled to open in Aug. 2022. The district's Board of Trustees appointed a Naming Committee, which will make a recommendation to the board. The Hays CISD board will have the final decision on the school's name based on the recommendations as early as Jan. 2022. Travis County providi
  
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• Republican State Rep. John Cyrier from Lockhart is not seeking re-election

  12-11-2021 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  Representative John Cyrier, R-Lockhart, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election after serving four terms in the Texas House. “I am immensely proud of the work we have accomplished and believe the time is right to embark on new opportunities,” Cyrier said in a statement. Resolution to Texas school mask battle ‘could take months’ despite rulingCyrier represents District 17, which encompasses Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales, Karnes and Lee counties. He was first
  
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• Did you see these 'wave' clouds Friday? Here's what they are

  12-11-2021 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we often get photos of things people see in the sky that they find interesting. A strange light, a cloud shaped like an animal, you name it and we've seen it.(KXAN photo courtesy Greg Ward)But when we get more than a dozen photos of the same clouds to our KXAN ReportIt tipline, we go 'okay, this deserves its own story.'
  In the National Weather Service's Austin-area forecast discussion, they refer to the clouds as "wave clouds." We called to follow up and ask w
  
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• Boil water notice issued for all customers in Travis County Water District 10

  12-11-2021 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Everyone served by Travis County Water District 10 is being asked to boil water out of precaution Friday afternoon.
  The water district says this is due to a large water line break at its McConnell pump station on Friday morning. This caused a lot of customers to have low water pressure or to lose water entirely.TOP STORIES | Travis County Democratic Party sues man accused of vandalizing headquarters, setting it on fireThe leak has now been stopped, and repairs
  
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• Former Raiders head coach Gruden sues NFL, Goodell over 'forced resignation'

  12-11-2021 21:54 via kxan.com
  
  LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is suing the National Football League and its commissioner, Roger Goodell, over his resignation last month, a resignation he describes in court paperwork as "forced."The lawsuit, filed in Clark County District Court, claims the NFL and Goodell “through a malicious and orchestrated campaign… sought to destroy” Gruden’s reputation.Gruden resigned from the Raiders on Oct. 11 after emails surfaced showing he
  
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• Travis County providing COVID-19 vaccines to kids ages 5-11 — learn dates, times, locations here

  12-11-2021 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Starting Monday, Travis County will be providing COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 years old at its mobile vaccine clinics. This does not include the Travis County Expo Center location, the county says.Travis County takes ‘school-based approach’ to vaccinate young kids for COVID-19No appointments are needed, however, consent from a parent or guardian is required for kids under 18, and that parent or guardian must be present at the time of
  
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• Travis County Democratic Party sues man accused of vandalizing headquarters, setting it on fire

  12-11-2021 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Democratic Party filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against a man who faces charges in connection with setting the party's headquarters on fire in September.The party, along with its chair Katie Naranjo, executive director Cynthia Van Maanen and special projects manager Brian Stoller are all listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit that asks for at least $1 million in actual damages and at least $5 million in exemplary damages.Informant leads to man’s ar
  
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• Veterans explore 'outdoor therapy' to treat PTSD

  12-11-2021 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  CONROE, Texas (Nexstar) — Like many veterans, when Texas-native Cam Rojas returned from overseas, he was not the same person.
  When station in Afghanistan as a marine, Rojas had to watch one of his friends die from an explosive device they set off during an ambush. Rojas also suffered a spine injury from the impact of the explosion, which soon after forced him to medically retire."People tend to ask veterans, 'what is the hardest thing about the military?' and I think they're caught off gua
  
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• Turn Up The Heat This Holiday Season With The 2022 Hot Rescues Calendar

  12-11-2021 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  The 2022 Hot Rescues Calendar has been released just in time for the holidays so Dana Zamarripa, President of Hot Rescues and Photographer Zack Newtonjoined Steph and Rosie to share more.
  Hot Rescues is a fundraising calendar for pediatric burn survivor camp. Firefighters and their animals are featured in the calendar and all are from central Texas. This year there are seven departments represented. Calendars are $15 and can be ordered online or bought in person at one of our events. T
  
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• 'Fear the Walking Dead' ditches Central Texas for Georgia

  12-11-2021 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Post-apocalyptic drama, "Fear the Walking Dead," will move its production base to Georgia, the Austin Film Commission confirmed to KXAN.
  The AFC cited the competitive incentive process in surrounding states as a basis for the move.Incentives come from the state level, the AFC said. KXAN has reached out to the state film office, which directed us to Governor Greg Abbott's office. We have not heard back from the governor's office yet.The Austin Film Commission says Central Texas t
  
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• Making sure parents know the COVID-19 vaccine is available is critical, doctor says

  12-11-2021 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The White House says vaccinating kids against Covid-19 is off to a strong start with 900-thousand kids ages 5-11 years old getting their first dose of the vaccine already. "I think the challenge here is older children are only half vaccinated,” said Dr. Atul Grover the Executive Director at the Association of American Medical Colleges.Dr. Grover said health leaders need to make sure parents know the vaccine is available,  "we have to expl
  
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• Funerals announced for 2 Astroworld victims

  12-11-2021 18:32 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — Funeral arrangements have been set for two friends who were killed in a crowd surge at the Astroworld festival last week in Houston.Franco Patino, 21, and Jacob "Jake" Jurinek, 20, were among nine who died at the concert headlined and curated by Travis Scott. The men were childhood friends from Naperville, Illinois.
  Their funerals will be held on Nov. 20, the day of Jurinek's 21st birthday.Patino was described by his family as a charismatic, energetic l
  
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• 'Can't hardly afford to stay in it.' Ranchers pushed out as tech companies boost need for homes

  12-11-2021 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — As Central Texans watch the influx of large tech companies coming into town, property developers are preparing to build more homes.
  All of that development is pushing out one group of Central Texans who have been here the longest: ranchers. How Taylor, Williamson County are trying to win the coveted spot of Samsung’s next chip plant"It's difficult to let something go like this that's been in your family for many many years," said Glenn Patterson, a C
  
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• APD identifies motorcycle rider who died after south Austin collision

  12-11-2021 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police identified the person killed in a collision involving a motorcycle and a car Nov. 5 on South Congress Avenue.APD said Alexis Perez, 24, was riding a motorcycle in the 1100 block of S. Congress Ave. going northbound when a blue Kia was turning left. The Kia and Perez ran into each other in the intersection, APD said.Emergency personnel responded to the call at 7:32 p.m., and Perez was pronounced dead at 7:51 p.m., according to APD. They noted the driver of the
  
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• Westlake football hosts Hutto to kickoff state playoffs — how to watch live

  12-11-2021 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake begins its journey for a third straight 6A state championship Friday night at Chaparral Stadium with a first round matchup against Hutto High School. Westlake enters the postseason on a 34-game winning streak, dating back to the 2019 regular season.You can watch this UIL 6A state playoff game live Friday at 7:20 p.m. on KBVO-TV and KXAN.com. Texas high school football: 1st-round matchups, schedule for state playoffsThe Chaparrals, behind a dominant defense and 5-st
  
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• Westlake advances to 2nd round with 54-9 win over Hutto

  12-11-2021 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake begins its journey for a third straight 6A state championship Friday night at Chaparral Stadium with a first round matchup against Hutto High School. Westlake enters the postseason on a 34-game winning streak, dating back to the 2019 regular season.You can watch this UIL 6A state playoff game live Friday at 7:20 p.m. in this story and on KBVO-TV and KXAN.com — if you live within the Austin TV market. Texas high school football: 1st-round matchups, schedule fo
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Westlake football hosts Hutto to kickoff state playoffs

  12-11-2021 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake begins its journey for a third straight 6A state championship Friday night at Chaparral Stadium with a first round matchup against Hutto High School. Westlake enters the postseason on a 34-game winning streak, dating back to the 2019 regular season.You can watch this UIL 6A state playoff game live Friday at 7:20 p.m. in this story and on KBVO-TV and KXAN.com. Texas high school football: 1st-round matchups, schedule for state playoffsThe Chaparrals, behind a dominan
  
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• Love in a hurricane: UT researchers uncover happy relationships during disasters

  12-11-2021 15:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Is a natural disaster the best place to find love? Recent research conducted by the University of Texas took a closer look at Houston newlyweds to track their happiness levels over the first four years of their marriage.
  But in the middle of their research project — Hurricane Harvey.So how did the marriages hold up? They actually improved. Couples reported being happier. KXAN meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with the team at UT and learned more about their research and
  
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• Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir will not run for reelection

  12-11-2021 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After nearly 35 years as the Travis County Clerk, Dana DeBeauvoir said she's ready to "pass the baton."DeBeauvoir said Friday she won't run for reelection when her term ends in 2022. She did so a day before the filing period opens for candidates who want to run for county-wide office.
  "Because I am not planning to pursue another term as Travis County Clerk, I wanted to announce my plans before the filing period begins," she said in a press release. "I am hopeful that the tr
  
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• Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir says she won't run for reelection

  12-11-2021 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After nearly 35 years as the Travis County Clerk, Dana DeBeauvoir said she's ready to "pass the baton."DeBeauvoir said Friday she won't run for reelection when her term ends in 2022. She did so a day before the filing period opens for candidates who want to run for county-wide office."Because I am not planning to pursue another term as Travis County Clerk, I wanted to announce my plans before the filing period begins," she said in a press release. "I am hopeful that the tra
  
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• Road to state begins with 1st round of high school football playoffs

  12-11-2021 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The six-week journey to AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the state championship begins this week in high school football.Two-time defending state champ Westlake begins its quest for three titles in a row at home against Hutto. Rock Rock hosts Bowie after clinching a share of the district with a win over Vandegrift. Texas high school football: 1st-round matchups, schedule for state playoffsLBJ opens against La Vernia, aiming for a 4A-Division 1 state title. The Jaguars lost
  
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• Austin startup has big plans by offering free water to everyone

  12-11-2021 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — FreeWater launched earlier this year and offers eco-friendly water bottles and cartons. The company is able to provide free water because it uses the can and carton as advertising space. The company prints ads directly onto the cans and cartons.Through each beverage, the company donates 10 cents to an Austin-based nonprofit, Well Aware. The money will go to help build water wells for people who don't have access to clean water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  
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• Austin ISD unveils first draft of scorecard that evaluates district performance

  12-11-2021 13:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday night, Austin Independent School District's new scorecard was unveiled at the board education session.The scorecard will be used to evaluate district performance for the next four school years from 2021–2026. The scorecard focuses on the following district priorities:Student achievementStudent well-beingTeacher and employee well-being (financial, professional, physical and mental)Culture of respect and customer serviceFiscal stewardship and budge
  
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• ATCEMS to host 'send off' for nation's first standalone EMS station before remodeling

  12-11-2021 05:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The nation's first standalone EMS station is about to get a major remodel, and it's right here in Austin.Austin-Travis County EMS Station 1 opened on April 15, 1982 at a cost of $345,000, paid for by a bond package approved by voters in 1979.Since then, the station has housed multiple response vehicles, including ambulances, district command units, special operations units and rescue boats, and has been a "home away from home" for thousands of medics, according to ATCEMS.Co
  
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• NB US 183 to NB I-35 flyover to open Friday morning

  12-11-2021 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation plans to open a new flyover from northbound U.S. 183 to northbound Interstate 35 early Friday morning.The opening will take place at 5 a.m., according to the agency.‘Street rehabilitation’ work starts Monday on portion of 8th Street, expect lane closuresThis is the final flyover to open that's part of the I-35 from Rundberg Lane to U.S. 290 East project. The project added three new flyovers at the I-35/U.S. 183 interchange
  
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• Peppermint Parkway returning to Circuit of the Americas Nov. 26

  12-11-2021 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Now that Formula 1 is over, bring on the holiday lights and events!
  Peppermint Parkway, a drive-thru holiday experience, is set to return to Circuit of the Americas Nov. 26 - Dec. 26 with some new attractions.Tickets for Mozart’s annual holiday light show are now on saleNot only will guests get to see more than 6 million lights and live characters dance on Peppermint Parkway, they'll also get to experience rides, food trucks and a meet and greet with Santa.
  COTA is al
  
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• Peppermint Parkway makes return to Circuit of the Americas

  12-11-2021 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Now that Formula 1 is over, bring on the holiday lights and events!
  Peppermint Parkway, a drive-thru holiday experience, returns to Circuit of the Americas from Friday Nov. 26 - Dec. 26 with some new attractions.Tickets for Mozart’s annual holiday light show are now on saleNot only will guests get to see more than 6 million lights and live characters dance on Peppermint Parkway, they'll also get to experience rides, food trucks and a meet and greet with Santa.
  COTA is
  
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• Sarkisian tackles quarterback questions, Bo Davis' rant, provides injury update ahead of Kansas

  12-11-2021 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After nine games, it appears Texas has some of the same questions heading into its 10th game as it did to start the season.Most notably: Who will start at quarterback against Kansas."We're gonna decide on the quarterback tomorrow," Steve Sarkisian said on Thursday. "Both Casey and Hudson have have worked this week and perform well. Both guys will play in this game. So whichever one starts, the other one's gonna going to play in the game and we'll go from there."Card started the
  
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• Resolution to Texas school mask battle 'could take months' despite ruling

  12-11-2021 01:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A resolution to the ongoing battle over face coverings in Texas public schools "could take months" despite a federal ruling overturning Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates. Texas schools can again set their own face mask rules after federal judge overrules Gov. Abbott’s banKXAN spoke with Kym Davis Rogers, a litigation attorney with Disability Rights Texas, the group leading a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Rogers
  
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• Texas National Guardsmen face cuts to benefits as Operation Lone Star's surge to border continues

  12-11-2021 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The state has surged 2,500 Texas National Guardsmen to our southern border as part of Operation Lone Star, the governor's response to the surge of migrants crossing into our state over the last several months.
  The guardsmen are coordinating with law enforcement officials to mitigate the crisis, but Nexstar has received several complaints with guardsmen, detailing difficulties with exemptions and benefits.
  Guardsman Dustin Rhine said when he was called to head to the bord
  
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• Gulf Coast facing increasing risk for two hurricanes in two weeks as climate changes

  12-11-2021 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — A new study from Princeton University climatologists and engineers suggests that it's not just the increasing frequency of tropical cyclones that we should be concerned with, but how quickly some areas get hit by more than one.The study, published in the AGU journal Geophysical Research Letters, looked at "sequential landfall" where one area was hit with a tropical cyclone and then impacted again before rebuilding was complete. New Austin housing development built for sustainable
  
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