Austin news

• Dozens attend wreath-laying ceremony at Texas State Cemetery

  18-12-2021 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dozens of people spent their Saturday morning participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Texas State Cemetery.
  The event was a part of a nationwide ceremony, where 3,200 wreaths were placed on the headstones of fallen service members.
  "I think the most important focus is that this is really a promise to all the veterans who see us doing that and their family members that we will always be remembering them," said Kristin Machamer, the co-location coordinator. "The most
  
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• NFL will not test vaccinated players for COVID-19 regularly

  18-12-2021 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Only unvaccinated players and those experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested, starting Sunday, under the NFL’s revised protocols.Also, higher risk players have until 2 p.m. Monday to send written notice if they choose to opt out, according to a memo sent to clubs on Saturday and obtained by The Associated Press. The players will not be paid and the notice is irrevocable.“Medical information strongly indicates that this variant is significantly m
  
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• From Diagon Alley to a life-sized gingerbread house, here are some niche holiday displays in Central Texas

  18-12-2021 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You've probably heard of the Trail of Lights and Peppermint Parkway, but if you're looking for a holiday display that doesn't require reservations and is a little more off the beaten path, we have the hookup.
  Here are a few ideas if you're looking for a niche Central Texas holiday display.
  Diagon Alley HouseJoel Pace, the man behind the Diagon Alley House, says the elaborate decor started as a way to cheer up his wife, who was going through cancer treatment and recovery in
  
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• KXAN Weather team shares what brings them joy this holiday season

  18-12-2021 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What brings you joy? That's the question we asked our KXAN First Warning Weather team one evening last month by Lake Austin. KXAN’s marketing department fully expected to stop and start recording to get the right promotional material for the station’s holiday campaign. However, once the cameras started rolling, the team’s natural warmth and comradery kicked in, and there was just no stopping them.The result was a campaign we like to call "Joy" that you've
  
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• Dead bat found in Cedar Park tests positive for rabies

  18-12-2021 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK (KXAN) — Cedar Park police are offering tips for pet owners after a dead bat tested positive for rabies.
  Cedar Park PD says the dead bat was found in the area of 715 Discovery Business Park. The bat tested positive for rabies on Dec. 18.COVID-19 test site opens at Lakeline Mall, other options availableAs of Saturday, the police department says there was no known direct human or animal contact with the bat. It's unclear how long the bat was in the area it was found in.
  Cedar Park
  
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• Watch out for these 5 early omicron symptoms, study says

  18-12-2021 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Wondering if you have a cold or the highly transmissible omicron variant of the coronavirus?Well, based on the top five symptoms according to the Zoe Covid Study, it might be hard to tell.The British symptom study utilized data uploaded to an app by residents of London, where omicron is spreading rapidly and is expected to be the dominant variant by Christmas, according to Professor Tim Spector, the study's lead scientist.Researchers looked at symptoms reported between Oct. 3-1
  
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• Here's how you can volunteer with APD's Operation Blue Santa

  18-12-2021 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is looking for volunteers Saturday to help deliver boxes of gifts to the families in the area.
  APD said approximately 15,000 children in the area will receive gifts this holiday season as a part of Operation Blue Santa.
  Volunteers are still needed at several Blue Santa locations. Those who are wishing to volunteer can arrive at the Austin Police Operation Blue Santa Headquarters at 4101 South Industrial Drive, Ste. 260 and let personnel know how
  
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• LIVE BLOG: South Oak Cliff takes 7-0 lead on Liberty Hill in 5A state title game

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Liberty Hill is one win away from completing its dream of becoming state champions. The Panthers are back in the state title game for the first time since 2018, facing South Oak Cliff Saturday in the 5A Division 2 game.After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers defeated Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40, and Crosby 42-14 to make it to the 5A Division II state championship game. How to watch 2021 Texas high school football stat
  
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• LIVE BLOG: South Oak Cliff retakes lead over Liberty Hill in 5A title game

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Liberty Hill is one win away from completing its dream of becoming state champions. The Panthers are back in the state title game for the first time since 2018, facing South Oak Cliff Saturday in the 5A Division 2 game.After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers defeated Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40, and Crosby 42-14 to make it to the 5A Division II state championship game. How to watch 2021 Texas high school football stat
  
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• LIVE BLOG: South Oak Cliff leads Liberty Hill in 5A state title game

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Liberty Hill is one win away from completing its dream of becoming state champions. The Panthers are back in the state title game for the first time since 2018, facing South Oak Cliff Saturday in the 5A Division 2 game.After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers defeated Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40, and Crosby 42-14 to make it to the 5A Division II state championship game. How to watch 2021 Texas high school football stat
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Liberty Hill strikes for 5A state title touchdown

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Liberty Hill is one win away from completing its dream of becoming state champions. The Panthers are back in the state title game for the first time since 2018, facing South Oak Cliff Saturday in the 5A Division 2 game.After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers defeated Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40, and Crosby 42-14 to make it to the 5A Division II state championship game. How to watch 2021 Texas high school football stat
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Liberty Hill fights back, tying 5A title game at halftime

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Liberty Hill is one win away from completing its dream of becoming state champions. The Panthers are back in the state title game for the first time since 2018, facing South Oak Cliff Saturday in the 5A Division 2 game.After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers defeated Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40, and Crosby 42-14 to make it to the 5A Division II state championship game. How to watch 2021 Texas high school football stat
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Liberty Hill fights back, tying 5A title game

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Liberty Hill is one win away from completing its dream of becoming state champions. The Panthers are back in the state title game for the first time since 2018, facing South Oak Cliff Saturday in the 5A Division 2 game.After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers defeated Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40, and Crosby 42-14 to make it to the 5A Division II state championship game. How to watch 2021 Texas high school football stat
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Liberty Hill falls short in 5A title game, South Oak Cliff wins first-ever championship

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Liberty Hill is one win away from completing its dream of becoming state champions. The Panthers are back in the state title game for the first time since 2018, facing South Oak Cliff Saturday in the 5A Division 2 game.After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers defeated Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40, and Crosby 42-14 to make it to the 5A Division II state championship game. How to watch 2021 Texas high school football stat
  
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• Liberty Hill falls short in 5A title game, South Oak Cliff wins first-ever championship

  18-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — Liberty Hill's dream season ended just short of a state championship. South Oak Cliff claimed the 5A Division 2 state championship with a 23-14 win. The Bears broke a 14-14 tie in the fourth quarter, scoring twice while shutting out the Panthers in the second half.South Oak Cliff is Dallas ISD's first football state champions since 1950. Dallas Carter won the state championship in 1988, but that title was stripped following an investigation that ruled Carter used
  
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• Breakthrough infections may create 'super immunity' to COVID-19, study suggests

  18-12-2021 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University say they’ve found evidence to suggest that breakthrough infections create “super immunity” to the virus that causes COVID-19.“You can’t get a better immune response than this,” senior author Fikadu Tafesse, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the OHSU School of Medicine, said in a news release. “These vaccines are very effective against severe disease. Our study suggests that individ
  
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• LIVE: Gov. Abbott debuts construction on border wall in south Texas

  18-12-2021 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (KXAN) — On Saturday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will hold an event to debut construction of a border wall in Rio Grande City.Abbott will be joined by several state officials, including General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush and Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw.We'll livestream the event in this story, at KXAN.com, on the official KXAN News Facebook page and in the KXAN News app.This is a developing story.
  
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• Gov. Abbott: 'Joe Biden facilitated' fentanyl deaths in U.S.

  18-12-2021 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (KXAN) — On Saturday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held an event in Rio Grande City to debut actions taken by the state to build a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. ‘Abbott Tax’: O’Rourke says Texans’ power bills rising as governor does nothing on gridDuring the event, Abbott once again laid blame for border conditions at the feet of Pres. Joe Biden and his administration."Texas is taking what truly is unprecedented by any state ever — fo
  
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• Gov. Abbott debuts construction on border wall in south Texas

  18-12-2021 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (KXAN) — On Saturday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will hold an event to debut construction of a border wall in Rio Grande City.Abbott will be joined by several state officials, including General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush and Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw.We'll livestream the event in this story, at KXAN.com, on the official KXAN News Facebook page and in the KXAN News app.This is a developing story.
  
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• Health experts worried about vaccine hesitancy heading into holidays, not just with COVID-19 vaccine

  18-12-2021 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you're planning to gather for the holidays, health experts are reminding that now is the time to get vaccinated not just for COVID-19, which has been making headlines, but for other transmittable diseases too.
  While much attention has been paid to the COVID-19 vaccine this year, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) is reminding that flu is also a threat, especially this year, and for infants, pertussis, or whooping cough is always a big concern.
  "Certainly, you need to make su
  
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• Major flight delays at Austin airport as holiday travel hits

  18-12-2021 16:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As peak holiday travel begins Saturday morning, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is already seeing some significant delays.As of 9 a.m., over 50 flights were delayed three arrival flights were cancelled, the ABIA Real-Time Arrivals and Departures shows. The airport says peak holiday travel happens between Dec. 17 and Jan. 4. Here’s what to expect if you’re flying through AUS this holiday seasonAccording to the ABIA checkpoint wait times, current estimates
  
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• Thousands without power Saturday morning as storms move over Austin

  18-12-2021 15:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy is reporting thousands of customers are without power Saturday morning, after a series of showers moved into the Austin area.The early morning rain is expected to give way to mid-day and evening cold temperatures and freezing winds. ‘Abbott Tax’: O’Rourke says Texans’ power bills rising as governor does nothing on gridAUSTIN ENERGY OUTAGE MAPThis is a developing story.
  
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• Thousands lose power Saturday morning as storms move over Austin

  18-12-2021 15:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy reported thousands of customers lost power Saturday morning, after a series of showers moved into the Austin area.Around 10 a.m., many customers were back online, according to Austin Energy's Outage Map. Around 200 customers were still without power.The early morning rain is expected to give way to mid-day and evening cold temperatures and freezing winds. ‘Abbott Tax’: O’Rourke says Texans’ power bills rising as governor does nothing on
  
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• 'Abbott Tax': O'Rourke says Texans' power bills rising as governor does nothing on grid

  18-12-2021 14:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke is calling out Gov. Greg Abbott once more — saying the governor is leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for fixing the state's energy grid."Many of you are already seeing rising utility bills," O'Rourke says. "In fact, the average Texas household, by the end of this winter, will see an increase in their utility bills of between $20 and $50 per month going forward."O'Rourke says Texans will pay the "tens of billions" it'll take
  
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• Stormy morning with a rapid temperature drop will bring sub-freezing wind chills to Central Texas

  18-12-2021 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For an unheard-of third time in a week, Camp Mabry's low temperature Friday dropped only to 71 degrees -- tying the all-time record for the warmest December low temperature in Austin history (records extend back to 1897).
  Austin is currently in the midst of its warmest December on record, with temperatures day and night running an unbelievable 10.4° above normal. Allergy count: Wind causes cedar pollen to spikeTemperatures in Austin this month are running more than 10 d
  
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• Storms continue for some with a rapid temperature drop underway

  18-12-2021 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Showers and storms brought widespread rain to the Metro and Eastern Counties with 1-3 inch rainfall amounts. Rain continues to fall, especially in our eastern counties.LCRA & Radar Estimated Rainfall TotalsRain chances for the rest of the morning will drop a bit and then rise as another batch of showers tries to push in from the west. Allergy count: Wind causes cedar pollen to spikeMorning stormsOur main round of storms will continue east of I-35 through the area over t
  
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• Rain continues a little longer as temperatures continue to drop

  18-12-2021 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Showers and storms brought widespread rain to the Metro and Eastern Counties with 1-3 inch rainfall amounts for most, although much less rain fell in the Hill Country.
  LCRA & Radar Estimated Rainfall TotalsNot done with the rain yetRain chances in the Metro and Hill Country will rise again for early afternoon and then gradually drop off mid-late afternoon.Rain chances rise again before falling Allergy count: Wind causes cedar pollen to spikeStorms that do develop could
  
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• Coldest high temps since February today with rain and some wintry mix returning later today

  18-12-2021 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An early morning round of light rain along with some spotty sleet and wet snowflakes continues to move through the area. The rain has already come and gone in Austin and the majority of Central Texas will be dry again by 8am.
  The rest of the day will be mostly cloudy and chilly with highs in the low 50s. This would make it our coldest high temperature since February 19th when we only reached the 40s in Austin.Wind chills today will briefly drop below freezing early this mor
  
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• Coldest high temps since February today with rain and some wintry mix returning by this evening

  18-12-2021 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An early morning widespread rain brought only a few hundredths of an inch to most of Central Texas before sunrise this morning. A few spotty showers remain possible through mid-afternoon before our next widespread rain arrives.The rest of the day will be mostly cloudy and chilly with highs in the low 50s. This would make it our coldest high temperature since February 19th when we only reached the 40s in Austin.Wind chills today will briefly drop below freezing early this mo
  
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• Chilly weekend to continue as second storm system brings back clouds, chance of rain

  18-12-2021 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Showers and storms brought widespread rain to the Metro and Eastern Counties with 1-3 inch rainfall amounts for many, although much less rain fell in the Hill Country. It was welcome and beneficial rain and drought conditions have been threatening to return to Central Texas.LCRA & Radar Estimated Rainfall TotalsNot done with the rain yetRain ended across the area Saturday, but another, rapidly approaching storm system will bring a chance of showers, and for some areas,
  
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• Another round of rain and storms arriving as temperatures continue dropping

  18-12-2021 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Showers and storms brought widespread rain to the Metro and Eastern Counties with 1-3 inch rainfall amounts for most, although much less rain fell in the Hill Country.
  LCRA & Radar Estimated Rainfall TotalsNot done with the rain yetRain chances in the Metro and Hill Country will rise again toward midday and then gradually drop off this afternoon.Rain chances rise again before falling Allergy count: Wind causes cedar pollen to spikeStorms that do develop could bring the
  
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• Grant-funded Austin Police operation leads to Riverside arrests

  18-12-2021 04:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The "Riverside Togetherness Grant" has led to multiple felony arrests in and around East Riverside Drive in southeast Austin. It was funded last year, but efforts are just recently ramping up.
  The Austin Police Department secured funding for the grant more than a year ago, but programs were held up due to staffing shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic. 2nd-highest year of past 5 for assaults, burglaries in West CampusThe initiative is two-fold, focusing both on community-poli
  
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• Travis County analyzes mental health care in area to pinpoint gaps

  18-12-2021 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County leaders are tackling the next steps in addressing mental health diversion programs in Central Texas. The goal is to help keep people experiencing a mental health crisis from landing in the criminal justice system and instead provide customized treatment.The next step in the roadmap to help address the problem in Travis County is happening at the University of Texas at Austin's Dell Medical School. Steve Strakowski, M.D. is working to lead the cha
  
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• CNN: Committee believes Rick Perry wrote text urging plan to undermine 2020 election

  18-12-2021 04:38 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (KXAN/CNN) — A committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol believes former Texas Gov. Rick Perry wrote a text pushing a plan to undermine voting results in three states a day after the 2020 election, according to an exclusive report from CNN released Friday.
  CNN reports the text was sent to Mark Meadows, who was the White House chief of staff at the time, and outlined an "AGRESSIVE (sic) STRATEGY" for three state legislatures to ignore voters and deliver their
  
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• Missing document investigation solved after HHSC files found to be in staff's possession

  18-12-2021 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a large amount of files containing state documents — and possibly sensitive health information for nursing home residents — were believed to be missing earlier this year, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission determined the records were never missing.
  A state employee of HHSC's regulatory division came to KXAN and shared their concerns, after getting an email in October alerting them to the missing files. The employee said they regularly deal with
  
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• Omicron could lead to worst COVID wave yet, UT researchers forecast

  18-12-2021 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As infectious disease specialists are learning more and more about the omicron variant of COVID-19, new research from the University of Texas-Austin is forecasting dark days ahead unless action is taken.UT's COVID-19 Modeling Consortium has been providing forecasts about case, hospitalization and mortality trends throughout the pandemic. Its latest study, released Thursday, projects a wave throughout the United States that will peak late January or early February with ca
  
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• Taylor ISD is seeing 'The Samsung Effect'

  18-12-2021 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN)— Taylor Independent School District superintendent Devin Padavil says there's a "Samsung Effect" on his campuses.
  "Students are asking about like, 'what kind of opportunities are there' and 'what fields can I go into to work for Samsung?'" he says.Trouble in Taylor, already: Roads vacated to Samsung cause concernPadavil spoke with KXAN at the Austin Business Journal’s 2021 Williamson County Growth Summit on Friday. ABJ is KXAN’s media partner.He says th
  
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• Texas QB Casey Thompson enters transfer portal

  18-12-2021 00:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas quarterback Casey Thompson has entered the transfer portal after starting 10 games and passing for 24 touchdowns this season.Longhorns late push gives them top-five recruiting classThompson is leaving after former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers transferred to Texas. Ewers was one of the top-rated players in the country coming out of high school near Dallas.
  Texas also signed quarterback Maalik Murphy of California.
  Thompson was the back up to Hudson Card for
  
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