Austin news

• Record number of Texans admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 in the past day

  12-01-2022 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 2,000 Texans were admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 on Tuesday, a new record high for the state.Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows 2,004 people were admitted to the hospital with the virus on Jan. 11. DSHS officially defines COVID-19 hospital admissions as "the total number of patents admitted to Texas hospitals... who tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of admission." Testing positive for COVID-19 in the hospital: Does it coun
  
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• Nonprofit pushed out of Manor due to unaffordability

  12-01-2022 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — A local non-profit built from the ground up in Manor says it's been pushed out due to affordability issues.
  The Hoofbeat Academy serves differently abled students through horse therapy. Hoofbeats Academy's mission is to enhance quality of life for children and adults with disability by providing adaptive horsemanship and therapeutic riding services."We call it a place to be, belong and become," said Meshelle Rives, owner of Hoofbeats Academy.
  Hoofbeats Academy student
  
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• Record high temperatures in jeopardy at the end of the week

  12-01-2022 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gorgeous sunshine returned today with highs in the middle 60s. Afternoon highs keep warming through the work week ahead of a strong, windy weekend cold front.Continued sunshine courtesy of a high pressure system to our west and northwesterly flow aloft, plus a warm southwesterly wind direction, will warm daytime highs into the 70s on Thursday and near 80 degrees on Friday. Camp Mabry's record high Friday stands at 79 degrees -- a record that may be in jeopardy.We are tracki
  
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• Austin pizza spot Via 313 responds to employee protest 'untruths'

  12-01-2022 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-based pizza restaurant Via 313 is responding to what it says are "untruths" currently circulating about recent employee protests. The comments come after several employees protested over the weekend — after they say staff members were suspended amid COVID-19 safety concerns. Pizza protest: Via 313 workers say Austin eatery endangering healthEmployees say the suspensions happened after 46 workers signed a petition requesting increased COVID-19 safety and paid si
  
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• Travis County searching for info on man found dead in car

  12-01-2022 22:07 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials are asking for the public's help after a man was found dead in his car on Sunday in southeast Travis County.
  The Travis County Sheriff's Office said that Alan Sneddon, 58, was found dead in his car, blocking a private driveway in the 7900 block of Linden Road on Jan. 9.Previous story: Travis County deputies investigating after man found dead in car SundayA caller reported to 911 that Sneddon was face down and not moving.
  The medical examiner said Sne
  
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• Austin Rowing Club's new home search continues as Project Connect advances

  12-01-2022 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since 1981, the Austin Rowing Club has connected Austinites with water-based sports and recreation activities, operating along the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Its reach includes collaborating with more than 40 community partners, with specific programming catered toward veterans, children, low-income residents and those with health complications.How the next 40 years looks remains to be seen, ARC executive director Kevin Reinis said, as Project Connect's blue line is set to r
  
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• Discipline for Sen. Eckhardt's 'pussyhat,' Abbott disability comments overruled

  12-01-2022 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After being formally slapped on the wrist for comments made about Gov. Greg Abbott's disability in 2019 and wearing a pink "pussyhat" in Travis County Commissioners Court in 2017, now-Senator Sarah Eckhardt has been cleared of sanctions placed on her by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct.A special court of review found that the commission disciplining Eckhardt for the two incidents was an overstep, and overturned the sanction of "public admonition," essentially
  
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• How long do omicron symptoms last?

  12-01-2022 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – While the omicron variant is infecting more people than COVID-19 ever has in the U.S., most people who catch the virus are experiencing pretty mild symptoms and avoiding hospitalization, especially those who are fully vaccinated and boosted. But just like with the variants that came before it, how long omicron symptoms last varies from person to person.
  "Those with a mild case of COVID-19 usually recover within one to two weeks," said Dr. Lisa Maragakis in an article for J
  
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• Large structure under north Austin overpass highlights hidden homeless population

  12-01-2022 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After the homeless camping ban went into effect in 2021, many people experiencing homelessness moved out from under the highways and overpasses, but a recent video of a structure under a north Austin overpass shows some people are getting crafty.Video on social media showed the structure near Braker Lane and MoPac Expressway. It has wood floors, a storage area for bikes and other supplies, it also has a large living area.Homeless advocacy and outreach groups like "We Can No
  
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• Warmer sunshine through the week

  12-01-2022 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — .Today will be our transition day as milder temperatures and drier air filter in over the area. Afternoon highs will climb to seasonal averages (if not, even a few degrees warmer) under a mainly sunny sky. And despite the continuation of chilly overnight lows, afternoon temperatures will continue to warm late week with 70s expected Thursday & Friday.Blog: How did it sleet with temperatures above freezing?IN-DEPTH: Friday's high temperature is forecast to come within two
  
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• We are almost through the coldest time of the year

  12-01-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Climatologically speaking, the coldest time of the year for Austin, TX is January 2nd through January 14th. During this time period our average high temperature is 62 degrees and our average low temperature is 41. Starting January 15th our average temperatures warm slightly and by the end of the month on the 31st our average high climbs to 64 degrees and our average low up to 43 degrees. This doesn't mean we won't see frigid days (there still will be plenty) it just means o
  
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• Quiz: Do you know who's running for Texas governor?

  12-01-2022 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott officially announced over the weekend that he'll be running to keep his role as the leader of Texas. He joins a pool of 12 people who have already thrown their names in the hat to take his job.Brian Smith, a professor of political science at St. Edward’s University, says the number of people running for Texas governor this year is comparable to what we've seen in years past. He says many people promise themselves they'll run for that role — and
  
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• Doctor says CDC COVID-19 guidance is 'confusing,' recommends longer isolation period

  12-01-2022 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — There is still confusion over how long you should stay home if you are sick with COVID-19.
  The advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to isolate for the first five days if you have COVID-19. If a person is asymptomatic or their symptoms resolve within those five days, the CDC says the person can return to work or school without re-taking a COVID-19 test but should wear a mask for another five days.Need a COVID-19 test in Austin? Here’s an updated
  
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• Meals on Wheels Central Texas continues modified delivery schedule amid COVID-19 surge

  12-01-2022 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Central Texas, Meals on Wheels Central Texas said it will continue with a modified delivery schedule as a safeguard.
  Meals on Wheels was set to return to daily delivery of meals on Jan. 24, but instead will continue with the delivery of three weeks' worth of meals on Jan. 28.Stop using these: FDA warns some COVID-19 tests could be giving false results"Throughout the pandemic, our goal has remained unchanged: provide nutritious mea
  
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• Stop using these: FDA warns some COVID-19 tests could be giving false results

  12-01-2022 18:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking people to stop using LuSys Laboratories COVID-19 tests because they have not been approved by the FDA and "there is likely a high risk of false results."
  The FDA reports tests may also come under the name Luscient Diagnostics, Vivera Pharmaceuticals or EagleDx. The FDA believes that these tests were distributed for use in laboratories and for at-home testing. Need a COVID-19 test in Austin? Here’s an updated listKXAN has chec
  
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• Need a COVID-19 test in Austin? Here's an updated list

  12-01-2022 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin-Travis County sees a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases, testing sites are continuing to see high demand, including national pharmacies and local companies that opened as a product of the pandemic.
  Here are some options if you need a COVID-19 test in Austin right now.Nomi HealthNomi Health has shifted from the Long Center to the Toney Burger Athletic Complex. That pop-up, drive-thru testing site is open from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The site offers
  
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• USWNT will train in Austin prior to domestic-only 2022 season

  12-01-2022 17:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team is calling Austin home for its January training camp to prepare for 2022.The reigning World Cup champions will practice at Austin FC's St. David's Performance Center in north Austin on Jan. 19-28, the second time the team has used the Austin venue. The team was part of the first-ever match at Q2 Stadium on June 16, 2021 when it beat Nigeria 2-0 in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd of 20,000-plus fans. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: US women win 2-
  
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• USWNT will train in Austin prior to 2022 season

  12-01-2022 17:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team is calling Austin home for its January training camp to prepare for 2022.The reigning World Cup champions will practice at Austin FC's St. David's Performance Center in north Austin on Jan. 19-28, the second time the team has used the Austin venue. The team was part of the first-ever match at Q2 Stadium on June 16, 2021 when it beat Nigeria 2-0 in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd of 20,000-plus fans. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: US women win 2-
  
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• Austin Animal Center starts Sunday closures Jan. 23

  12-01-2022 15:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Due to staffing issues brought on by COVID-19, the Austin Animal Center said it will temporarily close to the public on Sundays.In a press release Tuesday, city officials said the animal center is having trouble filling open positions and too many people are calling out sick as COVID-19 surges through Austin and the rest of the country. Akins High School incidents prompt AISD safety, security policy reviewThe temporary Sunday closures will start Jan. 23. Staff and volunteer
  
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• Older Austinites need your help to survive the next winter storm

  12-01-2022 14:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly a year after the area's historic winter storm, many are still dealing with the trauma. That includes many older people in our community. Ahead of the next storm, the Aging Services Council of Central Texas is asking for your help to build emergency survival kits for older people in our area.
  "I've been in nonprofit for 20 years and that event was probably one of the most traumatizing I've experienced," said Stephanie Lane, executive director of Drive a Senior-ATX and
  
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• UT researcher: Austin rent spike to hit struggling families even harder

  12-01-2022 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New data shows a continued increase in rent prices for Austinites.
  New numbers from ApartmentData.com show apartment rents in the Austin area went up about 25% between December 2020 and December 2021, as reported by KXAN's media partners at the Austin Business Journal.
  It's what drove Tony Baker and his wife and daughter out of their apartment near the UT campus.
  "We had planned to stay at least another year, maybe a bit longer, while we were saving up for a house and decid
  
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• Austin ISD discusses school safety, security following Akins High School incidents

  12-01-2022 13:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just a week after students return to class from winter break, the Austin Independent School District is reviewing its safety and security protocols.At the School Safety and Security Committee meeting on Tuesday, district officials went over how they assess threats on campuses and reviewed two incidents at Akins Early College High School from last fall.SAVE OUR STUDENTS: Student threat assessment expands to all Texas school districts
  A representative from AISD police sa
  
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• Akins High School incidents prompt AISD safety, security policy review

  12-01-2022 13:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just a week after students return to class from winter break, the Austin Independent School District is reviewing its safety and security protocols.At the School Safety and Security Committee meeting on Tuesday, district officials went over how they assess threats on campuses and reviewed two incidents at Akins Early College High School from last fall.SAVE OUR STUDENTS: Student threat assessment expands to all Texas school districts
  A representative from AISD police sa
  
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• AISD reviews Akins HS incidents, works to update security policies

  12-01-2022 13:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just a week after students return to class from winter break, the Austin Independent School District is reviewing its safety and security protocols.At the School Safety and Security Committee meeting on Tuesday, district officials went over how they assess threats on campuses and reviewed two incidents at Akins Early College High School from last fall.SAVE OUR STUDENTS: Student threat assessment expands to all Texas school districts
  A representative from AISD police sa
  
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• Warmer temps, sunshine mid- to late week

  12-01-2022 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Now that the cool temperatures, rain and sleet are behind us, we can look forward to more comfortable weather for the rest of the work week.Blog: How did it sleet with temperatures above freezing?Today will be our transition day as milder temperatures, fewer clouds and drier air filter in over the area. Afternoon highs will climb to seasonal averages (if not, even a few degrees warmer) under a mainly sunny sky. And despite the continuation of chilly overnight lows, afternoo
  
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• MLS SuperDraft: Meet Austin FC's newest players

  12-01-2022 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC went heavy on defense, focusing two of its three picks in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft on defensemen.Austin FC selected defender Kipp Keller with the fifth overall pick, defender Charlie Asensio with the 35th overall pick, and midfielder Michael Knapp with the 61st overall pick Tuesday. NEXT: Austin FC makes surprising move to loan designated playerVerde's two highest picks, Keller and Asensio, are being pulled from the college ranks. Keller from Saint Louis University
  
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• 3 keys to Texas' Red River Showdown win over Oklahoma

  12-01-2022 05:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns showed their toughness in a Red River Showdown win over Oklahoma Tuesday night.Texas (13-3, 3-1) smothered the Sooners on the defensive side of the court just four days after Longhorns head coach Chris Beard called out his team's toughness in a loss to Oklahoma State. Texas forced 17 Oklahoma turnovers, earning a comfortable 66-52 win at the Frank Erwin Center.Fourteen points is Texas' largest win over Oklahoma (12-4, 2-2) in the last 10 seasons. The Lon
  
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• Austin children's museum closing for 10 days due to staff COVID-19 cases

  12-01-2022 04:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin children's museum is closing for more than a week starting Wednesday due to breakthrough COVID-19 cases among staff.
  Thinkery announced Tuesday it will be canceling all general admission sessions from Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 21.COVID CANCELATIONS: Austin’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day march canceled due to surge in COVID-19 casesThinkery said several museum team members caught breakthrough COVID-19 cases or had a close exposure to the virus. Because of
  
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• Warmer sunshine returns Wednesday following sleet and light rain

  12-01-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday brought January's sixth cooler than average day with highs only in the 40s to near 50 degrees, along with scattered light rain and sleet.The weather setup that led to sleet mixing with the rain was quite rare, and very different than how sleet typically forms:Blog: How did it sleet with temperatures above freezing?Light to moderate rain showers produced by this system dropped generally meager rainfall totals, but some areas were able to squeeze out more than 1/2".
  
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• Texas Tech upsets No. 1 Baylor, snapping Bears' 21-game win streak

  12-01-2022 04:09 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech ended No. 1 Baylor's nation-best winning streak at 21 games, getting 12 points and a key 3-pointer from Kevin McCullar in a 65-62 win over the Bears on Tuesday night.The 19th-ranked Red Raiders (12-3, 2-1 Big 12) had their biggest lead at 59-52 when McCullar hit the 3 from the left corner in front of their bench with 2:39 left, and they held on for their second consecutive victory over a top-10 team. Super Bowl betting odds: Which team is favored to win it all
  
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• 20 people relocated from north Austin encampment to transitional housing

  12-01-2022 03:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin announced Tuesday 20 people were moved from a north Austin homeless encampment to a transitional housing shelter.
  The encampment was located at St. Johns and North I-35 Service Road. The people were relocated to the Southbridge shelter near Interstate 35 and Oltorf Street in south Austin. The shelter, formerly a Rodeway Inn, accepted its first guests back in June 2021.PHOTOS: Here’s what it looks like to move an Austin homeless campThe city also has
  
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• Warmer sunshine returns Wednesday following sleet event

  12-01-2022 03:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A weak storm system passing overhead today led to gray skies, light rain showers and even sleet pellets in some areas.The National Weather Service reported sleet pellets in a handful of communities, from North Austin to the Hill Country, but surface temperatures well above freezing meant the ice pellets melted immediately on contact, and did not accumulate nor affect roadway conditions.The weather setup that led to sleet today was quite rare, and very different than how sle
  
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• Rice and 15 other universities accused of conspiring to limit financial aid

  12-01-2022 02:34 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (Texas Tribune) — A federal lawsuit filed in Illinois over the weekend accuses 16 private universities — including Rice University in Houston — of using a shared formula to calculate the financial needs of student applicants in a way that unfairly limits aid to students who need it.The lawsuit's plaintiffs are five former students from some of those schools who say the universities are violating antitrust laws, which prohibit competitors from conspiring to set prices. C
  
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• Austin ISD to limit capacity at indoor athletic events, games

  12-01-2022 02:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District is limiting capacity for indoor athletic events and requiring masks for anyone not participating in athletic activity, the district said in a release Tuesday.Two people per player will be allowed to attend games and activities, AISD said in response to Austin-Travis County moving back to Stage 5 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines. WATCH LIVE: Hutto basketball hosts district showdown against Stony PointAthletes are required to wear m
  
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• TxDOT releases updated I-35 plans, but some say it won't resolve congestion

  12-01-2022 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following substantial input from city leaders and community advocates, updated preliminary designs released by the Texas Department of Transportation last week highlighted changes to its $4.9 billion Interstate 35 overhaul project.The highway expansion proposal was met with concern from community members who said extending the highway would further divide eastern Austin from the city's downtown core, as well as impact residential and commercial infrastructure near the roadw
  
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• Texas has 90 days to plan changes to foster care mental health access

  12-01-2022 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In federal court Tuesday, Texas Judge Janis Graham Jack demanded faster action from the state agencies overseeing Texas' foster care system for swifter action to address the current crisis.
  On Monday, a panel of three independent, national experts submitted their findings to the court for weak spots in the state's foster care system. This came after Texas saw its Children Without Placement (CWOP) doubled from January to September 2021.
  "They're in essentially an unlicens
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Hutto basketball hosts district showdown against Stony Point

  12-01-2022 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- KBVO will be in Hutto this week for a matchup between 2021 playoff teams.District rivals Stony Point (11-6) and Hutto (14-9) tip off Tuesday night. You can watch High School Basketball Live on KBVO and KXAN.com at 7 p.m.Hutto reached the second round of the UIL 6A state playoffs last season. The Hippos and Tigers split the season series in 2021 with each team winning on the opposing team's home court.KBVO and KXAN.com will be showing Central Texas high school bas
  
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• Texas high school hoops live — watch Stony Point vs. Hutto Tuesday

  12-01-2022 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- KBVO will be in Hutto this week for a matchup between 2021 playoff teams.District rivals Stony Point (11-6) and Hutto (14-9) tip off Tuesday night. You can watch High School Basketball Live on KBVO and KXAN.com at 7 p.m.Hutto reached the second round of the UIL 6A state playoffs last season. The Hippos and Tigers split the season series in 2021 with each team winning on the opposing team's home court.KBVO and KXAN.com will be showing Central Texas high school bas
  
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• Stony Point basketball beats Hutto for 2nd district win

  12-01-2022 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- KBVO will be in Hutto this week for a matchup between 2021 playoff teams.District rivals Stony Point (11-6) and Hutto (14-9) tip off Tuesday night. You can watch High School Basketball Live on KBVO and KXAN.com at 7 p.m.Hutto reached the second round of the UIL 6A state playoffs last season. The Hippos and Tigers split the season series in 2021 with each team winning on the opposing team's home court.KBVO and KXAN.com will be showing Central Texas high school bas
  
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• Texas A&M Aggie, Olympic sprinter Deon Lendore killed in head-on crash

  12-01-2022 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Deon Lendore, an Olympic bronze medal-winning sprinter for Trinidad & Tobago and former NCAA champion at Texas A&M, was killed in a head-on collision in Texas, state police said. He was 29.Lendore, a volunteer assistant coach at Texas A&M, died Monday after his car drifted across the center line, sideswiped a vehicle and then collided with a sport-utility vehicle, said Sgt. Bryan Washko, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman. Texas A&M
  
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• What time light rain and sleet end tonight

  12-01-2022 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A weak storm system passing overhead today led to gray skies, light rain showers and even sleet pellets in some areas.The National Weather Service reported sleet pellets in a handful of communities, from North Austin to the Hill Country, but surface temperatures well above freezing meant the ice pellets melted immediately on contact, and did not accumulate nor affect roadway conditions.The weather setup that led to sleet today was quite rare, and very different than how sle
  
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• Super Bowl betting odds: Which team is favored to win it all?

  12-01-2022 00:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the regular season officially in the books after the Las Vegas Raiders secured a spot in the postseason in a thrilling overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the field is set. The Green Bay Packers finished with the NFL's best record at 13-4, earning a first-round bye thanks to a tiebreaker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who also won 13 games.The Packers remain the betting favorite at +375 heading into the Wild Card round. The Kansas City Chiefs are just behind them. D
  
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