Austin news

• Texas man caught smuggling migrants into U.S. in flag-draped coffin

  25-01-2022 23:58 via kxan.com
  
  CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (ValleyCentral) - A Texas man plead guilty to attempting to smuggle migrants in a flag-draped coffin.Zachary Taylor Blood, 33,from Galveston admitted to one count of human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery in a press release.On Oct. 26, 2021, Blood was driving a modified van designed to transport caskets at the checkpoint near Falfurrias.Authorities noticed a coffin in the vehicle and asked Blood what he was transporting.He replied, "Dead guy, Navy guy,"
  
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• Group monitoring APD policies, practices releases new report

  25-01-2022 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the Austin Police Department's 144th Cadet Class prepares to graduate this week, the group monitoring APD's training and practices issued an updated report with recommendations.
  Kroll Associates previously looked at the Austin Police Academy specifically, recommending measures like bringing in community leaders from outside the department to assist with cadet training and encouraging a mentality of being “guardians” of the community among cadets, rather than
  
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• 'Being called out was hurtful' Pflugerville ISD mulls consequences for teachers who resign mid-year

  25-01-2022 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Pflugerville ISD is looking at consequences for school district teachers who break contracts during the middle of the year, and it's hitting a nerve with teachers who are in the process of resigning.During a regularly-scheduled board meeting on Jan. 20, a Pflugerville Legislative Advocacy Committee came up with a list of mitigation strategies to makeup for the teacher shortages and substitute deficits.A regional grassroots organization reportedly collaborated o
  
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• 'No wrongdoing on my part': Rep. Cuellar releases video saying he'll cooperate with FBI investigation

  25-01-2022 22:29 via kxan.com
  
  LAS LOMAS, Texas (KXAN) — In a video filmed outside his childhood home in South Texas, Rep. Henry Cuellar said he'll seek another term in Congress and cooperate with a still unspecified FBI investigation.
  "There is an ongoing investigation that will show there is no wrongdoing on my part," Cueller said in the video posted Tuesday to his campaign's Twitter account. "As an attorney, I know firsthand the legal system is the pillar of our democracy. I pride myself on being your congressman and
  
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• Manor murder suspect arrested after caller gives police his location

  25-01-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man accused of shooting and killing another man in Manor late last year was arrested Monday, according to the Travis County Sheriff's Office.
  Christopher Martinez, 25, was arrested by the Austin Police Department after a caller gave his location and description. The sheriff's office said Martinez is charged with murder, and his bail is set at $500,000.PAST STORY: Travis County deputies search for Manor murder suspectThe shooting took place the night of Dec. 14, 2021. Depu
  
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• 'A sad day for all of us': Texas French Bread building had rich history

  25-01-2022 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a building where legends have taken stage, lawmakers have strategized over sandwiches and people spanning generations have shared memories. Now, it's gone.
  A fire late Monday night nearly leveled the Texas French Bread Bakery building, causing more than $1 million in damage. The Austin Fire Department said a "mechanical failure" was to blame.READ THE LATEST ON THE FIRE HERE: Central Austin bakery burns after 40+ years in business“It’s a staple of this area,&rdqu
  
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• What you and your family need to know about medical malpractice in Texas

  25-01-2022 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Studies estimate that 250,000 people in the US die each year due to medical errors.
  Different states have different regulations governing the maximum cap on damages from medical malpractice lawsuits.Many may not realize that pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas can be challenging. For economic damages, like lost income, Texas does not cap that can be awarded, but there is a cap on non-economic damages - like compensation for pain and suffering.Victor Bornstein, C
  
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• 2 bodies found in abandoned oil tanker trailer in Guadalupe County

  25-01-2022 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  GUADALUPE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The bodies of two men were found in an abandoned oil tanker trailer northeast of Seguin Monday afternoon, according to the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office.
  The county got a report from a Texas Department of Transportation worker around 3:46 p.m., saying a body was in an abandoned oil tanker trailer near the 8900 block of Highway 90, which is located just outside of Kingsbury.Decomposed body found near Seguin not believed to be missing TXST studentOnce dep
  
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• Police need help identifying man who tried to kidnap child in south Austin

  25-01-2022 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for help with identifying a man who tried to kidnap a child in south Austin last week.
  The attempted kidnapping took place Jan. 20 in the 10300 block of Beard Avenue, which is located south of West Slaughter Lane.Second victim dies in overnight deadly shooting in AustinAPD said that day around 4 p.m., officers responded for a check welfare urgent call. The investigation found an 11-year-old was walking home from a friend's house when a
  
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• What Texans 65 and older need to know before traveling in 2022

  25-01-2022 21:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Many people choose to explore the world during their retirement years. Travel insurance is one thing, but for those 65 and up, knowing what Medicare covers while on vacation is another.Being in a high-risk group during a global pandemic can be disconcerting for those looking to plan a trip.
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the risk of getting severely ill with COVID-19 increases with age. Medicare Advisor with Chapter Ari Parker said it's important to kno
  
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• AISD teachers, staff to get 2 extra days off

  25-01-2022 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a flood of feedback from parents, students, teachers and staff, a proposal for early Friday releases evolved into two days off in the Austin Independent School District.AISD administration asked the Board of Trustees on Thursday to give teachers two Fridays — Feb. 11 and March 4 — off with pay "to offer some measure of stress relief during the pandemic." On Thursday the board approved the measure and decided to include all those who work on campus, includi
  
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• AISD swaps Friday early release plan for 2 days off, provide 'stress relief' for teachers

  25-01-2022 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a flood of feedback from parents, students, teachers and staff, a proposal for early Friday releases evolved into two days off in the Austin Independent School District.AISD administration will now ask the Board of Trustees on Thursday to give teachers two Fridays, Feb. 11 and March 4, off with pay "to offer some measure of stress relief during the pandemic." Early release Fridays? Austin ISD considers proposed schedule changeOriginally, the plan started as either 2-h
  
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• 'Boycott Pepsi' is trending online and it has a tie to Texas politics

  25-01-2022 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — While some consumers may choose to give up drinking Pepsi for health reasons, a growing number of consumers are calling to boycott PepsiCo, after an online newsletter first reported on Monday that the company donated to the Texas Republican Party.The hashtag "#BoycottPepsi" is gaining online traction after a progressive newsletter "Popular Information" reported PepsiCo and other companies donated to politicians and politician committees that played a role in enacting Tex
  
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• Sunshine finally returns Wednesday after a chilly start

  25-01-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dense fog formed throughout all of Central Texas Tuesday morning. While the fog has mixed out, the clouds have been a lot slower to mix out. A few peeks of sunshine are possible before sunset, with highs in the 50s.A weak front will move through around sunset, without much fanfare. Impacts will be limited to a wind shift and a 5 degree cool down, as no rain is expected with this boundary. Temperatures will knock down about 5 to 10 degrees for Wednesday.Fairly quiet weather
  
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• Mostly cloudy and cool with a brief warm up on the way

  25-01-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dense fog formed throughout all of Central Texas Tuesday morning. While the fog has mixed out, the clouds have been a lot slower to mix out. A few peeks of sunshine are possible before sunset, with highs in the 50s.A weak front will move through around sunset, without much fanfare. Impacts will be limited to a wind shift and a 5 degree cool down, as no rain is expected with this boundary. Temperatures will knock down about 5 to 10 degrees for Wednesday.Fairly quiet weather
  
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• SAT exam going digital, getting shorter as college admissions shift

  25-01-2022 18:32 via kxan.com
  
  The SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced Tuesday, saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission.Test-takers will be allowed to use their own laptops or tablets, but they'll still have to sit for the test at a monitored testing site or in school, not at home. Nearly one-third of Liberty Hill ISD’s growth coming from California, 24K students projected by 2030The format change is sche
  
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• First look: Terry Black's Barbecue family starting work on mini-resort near Driftwood

  25-01-2022 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  DRIFTWOOD, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — The family behind Austin barbecue joint Terry Black's Barbecue is getting ready to ramp up work on its newest venture: a vineyard-centered mini-resort near Driftwood.Dubbed "Friday Mountain," the 64-acre plot at 150 Concord Circle in Hays County will include a winery and production facility, a 22-room boutique hotel, event space, spa, a high-end restaurant and all-day cafe, among other amenities, according to co-owner Mark Black. There will be 1
  
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• APD cadets participate in 'Chief's Run' ahead of graduation

  25-01-2022 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Chief Joseph Chacon joined the members of the 144th Cadet Class in the traditional run on Congress Avenue.
  While Friday's graduation will be more of a celebration, Chief Chacon says the Chief's Run is a bonding experience focused on reflection. Central Austin bakery burns after 40+ years in business"I talk to them about honor and sacrifice," he said. "Not everybody makes it through this process, it's a really really tough process. We have high expectations to make sure these off
  
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• There's no water for 'most of the campus' at Northeast Early College High School

  25-01-2022 17:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A portion of Northeast Early College High School in Austin doesn't have running water Tuesday.Austin Independent School District officials said the water is off for "most of the campus" due to a leak, and AISD isn't sure when the water will be turned back on.AISD is putting 25 portable restrooms on campus and delivering bottles of water for drinking while the leak is fixed. The band hall, theater and the 500-wing of the school all have running water, AISD said, and students
  
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• Man accused of stabbing 2 people arrested after short search in Cedar Park

  25-01-2022 17:06 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Cedar Park police arrested a man suspected of stabbing two people Monday.Paul Dimitri Johnson, 25, faces two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and another count of aggravated assault by threatening with a deadly weapon, CPPD said in a press release. Arrest made after SWAT response in east AustinAround 4 p.m., CPPD responded to a disturbance call in the 1400 block of Spiderlily View, south of Cedar Park Middle School. Once officers got to the scen
  
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• COVID-19 case numbers peak, Central Texas health leaders eye new variant overseas

  25-01-2022 16:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas may have finally hit its fourth peak in COVID-19 case numbers, but local health leaders already have their eyes on an omicron offshoot that has been spreading in the UK and Denmark called BA.2.
  According to Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority, that variation has more than 80 mutations and has similar characteristics to omicron when it comes to transmissibility and seriousness. The CDC classifies BA lineages as a variant of concern, alongsid
  
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• COVID-19 case numbers peak, Central Texas health leaders eye new Denmark variant

  25-01-2022 16:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas may have finally hit its fourth peak in COVID-19 case numbers, but local health leaders already have their eyes on an omicron offshoot that was found in Denmark called BA.2.
  According to Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority, that variation has more than 80 mutations and has similar characteristics to omicron when it comes to transmissibility and seriousness. The CDC classifies BA lineages as a variant of concern, alongside omicron.
  Walkes sa
  
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• Bobby Bones to host 2022 iHeartCountry Festival at Austin's Moody Center

  25-01-2022 16:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Country music stars are coming to Austin in May for the iHeartCountry Music Festival.
  Bobby Bones, who worked at KISS-FM in Austin before hosting country music's top-rated nationally-syndicated radio show out of Nashville, will host the show on May 7 at the Moody Center.The festival, in its ninth year, will feature Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Dustin Lynch, Jimmie Allen, Scotty McCreery, Cody Johnson and many more acts for its first time at
  
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• LIVE: Countdown to Winter Olympics for KXAN's Jala Washington

  25-01-2022 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An overseas trip to cover the Winter Olympics in Beijing is quickly approaching for one of KXAN's reporters with the Games beginning in a little more than a week.
  The team of Nexstar journalists traveling to China for weeks-long coverage of the world's largest winter sporting event includes Jala Washington. This will be her first time covering the Olympics.
  Get the latest on how our Texans are doing in the Olympics by signing up for push alerts on the KXAN News App and our
  
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• Countdown to Winter Olympics for KXAN's Jala Washington

  25-01-2022 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An overseas trip to cover the Winter Olympics in Beijing is quickly approaching for one of KXAN's reporters with the Games beginning in a little more than a week.
  The team of Nexstar journalists traveling to China for weeks-long coverage of the world's largest winter sporting event includes Jala Washington. This will be her first time covering the Olympics.
  Get the latest on how our Texans are doing in the Olympics by signing up for push alerts on the KXAN News App and our
  
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• Nearly one-third of Liberty Hill ISD's growth coming from California, 24K students projected by 2030

  25-01-2022 15:06 via kxan.com
  
  LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Like much of Central Texas, Liberty Hill Independent School District has seen major growth over the last few years."I have only been here three years and we have grown from a little over 4,000 students to just over 7,000 in those three years," said Steve Snell, Liberty Hill ISD superintendent. "About 30% of our new families were moving from California, 30% were moving from the other urban areas in Texas. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio."Katie Amsler moved from jus
  
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• David Yeomans is doing a TEDx Talk

  25-01-2022 14:21 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - If you've ever said to yourself, "I could listen to David Yeomans talk for a while," we have an opportunity for you.
  On Feb. 12, KXAN Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans will be doing a TEDx Talk at Texas State University. During the talk, David will discuss climate change and why it is not YOUR fault.Six speakers will present at the TEDx Talk, including David. The topic is "Green."
  You can get tickets for David's TEDx Talk here. The presentation begins at 1 p.m. Tickets
  
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• Arrest made after SWAT response in east Austin

  25-01-2022 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A domestic violence incident turned into a SWAT callout early Tuesday morning in east Austin.The Austin Police Department said a person was taken into custody around 5 a.m. Tuesday following a situation where someone was threatening another person with a gun. APD said it received the call at 1:42 a.m. to the Mueller Place Apartments in the 5800 block of Wellington Drive.
  The victim was able to get out of the apartment unharmed, and APD said the suspect had an active warrant
  
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• Morning fog slow to clear, milder afternoon follows

  25-01-2022 12:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cool temps, light winds and recent rainfall allowed for widespread fog to develop across Central Texas this morning. Reduced visibilities are possible through late morning - be sure to take it easy on speeds while out on the roads.DENSE FOG ADVISORY in effect until 10AM Tuesday - threat: low visibilities of 1/4 mile or lessBy late morning, fog will mix out to partly cloudy skies. Afternoon highs will be relatively mild (low 60s)... but the warm up will be short-lived as a w
  
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• Dense morning fog slow to clear

  25-01-2022 12:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cool temps, light winds and recent rainfall is allowing widespread fog to develop across Central Texas this morning. Visibility in some areas could drop to less than a quarter of a mile at times. Be sure to factor in plenty of time to get where you need to go this morning.DENSE FOG ADVISORY in effect until 10AM Tuesday - threat: low visibilities of 1/4 mile or lessBy late morning, fog will mix out to partly cloudy skies. Afternoon highs will be relatively mild (low 60s)...
  
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• Dense fog impacting Tuesday morning commute

  25-01-2022 12:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cool temps, light winds and recent rainfall is allowing widespread fog to develop across Central Texas this morning. Visibility in some areas could drop to less than a quarter of a mile at times. Be sure to factor in plenty of time to get where you need to go this morning.Fog forecast - Tuesday 8:30AMDENSE FOG ADVISORY in effect until 10AM Tuesday - threat: low visibilities of 1/4 mile or lessBy late morning, fog will mix out to partly cloudy skies. Afternoon highs will be
  
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• Fire causes more than $1M in damage to Central Austin bakery

  25-01-2022 08:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - A fire broke out late Monday night at Texas French Bread Bakery. The Austin Fire Department responded to the fire at 2900 Rio Grande Street just before 11 p.m.Workers called in firefighters and reported smoke filling the building. By the time crews arrived, firefighters saw flames shooting through the roof. All those workers escaped the building unharmed.The Texas French Bread Bakery caught fire overnight Tuesday, but thankfully the workers were able to get out of the building un
  
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• Central Austin bakery burns after 40+ years in business

  25-01-2022 08:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - A fire broke out late Monday night at Texas French Bread Bakery. The Austin Fire Department responded to the fire at 2900 Rio Grande Street just before 11 p.m.Workers called in firefighters and reported smoke filling the building. By the time crews arrived, firefighters saw flames shooting through the roof. All those workers escaped the building, unharmed.It took crews about three hours to get the fire under control.Texas French Bread Bakery and Bistro has been around since 1981,
  
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• Bakery burns on The Drag after 40+ years in business

  25-01-2022 08:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - A fire broke out late Monday night at Texas French Bread Bakery. The Austin Fire Department responded to the fire at 2900 Rio Grande Street just before 11 p.m.According to a tweet from the department, when crews arrived they saw flames coming out of the roof.Texas French Bread Bakery and Bistro has been around since 1981, according to its website.
  This is a developing story and will be updated.
  
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• 'Violent weekend': Austin Police investigating 4 homicides in 3 days

  25-01-2022 05:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After four people were killed in three days, the Austin Police Department is still searching for suspects in a downtown stabbing and a shooting in north Austin.One man was arrested and charged with capital murder in a third incident — a double homicide off West Anderson Lane.IN-DEPTH: Austin saw a record number of homicides in 2021. How many did police solve?
  “Unfortunately, this has been a rather violent weekend here in Austin that has resulted in multiple homi
  
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• Teravista neighbors say den of coyotes attacking pets, children

  25-01-2022 04:29 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Families in the Teravista neighborhood in Georgetown said a pack of coyotes is terrorizing their community. They told KXAN in the past week or so alone two young children were attacked and some small dogs. Many are afraid this is a growing problem, putting everyone in danger. They want help. Coyote bite on leg (Courtesy of Amanda Oparanozie)Amanda Oparanozie's 9-year-old daughter was attacked by coyote on Saturday while outside roller skating.
  “Th
  
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• Rolling Pines Fire in Bastrop County 100% contained after nearly a week

  25-01-2022 02:37 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Rolling Pines Fire in Bastrop County is now 100% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, a week after it first sparked near Bastrop State Park.
  In a Monday update, the forest service said the fire "received beneficial rainfall." Crews will continue to keep an eye on the area, and fireline rehabilitation will start Tuesday.Photos: Rolling Pines Fire burns more than 800 acres in Bastrop CountyThe fire grew to 812 acres after officials said
  
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• Texas baseball ranked No. 1 in three of the four major preseason polls

  25-01-2022 02:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is ready to make another run at a national championship in 2022, and the preseason prognosticators are picking the Longhorns as the favorite.
  The latest preseason poll, released Monday by Baseball America, has Texas ranked No. 1.
  In addition to the Baseball America poll, Texas earned the top spot in the Collegiate Baseball, and D1Baseball.com polls.
  This will be the first time since 2010 that the Longhorns will enter the season ranked as the top team in the count
  
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• As Texas students fight learning loss, is repeating a grade a good option?

  25-01-2022 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When it comes to the pandemic's impact on learning across Texas, the numbers spell out the obvious. It's been bad.
  Local school districts are now unveiling their annual reports as they look for ways to move ahead after a series of disrupted semesters and learning loss.
  Hays CISD was slated go over its 2021 Texas Academic Performance Report from the Texas Education Agency during its regular meeting Monday night. Round Rock ISD and Lake Travis ISD did the same last week.
  The
  
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• 'It's a matter of time': Fans campaign for pro women's soccer in Austin as US national team holds training camp

  25-01-2022 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On an uncharacteristically wet and cold week in Central Texas, some of the best soccer players in the country are tuning up ahead of some key games.The national soccer spotlight is back on Austin as the U.S. women’s team hold a training camp at Austin FC’s training ground, St. David’s Performance Center. USWNT will train in Austin prior to 2022 seasonBut with exposure comes scrutiny, and the lack of a professional women’s team in Austin is emerging a
  
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• Texas zoo naming rats, cockroaches after people for Valentine's Day

  25-01-2022 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — You can honor the terrible person in your life by naming a rat or cockroach after them and watching as zookeepers feed it to an animal.
  In anticipation of Valentine's Day, the San Antonio Zoo is hosting its third annual "Cry Me A Cockroach" fundraiser to "support the zoo’s vision in securing a future for wildlife," according to their website.
  Through the fundraiser, donors can choose either a cockroach, rat, or veggie, name it after a person, and wa
  
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• New $1 billion Apple campus in northwest Austin has taken shape

  25-01-2022 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — It's been more than three years since Apple Inc. announced plans to build a $1 billion office campus in Northwest Austin, and the first phase of the massive project appears nearly complete.Apple executives have long predicted that the campus would open this year, though it's unclear when employees will occupy the space given the iPhone maker's decision to indefinitely delay its return to the office.The new campus is located off Parmer
  
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