Austin news

• Soldier with Operation Lone Star dies in 'non-mission-related incident'

  07-02-2022 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas Army National Guard soldier assigned to Operation Lone Star (OLS) died Monday, according to the Texas Military Department.
  TMD said the soldier, who is not being named yet, was hurt in Brackettville, Texas, which is 30 minutes east of Del Rio, then airlifted to a San Antonio hospital. The death was not related to the OLS mission, and the cause is under investigation.RELATED: Amid concern for soldiers in Operation Lone Star, leaders work to address issues"We are deep
  
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• Texas man, daughter missing after Big Bend National Park trip

  07-02-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas (Nexstar/KXAN) — A truck found abandoned at Big Bend National Park has prompted a search for a missing 49-year-old Texas man and his 9-year-old daughter last seen in January.According to a release, Hector Flores, Jr. and Luna Flores traveled from Fort Stockton to Big Bend National Park in a blue 2005 Dodge 1500 truck on Jan. 28. The truck was later found at the northern end of the remote Old Ore Road with many of their personal belongings inside.The relea
  
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• Texas man, daughter found after disappearing on Big Bend National Park trip

  07-02-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas (Nexstar/KXAN) — A man and daughter last seen in Big Bend National Park were found across the border in Mexico, park officials said Tuesday.
  A truck found abandoned in the park prompted a search for the missing 49-year-old Texas man and his 9-year-old daughter last seen Jan. 28.According to a release, the two traveled from Fort Stockton to Big Bend National Park in a blue 2005 Dodge 1500 truck on Jan. 28. The truck was later found at the northern end of the re
  
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• Department of Justice ordered to pay more than $230M to victims, family members in Sutherland Springs shooting

  07-02-2022 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) — In an ongoing civil lawsuit set to determine how much the federal government will need to pay the victims and family members of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered the federal government to pay nearly $230 million. Previous coverage: Families, victims of Sutherland Springs church shooting asking for $400M in damages
  TIn July, a federal judge determined that since the gunman had threatened mass violence while in the Air For
  
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• Air Force ordered to pay more than $230M in church shooting

  07-02-2022 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP/KXAN) — The U.S. Air Force has been ordered to pay more than $230 million in damages to survivors and victims’ families for a deadly shooting at a Texas church that left 26 people dead and 22 others injured. Previous coverage: Families, victims of Sutherland Springs church shooting asking for $400M in damages
  The ruling comes from a Texas federal judge who earlier decided that the Air Force was liable for the massacre carried out by a former serviceman. In July, a fed
  
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• Return to typical Texas winter weather

  07-02-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Spectacular winter weather is in your forecast this week into the coming weekend -- quite the reversal from last week's ice and sleet storm that closed schools and businesses Thursday and Friday. BLOG: Austin sets five "snowfall" records during ice storm despite no snow accumulationWe kick off the work week with a very weak cold front sliding through the area today. Temperatures will be held one to two degrees under yesterday's readings (upper 50s) but no major temperature
  
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• 'Our community expects and deserves better': Austin council members want external audit of Austin Water

  07-02-2022 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least six members of Austin City Council are calling for an external audit of Austin Water after a citywide boil water notice was issued this past weekend.
  Austin Water issued the boil water notice Saturday night, estimating it will be in effect for at least a few days. The city said then the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant was out of service due to an “internal treatment process issue that resulted in high turbidity within the plant.”
  On Sunday, Austin Water D
  
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• Houston Texans pick Lovie Smith as next head coach

  07-02-2022 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — Lovie Smith has been hired as the new head coach of the Houston Texans.Smith, who is Black, is the second minority candidate to be hired this offseason after the Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, on Sunday.Smith spent last season as Houston’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator. He will take over for David Culley, who is also Black, and was fired after just one season.“He is one of the most r
  
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• Houston Texans eye Lovie Smith as next head coach, AP reports

  07-02-2022 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans are expected to hire current assistant Lovie Smith as their head coach, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press.The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Monday because the team had not announced that Smith would be hired. The same source said an official announcement was expected later Monday or Tuesday morning.Smith, who is Black, will be the second minority candidate to be hired this offseason after the Miami Dolphins
  
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• What causes a city to issue a boil water notice?

  07-02-2022 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Austin Water announced a citywide boil water notice late Saturday, city officials stressed there was no indication of contamination in Austin's water supply. But what leads to issuing a boil water notice in the first place?What leads to a boil water notice?In this latest example in Austin, the citywide notice was due to high turbidity, or cloudiness, in the city's water system. High turbidity is one of two key violations outlined by the Texas Commission on Environment
  
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• US speed skater determined to get to Beijing after COVID-19 diagnosis

  07-02-2022 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (KXAN) — We're several days into the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but some athletes are still trying to make it to China, as COVID-19 disrupts their plans.
  One U.S. speed skater is trying to keep his head in the game, even though he's not sure when or if he'll be able to compete.
  Long-track speed skater Casey Dawson got COVID-19 about three weeks ago, and he's been trying to consecutively test negative for the last two. With changing rules, he's had to jump through a lot of hoops,
  
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• 'Burrow Oak State Park': Three Ohio state parks renamed for Bengals players

  07-02-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that three Ohio state parks will be temporarily renamed after Cincinnati Bengals players to honor the team's upcoming Super Bowl appearance against the Los Angeles Rams.
  DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz has renamed Burr Oak State Park in Glouster to "Burrow Oak State Park" after the Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
  Burrow has been instrumental in Cincinnati's run to an AFC Championship and will be
  
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• Boil Water Notice: Will your wastewater rates be impacted?

  07-02-2022 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid the boil water notice, one concern KXAN viewers have voiced is the impact the notice might have on their wastewater rate.
  You actually pay two different water bills. One bill is for the water before it leaves your sink, while the other is for the water that goes down your drain. This is wastewater, and you pay for its treatment every month. Austin Water: Employee error led to boil water noticeWastewater includes food scraps, detergent and basically anything you flush.
  
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• What is ice wedging?

  07-02-2022 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  Now that all the ice from last week's winter storm has melted away, one potentially dangerous and long-lasting effect will need to be monitored. We're talking "ice wedging."You may be wondering what even is ice wedging? First, remember that when water freezes, it expands and also becomes less dense. Austin sets five ‘snowfall’ records during ice storm despite no snow accumulationIce wedging occurs when frozen precipitation falls over an area and seeps into small cracks in rocks and o
  
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• Pleasant week ahead with temperatures warming to near and above average

  07-02-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Mother Nature's icy attitude last week, she takes on a much better tone this week with an extended stretch of sunshine and milder temps. BLOG: Austin sets five "snowfall" records during ice storm despite no snow accumulationWe kick off the work week with a very weak cold front sliding through the area today. Temperatures will be held one to two degrees under yesterday's readings (upper 50s) but no major temperature difference is expected. Sunshine and dry skies will s
  
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• Semiconductor supplier considering Hutto for $2B project, sources say

  07-02-2022 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  (Austin Business Journal) — Applied Materials Inc., a global supplier to the semiconductor industry, is considering a $2 billion project in a suburb northeast of Austin as the region becomes a hotbed for chipmakers and the businesses that provide them with machinery and materials. Another semiconductor facility may move to Central TexasThe Silicon Valley-based company, which has played a key role in Austin's semiconductor sector since the 1990s, may put a manufacturing and research and dev
  
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• Big Game Bound: Bengals legend, Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz gives his take on former team's chances

  07-02-2022 18:17 via kxan.com
  
  INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Super Bowl week officially kicks off today with the first media availabilities with coaches and players and so does Big Game Bound’s daily livestream.Chris Hagan and Jarrett Payton will be at SoFi Stadium every day this week leading fans up to Super Bowl LVI between the Bengals and Rams. They’ll have analysis and special guests beginning at 1 p.m. ET.First up will be Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz. The Bengals legend gives his take on his former
  
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• Miserable day on slopes for Shiffrin, Gerard

  07-02-2022 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — It was a miserable day on the mountains outside Beijing for American stars Mikaela Shiffrin and Red Gerard.Shiffrin’s opening race in the Beijing Olympics ended quickly with a rare mistake and a rare DNF — Did Not Finish. Favored to defend her gold medal in the giant slalom, Shiffrin instead crashed out a few seconds and five gates into the race. She lost control coming around a left-turn gate and fell onto her hip on a course known as The Ice River at the Yanqin
  
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• Live Now: Miserable day on slopes for Shiffrin, Gerard

  07-02-2022 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — It was a miserable day on the mountains outside Beijing for American stars Mikaela Shiffrin and Red Gerard.Shiffrin’s opening race in the Beijing Olympics ended quickly with a rare mistake and a rare DNF — Did Not Finish. Favored to defend her gold medal in the giant slalom, Shiffrin instead crashed out a few seconds and five gates into the race. She lost control coming around a left-turn gate and fell onto her hip on a course known as The Ice River at the Yanqin
  
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• Texas families hopeful bonuses will help state hospital shortages

  07-02-2022 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Teresita Gonzales sends her son pictures whenever she can.Photos of streets he'd driven countless times, landmarks, a favorite pier in Corpus Christi and the sun peeking through the clouds over the water."Corpus Christi is the place where he was born," explained Gonzales. "I use those pictures to see if I could help him to remember me in a place where he used to love to go to and also to show him how it had changed, because he has not seen the outside of those four walls for
  
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• Taste test: What's on the menu at Q2 Stadium ahead of Austin FC's second season

  07-02-2022 15:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When you think of stadium food, hot dogs and cold nachos may come to mind.But for Austin FC and Q2 Stadium, the food at the game is a big part of the draw.Austin FC Executive Chef Sam Boisjoly has added several new dishes to the stadium menu and reworked a couple of others."We really are very strategic in focusing on making sure that we really represent the city," Boisjoly said. "We have a lot of minority partners that come from all over the world, this beautiful melting pot. We
  
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• UT professor creates possible cedar fever cure in a martini glass

  07-02-2022 15:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you suffer from Cedar Fever each winter; you may want to reconsider your drink order the next time you head to the bar. A classic drink is actually made from the plant that causes cedar fever in Central Texas: gin."Gin essentially, is a process where you take a vodka and you make it more interesting," said University of Texas Biology Professor Molly Cummings. Molly has an interesting side hustle. "I'm a gin entrepreneur and founder and forger for WildGins Co." Cedar vs.
  
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• Winter storm is over; wash your car before it gets rusty

  07-02-2022 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the unexpected things that follows a winter storm is rusty cars. Before a storm, Texas Department of Transportation crews head out in force to pretreat roads to prevent icing. This pretreatment solution can cause your car to rust, according to AAA.In Central Texas, the pretreatment solution TXDOT crews use is sodium chloride and water. AAA says drivers can face expensive repairs from this chemical. The group says it can cause rust and damage to parts of your car.AAA
  
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• Vincent Zhou withdraws from Olympics after 2nd positive COVID-19 test

  07-02-2022 12:39 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP/KXAN) — Team USA figure skater Vincent Zhou has withdrawn from the Winter Olympics after a second COVID-19 test confirmed a positive result from earlier Monday.Zhou made the announcement on Instagram, saying, "I do recognize that this absolutely does not define me as an athlete, as a person. I am more than just another positive COVID test." MEDAL COUNT: Who’s topping the table in the 2022 Winter Olympics?Zhou was considered one of the top contenders in the men's competiti
  
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• Vincent Zhou tests positive for COVID-19, status uncertain for remainder of Olympics

  07-02-2022 12:39 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — Nathan Chen had enough pressure on him heading into the men's program at the Beijing Olympics: One of the faces of the NBC broadcast, he is a suave, Nike-sponsored superstar whose marketability rivals his figure skating ability.On Monday night, he was left worrying about whether he might test positive for COVID-19 before his event began. MEDAL COUNT: Who’s topping the table in the 2022 Winter Olympics?That's because his teammate Vincent Zhou returned a positive test ea
  
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• Sunshine and milder temps through the week

  07-02-2022 11:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Mother Nature's icy attitude last week, she takes on a much better tone this week with an extended stretch of sunshine and milder temps. BLOG: Austin sets five "snowfall" records during ice storm despite no snow accumulationWe kick off the work week with a very weak cold front sliding through the area today. Temperatures will be held one to two degrees under yesterday's readings (upper 50s) but no major temperature difference is expected. Sunshine and dry skies will s
  
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• US women's hockey faces Canada — what to watch Monday at Winter Olympics

  07-02-2022 06:39 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — The Olympic Games are underway with athletes coming from across the world to compete in Beijing. The global celebration of sport featuring 13 winter sports officially started Friday, Feb. 4 with the opening ceremony.Nearly 3,000 athletes, plus coaches and team officials, are expected to be in Beijing for the Games.On Monday, all eyes will be on the women's hockey showdown between the U.S. and Canada — the top two teams in the sport.Aside from hockey, medals will be awarded i
  
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• Residents allowed back into apartments as SWAT call out ends in Pflugerville

  07-02-2022 06:37 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A SWAT call ended Monday morning after Austin Police took a suspect into custody.
  APD told KXAN officers responded to the call just before 8 p.m. Sunday to an apartment complex in the 14200 block of The Lakes Blvd. The area is just east of Interstate 35 approaching Wells Branch Parkway.
  The department received reports about a man who was allegedly firing shots from his apartment.
  At about 10:20 p.m., APD said their SWAT team was activated to respond to the scen
  
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• Apartments evacuated as APD responds to SWAT call in Pflugerville

  07-02-2022 06:37 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — What began as a call about shots fired in Pflugerville Sunday evening led to a SWAT call for the Austin Police Department.APD told KXAN officers responded to the call just before 8 p.m. to an apartment complex in the 14200 block of The Lakes Blvd. The area is just east of Interstate 35 approaching Wells Branch Parkway.
  The department received reports about a man who was allegedly firing shots from his apartment.
  At about 10:20 p.m., APD said their SWAT team got activated to respon
  
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• Austin Water: Employee error led to boil water notice

  07-02-2022 05:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros said in a news conference Sunday evening that the issue at the Ulrich Plant stems from a mistake made by operational staff.
  "It's incredibly disappointing," he said to a group of reporters. Austin Water estimates boil notice will end in ‘a few days’ — what needs to happen first"It's becoming clear that this was errors from our operating staff," he added. "Oversights in how they attended the process of treating water."Meszaros
  
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• Austin's top bakers unite to raise money for fire-damaged Texas French Bread

  07-02-2022 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin bakers joined together Sunday to raise thousands of dollars for Texas French Bread Bakery. The historic restaurant was destroyed by fire in late January, causing more than $1 million in damages. Texas French Bread Bakery fundraising account tops $100K in less than 24 hoursBakers from Easy Tiger, Swedish Hill, Abby Jane Bakeshop, The Sourdough Project, Bento Picnic and Thai Fresh set up shop at Easy Tiger on South Lamar Boulevard Sunday afternoon, offering cookies and
  
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• Are Central Texas hospitals impacted by Austin's boil water notice?

  07-02-2022 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Central Texas hospitals are adjusting operations after a city-wide boil water notice went into effect for Austin Saturday night, while others are running as usual.
  A statement from St. David's HealthCare said they've been in close contact with Austin leaders. "Our immediate focus was to ensure we had back-up water sources so that patient-focused hospital operations would not be interrupted," said a statement. Austin Water estimates boil notice will end in ‘a few
  
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• Team USA's Mikaela Shiffrin out of giant slalom

  07-02-2022 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — Defending Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin missed a gate early in the first run of the giant slalom at the Beijing Games on Monday and was disqualified from the event.Coming around a left-turn gate, she lost control, slid and fell on her side.The 26-year-old Shiffrin still could have a handful of chances over the next two weeks to become the first Alpine ski racer from the United States to win three Olympic golds across a career.She has said she hopes to enter all five
  
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• REPLAY: Team USA's Mikaela Shiffrin out of giant slalom

  07-02-2022 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP/KXAN) — Defending Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin missed a gate early in the first run of the giant slalom at the Beijing Games on Monday and was disqualified from the event.Coming around a left-turn gate, she lost control, slid and fell on her side.The 26-year-old Shiffrin still could have a handful of chances over the next two weeks to become the first Alpine ski racer from the United States to win three Olympic golds across a career.She has said she hopes to enter all
  
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• One person dies after being hit by a car in Lakeway

  07-02-2022 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) — FM 620 in Lakeway shut down Sunday night after a driver hit a pedestrian.
  Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to the intersection of FM 620 and Clara Van Street, which is near Lakeway City Park, around 6:45 p.m.
  A tweet from ATCEMS said one person was pronounced dead.
  Lakeway police, who responded to the scene as well, said all lanes of FM 620 between Pheasant Lane and Kollmeyer Drive had to be shut down. Drivers were asked to find an alternate route.
  
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• One arrested, accused of arson at north Austin car dealership

  07-02-2022 04:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTI (KXAN) — One person is in custody after they were accused of setting fire to a north Austin car dealership early Sunday morning, an Austin Fire Department shift commander said.(KXAN Photo/Andrew Choat)Firefighters got called to 8545 North Lamar Blvd. in between West Rundberg Lane and U.S. Highway 183 around 4:15 a.m.An estimate of how much it will cost to fix the damage is not yet known.It's also unknown if anyone was injured in the fire.
  KXAN will update this story as more informati
  
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• Jordan Spieth loses lead, settles for 2nd at Pebble Beach

  07-02-2022 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Another cliff-hanger at Pebble Beach, this one memorable for Tom Hoge delivering all the right shots on the back nine to surge past Jordan Spieth and win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for his first PGA Tour title.Hoge, one of seven players who had at least a share of the lead Sunday, came within inches of holing out from the 16th fairway, tapping in for birdie to catch Spieth. Then after Spieth made bogey from the bunker on the par-3 17th, Hoge rolled in a bi
  
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• Navy identifies SEAL candidate who died after 'Hell Week' training

  07-02-2022 02:25 via kxan.com
  
  CORONADO, Calif. (KSWB) – The U.S. Navy has confirmed the identity of a SEAL candidate who died Friday after completing the grueling training phase commonly known as "Hell Week."Seaman Kyle Mullen, a 24-year-old from Manalapan, New Jersey, died at Sharp Coronado Hospital just after 5:40 p.m. on Feb. 4, military officials said in a statement. Earlier that day, he had completed a stage of his Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL class (abbreviated to BUD/S).Officials say Mullen was not actively
  
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• Texas basketball's losing streak to Baylor reaches 13 games

  07-02-2022 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The No. 13 Texas Longhorns lost to No. 9 Baylor (17-5, 7-3) for the second time in three days. Baylor's hold over Longhorns women's basketball continued with its 13th straight win in the series. Texas' last win against Baylor was in Waco in 2017.Texas (15-6, 5-5) hasn't beaten the Bears in Austin since Jan. 31, 2010.Baylor rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit, outscoring No. 13 Texas 45-29 in the second half for a 59-52 win Sunday at the Erwin Center.Sunday's game follow
  
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• Southwest to resume in-flight alcohol sales after 2-year COVID-19 hiatus

  07-02-2022 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Southwest Airlines announced Friday that it will return to serving alcoholic beverages on flights almost two years after it paused its on-board beverage options in March 2020.The airline said in a press release it will return to offering an expanded selection of beverages on Feb. 16, on flights at least 176 miles long. Southwest's customer experience and customer relation vice president, Tony Roach, said the airline would restore its beverage options a
  
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