Austin news

• Man arrested, accused of shooting at couple's northwest Austin home

  18-02-2022 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man has been arrested after a northwest Austin couple says they've been terrorized at their own home for more than a year.
  Michael and Melinda Bogdanovich told KXAN in December their home off Yaupon Drive has been shot at on more than one occasion, and the suspect has even broken some glass windows with a hammer.
  The Bogdanoviches say in other incidents over the past year, the suspect has broken their glass windows with a hammer. (Photo courtesy: Michael Bogdanovich) The
  
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• While parts of our area enjoy normal rainfall this winter, others suffer through drought

  18-02-2022 23:06 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — Austin along with most communities east of I-35 have enjoyed near-normal rainfall the last three months, but parts of the Hill Country have received less than one-fifth of their normal rain during that period.As is typical in Central Texas, rainfall patterns this winter have been characterized by long dry spells interrupted by brief heavy rain events.
  Austin received only 0.27" of rain between Jan. 1 and 30, then tallied a daily record rainfall on Jan. 31 of 1.94" as a storm syste
  
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• Gorgeous February weekend forecast

  18-02-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following a cool, sunny day with high temperatures in the 50s to near 60, Friday evening temperatures cool quickly under mostly clear skies. Light winds overnight will allow for another freeze in many areas early Saturday.SATURDAY: Another near-widespread morning freeze but warmer temps will arrive by late day. Highs are likely to warm to the mid-60s under a mostly sunny sky. Overall, a mild and seasonable day.SUNDAY: A chilly start for Austin marathon runners with temperat
  
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• AG Ken Paxton investigating TikTok over human trafficking, child privacy violations

  18-02-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating popular social media platform TikTok, citing human trafficking violations.
  Paxton issued two civil investigative demands (CID) to social media platform TikTok, citing human trafficking and child privacy violations. The demands are also investigating other potential "unlawful conduct."
  In a statement, Paxton says TikTok may be "complicit in child exploitation, sex trafficking, human trafficking, drug smuggling and other unim
  
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• Here's how to get a free N95 face mask and why doctors say you should wear it

  18-02-2022 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- You could soon get a free N95 face mask from your local pharmacy.The Biden administration is sending out the 400 million nonsurgical N95 masks.“These masks may look simple but they are actually sophisticated safety devices,” said Dr. Mikki Vars McCullough with 3M.The Centers for Disease Control said in lab studies, the N95 masks can filter 95 percent of particles in the air including COVID-19.“Experts say that the N95 is going to provide the best protection because th
  
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• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes ending tenure over critical race theory battle

  18-02-2022 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is proposing to end all tenure for newly hired public university professors and revoke tenure for professors teaching critical race theory, he announced at a press conference Friday.During the 2021 legislative session, state lawmakers passed bills restricting what K-12 educators can teach about race in social studies courses. Looking ahead to next session, which starts in 2023, Patrick wants to extend these restrictions to Texas’ public univers
  
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• Austin Police union president says TX House GOP candidate Justin Berry could be indicted

  18-02-2022 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza announced that there would be “multiple indictments” issued in the days ahead for law enforcement officers suspected of criminal conduct during the May 2020 racial injustice protests.While the names of the officers indicted have not been released, Ken Casaday, President of Austin Police Association says there is a 99.9 percent chance that Justin Berry will be indicted. At least 19 APD officers face indictme
  
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• Report: How the APD academy has changed and its biggest challenges ahead

  18-02-2022 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more than a dozen Austin Police officers face a possible trial for their actions during May 2020 protests, the department is in the middle of overhauling its system at its root — the cadet academy.
  In a statement Thursday ahead of the indictment announcement, Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk said the action would impact the police department's vacancies. At least 19 APD officers face indictments linked to May 2020 protests
  "...Any indictments will heighten the anx
  
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• Report: How the APD academy has changed, and biggest challenges ahead

  18-02-2022 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As more than a dozen Austin police officers face a possible trial for their actions during May 2020 protests, the department is in the middle of overhauling its system at its root -- the cadet academy.
  In a statement on Thursday ahead of the indictment announcement, city manager Spencer Cronk said the action would impact the police department's vacancies. At least 19 APD officers face indictments linked to May 2020 protests
  "...Any indictments will heighten the anxiety of our of
  
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• SXSW 2022: Shawn Mendes, Young Thug, Kygo headline concerts

  18-02-2022 20:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The list of artists coming to South by Southwest continues to grow.
  Billboard and Samsung Galaxy announced it will host three nights of concerts during the conference. The outdoor concert series will take place at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park in downtown Austin.
  The series will kick off Thursday, March 17 with rappers Gunna and Young Thug. Electronic dance producer Kygo will take the stage Friday along with Frank Walker and Forester. Friday's concert is presented by
  
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• Visually impaired runner takes on Austin Half Marathon after surviving bombing attack

  18-02-2022 20:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At just 17 years old, Qusay Hussein survived a suicide bombing attack in his home country of Iraq. The explosion caused him to lose his sight, then he faced years of depression. Today, he's making strides toward a better life."I feel free, I feel like freedom," Hussein said. "I earn back who I am when I am running." Why they run: 17-time Austin marathoner raises $250K for sons’ fatal diseaseThe 33-year-old decided he would run the Austin Half Marathon, but he knew he
  
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• Arizona volleyball team that lost player after Texas ice storm continues season in her honor

  18-02-2022 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  GLENDALE, Arizona (KXAN) — An Arizona volleyball team that lost one of its members due to a crash in a Texas ice storm in early February is playing the remainder of the season in her honor, the club told KXAN.
  According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, seven people were caught in severe weather and hit a patch of black ice near Junction, Texas on Feb. 3. A winter storm had moved through the state, bringing dangerous conditions to the area.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Volleyball player kille
  
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• Leander ISD could lose nearly $15M in funding due to COVID-19 absences

  18-02-2022 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Absences due to COVID-19 could cost a Central Texas school district millions in public funding.Leander Independent School District estimates it could lose $14.8 million dollars due to its average daily attendance rate being too low, and that's mainly because of omicron variant absences. In the spring semester so far, LISD has an 89% attendance rate, far below its historic average of 96%, officials said. In the fall, the attendance rate was 93.6%. Possible cuts to AI
  
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• Watch Live: Biden to address Russia- Ukraine tensions

  18-02-2022 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden is set to provide an update on worldwide tensions over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, after unusually dire U.S. warnings that the Kremlin could order an invasion any day.NewsNation will livestream Biden's remarks at 4 p.m. ET in the player above.
  Russia probably has massed between 169,000 and 190,000 personnel in and near Ukraine, up from about 100,000 on Jan. 30, said Michael Carpenter, the permanent U.S. representative to th
  
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• Biden to address Russia- Ukraine tensions

  18-02-2022 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden is set to provide an update on worldwide tensions over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, after unusually dire U.S. warnings that the Kremlin could order an invasion any day.NewsNation will livestream Biden's remarks at 4 p.m. ET in the player above.Russia probably has massed between 169,000 and 190,000 personnel in and near Ukraine, up from about 100,000 on Jan. 30, said Michael Carpenter, the permanent U.S. representative to th
  
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• Biden 'convinced' Russia will invade Ukraine

  18-02-2022 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden said the door is still open for diplomacy, but he's "convinced" Russia will invade Ukraine. At a news briefing Friday, he reiterated no U.S. troops would fight in Ukraine, but America would provide support.Russia probably has massed between 169,000 and 190,000 personnel in and near Ukraine, up from about 100,000 on Jan. 30, said Michael Carpenter, the permanent U.S. representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Eur
  
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• COVID-19 mitigation strategies in place for the Austin Marathon

  18-02-2022 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon is happening as scheduled in 2022 after having to postpone in 2021, but the race is going to look a little different than it did pre-pandemic.
  "The marathon has worked closely with APH and our event staff to take into consideration the situations that would occur during a marathon where there would be increased transmission," Dr. Desmar Walkes, the local health authority, said.
  Walkes said there are going to be staggered start times, seve
  
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• Younger people are dying from fentanyl. Here's how Texas could save them

  18-02-2022 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:
  Deaths caused by synthetic opioids like fentanyl have increased rapidly across Texas, becoming more common than cocaine and heroin. While most states across the nation saw a spike in overdoses, only four saw fewer deaths during a recent 12-month span. What solutions are saving lives there and can Texas work toward implementing them? Watch part one Friday after the Olympics and tune in Saturday night after the Olympics for part twoAUSTIN (KXAN) — It keeps Zach Timber
  
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• 'Missing the real solutions.' What Texas can learn from states with fentanyl overdose drops

  18-02-2022 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:
  Deaths caused by synthetic opioids like fentanyl have increased rapidly across Texas, becoming more common than cocaine and heroin. While most states across the nation saw a spike in overdoses, only four saw fewer deaths during a recent 12-month span. What solutions are saving lives there and can Texas work toward implementing them? Watch part one Friday after the Olympics and tune in Saturday night after the Olympics for part twoAUSTIN (KXAN) — It keeps Zach Timber
  
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• LIVE: Gu gets gold again, IOC president rebukes Russian coaches, US flag bearer's re-do

  18-02-2022 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP/KXAN) — The American bobsledder tapped to carry the flag during the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony will instead get to carry it during the Closing Ceremony. Elana Meyers Taylor caps off her final Olympic Games with at least one medal, after beating COVID-19 which kept her from participating in the kickoff to the Games.That and more are among today's top Olympics headlines:Skiing for joy, Gu wins 3rd Olympic medal — a halfpipe goldEileen Gu turned the Beijing Olympics in
  
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• Gu gets gold again, IOC president rebukes Russian coaches, US flag bearer's re-do

  18-02-2022 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP/KXAN) — The American bobsledder tapped to carry the flag during the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony will instead get to carry it during the Closing Ceremony. Elana Meyers Taylor caps off her final Olympic Games with at least one medal, after beating COVID-19 which kept her from participating in the kickoff to the Games.That and more are among today's top Olympics headlines:Skiing for joy, Gu wins 3rd Olympic medal — a halfpipe goldEileen Gu turned the Beijing Olympics in
  
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• Arts + Culture: A new plan underway on the Hike and Bike Trail

  18-02-2022 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Arts + Culture on the Trail plan for the Butler Hike and Bike Trail is in its early phases of development and community engagement. The goal of this plan is to enhance the space with art and cultural programming in hopes to elevate the user experience in a way that's not overwhelming, distracting, or complicating the environment.The Trail Foundation is partnering with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Austin Art in Public Places for th
  
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• LIVE: Austin hits hospital threshold for Stage 4 guidelines; leaders give COVID-19 update

  18-02-2022 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Travis County health leaders will give a COVID-19 media briefing at 10 a.m. Friday as the area finally dropped into the hospital admission threshold for Stage 4 COVID-19 risk-based guidelines.Austin-Travis County leaders use several metrics in their key indicators for staging dashboard, including community transmission rate, positivity rate and the 7-day moving average of hospital admissions. COVID-19 hospitalizations stall out just above Stage 4 thresholdThat 7-day
  
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• Austin hits hospitalization threshold for Stage 4 guidelines; still in Stage 5

  18-02-2022 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Travis County hit the hospital admission threshold for Stage 4 COVID-19 risk-based guidelines Thursday but health leaders say the area will remain in Stage 5 for now.
  "As we make decisions on adjusting from one stage to another we take into consideration many parameters," Dr. Desmar Walkes, the local health authority, said. "The overall goal is for us to look at the situation in its entirety."Austin-Travis County leaders use several metrics in their key indicators fo
  
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• Austin hits hospital threshold for Stage 4 guidelines; leaders give COVID-19 update

  18-02-2022 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Travis County health leaders will give a COVID-19 media briefing at 10 a.m. Friday as the area finally dropped into the hospital admission threshold for Stage 4 COVID-19 risk-based guidelines.Austin-Travis County leaders use several metrics in their key indicators for staging dashboard, including community transmission rate, positivity rate and the 7-day moving average of hospital admissions. COVID-19 hospitalizations stall out just above Stage 4 thresholdThat 7-day
  
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• Texas-based Whataburger continues expansion, opens in Colorado Springs

  18-02-2022 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Whataburger continues to expand its reach across the country.The San Antonio-based fast-food chain now has a restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colorado, it announced this week. It's the first one in Colorado and the company has plans to open two more in the city just south of Denver.BurgerWorks, a franchise partner with Whataburger, will own and operate the restaurant. BurgerWorks is in charge of 10 Whataburgers in Texas.Whataburger now has more than 870 locations across 14 s
  
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• Formula 1 renews contract with COTA, US Grand Prix to stay in Austin through 2026

  18-02-2022 14:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the top racing circuits in the world will keep burning rubber in Austin.Formula 1 and Circuit of the Americas renewed their contract to keep the United States Grand Prix in town until 2026. Circuit of the Americas fixing ‘problem’ bumps after Moto GP riders’ surface complaintsThe 2022 race weekend is scheduled for Oct. 21-23."The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix has become one of the biggest and greatest events in the world," said Bobby Epstein, f
  
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• Workers at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s South Lamar location branch unionize

  18-02-2022 13:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -Better wages, workplace improvements and more transparency. Those are the things employees at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's South Lamar location say they need and they have formally unionized to get their concerns addressed. Duncan Lott has been an employee at Alamo Drafthouse since 2016. He says he noticed a big shift in company culture at his location on South Lamar when it re-opened after the height of the pandemic.  Alamo Drafthouse plans for 7 new theaters in cities lik
  
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• Why they run: 17-time Austin marathoner raises $250K for sons' fatal disease

  18-02-2022 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For seasoned marathoners, mile 20 is often viewed as the turning point of the race, where fatigue sets in and the mental toughness of the sport revs into high gear. But for Tim Revell, mile 20 is both the most challenging and his most rewarding: It's when his two sons, Timothy and Andrew, arrive to cheer him on.For a sport as mentally challenging and physically demanding as running, many runners have a why. After all, why would you opt into running 26.2 miles? A run to reme
  
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• Multi-day warming trend, turning wetter next week

  18-02-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After this morning's widespread freeze, a gradual warming trend gets underway today and continues through the start of our next work week.FRIDAY: High pressure settling in over the region will give way to lighter winds, more sunshine and dry skies. Afternoon highs will warm to the upper 50s - cooler than normal for this time of year, but a few degrees over where we were yesterday afternoon (post-cold front).
  SATURDAY: Another near-widespread morning freeze but warmer temps
  
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• Child, adults injured in northeast Austin apartment fire

  18-02-2022 08:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A child and three adults are in the hospital after an apartment fire in northeast Austin.According to a tweet by the Austin Fire Department, a fire broke out late Thursday evening at an apartment complex on 1521 Reagan Hill Drive, near Northeast Early College High School.AFD raised the response level to a two alarm.
  Four apartments caught fire involving two buildings. Austin-Travis County EMS tweeted that the four people taken to the hospital are expected to be okay.No word yet
  
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• Skiing, curling medals up for grabs -- what to watch Friday

  18-02-2022 07:34 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- Medals are at a premium with only two days remaining of the 2022 Winter Games. The team sports will shine on Friday with curling and hockey close to crowning champions.Team USA men's curling is playing in the bronze medal game Friday, while Olympic men's hockey is in the semifinal round.In total, 109 sets of medals will be awarded across 15 sports. Bobsleigh, short track, freestyle skiing and ski jumping are some of the sports featuring new events held at this year’s Games.You ca
  
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• From basketball to bobsled: First-time Olympian Sylvia Hoffman's journey to Beijing

  18-02-2022 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (KXAN) — From basketball to bobsled, Texas brakewoman Sylvia Hoffman is making her Olympic debut at the Beijing Games. She's never shied away from pursuing her dreams.
  “I want people to see that whenever I compete, that this woman has ran miles, has pushed miles, just to get to where she is," Hoffman said.
  She made her Olympic dreams come true when she was recruited to be on the Team USA women’s bobsled team through a reality show, The Next Olympic Hopeful.It was tough
  
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• Women’s skating event ends in anguish, anger

  18-02-2022 05:34 via kxan.com
  
  The scenes were surreal, full of the visceral pain of two Russian teenagers and the numbness of a third, flooded with the thunderous sobbing of a Japanese woman who is 21, all overcome by the swirling maelstrom that had enveloped the women’s singles event at the 2022 Winter Olympics for a week.
   
  There was little joy in any of this when it ended Thursday in Beijing, not for the four skaters who were atop the standings, not for those who watched it, hopefully not for the officials who
  
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• Man arrested in Bell County related to January Austin homicide

  18-02-2022 04:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 34-year-old man was arrested on a murder charge this week after another man died after being shot at a central Austin business last month.Antonio McCullen was arrested Tuesday in Bell County, U.S. Marshals said. He's accused of shooting Zachary Townsend, 35, at a business off Pasadena Drive on Jan. 8, according to an arrest affidavit.PAST STORY: Man dies after being found shot inside central Austin businessThat morning after a shots fired call, police checked out the scen
  
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• Man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting disabled woman for 2 days in Brownsville

  18-02-2022 03:49 via kxan.com
  
  BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man accused of kidnapping a disabled woman, holding her captive and sexually assaulting her for two days was arrested on Tuesday.Edgar Julian Sauceda, 26, was arrested after having a warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a disabled person and aggravated kidnapping, according to a press release from the Brownsville Police Department.According to the release, the female victim left her house on Friday, Nov. 12 to meet with Sauceda at his residence at
  
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• Widespread freeze Friday morning with even colder wind chills

  18-02-2022 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following a high temperature of 72 degrees midday Thursday in Austin, temperatures plummeted behind a dry cold front. We are forecasting a widespread freeze Friday morning with lows in the 20s to lower 30s.As northerly breezes continue at 10-20 mph Friday at sunrise, wind chills drop into the 20s areawide. Bundle up for the final morning commute of your work week.Forecast low temperatures Friday morningForecast wind chill temperatures Friday morningTemperatures moderate thi
  
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• Austin FC, CapMetro discuss future groundbreaking of McKalla bus stop near Q2 stadium

  18-02-2022 02:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC and Capital Metro joined forces Thursday at Q2 Stadium with an old-fashioned jersey swap to mark the newest phase of their partnership.
  The new McKalla Station will bump right into Q2 on CapMetro's red line, a project that had initially been anticipated to be completed before the 2022 season. Q2 stadium upping sustainability efforts ahead of Austin FC’s second season"Our anticipation is that this summer, we will break ground on a new McKalla station," said R
  
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• Texas GOP AG candidate profiles: Land Commissioner George P. Bush

  18-02-2022 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  This report is part of a series of profile stories Nexstar is doing on the Republican and Democratic candidates for Texas Attorney General. Tune in Friday evening for the report on former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman.AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As early voting for the March 1 primary kicks off, incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton is polling below the threshold needed to avoid a runoff election.Any candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Earlier this week, a Uni
  
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