Austin news

• Abbott says parents, doctors should face 'abuse' investigations for transgender health care

  22-02-2022 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott said families and medical professionals should now face abuse investigations for pursuing or providing health care options intended for transgender children.
  In a letter sent Tuesday, the governor directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) "to conduct prompt and thorough investigations of any reported instances of Texas children being subjected to abusive gender-transitioning procedures." His letter stated doctors and nurses coul
  
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• Antisemitic materials dropped at homes in two Texas cities

  22-02-2022 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Antisemitic and white separatist materials were dropped at homes in two Texas cities on Sunday.The Colleyville Police Department said it was aware of materials in clear sandwich bags that had been left on driveways around the city.The department said in a tweet it has been in contact with the FBI and is investigating the situation as a hate crime. RELATED: White supremacist flyers litter 3 Austin neighborhoodsLocal authorities said the flyers have also appeared in San
  
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• Daryl Kunik's vision for big East Austin creative hub will bring hundreds of apartments, commercial space

  22-02-2022 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Central Austin Management Group is moving forward with plans to build hundreds of apartments and a significant chunk of commercial space on the east side.The development group, run by Daryl Kunik, will transform 21 acres off U.S. Highway 183 into a community-oriented, mixed-use project designed to offer affordable access to both commercial and residential space. Kunik's group has developed similar but smaller projects in the area, such as the Sp
  
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• Final Texas men's basketball game at Erwin Center sold out

  22-02-2022 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Frank Erwin Center is down to its final events before it gives way to the new Moody Center set to open in the middle of April.The Erwin Center will play host to four more Texas Longhorns regular season basketball games — two men's and two women's games. NEXT: Erwin Center Wikipedia page changed to ‘TTUs 2nd home’There may be other opportunities as the women will likely host games in the NCAA Tournament at the Erwin Center, based on current seeding proj
  
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• Winter Weather Advisory posted as Arctic air approaches

  22-02-2022 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures have surged well into the 80s Tuesday afternoon, and to the warmest readings of the year so far in Austin. But a drastic cold front is creeping down I-35 into our area this evening, set to kick off a several-day cold snap along with the threat of freezing rain..The strong Arctic cold front pushes north to south across Central Texas this evening into early tomorrow. In the wake of this front there will be a 40-50 degree drop in temps... which means we'll likely
  
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• Long-lasting cold snap begins early Wednesday

  22-02-2022 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures have surged well into the 80s Tuesday afternoon, and to the warmest readings of the year so far in Austin. But a drastic cold front is creeping down I-35 into our area this evening, set to kick off a several-day cold snap along with the threat of freezing rain.The powerful cold front arrives in the Austin Metro area this evening, dropping temperatures into the 30s by sunrise Wednesday. While temperatures Wednesday in the Austin area should remain above freezing
  
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• UT senior wins Jeopardy! college championship Tuesday

  22-02-2022 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — He is the winner in the Jeopardy! National College Championship from the University of Texas at Austin. Who is Jaskaran Singh? Correct.Singh, a senior finance/economics double-major at the McCombs Business School at UT buzzed his way to the national college title Tuesday night. ‘Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider’s history-making run endsSingh won the two-game, hour-long primetime final on ABC with a cumulative score of $51,700, nearly $5,000 clear of Kennesaw Sta
  
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• UT senior vying for Jeopardy! college crown Tuesday

  22-02-2022 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — He is a finalist in the Jeopardy! National College Championship from the University of Texas at Austin. Who is Jaskaran Singh? Correct.Singh, a senior finance/economics double-major at the McCombs Business School at UT, came up big in Final Jeopardy! on Friday to earn a spot in the two-game final Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on ABC. ‘Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider’s history-making run endsSingh was the only player with the correct response to the answer: "Introduce
  
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• Construction starting on shelters for people experiencing homelessness in Travis County

  22-02-2022 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After Travis County commissioners earmarked $110 million in federal relief funds last year to build housing -- largely tiny homes and apartments -- for people experiencing homelessness, construction is now underway, or in sight, for those projects.
  The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF), which is working on the Camp Esperanza project, says construction for the transitional neighborhoods are already underway. Max Moscoe, the communications manager for TOOF, said they're installing wate
  
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• Construction in sight after $110M put toward supportive housing in Travis County

  22-02-2022 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After Travis County commissioners earmarked $110 million in federal relief funds last year to build housing -- largely tiny homes and apartments -- for people experiencing homelessness, construction is now in sight.
  Camp Esperanza, which is being built by The Other Ones Foundation, has started their environmental clearance process and could officially begin construction in the next six to eight weeks, county staff told commissioners during court Tuesday.RELATED: City removing ho
  
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• Deshaun Watson depositions can begin in assault suits, judge says

  22-02-2022 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — A judge has declined efforts by attorneys for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson to delay all his depositions in connection with lawsuits filed by 22 women who have accused him of sexual assault and harassment.During a court hearing on Monday, defense attorney Rusty Hardin had asked that depositions in the case be delayed until after an ongoing criminal investigation of the allegations against Watson concluded. Houston Texans pick Lovie Smith as next head coachHardin
  
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• Execution date set for Texas woman convicted of killing 2-year-old daughter

  22-02-2022 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — There are currently 197 inmates on Texas' Death Row, six are women, including Melissa Lucio who would be the first Latina put to death in the state.Lucio was arrested in February 2007 and then later convicted of capital murder in 2008 after the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah.According to the Innocence Project, Mariah had a mild physical disability that made her unstable while walking and prone to tripping. Two days later, she took a nap
  
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• Texas bookshop shares 1000s of free books amid ISD challenges, reviews

  22-02-2022 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — When Ryan Holiday and his wife, Samantha, opened The Painted Porch Bookshop in Bastrop, the dream wasn't to get rich. As an author, he was drawn to the idea of sharing his passion and love of reading with new audiences, inspiring people to crack open new titles.As conversations surrounding books' themes and content have led to reviews, bans and analyses around the state, Holiday said he wanted to use his platform as a business owner to send a message. RELATED: Push
  
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• WATCH: Biden delivers remarks on Russia-Ukraine conflict

  22-02-2022 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden will deliver remarks Tuesday on the escalating situation between Russia and Ukraine amid heightened fears of a war.
  Russian troops moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized their independence. Russia’s upper house of parliament gave Putin permission to use military force outside the country Tuesday afternoon — a move that could presage a broader attack on Ukraine.
  NewsNation will
  
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• Biden announces new sanctions on Russia amid Ukraine crisis

  22-02-2022 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden announced Tuesday the U.S. was ordering heavy financial sanctions against Russian banks and oligarchs, declaring that Moscow had violated international law in what he called the “beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.”“None of us will be fooled” by Putin's claims about Ukraine, Biden said. And he said more sanctions could be on the way if Putin proceeds further.The new sanctions introduced include blocking
  
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• Biden announces new sanctions on Russia

  22-02-2022 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden announced new sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, following the movement of Russian troops into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized their independence.
  These sanctions include blocking two Russian financial institutions, the VEB and military bank, and cutting Russia's government off from Western financing."They can no longer raise money from the West and cannot trade in its new debt on our market
  
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• Could COVID-19 in kids cause diabetes? Here's what one expert says

  22-02-2022 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN) — A recent study explored the relationship between COVID-19 infections and those younger than 18 being diagnosed with diabetes, attempting to deepen the understanding of how they can affect one another.The Centers for Disease Control study noted researchers already know how having diabetes can complicate a person's ability to fight COVID-19 and said "The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people with diabetes, who are at increased risk of severe COVID
  
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• City removing homeless camp near Lady Bird Lake, body found nearby

  22-02-2022 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — City officials are working to remove a homeless camp near Lady Bird Lake in southeast Austin. A body was found during a call to the site Tuesday morning, police confirmed.
  A City of Austin spokesperson said more than 30 individuals were living near the area known as Longhorn/Lakeshore at Town Lake Metro Park. The area is located on parkland between the Boardwalk of International Shore to Longhorn Dam.
  Austin Police said that officers responded to a check welfare call on the
  
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• City removing homeless camp near Lady Bird Lake

  22-02-2022 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — City officials are working to remove a homeless camp near Lady Bird Lake in southeast Austin Tuesday.
  A City of Austin spokesperson said more than 30 individuals were living near the area known as Longhorn/Lakeshore at Town Lake Metro Park. The area is located on parkland between the Boardwalk of International Shore to Longhorn Dam.Large structure under north Austin overpass highlights hidden homeless populationThe site, according to the city, has grown since October. The s
  
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• City removes homeless camp near Lady Bird Lake, body found nearby

  22-02-2022 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — City officials worked to remove a homeless camp near Lady Bird Lake in southeast Austin. A body was found during a call to the site Tuesday morning, police confirmed.
  A City of Austin spokesperson said more than 30 individuals were living near the area known as Longhorn/Lakeshore at Town Lake Metro Park. The area is located on parkland between the Boardwalk of International Shore to Longhorn Dam.
  Austin Police said that officers responded to a check welfare call on the 400
  
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• Travis County partnering with City of Austin to create public health commission

  22-02-2022 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward with the creation of a public health commission that would oversee and inform public health operations in the City of Austin and Travis County collaboratively.
  The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted public health gaps, commissioner Jeff Travillion said. This commission will help inform leaders, make sure the county and city are on the same page, "and that we are talking about public health 52 weeks a year," he said.The com
  
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• Kirk Watson, Austin's mayor once before, enters 2022 race

  22-02-2022 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A former Austin mayor wants the job again.Kirk Watson, who served as Austin's mayor from 1997-2001, announced Tuesday that he'll join the race to be the next leader of Austin's government.State Sen. Kirk Watson resigns, will join Univ. of Houston as deanWatson, most recently the dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston after leaving his post as a Texas Senator in 2020, said he's running "because there's more to do."In a campaign introduction e
  
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• Austin airport, Air Canada offering nonstop flights to Vancouver this summer

  22-02-2022 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Next stop, Vancouver.Air Canada will now have nonstop flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Vancouver, British Columbia starting June 1, airport officials announced Tuesday. Austin airport saw record number of new flights in ’21 — here’s what’s coming in ’22Four flights per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in Boeing 737 Max planes will take travelers to and from the airports. Vancouver International Airport is esp
  
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• Suspect remains loose in Leander, police clear scene near library after search

  22-02-2022 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Leander police have told people they can now leave their homes after officers searched for a "wanted suspect" Tuesday morning.LPD said there was a "large police presence" in the 1300 block of Sonny Drive due to the search. A tweet from the department said it was an isolated incident and wasn't a danger to the public, but they still instructed people to stay inside.The scene is near the intersection with South Bagdad Road and the Leander Public LibraryLPD said the in
  
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• Suspect remains loose in Leander after stabbing

  22-02-2022 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Leander police are searching for a man they said stabbed the mother of his child multiple times at an apartment Tuesday morning. He faces an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.
  Police said Juan C Hernandez Guillen, 27, ran away from the scene on the 1300 block of Sonny Drive. He was last seen wearing and gray hoodie and dark sweat pants and is described as being 5'8" and 180 pounds.
  The suspect may be driving a red or maroon 2010 Pontiac Vibe with licens
  
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• Leander police find stabbing suspect after hours-long search

  22-02-2022 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A man who Leander police say stabbed the mother of his child multiple times at an apartment Tuesday morning has been found and arrested. Charges are pending, according to LPD.Police said Juan C. Hernandez Guillen, 27, ran away from the scene on the 1300 block of Sonny Drive. The 25-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with injuries that threaten her life.Police told people mid-morning they could leave their homes after officers searched for the "wanted suspect."
  
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• 2nd crash on US 183 in SE Travis County in past week, shuts highway down

  22-02-2022 15:46 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) — A truck crashed in southeast Travis County on Tuesday, closing U.S. Highway 183 in both directions for a brief period.A truck crashed on U.S. Highway 183 and FM 973 in southeast Travis County on Tuesday, closing the road for a brief period of time. (KXAN photo/Julie Karam)A truck crashed on U.S. Highway 183 and FM 973 in southeast Travis County on Tuesday, closing the road for a brief period of time. (KXAN photo/Julie Karam)A truck crashed on U.S. Highway 183 and FM
  
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• Wilco commissioners approve agreement with tech manufacturer promising 2K jobs in Georgetown

  22-02-2022 14:43 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County commissioners approved an economic inventive agreement with California-based tech company CelLink.
  The company has plans to put a 300,000-square-foot facility near State Highway 130 and Interstate 35 in Georgetown. The new factory is estimated to cost around $130 million. ABJ: Why CelLink Corp. picked Georgetown for $130M, 2,000-job facility – and what it plans to do at the site
  The company is known for supplying electric vehicle manufactu
  
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• Tech manufacturer could bring up to 2K jobs to Georgetown

  22-02-2022 14:43 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — California-based tech company CelLink has plans to put a 300,000-square-foot facility near State Highway 130 and Interstate 35 in Georgetown. The new factory is estimated to cost around $130 million. ABJ: Why CelLink Corp. picked Georgetown for $130M, 2,000-job facility – and what it plans to do at the site
  The company is known for supplying electric vehicle manufacturers with intelligent wiring systems.
  Tuesday, the Williamson County Commissioners Court an
  
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• HBO Max series with Elizabeth Olsen begins filming in Georgetown

  22-02-2022 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — HBO Max and Nicole Kidman will take over a portion of Georgetown to film a new series starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons and Lily Rabe."Love and Death," is a true-crime drama based on actual events that took place in the 1980s. HBO’s parent company WarnerMedia said the show is about “two church-going couples, enjoying small-town family life in Texas, until somebody picks up an ax.” Nicole Kidman is the executive producer on the project.
  The
  
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• 'This backlog is a problem': Hundreds of criminal cases pending in-person trials in Travis County

  22-02-2022 05:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Victims, families, attorneys and the accused in hundreds of criminal cases are waiting for jury trials to resume in person in Travis County.
  For months, these proceedings have been on hold due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the county, but court officials have tentatively scheduled them to resume on Feb. 28. According to the District Court's website, this schedule is dependent upon the county's COVID-19 precaution stage and could change.
  Meanwhile, the backlog of cases h
  
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• War fears grow as Putin orders troops to eastern Ukraine

  22-02-2022 04:41 via kxan.com
  
  MOSCOW (AP) — A long-feared Russian invasion of Ukraine appeared to be imminent Monday, if not already underway, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering forces into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.A vaguely worded decree signed by Putin did not say if troops were on the move, and it cast the order as an effort to “maintain peace.” But it appeared to dash the slim remaining hopes of averting a major conflict in Europe that could cause massive casualties, energy shor
  
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• 16 year old hit, killed by train while crossing tracks in San Marcos

  22-02-2022 02:56 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A teenager is dead after she was hit by a train while crossing the railroad tracks Monday evening in San Marcos. Witnesses said she was looking at her phone when she was hit, according to police.
  Officials said it happened on CM Allen Parkway just after 5 p.m. San Marcos Police responded to the area and found Letzy Jaramillo, 16, had been hit and killed by an oncoming train.
  She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
  Traffic along the roadway near Childre
  
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• 1 dead after train collision in San Marcos

  22-02-2022 02:56 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — At least one person is dead after a collision involving a train in San Marcos Monday evening, according to the San Marcos Police Department.
  It happened along CM Allen Parkway near Children's Park, police said.
  SMPD said traffic is heavy near the intersection of CM Allen Parkway and Hopkins Street, and CM Allen Parkway in that area will be closed for "several hours" as police investigate.
  Police are asking people to avoid the area if possible by using Aquarena or
  
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• AP POLL: Texas Tech back in Top 10, UT stays at No. 20

  22-02-2022 02:53 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — Gonzaga is the unanimous No. 1 in the latest Associated Press men's basketball poll. The Zags aren't likely to budge the way they're dominating the West Coast Conference.Gonzaga remained at No. 1 for the second straight week, receiving all 61 votes from a media panel in the poll released Monday. Arizona moved up a spot to No. 2 for its highest ranking in four years, with Auburn, Purdue and Kansas rounding out the top five.Gonzaga (23-2, 12-0 WCC) has followed up last year'
  
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• Want to weatherize your home? Austin Energy has a program to help

  22-02-2022 02:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More winter weather is on the way in Central Texas and Austin Energy wants customers to know how to reduce peak energy demand and keep some money customer's pocket.
  The City of Austin recently renewed its "weatherization" rebate program with Austin Energy, which gives qualifying customers home energy improvements.
  Mariana Hansen is one of Austin Energy's most recent customers to join in on the rebate program.
  "My unit is running less and I wish I would have done it sooner,"
  
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• Four-legged robot seen in Super Bowl ad stops in Austin

  22-02-2022 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A four-legged robot that has been getting a lot of attention lately made a stop in Austin Monday.
  Spot, a four-legged robot, was created by Boston Dynamics and has been seen in a Samuel Adams Super Bowl ad, as well as showcased on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.Related: ‘Robot dogs’ to help agents patrol Southwest borderAlthough Spot resembles a four-legged furry friend, the robot was designed to work in industrial settings, including going in places where h
  
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• Michigan coach Juwan Howard suspended for remainder of regular season

  22-02-2022 01:45 via kxan.com
  
  ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard has been suspended the final five games of the regular season and fined $40,000 for hitting a Wisconsin assistant in the head, triggering a postgame melee.The Big Ten Conference also on Monday suspended three players one game for the altercation following the 15th-ranked Badgers' 77-63 win on Sunday: Michigan's Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams II, and Jahcobi Neath of Wisconsin.Wisconsin coach Greg Gard was fined
  
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• How Texas' energy sector could be impacted by cyberattacks as tensions between US & Russia rise

  22-02-2022 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As tensions over the Russia-Ukraine conflict continue to intensify, the FBI is warning U.S. infrastructure could be the target of Russian cyberattacks.
  That could include risks for the Texas energy sector.
  "We are an energy exporting state, so any disruption in our ability to move products or energy could impact our economy," Joshua Rhodes, an energy expert with the University of Texas-Austin, said Monday.
  In May last year, Houston-based Colonial Pipeline, which delivers
  
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• Abbott's COVID-19 polling numbers pose a challenge to his opponents

  22-02-2022 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott finds himself above water in the polls when it comes to his handling of the pandemic, and it's creating a challenge for his political rivals desperate to land a damaging blow in front of voters.
  According to fresh polling from The Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, of the 1,200 polled in early February, 45% said they approve of Abbott's job performance when it comes to COVID. Forty-one percent disapproved.
  His approval jumps
  
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