Austin news

• Kyle police arrest man they believe slashed roughly 30 people's tires

  18-05-2022 23:48 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Kyle Police Department said they arrested the man they believe is responsible for slashing roughly 30 people's tires in the Woodlands and Cool Springs neighborhoods earlier this week.Russell Kershaw, 35, was arrested and charged with two charges of felony criminal mischief. His bond is set at $4,000.PREVIOUS: Over 30 reports of tires slashed in Kyle neighborhoods Monday morningThe police department said they first got a call on Monday just before 4 a.m. at the 400 block
  
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• If I voted as a Democrat in the Texas primary can I vote Republican in the runoff election?

  18-05-2022 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday marked the first day of early voting for the May 24 runoff, where Texas voters will choose respective nominees for their party in several key races, including the Attorney General.Texas runoff face-off: GOP, Democratic Attorney General candidates vie for Paxton’s seatIf you voted in the Democratic primary earlier this year, you can't won't get a say in which Republican candidates advance to the November election and vice versa. You have to stick with the party'
  
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• Rep. Doggett calls on TSA intervention amid 'unacceptable' airport lines, waits

  18-05-2022 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) called on Transportation Security Administration officials to assist at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport amid what he calls an "unacceptable" situation. AUS has navigated several high-volume travel days this year alone that have led to TSA lines extending outside the building, leading to prolonged delays and some passengers missing their flights.“The situation in the Austin airport—both with new, incredibly long arriv
  
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• Austin is hitting 100° more frequently. Here's when it's most common

  18-05-2022 23:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has been flirting with 100° Fahrenheit for several days now, but we've yet to officially hit the triple digits so far this year.Complete temperature records for Camp Mabry — Austin's official reporting site — date back to 1898.Since then, Austin has reached 100° a total of 1,821 times.The chart below shows the number of triple-digit temperatures recorded each year since records began.The summer of 2011 was record-breaking. Austin hit 100° a to
  
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• Austin is hitting 100 degrees more frequently. Here's when it's most common

  18-05-2022 23:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has been flirting with 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several days now, but we've yet to officially hit the triple digits so far this year.Complete temperature records for Camp Mabry — Austin's official reporting site — date back to 1898.Since then, Austin has reached 100 F a total of 1,821 times.The chart below shows the number of triple-digit temperatures recorded each year since records began.The summer of 2011 was record-breaking. Austin hit 100 F a total
  
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• Lake Travis ISD needs more land, eyes properties in Dripping Springs

  18-05-2022 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Travis Independent School District board members say the district needs more property and may authorize contracts for two lots in Dripping Springs, and one with a Spicewood address. But not everyone is happy about it.
  One neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said she received a notice about the possible purchase in her Dripping Springs neighborhood over the weekend.Memo: Here’s where Austin stands with its Safer 6th Street initiative"I am greatly concerned t
  
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• Fentanyl test strips are illegal in Texas, and it's getting national attention

  18-05-2022 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — National harm reduction groups are turning their attention to Texas as news about the breadth of our state's overdose problem has grabbed headlines.
  On Tuesday, the National Harm Reduction Coalition posted an article done in conjunction with State of Reform, a group that hosts conferences around the country surrounding health policy and political reform, addressing the fact that fentanyl testing strips are still illegal in Texas despite the jump in overdoses and overdose de
  
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• Memo: Here's where Austin stands with its Safer 6th Street initiative

  18-05-2022 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin police chief and city staff sent a memo to Austin City Council updating them on the viability and implementation of elements of the Safer 6th Street initiative Wednesday.
  That initiative was brought forward by Councilmember Kathie Tovo in response to violent and dangerous incidents that have occurred in the popular downtown nightlife area, including a mass shooting last year where one person died and 14 others were injured.PREVIOUS: What’s the latest on the Safe
  
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• New poll shows Texans split on school vouchers, but majority concerned it would pull funding from public schools

  18-05-2022 21:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This week, a new poll from Change Research asked more than 1,000 Texas voters to weigh in on school voucher programs.
  The poll shows voters are split on having a school voucher program in Texas: 46% said they supported the idea, 43% opposed it and 11% said they were not sure.
  However, when it comes to funding, 82% responded they are concerned the voucher program would take away from public school funding, which 57% then stated concern this could lead to higher property taxe
  
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• All Instagram filters back in Texas, exactly 1 week after some disabled

  18-05-2022 19:14 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (Nexstar) — Instagram filters are back in Texas.Exactly one week ago, the social media's parent company, Meta, disabled some of them in response to an ongoing lawsuit. ORIGINAL STORY: You can’t use some Instagram filters in Texas anymore — here’s whyTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Meta, alleging it uses facial recognition technology. Facial recognition was previously used by the company, but Meta discontinued it in November 2021.Meta promised it woul
  
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• Austin FC vs. LAFC: The McConaughey, Ferrell showdown is back

  18-05-2022 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's already a heated matchup that will determine who's best in the west, but there's some celebrity heat behind Wednesday's Austin FC, LAFC matchup too.
  As Austinites know full well, Matthew McConaughey is an minority investor in Austin FC, but we aren't home to the only club with celebrity backing. LAFC has the same in Will Ferrell.
  The banter has already begun. McConaughey tweeted a photo of him and Ferrell — each wearing their respective teams' gear — Wednes
  
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• Wildfire in Llano County burns 600 acres

  18-05-2022 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A wildfire in Llano County has burned an estimated 600 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
  Right now, the Sandstone Mountain Fire is 50% contained. It's currently burning along East State Highway 71 southeast of the town of Llano.
  The Forest Service said it was called in to help control it.Check your home’s risk of wildfire on this mapThe fire is burning near another fire crews responded to Tuesday night. That fire is 57 acres large.
  Thi
  
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• Wildfire in Llano County burns 350 acres

  18-05-2022 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A wildfire in Llano County has burned an estimated 350 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
  Right now, the Sandstone Mountain Fire is 50% contained. It's currently burning along East State Highway 71 southeast of the town of Llano.
  The Forest Service said it was called in to help control it. Aviation resources are helping ground crews to suppress the fire.
  Earlier, the Forest Service said the fire was an estimated 600 acres, but the agency said
  
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• Lake Travis now at its lowest level since May 2015

  18-05-2022 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Travis has dropped to its lowest level since May 2015 as a streak of record-breaking heat continues in Austin.The lake level at Mansfield Dam was recorded at 653.61' above mean sea level at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18, according to data from the Lower Colorado River Authority.That's the lowest level in seven years. May 2015 saw a dramatic increase in the lake level — a jump of 37 feet throughout the month, fueled by record rainfall.As of now, Lake Travis is l
  
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• Texas doctors address parent concerns about formula shortage

  18-05-2022 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — Pediatricians from the country's largest hospital for children will address parents' concerns about the ongoing shortage of baby formula.
  Dr. Stan Spinner and Dr. Amy Hair from the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston will hold a virtual news conference Wednesday morning focusing on the problems families are facing right now.
  In a news release, the hospital shared these doctors are going to share "new insight and separating facts from fiction for parents about the baby for
  
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• LIVE: Texas doctors address parent concerns about formula shortage

  18-05-2022 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — Pediatricians from the country's largest hospital for children will address parents' concerns about the ongoing shortage of baby formula.
  Dr. Stan Spinner and Dr. Amy Hair from the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston will hold a virtual news conference Wednesday morning focusing on the problems families are facing right now.
  In a news release, the hospital shared these doctors are going to share "new insight and separating facts from fiction for parents about the baby for
  
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• Autonomous cars without drivers can now pick you up, drop off deliveries

  18-05-2022 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you see a car without a driver on the roads in Austin — you're not dreaming.A company that specializes in autonomous vehicle technology has begun operating its vehicles on city streets without a safety driver in the front seat.
  The company, called Argo AI, is partnering with Ford, Lyft, Walmart and VW to help make their delivery and rideshare services autonomous.
  The cars are traversing the Austin area during daytime hours and heavy traffic right now, along with pe
  
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• George Strait turns 70: Facts you may not know about the 'King of Country'

  18-05-2022 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Happy birthday to the "King of Country" George Strait. The Texas-born country music legend turned 70 years old Wednesday.Here are some "Strait" facts about the music legend, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame:George Strait was born May 18, 1952 in Poteet, Texas, a city 30 minutes south of San Antonio.Strait didn’t listen much to country music growing up. He was inspired by rock bands and even joined a number of garage bands in high school.The Texas native enl
  
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• San Marcos CISD approves 3% pay increase for teachers, retention payments

  18-05-2022 15:15 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The San Marcos CISD board approved a 3% pay increase for teachers earlier this week, which the district said equals out to $1,700.
  Starting teacher pay will also begin at $52,000 "to maintain competitive with our market peers," SMCISD said.
  Classified staff will get 5.26% of the midpoint of each employee's pay range, and professional employees will receive 3% of the midpoint of each worker's pay range.MORE: San Marcos CISD considers bonus cash for workersTo get t
  
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• 16-year-old dies after jumping from cliffs on Lake Georgetown

  18-05-2022 14:32 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A Round Rock teen died Monday after jumping from the cliffs on Lake Georgetown over the weekend, police said.
  According to the Georgetown Police Department, the teenager was 16 years old.
  They jumped from the cliffs Saturday, did not surface and were rescued by first responders.
  The teen was then pronounced dead at 8 p.m. on Monday.
  There are three parks on Lake Georgetown: Cedar Breaks Park, Jim Hogg Park and Russell Park. All are operated by the U.S. Army Corps
  
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• Tick season in Central Texas: How to protect yourself

  18-05-2022 14:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more people get outside, there's a hidden pest that could make you very sick. Be on the lookout for ticks.If not careful, you can get Lyme disease from a tick bite. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates suggest about 476,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the country.
  Philip Boyd was hiking in the mountains of North Carolina when he picked up a tick.
  "It was under my armpit, in my armpit, under my arm. It was very tiny, so it wa
  
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• 'Horrifying' wait times for state hospital beds, official says

  18-05-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt thinks of the state hospital waitlist, she remembers a constituent she learned about who had a mental health crisis. The man had no criminal history. His neighbors called for help expecting him to be taken to a mental health facility. Instead, he was booked in a county jail, stripped naked and put in a rubber room. There he waited, until a scarce bed in a state hospital opened, she said.Eckhardt called that outcome “tragic.” State recor
  
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• Austin stalled on zoning overhaul as Biden lures cities to fix their housing rules

  18-05-2022 12:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin told KXAN Tuesday it currently has no plans to appeal a recent court ruling that effectively shot down a years-long effort to overhaul of the city's Land Development Code.The statement comes as the White House aims to incentivize municipalities to revamp their zoning regulations in an effort to create more, ideally affordable housing options in communities seeing skyrocketing home prices — like Austin.The majority of Austin is zoned for single-famil
  
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• Man killed in far north Austin auto-ped crash

  18-05-2022 11:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a man died in an auto-ped crash in far north Austin Wednesday morning.The crash happened at the intersection of West Rundberg Lane and North Lamar Boulevard around 3:10 a.m. Police say a truck hit and killed a person crossing the intersection.
  A police dispatch told KXAN that a portion of the intersection was blocked, but was not sure which portion. The driver stayed on the scene but it's not clear if they will face charges at this time.The one and a half mile
  
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• Man killed after van and truck crash in north Austin

  18-05-2022 11:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police said a crash in north Austin between a van and a truck led to the death of a nearby man Wednesday morning.Police said the van heading north on Lamar Boulevard and the truck was going west on Rundberg Lane crashed around 3:10 a.m. According to police, the crash pushed the van into a person standing at a nearby bus stop.
  A police dispatcher told KXAN Lamar is shut down at one block north and south of Rundberg, but Rundberg Lane is open. Lamar should be reopened
  
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• One killed in crash on FM 1660 in Taylor

  18-05-2022 10:48 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The Department of Public Safety is investigating a deadly crash involving a commercial vehicle Wednesday morning.DPS says it was notified of the crash in the 15300 block of FM 1660 near FM 973 around 2 a.m.
  One person is dead. All lanes of 1660 were shut down early Wednesday while crews investigated.
  
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• 1 killed after 18-wheelers crash on FM 1660 in Taylor

  18-05-2022 10:48 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a deadly crash involving two 18-wheelers Wednesday morning.DPS said the driver of one of the 18-wheelers died in the crash. The condition of the other driver is not known. DPS said it was notified of the crash on FM 1660 near FM 973 around 2 a.m.
  Eastbound 1660 is shutdown from FM 973 to SH 95 early Wednesday while crews cleaned debris from one of the 18-wheelers.The intersection of FM 1660 and FM 973 is also sti
  
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• Austin's airport: Get here even earlier

  18-05-2022 10:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Bergstrom International Airport says you need to arrive even earlier to make sure you make your flight.The airport recommended Tuesday travelers with carry-on bags arrive two-and-a-half hours before boarding for domestic flights and three hours before boarding for international travel.Previous guidance recommended flyers arrive two hours ahead of time for domestic travel, a recommendation put in place last December amid the holiday travel rush.
  The announcement Tuesd
  
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• Austin's airport: get here earlier

  18-05-2022 10:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's airport says you need to arrive even earlier to make sure you make your flight. The airport recommended Tuesday travelers with carry-on bags arrive two-and-a-half hours early for domestic flights.
  In December 2021, AUS recommended holiday travelers arrive two hours early for domestic flights. MEMO: Curbside improvements coming to AUSPrevious guidance recommended flyers arriving just two hours ahead of time.
  Here are some other tips to make sure you get where you’r
  
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• Rainfall projections ramp up ahead of wet pattern

  18-05-2022 10:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This week's unseasonable heat continues with long-standing records being rivaled this afternoon.Like yesterday, Austin should fall short of triple digit highs, but mid-upper 90s look likely.It's possible we surpass the current record of 97 degrees last set in 1925. A cluster of clouds mixing with the sun this afternoon would be the only thing that could prevent the record breaking heat we currently expect.Record-breaking heat possible again today.A pattern change arrives la
  
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• Rain chances, cooler temps in view

  18-05-2022 10:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This week's unseasonable heat continues with long-standing records being rivaled this afternoon.Like yesterday, Austin is likely to near 99 degrees late day which would surpass the current record of 97 degrees last set in 1925. Morning clouds will clear to afternoon sun with breezy south winds 10-20 mph.Record-breaking heat expected again today.A pattern change arrives late week with daily rain chances starting Friday and continuing through the weekend. Storm coverage will
  
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• Six hospitalized after fire damages two Austin mobile homes

  18-05-2022 10:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Six people are in the hospital Wednesday morning after two mobile homes burned on Research Boulevard just northwest of Lamar Boulevard. The Austin Fire Department is investigating what caused the fire and won't have an update until 9 a.m.
  Paramedics with Austin-Travis County EMS took three adults and three kids to the hospital. One adult has critical, life threatening injuries. Two of the children have potentially life threatening injuries. The other four are expected to survive
  
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• 6 hospitalized after fire damages 2 Austin mobile homes

  18-05-2022 10:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Six people are in the hospital Wednesday morning after two mobile homes burned on Research Boulevard just northwest of Lamar Boulevard.
  The Austin Fire Department is investigating what caused the fire and won't have an update until 9 a.m.
  Paramedics with Austin-Travis County EMS took three adults and three kids to the hospital. One adult has critical, life threatening injuries. Two of the children have serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
  The other four are expec
  
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• As city delays help for Austin musicians, businesses step in

  18-05-2022 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a push for businesses to show more support for Austin's music industry, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians said it now has a key investment to help keep their services going as musicians have to wait longer in getting funds from the city.
  Earlier this month, Austin city staff said staffing shortages are partly behind the delay in getting $3 million to artists and promoters as part of the Live Music Fund.Staffing problems keeping cash from Austin musicians, city say
  
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• As city delays help for Austin musicians, a call for businesses to step in

  18-05-2022 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a push for businesses to show more support for Austin's music industry, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians said it now has a key investment to help keep their services going as musicians have to wait longer in getting funds from the city.
  Earlier this month, Austin city staff said staffing shortages are partly behind the delay in getting $3 million to artists and promoters as part of the Live Music Fund.
  HAAM said its new partnership with PNC Bank will help them ad
  
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• Austin FC, LAFC clash with 1st place on the line Wednesday

  18-05-2022 05:20 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (KXAN) — Austin FC is hoping to end its two-match losing streak Wednesday, but they'll have to do it on the road against the best team in the league.Austin takes on LAFC, the newer of the two Los Angeles teams in Major League Soccer, at 9:30 CDT from Banc of California Stadium in its first midweek MLS regular season game of the year. It will be broadcast on KBVO.Coming off a 2-1 road loss to Real Salt Lake, Austin FC squandered a 1-0 first-half lead after playing with 10 for mo
  
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• Search warrant obtained for south Austin home after deadly shooting of gravel racer

  18-05-2022 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police obtained a search warrant for a south Austin home in connection with the deadly shooting of a 25-year-old gravel racer who was visiting Austin before a weekend race.Anna Moriah Wilson, 25, who went by “Mo,” was found bleeding and unconscious by her friend after returning to an east Austin home May 11. Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Young gravel racing star shot, killed in east Austin earlier this weekPolice said the shooting to
  
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• KXAN earns 5 Regional Murrow Awards to continue winning streak

  18-05-2022 02:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN continued its winning streak of awards, earning five Regional Murrow Awards, the most of any station in the Austin market.KXAN won in these categories: Continuing Coverage, Digital, Excellence in Innovation, Investigative Reporting and Podcast.All five winners will advance to the National Murrow Awards competition.
  KXAN's investigation into the state's mental hospital backlog won in the continuing coverage category. Take a look back through this award-winning investiga
  
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• Middle school students compete to add burrito recipes to AISD menus

  18-05-2022 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Austin Independent School District’s "Diced and Sliced" culinary competition came back in full force Thursday.Six teams of middle school students competed against each other to have their burrito recipes on Austin ISD’s school lunch menus next year. Report: Austin falls from top 10 of ‘best places to live’ rankings"The opportunity to be here and show off my cooking is amazing,” Kealing Middle School stu
  
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• Trojan Sweep: Anderson girls win golf state title behind 2nd-round charge

  18-05-2022 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A week after the Anderson High School boys golf team won the Class 5A state championship, the Trojans girls did the same in thrilling fashion Tuesday at White Wing Golf Course in Georgetown.
  With a two-day score of 600, the Trojans squeaked past San Antonio Alamo Heights who finished with a 601 score."This has been an unbelievable ride," said John McPherson, Anderson's head coach. "I'm so happy for our girls. We were down by seven at the turn and made up eight st
  
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• Trojan Sweep: Anderson girls win golf state title

  18-05-2022 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  A week after the Anderson Boys Golf Team won the Class 5A State Championship, the Trojans girls did the same in thrilling fashion Tuesday. With a two day score of 600, the Trojans squeaked past San Antonio Alamo Heights who finished with a 601 score."This has been an unbelievable ride," said John McPherson, Anderson Golf Head Coach. "I'm so happy for our girls. We were down by seven at the turn and made up eight strokes to overcome. To win this for our school, our community, for Austin is just g
  
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• Summer forecast: Does a hot, dry May guarantee a hot summer?

  18-05-2022 01:07 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — As a record-hot May shows no signs of abating this week, many Central Texans are wondering the same thing: "What does this mean for the coming summer?"As part of our week-long Summer Outlook series, Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans examines what this early summer heat means for the next few months.More on KXAN's Summer Outlook seriesDropping lake levels could mean water restrictions soon"It's been really hot," Ali Perkins said as she wrapped up her outdoor workout on the Ann and
  
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• Woman says neighbor invaded her north Austin home, exposed himself

  18-05-2022 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  Note: Some of the language used may be sensitive to young readers.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Loammy Ortiz says a man barged through her patio door with his pants down and she still has to see him at her apartment complex every day.
  "I heard a loud noise in back of me and then when I turned around there was this guy with his penis out," she said. "He kept going to me even though I was telling him to stop and ask what he was doing in my house."Austin police tell us this is an active investigation and
  
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