Austin news

• Presumptive monkeypox case being investigated in Williamson County

  14-07-2022 23:48 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) is investigating a presumptive case of monkeypox within the county.
  WCCHD is waiting for results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to confirm the case. They are coordinating with the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC.What you need to know about monkeypox symptoms, how its spreadThe resident was infected while traveling outside of the county, a press release fro
  
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• Texas lawmakers working with extra $27B after record-high tax revenues

  14-07-2022 23:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Record-high tax revenues over the last year will give Texas lawmakers an astounding extra $27 billion to spend in the 2023 legislative session, the state’s top accountant said Thursday.In total, lawmakers will have $149.07 billion in general funds, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. Going into the last regular legislative session in 2021, lawmakers had $112.5 billion at their disposal. NTSB report shows it was not 13-year-old driving in deadly
  
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• How many people are at displacement risk under Project Connect?

  14-07-2022 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Project Connect's community advisory committee will discuss property impacts linked to the multi-billion-dollar transit initiative in a public meeting Thursday evening. On deck for the discussion includes identifying properties at risk for displacement, outreach initiatives and the latest updates on the 30% design recommendations.Austin voters approved Project Connect in November 2020, to an initial tune of $7.1 billion. Since, project scope changes, real estate acquisition
  
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• ATCEMS: Dead body found floating in Lady Bird Lake

  14-07-2022 22:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis EMS reported that medics found a dead body Thursday in Lady Bird Lake.ATCEMS tweeted at 2:46 p.m. that medics went to check on someone floating in the water and that the person was "possibly deceased." At 3:19 p.m., ATCEMS tweeted an update confirming the person was dead.As of ATCEMS' most recent tweet update, crews were "working on recovery & relocation of the victim back to shore."
  
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• Why one Austin neighborhood tracks energy use down to the circuit

  14-07-2022 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Every light bulb, microwave and electric vehicle charger — tracked! That's what around 300 homes are doing in the Mueller neighborhood in east Austin. They're doing it as part of a research project called Pecan Street, and the data they're collecting could reshape energy usage in the years to come."There's a lot of solar energy here. There's a high interest in electric vehicles. So it was a perfect spot," said Colin Rowan, director of communications for Pecan Street.
  
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• Ivana Trump, first wife of former President Trump, has died

  14-07-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Ivana Trump has died at 73, according to her ex-husband, former President Trump.“I am very saddened to inform all of those that loved her, of which there are many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York City,” the ex-president said in a statement posted on Truth Social on Thursday.Real estate tycoon Donald Trump and his wife Ivana are pictured aboard his giant yacht Trump Princess on the East River in New York City, July 1988. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandl
  
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• Big Bend trail closed due to increased bear activity

  14-07-2022 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  BIG BEND, Texas (KXAN) — A trail in Big Bend National Park is closed to the public because of increased bear activity.
  The Window Trail in the Chisos Basin closed Thursday until further notice. The emergency closure is due to significantly increased bear activity in the narrow trail corridor, according to an alert sent out by the park.There are signs posted at the upper and lower Window Trail trailheads, alerting visitors of the closures. Entering the closed area would be a violation of th
  
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• TxDOT earmarks $146M for statewide transit upgrades

  14-07-2022 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation is allocating nearly $150 million to help enhance transit access and reliability across the state, officials said in a press release Thursday.The Texas Transportation Commission approved Tuesday awarding $68 million in combined federal and state funds for transit providers to use. Those funds, when paired with an award granted in June, amount to $146 million in transit access funding.The funds will go toward both rural and urban-based
  
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• Broken line of thunderstorms to bring gusty winds, areas of welcome rain

  14-07-2022 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Not only do this afternoon and evening bring the best chance of rain for the week, but extended forecasts show this could be our best chance of rain for the entire month.Scattered showers and storms are moving into the area from the northeast, capable of producing dangerous lightning, heavy rain, and wind gusts of 40-50 mph. There is a marginal (1 out of 5) risk of severe storms that can produce damaging wind gusts of 60 mph. When storms arrive, remain indoors. Storms will be mo
  
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• All-clear given after bomb threat at UT San Antonio

  14-07-2022 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) -- Law enforcement gave an all-clear after a bomb threat was investigated at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) downtown campus.There was an increased police presence in the area as officials investigated. All persons on campus were asked to avoid the area, though there was no evacuation issued.
  The alert was sent out at about 1 p.m. Thursday, and the all-clear was given at about 1:30 p.m.College campuses in Austin experienced bomb threats last week as well, followi
  
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• Signs marking historic indigenous trail installed in Hays County after 8 years

  14-07-2022 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Signs marking part of a historic trail first established by indigenous peoples across Texas were finally installed in Hays County after being in storage for eight years.
  El Camino Real de los Tejas is a system of trails that stretches from Natchitoches, Louisiana through Texas to even Mexico City. The Caddo Nation used the trails to travel between communities and mound centers, according to the National Park Service.
  The Spanish began using the trails during col
  
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• Austin just experienced its hottest 7-day stretch in history

  14-07-2022 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's ongoing heat wave just broke yet another record.The past seven days — July 7 through July 13 — are now in the books as the hottest 7-day stretch ever recorded in the city, with records dating back to the 1890s.The average temperature during that period, which includes both the high and low temperatures each day, was 92.9°.That's 0.1° hotter than the previous record set in late August and early September 2011. How does this year compare to the re
  
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• Texas mother sues Academy for selling daughter the gun used in her suicide

  14-07-2022 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1 (800) 273-8255.
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – A Texas mother filed a civil lawsuit in Travis County against Academy Sports + Outdoors for selling a gun to her daughter July 2 in Austin. The gun was subsequently used by the daughter in her suicide.Court documents said the daughter struggled with bipolar and general anxi
  
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• Texas mother sues Academy after selling daughter the gun used in her suicide

  14-07-2022 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1 (800) 273-8255.
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – A Texas mother filed a civil lawsuit in Travis County against Academy Sports + Outdoors for selling a gun to her daughter July 2 in Austin. The gun was subsequently used by the daughter in her suicide.Court documents said the daughter struggled with bipolar and general anxi
  
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• NTSB report shows it was not 13-year-old driving in deadly Texas crash

  14-07-2022 18:53 via kxan.com
  
  ANDREWS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- An investigation report published by the National Transportation Safety Board shows it was not a 13-year-old driving a pickup truck that crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding with a New Mexico golf team's van and causing a deadly crash, as was initially reported.NTSB said DNA testing done by the Texas Department of Public Safety showed the driver was a 38-year-old man who had meth in his system. The 13-year-old was in the truck with him.
  The investigation laid
  
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• Blue Bell releases new Oatmeal Cream Pie flavor for National Ice Cream Month

  14-07-2022 18:14 via kxan.com
  
  BRENHAM, Texas (KXAN) — Blue Bell ice cream and oatmeal cream pie fans can rejoice – the two popular treats have come together for a limited-time mashup set to arrive in stores this week.
  The Brenham-based creamery announced the new Oatmeal Cream Pie flavor Thursday to celebrate National Ice Cream Month, available in half gallon and pint sizes while supplies last.
  In a release, the company described the flavor as "a delicious oatmeal flavored ice cream with hints of brown sugar mixed
  
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• Monkeypox in Austin: Public health leaders to give briefing Thursday

  14-07-2022 18:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health will give its first media briefing on monkeypox Thursday. There are six confirmed cases of monkeypox in Travis County, as of the latest update, along with several presumed cases.“We need to be safe and follow practices we’ve learned from COVID-19 to prevent the spread of monkeypox here in our community,” Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority, said this week. “Try to reduce close, intimate interactions with
  
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• What you need to know about monkeypox symptoms, how its spread

  14-07-2022 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There are now 42 monkeypox cases in Texas, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here's what we know about the virus.
  How does monkeypox spread?
  Monkeypox is spread most commonly through prolonged person-to-person contact. It mostly happens through direct contact with bodily fluids or with the scabs and wounds created by monkeypox, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The virus can also be spread through prolonged expo
  
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• Uvalde CISD prepares for upcoming school year, plans to boost security

  14-07-2022 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The Uvalde school district is working to finalize plans before students return to school for the new year following the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary.
  In a Wednesday letter to families, Uvalde CISD Superintendent Hal Harrell said the district is working with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas School Safety Center to conduct an audit of security and safety on all district facilities.
  The district is looking to upgrade doors/door locks, add new fencing, inst
  
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• Glaciers are melting faster and humans are at fault, UT scientists finally prove

  14-07-2022 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New research from the University of Texas has revealed humans are likely responsible for rapidly melting glaciers. The study, published July 13 in the journal "The Cryosphere," used computer models to test how global warming impacted glaciers.
  They found even "modest" warming cased glacier melt to accelerate.The study was done by researchers from the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics and Georgia Tech. The team said its research could help predict when major ice l
  
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• Bastrop ISD teacher accused of improper relationships with 2 students

  14-07-2022 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — A former educator with the Bastrop Independent School District is accused of having sexual contact with two high school students, court records from Bastrop County show.
  Roy Franks, 47, faces two counts of indecency with a child - sexual contact and two counts of improper relationship between educator and student, both second-degree felonies, indictments show. KXAN has reached out his attorney and will update this article when we receive a response.The charges stem
  
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• Alamo Drafthouse union worker fight isn't over

  14-07-2022 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — It was a calm Tuesday when Alamo Drafthouse union workers decided to go on strike at the South Lamar location — although some of the employees were fed up with the pay, they didn’t want to disrupt a busy movie night.It was a show of good faith, said Bernard Klinke, the organizing department liaison with The Industrial Workers of the World Austin. This sick-out occurred July 5, two days before the release of "Thor: Love and Thunder," which
  
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• PHOTOS: Memorial outside Robb Elementary in Uvalde grows

  14-07-2022 15:09 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — It's been over a month since 19 children and two teachers were killed inside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
  People across Texas haven't stopped showing their support for the town of a little more than 16,000 residents. Since the shooting, the memorial outside the school's campus has grown.
  On Wednesday, hundreds of flowers, stuffed animals, signs and photos of the victims delicately placed around the school sign now almost reach the roadway.
  July 13, 2022: In the
  
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• 'Integral': How school counselors assist after tragedies like Uvalde shooting

  14-07-2022 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students across the country will be heading back to school soon, many with concerns after May's Uvalde school shooting.Families affected by the Robb Elementary shooting are still reacting to leaked surveillance video from the school when the shooting occurred on May 24.
  In times like these, school counselors can help school communities, from students to staff to families.Father who lost only child in Uvalde shooting reacts to leaked surveillance videoThe American School Cou
  
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• Where are Austin's most haunted sites? Local ghost tour uncovers city history

  14-07-2022 14:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A lot has changed in Austin over the past 30 years, and so, too, has its paranormal activity appeal.Austin Ghost Tours412 E. Sixth St. Tours run $7-$25 Various evenings throughout the week depending on the tourFor 30 years, Jeanine Plumer has operated Austin Ghost Tours. What began as a promenade tour exploring the history of Austin's downtown corridor has since expanded to delve into Austin's spooky and spiritual history, with an emphasis on haunted sites in and beyond the
  
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• TMPA: Leaked Uvalde video still doesn't tell full story

  14-07-2022 12:51 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — Kevin Lawrence, the executive director of the Texas Municipal Police Association, said the school shooting video leaked to and published by the Austin American-Statesman doesn't answer a pivotal question.The video shows surveillance footage from inside Robb Elementary School when a gunman entered the campus and killed 21 people — two teachers and 19 students. The video also shows law enforcement's response.Father who lost only child in Uvalde shooting reacts to
  
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• Road improvements coming to Kyle

  14-07-2022 12:44 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Kyle said crews will be improving some of the city's roads next week.
  The city said Wednesday Viking Construction will be giving roads new surfaces starting Monday through Tuesday, July 26.
  Crews will work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Drivers will have to move their cars by 8 a.m. on the day their street is worked on. The city said affected roads will be closed to drivers and walkers until the new surfaces are dry. The city said that should t
  
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• Best rain chance of the week comes this afternoon

  14-07-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Not only does today hold the best chance of rain for the week, extended forecasts show this could be our best chance of rain for the month.Scattered showers and storms are possible late afternoon and evening, generally pushing north to south across Central Texas. Because of the later arrival of these showers, we'll still have a good 10-12 hours of warming ahead of us, allowing temperatures to return to the triple digits for the 13th-consecutive day.A Heat Advisory is in effect t
  
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• Austin residents asked to put garbage out earlier in the day

  14-07-2022 12:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The summer heat is impacting when your trash gets picked up.
  Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) said Wednesday it wants customers to place their bins at the curb no later than 5:30 a.m. on their scheduled collection day due to the heat.
  The change will happen through the end of the summer.FORECAST: As extreme heat continues, a better chance of soaking rain briefly arrives on ThursdayThis will allow ARR crews to collect recycling, composting, trash, large brush and bulk items on
  
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• One dead in north Austin crash Wednesday night

  14-07-2022 11:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County EMS says one person died in a multi-vehicle crash in north Austin Wednesday night.
  ATCEMS says paramedics were called to the 6100 block of West Parmer Lane just before 9:40 p.m. That is northwest of where West Parmer Lane intersects with McNeil Drive.
  According to ATCEMS, the adult who died at the scene was the only patient involved.The Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.
  
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• Q&A: School security expert responds to leaked Uvalde hallway video

  14-07-2022 04:06 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --A day after video from inside Robb Elementary during a deadly school shooting in Uvalde was leaked to the public, families, lawmakers and experts are responding.
  The full 77-minute leaked video was published by the Austin American-Statesman on Tuesday. The report featured video from the hallway of the school, but also surveillance footage from outside the school and an officer's body camera video.Leaked Uvalde hallway video shows gunman entering classroom, law enforcement re
  
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• Weeks without air conditioning at one Austin apartment complex

  14-07-2022 04:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Daysi Munguía's thermostat sits at over 90° on Wednesday.
  One air conditioning window unit and several fans don't do much to bring the temperature down.
  "I just don't think it's fair that I have to go through that when I was paying my rent on time. I was being responsible as a tenant," she said.FORECAST: As extreme heat continues, a better chance of soaking rain briefly arrives on ThursdayMunguía showed KXAN an email receipt showing she first requested man
  
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• Texas women's hoops add more backcourt firepower with All-American

  14-07-2022 03:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team picked up a big piece in the transfer portal Tuesday.Shaylee Gonzales, the reigning West Coast Conference player of the year and All-American guard from Brigham Young University, has two years of eligibility left and will suit up for the Longhorns in 2022-23, head coach Vic Schaefer said.
  Gonzales helped turn BYU into a top-20 team and led them to the NCAA Tournament with a 26-4 record. She was a finalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-
  
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• Man shoots 2 teens after they opened door to family SUV in Houston

  14-07-2022 03:04 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — A man shot two teenagers in Houston after they opened the rear door to an SUV with his wife and two young children inside of the vehicle, according to a Facebook post from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.The man and his family were returning to their home just after midnight on July 11 when the teens walked up to the SUV and opened a backdoor where a 1-year-old was sitting, the post read. $50,000 reward offered for info to find driver who hit, killed cyclistAccording to
  
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• Man shoots 2 teens after they opened door to family SUV

  14-07-2022 03:04 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — A man shot two teenagers in Houston after they opened the rear door to an SUV with his wife and two young children inside of the vehicle, according to a Facebook post from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.The man and his family were returning to their home just after midnight on July 11 when the teens walked up to the SUV and opened a backdoor where a 1-year-old was sitting, the post reads. $50,000 reward offered for info to find driver who hit, killed cyclistAccording to
  
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• Solar roofing company plans to build 450K-square-foot facility in Georgetown

  14-07-2022 02:19 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — A solar roofing company that has been billed as a competitor to Tesla Inc. has plans to open a 450,000-square-foot manufacturing, office and research and development facility in Georgetown that could create at least 265 jobs over five years.Silicon Valley-based GAF Energy LLC, which last year moved its operations from South Korea to San Jose, California, on July 12 was unanimously approved by the Georgetown City Council for a trio of incen
  
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• Columbine lessons ignored in Uvalde, former Austin police chief says

  14-07-2022 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of a KXAN series of reports called "Stop Mass Shootings," providing context and exploring solutions surrounding gun violence in the wake of the deadly Uvalde school shooting. We want our reports to be a resource for Texans, as well as for lawmakers who are convening a month after the events in Uvalde to discuss how the state should move forward. Explore all "Stop Mass Shootings" stories by clicking here.AUSTIN (KXAN) — To fully understand the law enforcement fa
  
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• Father who lost only child in Uvalde shooting reacts to leaked surveillance video

  14-07-2022 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE (Nexstar)— Alfred Garza III, welcomed us into his home. On almost every wall, are photos of his 10-year-old daughter, Amerie Jo.
  It's been almost two months since she was taken from him. But, for the first time on Tuesday, he saw this video from inside the school, as the shooting happened.
  This caught him off guard and did upset him since he was expecting a private viewing with other families on Sunday before it was publicly released.
  "It was kind of hard to hear the rounds firing..
  
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• Fayette County coal plant draws concerns from environmentalists

  14-07-2022 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Environmentalists are renewing concerns over a Central Texas coal power plant and the potential impact on people and the environment."Austin has some responsibility for the poisoning," said Barbara Fetonte who spent Wednesday protesting at Austin Energy's headquarters.She wasn't alone as about a dozen others joined her, chanting and waving signs."In Fayette County, the people are hurting," said protester Danny Fetonte. "The people are frustrated."The group wants to see
  
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• Inflation at its highest in 40 years, Labor Dept. report says

  14-07-2022 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (Nexstar) — Democrats and Republicans are pointing fingers at each other as inflation continues to climb, and according to a government report, is at its highest point in 40 years.The U.S. Labor Department released a report Wednesday showing the Consumer Price Index has jumped 9.1% since June 2021 — the largest increase in a 12-month period since November 1980-81. The report also shows the energy CPI has spiked 41.6% in the same time frame. None of the figures in the repor
  
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• Gas station robbery victim gets justice 4 years later

  14-07-2022 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Robbed in broad daylight and dragged holding on for dear life. That's what happened to Kristen Rosado while pumping gas back in 2018.It's a morning Rosado wishes she could forget."You never go back to normal when something like that happens to you," Rosado said.Back in July 2018, she was pumping gas at the HEB in Buda on her way to work. Suddenly, a man pulled up, opened her car door and tried to steal her purse. TOP STORY: $50,000 reward offered for info to find driver who
  
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