Austin news

• Bipartisan resolution calling for Brittney Griner's release introduced in US Senate

  22-07-2022 23:42 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- The U.S. Senate released a bipartisan resolution calling for the release of Brittney Griner, calling her detention in Russia wrongful. A Texas senator cowrote the resolution.
  Nearly 30 senators, including John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas, cosponsored the resolution, urging the U.S. government to press for Griner's release.
  The WNBA player was arrested in February after customs officials said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to 10 yea
  
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• Court monitors find ‘troubling inconsistencies' in data on Texas foster kids in state care for months

  22-07-2022 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a new report pointed out potential "inconsistencies" in state records about kids in the care of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a federal judge will take closer look at the length of time these children have spent in the state's care.On Tuesday, July 26, Judge Janis Jack is scheduled preside over the latest hearing in the ongoing federal lawsuit over the treatment of foster children in Texas. According to court filings, Tuesday's hearing will focus
  
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• Dallas ISD places billboards in Austin to recruit new teachers

  22-07-2022 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the largest school districts in Texas is dipping into the Austin talent pool to lure teachers from an area that's also struggling to fill hundreds of vacancies before the next school year starts in about a month.
  Billboards appeared recently in different parts of Austin with this message: "Become a Teacher in Dallas, Texas." The large advertisements from the Dallas Independent School District also stated that teacher salaries there range from $60,000 to $102,000. A l
  
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• Warrant issued for driver involved in deadly crash with CapMetro bus

  22-07-2022 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An arrest warrant was issued for the driver allegedly responsible for a crash involving a CapMetro bus that killed a 6-year-old child earlier this year, according to an affidavit.
  Ashley White was identified as the driver of the black Chevy Impala that collided with a CapMetro bus after running a red light at the intersection of 11th Street and Interstate 35 on Feb. 27. One child died, and another child and five adults were injured as a result of the crash. 1 child killed in Aus
  
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• Suicide lifeline sees increase in calls, messages after launch of new 988 number

  22-07-2022 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the launch of the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on Saturday, the three-digit number saw an increase of calls, texts and chats for help, according to the formally known National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. RELATED: Texas preps for 988 mental health hotline launch this weekendDuring the transition week from July
  
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• Reward increased to $6,000 for details in 2002 murder of Texas child

  22-07-2022 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  ORANGE, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is upping the reward for details leading to an arrest in the 2002 murder of a child.
  DPS said the reward for information about 4-year-old Dannarriah Finley's death is now up to $6,000. Usually, the reward is $3,000 for cold cases on the Texas Rangers website.The increased reward will only be offered until the next cold case is featured, DPS said, which is something the agency does bi-monthly in an effort to garner new leads and a
  
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• Bo Jackson donated to pay for Uvalde victims' funerals

  22-07-2022 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former sports superstar Bo Jackson helped pay for the funerals of the 19 children and two teachers killed in the Uvalde school massacre in May, revealing himself as one of the previously anonymous donors who covered costs for families after one of the deadliest classroom shootings in U.S. history.Jackson, whose rare success in both the NFL and Major League Baseball made him one of the greatest and most marketable athletes of the 1980s and 1990s, told The Associated Pre
  
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• Houston man found dead on Big Bend trail

  22-07-2022 20:16 via kxan.com
  
  BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas (KXAN) — A Houston man was found dead on a trail in Big Bend National Park Thursday evening.
  The body of the 75-year-old man was found along the Chimneys Trail, about a half-mile from the trailhead. There was no obvious cause of death, the park said. The temperature was above 104 degrees on Thursday afternoon.Big Bend trail closed due to increased bear activityThe Chimneys Trail is considered moderately-difficult, the park said. It's a five-mile round trip hik
  
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• Uvalde schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo faces possible firing

  22-07-2022 19:44 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.UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The police chief for the Uvalde sch
  
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• Uvalde school meeting to discuss firing Police Chief Arredondo canceled

  22-07-2022 19:44 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.UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — A special meeting scheduled to disc
  
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• Uvalde killer 'broke down,' 'didn't want to live anymore,' family told cops

  22-07-2022 19:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde "didn't want to live anymore," a family member revealed, saying he "broke down" in the days leading up to the mass killing, according to police body camera footage."His mind, last week, he broke down and didn't want to live anymore," a woman, who identifies herself as a family member of the 18-year-old gunman, is heard telling police at 1:50 p.m. on May 24 — one hour after the gunman was s
  
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• California Gov. Gavin Newsom targets Gov. Greg Abbott on guns, abortion in Texas ads

  22-07-2022 18:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is running full-paged advertisements in Texas newspapers Friday, targeting Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's policies related to abortion and gun control.
  The ads, first reported by NBC News, will run in the Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle and El Paso Times. The spread modifies a quote from Abbott when he signed the state's restrictive abortion law — Senate Bill 8 — crossing out select words to draw attention t
  
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• Symptoms of BA.5: Loss of smell less common, sore throat reported

  22-07-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A large study of vaccinated people in the United Kingdom found symptoms of the omicron variant were different, and overall less severe, than the delta variant. Right now, BA.5, a subvariant of the omicron variant, is the most prevalent in Texas' region.
  The study, first published in the Lancet, asked more than 60,000 people about their symptoms using the ZOE COVID app. Those people had all tested positive for COVID-19 both during the delta wave and the omicron wave.COVID-19 in T
  
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• Study: Symptoms of omicron different than delta

  22-07-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A large study of vaccinated people in the United Kingdom found symptoms of the omicron variant were different, and overall less severe, than the delta variant. Right now, BA.5, a subvariant of the omicron variant, is the most prevalent in Texas' region.
  The study, first published in the Lancet, asked more than 60,000 people about their symptoms using the ZOE COVID app. Those people had all tested positive for COVID-19 both during the delta wave and the omicron wave.COVID-19 in T
  
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• Will UV rays from Texas heat cause more cases of skin cancer? Austin doctor discusses

  22-07-2022 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It doesn't take long to get a sunburn in Central Texas, and too much sun can lead to a common form of cancer, according to Dr. Jeff Yoria with Texas Oncology.“Skin cancer is unfortunately very common. If you take all the skin cancers, it is the most common type of cancer we have out there.”Yoria said you can cut down the risk of getting skin cancer by protecting your skin early on with sunscreen.“Even lots of exposure when you are young or a kid can put yo
  
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• Illegal dump site on fire in south Austin

  22-07-2022 15:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire crews are working to put out a giant trash fire in south Austin Friday morning.
  The Austin Fire Department said the fire is burning at an illegal dump site in the 2100 block of Brandt Road. That's near Onion Creek and the Shoreline Church South Campus.
  AFD said the smoke column "can be seen for miles." The fire is contained.Austin Fire crews are working to put out a fire at an illegal dump site in the 2100 block of Brandt Road (AFD Photo)Austin Fire crews are wo
  
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• Medical disorder common to infants found in astronauts; doctors seek solution

  22-07-2022 15:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A medical disorder commonly found in babies, Hydrocephalus, has been detected in astronauts spending long periods of time in outer space. This disorder causes a pressure buildup of spinal fluid which can then cause brain damage and damage to the optic nerve."I was having the normal changes with bone and muscle," said astronaut Michael Barratt. "I didn't expect to see my vision change like it did." Barratt served aboard the International Space Station in 2009 and 2011, speci
  
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• Austin organization seeks federal funding to help homelessness response

  22-07-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Millions of federal dollars could make their way to Austin over the next several years to help the unhoused.
  On Friday, the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) and other community groups will meet to discuss priorities. They want the community to be part of the conversation.Out of the $322 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development package to address homelessness, the Austin and Travis County area could get nearly $8 million. RELATED: $300 million a
  
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• Amber Alert: Police search for 11-year-old girl out of Missouri City, suspect in her abduction

  22-07-2022 14:53 via kxan.com
  
  MISSOURI CITY, Texas (KXAN) — Police near Houston are searching for an 11-year-old girl they believe is in danger and a man in connection with her abduction.
  An Amber Alert notice said Imani Stephens was last seen around 1:45 a.m. Friday in the 3700 block of Dry Creek Drive in Missouri City, which is a little less than 20 miles southwest of Houston.
  She's described as Black with black hair and brown eyes. She's about 5'2" tall and weighs 111 pounds. Police said she also has scars on both h
  
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• This couple’s property tax bill should be $0. Instead, they paid $3,770

  22-07-2022 14:01 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) – Retired U.S. Marine David Pate, and his wife Jeanne, a former teacher, moved into a new home just outside Austin in February 2021. As soon as they moved in, they applied for property tax exemptions. A month later they were approved.The tax bill they received in October showed the couple owed $0 in property taxes. That's typical for the couple, who qualified for the senior and 100 percent disabled veteran exemptions.The Pates were shocked when nearly a year later they
  
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• This couple’s property tax bill is usually $0. Instead, they paid $3,770

  22-07-2022 14:01 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) – Retired U.S. Marine David Pate, and his wife Jeanne, a former teacher, moved into a new home just outside Austin in February 2021. As soon as they moved in, they applied for property tax exemptions. A month later they were approved.The tax bill they received in October showed the couple owed $0 in property taxes. That's typical for the couple, who qualified for the senior and 100 percent disabled veteran exemptions.The Pates were shocked when nearly a year later they
  
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• Lake Travis companies provide zipline tours, floating obstacle course

  22-07-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — There's no shortage of fun to have at Lake Travis, whether you're boating, swimming, fishing or just enjoying entertainment on the shore. Two companies provide unique adventures for families seeking something different: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures and Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures.Lake Travis Zipline Adventures14529 Pocohontas Trail, Volente
  ~30 minutes from Austin $135 Reservations requiredLake Travis Zipline Adventures, the only zipline company in Austi
  
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• Lower triple digits continue with tiny rain chances

  22-07-2022 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some clouds drifting in may provide some brief shade from the hot sun as we wrap up the afternoon. In addition, a very low (less than 10%) rain chance exists for our Eastern Counties as storms from the Houston area fade on their approach to Central Texas.Plan on a partly cloudy and hot evening with temperatures slowly dropping through the 90s.Eventually we head into the upper 70s by Saturday morning as widespread low clouds make a return.Clouds should lift by mid-late morning re
  
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• 2022's triple digit days crack TOP 10

  22-07-2022 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dogs bark, cats meow and Central Texas hits 100°+. We know it's obvious... but the question is - how long will it last?Afternoon highs will climb into the low 100s today through the weekend under a mix of sunshine and scattered clouds. Dry skies will stretch areawide with an occasional evening breeze possible.Although the uncomfortably hot temperatures will continue, there is a slight change in pattern that could bring a few spot showers to parts of Central Texas by middle o
  
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• 3 words can help first responders find someone during emergencies

  22-07-2022 05:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS spent Thursday working on swift-water rescues.While training is important for first responders, the person calling in the emergency can play a part as well."One of the first questions out of our communication medic's mouths is what is the address of your emergency," said Captain Darren Noack with ATCEMS.Knowing where you are is important, and even identifying a landmark can help."If you are in an area like the gre
  
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• Waterloo Park stabbing victim identified; Police still searching for suspect

  22-07-2022 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is looking for the suspect involved in a homicide near a downtown Austin park on Thursday, July 21.APD said it received multiple 911 calls around 8:40 p.m. about "a man who was running in the roadway who was covered in blood," near Waterloo Park, located at the intersection of 12th and Red River streets.Police said the man, identified as Edarius Johnson, 36, was lying on the ground with apparent stab wounds when they arrived. Johnson was taken t
  
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• Suspicious death near Waterloo Park, no suspect in custody

  22-07-2022 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a suspicious death near a downtown Austin park Thursday.APD said it received multiple 911 calls around 8:40 p.m. about "a man who was running in the roadway who was covered in blood," near Waterloo Park, located at the intersection of 12th and Red River streets. APD said the man may have been stabbed, but didn't confirm that. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2022?APD said officers gave the man CPR until Austi
  
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• LIVE: APD investigating suspicious death near Waterloo Park

  22-07-2022 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said officers are responding to a suspicious death downtown Thursday.Officers are near Waterloo Park, located at 12th and Red River streets, where they are investigating what happened.APD hasn't given many details on the circumstances of the incident yet, but they said the call came in around 8:40 p.m.APD said a press conference is planned for 11 p.m.
  
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• APD investigating suspicious death near Waterloo Park

  22-07-2022 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said officers are responding to a suspicious death downtown Thursday.Officers are near Waterloo Park, located at 12th and Red River streets, where they are investigating what happened.APD hasn't given many details on the circumstances of the incident yet, but they said the call for the incident came in around 8:40 p.m.APD also said a press conference is planned, but it didn't give a time.
  
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• Kevin Durant highlights UT's 2022 Hall of Honor inductees

  22-07-2022 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — He played just one year for the Texas Longhorns, but it was a good one.NBA superstar Kevin Durant spent his freshman year during 2006-07 in burnt orange and won just about every college basketball award imaginable. His No. 35 jersey was retired in 2009, and he's now in the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor.Texas standout freshman Kevin Durant adds some body English to his shot in the first half of a basketball game against Oklahoma State in Austin, Texas, Monday, Feb. 12, 2007.
  
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• Informe de Uvalde encuentra 'fallas sistémicas y toma de decisiones extremadamente pobre'

  22-07-2022 02:58 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — Casi ocho semanas después del asesinato de 19 niños y dos maestras en la Escuela Primaria Robb, las familias de las víctimas pudieron ver en privado el informe preliminar y el video de la respuesta policial. Esto, antes de que fueran revelados al público a las 2 de la tarde&nbs
  
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• Student housing proposed on site of West Campus bar Cain & Abel's

  22-07-2022 02:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A West Campus bar that's been a haven for Longhorns could be turned into student housing, according to an application filed Tuesday with the city.
  Bleyl Engineering filed the project plan along with 24 RG LLC to develop on the site of Cain & Abel’s at 2313 Rio Grande St. The bar has been around since 1991.News of the potential student housing tower ignited on social media, with @barstoollonghorn posting "WE WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS.""I feel like this is something f
  
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• APD searches for suspect in string of robberies

  22-07-2022 01:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Department requested public help to identify the suspect in its 31st robbery series of 2022.Police said the robberies occurred July 9 at 2:45 a.m. in the 4400 block of East Riverside Drive and July 17 at 12:50 p.m. in the 2200 block of East Oltorf Street.The suspect was described as a Black man in their early to mid-20s. He is approximately 6-foot, 3-inches tall, with a muscular build and chinstrap beard.During the July 9 robbery, the suspect took out a fi
  
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• August forecast: What to expect in Central Texas

  22-07-2022 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This summer's heat has been relentless, and unfortunately, it doesn't look like August will be any better.The August temperature and rain outlooks have been released by the Climate Prediction Center and NOAA. The results are unsurprising - it will likely be hotter and drier than usual here in Central Texas.The month of August is historically the hottest month of the calendar year, followed by July and then June. This summer, we have seen the hottest June on record and will almos
  
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• Southwest launching new nonstop from Austin to Colorado ski destination in January

  22-07-2022 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you want to try your hand at the slopes, Southwest Airlines will soon have a new option to get you there.The airline announced Thursday it would launch a nonstop route from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Montrose Regional Airport in Montrose, Colorado, beginning Jan. 7.The airport is the nearest to ski areas around Telluride and Crested Butte.The 2-hour and 20-minute flight will operate once a week on Saturdays. Outgoing flights depart Austin at 11:05 a.m. and
  
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• More Texas school districts switch to 4-day weeks, addressing teacher shortages

  22-07-2022 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  CHANNING, Texas (Nexstar) — School districts across Texas have come up with a new plan to deal with their teacher shortage: cutting the school week down to four days.This is a major help to some but could be challenging for parents.Channing ISD, in West Texas, has only one school for all its students, K-12."I was a coach too," Karlton Graves, a nine-year veteran of the district, said, "and the burnout was major."Graves is now the principal of Channing. He said four-day school weeks will ta
  
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• Taylor residents to have normal water operations by midnight, city says

  22-07-2022 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — After a water main break was repaired Thursday night, the City of Taylor said people who get their water from Jonah Water SUD should be back to normal by midnight.Just before 6 p.m., city officials reported the break at the utility's plant in Taylor and urged customers to conserve water and not use it for "nonessential" activities Thursday. About three hours later at 9 p.m., officials said the break was repaired but the system needs time to fully recharge.
  People who
  
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• Taylor residents asked to conserve water, limit 'non-essential' use after main break

  22-07-2022 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Those who get their water from the City of Taylor and Jonah Water SUD are being asked to conserve and not use it for "non-essential" activities Thursday.People who live in or near Taylor and Jonah are most affected. The City of Taylor's website says there's a water main break and that everyone in town needs to, "cease all non-essential water use to preserve existing capacity until the issue is resolved.""Due to a major leak at our surface water supplier, all Jonah Wa
  
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• Homeless Transgender people face higher violence, fewer resources in Austin

  22-07-2022 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Transgender people experiencing homelessness in Austin and Travis County face a higher rate of violence than their cisgender counterparts, while also navigating resources that lack consideration of the LGBTQ+ community, according to data from Austin's Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO).The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), created by ECHO, gathers data from people who are experiencing homelessness in Austin and Travis County. Summer Wright, governan
  
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• Fayette, Lampasas Counties upgraded to high COVID risk; three others downgraded

  22-07-2022 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fayette and Lampasas counties have been upgraded to high risk for COVID-19 in the latest weekly update from the CDC. Three others were downgraded.Each week since Feb. 24, the CDC assigns a "COVID-19 Community Level" to each county nationwide based on how the virus is impacting local populations.
  Fayette and Lampasas join Caldwell, Hays and Milam in the high risk category. Blanco and Mason Counties were downgraded from high to medium category, while Gillespie County dropped
  
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• I think I have monkeypox. What next?

  22-07-2022 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There are now more than 80 confirmed monkeypox cases in Texas, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you think you may have the virus, here's what you need to know.
  What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
  Early symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle and back aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Those can quickly become more severe.Austin man describes excruciating monkeypox symptoms, difficulty getting treatment"T
  
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• PHOTOS: Take a look inside historic Taylor home listed for $1.1 million

  22-07-2022 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — A buyer searching for a historic house with a wraparound porch, imported Italian tilework and a swimming pool can find exactly that on the market right now in eastern Williamson County.
  Realtor Brooke Mozersky with Compass Realty currently has a four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home listed in Taylor for $1.1 million. It's located at 1720 W. Lake Drive on a corner lot that stretches more than 49,000 square feet. The original owners built the home in 1903, and now it belongs to
  
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