Austin news

• Woman raising money to give kids at Austin shelter back-to-school hairstyles

  26-07-2022 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One woman is working to give back-to-school braids and hairstyles to children at a Central Texas shelter as a "little pick-me-up.""It's something they deserve," Jenny Perez, owner of Sonshine Braiding, said.
  While back-to-school drives can set students up with backpacks and supplies, Perez hopes to give the children at SAFE Alliance a confidence boost to start the new school year. The Central Texas nonprofit serves children, adults and families who have experienced abuse. B
  
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• Overshown named to Nagurski, Butkus award watch lists

  26-07-2022 23:28 via kxan.com
  
  Note: The above video features head coach Steve Sarkisian and players speaking during Big 12 Media DaysAUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns are all over preseason award watch lists as the upcoming college football draws near.DeMarvion Overshown, a fifth-year senior linebacker, made it on two award watch lists coming off a terrific season last year. He's tabbed on the Bronco Nagurski Award watch list, given to the country's best overall defensive player by the Football Writers Association of Ame
  
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• St. David's HealthCare adds home health, hospice services

  26-07-2022 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- St. David's HealthCare has expanded to include home health and hospice services.
  St. David's HealthCare at Home and St. David's Hospice and Family Care have joined the system's network, which includes more than 180 sites of care; hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and physician offices throughout Central Texas.
  The expansion comes a year after HCA Healthcare, St. David's national partner, announced the completion of the purchase of a majority sta
  
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• TxDOT wants your opinion on I-10

  26-07-2022 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Transportation is conducting a study on the corridor of Interstate 10 that spans across Texas, and they want to hear from Texans.
  The study started in Fall 2021 and will conclude in Summer 2023. Throughout this period, TxDOT will conduct technical analyses and engage local elected officials, regional organizations, industry and business representatives, members of the public, and other stakeholders throughout the study process.The study will be conducted i
  
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• Texas trigger law banning abortion to take effect in 30 days, Dobbs v. Jackson judgement issued

  26-07-2022 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas 'trigger law' that bans virtually all abortions will take effect in 30 days, after the U.S. Supreme Court officially issued its judgement on the case overruling Roe v. Wade on Tuesday.The law automatically bans most abortions in the state and was written to be "triggered" 30 days after the high court issues an official judgment, not an opinion, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.The judgment comes a little over a month after justices issued an
  
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• Austin TikTok creator shares why he got vasectomy

  26-07-2022 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The fans who follow Keith Laue's posts on TikTok are used to seeing him mostly dance or talk about fitness. However, a much more personal video the 23 year old shared in June wracked up millions of views when he talked about how recent political developments helped influence his decision to get a vasectomy.
  The 58-second video began simply with Laue saying to camera, "So I got a vasectomy a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to walk y'all through the process just in case you
  
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• Tesla files trademark for Texas-shaped logo

  26-07-2022 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Electric automaker Tesla filed trademarks last week for another logo that shows off the state of Texas, according to online records with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  During April's grand opening party for the Travis County factory, you may remember the party's branding sported a neon outline of the shape of Texas with the words "Cyber Rodeo" and "Giga Texas" inside.
  Cyber Rodeo"Cyber Roundup" trademark filing from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website (Scree
  
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• 2 Mexican men charged in deadly migrant smuggling

  26-07-2022 20:53 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) -- Two Mexican men have been charged with a migrant smuggling attempt that ended in three deaths.Jose Luis Aguilera-Guzman and Jesus David Nuñez-Monreal allegedly led a group of migrants across the border into the New Mexico desert on July 19.According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, court documents state that the groups had run out of water and became lost when some migrants could no longer continue north.Border Patrol agents, Luna County
  
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• Hays County law enforcement, school staff take part in reunification training

  26-07-2022 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The halls of San Marcos High School were filled with emergency responders, school staff, parents and students. They were all there to get a lesson in reunification training ahead of the school year.
  The Hays County Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Task Force hosted the two-day event focused on classroom training, demonstrations and active exercises to prepare for an actual reunification of students with their parents or guardians.
  The training focused on the Sta
  
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• Isolated showers east of Austin area enter the forecast Wednesday

  26-07-2022 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned mostly clear with most lows in the lower to middle 70s. Camp Mabry fell to 76°
  This afternoon will be similar to Monday with sunshine and increasing fair-weather clouds. It will also be breezy with a south wind gusting to near 20 mph after 3 p.m. These stronger breezes combined with dry soils and the heat continue the wildfire danger. It remains very high. BLOG: Drought 2022: How it started and how it could endWhat catches our attention today is a forecast of
  
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• A lucky few could see some rain Wednesday

  26-07-2022 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned mostly clear with most lows in the lower to middle 70s. Camp Mabry fell to 76°
  This afternoon will be similar to Monday with sunshine and increasing fair-weather clouds. It will also be breezy with a south wind gusting to near 20 mph after 3 p.m. These stronger breezes combined with dry soils and the heat continue the wildfire danger. It remains very high. BLOG: Drought 2022: How it started and how it could endWhat catches our attention today is a forecast of
  
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• Travis County commissioners to vote on whether to audit Central Health

  26-07-2022 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday on whether to order an independent performance audit of Central Health after members of NAACP-Austin and Texas LULAC District VII expressed concerns about where millions of taxpayer dollars are going.
  Central Health is the public hospital district in Travis County created to provide healthcare services for people who are low-income, lack easy access to care and are uninsured. Central Health told KXAN in
  
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• Have $4M to spare? Doc's Drive In is for sale in Buda

  26-07-2022 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — Central Texas movie enthusiasts can tap into film nostalgia with the purchase of Doc's Drive In Theatre, on sale for $3.99 million. The 7.9-acre site is situated at 1540 Satterwhite Rd. in Buda. Bastrop’s ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ site a haven for horror enthusiastsIncluded in the sale are three furnished movie-themed casitas, a commercial kitchen, a bar and a private club, Douglas Elliman Real Estate officials said in a release. The property is avail
  
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• Detailed images of the sun from NOAA's new satellite

  26-07-2022 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you think about weather, you probably think about rain, heat and storms. However, weather can happen in space too, and NOAA is making advances to forecast it.NOAA launched GOES-18, also known as GOES West, earlier this year. It is a satellite positioned to continuously image the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Pacific Ocean. GOES West is a part of a larger mission to monitor and record atmospheric weather, oceanic observations, environmental hazards
  
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• As renters suffer with no AC, Texas lawmaker pushes for state penalties

  26-07-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A state lawmaker calls it a state of emergency: renters going without air conditioning in this brutal heat, sometimes for several days.State Rep. Sheryl Cole said she plans to file legislation to punish those who allow it to go on too long.
  Thelma Reyes recently went days without air conditioning. It was so bad, even her macaw, Precious, was feeling it.
  "She was panting a lot. Her mouth was open," Reyes said."It's not good. We're dying of heat in here."Reyes contacted manag
  
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• Here comes the sun — and anxiety. Therapist explains how rising temps lead to rising anxiety attacks

  26-07-2022 15:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our rising temperatures may affect the millions of people living with anxiety.“People with anxiety are very susceptible to physical symptoms, so any change in their physical symptoms, if they feel overheated for example, that will very likely kick off increased anxiety, absolutely,” said Dr. Chris Hansen, a therapist based in San Antonio.A study published in February in JAMA Psychiatry researched how mental health visits to the emergency room increased with high
  
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• Attorney: Uvalde school principal placed on leave with pay after May shooting

  26-07-2022 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The principal of Robb Elementary, where 19 students and two teachers were killed in May, was placed on leave Monday, according to the principal's attorney.
  Attorney Ricardo G. Cedillo confirmed to KXAN Uvalde CISD Superintendent Hal Harrell placed Principal Mandy Gutierrez on administrative leave with pay.
  Cedillo did not explain why Gutierrez was placed on leave.
  An investigative report on the Uvalde shooting compiled by a Texas House committee said Gutierrez testif
  
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• Tornado or just wind? How a little rain can create a severe threat

  26-07-2022 14:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - One of the most damaging winds isn't always produced by a severe storm, but a little rain cloud: straight line winds. In this First Warning Weather University lesson, chief meteorologist David Yeomans explains straight line winds and introduces you to a new character to FWWU, Windy.In this First Warning Weather University lesson you will learn:What's the difference between a tornado and straight line winds?What causes these winds to blow so hard?Can wind speed make a storm severe
  
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• Police investigating suspicious package on Brazos Street downtown

  26-07-2022 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a suspicious package in the downtown area Monday morning.
  APD said the scene is located in the 700 block of Brazos Street, which is near the Omni hotel between East Eighth and Seventh Streets.
  Currently, Seventh and Brazos are blocked off. Police are asking people to avoid the area.
  The call about the suspicious package came in at 5:44 a.m. APD said the EOD team is on scene.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for update
  
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• All clear after police investigate suspicious package downtown

  26-07-2022 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department determined an item it was investigating as a suspicious package posed no threat to the public Monday morning.
  APD said the scene, which is now clearing, was located in the 700 block of Brazos Street near the Omni hotel between East Eighth and Seventh Streets.
  Seventh and Brazos were blocked off previously for the police response.The call about the suspicious package came in at 5:44 a.m. APD said the bomb squad responded.
  
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• DPS graduates first class of K-9 teams for border duty

  26-07-2022 14:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced Monday it graduated six new K-9 teams earlier this month.DPS said this was the inaugural class for the Texas Highway Patrol Canine Tracking Operations Program.
  According to DPS, the teams will be on the border looking for people who might evade other officers.
  “This is yet another step in increasing our efforts to secure our southern border,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw in a release. “K-9 units have
  
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• Texans can save on school supplies during upcoming sales tax holiday

  26-07-2022 13:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The annual sales tax holiday for Texas is coming up. Parents will have the chance to save on clothes and school supplies.
  During the holiday, which occurs Aug. 5-7 this year, qualified items including clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks under $100 will be exempt from sales tax, according to the office of Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.Central Texas parents turn to back-to-school drives as costs go upThe office estimates shoppers will save $112 million altogethe
  
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• Texans can save on school supplies during sales tax holiday

  26-07-2022 13:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The annual sales tax holiday for Texas is coming up. Parents will have the chance to save on clothes and school supplies.
  During the holiday, which occurs Aug. 5-7 this year, qualified items including clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks under $100 will be exempt from sales tax, according to the office of Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.Central Texas parents turn to back-to-school drives as costs go upThe office estimates shoppers will save $112 million altogethe
  
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• Central Texas parents turn to back-to-school drives as costs go up

  26-07-2022 13:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — From rent and electricity bills to groceries and gas, everything has gone up in price. Today, parents have one more thing they need to budget for: their kids' back-to-school supplies.Local organizations across the area like Foundation Communities are working to fulfill that need. However, these nonprofits and groups are also having to adjust to the cost changes.
  "We really want to be able to just ease that burden," said Jackie Cuéllar, the director of corporate and v
  
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• Alex Jones' defamation trial to begin Tuesday in Travis County

  26-07-2022 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Infowars host Alex Jones' defamation trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Travis Country District Court.
  Jones was sued by several families of victims in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, after he called the incident a hoax. He also called some parents who lost their children "crisis actors," and those widely publicized comments and theories resulted in those parents receiving death threats, according to their lawsuits filed later.PREVIOUS: Jury selected for Alex J
  
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• Alex Jones arrives in court for his defamation trial in Travis County

  26-07-2022 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Infowars host Alex Jones' defamation trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Travis Country District Court.
  Jones was sued by several families of victims in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, after he called the incident a hoax. He also called some parents who lost their children "crisis actors," and those widely publicized comments and theories resulted in those parents receiving death threats, according to their lawsuits filed later.PREVIOUS: Jury selected for Alex J
  
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• Lockhart ISD hosting job interviews for teachers

  26-07-2022 12:36 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — The Lockhart Independent School District needs teachers for the 2022-23 school year. The district will hold interviews Tuesday afternoon for seven schools.The district is offering a $3,000 one-time sign-on bonus to fill a vacant teacher position.
  Lockhart ISD is holding interviews from 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. You can contact individual schools via email to set up interviews. Please type "Lockhart Interview ON Demand" in the subject heading.Lockhart ISD trustees in May app
  
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• School start times in Lago Vista ISD could change due to bus driver shortage

  26-07-2022 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) — The Lago Vista Independent School District warned parents Monday to possibly expect changes to school schedules due to a shortage of drivers.
  In a letter to parents, Lago Vista ISD Superintendent Darren Webb said the district is experiencing "an extreme shortage of experienced, qualified bus drivers."Back to school: When do local districts begin classes?The district said if it can't onboard several additional qualified bus drivers and substitutes by Aug. 5, it wi
  
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• Hottest summer on record continues with worsening drought and wildfire concerns

  26-07-2022 11:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High temperatures on Monday reached 104° at Camp Mabry, just shy of the 105° record most recently set in 2011. This was Austin's 45th 100° day of the year -- already the 9th-highest triple-digit day count for any year on record, with plenty of summer still to come. BLOG: Drought 2022: How it started and how it could endDay to day variation in our weather pattern will be remarkably little for the next week or more with a few morning clouds, hot afternoon sun, and bree
  
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• Here are the best hospitals in Texas and Austin, ranked by US News

  26-07-2022 06:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rankings from U.S. News are out on the best hospitals in Texas. Three Austin hospitals made the top 26.
  The top hospital in the state is Houston Methodist Hospital, but St. David's Medical Center in central Austin came in at No. 8.
  Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin tied for the ninth spot alongside Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler.
  St. David's South Austin Medical Center tie
  
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• Small business owners concerned online police reports aren't enough to solve burglaries

  26-07-2022 05:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A manager at Hi-Tech Automotive on South Congress, established in 1987, said a man broke in over the weekend while the shop was closed."The alarm went off, it was really loud," said Mona, the manager who came in after she got an alert the alarm sounded.Man seen on surveillance video breaking into Hi-Tech Automotive on South CongressShe said the man pictured to the right stole $10,000-$20,000 dollars worth of tools as well as keys to about $300,000 worth of cars.
  "It's definitely
  
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• CASA of Central Texas needs hundreds of volunteers to help with caseload

  26-07-2022 04:51 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- As the population in Hays County continues to grow, so does the number of children in the foster care system. CASA of Central Texas said these vulnerable kids do not have enough court appointed advocates to keep up with the demand of cases.
  Ronika Allen knows personally the difference a CASA volunteer makes because she grew up in foster care in Hays County.
  "I went into the foster care system at age 7 and I've pretty much been in and out of the system up until I aged
  
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• Uvalde school board moves start of school year back, calls for special session to raise age to buy assault rifles

  26-07-2022 03:57 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (Texas Tribune) — The Uvalde school board is formally urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call state lawmakers back to Austin so they can raise the legal age to buy assault rifles from 18 to 21, more than two months after a gunman used such a weapon to kill 19 elementary school students and two teachers days after he turned 18.Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District trustees approved the largely symbolic resolution in a unanimous vote on the same night they voted to
  
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• Propane tanks explode in fire near South Congress Avenue

  26-07-2022 03:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department is responding to a brush fire near South Congress Avenue Monday night.Several homes were threatened by the fire, but crews were able to successfully protect the homes as residents were evacuating, AFD said.AFD said several small propane tanks exploded in the fire at an encampment. The fire is burning south of Lareina Drive and West of Congress Avenue.The forward progress of the fire has been slowed, AFD said.
  This story will be updated.
  
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• Texas receives shipment of 14K monkeypox vaccines

  26-07-2022 02:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas was sent 14,780 doses of the monkeypox vaccine, and more than one-third of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine, 5,120 doses, were forwarded to Dallas County Health and Human Services.
  Dallas County has reported the largest number of confirmed monkeypox cases in the state, according to a Texas Department of State Health Services release.The remaining doses will be sent to local health departments and DSHS regional offices to vaccinate people with a documented or presumed exp
  
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• Record-breaking heat brings uptick in water leaks

  26-07-2022 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another wave of triple-digit temperatures means that locals are likely to use more water to keep themselves cool.Yet, the drought is putting a strain on the City of Austin’s water supply. More than 40 dogs surrendered to Austin Animal Center after evictionIn southwest Austin, Greg Miller woke up to a steady stream of wasted water flowing down the street in his neighborhood."We noticed a slight water pressure drop in and our neighbors did as well,” he said. &ldqu
  
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• Incumbent Dan Patrick leads Mike Collier by 5 points in Texas Lt. Gov. race

  26-07-2022 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) – New polling shows one of Texas' most prominent politicians has a single-digit lead with less than four months until the November midterm elections.The rematch between incumbent Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Democratic challenger Mike Collier is tightening. A new University of Houston Poll shows Collier 5 points behind Patrick among likely Texas voters — the same margin he lost by in 2018. Nine percent of likely voters are still undecided. The lieutenant
  
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• Bills passed to help Texas schools are unintentionally contributing to teacher shortage

  26-07-2022 00:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several laws passed by Texas lawmakers in recent years intended to improve students' education may now be contributing to the teacher shortage.
  On Monday, the Texas House's Public Education Committee heard testimony regarding the impact of recent laws impacting schools across the state.BACKGROUND: Austin ISD: House Bill 3 not enough to “fully cure” school funding challengesHouse Bill 3, for example, pumped more than $11 billion into the public education system.
  
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• 'All kinds of toxins in the air': Illegal dumping site fires can cause more than just burn damage

  26-07-2022 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An illegal dumping site in southeast Austin has kept firefighters busy for days.The dumping site, just off Brandt Road near Interstate 35 and East Slaughter Lane, was first reported Friday, but over the weekend the site reignited again over the weekend. PREVIOUS STORY: Illegal dumping site catches fire again in southeast AustinA large brush fire burned Sunday near in southeast Austin on Brandt Road. (Photo courtesy of Christa Wilke)"You could see the black smoke for miles,"
  
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