Austin news

• First Texas child believed to have monkeypox in Harris County

  16-08-2022 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — A child under the age of two is believed to be the first pediatric case of monkeypox in Texas, according to the Harris County judge.
  In a news conference Tuesday morning, Judge Lina Hidalgo shared that Harris County learned a young child is now presumed positive for the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must now confirm if the infant indeed has monkeypox, which Hidalgo expects to take about a week to have the testing results back.Monkeypox tracker: How
  
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• ARCH employee concerned about new shelter management

  16-08-2022 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless has new leadership in the building this week, but an ARCH employee said staff at the shelter have been largely left in the dark.The City of Austin approved a contract with Urban Alchemy -- a California-based company -- late last month despite some council members noting the group doesn't have experience running a shelter in Austin. They have done outreach.PREVIOUSLY: Austin to end contracts with homeless services nonprofit that runs AR
  
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• Hays County OKs overflow inmate housing agreement amid jail staffing issues

  16-08-2022 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the majority of the Hays County Commissioners Court approved a tri-party agreement to house additional inmates needing shelter within the county's jail system. The vote comes as county commissioners work to address correctional officer staffing issues impacting communities statewide.Per the agreement, Hays County has entered a public-private, interlocal partnership with Haskell County and LaSalle Corrections West, LLC. to help care for inm
  
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• No cell phone or earbud use allowed at Hays CISD schools

  16-08-2022 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Hays CISD welcomed back students for the first day of school. Something on the lesson plan? A phone and earbud policy.
  Starting this school year, students at every Hays CISD campus won't be allowed to use their phone or earbuds while at school.
  McCormick Middle School teacher Sarah Smith laid out the ground rules to her new 6th grade class.Hays CISD superintendent explains new security plan to respond to emergencies in 2 minutes"I know we like to walk around with an e
  
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• Missing 90-year-old Pflugerville woman found

  16-08-2022 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A 90-year-old Pflugerville woman who went missing Tuesday was found.
  She was reported missing on Tuesday shortly after noon. The PPD said in a tweet at 3:51 that she had been found.
  
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• 90-year-old Pflugerville woman reported missing

  16-08-2022 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Pflugerville Police Department is searching for a missing 90-year-old woman.
  Betty Prout was reported missing on Tuesday and last seen a near Yale Drive at approximately 12:18 p.m., the PPD said in a tweet.
  She is about 5 ft. 1 in. and was last wearing a blue shirt and grey pants.
  If you find her, call 911.
  
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• American, JetBlue cutting nonstop routes from Austin airport

  16-08-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bucking the recent trend of expansion, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways are cancelling or suspending nonstop routes out of Austin.American will stop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 3, according to a spokesperson with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. At this time, no other airlines operate on that route."We constantly evaluate our network to ensure we’re connecting customers with the destinations most meaningful to them," a spokesperson for the ai
  
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• Kyle Rittenhouse a passenger in Thrall traffic stop, takes selfie with officer

  16-08-2022 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  THRALL, Texas (KXAN) — A Central Texas police officer pulled over a car last week and ended up snapping a selfie with one of the passengers: Kyle Rittenhouse.Rittenhouse became known nationwide in the wake of protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in 2020. Rittenhouse went to Kenosha in an effort to protect property, he told authorities, and shot and killed two men and hurt a third. A jury acquitted him in November.On Aug. 11, a Thrall po
  
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• Still looking good for late-week showers and thunderstorms

  16-08-2022 20:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today and tomorrow will be dry and hot with highs in many areas topping out in the upper 90s to around 102°. Maximum heat index values this afternoon will reach as high as 103°. Austin is sitting at 64 days with those highs in triple digits.It's Thursday and Friday that will be our "best" days of the week for it is the end of the week where rain chances go up to 50%. The ridge of high pressure that has dominated since May will be retreating to the northwest from the Texa
  
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• Austin's 10th-longest dry spell may end this week

  16-08-2022 20:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today and tomorrow will be dry and hot with highs in many areas topping out in the upper 90s to around 102°. Maximum heat index values this afternoon will reach as high as 103°. Austin is sitting at 64 days with those highs in triple digits.It's Thursday and Friday that will be our "best" days of the week for it is the end of the week where rain chances go up to 50%. The ridge of high pressure that has dominated since May will be retreating to the northwest from the Texa
  
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• Hays County expanding firefighter hose reserves amid active summer season

  16-08-2022 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays County emergency service districts will soon have more fire hoses in their reserves following commissioners' approval of a nearly $7,000, 50-hose purchase Tuesday. This summer, crews battled several wildfires and said the blazes left ESDs with stacks of burnt hoses as a result.Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said while crews have access to more resilient hoses, they are more difficult to use in hilly terrain and rougher topography. As a result, firefighters
  
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• This is Texas' top Airbnb city during football season

  16-08-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — With just over a month left of summer, the fall football season is on its way (though probably not fast enough for football fans). The start of a new school year means many Texas towns will start seeing more people coming in to catch college games.While Texas is home to some of the country's most famous college towns and teams, there's one city in the Lone Star State that Airbnb reports is the state's biggest destination in bookings for upcoming stays so far this year.Two Longh
  
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• Man pleads guilty to deadly 2019 stabbing in south Austin

  16-08-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man pleaded guilty Monday to stabbing and killing a man in south Austin in March 2019.
  The Travis County District Attorney's Office said Leroy Salazar Garza, 48, pleaded guilty before jury selection was supposed to start for his trial.
  In July 2019, Garza was charged for the murder of Benito Luna-Vargas, 34, after DNA results matched Garza to evidence found at the scene. Garza was then indicted in September 2019 on the counts of murder and aggravated robbery
  
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• Austin police investigate downtown homicide

  16-08-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said its investigating a homicide in downtown Austin Tuesday.It tweeted about the homicide at 11:46 a.m. and said it happened near Sixth Street and Sabine Street, which is just west of Interstate 35. It says a public information officer is heading to the scene.Austin-Travis County EMS said one person died at the scene.
  This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
  
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• APD: Man dies in downtown homicide, no suspect in custody

  16-08-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a man's death in downtown Austin as a homicide on Tuesday. No suspect is in custody.APD said officers responded to the area of Sixth and Sabine Streets just before 11 a.m. after reports from multiple callers saying a man was shot.
  Officers found the man at the scene with "obvious trauma to the chest." APD said medical assistance was given to him, but he was pronounced dead at 11:16 a.m. Police said he was in his 30s. Austin-Trav
  
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• APD: Man dead in downtown homicide, no suspect in custody

  16-08-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a man's death in downtown Austin as a homicide on Tuesday. No suspect is in custody.APD said officers responded to the area of Sixth and Sabine Streets just before 11 a.m. after reports from multiple callers saying a man was shot.
  Officers found the man at the scene with "obvious trauma to the chest." APD said medical assistance was given to him, but he was pronounced dead at 11:16 a.m. Police said he was in his 30s. Austin-Trav
  
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• ERCOT announces new president who will take over in October

  16-08-2022 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or the group that operates the state's power grid, will have a new leader come Oct. 1 after its last one was terminated over a year ago.
  After an "exhaustive nationwide search" by ERCOT's Board of Directors, Pablo Vegas was chosen to take over as president and CEO of ERCOT, according to a release from the council. As required by state law, his selection was approved by the Public Utility Commission, the entity that oversees ERCOT,
  
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• Tips: Getting kids on a set sleep schedule for back to school

  16-08-2022 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Back to school means back to a regular sleep schedule for most families and children.
  Dell Children's Sleep Program Medical Director Dr. Lisa Barber joined KXAN News to discuss ways to establish a good sleep routine with kids without the hassle.
  "So much of having success at night starts with your day. So it starts with consistent wake time, exposure to sunlight, the outdoors, regular exercise, and then finishing up the day with a consistent bedtime routine," Barber said.UT
  
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• Hays CISD superintendent explains new security plan to respond to emergencies in 2 minutes

  16-08-2022 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays Consolidated Independent School District will have a school police force of 15 officers to patrol all 26 schools.“We have two school resource officers at each high school, one at each of the middle schools,” said Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright.New this school year, Hays CISD expanded the district police department to hire more school resource officers at elementary schools. Hays CISD adding additional safety ahead of school yearThe inc
  
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• SWAT called to south Austin Tuesday morning

  16-08-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin SWAT was called out to the Saddle Creek area of south Austin Tuesday morning, the Austin Police Department said.
  Police said it's responding to an incident at 10801 Old Manchaca Road. Google Maps shows some apartment complexes in the area.
  Police are asking people to avoid the area since it's still an active scene.More information will be released some time on Tuesday.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Police search for man involved in domestic disturbance at south Austin apartment

  16-08-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are searching for a man they say threatened a woman with a crossbow during a domestic disturbance at a south Austin apartment early Tuesday morning.
  The Austin Police Department said around 3 to 3:30 a.m., there was an aggravated assault call for an apartment at 10801 Old Manchaca Road in the Saddle Creek neighborhood.
  Officers arrived on scene and got a woman out of the apartment. She was not hurt, according to APD.
  Police said officers tried to contact the s
  
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• LIVE: SWAT called to south Austin Tuesday morning

  16-08-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin SWAT was called out to the Saddle Creek area of south Austin Tuesday morning, the Austin Police Department said.
  Police said it's responding to an incident at 10801 Old Manchaca Road. Google Maps shows some apartment complexes in the area.
  Police are asking people to avoid the area since it's still an active scene. Austin-Travis County EMS told KXAN it's at the scene also.
  More information will be released some time on Tuesday.
  This is a developing story; stick with
  
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• Man charged in Elgin deadly shooting

  16-08-2022 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — A man turned himself in after a couple of shootings over the weekend led to someone's death, the Elgin Police Department said.
  Police said Lonnie Lawrence Jr., 42, is charged with murder, a first-degree felony. He turned himself in Monday morning to the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office and is now being held on a $1 million bond, Elgin police said. PAST STORY: 2 shootings, 1 ‘in retaliation’ leaves person dead in ElginElgin police previously reported a perso
  
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• New school bus drivers face new requirements as districts work to fill shortage

  16-08-2022 13:31 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — School districts across Central Texas continue to face a school bus driver shortage, and many have had to make changes to address the problem including cutting some of their bus routes.
  Tuesday, Dripping Springs ISD and Lake Travis ISD will return to the classroom. Both of the school districts are actively recruiting bus drivers, but new this school year are federal requirements that went into effect earlier this year. Back to school: When do local districts begin cl
  
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• Verbal abuse at games pushes referee group to enact policy

  16-08-2022 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For years, schools have seen far fewer referees lacing up their cleats to officiate games.The Texas Association of Sports Officials said it has the numbers needed to make it work, although it may take a toll on the remaining referees.“In Austin alone, we've got over 400 members,” TASO District 4 Director Brian Jones said. “Another 100 would really benefit us.”From 2017 to 2021, TASO lost almost 2,000 referees.“We'd like to put seven-man crews o
  
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• Next weather-maker arrives late week

  16-08-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hotter and drier weather returns midweek but a wetter pattern change will soon follow.Our temps are trending hotter today and tomorrow with most areas likely to top 100°+. By Wednesday, we will be tied for 4th place for the highest 100-degree day count in any given year - 66 days.High pressure displaced to our north, in addition to a boundary sinking south from North Texas, will allow for better rain chances later this week. Scattered showers and storms are looking likely Th
  
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• Malk rolling out new flavors of plant-based milks, expanding distribution

  16-08-2022 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Plant-based milk company Malk Organics LLC has landed on the shelves in about 3,200 stores, including locations of Whole Foods and Sprouts Farmers Market.Malk, which was founded in 2015, prides itself on simple recipes containing three to five ingredients.
  One year ago, the Austin-based company had its products — which include almond milk and oat milk — available in 1,500 stores, CEO Jason Bronstad said.By the end of this year, it pl
  
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• Z'Tejas to stay on Sixth through March

  16-08-2022 11:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A legendary Austin restaurant chain says it will remain at its original location in the Clarksville Neighborhood for a little while longer.
  The owners of Z'Tejas said Monday they extended their lease with the landlord of their location on 1110 W Sixth St.The lease will now expire at the end of March 2023. Once the lease expires, the Sixth Street location will shut down and Z'Tejas says it will open its newest location in Kyle.“We are excited to confirm that we’re abl
  
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• Austin Public Library to reopen Sundays

  16-08-2022 10:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Public Library (APL) system said Monday it will open several locations on Sundays starting next month.
  This will be the first time the library system is offering Sunday service since the pandemic began in 2020.Starting Sept. 11, these six library locations will open on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.:Austin Central Library, 710 W. César Chávez St. Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe St.Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln.Manchaca Road Branch,
  
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• Austin band The Black Pumas cancels 2022 tour

  16-08-2022 05:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Black Pumas announced it's taking back from touring for the remainder of the year.The Austin band shared the news with fans Monday in a social media post.“We have made the difficult decision to press pause and step away from touring for the rest of the year,” said the band.The announcement comes after several canceled festival appearances. The band has been going nonstop since it landed success in 2019.The six-time Grammy-nominated band thanked fans for the
  
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• 'They didn't really have a plan,' McCaul highlights report on anniversary of Afghanistan withdrawal

  16-08-2022 05:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Monday marks one year since Taliban forces took over Afghanistan's capital.On the anniversary, Republican members of Congress are preparing to release a report on the chaotic withdrawal of American forces and evacuation of civilians.The report from Republican members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is titled "'A Strategic Failure': Assessing the Administration's Afghanistan Withdrawal.It focuses blame on the Biden Administration for the failures.Congressman Michael McCaul
  
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• Property crimes up at The Domain, car burglaries spiked in June

  16-08-2022 04:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department received 44 car burglary reports at The Domain in June, according to Senior Officer Frank Creasey. That number spiked from just 9 in May. There were 18 in July."Austin has gotten larger, and our property crimes have gone up," said Creasey. "With our staffing level, the proactive things that we used to be able to do, spending time driving around in the parking garages, unfortunately, we don't have that time."Nikki Wall said someone smashed the windows
  
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• Gillespie County elections office resigns due to threats, stalking

  16-08-2022 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (Nexstar) — Citing threats and even stalking, all three employees at the Gillespie County elections office have resigned from their positions, leaving the office empty with less than three months before the primary election in November.
  The Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post first reported the wave of resignations last Wednesday, after staff say they received numerous threats and in some cases, even stalking. Now former Gillespie County Elections Administrator Anissa
  
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• Hays County fire department needs more hoses due to damage by wildfires

  16-08-2022 03:46 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - It's been a busy wildfire season in Central Texas and that's left fire departments with damaged equipment.
  "We've had a lot more fires than we typically do. And because of that, we've seen our equipment take a lot more of a toll," South Hays Deputy Chief Dan Kramer said.
  Everything from hoses to brush trucks are out of service. It's all because of the types of fires they're dealing with.Police activity closes parts of Sunrise Road in Round Rock; some homes evacuated"E
  
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• Fire 'under control' at NW Austin apartment complex

  16-08-2022 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An apartment fire in northwest Austin is now "under control," according to the Austin Fire Department.AFD said the fire started Monday evening on a second-floor balcony and spread to the attic. The fire went to a third alarm for "additional relief crews."
  Around 10 p.m., AFD said the fire affected eight apartment units and displaced 13 adults and one child.Two firefighters were injured and transported by Austin-Travis County EMS for evaluation, AFD said.
  Austin Fire Departm
  
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• Fire 'under control' at NW Austin apartment

  16-08-2022 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An apartment fire in northwest Austin is now "under control," according to the Austin Fire Department.AFD said the fire started Monday evening on a second-floor balcony and spread to the attic. The fire went to a third alarm for "additional relief crews."
  Around 10:00 p.m., AFD said the fire affected eight apartment units and displaced 13 adults and one child.Two firefighters were injured and transported by Austin-Travis County EMS for evaluation, AFD said.
  Austin Fire Depa
  
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• AFD responding to apartment fire in northwest Austin

  16-08-2022 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire Department is responding to an apartment fire in northwest Austin that started Monday evening.
  AFD said the fire started on a second-floor balcony and spread to the attic. The fire has gone to a second alarm.
  Austin Fire Department is responding to an apartment fire in northwest Austin that started Monday evening. (Courtesy Austin Fire Department)Austin Fire Department is responding to an apartment fire in northwest Austin that started Monday evening. (Courtesy
  
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• 2 firefighters injured at NW Austin apartment fire

  16-08-2022 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An apartment fire in northwest Austin is now "under control," according to the Austin Fire Department.AFD said the fire started Monday evening on a second-floor balcony and spread to the attic. The fire went to a third alarm for "additional relief crews."
  Around 10 p.m., AFD said the fire affected eight apartment units and displaced 13 adults and one child.Two firefighters were injured and transported by Austin-Travis County EMS for evaluation, AFD said.
  Austin Fire Departm
  
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• 2 firefighters injured at northwest Austin apartment fire

  16-08-2022 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An apartment fire in northwest Austin is "under control," according to the Austin Fire Department.AFD said the fire started Monday evening on a second-floor balcony and spread to the attic. The fire went to a third alarm for "additional relief crews."
  Around 10 p.m., AFD said the fire affected eight apartment units and displaced 13 adults and one child.Two firefighters were injured and transported by Austin-Travis County EMS for evaluation, AFD said.
  Austin Fire Department
  
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• Two Longhorns suffer season-ending injuries

  16-08-2022 01:41 via kxan.com
  
  After reports over the weekend following the Texas football scrimmage, Head Coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed at a media availability Monday that wide receiver Isaiah Neyor and offensive lineman Junior Angilau suffered season-ending ACL injuries.Neyor, a transfer from Wyoming, was expected to make a big impact in a talented wide receiver room. The six-foot-three wideout tallied 12 touchdowns and 878 yards with the Cowboys a season ago.Angilau is a fifth-year senior that has started 34 games over t
  
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• Huston-Tillotson University names new President/CEO

  16-08-2022 00:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Huston-Tillotson University has named Melva K. Williams, Ph.D. as the seventh president and chief executive officer of the historical institution.  “Dr. Williams’ reputation as a visionary leader, utilizing creative approaches to advancing higher education through layers of innovative improvements will position Huston-Tillotson University for the economic and technological advances shaping the Central Texas market,” said HT Chair of the Board of Truste
  
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