Austin news

• Police identify victim in Tuesday morning homicide

  19-08-2022 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Friday, the Austin Police Department identified the victim of a Tuesday morning fatal shooting at the intersection of East 6th Street and Sabine Street.APD officers responded to a call for a shooting and found Chester Sauls lying on the ground and unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound. APD said Sauls died at the scene. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: APD: Man dies in downtown homicide, no suspect in custody
  Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists also responded and bega
  
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• Tropical storm expected in Gulf of Mexico this weekend

  19-08-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the First Warning Weather team has been telling you the last few days, the potential exists, and is growing, for tropical development in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. September forecast: Change in the air for Central TexasAs of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, the chances for a tropical development this weekend (at least reaching tropical depression status) are up to 80%.Potential for tropical developmentOur computer models are in reasonably good
  
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• Gulf tropical low running out of time to develop

  19-08-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the First Warning Weather team has been telling you the last few days, the potential exists, but is fading, for tropical development in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. September forecast: Change in the air for Central TexasAs of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, the chances for a tropical development this weekend (at least reaching tropical depression status) have dropped down to 50%.Potential for tropical developmentOur computer models are in reason
  
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• Gulf low no longer expected to become tropical storm

  19-08-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the First Warning Weather team has been tracking for several days, another tropical low is approaching the Gulf coast near the Texas/Mexico border. September forecast: Change in the air for Central TexasAs of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center Saturday afternoon, the chances for further tropical development this weekend (at least reaching tropical depression status) have dropped down to 40% and a tropical storm is no longer expected.Chances of tropical
  
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• While EMS negotiates pay, some benefits come in the city's new budget

  19-08-2022 22:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County Emergency Management Services is missing 151 people.
  That's according to the chief, Robert Luckritz, who addressed city council members this week during budget discussions.
  The union said it's part of what's led to long waits for ambulances at times.Union: Staffing issues, spike in calls led to 28-minute wait for ambulanceATCEMS Association president Selena Xie, said another major contributing factor is low pay.
  The association is still currently negotiating
  
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• While EMS finalizes pay, some benefits come in the city's new budget

  19-08-2022 22:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County Emergency Management Services is missing 151 people.
  That's according to the chief, Robert Luckritz, who addressed city council members this week during budget discussions.
  The union said it's part of what's led to long waits for ambulances at times.Union: Staffing issues, spike in calls led to 28-minute wait for ambulanceATCEMS Association president Selena Xie, said another major contributing factor is low pay.
  The association reached a tentative, one-year
  
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• CapMetro providing free rides to cooling centers, no matter the temperature

  19-08-2022 21:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austinites endure one of the hottest summers ever, CapMetro is helping offer some relief.CapMetro is now providing complimentary rides to cooling centers until Sept. 30, effective immediately, no matter the temperature. Riders just have to inform the bus operator as they're boarding that they are going to a cooling center. Any person who informs an operator they are traveling to a cooling center can ride without fare if they cannot afford to pay.The service was announced Thur
  
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• Valentino’s in San Marcos opens under new ownership

  19-08-2022 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Under new ownership, a San Marcos mainstay has opened with a new look after the interior of its 100-year-old building was completely rebuilt.Pizza restaurant Valentino’s, located at 110 N. LBJ Drive, has served the community and college students alike on The Square for over 35 years.New owners Harlan Scott and Cody Taylor said they hoped to pay tribute to the original owners by keeping the restaurant's simple menu, according to a news release. The pair sign
  
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• Former chaplain for Austin Fire sues city over blog post about transgender athletes

  19-08-2022 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man who served as lead chaplain for the Austin Fire Department is suing the AFD chief and the City of Austin, claiming he was unfairly fired because of his views on transgender athletes that he posted to a personal blog.
  Andrew Fox is an ordained minister who volunteered with AFD for eight years and helped start the department's chaplaincy program, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in the Austin Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
  
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• Texas-Alabama is the nation's most in-demand game in upcoming football season

  19-08-2022 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you're planning on heading to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium to see the Longhorns take on the Alabama Crimson Tide next month, prepare for a packed stadium.The Sept. 10 game, with an 11 a.m. kickoff, is the most in-demand game nationwide, according to ticket sales at StubHub. Quinn Ewers named Texas Longhorns starting quarterbackTickets for Alabama's Oct. 8 game against Texas A&M are the third-most sought after, behind Notre Dame vs. Ohio State.Meanwhile, the Texas Longh
  
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• Not AS wet for the weekend ahead of more soakings

  19-08-2022 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to slowly move through the area with a 60% chance of rain continuing into this evening. Updated rainfall totalsRainfall amounts will vary with just a few tenths in some places to 1-2" in others where downpours persist. Be ready for a slow evening commute if the rain sets up along MoPac or I-35. Brief, but strong, gusts of wind could be possible along with some of the stronger storms.
  Afternoon showers and thunderstorms with possible l
  
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• September forecast: Change in the air for Central Texas

  19-08-2022 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The newest outlook for September's weather from the Climate Prediction Center is a break from a persistent pattern of hotter and drier-than-normal weather here in Central Texas.Instead "normal" seems to be more along the lines of what we can expect. Here's the CPC temperature and rainfall outlook:September temperature outlook (CPC)September rainfall outlook (CPC)Near normal temperatures and rainfall are expected for Central Texas next month.What is normal in Austin in Septe
  
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• Quinn Ewers named Texas Longhorns starting quarterback

  19-08-2022 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Quinn Ewers has been named the Texas Longhorns' starting quarterback, Steve Sarkisian announced Friday.Ewers was battling sophomore Lake Travis product Hudson Card for the starting position. Earlier this week, Sarkisian said he had a "pretty good idea" of who had won the spot. Longhorns taking shape as 2nd scrimmage, stretch run of fall camp nearsThe second-year Longhorns coach picked Ewers after evaluating the two players over spring practice and over two weeks of preseaso
  
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• What happens when it's too hot for recess?

  19-08-2022 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN/ROUND ROCK (KXAN) - "If it's too hot for a teacher to be outside, it's too hot for a kid to be outside," said Jenny LaCoste-Caputo.As Chief of Public Affairs for Round Rock ISD, LaCoste-Caputo says that's the principal rule of thumb for their school district when it comes to keeping students safe now that they're back to school.She added, "in that case, we'd have an alternate activity."Most of the time, kids at Round Rock schools get to spend their roughly 20-minute recess or lunch outsid
  
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• Sewage discharged into Brushy Creek from Leander treatment plant

  19-08-2022 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – A notice was issued Thursday after effluent was accidentally discharged from a wastewater treatment plant in Leander during construction, the city said.The sewage was discharged into Brushy Creek, which exceeded the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permit limitations, according to a release from the City of Leander.The city said during construction taking place between Monday and Wednesday, approximately 4.5 million gallons of unauthorized effluent were dis
  
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• LIVE: Central Texas must adapt as business expansion, water demand grows

  19-08-2022 17:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More companies are expanding in Central Texas, bringing more people and more demand on the area's resources. The growth is raising concern about the strain on the water supply.Tesla opened a new automotive manufacturing facility, Gigafactory Texas, in April. Social media companies such as Meta and TikTok have leased spaces downtown, where Google is also finishing construction on a new high rise. Last year, Samsung Electronics announced it would expand in Central Texas with the c
  
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• Central Texas must adapt as business expansion, water demand grows

  19-08-2022 17:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More companies are expanding in Central Texas, bringing more people and more demand on the area's resources. The growth is raising concern about the strain on the water supply.Tesla opened a new automotive manufacturing facility, Gigafactory Texas, in April. Social media companies such as Meta and TikTok have leased spaces downtown, where Google is also finishing construction on a new high rise. Last year, Samsung Electronics announced it would expand in Central Texas with the c
  
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• Cornyn, McCaul highlight CHIPS Act workforce development in Austin

  19-08-2022 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul are in Austin Friday to promote the newly-passed bipartisan semiconductor legislation, which is designed to encourage semiconductor manufacturing on American soil amid global supply chain issues.
  The Texas Republicans are touring new labs and classrooms at Austin Community College, designed to train the next generation of technicians needed for Texas semiconductor companies. The school's program also offers dual-college
  
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• Kaitlin Armstrong attorneys accuse Austin police of violating legal rights in murder case

  19-08-2022 17:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Attorneys for the Austin woman accused of murdering a professional cyclist are laying the groundwork for her trial scheduled later this year.Kaitlin Armstrong is accused of killing Anna Moriah Wilson in May, fleeing for more than 40 days before she was arrested in Costa Rica. Armstrong pleaded not guilty last month. Her attorneys now filed new documents to try and throw out evidence from being used in court set for October, claiming she wasn't questioned correctly
  
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• New Austin budget: $79M for affordable housing, $3.4M for disaster response

  19-08-2022 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council on Thursday adopted a new $5 billion budget and tax rates for fiscal year 2022-23 which includes $79 million each for both the homelessness response and affordable housing.
  The City said many investments were made with improving staff recruitment and retention in mind, so a $20 hourly living wage for city employees was approved as part of the budget.
  “The budget adopted by Council today puts the City in a strong position to recruit and retain the p
  
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• Lake Travis ISD superintendent says new schools will have safety features in case of emergencies

  19-08-2022 16:30 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Lake Travis ISD is growing. Superintendent Paul Norton wants voters to approve a bond in November to build more schools.“Part of that will be adding two elementary schools and also adding a second high school,” Norton said and added the need for more schools has been a conversation for many years in Lake Travis.Norton said the goal is to keep up with growth but also keep students safe and secure in school.This school year, the district is adding a
  
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• 'Conservation-scale' Hill Country development previews water plans amid backlash

  19-08-2022 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Mirasol Springs, a 1,400-acre planned development on the border of Hays and Travis counties, will soon release its final plans for the area. Announced in 2021, the development is hoping to set the gold standard for conservation in the Hill Country. It's also facing backlash from nearby landowners, who say the development will drain the nearby aquifer and decimate an "untouched" waterway in the area.KXAN has been closely following the development since earlier th
  
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• Reimers Ranch offers outdoor adventures in Texas Hill Country

  19-08-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Reimers Ranch23610 Hamilton Road, Dripping Springs
  ~40-50 minutes from Austin
  Cost: $3-5 7 a.m. to civil twilight daily
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Hill Country is known for its wondrous natural beauty, and Milton Reimers Ranch Park is one of many Travis County parklands enchanting thrill seekers within Central Texas.Located off Hamilton Road in Dripping Springs, Reimers Ranch features an astronomy observatory, equestrian trail riding, hiking, biking trails, rock climbing a
  
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• 'I can't even go into town': Neighbors in southeast Travis County call on leaders to find traffic solution

  19-08-2022 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Near the intersection of Farm-to-Market 969 and Gilbert Road in southeast Travis County, neighbors from the Hornsby Bend area are fed up with the traffic.
  Some neighbors said it takes them a minimum of 20 minutes to get out of their neighborhood which is just a couple of hundred yards away from the intersection. Neighbors said the issue has only gotten worse in the past week since students returned to the classroom.Not only has back-to-school traffic added to the jam, but o
  
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• Man in hospital after being hit by vehicle on 290 in Oak Hill

  19-08-2022 12:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are investigating after a crash on Highway 290 in Oak Hill early Friday morning sent a man to the hospital.Police said the man was hit a vehicle in the westbound lanes of 290 at McCarty Lane just before 1:30 a.m. That is just west of Williamson Creek.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said the patient had critical, life-threatening injuries.
  According to APD, the driver stayed behind and cooperated with officers.
  
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• Round Rock ISD board vote fails to censure 2 trustees

  19-08-2022 12:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Independent School District board voted Thursday night not to censure two trustees for walking out of a 2021 meeting.
  As KXAN reported then, Mary Bone and Danielle Weston walked out of the Sept. 14, 2021 meeting after they tried and failed to call a vote on seating guidelines and social distancing measures.They failed, because the issues were not on that meeting's agenda.Here's the breakdown of the votes to censure Bone and Watson.
  For censuring Bo
  
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• Everyone safe after overnight fire in Manor

  19-08-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Crews with the Manor Fire Department said working smoke detectors alerted those inside a home that caught fire early Friday morning. They said everyone was able to get out safely.
  Crews were called to the fire at 1:23 a.m. on Greywacke Drive. That is half-a-mile east of FM 973 in the Stonewater neighborhood.
  Manor FD said crews saw flames when they arrived and were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
  It said crews with the Pflugerville Fire Department were on standby
  
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• Afternoon storms return with even heavier rain next week

  19-08-2022 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Don't put away the rain gear yet - more storms and showers are likely over the next 7 days. Updated rainfall totalsToday will look similar to what we had Thursday with storms and showers firing up in the afternoon courtesy of a stationary front, heating of the day and plentiful moisture. Coverage will be scattered to widespread at times with potential totals ranging from 0.5"-2" (isolated spots of more). The difference between today and yesterday? Cooler temps! Afternoon highs w
  
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• An extended period of showers and thunderstorms

  19-08-2022 08:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's so nice to see these showers and thunderstorms that have measured out, in some cases, to more than an inch of rain. It's also nice that Austin ended Thursday it's streak of 51 days without measured rain.Updated rainfall totalsThe rest of the day features a 60% chance of more showers and thunderstorms with highs reaching the low to mid 90s.
  Afternoon showers and thunderstorms with possible lightning NEW BLOG: Worst drought level spreads through Austin and eastFor now there w
  
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• ALERRT trainer apologizes for insensitivity during active shooter response class

  19-08-2022 04:54 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- A trainer who specializes in active shooter response is apologizing after complaints of insensitivity towards shooting victims. The trainer has ties to the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University.
  ALERRT conducts a number of training sessions designed for law enforcement and civilians to know how to respond in case they are attacked.
  In one training video from 2019, Jeff Ferry is heard referencing an attack in France.
  
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• Longhorns taking shape as 2nd scrimmage, stretch run of fall camp nears

  19-08-2022 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As fall camp trudges on for the Texas Longhorns and another full-contact scrimmage is on the horizon, head coach Steve Sarkisian said something has changed with this year's team compared to last year."I think that our effort has drastically improved defensively," Sarkisian said. "We are taking a lot of pride in playing with fanatical effort on defense. Our coaches have done a really nice job of emphasizing it, and I think the players are taking pride in it and we're celebra
  
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• Tesla now hiring for specific job in new electricity retail business

  19-08-2022 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tesla confirmed their emerging electricity retail business by posting a job opening for a "Product Operations Manager, Retail Electricity" on Thursday.
  The job posting comes nine months after the Public Utility Commission of Texas approved an application in November 2021from Tesla Energy Ventures, LLC, to be able to provide retail electricity. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tesla can now sell electricity to Texans: Here’s how it could workThat means the company can sell its energy to
  
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• What is that? Likely gustnado spotted in Central Texas

  19-08-2022 02:09 via kxan.com
  
  LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Viewers near Liberty Hill spotted a likely gustnado during Thursday's storms in Central Texas. A gustnado may look like a small tornado but is not classified as one, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Austin breaks 51-day dry streak with more storms still to comeKXAN Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans said a gustnado forms in a different way from a normal tornado."Instead of beginning with a circulating cloud up high, they a
  
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• Hays CISD to discuss middle school lockout response

  19-08-2022 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Chapa Middle School went into lockout Wednesday after a suspect was apprehended on school property for allegedly stealing from a nearby convenience store.Athletic Director Carter Sakewitz said he and 70 football players saw the moments leading up to that incident. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kyle school goes into brief lockout period due to nearby theft"Starts running towards the school this way. The kids at that point are now really going crazy," Sakewitz said.Hays CISD
  
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• Hays CISD to discuss middle school lock-out response

  19-08-2022 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Chapa Middle School went into lock-out Wednesday after a suspect was apprehended on school property for allegedly stealing from a nearby convenience store.Athletic Director Carter Sakewitz said he and 70 football players saw the moments leading up to that incident. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kyle school goes into brief lockout period due to nearby theft"Starts running towards the school this way. The kids at that point are now really going crazy," Sakewitz said.Hays CISD Spok
  
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• Cedar Park residents should expect more water restrictions after underwater pipe leak

  19-08-2022 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) – An underwater pipe that helps provide Cedar Park with approximately 20% of its overall water use has a leak.Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority, a regional water utility, informed the City of Cedar Park of a leak in an underwater raw intake pipeline in Lake Travis.BCRUA said the leak would need to undergo repairs, but it was working to assess the leak and determine repair options.“Cedar Park water customers should expect additional outdoor watering rest
  
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• Anderson hoping for success with new coach, new outlook in 2022

  19-08-2022 01:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Change has been a constant in the Anderson Trojans football program over the past decade, but new head coach Donald Hatcher is hoping to provide the stability for the team to flourish.The Trojans are stepping into a new classification and district after last year's 3-7 season in Class 5A, but Hatcher said he's already seeing things that make him optimistic about the future. VOTE: Anderson, McCallum clash in 2022 Taco Shack Bowl spirit competition"Trying to rebuild a program
  
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• CPS fires Texas employee after encouraging teen to try sex work for money

  19-08-2022 00:43 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (Nexstar) — A Texas CPS worker in Houston was fired recently after encouraging a 14-year-old girl to try prostitution -- which she caught on video."The right man, he'd be broke f------ with me," a CPS worker in Houston was caught saying on the video to a teen in their custody.
  The young girl in CPS custody was staying in a hotel, according to her mother, Keisha Bazley.During the teen's recording of the employee, you can hear her ask the worker for some food."Can you get me somethin
  
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• Austin breaks 51-day dry streak with more storms still to come

  19-08-2022 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Camp Mabry has officially broken its 51-day dry streak -- the 8th-longest in recorded history -- with beneficial rain and thunderstorms on Thursday evening. Storms wind down overnight, but a stationary front still in the area on Friday will mean another round of scattered rain and thunderstorms developing in the heat of the day. Updated rainfall totals NEW BLOG: Worst drought level spreads through Austin and eastTemperatures hit 100 degrees today in Austin for the 67th time this
  
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