Austin news

• Poll: 57% say Texas' leaders haven't done enough to prevent mass shootings

  14-09-2022 23:41 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 discussing how the state should move forward. Explore all "Stop Mass Shootings" stories by clicking here.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A majority of Texans say state leaders have not done enough to prevent mass shootings i
  
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• Mourning Queen Elizabeth II: Book of condolences available in Austin Thursday

  14-09-2022 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites will be able to offer condolences in their city this week following Queen Elizabeth's death.The British Consulate General in Houston is bringing a book of condolences to Austin on Thursday, exactly a week after the queen's death.
  It will be available to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Office of the Texas Secretary of State in the Texas State Capitol building (Room 1E.8).Queen Elizabeth II died “peacefully” at 96 last week after more than
  
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• Parks over I-35? Austin seeks input on 'cap and stitch' design proposals

  14-09-2022 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Parks over Interstate 35? This is just one component of several design elements that could be incorporated into new "cap and stitch" features in development as part of the I-35 expansion project.Our Future 35 is a new, rebranded program led by Austin's Corridor Program Office that aims to create new community spaces and enhance east-west connectivity along the I-35 corridor. The central tenant of the program is its "cap and stitch proposal": Caps are deck plazas that can su
  
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• Austin taps Texas group for affordable housing development training

  14-09-2022 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On the same day the Housing Authority of the City of Austin unveiled new affordable housing units in the Zilker neighborhood, the city announced it will launch a training institute in conjunction with the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation and the Corporation for Supportive Housing.The institute will encourage and support Austin-area developers in building additional units for people struggling to stay housed in Austin.
  "For a decade we were stagnant at 500 total pe
  
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• UT linebacker DeMarvion Overshown welcomes son to the world

  14-09-2022 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Longhorn family grew by one this week, with a University of Texas linebacker welcoming his son into the world.
  Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown posted to social media, saying his son, DeMarvion Germanic Lee Overshown Jr., was born Tuesday.
  "My little guy made his appearance today [Tuesday]," Overshown wrote on Twitter.
  DeMarvion Jr. was recorded at nine pounds and two ounces and 21 inches, according to the post.
  University of Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown welcomed
  
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• Austin mosque's Islam 101 classes aim to 'demystify' religion amid refugee increases

  14-09-2022 21:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the year since the Afghanistan pullout, Refugee Services of Texas anticipates more than 1,000 Afghans have or will resettle in the Austin area. As more Afghans acclimate the Central Texas community, an Austin mosque is looking to welcome them with open arms, while educating members of the public about Islam and Muslim culture.On Wednesday, the North Austin Muslim Community Center is launching Islam 101, a series of weekly classes to help share elements of Muslim culture
  
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• Cooler night tonight, then attention turns toward scattered rain

  14-09-2022 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Drier air and mostly clear skies overnight are expected to produce widespread low temperatures in the 60s, with some of the coolest Hill Country valleys potentially in the upper 50s.
  Enjoy this more comfortable weather while it lasts, because a surge in humidity returns late Thursday, warming morning low temperatures through the weekend back into the 70s.Forecast low temperatures Thursday morningThat surge of Gulf moisture will lead to a 10% chance of an isolated rain shower on
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: Tropical Storm Fiona forms in the Atlantic

  14-09-2022 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The Atlantic basin is now in peak hurricane season, and the sixth named storm of the year formed on Wednesday night.Tropical Storm Fiona formed over the Atlantic Wednesday night, several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands. According to an advisory from the National Hurricane Center.As of 10 p.m. ET, Fiona has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.Fiona is forecast to continue moving to the west and is expected to move through the Leeward Islands Friday before reaching ne
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: Tropical depression expected to become Fiona

  14-09-2022 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The Atlantic basin is now in peak hurricane season, and will likely see its sixth named storm of the year this week.Tropical Depression Seven formed over the Atlantic Wednesday morning, several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands. According to an advisory from the National Hurricane Center, it will likely become a tropical storm Wednesday night or Thursday.
  As of 11 a.m. ET, Tropical Depression Seven has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The system is about 805 miles
  
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• Longhorns defense key in UTSA showdown

  14-09-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the thriller that was the 20-19 loss to Alabama, the Texas football team impressed in a lot of areas. The Longhorns defense stood out in particular, holding the Crimson Tide to 20 points. Not since 2017 has Alabama scored fewer points in a regular season game."For us to go out there and our defense to play like they did, I honestly expected it," said Longhorns Senior Running Back Roschon Johnson. "Just for them to go out and do it and show everybody what they are capable
  
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• APD searches for robbery suspect, asks for public help

  14-09-2022 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Police Department asked for public assistance in identifying a robbery suspect from a Sept. 7 incident at an east Austin gas station.APD said at approximately 8 p.m. Sept. 7, officers responded to the robbery call in the 1200 block of Montopolis Drive.Officers said the suspect attacked several employees at the business before leaving with stolen merchandise.“One employee was taken to the hospital after suffering several injuries during the rob
  
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• Is there still a national coin shortage?

  14-09-2022 18:03 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- You saw the signs posted at the entrances to businesses and taped near cash registers during the height of the coronavirus pandemic — some variation of: "Please use exact change due to the nationwide coin shortage."Business and bank closures during the peak days of COVID caused a disruption in the circulation of coins — fewer transactions meant fewer coins were changing hands with many people opting to shop online or sit on their physical currency rather than depo
  
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• APD: SWAT cleared after call to south Austin neighborhood

  14-09-2022 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said the SWAT team has been cleared from a call in a south Austin neighborhood Wednesday morning.
  SWAT was called to help with a search warrant, according to APD.
  The warrant service took place in the 10500 block of Bilbrook Pl. That's south of West Slaughter Lane.
  The call came in at 6:19 a.m., according to APD.
  
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• APD: SWAT called to south Austin neighborhood

  14-09-2022 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said the SWAT team is being called out to a neighborhood in south Austin Wednesday morning.
  The scene is happening in the 10500 block of Bilbrook Pl. That's south of West Slaughter Lane.
  The call came in at 6:19 a.m., according to APD.
  This is a developing story; it will be updated as more details become available.
  
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• Missing Texas toddler may have been spotted 51 years later

  14-09-2022 15:56 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — There's a new development in a missing case that dates back more than 50 years.A Texas toddler, named Melissa Highsmith, is believed to have been kidnapped by her babysitter in 1971. Now, someone claims to have seen her in Charleston, South Carolina, 1,000 miles from where she was taken.The anonymous tipster said that a person resembles the age-progression photo released by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Melissa's brother, Jeff Highsmith, told
  
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• Austin councilmember experiences day-to-day operations with Public Works crews

  14-09-2022 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council will get together again on Thursday to make some major decisions.Yet almost every other week, District 2 city councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes has been taking the time to gain a first-hand understanding of how taxpayer dollars are put to work.Recently, she’s ridden along with Austin Resource Recovery workers and the Public Works Department.Fuentes even took a turn using a jackhammer while watching Public Works employees fix streets.In this fast-growing
  
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• Bastrop wildfire destroys centuries worth of data at University of Texas facility

  14-09-2022 15:14 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Stengl Lost Pines Biological Field Station is one of the University of Texas' most prominent field labs. Last month, the Pine Pond Fire swept through the area, destroying much of that data."This one burned approximately 800 acres, about 350 of which are on our field station here," said Steven Gibson, site manager at the Stengl Field Station.The fire burned from Aug. 11 to 14, obliterating 100-year-old trees and decades worth of data. Gibson said the fire
  
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• Thorndale ISD to close Wednesday due to threat

  14-09-2022 14:07 via kxan.com
  THORNDALE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Thorndale Independent School District said it would cancel school Wednesday after a threating comments made on social media.
  According to note posted on the district's Facebook page Wednesday morning, Superintendent Adam Ivy told parents said the threat was sent to a student on Snapchat who reported it to their parents.
  The parents alerted the district which began working with law enforcement.
  So far, they have no identified the person making the threats or have de
  
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• Thorndale ISD cancels classes Wednesday due to social media threat

  14-09-2022 14:07 via kxan.com
  
  THORNDALE, Texas (KXAN) — The Thorndale Independent School District in Milam County said it canceled classes Wednesday after threatening comments were made on social media.
  In a letter posted to the district's Facebook Wednesday morning, Superintendent Adam Ivy told the community the threat was sent to a student on Snapchat who reported it to their parents. The parents alerted the district which began working with law enforcement.Officers respond to threats at 2 Central Texas schoolsSo far
  
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• New poll of Texas voters shows Abbott with 5-point lead over O'Rourke, though gap has been closing

  14-09-2022 14:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new poll of registered Texas voters shows Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O'Rourke within five percentage points of each other.
  The Texas Politics Project poll released Wednesday morning shows 45% of voters saying they would vote for incumbent Abbott and 40% of voters favoring O'Rourke. This is the closest the two candidates have been since February in polls conducted by this particular organization.
  In recent months, the gap was widest in April, when the two candidate
  
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• Dripping Springs to end development moratorium

  14-09-2022 13:14 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Members of the Dripping Springs City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to end the moratorium on development in the city. The current moratorium ends on Sunday.
  The city enacted the development moratorium in November 2021.
  As KXAN reported in February 2022, during the moratorium, the city would not accept permit applications for the development of subdivisions, site planning, land use and general construction or development unless a waiver or exception
  
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• Staph infection forces Friday's LBJ vs. Northeast game to be postponed

  14-09-2022 12:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District tweeted Tuesday afternoon it has postponed Friday's football game between Austin LBJ High School and Northeast Early College High SchoolAccording to a letter from Northeast Early College High School Principal Nathan Neal, the game has tentatively been rescheduled to Sept. 23 after several people in the Northeast football program tested positive for a staphylococcal bacterial skin infection.
  The letter said anyone with a staph infection
  
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• Friday's LBJ vs. Northeast game postponed

  14-09-2022 12:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District tweeted Tuesday afternoon it was postponing a football game scheduled for this Friday.The district did not give a reason for the postponement of the game between the LBJ Early College High School Jaguars and Northeast Early College High School Raiders. It also said all events related to the game would be postponed.
  Austin ISD promised it would update fans with a new date and information on events soon.
  KXAN has reached out to the distr
  
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• Homeowner, dog safe after Manor house fire

  14-09-2022 12:52 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Manor Police said Tuesday night a homeowner and their dog are safe after a home caught fire in the Presidential Glenn neighborhood.
  According to Travis County ESD 12, the fire started in the kitchen of the home on Cabinet Drive, which is just east of Bois D'Arc Lane and north of U.S. 290.
  An 11:40 p.m. tweet from Travis County ESD 12 said crews were able to extinguish the flames.
  ESD 12 tweeted its thanks to the Pflugerville Fire Department and the Manor Police Depart
  
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• Fire burns Hudson Bend restaurant

  14-09-2022 12:49 via kxan.com
  
  HUDSON BEND, Texas (KXAN) — A restaurant in the Hudson Bend area of Travis County burned early Wednesday morning.
  Crews with Lake Travis Fire Rescue were called to scene at the Los Pinos restaurant at 4919 Hudson Bend Rd. near Beacon Drive around 12:40 a.m.
  Fire at Los Pinos restaurant in Hudson Bend on Sept. 14, 2022. (KXAN: Julie Karam)Fire at Los Pinos restaurant in Hudson Bend on Sept. 14, 2022. (KXAN: Julie Karam)Fire at Los Pinos restaurant in Hudson Bend on Sept. 14, 2022. (KXAN: Ju
  
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• One last cool night as humidity returns with limited rain

  14-09-2022 11:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Humidity will drop this afternoon as drier air mixes down to the ground. We expect sunshine mixes with scattered clouds this afternoon as high temperatures head for the low to mid 90s.Elevated levels of Ozone are expected today making for an Ozone Action Day. Here is what you could do to help limit impacts:Air Quality AlertAnother cool night is expected with lows falling down into upper 60s in many areas under mostly clear skies. Some low clouds may work back into the area early
  
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• A brief drop in the humidity ahead of a sweltering weekend

  14-09-2022 11:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Much lower humidity for your Wednesday and Thursday with high temperatures climbing into the middle 90s. A stray shower will be possible but otherwise expect mainly sunny skies.The wind shift will mean warmer overnight temperatures tonight, remaining in the 70s in the Austin area. Overnight lows will be briefly cooler early Thursday -- dipping into the 60s -- but warm noticeably this weekend as humidity surges. NEW BLOG: How this winter's La Nina could impact next summerSlim rai
  
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• Austin FC players visit patients for 'Kick Childhood Cancer'

  14-09-2022 05:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Monday, several Austin FC players visited Leukemia & Lymphoma Society pediatric cancer patients and their families at St. David's Children's Hospital.The team hosted a private meet and greet at the hospital, throwing a pizza party for the kids and their families, and gifted pajama gift bags. With just one win away from getting a spot in the major league soccer playoffs, Austin FC players took the time to visit the Austin Community to leave an impact. For mother
  
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• Davenport Ranch area under boil water advisory

  14-09-2022 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some customers in the Davenport Ranch neighborhood are under a boil water advisory after a drop in pressure was caused by a pump failure.
  It's a precautionary measure, and the pump issue has been addressed. Austin Water said they're conducting water sampling and they've delivered drinking water to each affected household.
  Customers under the advisory should boil water prior to consumption or use, including washing hands or face, brushing teeth, drinking, or cooking. 116 customer
  
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• Suspect in central Austin jugging arrested after police track vehicle to San Antonio

  14-09-2022 03:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department arrested the suspect in a jugging incident that happened Monday afternoon in central Austin.
  APD is still searching for two suspects in a separate jugging incident that happened Friday afternoon after a woman withdrew money from a northwest Austin bank.The suspect in Monday's incident was identified as Jamarcus Drumgole, 31. He was charged with robbery and booked on an arrest warrant. APD said he has a history of aggravated robbery, assault, burglary
  
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• Photos: State Fair of Texas announces new foods for 2022 season

  14-09-2022 02:46 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — With a proud warning in front of their massively delicious announcement, the State Fair of Texas has released its new food lineup for this year's fair season. "WARNING: These might make you hungry! Here are the new foods waiting to be enjoyed at the 2022 State Fair of Texas!"Austin resident $5 million richer from scratch ticketTo learn just what all goes into these new foods, click here. To get a good look at the new foods, just scroll below, drool, and enjoy.BAYOU BOWL2022
  
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• Texas lawmakers briefed on potential solutions to 'housing crisis'

  14-09-2022 02:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar)— Finding affordable housing is just getting worse in Texas, with some calling it a crisis.Lawmakers are looking into ways to make things better. They heard from a variety of people from the housing industry at the state capitol Tuesday.The Senate Committee on Local Government met to discuss one of its interim charges: Affordable Housing.There are 13,000 affordable housing units available in Texas, according to Bobby Wilkinson with the Texas Department of Community Housing
  
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• Austin women's event raises money for cure to fatal muscular disease

  14-09-2022 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Austin couple raising money for a cure to Duchenne muscular dystrophy will be hosting the annual Ladies Luncheon at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Austin Country Club.The Palm Springs-themed event was organized by national nonprofit CureDuchenne to gather influential women for an afternoon of dining, big hats, raffling and networking opportunities. TV host and former Miss Texas USA, Holly Mills-Gardner, will emcee the event.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Central Texas family propels th
  
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• 131 Texas retailers sold alcohol to minors during TABC operation

  14-09-2022 01:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission recently conducted a statewide effort to enforce the state's underage drinking laws. During the operation, 131 of the 1,100 retailers TABC visited sold alcohol to minors, the release said.
  The operation was part of a statewide push that coincided with the start of the college fall semester. During the visits to the licensed retailers, minor-aged volunteers, who were under the supervision of undercover TABC agents, would go in and try
  
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• Travis County Commissioners send letter opposing SH 45 expansion project

  14-09-2022 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The State Highway 45 expansion project is getting some pushback.The project, that would complete the SH 45 loop around Austin, is raising concerns with the Travis County Commissioners Court. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Final section of SH 45 Southwest enters engineering and design phaseOn Tuesday, commissioners voted to send a letter documenting their frustrations and urging Hays County Commissioners to stop any action on the project.Travis County Commissioner Brigid She
  
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• Report shows Austin food insecurity still up from pandemic

  14-09-2022 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report from Austin's sustainability office shows the lasting impact of the pandemic on the city's food system.It found over 14% of people in Travis County are facing food insecurity, or when a person lacks reliable access to enough affordable or nutritious foods. The rate increased from 12.8% in 2019 to 17% in 2020.This is the office’s first food report since the pandemic. Before then, food insecurity rates were trending downward, but COVID-19 effects caused des
  
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• Austin Police, advocates weigh in on sound system uses during 2020 protests

  14-09-2022 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's Public Safety Commission discussed Tuesday the use of long-range acoustic device systems during the summer 2020 protests and potential hearing damages caused by them.Jeff Greenwalt, assistant chief of the Austin Police Department, said an LRAD device was mounted on top of APD headquarters during the summer 2020 protests. He said these systems are beneficial when police are trying to control large crowds of people and when there is a lot of noise, making it difficul
  
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• IRS is refunding $1.2 billion – who qualifies and when payments will happen

  14-09-2022 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Some taxpayers are going to see a boost to their bank accounts soon – the IRS has announced that it will be refunding $1.2 billion in tax filing penalties.Nearly 1.6 million people will automatically get a refund after filing certain 2019 or 2020 returns late, according to the IRS.Others, however, will have to act quickly in order to take advantage of the program. In order to qualify, you have to file an eligible income tax return on or by Sept 30, 2022.The refund goes to
  
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• 'The worst day of my life': Central Texas mom on a fentanyl mission

  14-09-2022 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Surrounded by his pictures, Sheila Osgood reads and re-reads poems and letters from her son.
  The first one she picks up is titled, "For my hero, my mother."
  "I love and miss you-- wish I could kiss you, mom," Osgood reads.
  It's her connection to 27-year-old Tyler, who died last year.
  "It was hell. It was the worst day of my life," Osgood said.
  A spokesperson for San Marcos Police told KXAN News Tyler's autopsy showed a lethal amount of fentanyl in his system, along with other dr
  
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• Curbing the fentanyl crisis: TX doctors want lawmakers to look at these solutions

  14-09-2022 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some Texas doctors want state lawmakers to make prescribing opioids easier in order to combat the fentanyl crisis.
  "There are three main sources to the opioid-overdose crisis,” said Dr. C.M. Schade, a member of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and former president of the Texas Pain Society (TPS). “Recreational use of street drugs, unintended misuse of drugs by patients who are suffering severe or chronic pain, and drug addiction.”In a press release Tuesday,
  
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