Austin news

• Faith leaders rally at Texas State Capitol, calling on Abbott to halt Ramirez execution

  04-10-2022 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, local faith leaders and activists against the death penalty rallied at the Texas State Capitol to protest the pending execution of John Henry Ramirez.The Evangelical group Vote Common Good hosted the rally with Death Penalty Action to deliver 15,000 petition signatures to Gov. Greg Abbott urging him to halt the execution. Texas death row case could get review, Austin's faulty DNA lab the focus"We think the state should not be killing its own citizens or anyone," said
  
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• Faith leaders rally at Texas State Capitol, calling on Abbott to halt John Henry Ramirez execution

  04-10-2022 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, local faith leaders and activists against the death penalty rallied at the Texas State Capitol to protest the pending execution of John Henry Ramirez.The Evangelical group Vote Common Good hosted the rally with Death Penalty Action to deliver 15,000 petition signatures to Gov. Greg Abbott urging him to halt the execution. Texas death row case could get review, Austin's faulty DNA lab the focus"We think the state should not be killing its own citizens or anyone," said
  
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• Warmer than October should be, but hints of change next week

  04-10-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This week's weather has been very pleasant... but if we had to be nitpicky, we should be a little cooler this time of year.
  Afternoon highs will return o the low 90s, running 3-5° warmer than normal for the first week of October. Mostly sunny and dry skies will stretch areawide with light winds out of the east.Thursday will look and feel about the same (mostly sunny + low 90s) with a bit more cloud cover to follow Friday.Those heading to Austin City Limits Music Festival wee
  
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• Voter registration QR codes popping up at Austin concerts, festivals

  04-10-2022 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For festivalgoers heading out to the Austin City Limits Music Festival this weekend, they'll be greeted by the familiar sites and sounds Zilker Park has to offer. They'll also come across QR codes and a team of volunteers assisting with voter registrations.HeadCount is a national non-partisan organization that connects with prospective voters at live music and events. And their work isn't new to Austin; they wrapped up a six-day partnership with Harry Styles during his Aust
  
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• 1,000 Harry Styles fans checked, registered to vote at Austin shows

  04-10-2022 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For festivalgoers heading out to the Austin City Limits Music Festival this weekend, they'll be greeted by the familiar sites and sounds Zilker Park has to offer. They'll also come across QR codes and a team of volunteers assisting with voter registrations.HeadCount is a national non-partisan organization that connects with prospective voters at live music and events. And their work isn't new to Austin; they wrapped up a six-day partnership with Harry Styles during his Aust
  
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• UTPB women's soccer coach suspended amid investigation

  04-10-2022 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - Carla Tejas, women's soccer coach for the University of Texas Permian Basin, has been suspended amid allegations made by an anonymous group of people claiming to be team members, the University said in a statement."We are aware of the allegations made against Coach Tejas," said Athletic Director Todd Doley. "As a result, she has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Because this is an ongoing personnel matter, the Universit
  
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• Non-profit mobilizes to get racist language removed from Texas home deeds

  04-10-2022 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Robie Dodson has been working as a real estate agent in Austin for seven years. Unsurprisingly, as a realtor, she frequently encounters deeds.“I don't typically read them,” she admitted. “That's just crazy. These are huge, long documents. But back in 2016, I did have to read one.”That is because this deed had something written in it so abhorrent it stopped her in her tracks, she said. The home's deed had a clause that stated no part of the property could
  
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• Non-profit mobilizes to get distressing racist language removed from Texas home deeds

  04-10-2022 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Robie Dodson has been working as a real estate agent in Austin for seven years. Unsurprisingly, as a realtor, she frequently encounters deeds.“I don't typically read them,” she admitted. “That's just crazy. These are huge, long documents. But back in 2016, I did have to read one.”That is because this deed had something written in it so abhorrent it stopped her in her tracks, she said. The home's deed had a clause that stated no part of the property could
  
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• Austin nonprofit mobilizes to get racist language removed from Texas home deeds

  04-10-2022 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Robie Dodson has been working as a real estate agent in Austin for seven years. Unsurprisingly, as a realtor, she frequently encounters deeds.“I don't typically read them,” she admitted. “That's just crazy. These are huge, long documents. But back in 2016, I did have to read one.”That is because this deed had something written in it so abhorrent it stopped her in her tracks, she said. The home's deed had a clause that stated no part of the property could
  
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• SH 71 closed at Falls Creek Estates Drive due to crash

  04-10-2022 20:46 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — All lanes of State Highway 71 southeast of Spicewood are closed Tuesday afternoon due to a crash, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
  The crash happened on the roadway near Falls Creek Estates Drive and Paleface Ranch Road.A photo from the scene shows EMS, law enforcement and a helicopter on scene.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for updates.
  
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• SH 71 closed at Falls Creek Estates Drive after fatal crash

  04-10-2022 20:46 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One adult died and another was taken to the hospital after a crash near State Highway 71 southeast of Spicewood, Austin-Travis County EMS wrote in a tweet Tuesday afternoon.STAR Flight took an adult to Dell Seton Medical Center with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries, ATCEMS wrote.
  All lanes of SH 71 near Falls Creek Estates Drive and Paleface Ranch Road are closed due to the crash, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.Austin-Travis
  
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• Dry, warm weather continues through Austin City Limits weekend one

  04-10-2022 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Though the weather remains relatively comfortable, daytime highs and morning lows are slowly rising through the work week as abnormally dry October weather continues.Warm, stagnant afternoon sunshine led to an 8th-consecutive Ozone Action Day in the Austin metro area on Tuesday for higher than normal pollution levels. Those with respiratory conditions may consider limiting time and exertion outdoors.Those heading to Austin City Limits Music Festival weekend one will enjoy wonder
  
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• Your 2022 ACL Music Festival transportation guide

  04-10-2022 20:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With Weekend 1 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival launching this weekend, hundreds of thousands of concertgoers will flock to Zilker Park. But how do you get to the festival?Festivalgoers will not be able to drive directly to Zilker Park during either ACL weekend, with Barton Springs Road closed to the general public near the park. Parking in surrounding neighborhoods and on local streets is prohibited, and city officials are warning drivers they'll get a significant
  
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• Uvalde dad camps out on district grounds, demands more accountability

  04-10-2022 20:01 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE (Nexstar) — For a week now, Brett Cross has woken up on his campsite on the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District school administration grounds. He said he's not going anywhere.
  He's doing this in protest for his son Uziyah, who was one of the 21 killed in the May 24 Robb Elementary School shooting.
  He decided he was going to set up shop outside of the doors school administrators go in and out of every day until they suspend the district police officers who responded to th
  
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• Officer's wife reacts to funeral photos of Austin Mayor Steve Adler

  04-10-2022 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The wife of an Austin police officer killed during an off-duty crash said she felt "crushed" after seeing photos that circulated online Monday of the mayor possibly falling asleep at the funeral. When KXAN reached out after the photos surfaced, the mayor said, "I want to express my deepest apologies to the family of Officer Martin."The Austin Police Association shared a statement on Twitter Tuesday morning attributed to Amberlee Martin, whose husband Senior Officer Anthony
  
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• Texas National Guard soldier in Eagle Pass dies by suicide

  04-10-2022 19:37 via kxan.com
  
  If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
  EAGLE PASS, Texas (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced a Texas National Guard soldier took their own life.In a letter from his office, the governor stated the solider "died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Eagle Pass," a border community southwest of San Antonio. Abbott did not release the soldier's name.
  "Cecilia and I are deeply sa
  
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• Vanessa Guillén documentary coming to Netflix

  04-10-2022 19:13 via kxan.com
  
  FORT HOOD, Texas (FOX 44) - A new documentary based on the life and death of U.S. Army soldier Vanessa Guillén will be released by Netflix later this fall.According to Netflix, I Am Vanessa Guillén is directed by Christy Wegener and produced by Wegener, Isabel Castro, Lindsey Cordero and Armando Croda. Vanessa Guillen’s family fighting to end ‘Dead Suspect Loophole’The film's synopsis is as follows:"Guillén always dreamed of joining the military, but once s
  
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• Bumble rolls out 'voter' profile badge ahead of Election Day

  04-10-2022 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bumble dating app users might notice a new profile feature in the weeks leading up to Election Day.The Austin-based tech company rolled out its "voter" profile badge on Sept. 20, recognized as National Voter Registration Day. The profile feature is a resurgence after its initial debut ahead of the 2018 midterms, and has been offered for users during several election cycles in the U.S., Canada and Brazil, among others. TEXAS ELECTION NEWS: Am I registered to vote in Texas?"P
  
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• Report: Musk proposes going ahead with deal to buy Twitter

  04-10-2022 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — Trading in shares of Twitter was halted after the stock spiked on reports that Elon Musk would proceed with his $44 billion deal to buy the company after months of legal battles.For a second time, Musk offered to buy the San Francisco company at $54.20. Shares jumped nearly 13% to $47.95 before trading stopped. Elon Musk mocks efforts to ‘force’ him to buy TwitterBloomberg News reported Tuesday that Musk made the proposal in a letter to Twitter, according to people famil
  
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• Musk offers to end legal fight, pay $44B to buy Twitter

  04-10-2022 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  Elon Musk is abandoning his legal battle to back out of buying Twitter by offering to go through with his original $44 billion bid for the social media platform.The mercurial Tesla CEO made the offer in a letter to Twitter, Musk disclosed in a filing Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  The offer comes just two weeks before Twitter's lawsuit seeking to force Musk to go through with the deal goes to trial in Delaware Chancery Court.The filing says he'll complete deal as long
  
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• Deal back on? Elon Musk gets closer to buying Twitter

  04-10-2022 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  The tumultuous saga of Elon Musk's on-again off-again purchase of Twitter took a turn toward a conclusion Tuesday after the mercurial Tesla CEO proposed to buy the company at the originally agreed-on price of $44 billion.
  Muskmade the surprising turnaround not on Twitter, as has been his custom, but in a letter to Twitter that the company disclosed in a filing Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It came less than two weeks before a trial between the two parties is scheduled
  
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• A Musk retweet: Tesla CEO says he'll pay $44B to buy Twitter

  04-10-2022 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  The tumultuous saga of Elon Musk's on-again off-again purchase of Twitter took a turn toward a conclusion Tuesday after the mercurial Tesla CEO proposed to buy the company at the originally agreed-on price of $44 billion.
  Muskmade the proposal in a letter to Twitter that the company disclosed in a filing Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It came less than two weeks before a trial between the two parties is scheduled to start in Delaware.
  In a statement, Twitter said it in
  
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• National Taco Day 2022: Where you can get taco deals in Austin

  04-10-2022 17:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — How far are you willing to go for a free taco?
  Austin-based Tex-Mex restaurant chain Chuy's has a pretty sweet deal if you're looking to go the extra mile.
  For National Taco Day on Tuesday, Oct. 4, you can get a free entrée of your choice at the restaurant — if you dress like a taco.
  Chuy's just asks that you post on social media using the hashtag #ChuysTacoDay, then come to a location in person to get that free food.
  In addition to that special, Chuy's said it
  
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• APD identifies man killed in I-35 motorcycle crash in north Austin

  04-10-2022 16:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department on Tuesday identified the motorcyclist who died in a crash on the Interstate 35 service road in north Austin on Sept. 28.
  He was Edgar Suarez, 28, APD said.
  The crash took place in the 12500 block of N. I-35 northbound service road just before West Parmer Lane.PAST STORY: 1 dead after motorcycle crash on I-35 service road in north AustinThe investigation found Suarez was headed north on a 2005 Yamaha motorcycle when his motorcycle left the roadw
  
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• Affidavit: Student charged after gun found in backpack at north Austin school

  04-10-2022 15:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 17-year-old student faces at least two charges after a gun was found in their backpack at a north Austin school on Sept. 30.
  According to affidavits, the teenager is charged with places weapons prohibited, a third-degree felony, and unlawfully carrying weapon, a misdemeanor, in connection with the incident, which took place at Navarro Early College High School.
  The Austin Independent School District said the student won't be allowed to return to the campus, because they a
  
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• Butterfly swarms are invading Central Texas; they're not the usual butterflies

  04-10-2022 14:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What's the deal with all the butterflies? KXAN viewers have been reaching out, wondering about the increase in butterflies in Central Texas this fall.The unusual butterflies you've been seeing are known as the American Snout Butterfly. The unusually hot and dry weather this past summer is to blame for the increase of butterflies.Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Dan Hardy, president of the Austin Butterfly Forum, about the butterflies. You can watch the interview abov
  
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• Austin thrift store sees increase in sales ahead of Austin City Limits Music Festival

  04-10-2022 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As people prepare for this year's Austin City Limits Music Festival, more businesses are already seeing the economic benefit of the event.ACL Fest is about much more than just music, it's also an opportunity for folks to send a statement of self expression through fashion.At Pavement, it's been packed with people trying to find the perfect fit for the festival. Along with the location on Guadalupe Street, the store also has a spot on South Lamar. Austin emergency crews have
  
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• Hattie B's Hot Chicken to take over former Maria's Taco Xpress site

  04-10-2022 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Hattie B's Hot Chicken is coming to Austin.The first location in the city for the buzzy Nashville-based chain will be at 2529 S. Lamar Blvd., according to public documents.The site is the former home of Maria's Taco Xpress, a longtime restaurant that shuttered at the end of 2020. Check out more about Hattie B's expansion into Texas in this story from Austin Business Journal
  
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• 5 displaced after fire burns 2 north Austin homes

  04-10-2022 12:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department said a fire damaged two homes in north Austin Tuesday morning. AFD said everyone involved is safe, but five people and a dog need a new place to stay.According to AFD, the fire was reported around 3:50 a.m. on Gault Street between Dale and Wooten Drives. That is in the Wooten neighborhood between Anderson Lane and U.S. Highway 183.Fire damages two homes in north Austin on Oct. 4, 2022 (KXAN Photo/Julie Karam)Fire damages two homes in north Austin
  
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• Slight bump in temperatures, humidity late week

  04-10-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our quiet weather continues with only subtle changes in our temperatures and humidity late week.Today will favor afternoon highs in the low 90s, low humidity and a mix of sunshine and high clouds. Winds will be light out of the east with rain-free skies areawide.Tomorrow through Thursday will look and feel nearly the same with warm afternoons, cool mornings and plenty of sunshine. A reinforcing dry cool front arrives Saturday bringing slightly cooler temperatures for the end of
  
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• Our forecast remains dry through the weekend

  04-10-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned under a partly cloudy sky for many locations with most lows in the 50s and 60s. Austin-Camp Mabry's low was 62°, 3° below normal. The low at the airport was 57°.The clouds we've seen the past few days from former Hurricane Orlene are thinning out for the rest of the afternoon. The sun will continue to heat things up with most highs in the lower 90s. Today's normal high is 87°.The area will be mostly sunny tomorrow and early Thursday. Clouds will be
  
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• Am I registered to vote in Texas?

  04-10-2022 10:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas has a major election coming up in November, but before voters can head to the polls, they must be registered to vote.
  The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election is Oct. 11.
  Residents who want to vote can check online to see if they're registered. Registering to vote online in Texas, however, is not an option, but you can find the application online, print it out, and mail it to your local election office.
  Eligibility to register to vote:
  Must be a United State
  
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• Among busiest weekends, Austin airport battles catalytic converter thefts

  04-10-2022 09:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- You park your car at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, walk across the pedestrian sidewalk and hop onto your flight.
  But if you're considering doing that for the holidays, you may want to take some extra precautions.
  Austin 311 said, so far this year, it had 42 service requests related to car thefts, compared toseven in all of last year.
  That includes stolen catalytic converters from cars, a problem KXAN has been following for months.
  The airport had three such reports
  
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• Longhorn great Tiffany Jackson passes away at 37

  04-10-2022 05:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Texas women's basketball star Tiffany Jackson passed away on Monday after a long bout with cancer at age 37.Jackson played at Texas from 2003-2007 where she was a three-time All-American. Jackson played in 123 games with 103 starts under Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt.She is the only person in program history to have accomplished the combined feat of 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 steals and 150 blocks. Jackson currently ranks fifth in school history with 1,917 c
  
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• Austin emergency crews have prepared for ACL for 'months'

  04-10-2022 04:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin City Limits music festival is just days away, and first responder crews have been preparing for months, they said.
  "A lot that goes into this," said Capt. Darren Noak with Austin-Travis County EMS.When it comes to event safety, people KXAN spoke with said seeing first responders on site helps give them peace of mind.
  "Making sure people aren't pushing and shoving," said Lauren Fritz. "If you're at the front of the crowd it can get a little frightening.""I guess just c
  
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• ACL Fest: How to register for lost and found

  04-10-2022 03:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Music lovers are preparing for Austin City Limits Music Festival ahead of the first weekend starting on Friday. One tool that can help them prepare is a registration form for items that could get lost at the festival.
  Festival-goers can register for lost and found to get notified if their item is turned in.
  The form asks for your name, phone number, email, and your phone's IMEI, which stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity and is like a personal ID number f
  
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• Here are some post-governor debate responses from Greg Abbott, Beto O'Rourke

  04-10-2022 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In Friday's hour-long debate between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and challenger Beto O'Rourke, we could only get to so many questions.We received 100s of questions, and those of you at home wanted answers. We went back through that question list on Monday, and picked out these themes:WaterTransportationHousing InventoryRacismBeto Border PlanCriminal Justice ReformRecaptureFoster CareTexans joining togetherHomelessnessWe asked both Abbott's and O'Rourke's offices to respond to
  
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• Here are some post-governor debate responses from Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke

  04-10-2022 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In Friday's hour-long debate between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and challenger Beto O'Rourke, we could only get to so many questions.We received 100s of questions, and those of you at home wanted answers. We went back through that question list on Monday, and picked out these themes:WaterTransportationHousing InventoryRacismBeto Border PlanCriminal Justice ReformRecaptureFoster CareTexans joining togetherHomelessnessWe asked both Abbott's and Beto's offices to respond to som
  
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• San Marcos football team given 3 years probation, eligible for playoffs again after appeal

  04-10-2022 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The San Marcos Rattlers football team is again eligible for postseason play, at least for now.The University Interscholastic League gave the school three years probation and issued public reprimands to two San Marcos CISD employees amid allegations of the football team recruiting players from outside district boundaries for purely athletic purposes. The district denies the allegations.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up
  
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• Nice weather for the first weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival

  04-10-2022 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —Music lovers have waited for nearly one year, patiently biding their time for the start of the 2022 Austin City Limits Music Festival. The wait is almost over.What happens if my ACL wristband is lost or stolen?ACL Weekend No. 1 is Oct. 7-9. One of the questions always on the mind of festival goers is "what will the weather be at Zilker Park during the festival?"
  History tells us that most ACL weekends have been warmer than the normal high temperature. This year will be no ex
  
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• WATCH: Trio of otters swim along San Marcos River

  04-10-2022 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — A KXAN viewer captured a trio of otters swimming along the San Marcos River this weekend.River otters traditionally live near bodies of water like lakes, large rivers and streams. They can be found in the Texas Gulf Coast region, living in marshes, bayous and inlets, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.While river otters are more traditionally found within the eastern portion of Texas, TPWD officials said they likely were once more readily found thro
  
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