Austin news

• Attendance Credit elections are on Leander ISD, Pflugerville ISD ballots. What are they?

  18-10-2022 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — Leander ISD and Pflugerville ISD voters will see Attendance Credit Elections on their Nov. 8 ballots.For Leander ISD voters, Proposition A says: “Authorizing the board of trustees of the Leander Independent School District to purchase attendance credit from the state with local tax revenues.”For Pflugerville ISD voters, Proposition A says: “Authorizing the board of trustees of Pflugerville Independent School District to purchase attendance credit fr
  
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• 'The call center is going to collapse;'911 operator says many are at their breaking point

  18-10-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Long waits continue for 911 callers as cries for help are now becoming more urgent.KXAN has received multiple emails from people who have called 911, but had to wait for a response. Some callers tell KXAN they had to wait 5 minutes or longer for an answer.Josh Mitford saw a bad accident on I-35 and dialed 911 for help, but he too had to wait."It took almost five and a half minutes to get an operator on the phone from the time I dialed," said Mitford. "You don't expect that
  
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• 'The call center is going to collapse': 911 operator says many are at their breaking point

  18-10-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Long waits continue for 911 callers as cries for help are now becoming more urgent.KXAN has received multiple emails from people who have called 911 but had to wait for a response. Some callers told KXAN they had to wait five minutes or longer for an answer.Josh Mitford saw a bad accident on Interstate 35 and dialed 911 for help, but he too had to wait."It took almost five-and-a-half minutes to get an operator on the phone from the time I dialed," said Mitford. "You don't e
  
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• Coldest morning since April on Wednesday

  18-10-2022 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Cool, dry air continued blowing into Central Texas on Tuesday riding gusty north winds. As winds relax and high pressure centers itself over our area, low temperatures are expected to be 10 degrees colder Wednesday morning than they were early Tuesday.We are predicting lows in the middle 40s in Central Austin, but plenty of middle and upper 30s in suburbs and rural areas. Some less-populated rural creek valleys may see a first freeze with temperatures as cold as 32 degrees.Foreca
  
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• Beyond the sport: Texas man shares struggles finding purpose after college swimming career

  18-10-2022 23:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Friday nights are big in Texas, but what we don’t see under the bright lights is the darkness some young athletes are facing. At least four college athletes died by suicide this year.Cory Camp struggled with purpose when his college swimming career ended – today he is helping others like him to become a 'Forever Athlete.' Camp created Forever Athlete for men and women who are having a hard time identifying past their sport. For athletes, their sport is their life fro
  
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• 14-foot Halloween skeleton stolen from Austin neighborhood

  18-10-2022 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's spooky season, but one Austin neighborhood was dealt a nasty trick when a 14-foot-tall skeleton Halloween decoration was stolen from one of its homes.
  Neighbors' security cameras captured the suspect stealing the massive decoration Saturday afternoon from the northwest Austin condominium community, just before 5 p.m. Grazia Ruskin, president of the condominium's HOA board, told KXAN Tuesday neighbors were shocked the theft occurred in the middle of the day when many co
  
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• Austin's Chief Medical Officer to help prepare world for next pandemic

  18-10-2022 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dr. Mark Escott, Austin's Chief Medical Officer, has been named a project leader of the new University of Texas Center for Pandemic Decision Science.
  After playing a leading role in the City's fight against COVID-19 as Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority, Escott transitioned into his current role of Austin Chief Medical Officer. He has now been tapped to work alongside scientists, engineers, clinicians and policymakers from UT Austin and across the U.S. to develop
  
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• Luminous porta-potties, glowing pants and more at the Creek Show 2022

  18-10-2022 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Free tickets to the Waterloo Greenway Creek Show will be up for grabs starting Wednesday. This year’s show will feature nine light-based installations, including glowing porta-potties and luminous torso-less pants. The Creek Show first started in 2014, and every year it showcases local artists and designers. This year will be the eighth iteration of the show and its most ambitious effort to date. PREVIOUS: A creek monster, a ghost boat and more beckon visitors to
  
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• Trump returns to Texas, which GOP leaders will speak at Saturday rally?

  18-10-2022 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (Nexstar) — Former President Donald Trump will return to Texas for the 26th time since he took office in 2017 to host a rally with some of the state's Republicans ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud will speak ahead of the former president during a Saturday rally in Robstown, a small town about 18 miles west of Corpus Christi.
  Texas' top Republican leader, Gov. Greg Abbott, will not be in atten
  
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• Coldest night since April expected tonight

  18-10-2022 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Clouds continue to clear on this beautiful autumn afternoon. Today's forecast highs are expected to fall well short of average with most of us only reaching the upper 60s to low 70s.Tomorrow morning will be our coldest morning of the week as low temperatures fall into the upper 30s and low 40s. Some less-populated rural creek valleys may see a first freeze with temperatures as cold as 32 degrees.South winds return Thursday, warming afternoon highs back above seasonal norms and br
  
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• City, county seeking qualified candidates for its Public Health Commission

  18-10-2022 20:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you want to help address health disparities in the Austin community, there might be a spot for you on the Austin-Travis County Public Health Commission.
  The entities are seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the commission and fill vacant board seats.
  Among the commission's duties are:Exploring evidence-based public health practices for areas needing improvement and providing recommendations;Informing strategies that address health disparities that impact underserved
  
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• How ACL taps into local muralists for annual festival

  18-10-2022 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the heart of Zilker Park during the 2022 Austin City Limits Music Festival, hundreds of festivalgoers stopped to take pictures with the iconic festival frames. Standing aside on the hill, muralist Stephanie Pelletier-Ramirez watched as lines of people snapped photos with her artwork — a design that took months in the making."It was probably the highlight of my life," she said. "All of these amazing people were standing in line to take a picture with something that
  
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• Voters to decide on 3 Texas Supreme Court justices in November — why it matters

  18-10-2022 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — It's the highest court in Texas, but there's been little talk about the justices' races for the Texas Supreme Court this November.
  The state Supreme Court hears cases ranging from consumers against businesses, civil rights and government law to controversial topics like abortion and immigration.
  In fact, a case concerning abortion is going before the Texas Supreme Court for oral arguments: Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity vs. Right to Life East Texas. This order was r
  
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• Results: Central Texas schools inspected for intruder safety measures

  18-10-2022 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several school districts in Austin and surrounding communities underwent surprise intruder inspection audits recently, with only one campus so far reporting an issue that was found and addressed. This process is done in accordance to safety measures formed after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde this summer.The audits, led by the Texas School Safety Center, inspect campuses for potential safety hazards, like unlocked exterior doors, and review visitor check-in
  
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• Monday was the busiest day ever at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

  18-10-2022 18:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's airport just set a new record for the most passengers in a single day.A total of 35,357 passengers were recorded departing from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday, October 17, the first day after the second weekend of the ACL music festival.The total is 59 more than the previous record, set on the Monday after F1 weekend in 2021. With F1 returning to Austin this upcoming weekend, airport officials are expecting next Monday to be a record breaker, too.
  
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• Former APD officer acquitted of charges related to October 2017 use of force

  18-10-2022 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A jury acquitted a former Austin Police officer of charges related to use of force on a woman during an October 2017 encounter.
  Nathaniel Stallings, 44, was found not guilty of abuse of official capacity and official oppression Monday at 11:10 p.m., the court said.
  According to a past disciplinary memo, the incident took place on Oct. 6, 2017, when Stallings and another officer responded to a suspected prostitution deal. PAST STORY: 3 Austin police officers indicted in use
  
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• What it takes to be in Texas' top 1%

  18-10-2022 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Have you ever wondered what it takes to be rich in Texas? What about ultra-rich?An analysis published earlier this year by SmartAsset showed how much income it takes to be in the top 1% in each of the 50 states.Using tax data from the IRS, the site was able to determine the minimum income required to be among the highest earners in each state. These figures were then adjusted to 2021 dollars using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (C
  
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• Hurricane Ian is this year's 15th billion-dollar disaster in the U.S.

  18-10-2022 16:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The newest update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Hurricane Ian, the category four hurricane that devastated parts of southwest Florida in September, is now the 15th billion-dollar disaster of 2022.Looking backThis year marks the eighth consecutive year of 10 or more weather or climate disasters totaling over a billion dollars each, a new record for the U.S.Researchers predict the combined death total to exceed 340 people, and a total cost
  
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• Cybersecurity expert talks simple tips to keep your info safe at home and school

  18-10-2022 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Over the last month, the Texas attorney general received 61 data breach reports impacting tens of thousands of Texans.The reports include social security numbers and other personal information stolen.“Phishing is the cause of over 90% of attacks,” said Grace Hoyt, a Google cybersecurity expert.“Phishing is when a scammer will try to bait and hook you in by impersonating a trusted source. So that could be a bank or
  
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• Tickets sold out for Austin FC vs FC Dallas in semifinals match at Q2

  18-10-2022 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This Sunday, two Texas MLS teams will face each other at Q2 Stadium in the Western Conference Semifinals, part of this year's MLS Cup Playoffs — and single-match tickets sold out "instantly" Tuesday, according to the communications and media coordinator for Austin FC.Austin FC and FC Dallas will kick off on that field at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23. The match will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
  Those wanting to experience it in person got the chance to snag tickets sta
  
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• Austin FC to face FC Dallas in semifinals match at Q2 — when to buy tickets

  18-10-2022 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This Sunday, two Texas MLS teams will face each other at Q2 Stadium in the Western Conference Semifinals, part of this year's MLS Cup Playoffs.
  Austin FC and FC Dallas will kick off at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23. The match will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
  Those wanting to experience it in person will get the chance to snag tickets starting Tuesday at 10 a.m.
  Austin FC defeated Real Salt Lake Sunday 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 score at the end of extra time. Bra
  
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• Austin Water seeks feedback from the public on new water supply strategy

  18-10-2022 15:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Austin Water will host the first of three workshops this week to outline its Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project. It's a new water supply strategy that would allow the public utility to store stormwater in a natural aquifer that would be available for later use when the water is needed. It's a key supply strategy in an overarching plan to address risks due to drought and climate change in Central Texas.  Austin Water issues only 6 citations
  
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• University of Texas led team drills into area producing 'the largest earthquakes on the planet'

  18-10-2022 14:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Off the coast of Japan, one of the most dangerous fault zones on Earth has become the focal point of a decades-long research project done by the University of Texas and more than a dozen other countries.
  "It has a really long history of what we call great earthquakes," said Demian Saffer, director of the Institute of Geophysics at UT and a leader on the project.What Saffer and his team uncovered may reshape the way we think about forecasting earthquakes.
  The fault zone, whi
  
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• Vandegrift stays unbeaten in district play with 29-7 win over Cedar Ridge

  18-10-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Vandegrift Vipers took a big first-half lead and bled the clock in the second half to score a 29-7 win over Cedar Ridge on Thursday at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.Cedar Ridge outscored the Vipers 7-3 in the second half, but both teams had two possessions each in the final two quarters and the Raiders needed to make more things happen to make up for the big first-half deficit.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our Mor
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: Cedar Ridge takes on Vandegrift in district play

  18-10-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Neither Vandegrift nor Cedar Ridge has lost in the past three weeks, but unfortunately for one of them, that's going to change Thursday at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.Cedar Ridge was 1-3 through four games, but the Raiders have rattled off three consecutive wins against Westwood, Stony Point and most recently Manor. However, the Raiders have a tall task ahead of them in the Vandegrift Vipers. The Vipers, currently undefeated in district play, haven't lost since their
  
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• Winter-like chill as temps plummet overnight

  18-10-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As rain wraps up and dry, cooler air moves in, our focus turns to the spectacular autumn weather in the forecast through Thursday. Wednesday morning will be our coldest morning of the week as low temperatures fall into the upper 30s to lower 40s. Some less-populated rural creek valleys may see a first freeze with temperatures as cold as 32 degrees.South winds return Thursday, warming afternoon highs back above seasonal norms and bringing back higher humidity for the Formula 1 U.
  
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• LIVE: Winter-like chill as temps plummet overnight

  18-10-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As expected, the cooler temps are outlasting the wet weather with temperatures running 10°-15° cooler this morning, leaving most of us in the 50s.
  Clouds will hang around for one more day before clearing to sunshine tomorrow. Today's forecast highs are expect to fall well short of average with most of us only reaching the upper 60s to low 70s.Tomorrow morning will be our coldest morning of the week as low temperatures fall into the upper 30s and low 40s. Some less-popula
  
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• AFD: Gas station store catches fire in southeast Austin

  18-10-2022 12:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters worked to put out a fire at a gas station convenience store in southeast Austin early Tuesday morning.The Austin Fire Department said the gas station is on the corner of East Oltorf and Douglas streets. That's east of Interstate 35 before South Pleasant Valley Road.
  East Oltorf is closed in the area and will be for the next couple of hours, AFD said around 6:20 a.m. 5 displaced after fire burns 2 north Austin homesAFD said its crews got to the scene around 4 a.
  
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• AFD: Gas station store catches fire in east Austin

  18-10-2022 12:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters are working to put out a fire at a gas station convenience store in east Austin early Tuesday morning.The Austin Fire Department said the gas station is on the corner of East Oltorf and Douglas streets. That's east of Interstate 35 before South Pleasant Valley Road.
  AFD said its crews got to the scene around 4 a.m. The agency said the fire began as a trash fire and eventually spread to the building. A KXAN crew member at the scene said the convenience store of
  
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• AFD: Gas station catches fire in east Austin

  18-10-2022 12:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters are working to put out a gas station fire in east Austin early Tuesday morning.The Austin Fire Department said the gas station is on the corner of East Oltorf and Douglas streets. That's east of Interstate 35 before South Pleasant Valley Road.
  AFD said its crews got to the scene around 4 a.m. The agency said the fire began as a trash fire and eventually spread to the building.AFD said there's a partial collapse of the front awning area. It's unclear whether the
  
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• Pedestrian killed in crash on SH 130 near Tesla Road

  18-10-2022 12:24 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating after a woman died late Monday night on State Highway 130 near the Tesla gigafactory.
  According to Austin-Travis County EMS, paramedics responded to the crash involving a pedestrian in the northbound lanes of SH 130 near Tesla Road around 10:50 p.m. Traffic accidents spike amid seasonal change, shorter days, TxDOT reportsDPS said a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The agency said she was walking sou
  
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• 'Someone is eventually going to die waiting on hold for Austin 911': Pressure builds for 911 operator staffing

  18-10-2022 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More viewers are reaching out to KXAN as emergency calls go unanswered for too long. Related: ‘I waited 5 minutes’: 911 callers concerned after delayed response for emergency callsThe Austin Police Department is still seeing a major staffing shortage with 911 call-takers and dispatchers.Monday, they told KXAN they're down 23 dispatchers of 75 allotted staff, and down 49 911 operators out of 105 positions.
  More people tell KXAN they're getting put on hold during emerg
  
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• Mozart's 2022 Holiday Light Show tickets now on sale

  18-10-2022 04:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tickets are now live for Mozart's annual Holiday Light Show, which will kick off in a little less than a month.
  This year, Mozart's is offering reserved seating and free general admission, with the return of the festival-style Bavarian marketplace. The standing-room only format of the marketplace will accommodate guests through free general admission tickets that can be reserved online ahead of the event.
  Mozart's has also made some additions to the show.
  Last year, on-the-water
  
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• Man takes plea deal for attacking pregnant girlfriend, killing unborn child

  18-10-2022 04:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - A man prosecutors said beat his pregnant girlfriend to the point she lost her baby will not serve any jail time.Johnny Charles Ebbs V accepted a plea deal with 8 years Deferred Adjudication on a 3rd degree Continuous Family Violence assault.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police: Man brutally attacked pregnant girlfriend, killed unborn childAccording to an arrest warrant, Ebbs assaulted his pregnant girlfriend LaShonda Lemons during a verbal fight back in 2019.The warrant said Ebbs punched he
  
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• Gov. Abbott launches 'One Pill Kills' fentanyl awareness campaign, points to possible legislative changes

  18-10-2022 03:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a continuing fight against fentanyl, Gov. Greg Abbott launched an awareness campaign called "One Pill Kills." The governor held a roundtable discussion with state and local law enforcement Monday outlining actions state officials have taken against the deadly drug so far.
  Abbott also announced new laws to be considered in the upcoming legislative session that would classify fentanyl as a poisoning, allow charging an individual for murder if they distribute fentanyl
  
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• Gov. Abbott launches 'One Pill Kills' fentanyl awareness campaign

  18-10-2022 03:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a continuing fight against fentanyl, Gov. Greg Abbott launched an awareness campaign called "One Pill Kills." The governor held a roundtable discussion with state and local law enforcement Monday outlining actions state officials have taken against the deadly drug so far.
  Abbott also announced new laws to be considered in the upcoming legislative session that would classify fentanyl as a poisoning, allow charging an individual for murder if they distribute fentanyl or dr
  
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• UIL upholds district committee decision, rules 11 San Marcos HS students ineligible for 3 years

  18-10-2022 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University Interscholastic League denied an appeal Oct. 13 for 11 students in the San Marcos CISD to play varsity sports amid allegations of illegal recruiting.The UIL's State Executive Committee upheld decisions by a district executive committee, who said the athletes transferred into the district for athletic purposes, that the students can't play UIL-sanctioned sports this year, plus two additional years.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like th
  
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• Fire at Temple family farm possibly caused by cigarette, officials say

  18-10-2022 01:44 via kxan.com
  
  TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) — The Robinson family and guests are picking up the pieces after the massive fire on Saturday.Around 1 p.m. on Saturday, a fire sparked in the parking area of the farm, causing mass destruction of the attendees' cars. ‘Dead animal’ smell wafts miles into Texas neighborhoodAlthough the cause is still under investigation by the Bell County Fire Marshall, initial reports say that the cause could have been from an incorrectly disposed cigarette.Owner Helen Ro
  
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• Fire at Temple family farm likely caused by cigarette, officials say

  18-10-2022 01:44 via kxan.com
  
  TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) — The Robinson family and guests are picking up the pieces after the massive fire on Saturday.Around 1 p.m. on Saturday, a fire sparked in the parking area of the farm, causing mass destruction of the attendees' cars. ‘Dead animal’ smell wafts miles into Texas neighborhoodAlthough the cause is still under investigation by the Bell County Fire Marshall, initial reports say that the cause could have been from an incorrectly disposed cigarette.Owner Helen Ro
  
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• After missing Texas teen crashes, authorities find mother's body in trunk

  18-10-2022 01:34 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After a missing Texas teen led authorities on a car chase in Nebraska, his mother's body was found in the trunk, authorities said.Tyler Roenz was identified as the driver in a high-speed car chase in Nebraska, according to a post by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Nebraska State Patrol confirmed the body of 49-year-old Michelle Roenz was found inside the trunk of the car.
  On Oct. 13, the Harris County Sheriff's Office asked for the public's assistance in
  
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• What Texas drivers do (and don't) understand about merging

  18-10-2022 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Isn't it obnoxious when a driver waits until the very last second to merge? According to a number of states' traffic laws, it's actually the best strategy.
  While the commonly-named "Zipper Merge" may seem counterintuitive, a growing number of experts have argued that the merging strategy helps keep traffic flowing more smoothly and safely. A growing number of states, including Kansas, Utah, Missouri, and Washington, have begun to require drivers to use it in recent years
  
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• Delivery robots coming to UT Austin campus for 5-year study

  18-10-2022 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you're planning on being on the University of Texas at Austin's campus within the next five years, you may see dog-like robots roaming around. Don't be alarmed, they're part of a study.
  The fleet of robots will help researchers understand and improve the experience that pedestrians who run into them have, according to a press release. A five-year study is planned for them, which will focus on what it takes to create, safely operate, and maintain a robot delivery network, whil
  
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