Austin news

• Former Longhorn golfer Jordan Spieth to be the ESPN College GameDay guest picker for TCU game

  11-11-2022 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Texas Longhorn golfer Jordan Spieth, who led the men's golf program to the 2012 NCAA championship in his freshman year, will be the guest picker on ESPN College GameDay ahead of the TCU-Texas football game.The show announced that he'll join the GameDay crew on the set Saturday to pick a set of college football matchups near the show's end, just before Lee Corso decides what mascot head he's going to put on.
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• Austin's cold front poses risk for missing person

  11-11-2022 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Friday's forecast and cold front adds urgency to the search for a veteran missing since Sunday.
  On this Veterans Day, more volunteers joined the search effort for Paull "Pepper" Patterson.
  Police say the 76-year-old disappeared from Colonial Gardens, a memory care assisted living facility in North Austin.
  It's changed Laurel Patterson's routine this week; she's been out every day, armed with flyers and flanked by friends, searching for her dad.
  After issuing a call for more help
  
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• More Texas cities becoming a 'sanctuary for the unborn'

  11-11-2022 23:13 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- More and more cities and towns across Texas are declaring themselves as "sanctuary cities for the unborn."This type of ordinance declares that abortion is murder and prohibits abortion facilities from opening in city limits, but does not punish women, according to Texas Right to Life.
  Four cities had such propositions on their ballots for the Nov. 8 election. Each of them passed.
  Abilene: 53% of voters were in favor, according to KXAN sister station KRBCAthens: 58% (1,579) of voters we
  
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• Scattered rain winds down as cold air pours in

  11-11-2022 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The strongest cold front of the season sent temperatures tumbling Friday afternoon and also brought a severe thunderstorm to Lampasas. Quarter-size to half dollar-size hail was reported in Lampasas. That same storm went on to produce egg-size hail in Bell County driven by 50 mph winds, cracking a windshield.
  One of the LCRA gauges 13 miles WNW of Lampasas measured 2.93", while many others recorded 1-2" of soaking rainfall.
  Temperatures behind the front dropped to the 40s and 50s
  
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• Extended stretch of cold weather begins now

  11-11-2022 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The strongest cold front of the season sent temperatures tumbling Friday afternoon and also brought a severe thunderstorm to Lampasas, where quarter-size to half dollar-size hail was reported. That same storm went on to produce egg-size hail in Bell County driven by 50 mph winds, cracking a car windshield. Non-severe hail was reported in the Lakeway area as large as nickels.An LCRA gauge 13 miles west-northwest of Lampasas measured 2.93" of rain Friday, while many other communit
  
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• Driving between these Texas cities takes longer than crossing most states

  11-11-2022 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS — Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S. by area behind Alaska, and with that size comes long distances between the state's cities. With the size of Texas being what it is, it might not be surprising that even short trips from one Texas city to another could take longer than crossing other states entirely.
  For example, crossing Rhode Island would take less than an hour, according to Google Maps.It would take nearly twice as long — around an hour and 47 minutes — to
  
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• Silver Alert issued for elderly Bee Cave man with a diagnosed cognitive impairment

  11-11-2022 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) -- A Silver Alert was issued for a 90-year-old man who has a diagnosed cognitive impairment.
  Charles Kloac (Image courtesy: Texas Department of Public Safety)
  Charles Kloac, 90, was last seen in the 12600 block of Bee Cave Parkway around 3 a.m. Friday.
  He's described as a white man, 6'1" and 180 lbs, with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing glasses, a red long-sleeved shirt and khaki shorts.
  Law enforcement officials believe Kloac's disappearance poses a thr
  
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• Elderly Bee Cave man found safe

  11-11-2022 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) -- A Silver Alert that was issued for a 90-year-old man who has a diagnosed cognitive impairment has been discontinued after he was found safe.
  He was reported missing Friday afternoon, but found safe Friday night.
  
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• DOJ: Lubbock man was 'on his way' to becoming Anna Delvey

  11-11-2022 22:04 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas -- A judge accepted a plea deal on Wednesday for a Lubbock man who admitted to defrauding several victims for a "lavish lifestyle," according to the United States Department of Justice. Texas Tech student files $40 million lawsuit against Houston lawyer, claims libel for tweetJ. Nicholas Bryant, 26, admitted to wire fraud for his Miami trip that was "complete with luxury limo rides, fully-stocked charter flights, and a private outing on a 90-foot yacht," the USDOJ said.U.S. A
  
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• Big cities swung left in Texas' governor's race, while smaller cities, rural areas moved right

  11-11-2022 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott easily won reelection to a third term in the Nov. 8 election, defeating Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke by double digits.Abbott received almost 55% of the statewide vote, to O'Rourke's roughly 44%.Abbott netted the most votes from Montgomery County, north of Houston, where his margin of victory was almost 100,000 votes. He also won several counties with more than a 30,000-vote margin: Parker, Denton, Smith, Collin, Comal, Lubbock, Rand
  
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• VIDEO: Hail, rain fall in the Hill Country, on Lake Travis

  11-11-2022 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  Top video: Hail in Lakeway (Courtesy: Steven Riedlinger)CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — Strong to severe storms moved through Central Texas Friday, bringing windy and cooler weather.FORECAST: Cold air arrives with a winter feel todayAreas like Lampasas County even saw hail develop from Friday's storms. Here are a few photos and videos that were submitted to [email protected].
  Hail accumulated near a roadway in Lampasas, Texas on Nov. 11, 2022 (Courtesy: Kandi Stull) Hail in Lakeway on Nov. 11, 2022
  
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• Veterans Day: How Texas is improving access to medical cannabis

  11-11-2022 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — With thousands of Texans using medical cannabis, Texas’ Department of Public Safety is looking to expand and improve the state’s Compassionate Use Program (CUP).On Thursday, the state launched a working group under the regulatory division of the program, aimed at finding ways to improve with input from patients, physicians and other stakeholders.The CUP is an online registry of qualified physicians who can prescribe low THC to patients with specific medical c
  
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• Pflugerville ISD teacher on administrative leave after what parents call racist comments

  11-11-2022 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A Pflugerville ISD teacher is on administrative leave after making what parents are calling racist comments to students.Video posted on social media shows an unnamed teacher sitting with students. The teacher can be heard saying  “deep down in my heart, I am ethnocentric, which means I think my race is the superior one.” Austin woman asks for help finding her elderly dad"Let me finish... I think everybody thinks that, they're just not honest ab
  
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• I-35 Capital Project kicks off in south Austin; groups file lawsuit, demand project halts

  11-11-2022 17:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the near future, Interstate 35 through downtown Austin will undergo a complete transformation, but for now, the Texas Department of Transportation is starting in south Austin.Here are the changes coming for I-35 from State Highway 45 southwest to Highway 71. TxDOT will begin construction on Tuesday.It will be putting in two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle lanes in each direction along I-35. Plus you'll see improvements to the east/west connections, and TxDOT will add a
  
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• I-35 Capital Project kicks off in south Austin

  11-11-2022 17:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the near future, Interstate 35 through downtown Austin will undergo a complete transformation, but for now, the Texas Department of Transportation is starting in south Austin.Here are the changes coming for I-35 from State Highway 45 southwest to Highway 71. TxDOT will begin construction on Tuesday.It will be putting in two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle lanes in each direction along I-35. Plus you'll see improvements to the east/west connections, and TxDOT will add a
  
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• How Google is using search trends to feed millions of people

  11-11-2022 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More Texans are turning to Google in search of food banks.“Specifically in Texas, what we've seen is a 570% jump in people searching for ‘where to donate food near me?’ said Katherine Williams with Google.org.The search engine found a 90% spike in Texans searching for "food banks open near me."“That indicates perhaps Texans are looking for resources. So, what we've done is Google.org has partnered with Feeding America to help deliver 50 million meals
  
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• What is a district cooling plant and how does it help students at ACC Highland?

  11-11-2022 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy is more than power plants and the utility from where many get their electricity. It also has what are called district cooling plants.It has partnered with the Highland Campus of Austin Community College to construct another district cooling plant. The plant has one function — it serves as a massive air conditioner for the campus and its approximately 8,200 students.Million of gallons of water are chilled in a machine called, simply, a chiller. It’s
  
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• Space tourism: Austin-based company developing system for new space station, starships

  11-11-2022 14:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — IBM Space, a division of tech giant IBM, unveiled plans to develop a new computer platform that will be used on several upcoming space stations and starships. The partnership, with space technology company Sierra Space, will lead to an open-source platform, think Windows, that will allow virtually anyone to create software for Sierra Space's fleet.Sierra Space is developing a slew of spacecraft. These include Dream Catcher, a space plane designed for easier reentry to the E
  
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• Pflugerville veteran opens junk removal business

  11-11-2022 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Many vets who leave the service need some help transitioning. A veteran from Pflugerville hopes to make it easier — by taking out the trash.
  "Having a set schedule every day or knowing what you're going to do every day to kind of being more responsible and independent as a civilian, I would say it's probably one of the more difficult things," said Joshua Schaefer.
  After eight years as a combat medic in the military, Schaefer is now the owner of JDog Junk
  
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• LIST: Local freebies, deals for veterans on Veterans Day

  11-11-2022 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — Businesses in Central Texas are honoring veterans on Friday by providing them with some deals and freebies.MORE: Here’s where to get Veterans Day deals, discounts and freebiesBlack Rock Coffee Bar
  Veterans, active-duty military and members of their immediate family can get one free medium drink. They must present an ID.
  Chick-Fil-AAll active-duty and former military personnel can get one free chicken sandwich from participating Chick-Fil-A locations.Dunkin'Dunk
  
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• Wet weather followed by subfreezing wind chills

  11-11-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Grab the rain gear and winter coat before heading out the door this morning -- there is a good chance you'll need it today!We will reach daytime high temperatures Friday morning before the front's arrival. By Friday afternoon, rain, thunderstorms and gusty north winds will drop temperatures into the 50s.Warmest temperatures of the day come this morning ahead of a strong cold frontOvernight low temperatures drop into the 30s areawide Saturday morning, but likely remain above free
  
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• Wet and, for some, stormy weekend leads into a big cooldown

  11-11-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The cold front arrived on schedule today. Showers and thunderstorms preceded it while much cooler and windy weather followed it. There was one report of quarter-size hail in Lampasas County. A peak wind gust of 36 mph was clocked at Camp Mabry before noon.The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded our southern viewing area to a SLIGHT RISK (Category 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms. However, the majority of this SLIGHT risk is for the San Antonio to Corpus Christi area.Severe stor
  
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• Cold air arrives with a winter feel today

  11-11-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The cold front arrived on schedule today. Showers and thunderstorms preceded it while much cooler and windy weather followed it. There was one report of quarter-size hail in Lampasas County. A peak wind gust of 36 mph was clocked at Camp Mabry before noon.The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded our southern viewing area to a SLIGHT RISK (Category 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms. However, the majority of this SLIGHT risk is for the San Antonio to Corpus Christi area.Severe stor
  
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• APD: Driver runs off after train crash in north Austin

  11-11-2022 12:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police said a driver ran off early Friday morning after a train crash in north Austin.
  Police said the crash between the train and vehicle occurred at the crossing at Gracy Farms Lane between Burnet Road and Metric Boulevard just after 1 a.m.
  According to CapMetro, the train that was involved in the crash was a freight train.
  
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• Silver Alert for missing elderly woman in Round Rock discontinued

  11-11-2022 12:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Silver Alert for an elderly woman who disappeared Thursday night was discontinued Friday morning, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety notification.
  RRPD said the 75-year-old woman, who has a cognitive impairment, was last seen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday walking on Sunrise Road near East Old Settlers Boulevard. ‘Where are you? Are you OK?’ Austin woman intensifies search for missing dadHer disappearance caused concern for her safety and hea
  
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• Round Rock police search for missing elderly woman with a cognitive impairment

  11-11-2022 12:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Police Department is searching for a woman who disappeared Thursday night.
  RRPD said Penny Coolidge, 75, has a cognitive impairment, and her disappearance is a threat to her health and safety.‘Where are you? Are you OK?’ Austin woman intensifies search for missing dadAccording to the Silver Alert issued Friday morning, Coolidge is described as:
  White5 feet, 8 inches tallWhite hair, brown eyesWearing a long-sleeved oversized red shirt ja
  
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• Missing elderly woman in Round Rock found safe

  11-11-2022 12:35 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Silver Alert for an elderly woman who disappeared Thursday night in Round Rock was discontinued Friday morning, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety notification.
  The Round Rock Police Department said the 75-year-old was found safe at her apartment complex at 7:30 a.m. Friday.
  RRPD said the woman, who has a cognitive impairment, was reportedly last seen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday walking on Sunrise Road near East Old Settlers Boulevard. ‘Where ar
  
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• Car hits and kills man on I-35 near Parmer Lane

  11-11-2022 10:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man died Thursday night after being hit by a car on I-35 near Parmer Lane in north Austin.
  TXDOT reported all northbound of the interstate were closed.
  Police say the crash happened around 11:30 p.m.Austin Travis County EMS said the patient died at the scene.
  Austin Police tell KXAN the driver stayed at the scene.
  
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• Texas high school football playoff scores for Thursday, Nov. 10

  11-11-2022 07:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bi-district playoff games began Thursday around Texas and a handful of schools kicked off postseason play.Westlake made it 51 consecutive wins with a 58-10 win over Cedar Ridge at Chaparral Stadium and Wimberley rolled up 81 points and shut out SA Young Men's Leadership Academy 81-0.Lago Vista won big over Bandera 67-6 and Mason rolled over Hearne 44-7.The bi-district round continues with a full slate of games Friday. Check out the rest of the Thursday scores from around Te
  
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• Westlake winning streak increases to 51, captures bi-district championship

  11-11-2022 05:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the 51st game in a row, the Westlake Chaparrals could not be denied as they defeated Cedar Ridge to capture the bi-district championship 58-10.
  Cedar Ridge showed they would not be intimidated early in the game, as Jacari Killingsworth scored the first touchdown of the game on a 45 yard run to give the Raiders the 7-0 lead.
  However, Westlake responded right away, as Heath McRee took the ensuing kickoff back to the end zone for a game-tying touchdown.
  The floodgates
  
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• APD looking for man last seen at the Domain Nov. 1

  11-11-2022 04:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help locating a missing man who was last seen on November 1 at the Domain shopping center.
  Justin Haden, 34, was last seen in the 3100 block of Esperanza Crossing on Tuesday, Nov. 1. He was reported missing on Monday, Nov. 7.
  He's described as a white man, 5'8" and 140 lbs, with short brown hair and blue eyes.
  Anyone that has seen or with information about Haden's whereabouts should call 9-1-1, Crime Stoppers, or APD&r
  
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• City of Austin looking at issues with animal center as part of audit

  11-11-2022 03:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The last of three public meetings scheduled as a part of the City of Austin's audit of its Animal Services Office shed light on issues with the city's no-kill shelter: from staffing to overcrowding, volunteers expressed concern about the trajectory of the Austin Animal Center.ACC is only doing intake for emergencies right now, meaning only injured animals or animals that present a public safety risk are accepted. It's something that's only happened three times before: in 20
  
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• Man sentenced for 2021 aggravated robbery

  11-11-2022 03:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Austin man was sentenced to five years in state prison for a 2021 aggravated robbery that ended with a SWAT standoff at a north Austin hotel.Dylan Polinski, 25, was sentenced by a judge Oct. 28, and he will serve his sentence at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice detention center in Huntsville. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police shoot 1 person in the leg during SWAT standoff at north Austin hotelPolinski was taken into custody in January 2021 after being involved in a stand
  
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• AISD: New board of trustees want transparency in search for new superintendent

  11-11-2022 03:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days after passing a historic bond, Austin ISD finds itself losing Interim Superintendent Anthony Mays to Alief Independent School District.This is the third time since 2020 the district will be looking to fill the position of superintendent and it will fall on the school board.”We have to be ready to hit the ground running,” said Kathryn Whitley Chu, trustee elect for AISD district 4.Whitley Chu is one of four new board members who will take on that task.&
  
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• Federal judge strikes down Biden student debt relief program

  11-11-2022 02:44 via kxan.com
  
  A federal judge struck down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program on Thursday, declaring it unlawful.District Judge Mark Pittman, a Trump appointee, ruled that the program, which would have provided borrowers with up to $20,000 in student loan relief, was “an unconstitutional exercise of Congress’s legislative power.” The Biden administration has argued that it has authority to forgive student loans under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Stu
  
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• US judge in Texas strikes down Biden loan-forgiveness plan

  11-11-2022 02:42 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A U.S. judge in Texas on Thursday blocked President Joe Biden's plan to provide millions of borrowers with up to $20,000 apiece in federal student-loan forgiveness.District Court Judge Mark Pittman, an appointee of former President Donald Trump based in Fort Worth, said the program usurped Congress' power to make laws.
  The debt forgiveness plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in inc
  
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• Texas commission passes resolutions to make TCEQ more transparent, environmentalists say more is needed

  11-11-2022 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Sunset Advisory Commission on Thursday approved recommendations to make the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) more effective and transparent.The Sunset Advisory Commission – comprised of five Texas senators, five representatives and two members of the public –  exists to enhance government accountability by objectively evaluating state programs and services. The commission voted on recommendations produced by Texas Sunset Advisory Commission s
  
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• DOJ: Round Rock pastor arrested on child pornography charges

  11-11-2022 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) – A Round Rock pastor was arrested by the FBI on child pornography charges Wednesday, the United States Department of Justice announced.David Lloyd Walther, 56, of Georgetown, was accused of knowingly searching for, downloading, distributing and possessing child pornography, according to the DOJ.A criminal complaint filed in Austin federal court said Walther downloaded and made child pornography available using BitTorrent, a peer-to-peer file-sharing network.Accord
  
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• Why can't Texas Democrats win? State stays 'solidly' red

  11-11-2022 01:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — While Democrats have been outperforming expectations nationally in a midterm election, Texas' statewide candidates took another hit as Texas Republicans are maintaining what is now a near-three-decade grasp on statewide offices.
  Top-of-the-ticket incumbents were sent back for additional terms after Texas voters chose Republicans over Democrats for all statewide government positions this year. Democrats haven't won a statewide election since 1994. RELATED: The south Texas
  
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• City of Austin announces closures for Veterans Day

  11-11-2022 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin announced its administrative offices and other municipal facilities would be closed Friday to observe Veterans Day. Officials said regular business hours would resume Monday.The closures included City Council offices, all recreation and senior centers, cultural centers, museums and libraries, according to the city.Utility Payment Centers will also be closed, but customers can make payments online or pay in another way. Austin Veterans Day p
  
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• 'Where are you? Are you okay?' Austin woman intensifies search for missing dad

  11-11-2022 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One of Laurel Patterson's favorite memories with her dad is taking him to Peru seven years ago.
  Seeing Macchu Picchu was on her Paull Patterson's bucket list.
  "We found like, just a street festival, and he got in the middle of all the locals and started dancing with people he didn't even know," Patterson remembered.
  Now with dementia, Patterson said her dad's light shines even brighter.
  "He's so friendly and kind. I mean, he just wants to give everyone a hug," she said.
  She also
  
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• 'Where are you? Are you OK?' Austin woman intensifies search for missing dad

  11-11-2022 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One of Laurel Patterson's favorite memories with her dad is taking him to Peru seven years ago.
  Seeing Macchu Picchu was on her Paull Patterson's bucket list.
  "We found like, just a street festival, and he got in the middle of all the locals and started dancing with people he didn't even know," Patterson remembered.
  Now with dementia, Patterson said her dad's light shines even brighter.
  "He's so friendly and kind. I mean, he just wants to give everyone a hug," she said.
  She also
  
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• TxDOT unveils road clearing equipment ahead of winter season

  11-11-2022 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on Thursday unveiled new equipment for road clearing ahead of this year's winter weather season.TxDOT says they're ready for potential severe winter weather.
  This year, they added three snow plows that could be used in Central Texas for the first time, an item discussed following Winter Storm Uri in 2021. The plows are refurbished ones from Amarillo, which were aging out of that district's fleet."We are at a place in Austin, wh
  
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• Pflavor profile analysis shows Pflugerville has the best-tasting tap water in Texas

  11-11-2022 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Pflugerville was announced as the winner of the Best Tasting Water in Texas for its tap and drinking water by the Texas Water Utilities Association. The city gained the title Sept. 26.In August, Pflugerville won the Best Tasting Surface Water in the region.According to a release from the city, a panel of trained judges from the TWUA Laboratory Analyst’s Section used a process known as the “flavor profile analysis” to determine the
  
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