Austin news

• Texas to reduce COVID reporting to once per week, beginning next week

  23-11-2022 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the latest sign that society is ready to move on from the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Texas will reduce reporting of coronavirus data starting next week.The Department of State Health Services will only report new data once per week, on Wednesdays.The state's dashboard showing vaccination figures will no longer be updated, the agency reports.Since the start of the pandemic, almost 8 million COVID-19 cases have been reported in Texas, along with almost 90,000 deaths.
  
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• Team David wins 2022 Friendsgiving Challenge; Central Texas Food Bank receives over $80K

  23-11-2022 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Team David pulled out an upset win over Team Kristen in KXAN's annual Friendsgiving Challenge, which raises money for Central Texans in need.
  For the past two years, the KXAN meteorologists have competed to see who can raise the most money for the Central Texas Food Bank.
  Together, the teams raised $80,900, enough for 323,600 meals.The Central Texas Food Bank is able to turn every dollar donated into four meals, because it purchases at scale. It serves more than 60,000 peop
  
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• APD search warrant: Missing 34-year-old presumed dead after search of apartment

  23-11-2022 23:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Justin Haden, 34, has been missing since Nov. 1. The Austin Police Department said in a press release he was last seen near his apartment in north Austin. Haden's now presumed dead after a search of his apartment, according to an APD search warrant affidavit.On the morning of Nov. 4, Haden's lawyer called APD to request a welfare check since he or Haden's family hadn't heard from Haden in three days. His lawyer said Haden lived alone, wasn't suicidal, and didn't own a vehicle, t
  
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• Austin airport Thanksgiving travel expected to surge this year

  23-11-2022 22:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expects to see nearly 31,000 people pass through the airport Wednesday as people travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. This comes on the tail end of a five-day stretch that saw more than 28,000 passengers depart from AUS each day.This Thanksgiving travel period is anticipated to be busier than both 2021 and 2020 holiday seasons. An AUS spokesperson said the airport expects it could be busier than 2019 data but will need to wait on the f
  
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• North Austin man collecting 100s of children's toys this holiday season

  23-11-2022 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lifelong resident Ricky Diaz grew up in several north Austin neighborhoods, and is now giving current residents some holiday cheer this season.Diaz is in his fifth year of hosting an annual toy drive, where he and several local businesses chip in to buy hundreds of toys for those whose families might not be able to afford holiday gifts. Last year, Diaz and partnering businesses raised approximately $5,000 and purchased around 500 toys."It made me realize many people really
  
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• Park regulars share hopes, concerns about Zilker Park Vision Plan draft

  23-11-2022 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — You may be hanging out with family this Thanksgiving week, tuning out some of what's happening in our city, but you don't need to leave the loungewear to tell leaders what you want to happen with Zilker Metropolitan Park.
  It's 350 acres right in the middle of our city — a park that Quin Aldredge, who was working out at the park Wednesday, said was a "huge part" of his childhood. The park that Aldredge is so fond of may look a little different in the future.
  The City o
  
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• Texas judge rules Alex Jones must pay Sandy Hook parents full $49 million in defamation case

  23-11-2022 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A Texas district court judge has ruled that Infowars host Alex Jones must pay the parents of a 6-year-old killed in the Sandy Hook shooting the full $49 million in damages in a defamation lawsuit, despite a state law that limits the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in civil suits.In August, a jury awarded Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin $4.1 million in compensatory damages and $45.2 million in punitive damages against Jones for spre
  
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• 'A remarkable opportunity': Texas comptroller hints at larger-than-expected budget surplus

  23-11-2022 19:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With less than two months before the start of the legislative session, Texas lawmakers are getting good news about the state's budget. State Comptroller Glenn Hegar told an audience at an event hosted by the Austin Chamber he expected Texas would have even more money available than the amount he originally forecasted.That's a big deal since Hegar had already estimated the state would have a record $27 billion surplus. At the event, he hinted it could be much larger. He did
  
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• Texas bill filed to remove sales tax on diapers

  23-11-2022 19:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New legislation filed in advance of the 88th Texas Legislative Session could lead to the removal of sales taxes on diaper products statewide.State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, filed House Bill 199 on Nov. 14, which calls for a sales tax exemption for both child and adult diapers. If passed, the exemption would be an amendment to the state tax code.Currently, Texas' tax code offers exemptions for several medical-related products, including drugs and medicine outside of insul
  
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• Man dies after crash with parked vehicle in north Austin

  23-11-2022 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, a man died after crashing into a parked vehicle in north Austin, according to an Austin Police Department release.APD officers responded to the 1800 block of Mearns Meadow around 11:34 a.m. when an SUV crashed into an unoccupied vehicle. The driver of the SUV was taken to the hospital, where he later died, police said.This crash is considered Austin's 96th fatal crash of 2022, resulting in 100 deaths. On the date of this crash in 2021, there were 101 fatal crash
  
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• Lamborghini driver caught driving nearly 100 mph over speed limit in California

  23-11-2022 18:28 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – A Lamborghini driver was pulled over and ticketed for reckless driving after allegedly speeding at nearly three times the posted limit on a winding roadway in California's Santa Barbara County.The unidentified driver was stopped by California Highway Patrol officers Sunday on Highway 154.Photos shared by CHP Buellton showed a black Lamborghini on the side of the road and a portion of the written ticket, which indicates the driver was clocked at 152 mph. Highway 154 has a posted sp
  
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• US military plane strikes bird before returning to Chicago airport, video shows

  23-11-2022 17:31 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (WGN) – A military plane was forced to return to a Chicago airport after hitting a bird early Monday evening.The aircraft, a C-37, landed safely back at Midway Airport after the bird strike at approximately 5 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.There were no reports of injuries.Among those on board was Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the highest-ranking officer in the guard, as well as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Gen. Hokan
  
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• Austin mayoral debate: Submit your questions for Austin mayor candidates Watson, Israel

  23-11-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A week from Thursday, the two candidates vying to represent you as Austin mayor in the runoff election will debate at KXAN — and we want to know what topics you want them to address.Celia Israel and Kirk Watson will take questions from moderators Britt Moreno and Daniel Marin, as well as members of the KXAN news team, but we also want them to respond to questions from voters.
  The hour long debate takes place at 9 p.m. Dec. 1 on KXAN, the CW Austin and KXAN.com.Submit
  
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• Why do we eat turkey at Thanksgiving?

  23-11-2022 14:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Does anyone really like turkey or is it something we all pretend to like?
  Unless deep fried or slathered in excess spices, turkey is a bland, dry and flavorless affair. So why must we subject ourselves to this busty bird each Thanksgiving? Why is turkey, of all things, the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece?While many trace the relationship between turkey and Thanksgiving to the "first Thanksgiving" in the 1600s, it's a lot more complicated than that. How your children ca
  
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• Man charged over 4 years after pedestrian hit, killed by vehicle in east Austin

  23-11-2022 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was charged over four years after a hit-and-run crash killed a pedestrian in east Austin, according to court records from Nov. 17.
  An arrest affidavit stated Matthew Sears, 34, faces a second-degree accident involving death charge in a crash that occurred Oct. 10, 2018 at the intersection of East Cesar Chavez and Elkhart streets. The Austin Police Department confirmed he was arrested.
  In the early morning hours that day, Austin police officers responded to the crash a
  
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• How much snow does Texas usually get?

  23-11-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the potential for significant snow in the forecast for parts of the Texas Panhandle later this week, you might be wondering — how much snow does the Lone Star state typically get ... if any?Annual snowfall averagesAs one could guess, the farther north you travel, the better your chance of seeing snow. Below are a handful of average annual snow totals for major Texas cities:Amarillo — 17.9"Lubbock — 7"San Angelo — 4.9"Midland — 4.3"Dallas/Fort W
  
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• Cooking fire risk increases during Thanksgiving, firefighters say — how to avoid one

  23-11-2022 12:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thanksgiving is typically a time when we get together to cook and eat.With many families getting geared up to cook on Thursday, one thing to keep in mind is that house fire dangers are highest on Thanksgiving day.Firefighters with Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2 said 27% of cooking fires in their coverage area take place between the months of November and January. Austin Fire shows you how NOT to fry a turkey this ThanksgivingAccording to Travis County ESD N
  
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• Mass shooting suspect was employee at the Chesapeake Walmart, CPD confirms

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  Chesapeake officials are holding an 8 a.m. news conference with updates on Tuesday night's deadly shooting. Live updates:Call came in at 10:12 p.m. Officers arrived two mins later.6 victims dead; gunman died by self-inflicted woundPolice Chief Mark Solesky says the gunman was an employee at the storeSolesky says the gunman used a pistol in the deadly mass shootingNo reason to believe the public is at riskShooters’ next of kin has not been notified CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities
  
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• Mass shooting suspect was employee at Chesapeake Walmart, CPD confirms

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  Chesapeake officials are holding an 8 a.m. news conference with updates on Tuesday night's deadly shooting. Live updates:Call came in at 10:12 p.m. Officers arrived two mins later.6 victims dead; gunman died by self-inflicted woundPolice Chief Mark Solesky says the gunman was an employee at the storeSolesky says the gunman used a pistol in the deadly mass shootingNo reason to believe the public is at riskShooters’ next of kin has not been notified CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities
  
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• LIVE: Officials provide updates on mass shooting at Chesapeake Walmart; 7 dead, including the shooter

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities say 7 people, including the suspect, are dead following a mass shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart just off Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake, Virginia.Police say there were multiple counts of both dead and injured found inside the building, where the shooting occurred. A greeter on duty at the time told WAVY the shooting started in the back of the store. One person was also found deceased outside the front entrance.The call reporting the shooting came in at 1
  
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• Chesapeake Walmart shooting: 6 killed, several still hospitalized

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities say six people were killed in a mass shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart just off Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake, Virginia.The suspect also took his own life, police say.Police say there were multiple counts of both dead and injured found inside the building, where the shooting occurred. A greeter on duty at the time told WAVY the shooting started in the back of the store. One person was also found deceased outside the front entrance. Complete Coverage: Mas
  
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• Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting: 7 dead, including the shooter; witness claims shooting was planned

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities say 7 people, including the suspect, are dead following a mass shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart just off Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake, Virginia.Police say there were multiple counts of both dead and injured found inside the building, where the shooting occurred. A greeter on duty at the time told WAVY the shooting started in the back of the store. One person was also found deceased outside the front entrance.The call reporting the shooting came in at 1
  
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• Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting: 7 dead, including the shooter

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities say 7 people, including the suspect, are dead following a mass shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart just off Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake, Virginia.Police say there were multiple counts of both dead and injured found inside the building, where the shooting occurred. A greeter on duty at the time told WAVY the shooting started in the back of the store. One person was also found deceased outside the front entrance.
  The call reporting the shooting came in at
  
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• 7 dead, 3 still in hospital after mass shooting at Chesapeake Walmart

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities say seven people, including the suspect, are dead following a mass shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart just off Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake, Virginia.Police say there were multiple counts of both dead and injured found inside the building, where the shooting occurred. A greeter on duty at the time told WAVY the shooting started in the back of the store. One person was also found deceased outside the front entrance. Complete Coverage: Mass shooting at Che
  
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• 6 killed, 4 remain hospitalized after mass shooting at Chesapeake Walmart, CPD confirms

  23-11-2022 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  Chesapeake officials are holding an 8 a.m. news conference with updates on Tuesday night's deadly shooting. Live updates:Call came in at 10:12 p.m. Officers arrived two mins later.6 victims dead; gunman died by self-inflicted woundPolice Chief Mark Solesky says the gunman was an employee at the storeSolesky says the gunman used a pistol in the deadly mass shootingNo reason to believe the public is at riskShooters’ next of kin has not been notified CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -- Authorities
  
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• MotoGP returns to Circuit of The Americas in April 2023

  23-11-2022 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) said it will host the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in the spring.
  COTA said it is the 10th time it has hosted the race, and it is the only track in the United States to host the series.
  COTA launched ticket sales on Tuesday.According to Tuesday's press release, all tickets include a reserved seat and standard general admission access around COTA.
  The Americas GP will race at COTA from April 14 to Apri
  
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• Virginia police: Multiple people killed in Walmart shooting

  23-11-2022 06:32 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — A shooting at a Walmart in Virginia on Tuesday night left several people dead and wounded, though the exact numbers were not immediately known, police said. The shooter was among the dead, officials said.Officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Walmart on Sam’s Circle around 10:15 p.m. and as soon as they arrived they found evidence of a shooting, Chesapeake Officer Leo Kosinski said in a briefing.Over 35 to 40 minutes, officers found multiple dead p
  
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• Police: 6 people, assailant dead in Walmart shooting

  23-11-2022 06:32 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — A shooter opened fire in a Walmart in Virginia late Tuesday, leaving six people dead, police said, in the second high-profile mass killing in a handful of days. The assailant is also dead.The store in Chesapeake is now safe, Officer Leo Kosinski said in the early hours of Wednesday.
  The shooting came three days after a person opened fire at a gay nightclub in Colorado late Saturday, killing five people and wounding 17. Earlier in the year, the country was shaken by t
  
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• Police: 6 people and assailant dead in Walmart shooting

  23-11-2022 06:32 via kxan.com
  
  CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — A shooter opened fire in a Walmart in Virginia late Tuesday, leaving six people dead, police said, in the country's second high-profile mass killing in a handful of days. The assailant is also dead.The store in Chesapeake is now safe and will likely be closed for several days during the investigation, Officer Leo Kosinski said in the early hours of Wednesday.
  It was not clear who the shooter was or what their motive might be.“I am devastated by the senseless ac
  
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• Jumping home prices & taxes threaten affordability in Williamson County

  23-11-2022 05:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Some of Texas' most expensive neighborhoods are in Travis County. West Lake, West Lake Hills, and Rollingwood are in the top 10, according to data from Zillow. Cities with the most expensive homes in TexasThat's one reason why Kim Eklund started looking north, in Williamson County, once her Austin rent shot up this summer.
  "Year over year, that was more than like a 17% increase for our renewals," she said.
  After being an Austin renter since 2016, she and her partner decided to ju
  
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• Report: Downtown retail still bouncing back from pandemic

  23-11-2022 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- According to the Downtown Austin Alliance, the restaurant scene has bounced back since the pandemic, but retail is lagging behind.The organization's latest Downtown Austin Storefront Retail Business Report shows while more than 85% of downtown's storefront businesses are operating, the total number of retail businesses has dropped 18% since February 2020.
  The report does show, however, that downtown foot traffic continues to increase, and is now near what we saw pre-pandemic.Tha
  
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• How your children can safely help cook for Thanksgiving

  23-11-2022 03:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Children can be very curious and desire to imitate whatever their guardians do. An emergency pediatric doctor gave KXAN some tips on how to safely let kids learn and help in the kitchen on Thanksgiving.
  Dr. Sivasankar, an emergency pediatric medicine physician at St. David's Children's Hospital, gave us some insight.What are the most common injuries you're seeing this holiday season?Dr. Sivasankar: We do see a lot of kitchen-related accidents. We see some burns. Thanksgiving is
  
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• Georgetown offering holiday string-light recycling

  23-11-2022 03:02 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Georgetown residents will be able to recycle their holiday string lights once the season is over this year.
  Starting Nov. 28, Georgetown and Texas Disposal Systems will offer free holiday string-light recycling through Jan. 31.Old or broken string lights can be dropped off at three locations in town:
  City of Georgetown Collection and Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden RoadGeorgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.Sun
  
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• Prison contractor MTC accused of billing Texas millions for inmate treatment programs it didn’t provide

  23-11-2022 01:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — One of the country’s largest private prison companies has defrauded Texas by collecting millions of dollars for in-prison therapeutic programming it hasn’t provided during the pandemic, a new complaint filed with the state auditor claims.In 2020, as the coronavirus killed thousands of prisoners across the country, a push to release more people eligible for parole was met with firm resistance by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
  
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• Georgetown city council hears proposal for Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter taking over city shelter

  23-11-2022 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — At Tuesday's city council workshop, a proposal was heard for the first time on a potential city partnership with the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. The merger would give all ownership and operations of Georgetown's shelter to the regional facility.Jack Daly, assistant public works director for the City of Georgetown, gave the proposal presentation.
  He said the partnership would help the city get ahead of anticipated overwhelming numbers of intake anim
  
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• Georgetown City Council hears proposal for county shelter taking over city shelter

  23-11-2022 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — At Tuesday's city council workshop, a proposal was heard for the first time on a potential city partnership with the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.The merger would give all ownership and operations of Georgetown's shelter to the regional facility.Jack Daly, assistant public works director for the City of Georgetown, gave the proposal presentation.
  He said the partnership would help the city get ahead of anticipated overwhelming numbers of intake anima
  
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• Colorado shooting suspect changed name as teenager in Texas

  23-11-2022 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The suspect in the fatal shooting of five people at a Colorado gay nightclub changed his name more than six years ago as a teenager, after filing a legal petition in Texas saying he wanted to “protect himself” from a father with a criminal history.Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, who faces murder and hate crime charges, was known as Nicholas Brink until 2016. Just before his 16th birthday, he petitioned a Texas court to change his name, court r
  
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• Williamson County animal shelter offering 'name your price' adoptions amid critical capacity

  23-11-2022 00:11 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) is looking for solutions to ongoing capacity issues.
  The shelter will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but will reopen Friday, offering "name your price" adoptions for all medium and large-sized dogs and adult cats until Dec. 4. Small dogs, puppies, and kittens are $75 to adopt.
  WCRAS is also looking for fosters to make space for animals. The shelter has a two-week foster program and also a “Ho
  
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