Austin news

• Monday was the 4th-busiest day in Austin airport history

  20-03-2023 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's airport saw explosive growth in 2022 as passenger numbers rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, and then some.A record 21,089,289 passengers were recorded flying out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport last year.We're keeping track of all the numbers in what is set to be another busy year at AUS. Follow along with our interactive charts below. Passenger growth at Austin’s airport is hitting forecasts five years ahead of schedule
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• 2023 already off to a record start at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

  20-03-2023 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's airport saw explosive growth in 2022 as passenger numbers rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, and then some.A record 21,089,289 passengers were recorded flying out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport last year.We're keeping track of all the numbers in what is set to be another busy year at AUS. Follow along with our interactive charts below. Passenger growth at Austin’s airport is hitting forecasts five years ahead of schedule
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• 'Meaningful' bill protecting patient safety thanks to KXAN investigation, lawmaker says

  20-03-2023 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A state representative says she filed a "meaningful" patient safety bill in direct response to a series of KXAN investigations into systems that allow problem doctors to keep practicing in Texas.
  "KXAN uncovered a problem, brought it to my attention," said Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch. "We discussed. I met with policy holders. We've come together to form, I think, a piece of legislation that can make a meaningful impact into health safety and patient safety."On a cloudy
  
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• 'Meaningful' bill protecting patient safety coming thanks to KXAN investigation, lawmaker says

  20-03-2023 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 10, 2023. See Reporter Matt Grant's investigation tonight at 9 and 10.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A state representative says she filed a "meaningful" patient safety bill in direct response to a series of KXAN investigations into systems that allow problem doctors to keep practicing in Texas.
  "KXAN uncovered a problem, brought it to my attention," said Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch. "We discussed. I met with p
  
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• Groups announced for final WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play tournament at Austin Country Club

  20-03-2023 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Texas Longhorns golfer Scottie Scheffler is back to defend his WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play championship as the No. 1 seed in the tournament that begins Wednesday at Austin Country Club.Scheffler leads a star-studded group of professional golfers in the final year of the event being on the PGA Tour schedule. In two appearances at the tournament, Scheffler has advanced to the championship match both times, beating Kevin Kisner last year to win the title and finish
  
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• Austin Public Health giving $50 gift cards for COVID shots, boosters

  20-03-2023 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health is upping its incentive for Travis County residents to get their COVID vaccinations, the health authority announced Monday.Travis County residents can get $50 Visa gift cards in exchange for getting any COVID-19 vaccine dose, including first, second and booster shots. Visa gift cards can be used anywhere they are accepted.APH said it previously gave gift cards to people who get their first and second doses, but the COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program is
  
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• Austin City Council eyes changes after winter storm

  20-03-2023 22:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council has 85 items on its Thursday agenda this week, with several of them eying changes following last month's ice storm. Here's some of what we're watching:
  Underground utility line feasibility study
  After the February ice storm led to millions of damaged trees and hundreds of thousands of Austinites without power, Austin City Council could direct the city to look into burying power lines. Why don’t we just bury the power lines to stop winter
  
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• New climate report: Drastic, accelerated changes needed now to avert crisis

  20-03-2023 21:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) sixth and final assessment report was released Monday.
  The sixth assessment report is the product of the collaborative work of hundreds of climatologists and scientists who have contributed thousands of peer-reviewed scientific papers to the panel. Warming climate leading to allergy seasons starting soonerThe report states current climate actions are being implemented too slowly, and we must instead take more drastic, a
  
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• Temperatures warm as Spring officially begins

  20-03-2023 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our recent cold snap hung on tight through the first official day of Spring on Monday. Temperatures in Austin were the coldest Spring Equinox in 40 years -- staying in the 50s under cloudy skies. BLOG: April showers: Here's the outlook for Central Texas NEW BLOG: Monday could be one of our coldest spring equinoxes in AustinA warming trend begins overnight into Tuesday as breezy south-southeasterly winds warm temperatures drastically. High temperatures return to more seasonable 7
  
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• HCSO to patrol US Highway 290 to slow amount of crashes in Dripping Springs

  20-03-2023 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays County Sheriff's Office has a warning for drivers in Dripping Springs: drive safely and slow down.
  In a Facebook post, the sheriff's office said starting Monday, deputies will work with Hays County Constables Precinct 4 and Precinct 5 to enforce traffic laws on U.S. Highway 290 in Dripping Springs."This will be a zero tolerance traffic operation to reduce the number of crashes on Hwy 290," the post read.
  KXAN's Sarah Al-Shaikh will have more on thi
  
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• 1 dead, 1 hurt in Texas school shooting; suspect arrested

  20-03-2023 20:58 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) —One student was fatally shot and another injured when a third student opened fire outside a Dallas-area high school before being arrested Monday morning, police said.The shooting began on a high school campus in the suburb of Arlington around 6:55 a.m., before many students arrived for the first day back to classes after the spring break, according to police and school district officials.One student was hit by gunfire and another was hurt by “debris from the sh
  
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• Crow Bar to relocate from South Congress location after 2022 fire

  20-03-2023 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Crow Bar will move from its original South Congress location after it learned a 2022 intentionally-set fire will require the building to be demolished.
  The bar owner posted to Instagram Sunday and said, "the building has to be demolished after finding extensive damage in the walls in the older part of the building next to [the] patio." PREVIOUS: Arson suspect arrested, may be connected to 15 Austin fires, AFD says"The good news is I am aggressively looking for CB’s ne
  
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• Austin connection to dentist accused in wife's poisoning death, affidavit claims

  20-03-2023 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — An Aurora dentist who is accused of poisoning and killing his wife allegedly researched and ordered multiple "undetectable poisons" and Googled "how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human." Police also said he was attempting to begin a new life with another woman who had ties to Central Texas.James Toliver Craig, 45, was arrested on a first-degree murder charge Sunday for the death of his wife Angela Craig. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN sist
  
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• Texas Senate passes measure to deny bail for violent or sexual offenses

  20-03-2023 19:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Senate passed a constitutional amendment 30-1 Monday that would deny bail for those facing violent or sexual charges, as part of Republicans' larger push around bail reform after campaigning on promises of "tough-on-crime' policies.If eventually approved by voters, SJR 44 would authorize judges to deny bail "under some circumstances" to a person accused of a "violent or sexual offense or of continuous trafficking of persons." The resolution's author, Sen. Joan
  
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• Texas Senate considers measure to deny bail for violent or sexual offenses

  20-03-2023 19:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Senate is expected to take up a resolution Monday that would deny bail for those facing violent or sexual charges, as part of Republicans' larger push around bail reform after campaigning on promises of "tough-on-crime' policies.If approved by voters, SJR 44 would authorize judges to deny bail "under some circumstances" to a person accused of a "violent or sexual offense or of continuous trafficking of persons." The resolution's author, Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Hou
  
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• 'He has a battle rifle': Police feared Uvalde gunman’s AR-15

  20-03-2023 19:13 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (Texas Tribune) — Once they saw a torrent of bullets tear through a classroom wall and metal door, the first police officers in the hallway of Robb Elementary School concluded they were outgunned. And that they could die.The gunman had an AR-15, a rifle design used by U.S. soldiers in every conflict since Vietnam. Its bullets flew toward the officers at three times the speed of sound and could have pierced their body armor like a hole punch through paper. They grazed two offi
  
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• Austin ISD: How open should superintendent search be?

  20-03-2023 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Priority number one for the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees is finding a new superintendent, but what will that process look like?“I want to see someone who is generally prioritizing the needs of students and their families here in our school district and our city,” said AISD parent Cuitlahuac Guerra. “Too often the superintendents that come or the ones we have had seem to be using AISD as a stepping stone to the next part of their car
  
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• This April week is the best time to list your Austin-area home, data says

  20-03-2023 17:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 17, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wondering when the best time is to list your Austin home? New realtor.com data states it's coming up soon.
  The study shows the week of April 16-22 is the best time to list a home in the Austin-Round Rock metro area. This week is forecast to have above-average prices, above-average buyer demand, a fast market pace and lower competition from other sellers.READ MORE: Austin hous
  
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• 'Y'all means all!' Advocates, celebrities rally for LGBTQ rights at Texas Capitol

  20-03-2023 17:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Chants of "y'all means all" came from the hundreds of people who gathered Monday afternoon outside the Texas Capitol for a rally to show support for the state's LGBTQ community and decry the dozens of proposed restrictions now under consideration.
  The event, held on the south steps of the statehouse, served as the kickoff for the "All in for Equality Advocacy Day." Organizers included Equality Texas, the Transgender Education Network of Texas, the Texas Freedom Network, the
  
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• Advocates, celebrities rally to support LGBTQ rights at Texas Capitol

  20-03-2023 17:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hundreds are expected to attend a rally Monday afternoon at the Texas Capitol, where they'll push for bills protecting the LGBTQ community and criticize the dozens of proposed restrictions now under consideration.
  The event, which begins at 12 p.m. on the south steps of the statehouse, is billed as the "All in for Equality Advocacy Day." Organizers include Equality Texas, the Transgender Education Network of Texas, the Texas Freedom Network, the ACLU of Texas, Lambda Legal
  
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• Willie Cager, UTEP basketball legend, dead at 81

  20-03-2023 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -Willie Cager, a member of the 1965-66 Texas Western national championship winning team, died at the age of 81 on Sunday morning, according to his family.Memorial services for Willie Cager are still pending. But it would be so cool to see him honored the way he deserves, maybe at Memorial Gym or the Haskins Center. Hard to quantify his impact/how many lives he touched. He is beloved in El Paso. https://t.co/Ym5oECyw3D— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) March 20, 2023Cager
  
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• Pedestrian and bicyclist traffic deaths spike in Texas

  20-03-2023 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People walking and riding their bikes are getting hit by cars more often, and at an alarming rate throughout Texas, data from the Texas Department of Transportation shows.
  While the statistical spike is concerning for those who rely on walking or riding next to cars, they are a painful reminder to families who've lost a loved one.
  That includes the family of Alexei Bauereris. A driver hit the 14-year-old boy while he walked back to his northwest Austin home in 2016.
  Alexei Bauer
  
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• 2 students hurt in Texas school shooting, suspect arrested

  20-03-2023 15:56 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two students were injured in a shooting outside a Dallas-area high school on Monday morning and police arrested the person suspected of opening fire, officials said.
  The shooting began on a high school campus in the suburb of Arlington around 6:55 a.m., before many students arrived for the first day back to classes after the spring break, according to police and school district officials.One student was injured by gunfire, another was hurt by “debris from the
  
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• Elgin breaks ground on new police station to replace 102-year-old building

  20-03-2023 15:17 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The city of Elgin will break ground Monday on a brand new police station as the department gets ready to expand its staff to match the rapid growth of the city.
  This will be the city's first police-designated building in its history. The new police headquarters will replace the century-old building the department is currently occupying.
  Time for an upgrade
  The current Elgin police headquarters is located right on Depot Street in the city's historic downtown district, and t
  
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• Officials: 2 hurt after shooting at Texas school

  20-03-2023 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two students were injured after a shooting at a Texas high school on Monday and a suspect is in custody, police and school district officials said.The shooting happened on the Lamar High School campus in Arlington outside a school building, news outlets report.
  The school was placed in lockdown and once that is lifted, students will be released for the day, Arlington Independent School District spokeswoman Anita Foster said in an email. Others, including parents, we
  
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• Austin ISD hosting Pride Week March 20-25

  20-03-2023 12:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Independent School District announced it is holding a Pride Week celebration during the week of March 20-25. According to the district, it is to celebrate LGBTQIA students, staff and families.
  The district says this year's event coincides with the National LGBT Health Awareness Week.The district's plans come one year after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote a letter to then AISD superintendent Stephanie Elizalde in March 2022, condemning the district’s
  
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• How does 'tip creeping' affect Texans?

  20-03-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The advent of new software that allows consumers to tap their phones and cards at the register instead of paying with cash has undoubtedly made the mad dash to the cafe or market a little easier – especially those of us frequently losing credit cards. But using this type of software – such as Square and Toast – can also make consumers feel “guilted” into leaving a larger tip than they may otherwise offer. Some have dubbed this new phenomen
  
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• McCarthy calls for no protests or violence over potential Trump arrest

  20-03-2023 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (The Hill) – House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sought to tamp down former President Donald Trump’s call for protests in response to a possible arrest of the president in connection to a Manhattan District Attorney investigation.“I don't think people should protest this stuff,” McCarthy said in a press conference at the House GOP issues retreat on Sunday when asked about Trump's statement.McCarthy suggested that Trump was calling for others to “ed
  
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• Burnet Police patrol vehicle to raise awareness about preventing child abuse

  20-03-2023 12:24 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) -- The Burnet Police Department says it will unveil a patrol vehicle Monday afternoon to raise awareness about preventing child abuse.
  According to an announcement released March 16, the 2022 Chevy Tahoe will be assigned to a school resource officer and will be used daily where it will be seen by children and families.
  Burnet PD says the vehicle will have decals of the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center (HCCAC) along with other decals raising awareness about child
  
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• Winter temps to leave then it's hello 80s

  20-03-2023 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Goodbye, winter. Your grip on this weekend's weather didn't dampen the spirits of spring breakers and SXSW goers. But, you can leave now and give us back our feel of spring. BLOG: April showers: Here's the outlook for Central TexasSpring arrives at 4:24 this afternoon with temperatures in the 50s. It does not look like we'll see much of the sun today with the possible exception of the far western Hill Country. There's just too much moisture flowing into the area. NEW BLOG: Monda
  
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• Spring starts with a quick warm up

  20-03-2023 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will mark the last day of our recent stretch of cooler weather, just in time for the calendar to flip over to spring. BLOG: April showers: Here's the outlook for Central TexasSpring arrives this afternoon at 4:24 pm. Expect a mostly cloudy sky with afternoon highs in the upper 50s to low 60s - one of our coolest spring equinoxes on record.Mainly cloudy and cool as we transition from winter to spring Monday afternoon NEW BLOG: Monday could be one of our coldest spring equin
  
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• APD: Roommate arrested after man found dead following house fire

  20-03-2023 10:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested and charged with murder and arson after a Sunday night fire at a southeast Austin home, Austin Police said in a release Tuesday.According to APD, 911 got a call at 10:53 p.m. Sunday about someone possibly trapped in a house that was on fire in the 9000 block of Meridian Oaks Lane. That is just east of Interstate 35 and west of Slaughter Lane.
  Austin firefighters found John Ryan Kern, 36, with apparent stab wounds inside the burning home. Kern died a
  
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• APD opens homicide investigation after man found following house fire

  20-03-2023 10:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police launched a homicide investigation Sunday night after a man died following a Sunday night house fire.According to APD, 911 got a call at 10:53 p.m. about someone trapped in a house that was on fire in the 9000 block of Meridian Oaks Lane. That is just east of Interstate 35 and west of Slaughter Lane.
  APD says police and fire crews arrived at 11 p.m. and were able to put the fire out. While searching the home, APD says AFD crews found a man in his 30s with&
  
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• APD opens homicide investigation after man found dead following house fire

  20-03-2023 10:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police launched a homicide investigation after a man died following a house fire late Sunday night.According to APD, 911 got a call at 10:53 p.m. about someone possibly trapped in a house that was on fire in the 9000 block of Meridian Oaks Lane. That is just east of Interstate 35 and west of Slaughter Lane.
  APD said police and fire crews arrived at 11 p.m. and were able to put the fire out.
  While searching the home, AFD crews found a man in his 30s with "ob
  
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• Texas pitcher Estelle Czech flirts with no-hitter, Longhorns go 4-1 in south Florida

  20-03-2023 03:55 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (KXAN) — The Texas softball team wrapped up the South Florida Showdown with a 4-1 record, and if not for some bad luck against the hosts, it would have been a perfect weekend.A walk-off home run by South Florida shortstop Kathy Garcia lifted the Bulls to a 4-3 win in the Longhorns' second game on Friday at the tournament. After that, the Longhorns won three straight including a redemption game Sunday against the Bulls.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like
  
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• 'I loved it': SXSW wraps up 2023 conference and festival

  20-03-2023 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No more red carpets, concerts and conferences until next year: South by Southwest came to an end Sunday.
  The closing barbecue and softball tournament concluded the ten day conference and festival with some good food and new connections.
  "I get to network with artists from all over the world. Folks, I would never meet otherwise and from LA and the UK," said SXSW performer, Dionel Alvarez.
  Record breaking airport passengersAustin has gone from packed streets to now a packed a
  
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• Texas baseball notches 10th consecutive win, sweeps home series vs. New Orleans

  20-03-2023 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns baseball team ran its winning streak to 10 games with a weekend sweep of New Orleans, capping it off with a 9-3 victory Sunday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.The Longhorns scored 27 runs against the Privateers, including a 15-1 win Saturday and a 3-1 win to open the series Friday.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersOn Sunday, senior Eric Kennedy had
  
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• Longhorns, Cardinals expect physical game in NCAA women's 2nd round

  20-03-2023 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Louisville and Texas meet Monday in the second round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament, the game the teams played against each other in November on foreign soil doesn't mean a thing.Yes, the Cardinals beat the Longhorns 71-63 in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in Paradise Island, Bamahams on Nov. 20, but both teams are miles removed from that game. Also, Texas has its playmaker and facilitator back in sophomore point guard Rori Harmon. Texas Longhorns hammer E
  
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• Why the Texas Longhorns players love playing for Rodney Terry

  20-03-2023 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This season has been a wild one for the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team to say the least, and one thing that's helping the players navigate it is the faith they have in interim head coach Rodney Terry.Following the Longhorns' 71-66 win Saturday over Penn State and the program's first berth in the Sweet 16 since 2008, some of the players described what Terry means to them and how his steady energy and calmness helped them through the adversity caused by Chris Beard's d
  
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