Austin news

• Drunk drivers could pay child support in Texas if a parent is killed

  28-03-2023 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas legislature is considering a new bill this session that would require convicted drunk drivers to give child support payments if a parent of a minor is killed in the crash. House Bill 393, filed by Texas Rep. Craig Goldman, has bipartisan support and already passed in the Criminal Jurisprudence committee. Next, it will likely go to the House floor for a vote. The idea for the law came from an initiative in Missouri, where their legislature considered Bren
  
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• Restrictions to drag performances, story times advance in Texas Senate

  28-03-2023 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas lawmakers voted along party lines to advance two bills that would enact restrictions to drag-related events and even criminalize performers in the state.
  Members of the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs agreed Monday to push forward the two proposed drag restrictions — Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 1601 — for debate to the full chamber. Both measures advanced in committee by votes of 6-2.
  It's unclear when the full Senate will take up both pieces of
  
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• Round Rock police searching for suspects in H-E-B parking lot assault

  28-03-2023 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock police are looking for several people involved with an assault in an H-E-B parking lot near Interstate 35.The alleged assault happened at 250 University Boulevard around noon on March 12, police said.Video RRPD released shows two women and three men driving through the parking lot in a red Hyundai Sonata. The two women got out of the car and hit an H-E-B employee near one of the entrances to the store, it shows.Then, the video shows the women running b
  
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• Texas lawmakers discuss bill that could levy $10K fine for schools, teachers celebrating Pride week

  28-03-2023 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas House discussed a bill Tuesday that would fine teachers and school officials up to $10,000 for celebrating or providing special instruction on sexual preference, including events like Pride week.The bill, authored by Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, also would allow the State Board of Educator Certification to revoke or suspend a teaching certificate if an educator violates the law.“I think having sexually oriented celebrations at school for all grades is teaching
  
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• Your chance to be a seat filler at the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin

  28-03-2023 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Have a seat with the stars for the first major award show happening in Austin.When watching televised award shows, the venue where they are held may seem full of celebrities, but not everyone in the crowd is famous. The production companies behind these award shows need: seat fillers."Seat-fillers are volunteers whose purpose is to fill out the venue when the camera pans the audience," the Hollywood Reporter said. "They don’t have to have any experience in acting, bei
  
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• LIST: Artists set to attend 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas

  28-03-2023 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The list of stars set to attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas keeps growing.For the first time, the icon award ceremony will air from the "Live Music Capital of the World" on Sunday, April 2.Here are the new additions to the show:
  Alanis Morissette will make her CMT Music Awards debut alongside Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards, Morgan Wade to celebrate 10-year anniversary of “CMT Next Women of Country” franchiseGwen Stefani&
  
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• Nearly 40 more pediatric hospital beds coming soon to Williamson County

  28-03-2023 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — As low availability for pediatric hospital beds persist in Texas, Dell Children's Medical Center North in Williamson County will add 36 pediatric hospital beds next month.The 187,000 square foot facility will host emergency and trauma services, operating rooms and a fourth floor for future expansion.That floor, if further developed, would add 36 more pediatric hospital beds.According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, as of March 15, out
  
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• Travis County paid $18M in sheriff's office overtime last year, may consider raising officer pay

  28-03-2023 20:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Battling high corrections officer vacancies, Travis County commissioners may look at raising officer pay before the next budget.
  On Tuesday, county commissioners asked county staff to bring back a budget adjustment proposal in 30 days to increase officer pay and also approved a yearlong extension of an overtime incentives program to encourage overtime use and retain employees.Commissioners and county staff talked about the need to increase correctional officer pay to lower
  
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• Austin car dealership ordered to pay damages after firing worker over COVID safety concerns

  28-03-2023 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A U.S. district court is ordering an Austin luxury car dealership to pay an employee $15,000 in damages after they were allegedly fired over raising COVID-19 safety concerns.
  Hi Tech Imports LLC -- operating as Porsche Austin -- is required to pay the employee damages after they had been fired within an hour of alerting their coworkers that another coworker had tested positive for COVID.
  This happened in December 2020, when the employee alerted Porsche Austin's management that a
  
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• Allergy season getting worse in these Texas cities, study finds

  28-03-2023 20:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – That extra head congestion you’ve been feeling lately may not all be in your head, so to speak.A new report on seasonal allergies found the growing season has lengthened by more than two weeks, on average, nationwide. A longer growing season means more days of sniffles, sneezes and headaches for allergy sufferers.Climate Central, an organization of scientists and journalists focused on studying the impacts of climate change and warming global temperatures,
  
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• Wind Advisory in effect through 7 p.m.

  28-03-2023 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The cold front that passed south this morning left a strong north wind that gusts into the 30s during the morning. One of the peak gusts was 40 mph at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Camp Mabry's peak gust so far has been 37 mph shortly before 11 a.m.Gusty winds will stir up the tree pollen this afternoon so allergy sufferers should be prepared. A Wind Advisory is in effect through 7 p.m.The north wind will keep our highs below today's normal of 77°. Most of our maxi
  
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• A breezy cool afternoon

  28-03-2023 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The cold front that passed south this morning left a strong north wind that gusts into the 30s during the morning. One of the peak gusts was 40 mph at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Camp Mabry's peak gust was 37 mph shortly before 11 a.m.Gusty winds will stir up the tree pollen this afternoon so allergy sufferers should be prepared.Wind gusts to lower during the afternoonThe north wind will keep our highs below today's normal of 77°. Most of our maximum temperatures
  
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• Rodney Terry officially announced as Texas head men's basketball coach

  28-03-2023 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Rodney Terry era of Texas Longhorns men's basketball has officially begun.Terry was formally introduced as the permanent head coach of the program Tuesday after taking over in December in an interim role following Chris Beard's suspension and eventual firing. Terry signed his contract, reportedly a 5-year deal worth $3 million annually, Monday. Coincidentally, Monday was also his 55th birthday.New Texas NCAA college basketball head coach Rodney Terry celebrates with his
  
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• Opening statements in murder trial of man accused of shooting, killing protester in Austin

  28-03-2023 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With Garrett Foster's family sitting front row in the Travis County Courthouse on Tuesday morning, Daniel Perry entered a not-guilty plea.
  Perry is an Army sergeant, who was stationed at Fort Hood in 2020. He admitted to shooting and killing Foster in the streets of downtown Austin on July 25, 2020, during a Black Lives Matter protest.Trial set to begin this week for man accused of shooting, killing Austin protester in 2020Opening statements from the state revealed Foster &
  
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• Day 1 in court for murder trial of man accused of shooting, killing protester in Austin

  28-03-2023 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With Garrett Foster's family sitting front row in the Travis County Courthouse on Tuesday morning, Daniel Perry entered a not-guilty plea.
  Perry is an Army sergeant, who was stationed at Fort Hood in 2020. He admitted to shooting and killing Foster in the streets of downtown Austin on July 25, 2020, during a Black Lives Matter protest.Trial set to begin this week for man accused of shooting, killing Austin protester in 2020Opening statements from the state revealed Foster &
  
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• Elgin ISD addresses spoiled milk served to students

  28-03-2023 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — Parents in Elgin ISD say they were shocked to see spoiled milk being served to their kids in school cafeterias.“Just seeing it grosses me out,” an Elgin ISD parent who wished to remain anonymous told KXAN.Parents in the district reached out to KXAN after they say there have been multiple issues with spoiled milk. One video shows a student pouring slimy milk onto his plate in the cafeteria.Screengrab of milk poured onto a cafeteria tray. Elgin ISD parents t
  
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• Migrants start fire at Mexico detention center, killing 40

  28-03-2023 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Migrants fearing deportation set mattresses ablaze at an immigration detention center in northern Mexico, starting a fire that killed at least 40 people, the president said Tuesday, in one of the deadliest events ever at a Mexican immigration lockup.
  Hours after the fire broke out late Monday, rows of bodies were laid out under shimmery silver sheets outside the facility in Ciudad Juarez, which is across from El Paso, Texas, and a major crossing point for migrants. Ambul
  
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• 'A new lens': Jesús Garza on Austin leadership shakeups, office procedures

  28-03-2023 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A little more than a month after Jesús Garza was asked to temporarily take Austin's city manager seat, Garza has shaken up the city's leadership structure and is working towards establishing what he thinks will be more collaborative office procedures.
  Garza is being asked to fill the city manager role after council and the mayor voted to part ways with former city manager Spencer Cronk last month. The body expressed concern about Cronk's handling of the February winter st
  
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• Nashville school shooting: Body camera video shows police confront, kill active shooter

  28-03-2023 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville police released body camera video Tuesday showing the moments officers confronted an active shooter at The Covenant School. The shooter killed six people before being taken down by officers.
  The video, which is graphic, shows officers arrive on scene and speak to a staff member outside before rushing into the building. The school was on lockdown and alarms can be heard blaring as the team of officers makes their way toward the shooter on the second floor
  
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• Texas' 3rd medical marijuana dispensary opens in Austin

  28-03-2023 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of people living with chronic pain are hoping lawmakers at the Texas Capitol provide them with relief in the form of medical marijuana.Last week, the Texas House Committee on Public Health unanimously approved a bill to increase the THC limits in medical cannabis and expand who is eligible to use it.On Tuesday, goodblend — a state-licensed medical marijuana operator — opened its first dispensary location in Austin. It’s only the third medical mar
  
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• Some are pushing to ban menthol cigarettes, here's why

  28-03-2023 17:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a few months, The U.S Food and Drug Administration is expected to release final regulations to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.  Some lawmakers are taking up the proposed ban on a state-wide level, including Texas Sen. Carol Alvarado of Houston.Senate Bill 920 would prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Advocates say it's about public health. Previous coverage: FDA issues plan to ban menthol in cigarettes, cigarsThe Centers of Disease Cont
  
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• Mexico: Migrants lit mattresses in protest; fire killed 39

  28-03-2023 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Migrants fearing deportation set mattresses ablaze at an immigration detention center in northern Mexico, starting a fire that left 39 dead, the president said Tuesday following one of the the deadliest incidents ever at an immigration lockup in the country.
  Hours after the fire broke out late Monday, rows of bodies were laid out under shimmery silver sheets outside the facility in Ciudad Juarez, which is across from El Paso, Texas, and a major crossing point for migrant
  
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• 2 juveniles arrested in east Austin robbery series

  28-03-2023 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two juveniles were arrested in connection to a string of several robberies that took place on Thursday, March 23.
  Most of the robberies happened in east Austin, and one was in southeast Austin, according to the Austin Police Department.
  The first happened at approximately 4:55 a.m., at East 11th Street and Waller Street.
  APD said two victims were walking when one of the juveniles pointed a gun at them and demanded their belongings. Before leaving the scene, a suspect took a purs
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 6-month-old in Houston, believed to be in danger

  28-03-2023 16:04 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) -- An Amber Alert has been issued for a 6-month-old girl missing out of Houston.
  Summer Moore was last seen on March 27, at around 5:10 p.m., in the 7400 block of Alabonson just north of West Little York Road in northwest Harris County. The little girl wasn't reported missing until Tuesday morning at 2 a.m..The Houston Police Department believes Summer is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. No word on what she was wearing, so no clothing description is available.
  
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• Amber Alert discontinued after police finds 6-month-old in Houston

  28-03-2023 16:04 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) -- An Amber Alert has been discontinued for a 6-month-old girl who was missing out of Houston.
  Houston police said that they had located 6-month-old Summer Moore, along with her mother, 28-year-old Autumn Moore around 9:20 a.m. Both were found safe.Summer Moore was last seen on March 27, at around 5:10 p.m., in the 7400 block of Alabonson just north of West Little York Road in northwest Harris County. The little girl wasn't reported missing until Tuesday morning at 2 a.m.HPD belie
  
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• Mexico: Migrants lit mattresses in fire that killed 39

  28-03-2023 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Migrants fearing deportation set mattresses ablaze at an immigration detention center in northern Mexico, starting a fire that left 39 dead, the president said Tuesday following one of the the deadliest incidents ever at an immigration lockup in the country.
  Hours after the fire broke out late Monday, rows of bodies were laid out under shimmery silver sheets outside the facility in Ciudad Juarez, which is across from El Paso, Texas, and a major crossing point for migrant
  
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• Migrants set mattresses afire at Mexico center where 39 died

  28-03-2023 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Migrants fearing deportation set mattresses ablaze at an immigration detention center in Mexico, starting a fire that left 39 dead, Mexico’s president said Tuesday.It was one of the the deadliest incidents ever at an immigration lockup in the country.
  Hours after the fire broke out late Monday, rows of bodies were laid out under shimmery silver sheets outside the facility in Ciudad Juarez, which is across from El Paso, Texas, and a major crossing point for migrants
  
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• RV destroyed in east Austin fire

  28-03-2023 14:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Firefighters responded early Tuesday morning to an RV fire in east Austin.
  The Austin Fire Department responded around 6 a.m. to the fire, which happened in the 4000 block of Veldt Road.
  That area is off of FM 969 near Blue Bluff Road.There were occupants inside the RV but they got out safely. No injuries were reported.
  The RV was badly damaged, but the fire was put out. AFD said crews worked to keep the fire from spreading to other RVs.
  RV destroyed in east Austin fire (Image c
  
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• Does Texas require cars have both front, back license plates?

  28-03-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As residents continue to relocate to Austin in droves, more people means more cars out on Texas roadways. Occasionally, that means you might spot a vehicle without a front and back license plate.But is that legal? According to the Texas Transportation Code, the answer is no — but an error from a decade ago has continued to create confusion surrounding the rule up to the present day. How did ‘Texas, Our Texas’ become the official state song?Under the Texas
  
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• 39 dead in fire at Mexico migrant center near US border

  28-03-2023 13:32 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — A fire in a dormitory at a Mexican immigration detention center near the U.S. border left more than three dozen migrants dead, a government agency said Tuesday, in one of the deadliest incidents ever at an immigration lockup in the country.
  Hours after the fire broke out late Monday, rows of bodies were laid out under shimmery silver sheets outside the facility in Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas. Ambulances, firefighters and vans from the morgue swarmed the sce
  
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• Elgin Police suspend search for suspect after Monday night shooting

  28-03-2023 13:14 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN (KXAN) -- Elgin police suspended an overnight search after investigating a shooting late Monday night.
  The Elgin Police Department said in a Facebook post made at 11:26 p.m. that officers worked a crime scene in the 800 block of South Martin Luther King Boulevard, which is close to the intersection of US 290 and State Highway 95.
  EPD updated the post at 11:57 p.m. saying officers were searching for a suspect and described the suspect.
  In another update about an hour later, at 1:02 a.m., EP
  
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• Elgin Police ID 2 victims in double homicide, suspect remains at large

  28-03-2023 13:14 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) -- Two people are dead, and a suspect remained at large, after shooting late Monday night in Elgin, according to a news release from the Elgin Police Department Tuesday.Around 11 p.m., officers responded to 817 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to a report of shots fired, the release said.When officers arrived on the scene, they found two victims with gunshot wounds, according to police. They died at the scene.Both victims were identified as Crystal D. Fitzgerald, 43, and Reggi
  
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• 39 dead in fire at Mexico migrant center near US: official

  28-03-2023 12:58 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — A fire broke out at an immigration detention center in northern Mexico near the U.S. border, leaving more than three dozen migrants dead, a Mexican official said Tuesday.
  Hours after the fire broke out late Monday, rows of bodies were laid out under shimmery silver sheets outside the facility in Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas. Ambulances, firefighters and vans from the morgue swarmed the scene.
  Thirty-nine people died and 29 were injured, according to an offic
  
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• Weak cold front brings wind, brief cool down

  28-03-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cooler weather follows a weak cold front pushing through the area this morning, but no need to breakout the winter coats.Afternoon highs will only warm to the upper 60s and low 70s today - not enough to call "cold" but a good 10° cooler than what we felt yesterday. Mainly to partly cloudy skies will stretch overhead with a few isolated spots of light rain early this morning and late tonight.Tomorrow will be the coolest day of the next 7 with afternoon highs likely to get stu
  
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• LGBTQ+ advocates protest Texas bill affecting trans people

  28-03-2023 10:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Advocates for trans rights gathered inside the Texas Capitol early Tuesday morning after the end of a hearing into a bill that would ban minors from receiving medical treatment to change their gender.HB 1686 by State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) would prohibit physicians from providing gender transition surgery or “puberty blockers” to Texans under 18. It would also exempt that care from coverage under state health insurance plans.“This whole cottage ind
  
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• How do Texas private schools tackle safety?

  28-03-2023 04:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - A former student shot through the doors of a Christian elementary school and killed three children and three adults on Monday in Nashville. Nashville shooter who killed 6 drew maps, surveilled schoolOne of the uncommon factors about the tragic shooting was that it happened at a private school. According to data from the CATO Institute, only 6% of school shootings between 2000 and 2018 happened at private schools.
  What safety measures do Texas private schools have?
  Security camera
  
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• Austin ISD Board of Trustees may slow down search for permanent superintendent

  28-03-2023 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District may pump the brakes on its superintendent search, a letter from the president of the Board of Trustees said.Arati Singh wrote a letter addressed to the AISD community Monday that said the board is calling a special meeting March 30 to, "discuss the possibility of slowing down our search for our district’s next superintendent." The letter also said the board would consider a contract extension with Matias Segura, the district's in
  
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• On day of Nashville shooting, Texas House considers school safety bills

  28-03-2023 03:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A surviving teacher from the 2018 Santa Fe shooting was driving up to the Texas Capitol to testify about school safety legislation when she and her husband heard the news that would come as a "gut-punch," but not a surprise — another school shooting was happening in America.On Monday morning, a 28-year-old female shooter targeted a private Nashville school, in which she was a former student. The woman wielded two AR-15-style weapons and a pistol, using the weapons
  
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• 'We deserve a good board': Bill aimed at oversight for Texas Vet Board advances

  28-03-2023 02:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Jodi Ware and Judy Santerre made their way into the Texas Capitol early Monday morning, but it wasn't their first time there.
  Both women lost pets to what they believe was veterinary malpractice. Both women claim the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) mishandled their cases. For years, they have sat in on hearings and meetings -- testifying when possible -- about ongoing problems at the state agency in charge of Texas animal doctors.FULL INVESTIGATION: KXAN Inve
  
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• Expanded SNAP benefits end this month. Here's who is affected in Central Texas

  28-03-2023 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Expanded SNAP benefits end in March across the country, and around 60,000 Central Texans will receive less money for food help.The expanded program ended this month after U.S. Congress passed a spending bill in December that ended the temporary emergency allotments that started during the pandemic. This gave recipients the maximum dollar amount per family size.PREVIOUS: As emergency food assistance nears end, 1 in 5 Texans face hungerThe change will affect every SNAP benefi
  
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