Austin news

• Colony of prairie dogs disappears from El Paso Zoo, according to USDA report

  03-04-2023 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- A colony of more than a dozen prairie dogs disappeared from the El Paso Zoo in 2021. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection report, it wasn't discovered until they failed to emerge in the Spring of 2022.
  The information was part of an open-source dataset detected by Stanford University's Big Local News and the Data Liberation Project, which tracks animal-care inspections across the United States.
  The USDA report from January 2023
  
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• Legislation to itemize medical bills meets opposition

  03-04-2023 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – State lawmakers and a representative of the Texas Hospital Association expressed concern Monday about legislation that would require health care providers to send patients an itemized bill when billing for medical services, according to testimony at a House Public Health Committee meeting.House Bill 1973, by State Rep. Caroline Harris, R-Round Rock, said a health care provider would not be allowed to pursue debt collection against a patient without providing an itemized bil
  
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• Nutria spotted in Lady Bird Lake — what is it?

  03-04-2023 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What started as a mysterious animal swimming in Lady Bird Lake has been identified by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Kayakers find alligator near Longhorn Dam in Lady Bird LakeKXAN viewer Tracy Barden sent us this video of a creature gliding with its head just above the water. The video was taken Friday morning just before sunrise near the boardwalk in the 1500 block of Riverside Drive.KXAN sent the video to TPWD and its experts believe the animal is a nutria.Nutr
  
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• Tracking cooler, wetter weather late this week following record heat on Monday

  03-04-2023 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Monday afternoon brought record heat, with Camp Mabry's high temperature soaring to 93° and Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport peaking at 90°. This broke their daily temperature records of 90° and 89°, respectively.A few isolated strong to severe storms are possible this evening with large hail, wind damage, and a low tornado threat.The Storm Prediction Center has the area under a marginal 1-out-of-5 risk for severe thunderstorms.1 out of 5 risk for severe weather la
  
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• Texas baseball drops road series to Oklahoma State, returns home for 5 of next 6

  03-04-2023 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns baseball team couldn't hold on to an early lead against Oklahoma State on Sunday, losing the game 4-3 and the series 2-1 in Stillwater.The Longhorns won the opening game of the series 5-3 on Friday to extend its winning streak to 16 games, the nation's longest active streak at the time, but the Cowboys bounced back to take the remaining two games of the Big 12 series 4-1 on Saturday as well as the 1-run win Sunday.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on
  
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• Amber Alert: 12-year-old girl missing, last seen in Gonzales

  03-04-2023 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety issued an Amber Alert for a 12-year-old girl last seen Saturday in Gonzales on Monday.In partnership with the Gonzales Police Department, DPS said it believes Allyanna Hernandez is "in grave or immediate danger," after she was last seen walking at 8 a.m. in the 1600 block of St. Vincent St., in the town of Gonzales, located south of Inters
  
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• 12-year-old girl found following Amber Alert issued by Texas DPS

  03-04-2023 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 12-year-old girl who went missing Saturday from the town of Gonzales was found Monday after an Amber Alert was issued.The Texas Department of Public Safety issued the alert in partnership with the Gonzales Police Department just before 2 p.m. Monday. The alert was canceled at 3:40 p.m. by DPS, who said she was found.According to the Gonzales Inquirer, local police said the g
  
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• Record hot Monday afternoon with an isolated strong thunderstorm

  03-04-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hot, humid weather is in place across the area this afternoon. Austin has eclipsed its record high for Apr. 3, which stood previously at 90° set most recently in 2017.At least one record will be brokenA few isolated strong to severe storms are possible this evening in the Hill Country with large hail, wind damage, and a low tornado threat.The Storm Prediction Center has the area under a Marginal risk for severe thunderstorms.1 out of 5 risk for severe weather late this after
  
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• Family of man found dead in Lady Bird Lake in 2018 responds to recent deaths

  03-04-2023 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Less than two months after 30-year-old Jason John's body was found in Lady Bird Lake, another man in his 30s was found dead in roughly the same spot. Both were last seen on Rainey Street.
  At approximately 12:50 p.m. Saturday, APD officers found Jonathan Honey, 33, in Lady Bird Lake near 10 Rainey Street, a release from the Austin Police Department said.
  Homicide and Missing Persons Unit Detectives, Lake Patrol Unit, along with Crime Scene Specialists, responded to the scene to i
  
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• Spring allergens in full swing

  03-04-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) -- Sneezing? Sniffling? It could be allergies. Central Texas pollen continues to heat up. Early April is when we, on average, hit the middle and peak of the majority of our Spring Tree pollens. Here is a look at what pollen to expect here in central Texas:Austin Allergy CalendarNotice once we get to the end of May and early June is when we typically stop experiencing Tree pollen. Right on cue, Willow trees have jumped to the highest count of the season reaching 832 grains per cubic
  
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• Alcohol sold 127 times to Texans under 21 during spring break, TABC says

  03-04-2023 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 3, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A spring break compliance operation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, or TABC, found 127 instances of businesses selling alcohol to people in Texas under 21.
  TABC agents conducted a total 1,726 underage compliance operations during its annual spring break enforcement roundup.TABC tries to prevent underage drinking during spring breakThe commission found that 93% of busines
  
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• Facing funding gap, Texas Rent Relief can fulfill just 10% of needs

  03-04-2023 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- After unprecedented demand exhausted $96 million set aside to help Texas renters, The Texas Rent Relief Program says it is able to assist 10,400 people in need.The program received more than 100,000 applications in the first 28 hours after the portal opened. The demand forced the program to close applications just 52 hours after opening, 12 days days earlier than planned."With an extraordinary number of applications submitted and very limited funding available, TRR is not abl
  
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• Daniel Perry murder trial: Interview with APD shown in court

  03-04-2023 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to interview footage shown in court Monday, Daniel Perry paced back and forth for about 30 minutes, waiting for an Austin Police Department detective to question him after he shot and killed a Black Lives Matter protester in downtown Austin in July 2020.Perry is accused of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the death of Garrett Foster. The intervie
  
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• Daniel Perry murder trial: Interview with APD, body cam footage shown in court

  03-04-2023 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to interview footage shown in court Monday, Daniel Perry paced back and forth for about 30 minutes, waiting for an Austin Police Department detective to question him after he shot and killed a Black Lives Matter protester in downtown Austin in July 2020.Perry is accused of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the death of Garrett Foster. The intervie
  
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• Central Health plans $90.5M medical complex for low-income, homeless healthcare services

  03-04-2023 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A proposed medical complex in northeast Austin could bring healthcare services closer to low-income patients and people experiencing homelessness, Central Health announced last week.
  The $90.5 million facility aims to fill healthcare gaps in northeast Austin with clinical, pharmacy, recovery and rehabilitation services. Central Health: 75% of Travis County families living alon
  
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• Legal observers 'widely expect' Trump to face gag order as part of criminal case, expert says

  03-04-2023 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 3, 2023.(KXAN) — Former President Donald Trump may no longer be able to sound off about the criminal case against him in just a matter of hours or days.Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan will likely issue a gag order in the criminal case, according to a former senior staffer in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Duncan Levin.Now a private criminal defense attorney in New York, Le
  
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• NASA's first moon crew in 50 years includes 1 woman, 3 men

  03-04-2023 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  NASA on Monday named the four astronauts who will fly to the moon by the end of next year, including one woman and three men.The four were introduced during a televised ceremony from Houston, home to the nation's astronauts as well as Mission Control.“This is humanity's crew,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.The three Americans and one Canadian will be the first to fly NASA's Orion capsule, launching atop a Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center no earlier than late
  
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• Photo gallery: CMT Music Awards held in Austin for the first time

  03-04-2023 17:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some of country music's biggest names were in Austin over the weekend for the 2023 CMT Music Awards.
  The award ceremony was held in Austin for the first time ever on Sunday at the Moody Center. Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini co-hosted the show and performed.
  Other performances included Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Alanis Morissette and more. Below are photos from the ceremony:
  Blake Shelton, left, and Gwen Stefani arrive at the CMT Music Awards on Sunday, A
  
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• El Paso woman found safe in Austin after reported missing in San Antonio

  03-04-2023 17:38 via kxan.com
  
  UPDATE: Lynnette Martinez was found in the Austin area and is with authorities, her mother shared on Facebook Sunday afternoon.
  Rosie Galvan, Lynette's mother confirmed with KTSM Sunday, stating that Lynette is safe but has not spoken to her. No further information has been released.EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Lynnette Martinez from El Paso has been missing since March 25 after traveling to San Antonio to attend a UFC match.Lynnette was reportedly staying with a friend in the Alamo city during
  
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• $1 billion increase in hail claims costs nationwide; Texas ranks 2nd for most claims

  03-04-2023 14:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – State Farm released that the company’s annual claims paid to help customers recover from hail damages. Nationwide this number increased more than $1 billion from 2021 to 2022. The sharp increase was due to simply an increase in hail claims and inflation.While the average claim in Texas is up $1,000 from last year, the overall number of claims is down. As a result, Texas no longer holds the number 1 spot in the country for most claims, they have now fallen to number 2.
  
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• Texans scammed into buying stolen vehicles on social media

  03-04-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Authorities in Central Texas are warning people about an online scam that is causing people to lose thousands of dollars and their vehicles.
  The Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force said people are being duped into buying stolen vehicles online with cash, and when it is later discovered the vehicle is stolen, the vehicle is also taken away.
  How the scam works
  Lieutenant Howard Stinehour with the Burnet County Sheriff's Office said the online scam started picking up during the pa
  
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• Texans duped into buying stolen vehicles on social media

  03-04-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Authorities in Central Texas are warning people about an online fraud scheme that is causing people to lose thousands of dollars and their vehicles.
  The Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force said people are being duped into buying stolen vehicles online with cash, and when it is later discovered the vehicle is stolen, the vehicle is also taken away.
  How the fraud works
  Lieutenant Howard Stinehour with the Burnet County Sheriff's Office said the online scheme started picking up du
  
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• Which airports had the most delays and cancellations in 2022?

  03-04-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One out of every five flights in the U.S. was delayed last year, according to federal data. But some airports saw many more travel headaches than others.Data from the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) shows which airlines and airports see the most delays and cancellations. Texas woman drives from New York City to Austin after Southwest cancellationBTS uses arriving flights when reporting delayed and canceled flights. A flight is consid
  
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• Lanes reopened after crash on southbound I-35 near McNeil Drive

  03-04-2023 13:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- All lanes of southbound I-35 have reopened after being closed Monday morning due to a wreck near McNeil Drive.
  Round Rock Police tweeted at 6:12 a.m. Monday that all southbound lanes of I-35 were shut down near RM 620/Round Rock Avenue due to a wreck.
  One lane was reopened by 6:30 a.m., and all lanes were reopened by 6:35.REAL TIME TRAFFIC MAPTraffic was diverted onto the frontage road. Northbound I-35 was unaffected.The wreck involved two vehicles. It's not clear if anyone was
  
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• Lane on southbound I-35 closed near McNeil Drive early Monday due to crash

  03-04-2023 13:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A crash on I-35 in Round Rock near McNeil Drive closed all southbound lanes of the interstate Monday morning. One lane has now reopened.
  Round Rock Police tweeted at 6:12 a.m. Monday that all southbound lanes of I-35 were shut down near RM 620/Round Rock Avenue due to a wreck.
  One lane was reopened by 6:30 a.m. REAL TIME TRAFFIC MAPTraffic was diverted onto the frontage road. Northbound I-35 is unaffected.Drivers should seek alternate routes.
  
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• Record heat to a feel of winter

  03-04-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The morning clouds will yield to a partly cloudy to mostly sunny sky this afternoon with many highs reaching the low to mid 90s. The record high for today is 90° in 2017. Today's forecast high is 94°.At least one record will be brokenThere won't be much rain in the 10% probability forecast. What little of it there is looks to be confined to Llano/Burnet/Lampasas Counties after 4 to 5 p.m.
  The Storm Prediction Center has the area under a Marginal risk for severe thunderst
  
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• A record will be set later this afternoon

  03-04-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The morning clouds will yield to a partly cloudy to mostly sunny sky this afternoon with many highs reaching the low to mid 90s. The record high for today is 90° in 2017. Today's forecast high is 94°.At least one record will be brokenOne lone thunderstorms moved over Cameron Sunday night between 8:45 and 10:00 leaving .23" at the Cameron Municipal Airpark. There will be another chance for showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon although the models are now downplayi
  
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• APA! wants you to foster Champagne Problems and Vigilante Stuff

  03-04-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Austin animal shelter hopes the popularity of Taylor Swift gives some new kittens a temporary homes.
  Austin Pets Alive!, or APA!, used a stop from Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Arlington on Sunday to promote felines named for the singer.APA! named 29 cats/kittens after Swift and her music and plans to name another litter after the popstar.Champagne Problems and her kittens, Maroon, Midnights Era, Mr. Purrfectly Fine, & Mirrorball! (Courtesy: Austin Pets Alive!)Vigilante
  
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• Austin ISD to discuss possible appeal of TEA conservatorship Monday night

  03-04-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Members of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees are set to meet Monday night to talk about whether to appeal a state plan to implement a conservatorship over AISD's special education programs.
  The district said the public can submit recorded comments for Monday night's meeting between 7:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday. The district said there will not be public comment during the meeting itself. RELATED: TEA plans to implement conservator team for Austin ISD s
  
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• Lt. Gov. says the Texas Senate 'doesn’t have the votes' to legalize casinos, sports betting

  03-04-2023 05:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Making his rounds on radio stations last week, Lt Gov. Dan Patrick signaled it might be 'game over' in the Legislature’s renewed effort to legalize casino gambling and sports betting.Speaking on The Mark Davis Show last Tuesday, Patrick said the Senate has "zero support" for both legislative proposals. "Our members have been clear: they're not in support today. We don't have any votes in the Senate," Patrick said. "Couldn't find one Senator who suppo
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Tornado Warning for Milam County until 9:15 p.m.

  03-04-2023 03:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Parts of Central Texas are seeing severe storms Sunday evening. While most of the activity remains to our north, we could see a few strong to severe storms in our part of the state.Much of the area is under a Slight risk for severe storms (category 2 out of 5), especially north and northwest of Austin.A Tornado Watch is currently in effect for Milam County through 11 p.m. FORECAST: Tornado watch issued for parts of Central TexasThe severe weather risk looks greatest from 5
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Milam County until 10 p.m.

  03-04-2023 03:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Parts of Central Texas are seeing severe storms Sunday evening. While most of the activity remains to our north, we could see a few strong to severe storms in our part of the state.Much of the area is under a Slight risk for severe storms (category 2 out of 5), especially north and northwest of Austin. A Tornado Watch is currently in effect for Milam County through 11 p.m. FORECAST: Tornado watch issued for parts of Central TexasThe severe weather risk looks greatest from 5
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Severe storms in parts of Central Texas Sunday evening

  03-04-2023 03:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Parts of Central Texas are seeing severe storms Sunday evening. While most of the activity remains to our north, we could see a few strong to severe storms in our part of the state.Much of the area is under a Slight risk for severe storms (category 2 out of 5), especially north and northwest of Austin.A Tornado Watch is currently in effect for Milam County through 11 p.m. FORECAST: Tornado watch issued for parts of Central TexasThe severe weather risk looks greatest from 5
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Severe storm threat ends in Central Texas

  03-04-2023 03:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Parts of Central Texas are seeing severe storms Sunday evening. While most of the activity remains to our north, we could see a few strong to severe storms in our part of the state.Much of the area is under a Slight risk for severe storms (category 2 out of 5), especially north and northwest of Austin. A Tornado Watch is currently in effect for Milam County through 11 p.m. FORECAST: Tornado watch issued for parts of Central TexasThe severe weather risk looks greatest from 5
  
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• 'I wake up crying': Victim speaks about shooting at east Austin park

  03-04-2023 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The victim of a shooting at an east Austin park spoke out about the terrifying moment shots were fired with a playground full of children.
  It happened last Sunday at Chicano Park.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Multiple injuries after Sunday shooting in east Austin parkThe victim wishes to remain anonymous, but said he is one of three people who were injured in that shooting.
  "It's hard for me to walk on it. I'll go to sleep crying. I wake up crying," he said.
  He said the bullet went th
  
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• Fiona and Ian retired as hurricane names by WMO

  03-04-2023 02:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The names "Fiona" and "Ian" will no longer be used to name Tropical Storms or Hurricanes in the future. Those names were retired by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) due to the devastation and deaths caused by both storms.NOAA and WMO has lists of predetermined names to help differentiate between storms. These lists repeat every six years. Names get "retired" from the list if they cause too much death or destruction.WMO determined "Fiona" and "Ian" would be replac
  
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• LSU wins first NCAA championship, beating Caitlin Clark and Iowa

  03-04-2023 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers used a record offensive performance to beat Caitlin Clark and Iowa 102-85 in the national championship game on Sunday to win the first basketball title in school history.The victory made Mulkey the first women's coach to win national championships at two different schools. She won three at Baylor before leaving for LSU two years ago. The feisty and flamboyantly dressed Mulkey, who wore a sparkly golden tiger striped outfit, now has the third-most
  
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• April Fools? False presidential campaign filed on behalf of Gov. Greg Abbott

  03-04-2023 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A federal campaign committee filed on Saturday titled 'Greg Abbott Presidential Campaign' was not created on behalf of the third-term Texas governor, a spokesperson with Abbott’s office told Nexstar Sunday.The campaign committee was filed with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday, which also happened to be April Fool’s Day. Renae Eze, communications director for the governor, confirmed to Nexstar via text that it was not filed by Abbott’s ca
  
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