Austin news

• Elgin ISD adding metal detectors to all of its campuses following violent incidents

  02-05-2023 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) - According to Elgin ISD, metal detectors have been ordered for usage at all of its campuses.
  In a statement sent to KXAN, the district said the metal detectors are handheld and no installation is necessary.
  The district has not sent out a letter to parents yet, but said one is in the works.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘I don’t feel comfortable’: Elgin ISD parents have safety concerns after fight, district says no weapons involvedThis comes about a week after a fight
  
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• Daily rain and thunderstorm chances begin on Thursday

  02-05-2023 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mostly cloudy, dry weather continues overnight as we enjoy a quiet start to May in Central Texas. But soon, a change in the weather pattern will lead to daily rounds of scattered thunderstorms.As we await the pattern change, morning fog and afternoon sun are again predicted on Wednesday. Afternoon highs climb into the lower 80s.An upper-level low pressure system lumbering down the West Coast will slowly break down the ridge of high pressure over Texas, sending bits of atmospheri
  
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• Austin Community College starts cybersecurity degree to meet local demand

  02-05-2023 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Community College is starting a new cybersecurity degree program this fall, as local job demand is expected to rise.
  The college's Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity program aims to meet Central Texas' anticipated job demand, ACC said.
  This will be the college's fourth bachelor's degree program. It will start in fall 2023 with up to 60 students.
  ACC said the program is designed for professionals with a related associate degree, people transitioning to a fou
  
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• Tucker Carlson called woman ‘yummy,’ leaked video shows 

  02-05-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson called a woman "yummy" and made other inappropriate comments on the set of his popular show, newly revealed footage shows.
  “If we're going to talk about sex, I'd love to hit some of the fine points of technique. But, you know, but it's your show. It's totally up to you,” Carlson is seen saying on the video, leaked to Media Matters for America, saying to Piers Morgan, another top pundit on Fox.
  “We can certainly talk about your sexual techniqu
  
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• FAA sued over SpaceX launch damage to South Texas wildlife, ecosystems

  02-05-2023 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  BOCA CHICA BEACH, Texas (Border Report) -- Several environmental groups and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas on Monday sued the Federal Aviation Administration over the recent SpaceX launch of its Starship spacecraft, which sent debris throughout South Texas threatening sensitive wildlife areas.The Center for Biological Diversity, Save RGV, the American Bird Conservancy and the tribe allege the FAA failed "to fully analyze and mitigate the environmental harms resulting from the SpaceX Stars
  
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• UT researchers create AI system to turn brain activity into text

  02-05-2023 21:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Can artificial intelligence read your mind? A new study from the University of Texas at Austin shows how this is possible.
  The new brain decoding study shows how AI can translate someone's brain activity into a stream of text while they listen to a story or imagine telling a story.
  The system used a functional MRI, or fMRI, to collect brain scans from outside the skull.(Nolan Zunk/University of Texas at Austin)
  Jerry Tang, a UT doctoral student who worked on the decoding sy
  
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• Exemptions, values, protests: Property tax lingo, things to know

  02-05-2023 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— Property tax appraisals are on their way to Central Texans.
  Texans' deadline to file a protest is coming soon on May 15, or no later than 30 days from the mail date of your appraisal, whichever is later.
  Austin property tax attorney Lorri Michel spoke with KXAN to share property tax insight as Central Texans navigate their appraisals. RELATED: How to protest your 2023 property appraisal in Central TexasNote: Answers were edited for length and clarity.
  What are the different
  
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• Leander ISD voters pass an almost $763 million bond package

  02-05-2023 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is of KXAN's previous coverage of the Leander ISD bond election.LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Leander ISD voters pass on Saturday an almost $763 million bond package. The three propositions named in the district’s proposal layout upgrades to campus security measures, renovations to school facilities and technology improvements. Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the May 2023 local electionsProp A is the most expensive proposition listed in the propos
  
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• $763M Leander ISD bond package on the ballot for voters this week

  02-05-2023 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 2, 2023.LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — An almost $763 million bond package will go before Leander ISD voters this week. The three propositions named in the district’s proposal lay out upgrades to campus security measures, renovations to school facilities and technology improvements.Prop A is the most expensive proposition listed in the proposal, at the cost of $698.33 million. It would allow the distric
  
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• $763M Leander ISD bond package on the ballot for voters

  02-05-2023 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is of KXAN's previous coverage of the Leander ISD bond election.LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — An almost $763 million bond package will go before Leander ISD voters. The three propositions named in the district’s proposal lay out upgrades to campus security measures, renovations to school facilities and technology improvements. Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the May 2023 local electionsProp A is the most expensive proposition listed in the proposa
  
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• Today is the last day to give your feedback on Austin's Project Connect

  02-05-2023 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Time is running out to let transportation officials know how you feel about the redesigned light rail options for Austin's Project Connect.Building a light rail in Austin is proving to be an incredibly heavy lift.
  Flashback to November 2020, when voters approved drastic improvements to Austin's mass transportation system. The vision looked to include several light rail lines, a new downtown tunnel system and added bus routes. New Project Connect renderings feature light rai
  
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• LGBTQ advocates rally at Texas Capitol as House prepares to debate ban on gender care for trans kids

  02-05-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Hundreds of LGBTQ advocates and parents of transgender kids have packed the Texas Capitol ahead of the House’s expected consequential vote on a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for children.Before the House convened Tuesday morning, the crowd weaved up a staircase as they filled the hallway outside the chamber. Many donned rainbow clothes and flags and waved signs to show their support for trans Texans. The Rev. Erin Walter — one of several cle
  
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• LGBTQ advocates booted from Texas Capitol; vote delayed for bill banning gender care for kids

  02-05-2023 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan abruptly cleared the public from the chamber's gallery Tuesday, after LGBTQ Texans and parents of transgender kids chanted in opposition of a bill that would ban transition-related care for children.Phelan ordered state police to clear the gallery just as Senate Bill 14 came to the House floor and as opponents began their chants and unrolled banners in support of trans kids. As bill opponents started filing out of
  
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• DPS has made 12k traffic stops since APD partnership started, council briefing

  02-05-2023 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The leaders of the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety briefed city council Tuesday about how the now month-long partnership between the two departments is going.
  Ultimately, APD Chief Joseph Chacon said he is open to shifting the partnerships strategy, but also said the locations APD has asked DPS to patrol are the ones with highest 911 calls and have been identified using data.PREVIOUS: Nearly 200 arrests made since patrols started in Austin, DPS
  
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• 'A Taylor Treasure': Mrs. Lessie Givens reflects on 36 years of teaching pre, post-integration

  02-05-2023 17:50 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR (KXAN)— If she knew then what she knows now, what would Mrs. Lessie Givens tell herself? What advice would she have for others?
  Would she survive the current state of public education, with teachers exiting the industry due to increased stress, politics spilling over into the classroom and what many call unfair compensation?Taylor ISD year book photo. (Photo: Taylor ISD).On National Teacher Appreciation Day, these are questions Reporter Jala Washington is dying to ask Givens ahead o
  
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• Big Stacy Pool to temporarily close in May

  02-05-2023 17:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Parks and Recreation Department announced Big Stacy Pool would close between May 13-19 for its annual spring cleaning.The public municipal pool, located at 700 E. Live Oak St., is set to reopen on May 20 for normal operations. It's one of only five city-led pool facilities open year-round.
  Through June 4, Big Stacy is open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays for lap swimming only. From 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. during the week, the pool is available for recreational swimm
  
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• Woman IDs her daughter, 3 grandchildren among 7 Oklahoma bodies

  02-05-2023 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  A woman said Tuesday that her daughter and three grandchildren were among the seven people found dead at a rural Oklahoma property during a search for two missing teens and a convicted sex offender.Janette Mayo, 59, of Westville, Oklahoma, said the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office notified her late Monday that the other four victims were her daughter, Holly Guess, 35, and her grandchildren, Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.Okmulgee County Sherif
  
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• Jonas Brothers to perform at Austin's Moody Center

  02-05-2023 16:41 via kxan.com
  
   Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 2, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austinites who are fans of the Jonas Brothers will be burnin' up this September, following the announcement the trio will be performing at the Moody Center.The Grammy Award-nominated band will perform songs from their five albums on Sept. 3 including their upcoming sixth one, aptly titled "The Album," set to release May 12.
  So what's a man gotta do to get tickets? Those interes
  
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• Toxic algae season underway in Austin

  02-05-2023 16:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With summer just around the corner, many more Central Texans will be in the water to find some relief from the heat.Yet, toxic algae season has arrived early and several factors are pointing towards the possibility of a more severe season this summer in Austin.This spring, scientists from the City of Austin already discovered blue-green algae on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin. Also known as Cyanobacteria, these blooms are a growing global threat that can produce dangerous t
  
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• Texas-themed World's Largest Book heads to Capitol

  02-05-2023 15:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Guinness World Record holder for the "largest published book in the world" will make an appearance at the Texas State Capitol Tuesday morning.
  The seven-foot-tall book, "I Am Texas," includes stories, poetry and artwork from more than 1,000 young Texans on what the state means to them. Students featured in the piece come from grades 3-12 and more than 80 school districts statewide, per a news release.The book was officially dubbed the largest in the world in Houston late las
  
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• Austin to consider criteria for expanding high-quality, affordable child care programs

  02-05-2023 15:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin city officials have outlined new criteria on the table to help expand affordable child care services citywide.In a memo released Monday, city leaders released a list of proposed criteria for Austin City Council to consider. Back in early December, council approved a resolution centered on creating affordable, high-quality child care services.As part of its efforts, city leaders collaborated with the Success By Six coalition members and the Early Childhood Council to help
  
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• VOTE: Help us choose the best KXAN viewer photo of April 2023

  02-05-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we get hundreds of photos sent to us each month by viewers just like you.We want to showcase some of the best pictures we receive, so we narrowed them down to our 10 favorites for the month. April's picks inevitably feature lots of storm clouds, including the mammatus seen across Central Texas on April 28.Help us choose the best viewer photo of April 2023. Look through the 10 pictures below, then vote for your favorite. The winning photo will move on to repres
  
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• RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer photo of April 2023, as voted by you

  02-05-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we get hundreds of photos sent to us each month by viewers just like you.We want to showcase some of the best pictures we receive, so we narrowed them down to our 10 favorites for the month. April's picks inevitably feature lots of storm clouds, including the mammatus seen across Central Texas on April 28.The winning photo will move on to represent April in the best viewer photos of the year competition once 2023 is said and done. Here are the results:#10. Flo
  
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• Global company expands footprint in Round Rock

  02-05-2023 13:32 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Toppan Photomasks Inc., a global company headquartered in Round Rock that specializes in manufacturing a key component in the semiconductor chip process, signed an agreement with the city to invest in modernizing its facility.
  Round Rock City Council unanimously approved to pay the company a $1.25 million incentive if Toppan meets the requirements of investing at least $185 million into its facility and creating 50 new high-paying jobs. The incentive money will be pai
  
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• Silver Alert issued for missing San Antonio woman

  02-05-2023 13:16 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a Silver Alert early Tuesday morning following the disappearance of a 78-year-old San Antonio woman.
  Maria Mora, 78 (Courtesy: Texas Department of Public Safety)
  Maria Mora is described as 5'02" and 220 pounds with brown hair and eyes, and as having a cognitive impairment. She was last seen wearing a gold necklace, a white shirt with red flowers and a dark green skirt. She was walking around 9 p.m. Monday evening in the 95
  
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• Two more dry days before possible storms Thursday night

  02-05-2023 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds returned overnight along with warmer morning temperatures and humidity. Most lows were in the low to mid 60s Tuesday morning. Camp Mabry was an exception with a low of 68°.Afternoon highs will be in the low to mid 80s today. Slow clearing is forecast in time to see some sun during the late-afternoon hours.Fog will return after midnight until around 10 a.m. Wednesday. Tomorrow will be partly cloudy with highs a few degrees higher than today's.
  An upper-level low is fou
  
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• Next severe risk comes Thursday

  02-05-2023 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another quiet and warm day across Central Texas today... but our next round of storms is in view.Morning clouds will clear to partial sunshine later today as afternoon highs return to the low 80s.A similar day will play out Wednesday with morning clouds clearing to some afternoon sun. A noticeable bump in humidity and warmth kicks in Wednesday afternoon with highs well into the 80s.Uncomfortable humidity arrives late week and sticks around for the weekendChanges arrives Thursday
  
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• LIVE: Next severe risk comes Thursday

  02-05-2023 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another quiet and warm day across Central Texas... but our next round of storms is in view.Morning clouds will clear to partial sunshine later today as afternoon highs return to the low 80s.A similar day will play out Wednesday with morning clouds clearing to some afternoon sun. A noticeable bump in humidity and warmth kicks in Wednesday afternoon with highs well into the 80s.Uncomfortable humidity arrives late week and sticks around for the weekendChanges arrives Thursday as a
  
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• Texas DPS investigating fatal hit-and-run crash in Austin

  02-05-2023 12:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety launched an investigation following a deadly hit-and-rush crash along U.S. Hwy. 183 late last week.DPS troopers are looking into a Saturday night crash involving a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle. Just before midnight, the motorcyclist was heading south along U.S. Hwy. 183 at the intersection of FM 973 when a vehicle hit them. AUSTIN CRIME NEWS: APD pulls car from Lady Bird Lake MondayPer a DPS release, the motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycl
  
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• Judge grants motion for new jury selection after lack of Hispanic representation

  02-05-2023 04:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- A Travis County judge granted a defense attorney's motion to bring in a new, more representative jury panel Monday, according to court documents.
  The defense attorney in this case, Charlie Baird, contended the 75-member group of potential jurors did not fairly represent Austin's Hispanic population. The client he represents is Hispanic.Judge Julie Kocurek granted the motion Monday morning. Her office told KXAN it cannot comment further on the motion because it's still an active c
  
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• What are the safety rules and regulations for skydiving?

  02-05-2023 04:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - An experienced skydiver died in Central Texas after a possible parachute malfunction on Friday.
  A spokesperson for Skydive Spaceland, a skydiving center in Caldwell County, said a 31-year-old licensed, experienced skydiver died while skydiving over Fentress, Texas, which is about 20 minutes outside of San Marcos.APD investigating homicide in northwest Austin after 2 found dead in apartmentThe company said the person was wearing its own gear when it appears the primary parachute m
  
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• APD investigating homicide in northwest Austin after 2 found dead in apartment

  02-05-2023 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide after two people were found dead Monday at a northwest Austin apartment complex.APD responded to 10015 Lake Creek Parkway, the address for the Legends Lake Creek apartments, for a homicide investigation at Building No. 3. APD said the call came in at 5:38 p.m. as a "disturbance" by one of the building's residents, and when officers arrived at the scene, two adults believed to be in their late 50s were found dead insid
  
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• APD investigating homicide in northwest Austin

  02-05-2023 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide Monday in northwest Austin.APD sent a tweet at 7 p.m. saying officers were responding to 10015 Lake Creek Parkway for a homicide and a public information officer is also going to the scene. That's the address for an apartment complex just south of State Highway 45. APD said the call came in at 5:38 p.m.APD hasn't said what time the officer will give the briefing.
  This is a developing story. Check back for further upda
  
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• Giddings bus driver faces DWI charge after hit-and-run crash with 14 kids onboard

  02-05-2023 02:56 via kxan.com
  
  GIDDINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A Giddings ISD bus driver faces a charge of DWI with a child passenger after an incident Monday involving a hit-and-run accident.According to the Giddings Police Department, Sherry Francis, 65, was taken into custody after police received a report of a hit-and-run crash on North Orange Street at 7:47 a.m. At the time of the crash, officers said there were 14 children in the bus but no one was injured and damage to the car Francis hit was "minimal."GPD said during t
  
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• Austin bar builds bat homes with season underway

  02-05-2023 02:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A southeast Austin bar taught a class on how to care for some of our most loyal and beloved creatures.The Buzz Mill, in partnership with ecologist Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation, held a class on how to build bat houses. Tuttle dedicated his career to bat conservation, researching the species across the world for more than 60 years.The conservation said these houses are important, because bat populations are declining, in large part due to a lack of available roosts.How Au
  
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• Texas leaders link shooting to immigration policy

  02-05-2023 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- After a shooting near a Cleveland, Texas home left five people dead on Friday night, some top state leaders are blaming the Biden administration's border policies for allowing the suspected shooter to enter the United States."The suspect had been in the United States illegally and had been previously deported four times," U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Tuesday. "He never should have been in the United States in the first place. As devastating and unimaginable as this story is, it
  
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• Witt's first start gets spoiled by red-hot TCU hitters in 15-7 loss

  02-05-2023 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns baseball team couldn't close out the sweep against TCU on Monday, dropping the series finale 15-7 at Lupton Stadium.While the game didn't turn out the way the Longhorns wanted, Tanner Witt made his return to the mound after he had Tommy John surgery early last season. He started and pitched 2/3 of an inning, 23 pitches, before Heston Tole took over. Witt allowed three runs on two hits with a walk and faced six batters.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay
  
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• 7 bodies found in search for two missing Oklahoma teens: authorities

  02-05-2023 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  HENRYETTA, Okla. (KFOR) - Seven bodies have been found during the search for two missing teenagers in eastern Oklahoma, authorities have confirmed.
  An Amber Alert was issued Monday for 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, who were last seen Monday morning at 1:22 a.m. in Henryetta, roughly 90 miles east of Oklahoma City.According to the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office, Webster was supposed to return home by 5 p.m. Sunday after spending the weekend with a friend but didn't sh
  
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• Central Texas school districts call for more funding as lawmakers talk public education

  02-05-2023 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —School districts across Central Texas are banding together and asking the state for more money."School districts across the state are struggling," said Ed Ramos, Austin ISD chief financial officer.This comes at a time when teachers continue to leave the industry and some school districts are having to make major cuts."The funding is not there," said Thrall ISD superintendent Tommy Hooker.According to district leaders around Central Texas, inflation has risen roughly 17% sinc
  
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