Austin news

• Dripping Springs ISD to increase school resource officers

  22-05-2023 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) - More school resource officers will be coming to Dripping Springs ISD campuses.
  Monday night, the school board decided to nearly double the district's number of SROs.Dripping Springs ISD $223M bond focuses on district growthAccording to the agenda item, DSISD currently has four SRO positions.
  The school board voted to add three more.Dripping Springs ISD portable classrooms costing $1.5M for upcoming school yearThe district said elementary campuses and the middle s
  
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• Dripping Springs ISD school board to vote on increasing school resource officers

  22-05-2023 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) - More school resource officers could be coming to Dripping Springs ISD campuses.
  Monday night, the school board is deciding on whether it will nearly double the district's number of SROs.Dripping Springs ISD $223M bond focuses on district growthAccording to the agenda item, DSISD currently has four SRO positions.
  The school board will consider adding three more.Dripping Springs ISD portable classrooms costing $1.5M for upcoming school yearThe district said element
  
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• 'Dead-suspect loophole' bill passes Texas Senate

  22-05-2023 22:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A bill that would eliminate a disputed loophole police use to block the release of records in cases where a suspect is killed made it another step closer to becoming law Monday when the Senate passed an amended version in a third and final reading.House Bill 30, by state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, would end the so-called dead-suspect loophole, which law enforcement departments can use to block records in cases that haven’t gone through the court process, such as when a sus
  
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• Former Longhorns football player Jaden Hullaby has died

  22-05-2023 22:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Texas Longhorns football player Jaden Hullaby has died, his family announced Monday.Hullaby played two seasons for the Longhorns after signing in 2020 and then transferred to New Mexico. Family members said the last time they heard from him was May 18, and on Monday, his brother Landon posted on Twitter that he had died over the weekend. Landon Hullaby is a defensive back at Texas Tech.Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian released a statement saying the news was, "de
  
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• About 98% of Texas counties have a mental health professional shortage

  22-05-2023 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Almost every county in Texas has a problem with mental health care staffing, state data shows.
  A Texas Department of State Health Services dashboard says 248 of 254 entire counties have mental health professional shortages, plus three more counties (Lubbock, Dallas and Nueces) have partial designations. Tha
  
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• LIVE: Austin police warn of 'growing trend' in auto thefts

  22-05-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police said there's a "growing trend" of criminals stealing vehicles throughout the community, so they're striving to share ways to avoid that from happening.
  The Austin Police Department will hold a news conference Monday afternoon to draw attention to this problem and demonstrate how people can best protect their property. KXAN will carry a live stream of the officers' remarks starting at 3 p.m. in this story and on the station's Facebook page.
  This is a developing story,
  
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• Austin police warn of increase in 'Kia Challenge' auto thefts

  22-05-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police said there's a "growing trend" of criminals stealing vehicles throughout the community, so they're striving to share ways to avoid that from happening.
  The Austin Police Department will hold a news conference Monday afternoon to draw attention to this problem and demonstrate how people can best protect their property. KXAN will carry a live stream of the officers' remarks starting at 3 p.m. in this story and on the station's Facebook page.
  This is a developing story,
  
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• Austin police warn of 'growing trend' in auto thefts

  22-05-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police said there's a "growing trend" of criminals stealing vehicles throughout the community, so they're striving to share ways to avoid that from happening.
  The Austin Police Department will hold a news conference Monday afternoon to draw attention to this problem and demonstrate how people can best protect their property. KXAN will carry a live stream of the officers' remarks starting at 3 p.m. in this story and on the station's Facebook page.
  This is a developing story,
  
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• 4 homes evacuated amid gas leak in Georgetown

  22-05-2023 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Four Georgetown homes are Monday afternoon amid a gas leak on East Central Drive.The Georgetown Fire Department tweeted there was a gas leak in the 400 block of East Central Drive, which is just off Northwest Boulevard.
  The intersection of East Central Drive and Northwest Boulevard is closed while the department responds to the leak.
  Drivers should avoid the area or find alternate routes.
  It wasn't immediately clear what caused the leak or if anyone required medical a
  
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• Trial begins for Austin police officer accused of murder

  22-05-2023 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The trial of an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting started Monday with jury selection. APD officer heads to murder trial in Michael Ramos shootingChristopher Taylor, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. In July 2020, officers responded to South Pleasant Valley Road after a 911 call reported someone dealing drugs in a car. The caller also sa
  
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• More jurors still needed in trial of Austin police officer accused of murder

  22-05-2023 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More jurors are still needed for the trial of an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, according to one of Christopher Taylor's defense attorneys.
  The trial was expected to begin Wednesday, but when KXAN checked in on jury selection Tuesday evening, Taylor's attorney Ken Ervin said they did not end the day with enough jurors to proceed to trial, and will have to bring an additional jury panel in Wednesday morning.Jury selection began Monday, but
  
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• Jury dismissed after error in trial for Austin police officer accused of murder

  22-05-2023 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The trial of an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting started Monday with jury selection, but an error led to the dismissal of the jury.
  Christopher Taylor, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot.APD officer heads to murder trial in Michael Ramos shootingKen Ervin, one of Taylor's attorneys, told KXAN the doors to the courtroom were locked while
  
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• Jurors still needed in trial of Austin police officer accused of murder

  22-05-2023 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More jurors are still needed for the trial of an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, according to one of Christopher Taylor's defense attorneys.
  The trial was expected to begin Wednesday, but when KXAN checked in on jury selection Tuesday evening, Taylor's attorney Ken Ervin said they did not end the day with enough jurors to proceed to trial, and will have to bring an additional jury panel in Wednesday morning.Jury selection began Monday, but
  
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• Texas Senate education committee guts House school safety bill

  22-05-2023 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Senate Education Committee on Thursday removed key provisions and nearly a billion dollars from House Bill 3, one of the legislature's sweeping school safety bills.The Senate's committee substitute spends about one-fourth of the House version on school safety. Citing concerns over the price tag, senators lowered the bill's per-student school safety allotment from $100 to $10. The current school safety allotment is $9.72 per student in average daily attendance.The Ho
  
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• Person taken into custody after barricading in Georgetown

  22-05-2023 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- One person was taken into police custody after barricading themself on Axis Loop in Georgetown.
  The Georgetown Police Department tweeted at 10:54 a.m. that officers were "working a barricaded subject" in the 200 block of Axis Loop, which is off Williams Drive in the Deer Haven subdivision.
  Police posted an update at 1:37 p.m. that a person had been taken into custody without incident.
  The police department said in the tweet it involved a mental health situation, there
  
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• Georgetown police responding to suspect refusing to come out

  22-05-2023 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Georgetown Police Department is asking residents to avoid the area near Axis Loop as officers respond to a call involving a barricaded suspect.
  The police department tweeted at 10:54 a.m. that officers were "working a barricaded subject" in the 200 block of Axis Loop, which is off Williams Drive in the Deer Haven subdivision.
  Residents are urged to avoid the area.
  It's not clear what caused the call or if anyone was hurt.
  This is a developing story. Check back for
  
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• APD briefs Public Safety Committee on DPS partnership

  22-05-2023 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin City Council's Public Safety Committee will receive a briefing from law enforcement this morning on the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) patrols in Austin.The initiative, which began on March 30, is currently on pause as troopers focus their attention on border cities following the expiration of Title 42.DPS temporarily halts partnership in AustinThe goals of the partnership are to reduce traffic deaths and violent crime, and free up Austin Police Department
  
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• Uvalde city leaders to mark 1 year since deadly shooting

  22-05-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — City leaders in Uvalde are speaking Monday morning to mark one year since the deadly mass shooting at an elementary school.
  Mayor Don McLaughlin and City Manager Vince DiPiazza will address reporters at the local civic center starting at 11 a.m. KXAN will carry a live stream of their remarks in this story and on the station's Facebook page.Uvalde ‘moving forward’: Horror to hope, one year laterA gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementar
  
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• Uvalde city leaders mark nearly 1 year since deadly shooting

  22-05-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — City leaders in Uvalde are speaking Monday morning to mark one year since the deadly mass shooting at an elementary school.
  Mayor Don McLaughlin and City Manager Vince DiPiazza will address reporters at the local civic center starting at 11 a.m. KXAN will carry a live stream of their remarks in this story and on the station's Facebook page.Uvalde ‘moving forward’: Horror to hope, one year laterA gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementar
  
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• LIVE: Uvalde city leaders mark nearly 1 year since deadly shooting

  22-05-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — City leaders in Uvalde are speaking Monday morning to mark one year since the deadly mass shooting at an elementary school.
  Mayor Don McLaughlin and City Manager Vince DiPiazza will address reporters at the local civic center starting at 11 a.m. KXAN will carry a live stream of their remarks in this story and on the station's Facebook page.Uvalde ‘moving forward’: Horror to hope, one year laterA gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementar
  
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• District: Court order from Uvalde district attorney stalls school demolition plans

  22-05-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — Plans to move forward with demolishing the elementary school where 21 people died last year are paused right now due to a court order, according to the district's interim superintendent.
  During a news conference Monday morning, Interim Superintendent Gary Patterson from the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District told reporters that he cannot share a timeline on when crews can tear down Robb Elementary School because of "litigation." He clarified that this is
  
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• Texas Senate committee advances teacher pay bill with addition of school voucher-like program

  22-05-2023 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) -- One of the last viable bills in the Texas legislature that would increase teacher pay now has a provision that would create a school voucher-like program. The Senate Committee on Public Education on Monday, in a 9-3 vote, advanced the version of the bill that would create an education savings account program to the full Senate for a vote.
  Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, over the weekend, filed a committee substitute of the bill that would add an education savings account progr
  
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• Texas Senate attempts to add school voucher-like program to teacher pay bill

  22-05-2023 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) -- One of the last viable bills in the Texas legislature that would increase teacher pay now has a provision that would create a school voucher program.The education savings account, which operates similarly to school voucher programs, would provide parents with up to $8,000 to put toward private school tuition.
  The Senate Committee on Public Education is hearing testimony on the bill Monday morning.Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, over the weekend, filed a committee substitute of
  
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• Texas gas prices average just above $3 ahead of Memorial Day 2023 travels

  22-05-2023 16:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As Austin Metro drivers count down to the Memorial Day weekend holiday, the price of gasoline continues to remain steady, according to AAA.The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Austin-San Marcos was $3.08 on Sunday. That is four cents lower than Sunday, May 14 and 25 cents lower than April 21.
  AAA said the average price had fallen $1.22 since May 21, 2022.
  The average price in Texas was $3.07 a gallon. On May 18, AAA ranked Texas No. 2 in the nation behind Mississ
  
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• Trial for Elgin man accused of killing man, restraining woman in 2022 begins Monday

  22-05-2023 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  LEE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The murder trial for an Elgin man connected to a 2022 death begins Monday, according to Lee County court officials.Investigators believe Timothy Bradshaw, then 43, shot and killed another man and restrained a woman against her will in February 2022. Bradshaw is on trial on the murder charge, as well as kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Lee County. PREVIOUS: Elgin man accused of killing man, restraining woman against her willThe
  
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• Crowe’s Nest Farm bounces back after pandemic slow-down, now full of field trips

  22-05-2023 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Summer is set to start this week for many school children throughout Central Texas.As plenty of parents search for fun activities to entertain their kids, one special spot in Manor has made a major comeback after a slow-down during the COVID-19 pandemic.Crowe’s Nest Farm is an animal sanctuary where people can learn and interact with all sorts of animals that have been rescued.David Williams has been working at the farm since it opened in 1983."Our mission is to
  
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• Private developer plans to build 600-acre public park in east Austin

  22-05-2023 13:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A private developer plans to fund and construct a 600-acre public park in east Austin that will one day be donated to the city of Austin and its park system.
  Douglas Gilliland, the managing director for Taurus Investment Holdings, describes the park as the "Zilker Park of east Austin." The new public park will almost double the size of Zilker, will be sandwiched between Walter E. Long park and the East Metropolitan park, and will tie in to Travis County's 14-mile public trail sy
  
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• What are the most dangerous Texas cities, roads for pedestrian fatalities?

  22-05-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- Interstates and highways accounted for more than one-third of pedestrian fatalities along Texas roadways between 2016 and 2020, according to new findings from a May ValuePenguin study. The findings incorporated analysis from data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Within that five-year timespan, 37.6% of pedestrian fatalities happened along interstates and U.S. highways, while an additional 28.8% of them occurred on a state route or farm-to-market (FM)
  
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• Manor police investigating after body found near U.S. Highway 290

  22-05-2023 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The Manor Police Department is investigating after a woman was found overnight Sunday into early Monday morning.
  Manor police said a call came in at 2:48 a.m. about a body in a ditch near Gregg Manor Road and U.S. Highway 290 westbound. MPD identified the woman Monday afternoon as 54-year-old Alisa Allen, a Manor resident.MPD said it's investigating her death as a hit-and-run, and the department is asking that anyone who was in the area between 12:10-12:25 a.m. Monday shou
  
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• Manor police investigating after body found near Hwy 290

  22-05-2023 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The Manor Police Department is investigating after a body was found overnight Sunday into early Monday morning.
  The Travis County Sheriff's Office said a call came in around 2:30 a.m. for a body found off Hwy 290 near Threshold Lane.
  Manor Police are investigating the scene. Drivers taking Hwy 290 Monday morning should expect delays.
  
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• Manor PD identifies woman killed in apparent hit-and-run near U.S. Highway 290

  22-05-2023 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The Manor Police Department is investigating after a woman was found overnight Sunday into early Monday morning.
  Manor police said a call came in at 2:48 a.m. about a body in a ditch near Gregg Manor Road and U.S. Highway 290 westbound. MPD identified the woman Monday afternoon as 54-year-old Alisa Allen, a Manor resident.MPD said it's investigating her death as a hit-and-run, and the department is asking that anyone who was in the area between 12:10-12:25 a.m. Monday shou
  
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• Crackdown on seat belt laws in Texas begins Monday

  22-05-2023 13:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Starting Monday, May 22 through June 4, law enforcement officers across Texas will be stepping up enforcement of the state’s seat belt laws, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
  According to TxDOT, 1,258 unbuckled drivers and passengers died in 2022, up 2.5% from the year before.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the Click It or Ticket initiative has saved more than 7,399 lives, prevented more than 120,000 serious injuries and
  
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• KXAN crew dives into the mysteries surrounding Lake Travis

  22-05-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN Senior Science Reporter Eric Henrikson was responsible for much of the photography, while KXAN Anchor Tom Miller gathered audio. The team spent three months visiting Lake Travis, gathering data and stories on the problem lurking beneath the surface. (KXAN Photo/Madison Nosek)
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN Anchor Tom Miller and Senior Science Reporter Eric Henrikson partnered in February to create the documentary “The Wake” after hearing anecdotal stories about unrecovere
  
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• Hidden concrete plant, pecan orchards highlight Lake Travis dangers

  22-05-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) -- A submerged concrete plant, pecan orchards and a houseboat are just some of the relics nearing the surface of Lake Travis this summer. After several years of record heat and little rain, water at the lake is at one of its lowest points in history."This body of water was not originally intended to be a recreational lake. It was built to be a reservoir. So after it had been channeled out, it was flooded and everything that was in it was just left there," Kristen Dark w
  
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• Mainly dry and warm week ahead

  22-05-2023 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a cool and damp finish to the weekend, temperatures waste no time warming up for the start of the new work week. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days beginAfternoon highs will return to the mid-80s today, courtesy of a nearby high pressure system and plenty of sunshine areawide. We'll have to watch for some 'overachieving' storms developing well west of us that may hold together just long enough to make it into the Hill Country overnight. Even if storms h
  
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• Daily rain chances this week, highest on Wednesday

  22-05-2023 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A few late-night showers and storms are possible in the Hill Country Monday and Tuesday, but more numerous downpours are expected on Wednesday across the area. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days beginThe flow in the upper atmosphere will come from the northwest to the southeast from high pressure over northern Mexico into New Mexico. Future Clouds and Radar shows scattered showers from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tuesday coming through the northern Hill Country.Anot
  
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• A few chances of rain and thunderstorms

  22-05-2023 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first day of this new work week has been dry with sun and clouds blending. Afternoon temperatures will be below normal this afternoon.High normally today is 89° BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days beginThe flow in the upper atmosphere will come from the northwest to the southeast from high pressure over northern Mexico into New Mexico. Future Clouds and Radar shows scattered showers from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tuesday coming through the northern Hill Cou
  
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• Proposed concert venue sparks road safety, EMS response concerns

  22-05-2023 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - A proposed concert venue near Dripping Springs is stirring up concern amongst people living in the area.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hays County coalition says no to proposed 5,000 seat concert venueThey worry about how it will impact traffic safety and EMS response times, which are two areas they said already need improvements.
  "It's not unheard of to have emergency services times 35 to 40 minutes even, just to come out here and that's without 1000s of cars trying to go to mus
  
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• Austin FC 'growing and discovering' who they are after 1-0 win over Toronto FC

  22-05-2023 02:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While captain and star midfielder Sebastian Driussi is out with an injury, Austin FC is playing well and is back above the playoff line after a 1-0 win Saturday over Toronto FC at Q2 Stadium.
  Gyasi Zardes scored his second goal of the season in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to steal victory from the jaws of a scoreless draw. It's the second consecutive win for Verde and Black after ending a winless streak of eight matches with a 2-1 victory over Seattle. Aus
  
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• Longhorns top Aggies for 2nd time to advance to NCAA super regionals

  22-05-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the eighth time in program history, the Texas softball team is in the super regionals.The 13th-seeded Longhorns won the Austin regional tournament Sunday with an 11-5 win over rival Texas A&M to finish the opening round 3-0. Texas will meet whoever comes out of the Knoxville regional, either the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers or the Indiana Hoosiers. If the Vols win, the super regional round will be in Knoxville, but Texas will host if the Hoosiers find a way to top the
  
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