Austin news

• Texas House committee suggests possible path for school voucher program in new report

  14-08-2023 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Ahead of an expected special legislative session related to public and private education, a select Texas House committee is proposing an avenue for creating a school voucher program, one of Gov. Greg Abbott's priorities that did not get accomplished during the regular session.
  The select committee issued a report on Friday that outlines a potential compromise for leaders on school vouchers and also addresses a variety of issues facing Texas schools as many head back to s
  
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• Gov. Abbott issues wildfire disaster declaration in 191 counties across Texas

  14-08-2023 22:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration in 191 counties across Texas in response to "widespread wildfire activity" throughout the state.Abbott said the declaration allows a surge of additional resources to be deployed to the affected counties."As we continue to respond to wildfire conditions across the state, Texas is ready to provide any additional resources and aid to impacted communities," Abbott said in a press release Monday. "I commend the bravery and servi
  
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• Affidavit: Witnesses say man shot, killed coworker after argument

  14-08-2023 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN details witness statements about what led to a deadly shooting in southeast Austin last week.
  Jorge Flores-Duran, 60, was arrested last week and faces a murder charge in connection with the shooting death of Isaias Martinez, 54.60-year-old arrested in deadly southeast Austin shootingAccording to the Austin Police Department, Flores-Duran during an interview with investigators admitted to shooting Martinez during an argument.Two witnesses spok
  
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• Texas Longhorns begin season ranked No. 11 in AP Top 25 poll

  14-08-2023 21:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns will start the college football season just outside the top 10 according to the Associated Press.The AP released its preseason top 25 poll Monday with the Longhorns checking in at No. 11, up 14 spots from where their finished the 2022 season in the poll. The Washington Huskies, who beat the Longhorns 27-20 in last season's Alamo Bowl, came in at No. 10 and Tennessee fell in behind Texas at No. 12.
  See the complete preseason AP Top 25
  Texas is the highest
  
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• Changes finally in sight as longest heatwave on record continues

  14-08-2023 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Monday was Austin's 38th-consecutive 100°+ day in Austin with a high of 105°. But as we bake in our longest heatwave on record, we finally have some concrete and noticeable changes to our forecast -- the first of which arrives now.A weak cool front blows from north to south through the area overnight after producing just a 10% chance of isolated downpours in the northern Hill Country. A north wind blows areawide Tuesday -- dropping temperatures only slightly, but humidit
  
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• Plans announced for UT-Austin Medical Center

  14-08-2023 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Downtown Austin will be home to a new medical center, University of Texas-Austin leaders and Gov. Greg Abbott said during a press conference Monday.
  UT unveiled plans for the the University of Texas at Austin Medical Center, which will be built at the site of the Frank Erwin Center.
  As part of the UT-Austin Medical Center, a second hospital tower will hold the new UT-Austin specialty university hospital. The UT MD Anderson hospital will be administered and operated by MD An
  
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• Gov. Abbott, UT Board of Regents to hold press conference Monday afternoon

  14-08-2023 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will join the University of Texas System Board of Regents on Monday afternoon for a press conference.
  The conference will take place at 2 p.m. and will be live-streamed in this story and on the KXAN Facebook page.
  UT did not specify what the press conference will cover.
  Abbott, UT System Board Chairman Kevin P. Eltife, Chancellor James B. Milliken and other UT System leaders will present remarks.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• 'Future of world-class health care': UT-Austin Medical Center planned at Erwin Center site

  14-08-2023 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Downtown Austin will be home to a new medical center, University of Texas-Austin leaders and Gov. Greg Abbott said during a press conference Monday.
  UT unveiled plans for the University of Texas at Austin Medical Center, which will be built at the site of the Frank Erwin Center.
  As part of the UT-Austin Medical Center, a second hospital tower will hold the new UT-Austin Specialty University Hospital. The UT MD Anderson hospital will be administered and operated by MD Anders
  
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• Austin ISD says state funding won't cover half of costs for an officer on every campus

  14-08-2023 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Independent School District officials project they will need more than 100 officers to comply with a new law requiring an armed officer or employee on every campus.Superintendent Matias Segura said on Monday the plan would cost approximately $9 million.The bill would only provide an estimated $2.5 million to the district from the state, according to AISD officials. Austin ISD discusses plans to add more officers“$40,000 for one of our largest schools, which wou
  
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• Who is more impacted by wildfire smoke?

  14-08-2023 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Wildfire season is upon us with several large fires already having burned in Central Texas over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, whether near or far, wildfires can put out a lot of harmful smoke into the air. Particulate within that smoke can be harmful to the general public, and more specifically, those with pre-existing conditions.
  MAP: Wildfires in Central Texas in 2023
  Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Dr. Matthew Ashley, chief medical officer at Centre for Neur
  
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• How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

  14-08-2023 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Wildfire season is upon us with several large fires already having burned in Central Texas over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, whether near or far, wildfires can put out a lot of harmful smoke into the air. Particulate within that smoke can be harmful to the general public, and more specifically, those with pre-existing conditions.
  MAP: Wildfires in Central Texas in 2023
  Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Dr. Matthew Ashley, chief medical officer at Centre for Neur
  
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• Round Rock fire near FM 1431 contained

  14-08-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A fire near Round Rock was contained Monday morning, the Sam Bass Fire Department said.Crews responded to an area near Farm to Market Road 1431 and Sam Bass Road for a structure/grass fire, the department said.
  The Austin Fire Department investigated reports of smoke Monday morning in three areas of northwest Austin.Crews were called to McNeil Road, Palmbrook Drive and Pearson Ranch, AFD said.AFD said the call came in around 10:30 a.m.
  
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• 'Question mark' spotted by in deep space by Webb Space Telescope; what is it?

  14-08-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  SPACE (KXAN) -- A new photo from the James Webb Space Telescope is leading to a giant question: What in the cosmos formed a giant "?" in space?The photo was released by the European Space Agency on July 26th. This week, people online noticed what appeared to be "question mark" in the image.
  A recent image taken by the James Webb Space Telescope shows what appears to be a "question mark" in deep space. (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, J. DePasquale (STScI), CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)The original image shows two s
  
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• AFD investigating smoke in northwest Austin

  14-08-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department is investigating reports of smoke Monday morning in three areas of northwest Austin.Crews were called to McNeil Road, Palmbrook Drive and Pearson Ranch, AFD said. In a later update Monday, AFD said the fire may be in Round Rock.AFD said the call came in around 10:30 a.m.This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
  
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• AC chillers temporarily go out at McCallum, LASA on 1st day of school

  14-08-2023 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some high school students in Austin went back to school Monday morning to hot classrooms.
  McCallum High School experienced air-conditioning issues as students came to campus for their first day of the new school year. A ReportIt email from a student at the school said their classroom was 91 degrees at 8:30 a.m. ‘It was scared, it was running around’: Raccoons are running through McCallum High SchoolThe Liberal Arts and Science Academy dealt with two HVAC issues on ca
  
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• AC chillers temporarily go out at McCallum High on 1st day of school

  14-08-2023 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some high school students in Austin went back to school Monday morning to hot classrooms.
  McCallum High School experienced air-conditioning issues as students came to campus for their first day of the new school year. A ReportIt email from a student at the school said their classroom was 91 degrees at 8:30 a.m. ‘It was scared, it was running around’: Raccoons are running through McCallum High SchoolElizabeth Lippincott, Austin ISD's assistant director of communi
  
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• UT professors embracing, preparing for AI use in classrooms

  14-08-2023 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, artificial intelligence, or AI, usage has skyrocketed. As a new academic year rapidly approaches for The University of Texas at Austin, faculty are working to balance fostering a learning environment with AI while preventing cheating among college students.“I don’t think we can just say ‘don’t use it’ and assume students won’t use it,” said Ken Fleishmann, the founding cha
  
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• LIVE: UT professors embracing, preparing for AI use in classrooms

  14-08-2023 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, artificial intelligence, or AI, usage has skyrocketed. As a new academic year rapidly approaches for The University of Texas at Austin, faculty are working to balance fostering a learning environment with AI while preventing cheating among college students.“I don’t think we can just say ‘don’t use it’ and assume students won’t use it,” said Ken Fleishmann, the founding cha
  
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• Woman connected with Vanessa Guillén's death sentenced to 30 years

  14-08-2023 14:34 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (KXAN/KWKT) – A woman charged in connection with the death of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén was sentenced to 30 years in prison Monday, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release.Cecily Ann Aguilar, 25, entered a guilty plea to one count of accessory to murder after the fact and three counts of false statement or representation. She appeared before Judge Jeffrey C. Manske in November 2022 – where she admitted to being an accessory after the
  
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• Sentencing hearing for Cecily Aguilar, connected to Vanessa Guillén death, set for Monday

  14-08-2023 14:34 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (KXAN/KWKT) – A woman charged in connection with the death of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén will face a sentencing hearing Monday morning.
  The hearing for Cecily Ann Aguilar is set to begin at 9 a.m. in Waco before Judge Alan D. Albright in the U.S. District Court in Waco.
  According to KXAN sister station in Waco, KWKT, Aguilar will be sentenced on charges of tampering with evidence.
  Aguilar entered a guilty plea to four lesser charges connected to Guillén'
  
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• AFD contains brush fire near I-35, Stassney

  14-08-2023 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Fire Department said Sunday night crews contained a brush fire in south Austin to a half-acre in size.
  The fire was near Interstate 35 and Stassney Lane. AFD said the fire started in a homeless camp.No injuries were reported, AFD said. Camp contents and surrounding vegetation as damaged.
  AFD said multiple calls for the fire came in just before 11 p.m., but the first call came from a passing Travis County Parks police officer.Austin Fire crews fight fire in south
  
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• AFD contains brush fire near I-35 and Stassney

  14-08-2023 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Fire Department said Sunday night crews contained a brush fire in south Austin to a half-acre in size.
  According to an AFD post at 11:27 p.m., the fire originated in an encampment.
  AFD said the fire burned near Interstate 35 and Stassney Lane.Austin Fire crews fight fire in south Austin on Aug. 14. (Courtesy; Austin Fire)Austin Fire crews fight fire in south Austin on Aug. 14. (Courtesy; Austin Fire)
  KXAN requested more information about the fire from Austin Fire
  
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• Manor ISD filling staffing shortages with international teachers

  14-08-2023 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR (KXAN) — School starts today for thousands of students enrolled in the Manor Independent School District.Similar to what we’ve witnessed all across the country, the school district has struggled with staffing shortages.Manor ISD currently has 200 openings, 81 of which are teacher vacancies. Hoping to fill this void with experience from overseas, the district has 89 international teachers. MORE: Manor ISD starts school with 89 international teachers helping staff classroomsWith
  
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• Weak front brings lower humidity, spot storms

  14-08-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As many school districts return to the classroom this week, teachers and students will want to prepare for hot recesses and bus stop pick-ups.Afternoon highs will climb to the upper 90s and low 100s areawide. Austin's forecast high of 106° will mark our 36th consecutive day of triple digits and our 54th for the year.A subtle shift in the high pressure system above will allow a weak "cold" front to slide in late day. Although we expect a near-negligible difference in temperat
  
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• What's changed with Austin ISD ahead of new school year?

  14-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- School is back in session for Austin Independent School District so KXAN sat down with AISD Interim Superintendent Matias Segura to talk about the upcoming year.
  Segura was named the interim superintendent in December 2022 after the previous interim Anthony Mays left the district for a permanent role in Houston. Segura is a product of AISD schools. NEXT: Set for SchoolSegura gave KXAN's Nabil Remadna several updates on the district, including pay increases and teacher retention.
  
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• Manor ISD Superintendent talks priorities at start of his 1st full school year

  14-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  The above video is from Blake DeVine's coverage of Manor ISD's international employees. KXAN at 4 p.m. will have more on Tom Miller's interview with Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani.
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Manor ISD kicks off the school year with a superintendent in his first full academic year on the job, and 89 teachers working on visas to help the district meet its staffing needs.
  The district starts the year having scored a "C" during its 2022 state assessment. While school progress stood o
  
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• Manor ISD starts school with 89 international teachers helping staff classrooms

  14-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Manor ISD kicks off the school year with a superintendent in his first full academic year on the job, and 89 teachers working on visas to help the district meet its staffing needs.
  The district starts the year having scored a "C" during its 2022 state assessment. While school progress stood out as an area of achievement, the score for STAAR Performance struggled. NEXT: Set for SchoolSuperintendent Dr. Robert Sormani said the district is "ground zero" in the battle with cha
  
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• Power restored for 3,000 customers in far south Austin after outage

  14-08-2023 11:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Pedernales Electric Co-op reported 3,000 customers were without power in far south Austin early Monday morning.
  According to its website, the power outage covered most of the Olympic Heights neighborhood west of Menchaca Road and north of FM 1626.
  The company said the outage was reported at 3:50 a.m. The power was restored by 8 a.m.KXAN called Pedernales Electric Co-op for more information about the outage.
  
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• 3,000 customers without power in south Austin

  14-08-2023 11:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Pedernales Electric Co-Op reports 3,000 customers were without power in far south Austin early Monday morning.
  According to the website, the power outage covered most of the Olympic Heights neighborhood west of Menchaca Road and north of FM 1626.
  The company said the outage was reported at 3:50 a.m. and estimated power would be restored by 8 a.m.
  KXAN called Pedernales Electric Co-Op for more information about the outage and will update the article as we get more inform
  
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• Round Rock Police hosts 2nd annual back-to-school shoe drive

  14-08-2023 05:19 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- More than 400 students will have new shoes to start the 2023-24 school year with, following a free shoe drive hosted by the Round Rock Police Department Sunday.RRPD hosted the second annual Step N2 Success event to provide hundreds of new shoes to students throughout the City of Round Rock. The department hosted the event on Sunday morning at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.The Round Rock Police Department hosted the second annual Step N2 Success event to provide h
  
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• Austin barbershop offers free back-to-school haircuts

  14-08-2023 05:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several Austin-area students will return to school this week feeling sharp and fresh after a local barbershop offered free back-to-school haircuts Sunday.Rob's Barbershop, located on Cameron Road, held a back-to-school event Sunday, complete with free haircuts, food and a supplies giveaway before the start of the 2023-24 school year. It's an event owner Robert Sandoval has hosted for several years now, adding it's an opportunity for him to give back to his community. BACK-T
  
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• Bailey’s 2-run homer in 10th gives Giants 3-2 win over Rangers

  14-08-2023 03:58 via kxan.com
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Patrick Bailey hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and the San Francisco Giants overcame a blown save by All-Star closer Camilo Doval to beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 on Sunday, stopping a four-game losing streak.The 24-year-old Bailey became the youngest Giants player to hit a game-ending home run since 22-year-old Pablo Sandoval in 2009.“Fantastic but it’s not surprising because since he got to the big league level all he’s done is come up in big mo
  
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• NOAA finishes major upgrade to improve forecasting

  14-08-2023 03:36 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) announced a major upgrade that should improve weather forecasts for the next few years and beyond.The Department of Commerce expanded the capacity of the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System known as WCOSS by 20%, they announced on Thursday.The WCOSS provides computing power that should improve weather forecast models and other weather analysis tools, many of which are used by the members of the KXAN First Warning
  
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• 'Mass casualty incident' as boat runs aground with multiple people injured on Lake Austin

  14-08-2023 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS said it is responding to a "mass casualty incident" on Lake Austin after a boat ran aground Sunday evening.
  EMS said up to 10 people were injured, and one person may be missing. Three people were being transported by Austin Fire Department's jet skis to an ambulance exchange point. Another adult may be transported via STAR Flight.Officials added in a follow-up social media post the situation had been switched to a recovery effort for the missing per
  
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• 'Mass casualty incident' as boat runs aground with multiple people injured, 1 missing on Lake Austin

  14-08-2023 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a "mass casualty incident" on Lake Austin after a boat ran aground Sunday evening. Officials said seven total people were involved in the incident, with a teenager missing and unable to be located.Two patients were transported with serious injuries, an additional two with potentially serious injuries and two transport refusals at the scene. Officials added in a follow-up social media post the situation had been switched to a recovery ef
  
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• ATCEMS: Boat runs aground with multiple people injured on Lake Austin

  14-08-2023 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS said it is responding to a water rescue on Lake Austin after a boat ran aground Sunday evening.
  EMS said multiple people were injured, and one person may be missing.
  It happened just after 6 p.m. in the 10600 block of River Terrace in northwest Austin.EMS said Austin Police's Lake Patrol Unit was helping search the waters. StarFlight and multiple fire departments were also responding.
  This is a developing story and will be updated as information bec
  
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• 1 missing, multiple people injured after boat crash on Lake Austin

  14-08-2023 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS responded to Lake Austin Sunday evening after a boat ran aground. Officials said seven people total were involved in the incident, including a teenager who is missing and was unable to be found.Two patients were transported to the hospital with serious injuries, an additional two were transported with potentially serious injuries and there were two transport refusals at the scene. Officials added in a follow-up social media post the situation had be
  
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• PHOTOS: Austin Pride Parades celebrates 33rd year

  14-08-2023 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin and The Austin Pride Foundation celebrated the 33rd Austin Pride Parade Saturday night. Each year, the city and organization host a parade and festival in August to celebrate and commemorate the LGBTQ+ community.For decades, communities across the country have commemorated the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement with pride parades, traditionally held in June. The symbolism of the timeframe dates back to the Stonewall riots in New York City’s Greenwich
  
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• PHOTOS: Austin Pride Parade celebrates 33rd year

  14-08-2023 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin and The Austin Pride Foundation celebrated the 33rd Austin Pride Parade Saturday night. Each year, the city and organization host a parade and festival in August to celebrate and commemorate the LGBTQ+ community.For decades, communities across the country have commemorated the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement with pride parades, traditionally held in June. The symbolism of the timeframe dates back to the Stonewall riots in New York City’s Greenwich
  
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