Austin news

• School district discusses fire safety plan in case of wildfire

  15-08-2023 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Much of Central Texas is still considered at a high to very high fire danger by the Texas A&M Forest Service.Fires have burned through hundreds of acres in areas of Kyle, Buda, San Marcos and Cedar Park.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘Fleeing for our lives’: Hays County residents, businesses recount escaping 400-acre Oak Grove FireSchool districts, like Hays CISD, said it is prepared should a fire start near a school.
  Hays CISD Head of District Safety Jeri
  
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• Earn $1K to test Buc-ee's snacks — how to apply

  15-08-2023 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Are you a Beaver Nugget expert? The chance to put your taste to the test for the South's favorite roadside stop has arrived. FinanceBuzz, a financial news and data outlet, is offering one applicant $1,000 to become its Buc-ee's Bud-ee — a role that comes with some serious snacking involved.What happens to airline passengers when a plane loses cabin pressure?In addition to the chain's iconic Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets, the Bud-ee will need to sample kolaches, tacos, barbecue
  
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• APD identifies teen recovered from Lake Austin boat crash

  15-08-2023 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This video is previous KXAN coverage about a weekend boat crash on Lake Austin.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, the Austin Police Department identified a 14-year-old who was recovered from a boat crash in Lake Austin over the weekend, according to an APD news release.Multiple agencies conducted a thorough search and recovery operation for the teen, who was ejected from the boat, APD said. The crash seriously injured four others. 1 missing, multiple people injured after boat crash on L
  
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• Travis County calls for November bond election on parks, transportation projects

  15-08-2023 22:19 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 15, 2023TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County voters will weigh in on nearly half a billion dollars' worth of transportation and parks projects this fall, after the Travis County Commissioners Court officially voted to call for a bond election Tuesday.Last month, commissioners approved a list of projects to be included in the two propositions, divvied up into roads projects on one proposition and parks and greenspace
  
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• Madonna reschedules Austin, other Texas shows for 'The Celebration Tour'

  15-08-2023 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Madonna has officially rescheduled most of her tour in North America, including Texas dates, according to a Live Nation release Tuesday.The North America dates will take place immediately following the originally announced UK and Europe dates, the release said. Tickets for the previously scheduled shows will be honored on the new dates. Madonna rescheduling tour leg, including Austin shows, after ICU stayThis news comes a couple of months after Madonna’s manager said she w
  
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• 'It's hot': Some AISD buses still without AC as extreme temps continue

  15-08-2023 22:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — AC is a game changer when the temperatures rise, but did you know that not all school buses are equipped with AC?Stephanie Chaple has been a bus driver for the Austin Independent School District for 23 years, and she knows just how hot driving a bus can be in the Texas heat."The AC is very important in this Texas heat, probably the most important thing," said Chaple.Austin ISD has about 500 buses, but many of them don't have AC."So when we start the school year this year ab
  
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• Coolest morning since Jun. 10 when we wake up on Wednesday

  15-08-2023 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Low humidity and northeast winds are in place behind an enjoyable August cool front, leading to a briefly cooler, more comfortable morning coming on Wednesday.Behind the front, temperatures were 'less hot' Tuesday, but still reached the triple-digits in Austin for the 39th-consecutive day -- our longest heat wave on record.As skies remain clear and low humidity is still in place overnight, many suburbs and rural communities will wake up in the 60s on Wednesday, our coolest readi
  
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• Zoning changes could make way for more music venues, creative spaces around Austin

  15-08-2023 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – City of Austin is moving to make it easier for music venues and creative spaces to open in more parts of the city and not just confined to certain areas, like downtown. The initiative aims to help relieve some rent and displacement pressure by making relevant zoning changes. Currently, in many parts of the city, music venues are treated as bars or cocktail lounges, said Donald Jackson with the Economic Development Department. “We have kind of an older zoning
  
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• Developer rejects state's final offer to acquire former state park site

  15-08-2023 20:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The developer who purchased the site of a now-former state park has rejected the state's final offer to purchase the property.Dallas-based Todd Interests became the owner of the Fairfield Lake State Park property, about 70 miles east of Waco, at the start of June. The previous owner, Vistra Energy, sold the 5,000-acre property, including the park, five years after closing its power plant by the lake. From state park to private development: The twisting timeline of Fairfield
  
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• Human case of West Nile Virus found in Williamson County

  15-08-2023 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 15, 2023WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County and Cities Health District said a female resident in northern Williamson County has been diagnosed with West Nile Virus. This is the first human case of the illness for 2023.The WCCHD said the disease is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The agency said severe
  
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• For second time this year, Austin sets record for most 105° days in a row

  15-08-2023 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A heat record that stood in Austin for 100 years has been broken for the second time this year.Camp Mabry, Austin’s official weather reporting site, hit 105° or higher every day between Aug. 4 and Aug. 14, a total of 11 days in a row. That ties with an 11-day streak last month as the longest streak of consecutive days at or above 105°.Prior to that, the record stood at 9 days, set in August 1923. Weather Extremes: What are the hottest and coldest temps in Aust
  
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• Texas judge asked to block transgender minor health care ban

  15-08-2023 19:49 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 15, 2023TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (Nexstar) — A state district judge is hearing arguments Tuesday and Wednesday to determine whether a new law that will soon ban transgender youth from receiving certain health care options should be blocked before the law goes into effect.Five Texas families with transgender children as well as three doctors filed suit in July, marking the first legal challenge to Senate Bill 14 — a b
  
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• Majority of Americans are feeling the impact of the substance abuse crisis, survey shows

  15-08-2023 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A majority of adults are feeling the impacts of a substance abuse crisis in the country, according to a new survey released by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) researchers. With overdose deaths surging across the U.S. and in Travis County, two-thirds of adults surveyed said that they or a family member have at one point been addicted to alcohol or drugs, become homeless because of an addiction or went to the emergency room, were hospitalized or died because of substance
  
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• Body of drowning victim recovered from Granger Lake in Williamson County

  15-08-2023 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 15, 2023WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A person who drowned at Granger Lake in Williamson County over the weekend was recovered Monday afternoon.
  The Williamson County Game Wardens received a report of a drowning at the lake on Sunday, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which investigated the drowning.TPWD said the person was swimming after his boat that had drifted away while he was standing in shallo
  
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• Walking or biking to school? Austin program aims to keep kids safe

  15-08-2023 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's that time of year, traffic is heavy, and a lot of kids are out and about for school. The new school year is a great time for parents to practice walking and biking safety.
  When you live in an area growing as rapidly as Austin, you should use extreme caution as families walk and bike around school zones. NEXT: Set for School"There are a lot of changes happening. A lot of new teachers and new principals at schools as well. They're trying to figure out the best dismissal
  
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• Austin pizzeria raises money for Hawaii wildfire victims

  15-08-2023 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tragic wildfires in Hawaii have inspired the help of people from all over, including right here in Central Texas.
  Roppolo's Pizzeria held a fundraiser, devoting 20% of Monday's sales to the relief funds for victims of the fires.
  The owner, Marc Roppolo, told KXAN he has friends living in Maui, and seeing the devastation firsthand inspired him to reach out. Roppolo also wants to inspire others to unify and give back as well.How — and when — is best to donate to those
  
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• Workforce housing project to revitalize Hobby Building in downtown Austin

  15-08-2023 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced Tuesday new plans to bring workforce housing to downtown Austin.Buckingham said Tuesday the General Land Office's "historic" project is designed to give teachers, nurses, police, firefighters, state workers and other working-class residents the opportunity to live in the communities they serve. The mixed-use redevelopment project aims to revitalize the William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building,
  
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• Austin mayor, Texas land commissioner to make 'historic announcement' Tuesday

  15-08-2023 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham are set to make a "historic announcement" in a joint press conference Tuesday morning.The conference will be held at the William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building, located at 333 Guadalupe St. in Austin at 11:30 a.m.Details surrounding the announcement are limited at this time.The conference will be live-streamed in this story and on the KXAN Facebook page.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Austin mayor, Texas land commissioner announce downtown redevelopment site

  15-08-2023 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham are set to make a "historic announcement" in a joint press conference Tuesday morning.The conference will be held at the William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building, located at 333 Guadalupe St. in Austin at 11:30 a.m.Details surrounding the announcement are limited at this time.The conference will be live-streamed in this story and on the KXAN Facebook page.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• 'Only going to get worse': Local leaders issue local disaster declaration amid wildfire danger

  15-08-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin and Travis County leaders discussed ongoing efforts to address record-breaking heat and the potential for wildfires Tuesday.
  Several city and county officials talked about wildfire and disaster preparation at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
  A total of 30 fires have burned 2,826 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area, as of Aug. 13. You can find an active map here.
  "It's terrible but it's going to get worse," said Bob Nicks, the president of the Austin Fire
  
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• Austin, Travis County officials to make wildfire preparedness announcement Tuesday

  15-08-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin and Travis County leaders will discuss ongoing efforts to address record-breaking heat and the potential for wildfires Tuesday.
  The update happens at 12:30 p.m. and will be streamed by KXAN in this story and on KXAN's Facebook page.Another 7+ days of triple digits but hints of change aheadThe following city and county officials will make remarks, according to the city:City of Austin Mayor Kirk WatsonTravis County Judge Andy BrownAustin Fire Department, Chief
  
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• Austin, Travis County officials discuss wildfire preparedness

  15-08-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin and Travis County leaders discussed ongoing efforts to address record-breaking heat and the potential for wildfires Tuesday.Another 7+ days of triple digits but hints of change aheadThe following city and county officials made remarks at a press conference Tuesday afternoon:City of Austin Mayor Kirk WatsonTravis County Judge Andy BrownAustin Fire Department, Chief Joel G. BakerTravis County Emergency Services District 2, Assistant Chief Mark MoellenbergAustin
  
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• Austin, Travis County issue local disaster declaration amid wildfire danger, ongoing heat

  15-08-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin and Travis County leaders discussed ongoing efforts to address record-breaking heat and the potential for wildfires Tuesday.
  Several city and county officials talked about wildfire and disaster preparation at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
  A total of 30 fires have burned 2,826 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area, as of Aug. 13. You can find an active map here.Another 7+ days of triple digits but hints of change aheadAccording to Austin Mayor Kirk Watso
  
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• Williamson County launches donation drive for wildfire victims

  15-08-2023 14:07 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Williamson County said Monday all four county Justices of the Peace along with the Austin Disaster Relief Network were collecting donations for families impacted by area wildfires.
  The county announcement said people can drop off new socks and undergarments for children and adults at any of the JP offices in Williamson County.
  Workers will collect donations will be collected through Friday at each JP office.
  Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1
  1801 E Old Settlers
  
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• How a son's journey with addiction inspired a Texas farm's recovery program

  15-08-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- His hands are calloused and covered in a thin layer of dirt and soil, and the thick fabric of worn blue jeans stick to his skin in the Texas summer heat.If it weren't for the straw hat atop his head, the black Metallica cotton t-shirt he wears would've made for an unbearable choice of clothing. His left earlobe is pierced with a single diamond, the sun's rays dancing off the shimmery gem.The middle-aged man kneels before a row of crops, his body leaning into a bed of weeds.A han
  
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• LCRA enters Stage 2 drought response; asks water cutback of 10-20%

  15-08-2023 13:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Lower Colorado River Authority said Monday it entered the second stage of drought response and asked water customers to cut back water use.
  The agency said the combined storage in Lakes Travis and Buchanan, the two water supply reservoirs in the Highland Lakes, fell below 900,000 acre-feet over the weekend. That is about 46% of capacity. An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons of water.
  LCRA said it asked all firm water customers (municipalities, water districts and industries)
  
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• How well do you know Austin ISD's mascots?

  15-08-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The start of the school year is just around the corner, and now's the perfect time to show off your school pride. But how well do you know all of Austin ISD's school mascots?Take our quiz below to find out if you're an Austin whiz or maybe have a little room to grow.
  
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• Pflugerville ISD trying to tackle debt, district may call for Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election

  15-08-2023 13:41 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE (KXAN) — Pflugerville Independent School District will open its doors to more than 25,000 students for the start of the school year Tuesday this morning.As kids head back to campus, the district is facing a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. This is causing staffing shortages, crowded classrooms and consideration to close several elementary schools. Back to school: When do local districts begin classes for the 2023-24 school year?Since the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment and at
  
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• Two "mild" days with low humidity

  15-08-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The highs today will not reach 105° and higher. Most of our daytime maximum temperatures will peak in the middle/upper 90s to 102° for many locations. Only a Heat Advisory will be in effect until 9 p.m. for Caldwell and Fayette Counties where the highs may approach 104° and the heat index could approach 110°. I don't think that willhappen, however.
  A comfortable afternoon with humidity dropping to the teens and 20sThat's because a cold front has completely cleare
  
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• Another 7+ days of triple digits but hints of change ahead

  15-08-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we trudge on through our longest heatwave on record, new computer data is starting to point towards a potential pattern change next week.Despite a slight drop in temperatures, afternoon highs are likely to return to the low 100s in Austin for the 39th day in a row (55th in total for 2023). As a weak "cool" front continues to drop south, drier air filtering in behind the boundary will bring lower humidity, but unfortunately, higher wildfire danger.Wednesday morning -- coolest
  
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• Round Rock ISD to start school day 5 minutes earlier in 2023-24

  15-08-2023 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) – The Round Rock Independent School District said all elementary, middle and high schools will begin five minutes earlier in the 2023-24 school year.
  According to a July 17 district announcement, the instructional times will be:Elementary School – 7:35 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
  Middle School – 8:15 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
  High School – 9:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.
  Elementary Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (EDAEP) – 7:10 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.Round Rock O
  
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• What San Marcos CISD wants parents to know about school marshals on campus

  15-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- In the middle of San Marcos CISD's Miller Middle School sits the library, the busiest area in the school.“The library is the literacy hub,” SMCISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Cardona said. NEXT: Set for SchoolKXAN met Cardona in the open space library as he greeted incoming sixth-grade students transitioning from elementary school to middle school.“We want kids to check out books. We want kids to read. We want kids to be active learners. We want them
  
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• Round Rock ISD superintendent may ask voters to pay for teacher raises

  15-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Independent School District is exploring a new way to retain teachers and give them a pay raise.“We'll go to our voters,” RRISD Superintendent Dr. Hafedh Azaiez said. NEXT: Set for SchoolRound Rock ISD will ask the school board to consider a voter-approved tax rate election in November.Leander and Pflugerville ISD asked the same of its residents in November 2022.“If they approve it, that will add three golden pennies, three extra penni
  
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• U.S. Department of Education reaffirms Baylor’s religious exemption in response to sexual harassment complaints

  15-08-2023 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — The U.S. Department of Education exempted Baylor University from sexual harassment claims regulated under Title IX last month after the Christian university asked the agency to dismiss discrimination complaints made by students, arguing that the claims were inconsistent with the university’s religious tenets.After LGBTQ+ students filed several Title IX discrimination complaints against the Waco-based university — in one case for failing to address homop
  
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• Georgia grand jury returns indictment in Trump election interference case

  15-08-2023 03:35 via kxan.com
  
  The Georgia grand jury hearing evidence about former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election returned an indictment Monday night.It’s not clear who might be named in the indictment or what charges would be included. Clerks at the Fulton County Superior Court said it could take hours for the court documents to be posted publicly.The indictment comes after the grand jury heard a full day of testimony in the case after a more than two-year investigation by Fulton County
  
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• Hills near Lake Travis pose firefighting challenges

  15-08-2023 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) -- So far, the Lake Travis area has been predominantly spared of devastating wildfires this year.
  Still, crews are constantly at the ready.
  "So I'm normally a 40-hour workweek. But with the conditions as they are, I've packed 3-5 days' worth of clothes because there's a good chance I'm not going home," Lake Travis Fire Rescue Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Prather said, holding a suitcase. "The men and women of the fire service know it's that time of year where we ki
  
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• Fighting fires from the skies: Inside the Texas air tankers saving land and lives

  15-08-2023 01:57 via kxan.com
  
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas — As Elic Kirby ducks into the cockpit of his "Super Scooper," he doesn't know where the flames may fly him next. His bags stay packed in the hollow, hybrid floating aircraft, ready to follow the latest sign of smoke anywhere from College Station to Canada."Most people don't love flying into smoke and fires and all that," he said. "I like doing stuff that's challenging. Not that it's, you know, a particularly hard job." MAP: More than 2,800 acres have burned in Centr
  
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• AISD: How many teachers does the district need?

  15-08-2023 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's back to school for Austin ISD and this year the district says they are better off when it comes to teacher vacancies.Last July, Austin ISD was looking to fill about 500 teaching positions, but this year the district has about 200 openings. Austin ISD plans to pull millions from reserve funds to give educators 7% raise"We do have some key areas we are looking to fill still," Matias Segura, AISD interim superintendent, said. "Some of these certifications whether it is mu
  
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• Texas Longhorns offensive line strikes NIL deal with nonalcoholic beer company

  15-08-2023 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It started with The Pancake Factory, and now the Texas Longhorns offensive line is part of another NIL deal.Athletic Brewing, makers of nonalcoholic beer and sparkling hop water, and the Longhorns offensive line have formed a partnership and will formally introduce it Aug. 19 at the Hancock Center H-E-B, located at 1000 E. 41st St.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslett
  
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