Austin news

• Barton Springs Road 1-year safety pilot slated for late fall launch

  22-08-2023 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department is on track to launch its yearlong Barton Springs Road safety pilot this fall, as city crews continue modifications to the roadway.Back in June, city officials proposed the one-year safety pilot as a means to help curtail serious injuries and fatalities along the roadway as a result of traffic crashes. It came just over a year after an April 2022 vehicle crash along the road resulted in 10 people seriously injured.
  
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• Tropical Depression Harold weakening south of Central Texas

  22-08-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This story is no longer being updated. Check the KXAN First Warning Weather forecast for the latest.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on Padre Island, Texas at 10 a.m. Tuesday with winds of 50 mph. Harold has since been downgraded to a tropical depression as it weakens over land. KXAN: First Warning WeatherFlooding rainfall amounts of up to 7 inches are possible along the South Texas coast inland toward the Rio Grande Valley. So far, the reporting station at Cor
  
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• Texas EV owners must pay $400 for vehicle registration starting Sept. 1

  22-08-2023 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Starting next week, Texas drivers of electric vehicles will have to pay more money than they used to register their rides. The law, which takes effect Sept. 1, was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott back in May and establishes a $400 fee to register an electric vehicle in Texas — in addition to a $200 annual fee.This is in addition to annual Texas vehicle registration fees, which cost $50.75 for most passenger vehicles/trucks. In total, a new EV owner cou
  
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• Two men arrested in Round Rock after woman says she was kidnapped, police say

  22-08-2023 21:57 via kxan.com
  
  HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas (KXAN) -- Two men were arrested, and a woman was taken to the hospital after they were found at a motel room in Round Rock Tuesday, the Harker Heights Police Department said in a news release.Around 4 a.m., officers met with a woman who said her roommate sent her a text saying she was kidnapped and thought she was going to die, according to HHPD.During the investigation, police determined the woman was being held in a motel room in Round Rock, the release states.Around 7:16
  
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• Tesla, dozens of restaurants and businesses coming to Kyle

  22-08-2023 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) --- Tesla is setting up shop in yet another Central Texas city. The City of Kyle is welcoming the company to the area.
  The announcement came at the 2023 State of the City Address, hosted by The Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce.Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said he doesn't know exactly what Tesla's plans are just yet.
  "It's roughly a million square feet, just under a million square feet of space," Mitchell said. "They're just moving forward with their construction. So we don't have a
  
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• 'Completely unacceptable': Austin group slams final I-35 plan. What TxDOT says

  22-08-2023 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Monday, the Texas Department of Transportation announced it completed its final environmental impact statement and record of decision, clearing its last major hurdle ahead of a construction start on its Interstate 35 expansion project.The EIS is a requirement under the National Environmental Policy Act to document any potential environmental impacts that could come from a project proposal. For months, some city and regional leaders have shared reservations about the environme
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold sending scattered storms into Central Texas

  22-08-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on Padre Island this morning and is racing westward through South Texas.Rain bands on the north side of the decaying storm are racing through our area, bringing scattered heavy downpours, a few lightning strikes, and gusty winds. Some areas are enjoying their first rainfall in a month. Live interactive weather radarThose areas that do not see rainfall will still see breezy east winds from the storm to our south. Wind gusts will exceed 30 mph i
  
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• Tropical rain ends Austin's longest heat wave on record

  22-08-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following 45-consecutive days at or above 100 degrees, afternoon downpours from Tropical Storm Harold broke Austin's extended stretch of triple-digit heat.Afternoon highs at Camp Mabry rose to 99 degrees Tuesday before rain bands on the north side of the decaying tropical storm raced through our area. Some areas are enjoying their first rainfall in a month. Live interactive weather radarThose areas that do not see rainfall will still see breezy east winds from the storm to our s
  
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• Elementary student accidentally discharges handgun on school bus in Seguin

  22-08-2023 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Aug. 22, 2023.SEGUIN, Texas (KXAN) -- A student accidentally discharged a handgun Tuesday morning while the school bus they were riding was pulling into the parking lot of a Seguin elementary school.
  According to a post from the Seguin Independent School District Facebook, it happened while the bus was entering the parking lot of Jefferson Elementary School. Seguin is southeast of New Braunfels and northeast of San An
  
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• Crews working to recover body from 'remote' area of Mt. Bonnell

  22-08-2023 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Aug. 22, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Crews are working to recover a body that is located in a remote area of Mount Bonnell in west Austin.
  The Austin Fire Department said on social media Tuesday shortly after noon its Special Operations crews were working with STAR Flight to recover the body.According to AFD, crews have repelled into heavy brush to access and remove the body.
  It's not clear how the body was discovered or ho
  
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• Crews recover body from 'remote' area of Mt. Bonnell

  22-08-2023 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Aug. 22, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Crews recovered a body Tuesday afternoon that was located in a remote area of Mount Bonnell in west Austin.
  The Austin Fire Department said on social media Tuesday shortly after noon its Special Operations crews were working with STAR Flight to recover the body.According to AFD, crews rappelled into heavy brush to access and remove the body. AFD posted an update at 12:37 p.m. that the re
  
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• Blue Hole Regional Park closes for 2 weeks, water levels 2 feet lower than normal

  22-08-2023 16:59 via kxan.com
  
  WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley has closed for swimming for the next two weeks because of low water levels.
  The park posted about the closure on its Facebook page Monday evening, saying the closure was effective starting Monday at 6 p.m. and for the next two weeks. Blue Hole awarded ‘Travelers’ Choice’ by Tripadvisor for third year in a rowAccording to the post, E. coli levels have remained within the normal range, but the water level is abo
  
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• More than 1,000 Round Rock students experiencing homelessness; why extreme heat is making it worse

  22-08-2023 16:21 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for August 22, 2023.
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Rising rent prices and a lack of affordable housing are just two of the problems causing some Round Rock Independent School District students and their families to be out of a home.“We ended the school year with 1,045 students experiencing homelessness, some of the highest numbers that we've seen in the last seven years, and it's just heartbreaking right now,” said De
  
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• Tropical systems pose increased risk to those with cardiovascular disease

  22-08-2023 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical systems bring various impacts - to land, infrastructure, and people. With the deadliest part of a storm being water (rainfall, flooding, storm surge, etc.), there are other, and sometimes more hidden, threats -- particularly for those with cardiovascular disease.Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with a doctor associated with the American Heart Association to learn more.Below is a transcript of their conversation. Edits have been made for clarification.Kristen Currie, K
  
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• Not just El Niño: Other factors that could impact this winter

  22-08-2023 15:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Each month NOAA and the Climate Prediction Center release their updated guidance on the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Tom Di Liberto, a climate scientist at NOAA's Office of Communications, just after the latest El Niño forecast was released about the newest expectations for the months and seasons ahead.Meteorologist Nick Bannin: Tom, the fresh data on El Niño is now out and the odds of a strong El Niño are
  
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• Affordable housing program launches in Austin

  22-08-2023 14:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A new City of Austin program to help small-scale real estate developers grow their businesses and create more affordable housing and job opportunities in the Austin area launched in July and will continue through October, organizers said Monday.
  The Austin Housing Finance Corporation said 20 participants were selected for the Austin Small Developer Training Program.
  It said the program, led by Capital Impact Partners and HousingWorks Austin, will pr
  
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• Austin animal shelter seeking fosters for distemper dogs

  22-08-2023 14:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A deadly dog disease is on the rise in Austin.In August alone, the Austin Animal Center has recorded 39 positive test results for canine distemper virus.Some symptoms of this sickness include watery eyes, fever or vomiting.To help ease the burden, Austin Pets Alive! has taken 33 of these dogs — 15 of which have the canine distemper virus — into its own shelter.This partnership was put in place to avoid overcrowding while helping slow the spread of this deadly di
  
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• San Marcos CISD votes to look into creating district police department

  22-08-2023 14:39 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS (KXAN) -- San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District at a meeting Monday night voted to create a subcommittee that would weigh what it takes to create a district police department.The school district does not currently have a police department, but it did recently roll out a school marshal program, which is new this school year. Every elementary school now has a school marshal on campus. SMCISD also already had school resource officers at every secondary campus. What San Marc
  
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• Georgetown ISD to seek exception for armed guard legislation

  22-08-2023 14:37 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees voted Monday night to seek a "good cause exception" to a new law requiring the presence of an armed, "qualified" security officer on each school campus during regular school hours.
  District leaders cited a lack of "available qualified personnel and a lack of available revenue" as reasons for the request.
  KXAN spoke with several districts earlier in August that said they were struggling to come up with the money and personnel t
  
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• Street signs continuously stolen in Hill Country

  22-08-2023 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) -- Texas Department of Transportation officials and law enforcement say street signs in the Hill Country continue to be the targets of theft year after year and are asking people to stop.
  Some of the most recent signs to be stolen include the Gillespie County line sign, the Fredericksburg marker sign, and the most popular sign to be stolen is anything with Luckenbach on it.
  Let's go to Luckenbach, TexasAuthorities believe signs directing traffic to historic Luckenbac
  
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• Luckenbach street signs continuously stolen in Hill Country

  22-08-2023 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) -- Texas Department of Transportation officials and law enforcement say street signs in the Hill Country continue to be the targets of theft year after year and are asking people to stop. Texas neighborhood has ‘Friends’-themed street namesSome of the most recent signs to be stolen include the Gillespie County line sign, the Fredericksburg marker sign, and the most popular sign to be stolen is anything with Luckenbach on it.
  Let's go to Luckenbach, TexasA
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold racing across south Texas

  22-08-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Tropical Storm Harold, born at 1 a.m. Tuesday, moved onshore at Padre Island at 10 a.m. with winds up to 50 mph.Winds retreated back to 45 mph as of the 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. T.S. Harold is the first storm to make landfall in the United States in 2023.The storm is moving to the west-northwest at 21 mph heading to the Rio Grande south of EaglePass. It is being steered in that west-northwest direction from the large area of high pressure aloft, the one t
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold makes landfall south of Corpus Christi

  22-08-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold officially formed in the western Gulf early Tuesday morning -- the ninth storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The system currently has 45 mph sustained winds and is racing west/northwest at 18 mph.
  Harold made landfall shortly before 10 am along Padre Island, south of Corpus Christi with 50 mph sustained winds.Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Texas coast from Port O'Connor southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande. A Tropical Storm Watch is i
  
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• Tropical Depression Harold racing across South Texas

  22-08-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on Padre Island, Texas at 10 a.m. Tuesday with winds of 50 mph. Harold has since been downgraded to a tropical depression as it weakens over land.Flooding rainfall amounts of up to 7 inches are possible along the South Texas coast inland toward the Rio Grande Valley. So far, the reporting station at Corpus Christi has measured more than three inches of rain.Tropical Storm Harold's projected rainfallRainfallGRAF Model Future RadarTD Harold sent
  
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• RAIN: Tropical Storm Harold racing across south Texas

  22-08-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Tropical Storm Harold, born at 1 a.m. Tuesday, moved onshore at Padre Island at 10 a.m. with winds up to 50 mph.Winds retreated back to 45 mph as of the 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. T.S. Harold is the first storm to make landfall in the United States in 2023.The storm is moving to the west-northwest at 21 mph heading to the Rio Grande south of EaglePass. It is being steered in that west-northwest direction from the large area of high pressure aloft, the one t
  
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• LIVE: Tropical Storm Harold to make landfall in Texas today

  22-08-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold officially formed in the western Gulf early Tuesday morning -- the ninth storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The system currently has 45 mph sustained winds and is racing west/northwest at 18 mph.
  Harold is expected to come onshore late morning into the early afternoon between Corpus Christi and Brownsville. While the storm is intensifying, its quick forward motion will limit its time over the warm Gulf waters.Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for t
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold racing over south Texas

  22-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Depression #9 became Tropical Storm Harold at 1 a.m. Tuesday. Landfall on Padre Island happened at 10 a.m. with winds up to 50 mph.The Tuesday 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane CenterThe 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center founds that the center of T.S. Harold was moving to the west-northwest at 21 mph. Tropical Storm Harold became the first tropical weather system to make landfall in the United States in 2023.Heavy rain and gusty winds will continu
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold makes landfall

  22-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold became the first tropical weather system to make landfall in the United States in 2023. The storm moved onshore on Padre Islands. Winds were clocked at 50 mph with higher gusts.
  Heavy rain and strong will continue to affect South Texas and Mexico. The storm will move to the west-northwest and weaken now that it's over land,.Harold is onshore moving through South TexasRed Flag Warnings are in effect locally for critical fire danger as winds pick up and mainl
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold impacts on Central Texas

  22-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Depression #9 became Tropical Storm Harold at 1 a.m. Tuesday. Landfall on Padre Island happened at 10 a.m. with winds up to 50 mph.The Tuesday 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane CenterThe 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center founds that the center of T.S. Harold was moving to the west-northwest at 21 mph. Tropical Storm Harold became the first tropical weather system to make landfall in the United States in 2023.Heavy rain and gusty winds will continu
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold brings gusty winds, fire danger locally

  22-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we bake in Austin's hottest August on record, we are monitoring a tropical storm in the Gulf that will fail to deliver our area the kind of rain and cooler weather we desperately need. Update: What we expect from Tropical Depression #9Red Flag Warnings are in effect locally for critical fire danger as winds pick up and mainly dry weather continues on Tuesday.Gusty winds and low humidity Tuesday spark critical fire weather concerns
  Tropical Storm HaroldTropical Storm Harold to
  
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• Federal court to hear challenge over Texas border buoys

  22-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The state of Texas could soon be forced to remove its barrier of buoys along the Rio Grande River near Eagle Pass, if a federal judge agrees with the U.S. Department of Justice that Texas overstepped its constitutional authority by installing the flotation devices.
  The Biden administration filed suit against Gov. Greg Abbott in late July over the state’s floatation barrier, arguing it violates international and federal law. In the lawsuit, the DOJ said Texas’
  
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• Federal court hears challenge over Texas border buoys

  22-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The state of Texas could be forced to remove its barrier of buoys along the Rio Grande River near Eagle Pass, if a federal judge agrees with the U.S. Department of Justice that Texas overstepped its constitutional authority by installing the flotation devices.The Biden administration filed suit against Gov. Greg Abbott in late July over the state’s floatation barrier, arguing it violates international and federal law. In the lawsuit, the DOJ said Texas’ cons
  
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• Indeed unveils new global co-headquarters in downtown Austin

  22-08-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, Indeed, the leading global hiring and matching platform, unveiled its new global co-headquarters, according to a news release.
  Nestled in the heart of downtown Austin, Indeed Tower will be a model for how companies can effectively bring colleagues together that will drive forward the future of hybrid work, the release said.The Indeed Tower has a range of unique features that redefine the concept of a contemporary workspace, as well as promote flexibility and collabor
  
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• City of Round Rock launches new online conservation dashboard

  22-08-2023 04:47 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Round Rock launched a new online dashboard that allows the community to see how their conservation efforts are contributing to regional water-saving goals, according to the city's website.The online dashboard will also inform city leaders of whether more restrictions are required to meet those goals, the website said.This comes after the call from the city's raw water providers urging residents to reduce water consumption due to ongoing dry conditions.Acco
  
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• Longhorns Xavier Worthy, Kelvin Banks Jr. named AP preseason All-Americans

  22-08-2023 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Texas Longhorns were named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Team, the organization announced Monday.Junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy and sophomore offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. were both named to the second team. It's Worthy's second time being selected as a preseason All-American and Banks' first time.
  See the entire AP Preseason All-America Team
  It's another preseason honor of many for Worthy this year. He has been named to watch lists for the Maxwe
  
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• Tropical Storm Harold to make landfall in Texas today

  22-08-2023 03:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold officially formed in the western Gulf early Tuesday morning -- the ninth storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The system currently has 45 mph sustained winds and is racing west/northwest at 18 mph.
  Harold is expected to come onshore late morning into the early afternoon between Corpus Christi and Brownsville. While the storm is intensifying, its quick forward motion will limit its time over the warm Gulf waters.Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for t
  
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• ERCOT issues Weather Watch for Texas

  22-08-2023 02:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video provides tips on what to do if you're experiencing heat-related illness.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a weather watch from Wednesday, Aug. 23 through Sunday, Aug. 27 "due to forecasted high temperatures, higher electrical demand and potential for lower reserves," according to a press release.ERCOT said there is currently enough capacity to meet forecasted demand and no action is currently necessary, the release said.
  
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• Senators deciding Paxton's fate have history of campaign donations for, against him

  22-08-2023 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Saturday, former GOP appellate judge Marc Brown declined a prestigious appointment by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to assist in presiding over suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial. He had a history of political donations that could harm the public's trust, he said, after donating $250 to Eva Guzman — one of Paxton's 2022 primary opponents who campaigned on assertions that the now-suspended Attorney General was unfit for office."The proceedings
  
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• As season opener nears, Longhorns depth, health have been key during training camp

  22-08-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the first game of the season nears for the Texas Longhorns, the depth chart is beginning to come into focus but head coach Steve Sarkisian said the team's third scrimmage Saturday will go a long way in defining roles early in the season.During Monday's press conference after practice, Sarkisian said he wants to have at least a 2-deep chart solidified after the scrimmage but still wants the players to "continue to compete."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports st
  
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• Biden sees devastation wrought by Hawaii wildfire during visit to Lahaina

  22-08-2023 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  LAHAINA, Hawaii, (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden on Monday viewed the devastation wrought by the flames that ripped through the western part of the Hawaiian island, seeing for themselves the hollowed homes, structures and singed trees left behind by the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.The Bidens lingered briefly on the tarmac after arriving at Kahului Airport to console Hawaii Governor Josh Green and his wife Jaime Green as well as members of Hawaii's co
  
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• Austin Animal Center receives dozens of positive cases of distemper disease

  22-08-2023 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Animal Center (AAC) continues to see increases in distemper, which is a deadly disease affecting unvaccinated dogs, according to a news release from the City of Austin. AAC received 39 positive results from 94 dogs tested.“As expected, the dogs testing positive are generally under a year old and have only been in the shelter for a few weeks, meaning they didn’t have time to build up appropriate vaccination immunity before being exposed,” said AAC&rsq
  
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• Biden arrives in Maui to comfort wildfire survivors and emergency workers

  22-08-2023 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  KAHULUI, Hawaii, (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrived in Maui on Monday to comfort survivors of the devastating wildfires that ripped through the western part of the Hawaiian island, as his administration responds to the devastation whose full scope is still unknown.The Bidens lingered briefly on the tarmac after arriving at Kahului Airport to console Hawaii Governor Josh Green and his wife Jaime Green as well as members of Hawaii's congressional delegation who came
  
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• As the death toll in stifling Texas prisons climbs, congressional Democrats ask for investigation

  22-08-2023 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) -- At least 41 people have died in stifling, uncooled prisons of either heart-related or unknown causes during Texas’ relentless and record-breaking heat wave this summer, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. 135 people have died in Texas prisons since June 1; Families demand answersRelatives of those who died and prison rights advocates insist at least some of those deaths were caused by the heat. More than a dozen of the prisoners were in their 20s or 30s, with at least
  
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