Austin news

• Can you take a picture of an eclipse with your phone?

  10-10-2023 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first of two upcoming eclipses is poised to dazzle Central Texans just before noon on Saturday. Can an eclipse damage your device’s camera? For those keen to snap a photo of the natural phenomenon, University of Colorado at Boulder Astronomer Doug Duncan advised keeping your cell phone camera down unless equipped with the proper gear. “The lens of your camera, the lens of your phone or the lens of your eye will concentrate the sunlight and rui
  
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• Austin FC on Josh Wolff staying, big picture of team

  10-10-2023 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The upstart, energetic, contending 2022 version of Austin FC turned in a disappointing 2023 campaign where the Verde and Black missed the playoffs. Questions have been plentiful as to what went wrong and what will be done to remedy the struggles.Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell took over in the summer and made a quick splash in dealing fan favorite Diego Fagúndez to Los Angeles Galaxy. Tuesday, he met with the media and spoke about public pressure and his decision making
  
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• Zilker Eagle to start test runs as soon as 'late fall'

  10-10-2023 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Oct. 10, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Zilker Eagle is on track to start running after years of delays. In an update posted on social media, the operators for the mini-train revealed track repairs are now 90% complete.The post also explained work retrofitting the coaches with air brakes, for safety reasons, is also nearly done. Braking problems in 2022 further delayed the debut of the once-popular tourist attrac
  
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• How many registered youth voters are there in Travis County?

  10-10-2023 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Tuesday marks the final day eligible residents can register to vote ahead of the November election -- and there's been a sizeable appetite in new voter registration among Travis County youth voters in the past year.Travis County officials told KXAN there are currently 296,821 registered voters between the ages of 18 and 29. As of the November 2022 election, there were 213,748 registered youth voters -- marking an increase of more than 83,000 in the past year.Overal
  
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• Fentanyl documentary shares Leander mom's loss, set to debut at Round Rock theater

  10-10-2023 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Through the stories of families that have lost loved ones to fentanyl and law enforcement officers trying to respond to the crisis, the documentary "Fentanyl Unlimited" aims to give a vulnerable but unflinching look at the current epidemic and the work still needed to stop it.Stefanie Turner of Leander is a mother turned activist.Since the death of her son Tucker, 19, from a fentanyl poisoning in 2021, Turner has mobilized Texas Against Fentanyl.Turner, along wit
  
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• Texas considers new border laws targeting illegal entry, human smuggling

  10-10-2023 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Senate Committee on Border Security on Tuesday considered legislation that would create a new state-level offense for illegal immigration and increase criminal penalties for smugglers operating a "stash house."Senate Bill 11 by State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would create a Class A misdemeanor for people crossing into Texas from a foreign nation outside of an official port of entry, and a state jail felony for repeat offenders.
  The Texas Department of Public
  
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• Del Valle ISD, Leander ISD superintendents testify in court over A-F school rating

  10-10-2023 22:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Several Texas superintendents testified on Tuesday in a lawsuit requesting the Texas Education Commissioner not to release A-F school ratings this year.The lawsuit, which more than 100 school districts across the state have joined, alleges the Texas Education Agency has not provided adequate notice of changes to how the 2022-23 A-F rating will be calculated.“I think it is clear we have a unified front with a very similar argument that the commissioner has in our mind,
  
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• As tensions over conflict in Israel escalate, here's how Austin is fighting hate crimes

  10-10-2023 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After Council Member Alison Alter's synagogue was lit on fire by a man in 2021, Alter spearheaded the charge to launch a new City of Austin anti-hate campaign. It's called "We All Belong."
  Right now, as tensions at home escalate over a war in Israel, local leaders say that message is more important than ever.
  "One of the things that we know is any time there is an incident like this in Israel, that incidents of antisemitism, in particular, tend to go up," Jackie Nirenberg, regio
  
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• Isolated, light rain showers possible

  10-10-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical moisture moving over the state is leading to cloudy skies with a few isolated, light rain showers. Skies clear late Wednesday as the moisture exits.Moisture from east Pacific Hurricane Lidia and former Tropical Storm Max is moving over the area off of a southwest wind aloft. This is leading to overcast skies. Rain in our area remains limited, however, with isolated accumulations up to 0.10" from Austin southeastward.A period of dry weather returns from Wednesday afterno
  
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• Texas brands James Avery, Blue Bell collaborate on new jewelry charm

  10-10-2023 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — James Avery Artisan Jewelry is adding a sweet treat to its lineup of jewelry charms.It's a sundae of Texas brands in the mix, following the launch of a Blue Bell ice cream charm produced by James Avery. The ice cream brand announced the collaboration Monday, referring to the mixed-metal charm as the first "in this iconic Texas partnership."“We are excited to partner with Blue Bell and craft an artful design that speaks to so many Texans,” James Avery CEO John Mc
  
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• Williamson County Fair and Rodeo returns this October

  10-10-2023 20:53 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- This ain't their first rodeo.The third annual Williamson County Fair and Rodeo returns Oct. 25 and runs through Oct. 28. The festivities will include carnival rides, a rodeo, a beer and wine garden, food, local craft vendors, music, pig races and a petting zoo, per a county news release.The fair is offering free gate admission to attendees on Oct. 25. That evening will also feature a junior rodeo, per the release.On Oct. 26, free admission will be available for
  
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• Williamson County Fair and Rodeo kicks off today in Taylor

  10-10-2023 20:53 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — This ain't their first rodeo.The third annual Williamson County Fair and Rodeo returns on Wenesday and runs through Saturday at the Williamson County Expo Center, located at 5350 Bill Pickett Trail in Taylor.
  The festivities will include carnival rides, a rodeo, a beer and wine garden, food, local craft vendors, music, pig races and a petting zoo.The fair is offering free gate admission to all attendees tonight. This evening will also feature a junior rode
  
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• Texas Senate committee passes expanded ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates

  10-10-2023 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A key Texas Senate committee approved legislation Tuesday afternoon that would expand the ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates to apply to all private employers and would not include an exemption for health care facilities. It now moves to the full chamber for consideration, advancing one of the governor's handpicked priorities.
  Members of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services are limited on what bills they can consider during the third special legislative session
  
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• Man shot dead after he attacked another man, police say

  10-10-2023 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man killed in Austin's 51st homicide of the year was shot after he attacked another man, police said.Curtis Caldwell, 71, was shot in the 10100 block of Middle Fiskville Road on Friday, according to the Austin Police Department. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.Police initially responded to the call, near Interstate 35 and E. Rundberg Lane around 3:30 p.m. Friday. Officers found Caldwell suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to police.
  
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• Texas Senate unveils its priority school voucher-like legislation

  10-10-2023 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — After passing a separate omnibus bill to boost teacher salaries and public school education funding, a Texas Senate committee unveiled legislation Tuesday that would create a program for private school subsidies.Senate Bill 1 would allocate $500 million toward the creation of an education savings account program, which was the primary education policy request on Gov. Greg Abbott's agenda for this third special session.
  The funding comes from Texas' general revenue and wo
  
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• CLEAR Alert issued for missing woman last seen in Pflugerville

  10-10-2023 19:22 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating a missing woman last seen in Pflugerville.Rani Kondawar, 38, is described as an Asian woman, about 5' tall and 160 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. A clothing description is not available.Kondawar was last seen at 5:09 p.m. Sunday in the 3200 block of Windy Vane Drive in Pflugerville. She was seen in a red 2017 Honda CRV with the Texas license plate JLT5823. What is a CLEAR Alert, an
  
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• CLEAR Alert discontinued for Pflugerville woman

  10-10-2023 19:22 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A CLEAR Alert that was issued for a woman who went missing from Pflugerville earlier this week was discontinued.What is a CLEAR Alert, and when is it issued?The alert was issued Tuesday after the woman had last been seen in Pflugerville Sunday, according to the Travis County Sheriff's office.
  The alert was discontinued Thursday morning.
  
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• Texas flag briefly flown upside down at the state Capitol

  10-10-2023 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state flag of Texas was briefly flown upside down at the state Capitol building Monday night before staff realized the error.Several eagle-eyed KXAN viewers spotted the upside-down flag as a live picture of the Capitol was broadcast in our 10 p.m. newscast.According to Chapter 3100 of the Texas Government Code, "the white stripe should be at the top of the flag, except as a signal of dire distress in an instance of extreme danger to life or property."Night staff "quickl
  
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• LIST: Where to get free eclipse glasses in Central Texas

  10-10-2023 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The video above shares how to avoid eclipse blindness.AUSTIN (KXAN) — With just a few days until the annular solar eclipse, a number of Central Texas libraries will be handing out free eclipse glasses.
  Eclipse glasses are necessary to prevent damage caused by looking at the sun, which is called eclipse blindness or solar retinopathy. The damage could heal over time, but eye damage could be permanent, optometrist Dr. Andrew Neighbors told KXAN.MORE: Why you need glasses to pr
  
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• How to stay safe while driving during annular solar eclipse

  10-10-2023 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday, Central Texans will witness a natural phenomenon, with an annular solar eclipse poised to cross the state and linger above Austin at 11:54 a.m. But don't let any eclipse peeping hinder your driving skills this weekend.The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department is advising residents to not attempt to watch the annular solar eclipse while driving. Instead, motorists are cautioned to park or pull over to safely view the event.From a safety standpoint, i
  
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• Austin City Council member asks attorney general to revisit ruling on police oversight access

  10-10-2023 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Council Member Mackenzie Kelly is asking the Texas attorney general's office to reconsider a ruling that could give the Austin Office of Police Oversight more access to police files, according to a letter obtained by KXAN through a public information request.
  "The opinion in question, dated September 18, 2023, could have significant impact on the operational capacity of the Austin Police Department (APD) as it related to publicly disclosed information related to APD's personnel
  
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• Williamson County EMS going digital when it comes to patient info

  10-10-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Williamson County EMS said Tuesday first responders and hospitals in the county are using an app to communicate patient information to area hospitals.
  The county said the Pulsara App replaces radio reports and phone calls between paramedics and hospitals and can provide faster treatment and better patient care.
  According to the county, the system will be fully implemented by the beginning of November.Pulsara App (courtesy: Williamson County Public Informat
  
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• Restaurant group to help Texas workers get health care

  10-10-2023 17:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Restaurant Association said Tuesday it will partner with a multinational healthcare company to make sure restaurant workers and their families have health care.
  According to TRA, HealthiestYou by Teladoc Health is a bundle of physical and mental health services that every restaurant can provide to their employees and their families for $12 a month or $9 a month for TRA members.
  Over 70% of restaurant workers report high levels of stress and burnout, and nearly one
  
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• Expert Q&A: What happens next in Israel's counter offensive on Hamas?

  10-10-2023 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Israel vows a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, we ask an expert on Palestine and Israel, what happens next?Sally Hernandez, KXAN: What is the relationship between Israel and Palestine?Ryan Bohl, RANE Network: So it is a complicated relationship because Palestine isn't governed by a single entity.
  When we talk about Palestine, we're probably talking about what we're talking about two separate territories, there's the Gaza Strip, which is on the Mediterranean; very small encla
  
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• Buc-ee's to host groundbreaking ceremony for new Amarillo location

  10-10-2023 17:03 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - After commuters in the Amarillo area may have noticed the appearance of building equipment and supplies at 9900 E I-40 in recent weeks, Buc-ee's announced that it will host an official groundbreaking ceremony for its incoming location.Buc-ee's detailed that the groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be held on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. at the new location's site, and will include appearances by former and current city officials.Cinergy Entertainment Group buys closed Amaril
  
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• City of Austin to host job fair Tuesday

  10-10-2023 16:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin's Human Resources Department will host a free job fair Tuesday.The fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center. The center is located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in central Austin.According to the city, people from city departments and local businesses will be at the fair looking to hire people from all backgrounds.
  To take part, the city asks you register at the event.
  Here is list of the employe
  
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• Poll shows Texans split on what education legislation lawmakers should focus on

  10-10-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the third special session gets underway at the state Capitol, Texans are split on what educational priorities lawmakers should focus on.Proposals for major new public school funding are competing with the Governor's priority for private school subsidies as legislative leaders trade attacks more hostile than ever.A poll of 1,200 registered voters, conducted in August by the Texas Politics Project, is shedding light on which 'priorities' are most important to the public.Th
  
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• Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the November 2023 election

  10-10-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — From state constitutional amendments to school district propositions, voters will have a lot to decide on in November.Early voting runs from Oct. 23 through Nov. 3. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.Here's what you need to know before heading to the polls.What am I going to see on my ballot?Every voter who shows up to the polls in Texas will get to vote on 14 proposed amendments to the state constitution, from lowering property taxes to increasing the mandatory retirement age
  
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• How to stay safe sharing the road with driverless cars

  10-10-2023 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Whether you love them or hate them, driverless vehicles are expanding operations across Austin.According to a recent city memo, approximately 125 autonomous vehicles from three companies are currently in commercial or testing phases.For some, this brings about the question of what folks can do to stay safe while sharing the roads with these cars of the future. Cruise driverless cars turning heads in AustinOver the last decade, Austin-based Aceable has been educating and lic
  
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• Skunk native to Texas will not be added to endangered or threatened species list

  10-10-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — State-funded studies mean a skunk native to Texas will not be named as endangered or threatened, despite a petition asking for the designation, according to a press release the Texas comptroller's office.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was petitioned in 2011 to name the plains spotted skunk as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.At the time, FWS believed the species was at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and degradation. The agency
  
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• Cloudy and cooler for all, rain for some

  10-10-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Not much sunshine expected today as tropical moisture fuels scattered rain and cloudy skies across Central Texas.Tropical moisture from what is now Hurricane Lidia and the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Max, in addition to Gulf moisture pushed in along southerly winds and a low pressure system in the southern Gulf, will all come together to thicken up the clouds and produce scattered rain across our area today.Ingredients for rain Tuesday: Pacific moisture from tropical sys
  
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• A few showers possible today and tonight

  10-10-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The morning was dry across much of the area. A few small showers moved over Fayette County between 10 and 11 a.m. A 30% chance of rain continues in this afternoon's forecast. Most rain totals will be only a few hundredths up to a tenth of an inch.
  Moisture from what is now Hurricane Lidia and former Tropical Storm Max is moving over the area off a southwest wind aloft. Surface winds are coming from the Gulf. If nothing else, the sky will remain cloudy through tomorrow morning.Af
  
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• Aid groups scramble to help as Israel-Hamas war intensifies and Gaza blockade complicates efforts

  10-10-2023 11:56 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Humanitarian groups are scrambling to assist civilians caught in the war between Israel and Hamas and determine what aid operations are still safe to continue — efforts that are being complicated by an intensified blockade of Gaza and ongoing fighting.Two days after Hamas militants went on a rampage that took the world by surprise, Israel increased airstrikes on Gaza and blocked off food, fuel and other supplies from going into the territory, a move that raised concer
  
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• Magnolia Cafe owner discusses South Congress rent increases, businesses priced out

  10-10-2023 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Businesses continue to open and close in the Austin area. According to the Downtown Austin Alliance's 2023 State of Downtown Report, since February 2020, 125 storefront businesses closed and 71 opened.
  Just up the street on South Congress, Magnolia Cafe Owner Kent Cole said he's seen some closings and openings in that area as well.Cole said for businesses lined up along the well-known street, it costs a pretty penny to be there.
  "We're in a situation on the street where we have
  
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• $2B of real estate potential hits the market from troubled company

  10-10-2023 04:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- The $2 billion infill development pipeline of embattled real estate firm StoryBuilt is for sale.The commercial and residential pipeline of PSW Real Estate LLC, StoryBuilt’s legal name, consists of 28 projects across Austin, Seattle, Denver and Dallas and is available for purchase in its entirety or separately through a receiver sale by A&G Real Estate Partners and Onyx Asset Advisors, according to an Oct. 9 announcement. The pipeline is to be sold by
  
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• Passing rain showers for some on Tuesday

  10-10-2023 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical moisture from two tropical storms in the Pacific and a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to move into southeast Texas Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing cloudy skies locally with a few passing, light rain showers.There is higher than normal uncertainty in how much rain ends up falling in our area depending on where the tropical moisture ends up, but we currently expect a 50% chance of light rain Tuesday and early Wednesday with rain totals generally und
  
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• Israel-Hamas war: History, hostage negotiation experts weigh in

  10-10-2023 02:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 1,200 people have died in a bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel after Hamas launched a surprise attack over the weekend. Thousands more have been injured on both sides and roughly 130 people have reportedly been taken captive from Israel and brought into Gaza with the threat of being executed.
  At least nine Americans have been killed, a State Department spokesperson told The Hill Monday.
  According to Jeremi Suri -- a professor of history and public affairs at the
  
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• School funding debate begins Texas' third special session

  10-10-2023 02:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Lawmakers are back together at the Texas Capitol, but top Republican leaders have never been further apart. Proposals for major new public school funding are competing with the Governor's priority for private school subsidies as legislative leaders trade attacks more hostile than ever.Education funding leads the debate -- both for public schools and private schools. The governor is calling for a universal 'educational freedom' plan that would use state money to subsidize priv
  
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• Watch out! ATCEMS talks scooter accidents ahead of second week of ACL

  10-10-2023 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Scooters are a popular way for many people to get around Austin, especially during big weekends like Austin City Limits."Scooters have been the way to go," said Jackie Amato, who is in town for ACL.Amato said hopping on a scooter is much faster than waiting for an UBER, and she said it's much cheaper."Uber is very expensive so the scooters have been coming in and really helping us get around a lot quicker," Amato said.Joe Hernandez has used scooters as well, but he has
  
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• 'Execution style, they were defenseless:' Austin family's relative killed in Israel attack

  10-10-2023 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—Moshe S. has been in his living room, eyes glued to Israeli news coverage since the weekend.By him on the couch, are posters of his cousin's fiancé, Imbar Tzur and cousin Hillel Zalmnovich.
  "He [Imbar Tzur] was missing for like 24 hours until they found his body and two other friends next to a car," Sananes said.
  According to Moshe, Tszur was killed my Hamas Palestinian militants. Moshe said Tszur was 26-years-old and was attending a music festival in Israel when the f
  
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