Austin news

• Round Rock High School teen awarded congressional medal for community, voluntary work

  28-04-2024 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- A Round Rock High School student is the recipient of the highest Congressional honor awarded to civilian youth.Round Rock High School junior Anagha Deepak received the Congressional Award Gold Medal in recognition of her "commitment to voluntary public service, as well as personal development and physical fitness," per a news release.KXAN previously covered Deepak's work as a participant in the 2023 U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program as well as her efforts as co-founder of HE
  
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• How an Austin teen is working to destigmatize periods, expand product access

  28-04-2024 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Not many teenagers can say they're part of a business startup team. But that's the case for 16-year-old Anaya Balaji, a junior at Anderson High School who's helping raise awareness surrounding period product access.Three years ago, Balaji first started working with August, a period care brand centered around sustainability and accessibility. Balaji first got started with the company when she reached out to its co-founder, Nadya Okamoto, for a school project she was working
  
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• Are you being overcharged at the checkout? Here's how to tell

  28-04-2024 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — With the prices of so many goods already painfully high, you’re likely not enticed by the idea of paying even more (especially unexpectedly). And on the heels of Walmart agreeing to a $45 million settlement after being accused of overcharging on groceries, it can be hard not to wonder if you, too, may have fallen victim at the checkout.In October 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Walmart, accusing the retailer of “falsely inflating” the weights of certain sold
  
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• 'Mega-rare' bird spotted in Oregon, first reported sighting in US history

  28-04-2024 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Birders are crowing over an extremely rare bird sighting in Oregon last week.Photographer and Vancouver resident Michael Sanchez told Nexstar's KOIN that he was at Hug Point State Recreation Site on April 21 at sunrise when he noticed a little bird near the shoreline.“I happened to look behind me toward the ocean and saw this cute little bird standing on the sand,” Sanchez said. “The sun wasn’t fully up yet, so to my eyes, it looked like a li
  
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• AI-generated child pornography threatens to overwhelm reporting system: Research

  28-04-2024 19:40 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Child pornography generated by artificial intelligence (AI) could overwhelm an already inundated reporting system for online child sexual abuse material, a new report from the Stanford Internet Observatory found. The CyberTipline, which is run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), processes and shares reports of child sexual abuse material with relevant law enforcement for further investigation. Open-source generative AI models that
  
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• Son of Dunkin' worker has perfect response after car crashes into coffee shop

  28-04-2024 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — A car crashed into a Dunkin' in Rhode Island Tuesday morning, but it was the lighthearted reaction of a 15-year-old at the scene that has the internet talking.Crews responded to the Dunkin' location in Cranston around 6:30 a.m. and found the car entirely in the coffee shop.
  Police said the driver had his learner's permit and was learning how to drive. When he put the car in drive, instead of reverse, the passenger told him to hit the brake, according to police. Howe
  
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• At least 2 dead after tornadoes sweep through Oklahoma

  28-04-2024 19:37 via kxan.com
  
  HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Tornadoes that tore across Oklahoma left a wide trail of destruction Sunday, leveling homes and buildings and knocking out power for tens of thousands of residents. At least two people were killed, including a child.Dozens of reported tornadoes have wreaked havoc in the nation's midsection since Friday, with flood watches and warnings in effect Sunday for Oklahoma and other states — including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.In Oklahoma, a tornado ripped
  
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• 4 dead after tornadoes sweep through Oklahoma

  28-04-2024 19:37 via kxan.com
  
  HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma have flattened buildings across one rural town, killing at least four people, causing widespread power outages and leaving a trail of destruction, Gov. Kevin Stitt said Sunday.Nearly 30,000 people remained without power after tornadoes began late Saturday night. The damage was extensive in Sulphur, a town of about 5,000 people, where some downtown buildings were reduced to rubble and roofs were sheared off houses across a 15-bl
  
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• 3 dead after tornadoes sweep through Oklahoma

  28-04-2024 19:37 via kxan.com
  
  HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Tornadoes that tore across Oklahoma left a wide trail of destruction Sunday, leveling homes and buildings and knocking out power for tens of thousands of residents. At least three people were killed, including a child.Dozens of reported tornadoes have wreaked havoc in the nation's midsection since Friday, with flood watches and warnings in effect Sunday for Oklahoma and other states — including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.In Oklahoma, a tornado
  
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• Sick of political text messages? Here's how to stop them

  28-04-2024 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – It's that time of year again. Election season is well underway, as local, state and big-time politicians clamor for your vote in the primaries and come November. Lately, that means less door-knocking and more text messages.
  Candidates and causes you didn't even know had your phone number may be blowing up your phone asking for your vote or your money. Campaign phone calls and text messages are exempt from the federal Do Not Call list, so getting on the registry won't help you t
  
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• Climber dies after 1,000-foot fall on Alaska peak

  28-04-2024 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A helicopter crew recovered on Saturday the body of a climber who died after falling about 1,000 feet while on a steep, technical route in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, park officials said in a statement.Robbi Mecus, 52, of Keene Valley, New York, died of injuries sustained in a fall Thursday while climbing a route on the southeast face of the 8,400-foot Mount Johnson, the park said. Her climbing partner, a 30-year-old woman from California, was
  
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• Emergency slide falls off, forces Delta flight to return to JFK airport: officials

  28-04-2024 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) — A Delta Air Lines flight headed to Los Angeles was forced to make an emergency landing Friday morning due to its right-wing emergency slide falling off shortly after takeoff, officials said."Delta Air Lines Flight 520 returned safely to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York around 8:35 a.m. local time on Friday, April 26, after the crew reported a vibration," a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration said.After takeoff, the flight crew rec
  
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• East Austin coffee shop Try Hard announces closure

  28-04-2024 16:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — East Austin coffee shop Try Hard Coffee Roasters announced late last week its final day in business is Sunday.Try Hard first opened during the pandemic at 1115 E. 11th St., its ownership said in a farewell Instagram post. They attributed the closure to the amount of debt taken on to support the business."The truth is we (as owners, yes entirely our fault and we own it) had to take on too much debt to get open and operate through the course of all of the challenges we faced
  
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• H-E-B recalls ice cream cups due to potential metal

  28-04-2024 15:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — H-E-B issued a voluntary recall Saturday for some flavors of three-ounce ice cream cups sold at Texas stores.
  The recall includes 12-count packages of three-ounce cups of Creamy Creations ice cream in chocolate, lime/orange sherbert and vanilla/chocolate combo flavors, according to the recall notice.
  The grocer said there have been no injuries related to the potential metal, and stores have removed the product from shelves.
  H-E-B issued a voluntary recall on 3-ounce ice cre
  
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• Study: Texas among best states for small businesses in 2024

  28-04-2024 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Are you having second thoughts about opening a small business? A new study revealed the best and worst states for small businesses in 2024. And yes, the Lone Star State is among the best ones.To establish the best and worst states to start a business, the research team at LLC Geek evaluated 20 relevant factors spread across the following categories: business costs; workforce; business environment; infrastructure; and economical conditions.According to the study, each fact
  
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• Sticker shock: Home prices doubled in under 7 years in these major U.S. cities

  28-04-2024 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Stunned by skyrocketing home prices? You're not alone.In 68 of the largest U.S. cities the average price has more than doubled in less than 10 years, a recent study by Point2Homes found."A common home appreciation theory is that residential properties tend to double in value in about 10 years," the study notes. "But this good news for investors spells bad news for buyers, considering that most of the country’s major cities had home prices double even faster than
  
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• Massive alligator blocks plane at Air Force base in Florida, fights with wildlife officers

  28-04-2024 15:06 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An alligator caused some trouble at an Air Force base in Florida after wandering onto the tarmac and settling down underneath a tanker plane.In a photo posted by MacDill Air Force Base, located just south of Tampa, the alligator appeared to be relaxing under the wheels of the aircraft.Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission arrived to remove the scaly intruder, but it didn't go without a fight.Video uploaded to the base's Facebook page showed two FWC off
  
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• Have these bugs infiltrated your home? Here's what you should know

  28-04-2024 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Warm weather is setting in throughout the country, which means many of the creepy crawlers winter spared us from are resurfacing. You may have already had a run-in with a few, including one nuisance bug related to invasive stink bugs and soon-to-appear cicadas.The pest in question? Boisea trivittatus, better known as the boxelder bug.Here are 4 things you should know about boxelder bugs.What are boxelder bugs?Unlike its invasive relative, boxelder bugs are native to North Ameri
  
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• Medical miracle: Denver child's heart beats again after 14 hours

  28-04-2024 14:47 via kxan.com
  
  DENVER (KDVR) — A miracle of modern medicine or a miracle from a higher power? No matter what you believe, the recovery story of Cartier McDaniel is nothing short of amazing.At just 4 years old, his heart stopped beating for 14 hours — and then all of a sudden, it restarted. Now, his family and doctors are sharing an experience they've never seen before.Cartier was a typical child full of energy, with a big heart and a lot of love to go around. But in a matter of days, his heart stop
  
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• Waves of storms possible midweek through weekend

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Storm chances ramp up midweek and stay with us through the end of the week and weekend.Today will be one of the drier days of the next 7 with only a few spots of sprinkles/drizzle this morning and a low chance for an isolated storm this afternoon. The majority of us are expected to stay dry under a mainly cloudy to partly sunny sky. Warm and humid conditions continue. Tornado in Milam County causes minor damageWednesday will feature a few distinct periods of rain chances. T
  
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• Two days of heat before rain returns

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This afternoon's temperatures will soar to the upper 80s to low 90s with plentiful sunshine. It will be a humid afternoon with most dew points in the upper 60s to low/mid 70s.
  Storm reports from Sunday during the 8 a.m. hour showed several wind damage reports that snapped several trees in the Sunset Valley area of Austin. Later in the hour there was wind damage to a roof at a home in Manor along with a billboard that was blown down and an AC unit blown off a roof.We may fou
  
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• Tornado Watch in effect for eastern counties until 9 p.m.

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our risk for severe weather is not over. A Tornado Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for our eastern counties until 9 p.m. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Should a Tornado Warning get issued for your area, seek shelter indoors in the lowest level away from windows.Tornado Watch until 9 p.m.Areas northeast of Austin have the highest severe weather risk for the rest of the today. Along with isolated tornadoe
  
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• Tornado Watch for eastern counties until 9 p.m.

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our risk for severe weather is not over. A Tornado Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for our eastern counties until 9 p.m. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Should a Tornado Warning get issued for your area, seek shelter indoors in the lowest level away from windows.Tornado Watch until 9 p.m.Still a chance that a few storms could go severe
  Severe risks todayFor the Hill Country the weather will stay generally dry
  
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• Strong storms return mid- to late week

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A relatively quiet start to the work week ahead of a turn to stormier weather for the start of May. Tornado in Milam County causes minor damage CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL REPORTSLow clouds, fog and drizzle will quickly clear by late morning allowing sunshine to take over for the majority of the day. Afternoon highs will soar well into the 80s under a mainly sunny sky. An isolated storm may clip our eastern counties this evening but no significant severe threat is anticipated.A
  
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• Storms in our metro counties

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 8:45 for western Caldwell, much of Hays, and central Travis Counties. This Warning does include Austin. Hail up to the size of nickels along with wind gusts up to 60 mph will be possible through 8:45. The storms are moving to the east at 35 mph.
  A Flood Advisory will be in effect until 10:15 for Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Pockets of heavy rain have entered our metro counties. Rain totals are forecast to range from .50"
  
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• Storms continue to weaken with lightning the greatest threat

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Flood Advisory will be in effect until 10:15 for Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Pockets of heavy rain have entered our metro counties. Rain totals are forecast to range from .50" to 1.00" causing minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.A line of showers and thunderstorms arrived in Mason and San Saba Counties around 2 a.m. The line moved to the east at 35 mph through the Hill Country. The biggest storm risk for the Hill Country came for cloud-to-ground ligh
  
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• Severe storms, flooding risk increasing late day

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cloudy skies kept temperatures down a little on Tuesday with highs mainly in the middle 80s, but increasing humidity made it feel fairly uncomfortable.That will not change anytime soon. In fact, outside periods where there isn't some cooling rain, even warmer, muggier conditions are expected over the next week.Shower and thunderstorm chances go up Wednesday as an upper-level disturbance approaches in the southwest flow. This will contribute to a strong to severe thunderstor
  
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• Rain chances lower for the rest of the day

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thunderstorms that were weakening prior to 8 a.m. pulsed up as they reached Travis and Hays Counties. Power outages were reported across Austin. Thunderstorm winds did some damage to trees with one report of a tree snapped in Sunset Valley.The National Weather Service also reported that a billboard blown over and an air conditioning unit blown off the roof of a convenience store in Manor. A representative of emergency management sent pictures to the NWS showing the damage.As of
  
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• Rain chances dwindle for the rest of the day

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Severe Thunderstorm Warning for western Caldwell, southeastern Hays, and central Travis Counties is cancelled. The storms have dropped below severe criteria.A Flood Advisory will be in effect until 10:15 for Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Pockets of heavy rain have entered our metro counties. Rain totals are forecast to range from .50" to 1.00" causing minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.A line of showers and thunderstorms arrived in Mason and San Sab
  
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• Rain and thunderstorms chances going up

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today will continue a dry weather pattern that stated Monday. But, this rain-free period will be short-lived as showers and thunderstorms are a prominent part of the forecast from tomorrow and Thursday with rain chances continue into the weekend.The forecast question for the rest of the day deals with how much of this morning's cloud cover will clear during the afternoon. Some of that clearing was noted in Fredericksburg during the late-morning.
  Highs this afternoon will av
  
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• Increasing rain, storm, severe weather risk this week

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cloudy skies kept temperatures down a little on Tuesday with highs mainly in the middle 80s, but increasing humidity made it feel fairly uncomfortable.That will not change anytime soon. In fact, outside periods where there isn't some cooling rain, even warmer, muggier conditions are expected over the next week.Shower and thunderstorm chances go up Wednesday as an upper-level disturbance approaches in the southwest flow. This will contribute to a strong to severe thunderstor
  
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• Foggy to sunny on Monday followed by more wet weather

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our risk for severe weather has faded and only isolated showers and storms are possible in our eastern counties through late evening. The Tornado Watch has been cancelled after producing a confirmed tornado in Milam County Sunday afternoon.MondayOvernight into Monday morning we'll turn our attention to the potential for thick fog. Sunday's widespread rain, plus the continuing humid air, will mean fog could be dense in some spots early Monday morning.CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL R
  
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• A very warm lull, then rain, storms return this week

  28-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — High temperatures soared to the upper 80s and low 90s across Central Texas Monday, and unseasonably warm readings are expected again Tuesday.
  After severe storms Sunday caused wind damage in south Austin and Manor, more strong to severe storms become possible again this week. Tornado in Milam County causes minor damage CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL REPORTSAn increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms returns Wednesday. Weather disturbances moving in the upper flow will travel
  
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• Carpool violator busted with 'next level' dummy

  28-04-2024 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – Using a dummy to drive in the carpool lane is an old trick that law enforcement is well aware of, but that didn’t stop a motorist in Southern California from trying it anyway. “We’ve gotta give it to them, the appearance is next level modeling but at the end of the day… plastic is plastic,” the California Highway Patrol posted on Instagram along with a picture of the mannequin. A motorist driving in the carpool lane was caught using a manne
  
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• Amber Alert issued for abducted San Marcos 2-year-old

  28-04-2024 02:33 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — An Amber Alert has been issued for an abducted child in San Marcos.Legend Torres, 2, was last seen with Joey Torres, 46.
  Legend was wearing a black T-shirt with "Legend since April 2021" printed on it. He was also wearing black shorts, and blue and white sneakers.KXAN has asked Hays County and San Marcos authorities for a photo of Legend and Joey, and for additional information.Anyone with information is asked to call 911.This is a developing story. Check back fo
  
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• Abducted San Marcos boy found safe in Dallas area

  28-04-2024 02:33 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — An Amber Alert was discontinued early Sunday for an abducted 3-year-old from San Marcos. Police said the boy was found safe and unharmed.
  An Amber Alert was issued for the boy Saturday afternoon. San Marcos police said the boy and suspect Joey Torres were found in the Dallas area around 1:50 a.m. Sunday.SMPD said the suspect was in police custody.
  
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• No. 1 Texas takes two from Iowa State, rings up 20th Big 12 win of season

  28-04-2024 02:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 1 Texas made easy work of Iowa State in a Saturday doubleheader at McCombs Field, outscoring the Cyclones 17-1 to win a pair and extend their winning streak to 13 games.The Longhorns won both games in five innings via the 8-run mercy rule, claiming the opening game 8-0 and the finale 9-1. The teams played two games Saturday instead of finishing the series Sunday because of the potential for storms in Austin.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like the
  
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• State of Texas: Cornyn weighs in on campus protests, foreign aid

  28-04-2024 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Protests against the ongoing war in Gaza erupted last week at the University of Texas at Austin and its system schools, prompting debate about free speech on college campuses. UT officials called on DPS officers in riot gear, along with UT and Austin police departments, to contain the protest and prevent encampments. Law enforcement arrested 57 individuals on criminal trespass charges, all of which were dropped. “It was in light of what had happened in Co
  
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• Red-hot Austin FC stops league-leading LA Galaxy 2-0

  28-04-2024 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two first-half goals and an outstanding defensive effort lifted Austin FC to a 2-0 win over the league-leading LA Galaxy on Saturday at Q2 Stadium.Austin FC is the first team this season to shut out the Galaxy and now Verde and Black have won four out of their last five matches. It's the first loss of the season for the Galaxy to a team outside of Los Angeles.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on CW Austin throughout the seas
  
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• 2012 Olympic champion Gabby Douglas competes for the first time in 8 years at the American Classic

  28-04-2024 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  KATY, Texas (AP) — Gabby Douglas is officially back.Whether the gymnastics star's return to the sport carries all the way to the Paris Olympics remains to be seen.Douglas, who became the first Black woman to win the Olympic all-around title when she triumphed in London in 2012, competed for the first time in eight years on Saturday at the American Classic.The 28-year-old looked rusty in spots and promising in others while posting a score of 50.65 in the all-around. Douglas qualified in mul
  
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