Austin news

• Texas men's hoops to begin season in Las Vegas vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

  21-05-2024 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team is tipping off the 2024-25 season in Las Vegas.The Longhorns will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes as part of the Hall of Fame Series on Nov. 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It's the opening night of college basketball across the country and the series will also feature a women's game between South Carolina and Michigan. The start time and broadcast information for the game will be released later. Texas Longhorns to play in 2025 Ma
  
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• Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the May 2024 primary runoffs?

  21-05-2024 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With early voting underway, KXAN is keeping track of how many Texans have voted in the May 28 primary runoff elections.Voters will choose the final candidates who will represent the Democratic and Republican parties on the ballot in November’s general election. KXAN Voter Guide: What to know for the May 2024 primary runoff electionsUnlike the March primaries, early voting this time only lasts for five days from Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 23. Election Day is Tu
  
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• Travis County to address substandard roads for 1st time since 2017

  21-05-2024 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Design work will soon be underway to help repair some of the worst roads in Travis County.Travis County Commissioners Court approved Tuesday a substandard roads improvement package that'll address 44 road sections and 17.1 miles of substandard roads across the county. It marks the first county investment in upgrading dilapidated roadways since 2017.Task members said $6.3 million previously allocated in the county's fiscal year 2023-24 budget will go toward the
  
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• Sit down with Austin's new city manager, T.C. Broadnax

  21-05-2024 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several weeks after starting as Austin's next city manager, T.C. Broadnax sat down with KXAN to talk about his time in the role so far and what to expect from him in his first 100 days.Overall priorities
  Broadnax put out a memo with some of his priorities earlier this month, which included hiring a new police chief, getting a contract signed with the Austin Police Association and addressing Austin's homelessness issues.Austin city manager prioritizes police chief hiring, new pol
  
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• Summer break: When do local districts stop classes for the 2023-24 school year?

  21-05-2024 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students and teachers across Central Texas are approaching the end of the school year.The last day of class dates range from May 10 in Fayetteville ISD to June 7 in Prairie Lea ISD.To help keep track of all the dates, KXAN has created a map and compiled a list showing the last day of classes in each district in the KXAN viewing area. MAP: More than 100 Texas school districts have switched to four-day school weeksHover over or click on any district in the map below for more
  
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• SWAT responding to incident in southeast Austin

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said its SWAT team is responding to an incident in southeast Austin Tuesday afternoon.
  APD said on X at 1:41 p.m. that the SWAT team was responding to an incident near the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road.
  Police asked people to avoid the area.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Stolen vehicle results in deadly SWAT situation in southeast Austin, memo says

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was shot by police officers and he ultimately died after a SWAT situation in southeast Austin Tuesday, according to a memo provided to City leaders and obtained by KXAN.The memo states police officers saw a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road around 12:36 p.m. The driver of the stolen vehicle was found inside a business and refused to leave.The man was shot at the scene and was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries, t
  
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• Southeast Austin SWAT response leads to officer-involved shooting

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said a SWAT situation in southeast Austin resulted in an officer-involved shooting on Tuesday.
  APD said on X at 5:19 p.m. that the scene is "still active" near the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road and the public should avoid the area. APD had its SWAT team at the location since roughly 1:30 p.m.APD said a media briefing for the incident is planned with a time to be determined later.
  This is a developing story. Check back for update
  
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• Man killed in police shooting poured lighter fluid, made Molotov cocktails inside gas station with employee inside, APD

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  Tuesday's deadly SWAT situation happened in southeast Austin on Salt Springs Drive between William Cannon and Slaughter.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police shot and killed a man during a SWAT situation in southeast Austin Tuesday where officers observed the subject pouring lighter fluid on the counter of a gas station and making Molotov cocktails while telling police he knew another person was inside, Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson said in a media briefing Tuesday night.
  This started around 1
  
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• APD: Man killed in police shooting made Molotov cocktails inside gas station with employee inside

  21-05-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  Tuesday's deadly SWAT situation happened in southeast Austin on Salt Springs Drive between William Cannon and Slaughter.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police shot and killed a man during a SWAT situation in southeast Austin Tuesday where officers observed the subject pouring lighter fluid on the counter of a gas station and making Molotov cocktails while telling police he knew another person was inside, Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson said in a media briefing Tuesday night.
  This started around 1
  
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• New city manager brings 2 top officials from Dallas with him to Austin

  21-05-2024 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax is bringing two top city officials with him from Dallas.
  Broadnax sent a city memo addressed to the mayor and council members on Monday alerting them of two job appointments to the Executive Leadership Team. Those appointments were Jon Fortune as Deputy City Manager, effective June 10, and Genesis D. Gavino as Special Assistant to the City Manager, effective June 3, according to the memo.Austin City Council picks T.C. Broadnax to be next cit
  
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• Taylor ISD investigates after students give each other tattoos at school

  21-05-2024 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — The Taylor Independent School District is investigating after some students gave each other tattoos at Taylor High School without school staff knowing, the district said.
  A district spokesperson said Taylor ISD is aware of a May 13 incident where students gave each other tattoos. The statement said school staff didn't give consent or have knowledge of the tattoos.
  The district said school officials are investigating the incident.
  District tattoo policiesTaylor ISD's
  
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• Safety upgrades coming to south Austin intersection

  21-05-2024 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin crews will begin work May 28 to improve safety conditions at Stassney Lane and South First Street.Officials utilized the city's Vision Zero program data, which noted the area as a high-crash intersection. The construction project is designed to minimize crashes and enhance mobility for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users alongside motorists.Stassney Lane and South
  
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• Austin's Zilker Eagle bogged down by further delays

  21-05-2024 18:55 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Zilker Eagle train delayed its launch in Austin's Zilker Park again, amid clearance issues discovered during the latest round of testing.Earlier this year, officials with The Austin Parks Foundation -- the organization behind the upcoming Zilker Eagle -- aimed at a March return for the park's train system. However, in late March, a representative confirmed it wasn't ready for a r
  
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• More Central Texas school districts approve pay raises for teachers, staff

  21-05-2024 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Several different school districts in Central Texas are approving pay raises for their teachers and staff.
  Georgetown ISD and Del Valle ISD added themselves to that growing list. Last month, both Round Rock ISD and Pflugerville ISD approved pay raises, too.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Pflugerville ISD approves salary raises, sets new minimum wage for employeesGeorgetown ISD increaseThe Board of Trustees at Georgetown ISD approved a compensation plan for the 2024-2025 school year during M
  
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• Austin Police release sketch of man accused of trafficking, assaulting child

  21-05-2024 18:32 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is looking for a man believed to be involved in the trafficking and sexual assault of a child.Police said the suspect took a child from the St. John's neighborhood, near Duval Street and Interstate 35, and sexually assaulted the child at an unknown hotel on Aug. 2, 2023.APD released a sketch of the suspect Tuesday, describing him as a Hispanic man, p
  
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• Senior prank turned to damages, vandalism at Cedar Creek High School

  21-05-2024 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR CREEK, Texas (KXAN) — A planned prank at Cedar Creek High School turned into damages and vandalism "far beyond a senior prank," the Bastrop Independent School District said in a statement.A district spokesperson said campus administration worked with the senior students for a "fun senior prank that would be monitored by school staff." The district said a group of students took it beyond a senior prank."The actions of this small group of students do not represent the Cedar Creek High
  
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• $124K contract approved to evaluate plumbing issues at Travis County Jail

  21-05-2024 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County Commissioners approved a contract Tuesday to help evaluate and analyze existing plumbing conditions and issues at the Travis County Jail.Commissioners authorized awarding $124,640 to CasaBella Architects, Inc. for the service. The work is expected to take about 10 months to complete in an effort to help expedite building out the Counsel at First Appearance program and new courtroom, county leaders said Tuesday.Work will entail replacing corroded drain
  
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• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick among Texans who attended Trump trial in New York

  21-05-2024 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The latest Texas Republican leader to visit New York for former President Donald Trump's hush money trial is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
  Patrick appeared Tuesday behind Trump and his attorney Todd Blanche ahead of them walking into the courtroom where the former president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump's defense team rested its case Tuesday, and he opted not to testify.
  The charges stem from a payment that Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen made to a
  
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• Whataburger now serving hot and iced coffees

  21-05-2024 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Popular fast food chain Whataburger is now offering customers a new beverage option that is available around the clock — coffee.
  The burger spot began serving up both hot and iced coffees starting Monday at all locations, according to a news release. Customers can also indulge in different flavors to be added to their coffee, including vanilla, caramel and mocha.What’s the history of Whataburger? Walk through the Texas-founded business’ historyThe restaura
  
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• Will I-35 expansion fix historic segregation in Austin?

  21-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Driving through the heart of Austin, a symphony of tires squelching, horns honking and the steady hum of traffic sounds along Interstate 35 most hours of the day. It’s a far cry from what the corridor once was more than 60 years ago – a roadway named East Avenue, an entry point to Austin’s Black community.Within the Texas Department of Transportation's own I-35 project documents, officials acknowledged the historic "racial divide" of the corridor. TxDOT claimed
  
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• I-35 expansion forces this Austin daycare to move. It's not the first time.

  21-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On a Tuesday afternoon in April, the squeal of kids heading toward the playground echoed from the backyard of Escuelita del Alma, a break in the steady noise of interstate traffic just feet away.The Spanish immersion daycare and preschool is tucked away on the corner of Interstate 35 and 32nd Street. But prior to its home base along I-35, it was once in the heart of downtown Austin, in the 200 block of Congress Avenue.
  The school served alongside Las Manitas Avenue Cafe –
  
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• Austin Stitched Together: A divisive legacy lingers as I-35 expands

  21-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Interstate 35 has been one of the most important transportation topics in Austin for decades. But the focus on traffic relief also comes with a clouded history of displacement and segregation, as this major thoroughfare cut right through the heart of the city and its vibrant communities. As the Texas Department of Transportation prepares to kick off construction on an expansion project later this year, Austin officials are moving forward with a plan to “cap and stitch
  
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• Austin eyes I-35 project as ‘once-in-a-generational' chance to reconnect downtown, eastside

  21-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In about a decade's time, the sights and sounds of Interstate 35 near downtown Austin could soon be masked by parkland, art displays and community exhibits floating above the highway.It's a vision Austin city leaders are in the thick of bringing to fruition, in tandem with a major expansion project on behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation. That $4.5 billion project — set to begin later this year — will be a near-decade-long effort to widen eight miles
  
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• Storms possible next two nights as heat builds

  21-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our high of 95º on Tuesday tied with last Saturday for the hottest day of the year, after setting a new record warm low temperature of 77º for May 21 in Camp Mabry's history.Isolated severe stormsWhile most of us stay dry,we'll be watching for the potential for very isolated thunderstorms through midnight. The highest chances for this happening will be in the Hill Country where damaging wind and large hail could be a problem.While rain chances barely reach 10% ton
  
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• Severe storms possible late Wednesday night

  21-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Camp Mabry set a record this morning for the warmest low temperature. The low of 77° is a new record. The former record was 76° in 1902.The rest of this afternoon will not be as bright as we had the last four afternoons. Clouds will hover above to blend with both the sun and the haze. Most highs will be in the low to mid 90s. The heat index will rise to triple digits for most of our eastern viewing area.Several heat index readings this afternoon of 100° and high
  
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• Severe storms possible late Wednesday as heat builds

  21-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our high of 95º on Tuesday tied with last Saturday for the hottest day of the year, after setting a new record warm low temperature of 77º for May 21 in Austin-Camp Mabry's history.Isolated severe stormsOne severe storm clipped parts of Lampasas County Tuesday night with no damage reported.We'll have higher 30% rain and storm chances late Wednesday.A weakening cold front will get closer to us Wednesday evening and night to bring a higher rain and storm chance to t
  
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• Isolated storms for some, hot temperatures for all

  21-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our early taste of summer continues with only a few isolated storms in the mix, some of which could be severe.Morning clouds will disappear into a mainly sunny sky this afternoon. High temperatures will soar well above average into the low to mid 90s, feeling even hotter courtesy of high humidity levels.Forecast heat index values Tuesday afternoonIsolated severe stormsA slight wiggle eastward in high pressure may allow for a very slim storm chance in the Hill Country late t
  
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• Few storms possible next two nights as heat builds

  21-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Camp Mabry set a record this morning for the warmest low temperature on this date. The low of 77° is a new record. The former record was 76° in 1902.We'll have mostly sunny skies the rest of the afternoon as highs head for the mid-90s, but with the heat index (feels-like temperature) heading to 100-105º in spots. The higher humidity today is making for a hotter feeling day, even as air temperatures end up similar to yesterday.Several heat index readings this af
  
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• Report: Austin FC puts designated player Emiliano Rigoni on waivers

  21-05-2024 05:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to a report by The Athletic, Austin FC has placed winger and designated player Emiliano Rigoni on waivers.Tom Bogart and Paul Tenorio first reported the transaction. Austin FC has not confirmed the move to KXAN. Bogart reported that Rigoni's contract had an auto-renew clause in it for 2025 if he made 12 appearances during the 2024 season. He has played in 11 matches this season.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on
  
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• Austin FC waives designated player Emiliano Rigoni, buys out contract

  21-05-2024 05:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC waived and bought out the contract of designated player Emiliano Rigoni, the club announced Tuesday.The Athletic's Tom Bogart and Paul Tenorio first reported Rigoni's placement on waivers Monday, and the club sent out a press release with details about the contract buyout Tuesday. Bogart reported that Rigoni's contract had an auto-renew clause in it for 2025 if he made 12 appearances during the 2024 season. He has played in 11 matches this season.VERDE LIGHTS: It'
  
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• Longhorns catcher Kimble Schuessler breaking through after unique injury

  21-05-2024 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - As Texas Longhorns catcher Kimble Schuessler was moving toward what he envisioned being a breakout season with Texas, he started to experience major discomfort in his left hand. He eventually went to get it checked out, and the diagnosis was a rare one that required risky surgery."Doctors really ... it was an experimental surgery," said Schuessler. "There wasn't really a name for it." Texas outfielder Max Belyeu named Big 12 player of year, 4 Longhorns on first teamIn August 2022
  
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• What's the latest on a developer's 6th Street rejuvenation project

  21-05-2024 02:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Jesse Fortney owns a bar near Sixth and Brazos Street, an intersection he calls "kind of like a desolate zombie land."One corner houses the now-abandoned Buffalo Billiards, which closed in 2020.
  "It's just become a haven for crime and bad things," Fortney said of the space outside. Several other stretches of abandoned buildings exist in other areas of Sixth Street as well.
  Private security guards hired by downtown businesses to patrol certain intersections on Sixth Street say th
  
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• How a downtown Austin developer's Sixth Street rejuvenation is going

  21-05-2024 02:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Jesse Fortney owns a bar near Sixth and Brazos Street, an intersection he calls "kind of like a desolate zombie land."One corner houses the now-abandoned Buffalo Billiards, which closed in 2020.
  "It's just become a haven for crime and bad things," Fortney said of the space outside. Several other stretches of abandoned buildings exist in other areas of Sixth Street as well.
  "I deal with crime every day because of these boarded up buildings."Jesse Fortney, Sixth Street business ow
  
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• KXAN wins 2 Regional Edward R. Murrow awards

  21-05-2024 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- KXAN earned two regional Edward R. Murrow awards, the Radio Television Digital News Association announced Monday.Considered among the most prestigious awards in journalism, the Murrows have been awarded to news organizations since 1971, according to RTDNA.KXAN earned awards in the Excellence in Innovation and Excellence in Video categories for television-large markets.Regional winners advance to the National Murrow Award competition.Regional Murrow award-winning pro
  
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• State agency confirms investigation of Round Rock ISD police leadership

  21-05-2024 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Dennis Weiner, the former police chief for the Round Rock Independent School District, confirmed on Monday that the district placed him on administrative leave until the end of his contract.
  According to Weiner, the decision was made last week. It came months after a third-party investigator concluded in a report his former department was “toxic” and “hostile.” KXAN also obtained records showing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement inve
  
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• Round Rock doctor's medical license suspended after 'inappropriate behavior'

  21-05-2024 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The medical license of a Round Rock doctor was temporarily suspended after a Texas Medical Board panel found evidence that "his continuation in the practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare," the board said Monday.
  The board suspended the medical license for Dr. Willard James Davis, II following a Thursday disciplinary panel. The temporary suspension was effective immediately, the board said. KXAN Investigates: Preventing DisasterThe board said a pane
  
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• Reese Atwood named finalist for USA Softball national player of the year

  21-05-2024 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The honors just keep coming for Texas sophomore catcher Reese Atwood.Atwood is the only position player on the finalists list for the USA Softball collegiate player of the year award announced Monday by the organization. She's the first Texas player to be named a finalist since pitcher Cat Osterman won her third consecutive honor in 2006. Horns Report: Baseball, softball postseasons in full swing, Erwin Center demolishedAtwood leads NCAA Division I in runs batted in with 88
  
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• Texas outfielder Max Belyeu named Big 12 player of year, 4 Longhorns on first team

  21-05-2024 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For Texas sophomore outfielder Max Belyeu, a little confidence went a long way this season.After playing in 15 games last season as a freshman, Belyeu turned a slow start to his sophomore season into a season that Big 12 Conference coaches thought was the best. He was named the Big 12 player of the year Monday, and once Belyeu started hitting, he didn't stop. Horns Report: Baseball, softball postseasons in full swing, Erwin Center demolishedBelyeu leads the Longhorns into t
  
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