Austin news

• Texans at the Olympics: Sign up for daily push alerts, newsletter and watch livestreams from KXAN

  18-07-2024 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The stage is set for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and KXAN will have in-depth digital coverage of all the action through a daily newsletter, push alerts and livestreams.
  You can get Olympics news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for KXAN Sports' "More than the Score" newsletter, which will highlight all of Team USA's triumphs with an emphasis on the dozens of Texans competing.How to sign up for push alertsDownload the KXAN News app and choose the "Olympics" catego
  
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• Texas A&M not as noisy, which is good for the Aggies since Mike Elko replaced Jimbo Fisher

  18-07-2024 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Texas A&M paid $75 million to fire Jimbo Fisher and hired Mike Elko away from Duke to bring some stability to a program that has been suffering through years of dysfunction.
  “A lot going on, it made it hard to kind of focus on football at times,” left tackle Trey Zuhn III said Thursday about the end of last season. “But it’s completely different now.”
  Elko said during his debut at SEC Media Days that he never really looked back at all that, a
  
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• DOJ sues Texas-based nonprofit on allegations of sexual abuse, harassment of children

  18-07-2024 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Justice Department lawsuit accused a Texas-based nonprofit of violating the Fair Housing Act, alleging the nonprofit's employees sexually abused and harassed children in its care.The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Southwest Key Programs Inc. (Southwest Key) owns shelters that provide temporary housing to unaccompanied children encountered at the U.S. border.KXAN reached out to Southwest Key for a statement on the accusations. This story will be updated if a stateme
  
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• Neighbors, water activists worry a Hays County development will threaten water supply

  18-07-2024 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Some Hays County residents and water activists are concerned a proposed wastewater plant for a new development, which would be built in an environmentally sensitive region, could affect the water quality in the area. Developer Milestone Community Builders has proposed a high-density development called the Hays Commons that would sit on around 290 acres of land just north of the small city of Hays. Part of the development would include building and maintaini
  
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• Political pundit Lou Dobbs has died, Trump announces

  18-07-2024 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – Political commentator Lou Dobbs has died at the age of 78, former President Donald Trump announced on social media Thursday.Trump, whom Dobbs publicly supported, announced the passing on his Truth Social account."The Great Lou Dobbs has just passed away — A friend, and truly incredible Journalist, Reporter, and Talent," Trump wrote. "He understood the World, and what was 'happening,' better than others. Lou was unique in so many ways, and loved our Country. Our warmest condo
  
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• More people moving to Horseshoe Bay; fire department, city plan for growth

  18-07-2024 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  HORSESHOE BAY, Texas (KXAN) --- A popular Central Texas travel destination is welcoming in a lot of new homes to the area.
  Officials in Horseshoe Bay said in the last five years, they've seen fast growth with people moving to the community permanently.
  It even prompted the fire department to get a new tool to help firefighters escape from tall buildings.
  'We've got to be prepared'Horseshoe Bay Fire Chief Doug Fowler said the new device is called an escape system.
  The Horseshoe Bay Fire Departmen
  
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• Trump rally shooter scoped out site days before: Source

  18-07-2024 22:39 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — A congressional source tells NewsNation the man who shot at former President Donald Trump during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, visited the site a few days in advance to scope it out.
  Punchbowl News was first to report the news, which the source confirmed to NewsNaton.
  New details have begun to come out about the heavily criticized security response to Saturday's assassination attempt on Trump, which authorities say was carried out by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.Wh
  
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• Ready for an apocalypse? Costco selling emergency 'Food Buckets' to last 25 years

  18-07-2024 22:39 via kxan.com
  
  (WPHL) – Worried about a zombie apocalypse, an alien invasion or any of several more plausible doomsday scenarios that may or may not be brewing?Maybe a bunch of shelf-stable pasta dishes will put your mind at ease.Costco is selling an Emergency Preparedness Food Bucket from a brand called ReadyWise, which is advertised as containing a variety of freeze-dried and dehydrated meals that can last up to 25 years.
  "This meticulously curated package goes beyond just food — it's about readi
  
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• What's the company behind the $605M purchase of Chuy's?

  18-07-2024 22:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's homegrown restaurant chain Chuy's is at the center of a $605 million purchase, with the joint agreement between Chuy's and Darden Restaurants, Inc. announced Wednesday.The inaugural Chuy's opened off Barton Springs Road in 1982 and has since expanded to 101 restaurants across 15 states, as of July. Nationally, Chuy's employs approximately 7,400 workers, per reporting from the Austin Business Journal."We are excited about the opportunity to join the Darden family an
  
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• MAP: More than 200 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires in 2024

  18-07-2024 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 200 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas so far in 2024, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.A total of four fires have burned 201.5 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area. Weather Interactives: How much rain has Austin received this year?KXAN is keeping track of wildfires. Follow along with the map and database below. We'll keep them updated as new information becomes available. Fires that are still uncontained are red on the map. Click
  
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• Austin City Council takes next step toward climate bond, would come before 2026

  18-07-2024 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Would you pay more money for the City of Austin to achieve its climate goals quicker? Think: Land acquisition, making city facilities more climate-friendly and helping Austin prepare for severe weather events.Austin City Council moved forward Thursday with a resolution that both directs the city to create a comprehensive climate plan and, as part of that, craft a bond package that would go in front of voters no later than 2026.
  The backgroundIn February, Council Member Ryan Alte
  
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• Austin-Travis County developing food plan to address access, sustainability

  18-07-2024 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin and Travis County are inching closer toward developing a comprehensive regional food plan, an initiative only a small handful of communities nationwide have tackled.Austin City Council discussed the item during a work session Tuesday, led by a presentation from Edwin Marty, food policy manager with the city's Office of Sustainability. The plan is two years in the making and outlines the vision and policy goals for the next five years.Only about a dozen co
  
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• Austin City Council moves forward with researching feasibility of public bank

  18-07-2024 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council members voted to kickstart a feasibility study for the creation of a "public bank," which "is owned and operated by a public institution, such as a municipal government."Council Member Mackenzie Kelly voted 'no' on the item and Council Members Paige Ellis and Alison Alter abstained from the vote.
  Brought forward by Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri -- and co-sponsored by members Ryan Alter, Vanessa Fuentes and José ''Chito'' Vela -- the resolution asks
  
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• Austin City Council moves forward on researching feasibility of public bank

  18-07-2024 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council members voted to kickstart a feasibility study for the creation of a "public bank," which "is owned and operated by a public institution, such as a municipal government."Council Member Mackenzie Kelly voted 'no' on the item and Council Members Paige Ellis and Alison Alter abstained from the vote.
  Brought forward by Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri -- and co-sponsored by members Ryan Alter, Vanessa Fuentes and José ''Chito'' Vela -- the resolution asks
  
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• 29-year-old inmate dies in Bastrop prison

  18-07-2024 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- An inmate died at a Bastrop prison early Thursday morning, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
  Pelesasa Feiloaiga, 29, was found unresponsive at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Bastrop around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, the release said.
  Employees started life-saving measures and requested emergency medical services, but Feiloaiga was ultimately pronounced dead.
  Feiloaiga had been in custody at FCI Bastrop since Wednesday, July 17, 2024. He was
  
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• Austin-area aerospace company sees sudden leadership change

  18-07-2024 19:52 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, TX (KXAN) -- Aerospace company Firefly Aerospace announced a change in leadership on Wednesday, July 17. The Cedar Park-based company's board of directors announced that CEO Bill Weber is no longer with the company "effective immediately."Firefly Aerospace CEO Bill Weber (center) cutting the ribbon at the company's Rocket Ranch facility expansion in February. (KXAN Photo/Eric Henrikson)
  A representative with Firefly Aerospace declined to share any additional details. However, they no
  
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• Travis County tapped to help address growing safety concerns at Austin libraries

  18-07-2024 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council approved Thursday an extended contract with Travis County to support security services at Austin Public Library branches. The now-approved $40,000 contract will support 12 months' worth of security assistance, with the possible of four additional 12-month contract options in the future for a total amount capped at $200,000.The request for additional security help comes amid increasing safety concerns, city officials noted in council documents."The Austin
  
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• American Airlines to end Austin-Indianapolis nonstop route in August

  18-07-2024 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — American Airlines is canceling another nonstop route from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.Flights to Indianapolis will end effective Aug. 6. An airline spokesperson said the cancellation is "part of our evaluation of our capacity growth plans for 2024." AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals, busiest months & new routes in 2024American currently offers daily service between the two cities. Impacted customers have been contacted and offered alternate travel arrangements,
  
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• Every Austin firefighter completes advanced wildfire training

  18-07-2024 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Every member of the Austin Fire Department completed advanced wildfire training, according to an announcement shared Thursday.Austin City Council member Alison Alter shared this milestone during a news conference with other city leaders. She said Austin firefighters have prepared and completed "Responding to the Interface” advanced fire training."Wildfires are not just the problem of the fire departments. It is everyone's fight," Alter said.The program consisted of classro
  
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• Why Texas’ mass power outages continue to happen

  18-07-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — It’s become a familiar cycle: A powerful storm sweeps through a swath of Texas and takes the electric system down in its grip. Trees might bend and topple, crashing down onto a power pole. Sometimes the weight of ice pulls branches onto electric lines. Other times wind makes a wire spark, and that ember ignites a destructive blaze.Thousands of Texans then sit in the dark for days — in either the blistering heat or frigid cold — waiting for utility
  
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• APD searching for man accused of exposing himself inside Walmart

  18-07-2024 17:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are working to identify a man they say is the suspect in an indecent exposure case that happened at a Walmart last month.
  The APD Sex Crimes Unit said it happened at the Walmart at 9300 South IH-35 Svrd. on June 15 around 11:44 a.m.According to APD, he exposed himself inside the store.
  He is described as a white male, 30-40 years old, 5'8" to 5'10" in height, and had a brown beard.
  He was last seen wearing a short-sleeve, fishing style shirt, shorts, sunglasses hun
  
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• Quinn Ewers 'exuding confidence' heading into third year as Texas Longhorns QB

  18-07-2024 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With a Longhorn skull belt buckle and polished cowboy boots, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers said his team proved they could compete in the Southeastern Conference while in the Big 12.Ewers was one of three Longhorn players to make the trip to Dallas for the SEC Football Media Days, and he said Wednesday that going into Bryant-Denny Stadium last year and taking out Alabama sent everyone a message. It’s an ‘obsession’ for Texas Longhorns to get back to playof
  
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• There are fewer of these aquatic invaders in Lake Travis, says Texas Parks and Wildlife

  18-07-2024 15:37 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says the intense heat and low lake levels have lead to a decline in the Zebra mussel population in Lake Travis. However, the threat of spreading the invasive species lingers despite an unlivable conditions for the mollusks.A viewer sent a message to our ReportIt tip line, asking us to find out why they were seeing fewer Zebra mussels around the lake. They said the usual spots they'd find clusters of the mussels were bare or had only d
  
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• CenterPoint: Power restored for 98% of customers impacted by Beryl; won't charge for outage period

  18-07-2024 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH/KXAN) — Wednesday afternoon, more than 10 days since Hurricane Beryl roared ashore in Texas, some 40,000 CenterPoint Energy customers still didn't have power. But what happens to their power bills?It's a question many residents and businesses want answered. As they dish out more money to repair their homes and get their lives back together after Hurricane Beryl, will they have to pay for service they could not receive due to the storm?
  On Wednesday, CenterPoint Energy sa
  
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• Smugglers on TikTok: 'We cross you into the US, 100% guaranteed'

  18-07-2024 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The man stands in front of a camera, his gym bag in the background and a happy face emoji covering his face.“Good morning. Today is April 6 and we are in El Paso, thank God. (Name deleted) brought us here,” he says. Words embedded in the video proclaim: “We have openings. Message for information.”Agents search woman’s phone, find Telegram chat used by 1,000 smugglers
  Another video on the same TikTok account shows a group of mig
  
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• LIVE: Austin Council to vote today on hospital safety measure sparked by KXAN report

  18-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop cr
  
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• Austin Council to vote today on hospital safety measure sparked by KXAN report

  18-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop cr
  
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• Austin Council approves hospital safety measure sparked by KXAN report

  18-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop cr
  
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• Austin Council approves hospital safety change plan sparked by KXAN report

  18-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop cr
  
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• Police investigating homicide in Southeast Austin Thursday morning

  18-07-2024 11:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said it is investigating a homicide in Southeast Austin on Thursday morning.
  APD said the homicide occurred near the 2000 block of Burton Road.Austin Police said a briefing will take place at 4:30 a.m.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Darden Restaurants agrees to buy Chuy's in $605M transaction

  18-07-2024 09:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The company that owns Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and other chains just agreed to buy Austin original Tex-Mex chain Chuy's.This deal comes as both restaurant companies have been struggling with a downturn in customer traffic due to consumer concerns about inflation, according to the Associated Press."We are excited about the opportunity to join the Darden family and its portfolio of well-respected brands. Darden shares many of our same core values, particularly our operati
  
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• Musa continues hot streak for FC Dallas in 3-1 win over Austin FC

  18-07-2024 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Paul Arriola, Petar Musa and Marco Farfan each scored a goal to help FC Dallas beat Austin FC 3-1 Wednesday night.Musa converted from the penalty spot in the 56th minute to give Dallas (8-11-5) a 2-1 lead. The 26-year-old forward, who was listed as questionable due to an illness, has scored in four consecutive games and has netted eight goals in the last seven matches.VERDE LIGHTS: It's back for another season! Tune in at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on CW Austin throu
  
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• APD investigating after 1 person shot in southeast Austin

  18-07-2024 04:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating after one person was shot in southeast Austin on Wednesday.Shortly before 9:15 p.m., APD said officers responded to the scene, at East Riverside Drive and South Interstate 35 northbound frontage road, the agency said on social media. The shooting victim was taken to a hospital.The Austin Police Department is investigating after a shooting sent one person to the hospital on Wednesday in southeast Austin.Police said the northbound fron
  
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• Austin acupuncturist ordered to pay $2.3M in veteran billing lawsuit

  18-07-2024 01:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin acupuncturist was ordered to pay $2.3 million to the United States under the False Claims Act, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.The DOJ said Dongxin Ma’s clinic, Ma Acupuncture Center PC, submitted inflated bills for services provided to veterans under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care program.The settlement "is neither an admission of liability by Dongxin Ma and Ma Acupuncture Center PC nor a concession by the United Sta
  
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• LIVE: Allegiant to discontinue seven nonstop routes from Austin as part of base closure

  18-07-2024 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Allegiant Air will cut seven nonstop routes out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as the airline plans to end base operations in Austin early next year.Allegiant established the base for employees and aircraft in 2021 at a cost of $75 million. At the time, the airline said it would create at least 89 new jobs. Base operations are scheduled to end on Jan. 7, 2025, an airline spokesperson previously told KXAN. AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals, busiest months &
  
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• Allegiant to discontinue seven nonstop routes from Austin as part of base closure

  18-07-2024 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Allegiant Air will cut seven nonstop routes out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as the airline plans to end base operations in Austin early next year.Allegiant established the base for employees and aircraft in 2021 at a cost of $75 million. At the time, the airline said it would create at least 89 new jobs. Base operations are scheduled to end on Jan. 7, 2025, an airline spokesperson previously told KXAN. AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals, busiest months &
  
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• Foreign investment in US housing drops, but Texas still a top market

  18-07-2024 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas is the 2nd most desired housing market for foreign buyers, but that money has decreased nationally over the last year, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors.
  NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said that foreign investment is slowing down due to "tight inventory" in the U.S., but that it opens up more space for domestic buyers."If it was the case that foreigners were a much heavier presence, I think that would have raised a tremendous amount of f
  
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• Watch live: JD Vance to address Republican National Convention on Day 3

  18-07-2024 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance will introduce himself to a national audience Wednesday night as he addresses the Republican National Convention.The Ohio senator’s headlining address will be his first speech as the Republican vice-presidential nominee. In fact, this year's gathering also is the first RNC that Vance has attended, according to a Trump campaign source who was not authorized to speak publicly. A relative political unknown,
  
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• Watch live: JD Vance addresses Republican National Convention on Day 3

  18-07-2024 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Introducing himself to the nation after being tapped as Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance is planning to use his Wednesday night address to the Republican National Convention to share the story of his hardscrabble upbringing and make the case that his party best understands the challenges facing struggling Americans.The 39-year-old Ohio senator is a relative political unknown. In his first primetime speech since becoming the nominee for vice preside
  
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• WATCH: JD Vance accepts nomination to be Trump’s running mate at RNC

  18-07-2024 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Introducing himself to the nation after being tapped as Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance used his Wednesday night address to the Republican National Convention to share the story of his hardscrabble upbringing and make the case that his party best understands the challenges facing struggling Americans.The 39-year-old Ohio senator is a relative political unknown, having served in the Senate for less than two years. In his first prime-time address si
  
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• LIVE NOW: JD Vance set to speak during RNC's Day 3 primetime event

  18-07-2024 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance will introduce himself to a national audience Wednesday night as he addresses the Republican National Convention.The Ohio senator’s headlining address will be his first speech as the Republican vice-presidential nominee. In fact, this year's gathering also is the first RNC that Vance has attended, according to a Trump campaign source who was not authorized to speak publicly. A relative political unknown,
  
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• It's an 'obsession' for Texas Longhorns to get back to playoffs in inaugural SEC season

  18-07-2024 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After coming up short in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Washington last season, the Texas Longhorns are more hungry than ever during head coach Steve Sarkisian's tenure.Speaking at SEC Football Media Days in Dallas on Wednesday, Sarkisian said there's "an idea of obsession going on in our locker room right now," now that his players tasted what being nationally relevant is like. He said moving to the Southeastern Conference increases that appetite because t
  
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• President Joe Biden tests positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas, has ‘mild symptoms’

  18-07-2024 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas and is experiencing “mild symptoms” including “general malaise” from the infection, the White House said.Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden will fly to his home in Delaware, where he will “self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.” The news had first been shared by UnidosUS President and CEO Janet
  
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• President Joe Biden tests positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas

  18-07-2024 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Joe Biden has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a speaker at the UnidosUS annual conference broadcast on the White House's YouTube channel.Biden was slated to speak at the event in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon as part of an effort to rally Hispanic voters ahead of the November election. Unidos US President and CEO Janet Murguía told the guests that the president had sent his regrets and could not appear because he tested positive for the v
  
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