Austin news

• Texas man whose execution was halted by subpoena won't testify in person before lawmakers

  21-10-2024 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas man whose execution was halted after lawmakers ordered Robert Roberson to appear at the state Capitol did not show up as planned Monday after a dispute over transporting a person on death row for the extraordinary purpose of testifying in a public hearing.His absence at a highly anticipated hearing at the Texas Capitol was another twist in last-ditch efforts to spare Roberson's life over claims that outdated science and faulty evidence led to his 2003 convictio
  
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• Greater Austin YMCA plans to expand child care services

  21-10-2024 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Greater Austin YMCA hopes to increase affordable child care in the city. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: YMCA explores expansion as Austin growsIt's a goal in the YMCA's 2030 Vision, which outlines strategic initiatives the nonprofit hopes to accomplish in the next six years. Greater Austin YMCA Chief Youth Development Officer Jason Gindele said they listed affordable child care as a goal in the 2030 vision."The vision over the next many years is to continue to serve as many childre
  
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• 7 taken to the hospital after chlorine gas leak in Horseshoe Bay, city says

  21-10-2024 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A total of seven people were taken to the hospital after a chlorine gas leak was reported earlier in the morning Monday in Horseshoe Bay, the city of Horseshoe Bay told KXAN in a statement.The cause of the leak was due to a truck driver who delivered a chemical to the Central Water Plant and "unintentionally mixed two chemical compounds in a holding tank," the city said around 10 a.m. on social media. This then released the chlorine gas "from the tank vent."The city of Hors
  
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• 1 hospitalized after chlorine gas leak in Horseshoe Bay, city says

  21-10-2024 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person was hospitalized after a chlorine gas leak was reported earlier in the morning Monday in Horseshoe Bay, the city of Horseshoe Bay told KXAN in a statement.The cause of the leak was due to a truck driver who delivered a chemical to the Central Water Plant and "unintentionally mixed two chemical compounds in a holding tank," the city said around 10 a.m. on social media. This then released the chlorine gas "from the tank vent."The city of Horseshoe Bay said a chlori
  
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• President Biden to honor Tejano legend Selena

  21-10-2024 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Legendary icon Selena is being honored at the White House Monday, nearly 30 years after her death. President Joe Biden will award the 2023 National Medals of Arts at a private ceremony. Among the honorees is Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla.The award is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government. Theyare given “to individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the exc
  
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• President Biden honors Tejano legend Selena

  21-10-2024 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Legendary icon Selena is being honored at the White House Monday, nearly 30 years after her death. President Joe Biden will award the 2023 National Medals of Arts at a private ceremony. Among the honorees is Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla.The award is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government. Theyare given “to individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the exc
  
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• Tobacco company says it's launching product in Austin to help smokers quit cigarettes

  21-10-2024 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tobacco company Philip Morris International Inc. is launching a new product pilot in Austin, which it says is designed to help smokers quit cigarettes.IQOS is a new, smokeless way to consume nicotine that heats up tobacco rather than burning it, the company said.Consuming the product still comes with health risks. However, the company said it significantly reduces the intake of harmful chemicals compared to conventional cigarettes."(IQOS) releases nicotine through an a
  
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• Tobacco company says it's launching product in Austin to help cigarette smokers quit

  21-10-2024 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tobacco company Philip Morris International Inc. is launching a new product pilot in Austin, which it says is designed to help smokers quit.IQOS is a new, smokeless way to consume nicotine that heats up tobacco rather than burning it, the company said.Consuming the product still comes with health risks. However, the company said it significantly reduces the intake of harmful chemicals compared to conventional cigarettes."(IQOS) releases nicotine through an aerosol that
  
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• Austin Energy proposes new solar adoption program

  21-10-2024 21:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy is working to roll out a new program to help promote solar adoption efforts locally, city officials shared in a Friday memo.The Solar Standard Offer program will come before Austin City Council during Thursday's meeting with council set to vote on a rate tariff to support the program, per the memo.The initiative is designed to open a new local solar market and generate "more choices and opportunities for customers" while working on the city's carbon-free progress."
  
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• MAP: More than 5,200 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires in 2024

  21-10-2024 21:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 5,200 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas so far in 2024, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.A total of 25 fires have burned 5,276.1 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. Eva
  
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• Circuit of the Americas fined nearly $550K after fans invade US Grand Prix track

  21-10-2024 20:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — The governing body for Formula 1 fined the organizers of the United States Grand Prix nearly $550,000 after a group of spectators invaded the track at the Circuit of the Americas while cars were still finishing their cooldown lap following Sunday's race. Texas fined $250K for trash thrown onto field, must ‘use all resources’ to ID, ban fansThe FIA said about 200 fans in the grandstand opposite pit lane climbed a fence, dropped about 6 feet, then cleared anoth
  
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• Affidavit: Teenager facing murder charge in August crash that killed 16-year-old

  21-10-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 19-year-old is facing a murder charge related to the death of a 16-year-old boy, who died in August after being injured in a single-vehicle crash, according to court documents. Austin police identify teen killed in early August crashAccording to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by KXAN, Jeremy Josue Giron Hernandez, 19, is facing a murder charge in the death of Andrew Reyes, 16. Hernandez is also facing other charges related to the crash.
  KXAN reached out to an attorn
  
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• Footage appears to show moment helicopter crash topples radio tower in Houston

  21-10-2024 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  Warning: The video below may be disturbing for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.(NEXSTAR) – A surveillance camera mounted outside of a Houston photo studio appears to have captured the moment a helicopter crash toppled a radio tower on Sunday, killing four people.The crash occurred east of downtown in Houston’s Second Ward just before 8 p.m., Mayor John Whitmire said at a news conference on Sunday night. The helicopter had taken off from Ellington Field about 15 miles away.
  
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• LIVE: Like last season, Texas Longhorns need conference title game mentality every week

  21-10-2024 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is coming off its first loss of the season and has to turn the page quickly to play another quality opponent, treating that and every other game remaining like a conference championship. If that sounds familiar, it's because that's what they had to do last year, too.The No. 5 Longhorns play No. 25 Vanderbilt at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee. After a humbling 30-15 loss to No. 2 Georgia at home last week, head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday that it's
  
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• Like last season, Texas Longhorns need conference title game mentality every week

  21-10-2024 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is coming off its first loss of the season and has to turn the page quickly to play another quality opponent, treating that and every other game remaining like a conference championship. If that sounds familiar, it's because that's what they had to do last year, too.The No. 5 Longhorns play No. 25 Vanderbilt at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee. After a humbling 30-15 loss to No. 2 Georgia at home last week, head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday that it's
  
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• Still using 'LOL'? That could mean you are getting old

  21-10-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Since the dawn of the digital age, internet users have developed shorthand ways to express themselves on instant messages and comments, with acronyms like TTYL, BRB, LOL, FYI, and OMG.As communication and social media continue to develop, many internet slang terms have made their way into everyday and verbal expression. Some have even made their way into the dictionary due to their longevity.Perhaps one of the most iconic internet slang terms is "LOL." According to the Calgary
  
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• How will Austin use a nearly $48M EPA grant to improve transit?

  21-10-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from July 22, 2024, detailing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's announcement Austin had received a nearly $48 million grant.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A nearly $48 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is poised to help enhance existing mobility hubs and add new multimodal transit projects to the city of Austin.Austin City Council will vote Thursday to accept roughly $47.9 million in grant funds for those initiatives. The EPA first anno
  
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• Austin street could be renamed after native resident, fallen San Marcos police officer

  21-10-2024 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is a KXAN file clip from April 20, 2020 covering a memorial held for fallen San Marcos Police Officer Justin Putnam.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council will consider Thursday the possible renaming of a northwest Austin roadway in honor of native Austinite and fallen San Marcos Police Officer Justin Putnam, who was killed in the line of duty in April 2020.Putnam graduated from Westwood High School back in 2007, later attending Texas State University before joi
  
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• Tropical tracker: Tropical Storm Oscar weakens after Cuba landfall

  21-10-2024 17:05 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each year, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. This year is expected to be very active, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season.This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topic
  
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• UT President reprimands 'profoundly disappointing moment' at Georgia game

  21-10-2024 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell issued a letter to students over the weekend reprimanding behavior displayed at the Longhorns' football game against the University of Georgia on Saturday.The letter followed news that the Southeastern Conference would penalize UT over an incident in which fans threw trash onto the field during the game. The university must pay $250,000 and “use all available resources” to identify and ban fans who were involved in
  
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• 2024 'I Voted' sticker poll perks

  21-10-2024 16:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As voting begins, some local spots are offering freebies to those who have decided to put their ballots in early.Several local businesses are providing incentives to people who vote early and on election day, which falls on Nov. 5 this year. Here is a list of places you can visit, display your "I Voted" sticker and receive some special perks.These voting freebies were confirmed with each establishment via phone call and/or press release.Kerbey Lane CafeKerbey Lane Cafe locations
  
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• Helicopter crash in Houston kills 4, topples radio tower, officials say

  21-10-2024 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — A helicopter crashed Sunday in Houston, killing four people on board and destroying a radio tower, officials said.The helicopter went down just before 8 p.m. in Houston's Second Ward, east of the city's downtown, after taking off from Ellington Field, which is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away, Mayor John Whitmire said at a news conference. He didn't know its destination.2 Navy aviators declared dead after fighter jet crash in Washington state
  The National Transportation S
  
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• Robert Roberson, inmate on death row, to virtually testify before Texas House Monday

  21-10-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) - Last week, Robert Roberson was served with an unprecedented subpoena to testify before the Texas House of Representatives on Monday. Texas Supreme Court halts execution of East Texas man accused in shaken baby syndrome caseThe Texas Supreme Court intervened on Thursday night to halt the planned execution of Roberson, a Palestine, Texas man, who was sentenced to death for the killing of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki Curtis in 2003.The Texas Supreme Court's intervention will
  
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• Robert Roberson, inmate on death row, not testifying Monday in Texas House hearing

  21-10-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) - Last week, Robert Roberson was served with an unprecedented subpoena to testify before the Texas House of Representatives. The hearing was supposed to happen Monday at noon, however, at the last minute, a committee member told Nexstar he will not be coming in person. He could later testify virtually, the lawmaker said. Texas Supreme Court halts execution of East Texas man accused in shaken baby syndrome caseThe Texas Supreme Court intervened on Thursday night to halt the p
  
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• Round Rock turns to business community to help attract start-ups

  21-10-2024 14:19 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- In 2016, MBA students from Texas State University performed a study in Round Rock to provide recommendations on how the city could attract more businesses to open shop. But that was eight years ago, and the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce is now performing a new study to learn what it can do attract and retain start-ups, scale-ups, and innovative small businesses.
  The study started with a town hall in the city's downtown full of the local business community. It was not
  
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• Warm temps with plenty of sunshine into the weekend

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures out the door this morning dropped to the mid 60s in the Austin area and upper 50s in the Hill Country. A few areas of patchy fog significantly reduced visibility east of I35.
  High temperatures this afternoon will return to the low 90s with winds out of the south at 5-10 mph. Early partly cloudy skies will lead to afternoon sunshine. Humidity will drop throughout the day into the evening.Wednesday high temperaturesOur normal high for this time of year is 80°. Our
  
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• The heat continues through the weekend with low 90s

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another hot October day across Central Texas as we move back up into the 90s for many spots. This trend continues the streak of warming that we have seen over the month. Only two days this month have fallen below average temperatures.Early partly cloudy skies will lead to afternoon sunshine. Humidity will drop throughout the day into the evening.Wednesday high temperaturesOur normal high for this time of year is 80°. Our current weather pattern will be the name of the game i
  
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• Rain-free skies and near-record October heat continues

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With only a little over a week left in October, we're running out of time to make up our rain deficit.Afternoon highs will return to the upper 80s today, close to 10° warmer than normal. We'll kick off a string of low 90s tomorrow and take those highs through the start of the weekend.High pressure will keep the storm track locked to our north and leave most of Texas dry for the next 7 days.Since the September 1st, Camp Mabry in Austin has only measured 0.38" of rainfall. Tra
  
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• Rain chances return to the extended forecast

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures got back into the 90s in Central Texas today for the first time in more than a week. We'll have a few more days of low 90s, which is roughly 10 degrees warmer than normal.Tonight will be clear in the evening, but areas of low cloudiness and some fog will develop over parts of the area Thursday morning. Late night and early morning low clouds will be a theme into the weekend.Morning clouds possible each of the next few morningsMorning clouds will lift away by mid-mor
  
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• More clouds should keep highs in the 80s

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The area saw increasing clouds during the day that are lingering into this afternoon. The result will be highs mostly in the middle to upper 80s, still much above the daily normal.Today's normal high is 81°The forecast also continues to show rain-free conditions going out to early next week.
  Waiting for much-needed rainHigh pressure over Mississippi delivers a moist airflow from the Gulf. This has resulted in more clouds that increased during the morning to a partly to mostl
  
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• "Hotumn" continues with 90s returning midweek

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's back to warmer-than-average temperatures this week with no immediate relief in sight.Today will look and feel similar to what we felt over the weekend - mainly sunny, warm (80s) and dry. Temperatures will jump back to the 90s by midweek, putting us 5-10° above average.Monday's forecastSoutherly winds will be help bring up the warmth and humidity. Although it won't be suffocating, we do anticipate a big more mugginess in the air this week.As of now, dry skies will take u
  
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• Heat has been the name of the game in Central Texas

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Temperatures on Monday returned to the mid to upper 80s in the Austin area. Both Camp Mabry and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport topped out at 87° with mostly sunny skies. Winds blew out of the southeast at 5-10 mph. Sunset Monday night was at 6:53 p.m.Overnight lows early Tuesday morning will be in the mid 60s with mostly cloudy skies. Sunshine will slowly return by the afternoon hours. High temperatures will be in the upper 80s. Winds will continue to blow out of sout
  
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• Autumn takes a back seat to summer-like temperatures

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It was nice while it lasted but temperatures are slowly heading back up well above average. While Monday and Tuesday will stay in the mid to upper 80s, by Wednesday expect 90s to return like an annoying mosquito. This will keep us around 10° warmer than average temperatures.A weak front will try and make a run for Texas, but almost no impact will be felt.Monday's forecastSoutherly winds will help bring up the warmth and humidity. Although it won't be suffocating, we do antic
  
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• 90s return getting us closer to record temperatures

  21-10-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tuesday missed moving into the 90s by just 1° but each day this week we will be hitting that temperature and passing it.highs for the next few daysEach and every day we are expected to start off with a few clouds up in the sky before daytime heating takes over bringing mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. This heat patter is all thanks to a high pressure system that will be sticking around for the next few days bringing in the warmer weather into Central Texas.High pressure
  
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• Lake Travis HS football player putting spotlight on mental health

  21-10-2024 05:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mental health can be a difficult topic to discuss with others, but the Lake Travis ISD is putting this topic front and center."We have to talk about it," said Amelia Floyd, president of Engage and Heal Foundation. "The problem is not talking about it." $8.8M in federal dollars to expand Texas mental health, substance abuse servicesEngage and Heal Foundation is working with Robby Belmarez, a Lake Travis High School football player, to put a spotlight on mental health."So we
  
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• San Marcos River flow drops to 'concerning' levels amid worsening drought conditions

  21-10-2024 04:48 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The San Marcos River’s flow has lowered significantly due to ongoing drought conditions, according to the San Marcos River Foundation. The river’s average flow is around 150 cubic feet per second. The San Marcos River Foundation shared a post-Monday saying the flow has dropped to around 80 cfs. Cubic feet per second is the unit of measurement used to describe the volume of water passing a point in a river in one second, according to USGS. &l
  
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• Formula 1 grows in popularity amongst US fans

  21-10-2024 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sunday saw fans from all over the world congregate in Austin to watch Formula 1 (F1) at the Circuit of the Americas.The sport has grown in popularity in the United States recently. In the past two years, FIA, F1's governing body, added two new cities to host races in the US: Miami and Las Vegas. READ MORE: F1 means big bucks for Austin economy, but how much?"It's super fun to see a bigger turnout every year," said Britney Wilson, a fan at the race. "I feel like there's a re
  
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• Texas volleyball runs winning streak to 9 matches, hosts A&M on Wednesday

  21-10-2024 03:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas volleyball team keeps rolling.The No. 7 Longhorns notched their seventh consecutive Southeastern Conference win and ninth overall with a 3-1 victory over Georgia on Sunday at Gregory Gym.Set scores were 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18.Georgia went on a 15-3 run in the first set to come from behind and win it, but the Longhorns controlled the rest of the match with a strong presence at the net. Texas racked up a season-high 16 total blocks with a career-high 11 (2 solo,
  
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• AP poll: Texas Longhorns slide after loss to Georgia Bulldogs, Oregon Ducks claim top spot

  21-10-2024 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas fell from the top spot to No. 5 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings after a 30-15 loss to Georgia on Saturday.Oregon moved up to the top spot with 59 of a possible 61 first-place votes while the Bulldogs rose three slots to No. 2 with the win in Austin. The Ducks are the fourth team this season to claim the No. 1 ranking, and it's the first time the program has been on top since 2009. Penn State and Ohio State held their spots at Nos. 3 and
  
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