Austin news

• Texas, and Austin, have the chance to tap into WNBA momentum as season starts Friday

  16-05-2025 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Women's sports have been shattering glass ceilings over the last few years when it comes to growth, popularity, marketability and viewership.
  Texas -- and Austin -- have plenty of chances to tap into the momentum, especially as the Women's National Basketball Association, or WNBA, regular season tips off Friday night.
  Texas's only pro women's basketball team, the Dallas Wings, got the luck of the draw this year with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. That was Univers
  
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• Affidavit: Man connected to March homicide was involved in second shooting days later

  16-05-2025 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 33-year-old man who was arrested in connection with a deadly shooting that happened near downtown Austin in March was involved in another shooting just days later, according to the Austin Police Department.That man was identified as Kent Outten, and he was charged with murder, APD said in a news release.Attorney information was not available for Outten, as of Friday. We will update this article if that changes.Kent Outten, 33 (Photo: Austin Police Department)The deadly shootin
  
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• Senate committee holds late night public comments hearing on gender definition bill

  16-05-2025 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a late night meeting of the Texas Senate State Affairs committee Thursday, advocates spoke for hours against a bill that would codify a gender binary in Texas law, if passed.House Bill 229 would require state government officials to identify Texans in official records as male or female. It would also define those terms in Texas law as being based on a person's genitals.It passed a third vote in the Texas House of Representatives on Monday. Previous: House moves forward w
  
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• More than $7M in unpaid parking violations in Austin, memo says

  16-05-2025 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A city of Austin memo revealed the city's next steps as it works to address a backlog of vehicles that have unpaid active civil parking violations that have resulted in "nearly $7.4 million in unpaid fines."Over the past five years, the city said it did not collect on more than 160,000 unpaid parking tickets. Furthermore, Austin has only issued 36 boot notices since 2022, the memo said.Additionally, the city said "66% of civil parking violations were paid and over $7.8 million h
  
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• Did you know AISD has a girls' flag football league? It's about to hold its 1st tournament

  16-05-2025 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High school girls in Austin are about to compete in their first flag football tournament.
  The Austin Independent School District formed its Girls Flag Football League earlier this year, with support from the Dallas Cowboys organization. AISD is one of 11 school districts in Texas to pair with the Cowboys to start leagues.
  Each high school in AISD formed a team to participate in the league. AISD and the Dallas Cowboys partnered to form varsity-level 7-on-7 programs, which begin p
  
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• Court records: CapMetro stabbing suspect in and out of jail since 2016

  16-05-2025 20:07 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above is coverage of the initial police investigation.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The 31-year-old man police said admitted to stabbing an innocent person on a CapMetro bus has a criminal history — primarily misdemeanors — dating back to 2016, according to online Travis County court records.The Austin Police Department arrested Deepak Kandel shortly after the stabbing happened Wednesday near S. Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road. Kandel faces a murder charge.Kandel
  
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• Travis, El Paso County attorneys, district attorneys sue Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

  16-05-2025 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The county and district attorneys of Travis and El Paso Counties filed a lawsuit Friday against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his office (OAG), over rules introduced in 2024 that require them to send sensitive case records to his office."The challenged rules exceed Defendants’ authority for rulemaking and invade privacy rights of third parties without statutory justification while at the same time requiring prosecutors to disclose information they are statutor
  
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• Austin air traffic controller focusing on safety in the sky, on the ground

  16-05-2025 19:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A longtime air traffic controller in Austin has worked decades keeping travelers safe in the sky, but he's also hoping to keep drivers on the ground safe. Specifically at the intersection of Burleson Road and Emma Browning Avenue.It didn't take long for our news crew to capture the danger along Burleson Road that has Clinton Kidwell concerned, as we watched a near miss of a crash as a City of Austin vehicle tried to turn left onto Emma Browning Ave."It happens all the time, and
  
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• Texas-wide water cleanup initiative tackles Lake Austin, Colorado River

  16-05-2025 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several environmental groups are teaming up this weekend to clean trash out of Lake Austin and the Colorado River, as part of a statewide initiative to keep Texas waterways clean and litter-free.
  The Colorado River Alliance is hosting its third annual Lake Austin Cleanup on Saturday. It's part of a statewide cleanup initiative called "Trash Free Gulf," aimed at removing trash from waterways before it can float downstream and into the Gulf.
  All Water Guides is also hosting a clea
  
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• 'Un-statesman-like' behavior on Capitol floor over proposed Burnet rock crusher

  16-05-2025 18:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Of the many bills heard before a key deadline in the Texas House of Representatives, one bill aimed at stopping a proposed rock crusher plant in Burnet County drummed up drama on Thursday, May 16.Rep. Ellen Troxclair moments questions on the House floor over HB5151. (Credit: Texas House of Representatives)
  House Bill 5151, co-authored by Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Georgetown) and Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Burnet), would have placed added restrictions on the development of rock crushers
  
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• Museum of Ice Cream at The Domain closing after four years

  16-05-2025 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Museum of Ice Cream at The Domain will soon be closing its doors after serving up scoops and photo opportunities to the Austin community for four years.The museum said it would close its doors at its lease's conclusion. The Austin Business Journal reported the museum's lease would end on July 20."This was our first museum to open after COVID, and it has become a true Austin staple—thanks to YOU! For the next two months, we invite you to visit one last time and soak in
  
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• Bill requiring air conditioning in all Texas prisons wins preliminary House approval

  16-05-2025 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — The Texas House gave preliminary approval Thursday to a bill requiring prisons to have air conditioning by the end of 2032.Lawmakers passed 89-43 House Bill 3006 by Terry Canales, D-Edinburg. If the Legislature or the federal government allocates funding, it will require the installation of climate control in phases to be completed by the end of 2032. The bill must go through one more round of approval in the House before it can clear its last hurdle in the Senate.
  
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• Man receives sentencing related to threats made against 2023 Tesla event

  16-05-2025 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was sentenced on May 13 in connection with threats made against a Tesla event in 2023, according to Travis County court documents.The documents stated that 30-year-old Paul Overeem pleaded guilty to terroristic threats—a third-degree felony.He was sentenced to three years of deferred adjudication and 20 hours of required community service. In addition, Overeem will be required to participate in a mental health program, forfeit and not possess any weapons, have no con
  
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• Texas senator extends record after casting 75,000 consecutive votes

  16-05-2025 16:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, cast her 75,000th consecutive vote in the Texas Senate—extending her record.Zaffirini previously broke the state and national record of most consecutive votes cast by a legislator in 2023 when she cast her 70,000th consecutive vote. Senator breaks records after casting 70,000th consecutive vote in Texas Senate“Her votes span nearly four decades of policymaking and reflect decisions about major issues affectin
  
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• Georgetown man faces murder charge in April shooting

  16-05-2025 15:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Marshals Service arrested a Georgetown man Thursday related to an April homicide investigation just outside of Georgetown.According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, 20-year-old Bradley Stone Puckett was charged with murder related to the death of 22-year-old Johnathon Cruz.WCSO said Puckett was taken to the Williamson County Jail, where he remains on a $1 million bond. PAST COVERAGE | WCSO: 22-year-old dead after shooting just outside Georgetown cit
  
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• Man sentenced to 18 years in prison for 2023 homicide

  16-05-2025 15:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was sentenced on April 23 in connection with a 2023 homicide investigation, according to Travis County court documents.
  The documents said David Mejia-Villagran, 44, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. He received 492 days of jail credit toward his sentence. RELATED | Affidavit: Man arrested, charged with murder after admitting to shooting man he found with wifeVillegran's sentencing was related to the death of 28-year-old Jorge O
  
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• Inside the Investigation: How more ICE, TX sheriff partnerships impact communities

  16-05-2025 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A KXAN investigation found the federal government’s use of immigration enforcement law focuses far more on migrants than the bosses who hire and pay them. This week on Inside the Investigation, Senior Investigative Producer David Barer and Investigative Reporter Matt Grant explain how mass deportations impact the workforce and how law enforcement is increasingly partnering with the federal government to enforce immigration laws through what they call 287G agreements.Relate
  
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• Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for Hill Country

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- UPDATE: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for most of the Hill Country until 10PM.tstorm watchWe have seen continuous strong storms building up this afternoon across Mason, Llano, and San Saba Counties. These storms have produced hail and strong winds, along with heavy downpours.PHOTOS: Hail, storm damage reported in Central TexasThreats for SaturdaySPC 1 CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSThe Storm Prediction Center has much of our Hill Country communities in a Slight Risk (Le
  
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• Severe T-Storm Watch north of Austin until midnight

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Preliminary highs reached 99º at Austin's Camp Mabry, which tied the record high for this date in 2022. It's still possible that when we get the final numbers in that we could sneak into the triple digit mark. Stay tuned...A Heat Advisory continues for parts of the area, including Travis and Hays County, for heat index values 103° to 110º this afternoon and early evening.Isolated storms are also in the mix from late this afternoon and into the evening, but coverage
  
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• More localized severe storms possible this weekend

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Isolated severe storms packed a punch as they moved from Mason County into Llano, San Saba, Lampasas, Burnet and Williamson Counties Friday night. Hail as big as baseballs was reported in Leander! PHOTOS: Hail, storm damage reported in Central TexasThe rest of the night dries out with increasing low clouds by morning. Overnight lows drop into the middle and upper 70s making for a very warm start to the weekend.Tonight's forecast How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a
  
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• Limited storm coverage but notable severe risk today

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A few storms could bring the threat of hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes... if they're able to develop.There will be a lot storms need to overcome to form today but with the proximity of the dryline, abundant heat and afternoon sunshine, storms cannot be ruled out this afternoon through the overnight. Currently, there is a low risk (1 to 2 out of 5) for severe weather in our area.Monday's severe risk (1 to 2 out of 5)All modes of severe weather possible on Monday... if
  
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• Ending the week with the heat and a few showers

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Record tying or breaking temperatures continue with a few showers possible late Friday and late Saturday.Afternoon highs will climb well into the 90s, but with humidity, will feel even hotter. A Heat Advisory has been issued for parts of the area, including Travis and Hays County, for heat index values 103° to 110º later in the day.Friday afternoon forecast high temperaturesIsolated storms are also in the mix this afternoon and evening but coverage will be very limited.
  
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• Another warm and humid day with a few showers and storms west

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Late-afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms developed again Saturday with a few severe thunderstorm warnings in parts of Mason and San Saba Counties. There are a couple of reporting stations that measured more than one inch of rain. The gauge at Comanche Creek near Mason picked up 1.35" and the one at the San Saba River at San Saba checked in with 1.24." Central Texas Rain TotalsSundayMuch of this day will be spent with a mostly cloudy and hazy sky. There is forec
  
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• Another afternoon and evening of potential strong storms

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned overcast and muggy. Low temperatures were above the normal of mid/upper 60s. Most minimums were in the mid/upper 70s. Both Camp Mabry and Austin-Bergstrom had lows fall to 79°.Dew points in the mid/upper 70s made for the humid beginning to your day.There will be another round of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Just like Friday, there will a risk of some storms increasing in intensity during this time.PHOTOS: Hail, storm damage reported in
  
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• A much quieter night after a few storms in the Hill Country

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a few severe storms passed through Mason, San Saba, and Llano, the Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been cancelled. Hail, strong winds, and heavy rainfall moved through the Hill Country.TonightMuch calmer conditions for the overnight hours with temperatures expected to drop into the mid 70s. The chance for a passing shower or two are still possible. PHOTOS: Hail, storm damage reported in Central TexasSunday CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSTomorrow will be similar to today but wi
  
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• A few storms possible tonight and Saturday, some may be severe

  16-05-2025 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We're heading for our third triple digit day within the last four days in Austin, which would tie the record for most triple digit days in the month of May in Austin at Camp Mabry. The only other year to have three triple digits in May was 2011, which went on to have the hottest summer on record.A Heat Advisory continues for parts of the area, including Travis and Hays County, for heat index values 103° to 110º this afternoon and early evening.Isolated storms are also i
  
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• 2 arrested, accused of impersonating nurses at Buda senior living community

  16-05-2025 05:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two women accused of impersonating nurses were arrested in Travis County connected to thefts happening at a senior living community in Buda, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office.Those women were identified as 32-year-old Gina Hernandez and 30-year-old Elsa Vasquez, both of Austin, according to HCSO.From left to right: Gina Hernandez, 32; Elsa Vasquez, 30 (Photos: Hays County Sheriff's Office)Hernandez and Vasquez were arrested by the Austin Police Department on May 8 an
  
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• Belyeu's blast lifts Texas to win over OU, SEC regular season title

  16-05-2025 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What a return to action for Texas outfielder Max Belyeu.Back in the lineup for the first time since March 28, Belyeu belted a go-ahead, 3-run home run in the top of the ninth inning off of Oklahoma closer Dylan Crooks, lifting the Longhorns to a 7-4 win Thursday over the Sooners at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Oklahoma.AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 06: Texas Longhorns outfielder Max Belyeu (44) looks to the dugout and is about to toss his bat after walking during the Big 12 baseba
  
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• Belyeu's blast lifts Texas to win over OU, at least share of SEC regular season title

  16-05-2025 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What a return to action for Texas outfielder Max Belyeu.Back in the lineup for the first time since March 28, Belyeu belted a go-ahead, 3-run home run in the top of the ninth inning off of Oklahoma closer Dylan Crooks, lifting the Longhorns to a 7-4 win Thursday over the Sooners at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Oklahoma.AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 06: Texas Longhorns outfielder Max Belyeu (44) looks to the dugout and is about to toss his bat after walking during the Big 12 baseba
  
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• Boy discovers shipwreck from 2 centuries ago in Canada

  16-05-2025 04:23 via kxan.com
  
  Related video: Wreck of ship that sank in 1940 found in Lake Superior(NewsNation) — A boy in Canada made an amazing discovery of a shipwreck from nearly two centuries ago, reports say.Back in 2023, Lucas Atchison, age 8 at the time, was on a family trip to Point Farms Provincial Park in Ontario when he found a small steel spike with his metal detector, a birthday gift.The spike was found attached to a piece of wood and had several more spikes on it. Further inspection revealed that the spi
  
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• These are the most popular baby names in every state, birth records reveal

  16-05-2025 04:12 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – There were lots of Liams and Olivias born last year — but there were far more in Colorado and Florida than there were in Wisconsin and Wyoming.Liam and Olivia were the two most popular names nationally, but that trend didn't hold true in all 50 states. Each U.S. state had its own trendy and popular names in 2024, according to new data released by the Social Security Administration, which tracks every birth in the U.S.In California, for example, every single girl's na
  
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• Chris Brown arrested in England over alleged bottle attack in 2023: reports

  16-05-2025 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Chris Brown was arrested on Thursday in Manchester, England, in connection with an alleged incident at a nightclub in 2023, according to multiple reports.London's Metropolitan Police confirmed to Nexstar that they had taken a 36-year-old into custody early on Thursday morning on suspicion of "grievous bodily harm."The Metropolitan Police did not identify the name of the arrestee, but reports from outlets including TMZ and The Independent identified Brown as the 36-year-old poli
  
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• 5-star recruit Jermaine Bishop commits to Texas Longhorns

  16-05-2025 02:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas landed a big-time in-state recruit for the Class of 2026 in Willis' Jermaine Bishop.Bishop, rated a 5-star recruit by 247Sports, verbally committed to the Longhorns on Wednesday. The recruiting site ranks Bishop as the country's No. 1 overall "athlete," meaning he could play several positions at the college level, and the No. 3 overall recruit in Texas. FOX says it will broadcast Texas-Ohio State in Week 1 of 2025 season. Fans do not approveBishop chose the Longhorns
  
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• Mike White channels Longhorns legend Augie Garrido with motivational speech ahead of NCAA tournament

  16-05-2025 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The regional tournament round of the NCAA softball tournament is always a tricky one. The host schools, Texas, for example, are expected to steamroll through the double-elimination bracket because other teams are playing in their yard and they've had the best season to this point.
  But sometimes, it doesn't work out that way, and that's what the Longhorns are trying to avoid. After a 14-2 humbling loss at the hands of rivals Texas A&M in the Southeastern Conference tourn
  
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• House approves bill to remove Texas ‘homosexual conduct’ ban

  16-05-2025 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – In a 72-55 vote Thursday, the Texas House approved a proposal to remove a law criminalizing "homosexual conduct" from the state’s penal code.“I'm asking you to vote for a law that upholds the principles that Texans should have the freedom and ability to make their own private decisions without unwarranted government interference,” the bill’s author, Rep. Venton Jones, D-Dallas, said when laying out the bill on the House floor. “I'm proud to ack
  
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• Suspect admits to CapMetro bus stabbing due to resemblance to his uncle, per APD

  16-05-2025 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A man was stabbed on a bus Wednesday night without provocation, police say. The Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a call saying someone had been stabbed on a CapMetro bus near the intersection of Barton Springs Road and South Lamar Boulevard at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.Officers learned that the victim, Akshay Gupta, 30, had been stabbed in the neck. Responders administered life-saving measures, but he was pronounced deceased at 7:30 p.m.&nbs
  
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• Thousands of Texas House bills 'die' at key midnight deadline

  16-05-2025 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — At 12 a.m. Friday, thousands of bills in the Texas House of Representatives will meet their end.As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the House passed 1,067 bills, with each passing three rounds of voting. House representatives filed 5,852 bills this session, which puts the House's "death toll" at around 81.7% of its bills.Some of the bills that could die at midnight include:
  HB 1375, which would have prohibited books with certain contentHB 1449, which would have eased food truck permi
  
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• Austin band cancels European tour after drummer arrested by CBP at Dallas airport

  16-05-2025 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin-based band went viral online this week after posting on social media that it had to cancel a European tour because its drummer was "forcibly removed" by Customs and Border Patrol from a flight out of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.The band, Lord Buffalo, said in the post, "We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour. Our drummer, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder)
  
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