Austin news

• East Austin power outage caused by sensor which prevented 'catastrophic damage', AE says

  22-08-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On what is likely to be the hottest day of the year, thousands of people in east Austin came home from work Wednesday to find they had no power. In all, Austin Energy estimates the outage impacted roughly 7,000 people.
  One of those people was Issac Caballero, a teacher, who returned home to no air conditioning."As a teacher, I was hoping to come home and get into my AC," Caballero said. "We've experienced it all summer, just not as long as yesterday."
  The outage started around 5
  
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• How this traffic treatment is reducing serious, fatal crashes in Austin

  22-08-2024 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department rolls out signal upgrades to boost intersection safety citywide, new data from Vision Zero noted that treated intersections have led to a large decrease in left-turning vehicle crashes involving injuries or fatalities.Intersections with signal timing and phasing tweaks or advancements to signage are reporting
  
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• Former Austin ISD executive accused of stealing thousands from district

  22-08-2024 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A former public school official is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the Austin Independent School District for nearly a year.A grand jury on Friday indicted Lynn Brennan, 45, who used to be AISD’s Executive Director of Compensation and Benefits, with stealing between $30,000 and $150,000 from the district using gift cards. Austin ISD and police h
  
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• 3D printed homes popping up in Georgetown neighborhood

  22-08-2024 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — 3D printed homes are popping up in Georgetown's Wolf Ranch Community.Lennar and ICON have partnered up to build 100 homes, offering eight floor plans with three and four-bedroom layouts."The strength of these homes, the strength of these wall systems is like no other homes that we typically build," said Charlie Coleman, Austin Division President at Lennar.While many of the homes are finished there are some that are still being worked on. The printer was working o
  
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• Police investigating 'suspicious death' in Mustang Ridge

  22-08-2024 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Mustang Police Department said a 53-year-old man's death is now being investigated as a "suspicious death" in connection with a "physical disturbance" that was reported back in July in Mustang Ridge, the agency said in a news release.Around 8:30 p.m., July 24, police responded to that disturbance Bronco Court, according to MRPD. Officers arrived to find the man "unconscious and unresponsive," the release said. EMS arrived on the scene and transported the man to South Austin
  
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• Traffic concerns during school drop-off, pick-up

  22-08-2024 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The back-to-school traffic has returned, and construction will not be making it any better.KXAN has received more and more reports about parents and students running into trouble during drop off or pick up from school.Valor Charter School, located between MoPac, La Crosse Avenue and State Highway 45, is one of them.KXAN's Dylan McKim spoke about how that traffic buildup could become dangerous.Use the video player above to watch.
  
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• REPORT: How can the U.S. surpass pandemic-era housing unaffordability

  22-08-2024 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Years after a housing unaffordability "boom" emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, research analysts with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas are giving new insight into how housing attainability could bounce back.The analysis considered both market-based and private forecasters' expectations that believe the U.S. might soon reach a turning point in housing expen
  
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• FDA approves this season's Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines

  22-08-2024 22:16 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday the approval of both Pfizer's and Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 respiratory viral season.The updated vaccines are designed to target the KP.2 strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  "Based on the further evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and a rise in cases of COVID-19, the agency subsequently determined and advised manufacturers that the preferred JN.1-lineage for the COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) is the KP.2
  
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• Olympic medalist Stephen Nedoroscik to join 'Dancing With the Stars'

  22-08-2024 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) – "Dancing With the Stars" has revealed its first contestant for Season 33 as two-time Olympic medalist Stephen Nedoroscik, also known as "Clark Kent" of the pommel horse.Nedoroscik, the 25-year-old gymnastics pommel horse specialist from Worcester, Massachusetts, said Thursday on the official "Dancing With the Stars" social media pages that he will indeed be competing for the Mirrorball Trophy."I'm so excited to be joining the new season of 'Dancing With
  
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• University Co-op completes renovation, hosts in-store 'Renovation Celebration'

  22-08-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University Co-op, a not-for-profit that gives course material scholarships for Longhorns, announced the completion of its renovated and remodeled store.“There’s been a lot of anticipation during the renovation,” said Co-op president and CEO, Cheryl Phifer. “We’re excited to share our new experience with the Longhorn community this
  
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• Williamson County debuts 'I Voted' sticker design contest for 2024 election

  22-08-2024 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Middle school students in Williamson County have a unique opportunity to leave an impact on this year's election -- without even being able to cast a ballot.
  The Williamson County Elections Department announced Thursday the county's first-ever "I Voted" sticker design contest. The contest is open to all middle school students in the county, and the winning design will be used as the official "I Voted" sticker for this year's election.
  The deadline to submit a d
  
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• I-35 expansion will include narrower lanes. How do other Austin highways compare?

  22-08-2024 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — When the Texas Department of Transportation finishes work on its upcoming Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project, it'll debut narrower lanes along the Austin highway.The upcoming project will build 11-foot lanes, as opposed to 12-foot-wide ones. The change marks a deviation from more traditional TxDOT practices, with its online manual revealing the "minimum
  
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• WATCH: Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination on DNC Day 4

  22-08-2024 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Kamala Harris is set to accept her party’s nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, capping a four-day event that included ringing endorsements from President Biden and former Presidents Obama and Clinton — and even a few figures from her Republican opponent’s former administration.The theme of the fourth and final night — “For Our Future” — will showcase how Harris and her running mate, Minnesot
  
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• WATCH: Dems make final pitch on DNC Day 4

  22-08-2024 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Kamala Harris is set to accept her party’s nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, capping a four-day event that included ringing endorsements from President Biden and former Presidents Obama and Clinton — and even a few figures from her Republican opponent’s former administration.The theme of the fourth and final night — “For Our Future” — will showcase how Harris and her running mate, Minnesot
  
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• WATCH: Dems make 'a way forward' case for Harris on DNC Day 4

  22-08-2024 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Kamala Harris is set to accept her party’s nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, capping a four-day event that included ringing endorsements from President Biden and former Presidents Obama and Clinton — and even a few figures from her Republican opponent’s former administration.The theme of the fourth and final night — “For Our Future” — will showcase how Harris and her running mate, Minnesot
  
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• Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination on DNC Day 4

  22-08-2024 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — In the final moments of the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her nomination for president, after a week filled with entertainment and political stars and passionate pleas for the future of the United States.Harris began the historical night by wishing her husband, Second Gentleman of the United States Doug Emhoff a "Happy birthday, Dougie." Michelle Obama praises Gus Walz for ‘showing us all what real love
  
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• DNC Day 4: Kamala Harris to accept party's nomination for president

  22-08-2024 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Kamala Harris is set to accept her party’s nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, capping a four-day event that included ringing endorsements from President Biden and former Presidents Obama and Clinton — and even a few figures from her Republican opponent’s former administration.The theme of the fourth and final night — “For Our Future” — will showcase how Harris and her running mate, Minnesot
  
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• Texas man sentenced to federal prison for role in nationwide paper tag fraud

  22-08-2024 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A judge has sentenced a Dallas man to more than seven years in federal prison in connection with paper tag fraud.Daniel Christine-Tani, 35, pleaded guilty to running fake car dealerships in order to print and sell "more than 700,000" Texas temporary buyer tags to people all over the country, over the internet, without actually selling cars, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas."We were very pleased with the sentencing in this case," sai
  
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• Central Texas bank opens new mobile branch, connecting with banking deserts

  22-08-2024 19:13 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) -- University Federal Credit Union (UFCU), a central Texas community bank, launched its mobile bank branch this month in an effort to get into underbanked communities and increase financial literacy and trust.
  One of the first stops for the large blue and orange UFCU mobile branch was at the Turner-Roberts Recreation Center on Thursday. It was part of a larger event for community members to pick up free food from the Central Texas Food Bank and to connect with other commu
  
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• Texas awards $60 million in cancer research grants

  22-08-2024 18:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) gave out $60.6 million in grants Wednesday to fund Texas researchers' work in ending cancer, according to the agency."The grants approved show the impact CPRIT is having across the board in cancer research," said CPRIT CEO Kristen Doyle. "By supporting the vital core facilities that researchers need, funding groundbreaking research and deepening the bench of clinical trial investigators, CPRIT is fulfilling the p
  
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• Poll: Harris shrinks Trump's lead in Texas, Cruz slightly ahead of Allred

  22-08-2024 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — Former President Donald Trump leads Vice President Kamala Harris in Texas by almost five percentage points, according to the first major poll done in the state since the switch happened at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket last month.
  The survey, done earlier this month by the University of Houston and Texas Southern University, showed Harris performing better in Texas than President Joe Biden did among likely voters. In the June poll, Trump led Biden by nine p
  
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• UTPD increases patrols in West Campus with semester starting soon

  22-08-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas Police Department said it increased patrols in West Campus after reports of people experiencing homelessness acting "inappropriately," the agency said on social media.The UT-Austin fall semester begins Monday.UTPD said this happened during "fraternity and sorority recruitment" around the campus. The agency said it received multiple reports of "suspicious behaviors."The agency said it alerted the Austin Police Department and West Campus Ambassadors. UT say
  
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• Southwest to launch two new nonstops from Austin in March 2025

  22-08-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Southwest Airlines is expanding its network from Austin, launching two new nonstop routes in March 2025.Flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Reno, Nevada, will take off March 6. The Milwaukee route will operate year-round each weekday, while the Reno route will be seasonal and "less than daily."The Austin-Reno route is currently served by American Airlines, while the Milwaukee route is brand new for AUS. Milwaukee ranked as the to
  
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• Southwest to launch 2 new nonstops from Austin in March 2025

  22-08-2024 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Southwest Airlines is expanding its network from Austin, launching two new nonstop routes in March 2025.Flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Reno, Nevada, will take off March 6. The Milwaukee route will operate year-round each weekday, while the Reno route will be seasonal and "less than daily."The Austin-Reno route is currently served by American Airlines, while the Milwaukee route is brand new for AUS. Milwaukee ranked as the to
  
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• Improving US 183 from Liberty Hill to Briggs

  22-08-2024 17:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — TxDOT wants to hear from you about its study to make U-S 183 safer in Williamson and Burnet Counties. The agency is hosting an in-person meeting from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Briggs Baptist Church on Thursday.The improvements, if approved will continue the transformation of Hwy 183 from Northwest Austin, up to Briggs.Currently, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is constructing the 183 North Project from Mopac to SH 45 Northwest. CTRMA is also working on expand
  
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• Free Zilker Park shuttle surpasses 2023 total ridership

  22-08-2024 17:32 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin's free shuttle services to Zilker Park have already surpassed 2023 seasonal totals, city officials shared in Austin Mobility Committee documents.The Zilker Shuttle provides free transportation on the weekends, running from One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Road to Zilker Park and back. Through Labor Day, it operates on Saturdays and Sundays
  
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• Hyatt to pick up some popular Austin spots

  22-08-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — Hyatt Hotels Corp. will likely take the reins soon of some of Austin's trendiest boutique hotels, including the often star-studded Hotel Saint Cecilia, the posh Hotel San José and the Old Austin icon known only as Austin Motel.The Chicago-based hospitality giant plans to acquire Standard International, the parent company of Austin-based hospitality firm Bunkhouse Group. The deal is expected to close later this year.A Bunkhouse representative confirmed in an email that
  
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• Developers behind Leander's lagoon project appear to owe millions to contractors

  22-08-2024 17:19 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- A 78-acre site in Leander that was supposed to become a $1 billion mixed-use project centered around a four-acre lagoon sits empty today, nearly four years after plans for the project were first announced.
  The Austin Business Journal reported that even though the development team secured final zoning and other approvals in 2021, the 78-acre site at the corner at Farm to Market Road 2243 and the 183A frontage remains untouched, devoid of the 1,600 multifami
  
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• Austin ISD Central Office closed Thursday after overnight power outage

  22-08-2024 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Independent School District Central Office is closed for the day Thursday after the building lost power overnight.
  A release from AISD said the power to the entire building went out around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night and the backup generator failed.
  Badging services and employee onboarding set for Thursday have been rescheduled, the district said.
  If any families need enrollment support, they should go to their campus for assistance. In-person enrollment support will a
  
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• San Marcos CISD superintendent talks hiring freeze, phone policy in the new school year

  22-08-2024 15:12 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The superintendent for San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District said policies discussed in the last school year are carrying over into the 2024-25 school year.The district returned to class last Tuesday and Superintendent Michael Cardona said there's plenty he's looking forward to this new school year.Last school year, the district's board of trustees approved a hiring freeze for nonessential positions. Cardona said that freeze is still partly in effect, but it l
  
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• Insurance protects driver who crashes into house, killing family's service dog

  22-08-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Melody Magallanez made a choice to be a single, foster-to-adopt mother.Since she started this journey, she has now adopted two children through the foster care system."I wanted to raise a family. Here," she said, referring to her house in north Austin. It took her two years to get it certified as a foster home.
  "This one is really haunting," Magallenez combs through photos of the damage. (KXAN Photo/Bri Hollis)
  Last year, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (
  
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• WINNER: Anderson wins 2024 Taco Shack Bowl spirit competition

  22-08-2024 07:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Folding a burrito correctly is hard. Voting for Anderson or McCallum in the Taco Shack Bowl spirit competition is not.It's the 23rd installment of the football rivalry between the schools five miles apart, but before the Trojans and Knights step onto the gridiron to kick off the season Thursday at House Park, the cheer squads went head to head Thursday morning.After a tight race, Anderson clinched the win in the spirit competition. A total of 9,535 votes were cast, with And
  
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• VOTE: Anderson or McCallum? Who has more spirit ahead of the 2024 Taco Shack Bowl?

  22-08-2024 07:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Folding a burrito correctly is hard. Voting for Anderson or McCallum in the Taco Shack Bowl spirit competition is not.It's the 23rd installment of the football rivalry between the schools five miles apart, but before the Trojans and Knights step onto the gridiron to kick off the season Thursday at House Park, the cheer squads need to settle things.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at
  
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• Missing woman on 'spiritual' quest found after 4 days in Colorado wilderness

  22-08-2024 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  DENVER (KDVR) — A Canadian woman was found alive in the Colorado wilderness after participating in an excursion where hikers were discouraged from bringing their cell phones and eating, authorities recently announced.The woman from Victoria, Canada, had joined a group of 11 campers who set off on solo treks from the Lone Cone trailhead outside of Norwood on Wednesday, Aug. 14, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office.Why are so many people wearing camo at the DNC?Authorities sai
  
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• Two Central Texas cities file lawsuit to stop development near residential neighborhood

  22-08-2024 03:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Two Central Texas cities are joining forces to put an end to a development near residential neighborhoods.Bee Cave City Council votes to file lawsuit to stop development near residential areaThe cities of Lakeway and Bee Cave are filing a lawsuit to stop the construction of a distribution center. It is near the intersection of Highway 71 and Serene Hills Drive.
  The distribution center is located in Bee Cave’s extra-territorial jurisdiction. (Photo: KXAN)Leaders with Bee C
  
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• WCSO seeking public help to find suspect in alleged attempted child abduction

  22-08-2024 03:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help to identify a possible suspect in an alleged "attempted child abduction" that happened earlier Wednesday, the agency said in a news release.Around 6 a.m., WCSO received a report of the incident in the 16000 block of Farm to Market Road 1325 in Austin, the release said. A 16-year-old reported they were waiting at the bus stop and was approached by a man.WCSO said the teen described the man as "a tall, chunky blac
  
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• Georgetown nonprofit receives $164K grant from Alzheimer's Association

  22-08-2024 01:21 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A Georgetown nonprofit said it recently received a $164,000 grant from the Alzheimer's Association.A Gift Of Time offers a break for spouses and family members who care for loved ones with Alzheimer's.(KXAN photo/Todd Bailey)
  The nonprofit said it was one of 20 recipients selected to receive the grant, which would allow for more dementia-specific respite care.“We congratulate A Gift Of Time on its grant and look forward to working with its team to help enha
  
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• Only 1.2% of homes near schools affordable for Austin-Round Rock metro teachers

  22-08-2024 01:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report from real estate company Redfin states that teachers in the Austin metro can only afford 59% of apartments and 1.2% of homes near schools. Austin ISD superintendent talks budget, staffing for school yearThat share of apartments grew from 45.9% in 2023. But the share of homes near schools only grew from 1%.“The small improvement in housing affordability for teachers who rent is only a drop in the bucket,” said Redfin senior economist Sheharyar Bokhar
  
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• Texas social media safety law faces court challenge

  22-08-2024 01:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A new state law designed to protect children from harmful online content may face court delays before it is set to take effect on Sept. 1, following concerns from First Amendment groups that the law may go too far.The "Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment" -- or "SCOPE" Act requires digital service providers to obtain parental permission before letting minors online. Platforms would be required to include in their user agreements an option for parents to perm
  
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• Big rivalry games kick off Longhorns men's, women's SEC hoops schedules

  22-08-2024 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Southeastern Conference released its schedules for the upcoming men's and women's basketball seasons, and the Texas Longhorns will play their inaugural games against familiar foes.LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 27: Chendall Weaver #2 of the Texas Longhorns claps his hands as he runs by Pop Isaacs #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the game at United Supermarkets Arena on February 27, 2024 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
  Th
  
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• Kyle wants to ensure its public safety department grows with the city

  22-08-2024 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – With Kyle’s explosive growth, city officials want to ensure its public safety department grows commensurately.Recently, consulting company Matrix released a report on Kyle's police operations and gave recommendations on how the department should change to support the growth. “We're not just a bedroom community that we were 10 to 15 years ago,” Kyle’s Chief of Police Jeff Barnett said.  “We're trying to meet the needs of our
  
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