Fred Cantu
@fredcantu
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aka Uncle Fred, a mild-mannered TV reporter, career broadcaster and local "icon" in Austin, TX, USA. My opinions, musical tastes & sense of humor are my own.
Austin, TX
Joined March 2009
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DEVELOPING— Protestors from yesterday’s pro_Palestinian demonstration at UT are being released from Travis County jail. The ones I’ve spoken with say their charges were dropped or rejected and will not be prosecuted.
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Not used to this. ATX seeing some REAL Fall color this year. This is South Austin at Davis Lane. If you see any more please post.
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Gov Abbott forgets all immigrants pay sales taxes, gasoline taxes, tolls, fees and (thru their landlords) the property taxes that fund public education. Their presence in Texas generates billions in the Texas economy. Ask Ray Perryman.
Undocumented college students speak with FOX 26 after a recent comment was made by Governor Greg Abbott.
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I heard about BLM “storming” Iowa state Capitol. Turns out they had a permit, went thru security and just one 18-yr-old arrested after trooper complained she, “pushed my arm in an attempt to gain my attention.”
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H-E-B Pride Month collection selling out in San Antonio. Who’s going to boycott H-E-B?
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LOOK WHO’S BACK— Hot food and sweet bread at La Mexicana on South First.
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MY MOM & DAD TOGETHER AGAIN-- We lost Dad 9 years ago. Mom died last weekend. Dad was a handyman. He built our house. Mom raised 6 kids, finished college, and made sure we all finished college. Lots of wisdom, lots of love... Cantu style. I can't thank them enough.
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How did authority given to the governor to address a health emergency end up being used against local officials trying even harder to address the same health emergency?
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5 Years before sending DPS troopers to UT to stop a student protest, Gov Abbott proudly signed a law protecting free speech on college campuses.
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Just heartbreaking to see Texas staging a military response to a humanitarian crisis. After walking 1,500 miles from Central America these refugee families are unlikely to put up much a fight. Staging ambulances and first aid would seem more appropriate.
Texas is securing the border.
As Biden does nothing, thousands of Texas National Guard & Texas Dept. of Public Safety personnel are deployed to protect Texas communities.
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The Rio Grande isn’t state waters. It’s governed by international treaties between the US and Mexico. Has Texas run this by the Int’l Boundary & Water Commission?
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Carlos is a nice guy. I've worked with him in the past. If he says he was pushed and tripped while doing his job, I believe any contact was not intentional.
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Uvalde parents point to disparity in DPS response to UT student protest compared to their school shooting. It still hurts.
Since you are new here and think you know more than someone who lost their child in Uvalde…..
There were 91 DPS
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Another military train rolling thru Austin. They’re becoming more common.
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Unable to get electricity from the wind farms in South Texas (shown in blue) to the rest of us (shown in red) looks like a grid problem not a wind problem.
Texans have shattered the all time Sept. record by 12,000 megawatts! (record now 84GW)
Transmission lines are congested again today, causing prices to go up & the risk of outages to go up.
Look for batteries to play a big role again tonight. 1/
#energytwitter
#txlege
#txenergy
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LBJ Library looking pretty modern for a 50 year old building. Kudos to the architects.
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Since I was in the neighborhood I checked in on the girls. Just letting them know I haven’t forgotten. 30+ Years later it still hurts. Yes, forever in our hearts.
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I came to Brownsville to attend a rosary for my uncle and afterward visited an emergency shelter in time for a memorial for 7 migrants mowed down at a bus stop. There’s a lot of need here. Support the Ozanam Center.
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The same state that saved billions by denying special ed to thousands of Texas children is going to tell
@AustinISD
how to do special ed???
#INBOX
: Rep.
@GinaForAustin
says she’s been told the Texas Education Agency wants to pursue a conservatorship of
@AustinISD
, following the state takeover of Houston ISD.
#txlege
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My home is now valued at almost 10x what I bought it for in the 80s. Salaries are not 10x what they were back then. My heart aches for young working families wanting a home of their own today.
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I just don’t understand how the state can take control of something built and paid for by local taxpayers without compensating them for the money they put into it over the years.
Governor
@GregAbbott_TX
calls the takeover “really unfortunate” and says this takeover is entirely separate from efforts toward school choice from republicans.
#txlege
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One last trip to La Mexicana for Austin’s best Pink Cake, a regional delicacy. Happy retirement, Sr. Becerra.
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I saw myself in my blue station sweater and immediately saw my dad in his mailman uniform. He died 10 years ago this weekend. He’s in my thoughts.
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“CRUSHED” is a strong term considering stores & schools have never closed, no one is ordered to shelter, public services are being provided, even Spring Break goes on. 2-Million Texans live on the border. Where are their posts about being crushed?
“Things need to change… My people in Texas, we're getting CRUSHED with open borders. ENOUGH. We’ve got to fix it.”
#NoSecurityNoFunding
🎥WATCH: Rep. Roy with
@TeamCavuto
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If you’re flying out of
@AUStinAirport
, Tony’s here to help. It’s his first day and I helped him with his tie.
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Praying for people living on the streets. Hope they all made it to better shelter.
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I still don’t understand this pricing structure. Does it suddenly cost 60x more to provide electricity? Where does the extra money go?
Heat and demand send Texas power prices spiking 6,000%
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I don’t know where everyone went but I rolled down I-35 thru downtown ATX at the posted speed at 7:15 AM.
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Seeing my wife happy is my favorite Christmas gift. I’ve gotten the same gift 45 times. It never gets old. Hope your Christmas is as Merry.
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FOR THOSE OF YOU who wanted a return to normal, I hope you’re happy. I’m looking at you,
@EvilMopacATX
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NOT A TIME LAPSE! Actual real time Lightning seen from Main Street in Buda at 9:07 pm.
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LOST IN THE ESA/VOUCHER DEBATE— The TX constitution speaks to public education as a benefit to society, but vouchers appear to focus on education as a benefit to the individual.
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Just like that a Texas mayor can make that kind of change to an immensely valuable public asset with zero public notice?
Eagle Pass mayor declares public city park 'private property' so DPS can arrest migrants
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THE THRILL OF VICTORY— The big guy kicking up all the water is my grandson Tony on his way to a GOLD medal at Special Olympics of Texas fall meet in College Station. Couldn’t be prouder.
#SOTX
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1863– USA ends slavery.
1865– TX slaves finally notified.
1980– TX makes Juneteenth state holiday.
2021– USA makes Juneteenth federal holiday.
2021,2023– TX regulates teaching “critical race theory.”
Also 2023– Texans wonder if we’re still allowed to discuss Juneteenth.
Texas passes a bill becoming the first state in the nation to make Juneteenth an official state holiday | HISTORY
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It must drive some people crazy to see people shopping and enjoying Spring Break in The Valley instead of hunkering down for a “border crisis” that no one down here seems to be raising a fuss about at all.
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Something familiar about Mexican rescuers working the earthquake in Turkey. An old helmet from Austin Travis County EMS is still protecting our heroes.
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Who saw this coming? Everyone.
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Texas leaders claim $32 BILLION surplus but don’t fund vital NEEDS for vulnerable Texans.
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DO YOU REALIZE this week we'll hit 120,000 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Texas? We had less than 30,000 when we began to reopen Texas on May 1. Infection rate is now nearly THREE TIMES what it was back then.
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Gov Abbott repeats claims of “border crisis” same week El Paso, McAllen and Brownsville make TOP 10 among Texas cities in 2023
@usnews
list of BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN USA. McAllen came in
#2
in TX in quality of life right behind Austin.
HAPPENING NOW: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is back in South Texas for the first time since Title 42 ended last week. The governor is expected to provide updates on the state’s efforts to respond to the recent migrant surge in Brownsville.
Watch it live here:
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IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU— People complaining again that their bout with COVID was mild and not worth masking. Sure but you were breathing COVID on everyone and taking no responsibility for that. Locally our COVID mortality rate was half the state average. It’s good to care for others.
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Texas is worried about covid at the Mexican border? That's not where the covid is.
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Folks concerned about migrants getting “free”taxpayer-funded services forget migrants pay into the system, too. They pay all sales taxes, gasoline tax, highway tolls, etc. And if they’re not homeowners, renters pay property tax thru their landlords.
Undocumented immigrants will qualify for free health care in California on Jan. 1
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So which was his side hustle? Running Houston ISD or his charter schools?
Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of state.
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24 Hours ago the local talk radio hosts were ragging TV stations for “scaring” viewers about the coming tornados and downplaying the concern. 90 Minutes later multiple tornadoes were rolling thru populated areas at the same time. Getting the word out early saved lives.
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This kind of accolade doesn’t fit the narrative of a border crisis, does it? Neither does making the safe city lists. But such is life in the
#RGV
.
The City of McAllen and Brownsville were ranked in the Top 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S., according to a survey conducted by U.S. News and World Report.
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Do you find this “unsafe?” Folks are missing out on a nice walk on a beautiful day.
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@MsKCabrera
Y’all are using y’all’s correctly as a possessive as in Y’all’s order is ready.
But y’all’s would be incorrect as a contraction for y’all is as in Y’all’s late. It should be Y’all are late because y’all is plural.
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10 YEARS in prison when there is no sign of criminal intent or a public safety threat? Don’t we pledge liberty and justice for all? All means all, y’all.
#SB4
is on the floor. This could give a 10-year minimum for a kind person driving an undocumented individual to a grocery store.
@Victoria4Texas
asked Rep Guillen how 10 years was decided. He refers to the Governor's call. The U.S. Commission on average gives 15 months.
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Before we surrender that surplus
have we fully funded for special needs school children, uninsured Texans basic health care, low income Texans left unsheltered by rising rents, and care for elderly Texans who worked until they couldn’t work anymore?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott promises largest property tax cut in state history
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When I posted Friday about undocumented immigrants not being the social burden some claim , I said to ask Ray Perryman. His take is below. Perryman’s economic reports are well respected in Texas, have been for decades.
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NOT BACKING THE BLUE on this one. Police from across Texas literally lined up against carrying a handgun without a license, and Texas lawmakers still okayed it.
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NO SPECIAL GLASSES NEED— You can see the eclipse by looking at the shadow cast by trees. While checking my roof I saw my tree casting countless shadows of the ring of fire forming.
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Seems the lege ignores that Travis County with its stronger anti-covid measures had half the covid mortality rate the state had. If the state had our resolve the state’s 93,000+ covid deaths could have been cut in half. 46,000+ more Texans might have survived.
The House has approved SB 29, which bans local governments from enforcing mask mandates, vaccine mandates, or closing businesses or schools ONLY as pertains to COVID-19 (ie, the next pandemic is fair game).
It needs one more vote before final approval from the Senate.
#txlege
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Houston ISD has 200,000+ students and under state control the board meetings have been reconfigured to allow only 25 people in the room. I thought the state was all about parental involvement?
I’m at the HISD board meeting where a handful of people are chanting “Let us in!” at the board auditorium door. HISD has reconfigured the room so only about 25 people can sit inside - the rest are assigned to an overflow room. HISD police are blocking the door.
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TWO APD OFFICERS DEAD and 40 sidelined by covid. Want to back the blue and have more officers on the street? MASK AND VACCINATE.
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Something you don’t see every day. Military train rolled thru Austin this morning. Northbound.
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#WHATABURGER
on South 1st at Barton Springs is not closed. They’re getting new windows. Inside is same as always except for the view.
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DEAR
@TxDOT
— Please consider restriping highways more often. This grey on grey doesn’t contrast very well.
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Lately I’m seeing more drivers who don’t realize their tail lights don’t work. The problem will only get worse when Texas stops doing annual inspections.
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DEVELOPING— Rio Grande kayak outfitter sues to stop buoy installation. Says new floating barrier will harm river tour operators. Yes, river tourism has continued even thru the recent border operations.
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#TBT
This month my wife and I mark 40 YEARS in our starter home in South Austin. The kids are grown and my mom is gone but it's still HOME SWEET HOME.
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How did we let the Texas outbreak get to the point where we now measure covid death milestones by the tens of thousands? That's an obscene number to die from a virus that's now largely preventable with masks, vaccines and social distancing.
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POLICE group blames Austin City Council for disruptive car events, predicts more will follow.
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I found a mural at the end of Riverview Street where if you stand just right...
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GOP governors heading to the border this weekend to see things for themselves may see a trail ride heading the other direction. Riders from Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass are riding together from the Rio Grande to the San Antonio rodeo. It’s tradition.
In Eagle Pass this morning at the center of Bridge
#2
where trail riders from both sides of the border meet for their annual cabalgata to the rodeo in San Antonio.
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Hard to believe it's been 3 years since
@DanPatrick
declared older Texans were willing to give their lives to save the economy. More than 93,000 Texans of all ages have died from COVID-19 since he uttered those words. Ask their survivors if it worth it.
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THEN & NOW— Some newcomers are surprised to know ACC Highland Campus used to be Highland Mall. Take a look. ACC essentially put new buildings on all the parking the mall had 20 years ago. But the mall footprint is still clearly visible today.
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This is what de-escalation looks like. APD’s action helped diffuse the situation and the crowd dispersed on its own.
Chaos at Barton Springs and Lamar in
#Austin
. Rioters after a bunch of drifting push back police and throw fireworks at them
@KXAN_News
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So they went all the way to the border and have no pictures or first-hand accounts to share of the crisis they’re hearing about on the talk shows?
Biden’s lax approach to the border isn’t cutting it!
People across the country are speaking out, calling for a tougher stance and decisive action to keep America safe
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Hard to believe not that long ago Rainey Street was mostly single floor affordable housing. Now it’s tall towers topped with disco lights.
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FOUR YEARS AGO when COVID 19 first appeared, health experts asked us to isolate temporarily to stop the spread. Lt Gov Dan Patrick said Texans would rather die than hurt the economy. 93,000+Texans died. The toll says we should have done more to save lives.
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Something similar happened to me a long time ago in a state park. I came across a small child who didn’t know where his parents were so I took him to the ranger station. His mom asked him why he went with me. He answered. “Cuz it was Uncle Fred.”
A young girl was lost, so she approached “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star Mariska Hargitay believing she was a real-life cop. Hargitay shutdown production and helped the little girl.
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BREAKING— Nurses on strike at Ascension Seton on 38th Street. Seton says it has hired qualified RNs to fill-in.
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How big was the tree that fell on Castlewood near Crownspoint in South Austin? About as wide as the street. What are you seeing in your neighborhood? Post photo with your reply.
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IT'S OFFICIAL-- Miss America dropping the swimsuit competition. The annual event actually started as a bathing beauty contest.
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Anyone else concerned about these words embolding bad actors?
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Abbott says he was “misled” in
#Uvalde
. It’s pretty clear he was also misled on COVID-19. Tens of thousands of Texas lives could have been saved if he had not listened to those who urged him to “Reopen Texas” so early in the pandemic and then outlaw local anti-covid measures.
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Growing up in the RGV you pick up a number of dialects in English and Spanish depending on which family member, friend or business acquaintance you’re taking to. It’s how we communicate.
It’s pretty weird to change your accent on the fly depending on which audience you’re speaking to
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“No market solution available?” Perhaps it’s because state leaders dismissed the feds’ recommendation after the winter 2021 statewide outage that Texas connect with out-of-state grids for additional backup.
Breaking: ERCOT has issued an alert for possible rolling blackouts Monday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. "A projected reserve capacity shortage with no market solution available." Additionally, ERCOT has issued a call for energy conservation Monday.
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Two years in and we’re losing the war. Instead of everyone masking, vaxxing and social distancing we opted to surrender our state to a killer virus. 75,000 Texans dead and counting.
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140 Years after erecting the Statue of Liberty, it’s come to this. We’re taking a stand against the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
Texas is responding to the chaos caused by Biden ending Title 42.
The new Texas Tactical Border Force will help intercept & repel migrants trying to enter Texas illegally.
Biden sent 1,500 troops to the border to do paperwork.
I deployed elite trained soldiers to defend Texas.
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Texans used to overwhelm new arrivals with generosity to help desperate families escape from danger and start a new life. Then the lege passed SB 4 in 2017 outlawing the practice.
Texas continues to bus migrants to sanctuary cities, providing critical relief to overwhelmed border towns:
◾️ Over 10,300 to DC
◾️ Over 9,200 to NYC
◾️ Over 3,400 to Chicago
◾️ Over 1,800 to Philadelphia
◾️ Over 200 to Denver
◾️ Over 80 to LA
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Interesting how Texas is doing everything to protect our phones from TikTok but wouldn’t mandate masks to save lives from covid. 91,000+ Texans died.
The University of Texas at Austin is blocking access to TikTok on campus Wi-Fi networks. The change will make the popular social media app off-limits to students and faculty while they're connected to university internet servers.
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Isn’t it about time we started introducing
@averytomascowx
as “Award-winning Meteorologist Avery Tomasco?”
Thank you all for trusting me and giving me this platform to stand on. I couldn't do it without you.
Honored to take home an Emmy tonight for best weathercast in Texas 🙏
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@JeremySWallace
Up until the New London disaster natural gas was odorless and invisible. Texas made adding a distinctive odor a requirement to spot leaks early. And that state requirement soon went national. Thank goodness.
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#TBT
50 YEARS OF FRED-- I first appeared on Austin airwaves in 1975 spinning easy listening on "The Gentle Sound of Radio 59, KLBJ." That's my Dad in the background. True story-- I interviewed for this job at 9 AM. I was on the air at noon! They really needed somebody NOW!
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The lack of coordination between Texas and humanitarian relief groups in this busing effort has cost Texas taxpayers nearly $120,000,000 so far. Greyhound tickets from the border to northern cities cost $300. Texas is paying avg $1,400 per person for these charters.
Texas has transported over 104,000 migrants to sanctuary cities:
Over 12,500 to DC
Over 38,900 to NYC
Over 32,000 to Chicago
Over 3,400 to Philadelphia
Over 16,500 to Denver
Over 1,500 to LA
Texas will continue to provide help to our border towns until Biden secures the border.
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Why are Texas leaders focusing precious people and resources on the border when a real killer is allowed to sweep across the state on their watch?
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#TBT
-- I'm coming up on 50 years in broadcasting. I interviewed Elmo back in the 90s. Elmo is much taller in person. When you've built up the trust of news viewers you can share lighter moments like this and still keep your credibility.
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NEXT WEEK Fort Hood ditches its confederate-era name and becomes FORT CAVAZOS to honor Korea & Vietnam war vet, first Hispanic to become 4-star general. His dad was a WWI vet. Highway signage to the post already reflects the change.
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This picture really is worth a thousand words.
Today is the 3-year anniversary of the near-catastrophic grid failure in Texas during Winter Storm Uri. Do you think TX has done enough to fix the ERCOT grid? 🧵 1/10
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BREAKING— WilCo commissioners individually calling for Sheriff Robert Chody to RESIGN.
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Congratulations to Austin ISD’s first dual language graduates, ready to take on the world in two languages.
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If you don’t have special glasses look for tree shadows to experience the eclipse. Pin hole camera effect.
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Talk about rising up from the ashes! ETERNAL FLAME art piece at new Congregation Beth Israel sanctuary is made of shards from stained-glass window damaged by arsonist two years ago. It's beautiful!
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