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Texas vs Arizona State: Teams prepare for Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

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Texas vs Arizona State: Teams prepare for Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl


AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: A view of fireworks and the scoreboard following the game between the Clemson Tigers and Texas Longhorns in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Tex

On Wednesday, the Texas Longhorns and the Arizona State Sun Devils will square off in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

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The New Year’s Day match-up will be the first football game of 2025. 

The last time the Horns and Sun Devils played on the field was in 2007 when Texas beat Arizona 52-to-34 in the Holiday Bowl. 

“This is the first time that we’ll host Texas true blue blood in college football into the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and if they win, Texas would be the first team in the history of college football to win all six New Year’s Six Bowl games,” said Gary Stokan, President and CEO of Peach Bowl, Inc.

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Texas has never played in the Peach Bowl, and Arizona has never played in the CFP. It will be a game of firsts for both teams. The Sun Devils have only played in the Peach Bowl once before, in 1970, when they beat North Carolina. 

“They created the Fiesta Bowl out of that experience of the 1970 Peach Bowl,” said Stokan. “So interesting history there, and interesting history can be made with both teams moving along to the semifinal, the first CFP playoff.” 

It will be the 57th Peach Bowl, and tickets to the annual game have sold out yearly since sometime in the 1990s. 

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“We were founded back in 1968, and it is the ninth-oldest bowl game in college football history, but only the first bowl game founded for charity,” said Stokan.

Stokan said the Peach Bowl and Chick-fil-A teamed up this year to give out scholarships to both universities, each receiving $100,000. The endowed scholarship will help fund tuition for students attending UT or ASU from Atlanta. 

“We’ve given $64 million to charity since 2002, which makes us the most charitable organization in the country,” said Stokan.

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The Longhorns will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second time this season, and fans are upset that the beloved mascot has been banned from the sidelines.

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“Unfortunately, we hate it, but, you know, we’re not able to house Bevo similar to what the SEC championship did, so we apologize to all the Texas fans,” said Stokan.

The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl President said he had answered more interview questions about Bevo than football. 

“I’m not sure whether Texas fans are more interested in Bevo or the game,” said Stokan.

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The stadium staff said they cannot accommodate the nearly one-ton steer. 

While the Peach Bowl is already sold out, some people feel this same restriction could affect Bevo’s game attendance for a possible national title game. 

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If Texas wins the Peach Bowl and their semifinal game, the Longhorns would return to Atlanta on January 20 for the national championship.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Katie Pratt

Texas LonghornsCollege FootballSportsCollege Football PlayoffUT Austin
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Austin, TX

Velocity Credit Union Announces Relocation and Grand Opening of New Southwest Austin Branch

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Velocity Credit Union Announces Relocation and Grand Opening of New Southwest Austin Branch


AUSTIN, Texas, June 11, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Velocity Credit Union is proud to celebrate the opening of its new Southwest Austin branch, a modern, expanded facility designed to better serve its growing membership across Central Texas. Located at 3419 Davis Lane, Austin, TX 78745, the full-service branch opened in late May and offers enhanced convenience, expanded services, and a welcoming space for members and the community.

Image caption: Photo caption: Velocity Credit Union’s new modern, expanded Southwest Austin branch is located at 3419 Davis Lane, Austin, TX 78745.

The new location replaces Velocity’s former Southwest Austin branch at 4220 S. Lamar Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78704, as part of the credit union’s continued investment in serving members where they live, work, and thrive.

To mark the opening, Velocity Credit Union hosted a grand opening celebration featuring special product offers, including loan and mortgage discounts, promotional certificate rates, exclusive sweepstakes giveaways, and opportunities for members and community partners to tour the new branch.

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Designed with Members in Mind:

The new Southwest Austin location reflects Velocity’s continued commitment to delivering convenient, modern financial services in a welcoming and flexible environment.

Members will enjoy:

  • Two ITM drive-thru lanes offering 24/7 ATM access or live teller service during business hours
  • A spacious, comfortable branch layout designed for flexibility and a stress-free experience
  • Private offices for confidential conversations about loans, accounts, or financial planning
  • Expanded services to support everything from everyday transactions to complex financial needs

“This new location represents an important investment in our members and our community,” said Debbie Mitchell, President & CEO. “As Central Texas continues to grow, we are committed to growing with it—providing innovative solutions, expanded access, and personalized service every step of the way.”

The new branch will also offer expanded hours for greater convenience:

Lobby Hours
Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

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Drive-Thru Hours
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Velocity Credit Union looks forward to welcoming members to this modern facility and continuing help them manage their financial lives with the trusted, personalized service they expect.

For more information, visit: https://www.velocitycu.com/.

About Velocity Credit Union

Velocity Credit Union has served Central Texans for more than 75 years with a mission to provide exceptional financial products, personal service, and support for the communities it serves. Membership is open to those who live or work in the five-county Austin area. Velocity Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Equal Housing Lender.

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Photo 300dpi: https://www.velocitycu.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Velocity-Southwest-Austin-Branch-4×6-1.jpg

Photo caption: Velocity Credit Union’s new modern, expanded Southwest Austin branch is located at 3419 Davis Lane, Austin, TX 78745.

News Source: Velocity Credit Union



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Crash closes US 290 at Fitzhugh Road in both directions in Austin

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Crash closes US 290 at Fitzhugh Road in both directions in Austin


AUSTIN (KXAN) – Both directions of U.S. Highway 290 at Fitzhugh Road are closed due to a crash, according to TxDOT.

Details about the crash and any injuries were not immediately available.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while crews work to clear the roadway.

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Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years in fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at Frisco track meet | Houston Public Media

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Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years in fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at Frisco track meet | Houston Public Media


Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. (Tony Gutierrez | AP)

A Collin County jury sentenced 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison Tuesday for the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet last year.

It came just hours after Anthony was found guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing. He faced up to life in prison.

Jurors had the option of finding him guilty of manslaughter or murder if they didn’t find him not guilty. The two charges are distinguished by intent. Murder means the jury believed Anthony “knowingly” caused Metcalf’s death.

During the trial’s punishment phase, Anthony’s mother Kayla Hayes asked the jury for mercy.

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“He’s my oldest, he’s my first born, he will always be my baby,” she said. “I love him very much.”

She was asked if she believed her son had any regrets.

“Yes, I know my son,” she said. “He’s very sorry for what he did.”

“Please have mercy on my son,” she added.

During closing arguments in the punishment phase, Anthony’s defense attorney Mike Howard acknowledged how difficult the decision was for the jury and asked them to consider sudden passion in determining their punishment. They don’t have to be sure, he said — they only need to believe Anthony felt terror in the moment.

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“I can only ask you to consider both sides, to follow your hearts, and to follow the law,” he said.

Prosecutor attorney Bill Wirskye argued in response that sudden passion, by definition, “does not apply to this case and this set of facts.”

He asked the jury to consider a life sentence, telling jurors, “mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”

“Regardless of what you do today, plenty of life sentences have already been handed out in this case,” he said to the jury.

The decision comes after both sides rested their case Monday afternoon. Anthony’s defense lasted two days and ended without him taking the stand. Prosecutors argued the stabbing was an unjustified attack on Metcalf, while the defense said Anthony acted in self defense.

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The case has drawn national attention and controversy over the race of both teens. Anthony is Black and victim was white. None of the jurors were Black.

Several schools were competing when Anthony sat under the Memorial High School tent that was perched in the bleachers. Metcalf and others had repeatedly told Anthony to leave, witnesses testified, leading to an escalating confrontation.

During the nearly weeklong trial, prosecutors said that Anthony provoked Metcalf, and witnesses have testified that Anthony was the aggressor.

Anthony at one point reached inside a bag and replied: “Touch me and see what happens,” according to a police report.

Metcalf pushed Anthony, according to witnesses, who said Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest. The teens, both from Frisco, didn’t know each other.

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The trial drew lines of spectators hoping to find seats in the gallery and unfolded amid heavy security at the Collin County courthouse. As police officers watched Tuesday, dozens of people stood outside the courthouse in 90 degree heat to await the verdict. There were wails of grief from one woman — “This isn’t real!” — when the result became known.

Got a tip? Email Emily DeMotte at edemotte@kera.org or Dylan Duke at dduke@kera.org.

KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.



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