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Why Vanderbilt’s top RB, an AISD rushing legend, has had ‘Horns down’ all his life

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Why Vanderbilt’s top RB, an AISD rushing legend, has had ‘Horns down’ all his life


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In some ways, this weekend’s home game against Texas football is a dream come true for Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander.

A sophomore, Alexander is an Austinite and the city’s all-time leading rusher. But this isn’t a story about a kid getting to play the hometown team he once rooted for. Nor is this the tale of a local talent with an axe to grind against the school that never extended a scholarship offer.

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No, Alexander was raised as an Oklahoma fan. His father cheered for the Sooners, and thus the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He has long worn the No. 28 as a tribute to Adrian Peterson.

“I always had horns down,” Alexander said this week. “I want to beat them. I always want to beat Texas, even when I was rooting for OU. … I want to beat them and say that I beat them.”

Vanderbilt is resurging ahead of Texas matchup

Not too long ago, a Vanderbilt player talking about beating No. 6 Texas would have sounded preposterous. But these aren’t the Commodores of yesteryear.

Despite being picked to finish last in the Southeastern Conference’s preseason poll and winning just 12 games over the past five seasons, Vanderbilt is 5-2 this year. The Commodores upset then-No. 2 Alabama at home Oct. 5, and they’ve taken a top-10 team in Missouri to double overtime. The No. 25 team in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and Associated Press poll, Vanderbilt is ranked for the first time since the 2013 season.

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With one more victory, Vanderbilt will qualify for its first bowl game since 2018. Alexander was an eighth-grader at Pflugerville’s Kelly Lane Middle School when the Commodores reached that year’s Texas Bowl.

But if you ask Alexander, he saw this success coming when he signed with Vanderbilt during the 2023 recruiting cycle. While starring at LBJ High, Alexander was rated as a three-star prospect. He received offers from Texas State and UTSA but wanted to experience life outside of Central Texas. Iowa State and the service academies were interested, but Vanderbilt presented an opportunity to play in the SEC. The educational experience at Vanderbilt was also something that Alexander said he did not want to pass up.

Additionally, Alexander believed in Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea. A former Vanderbilt fullback, Lea was hired away from his position as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator after the 2020 season.

“I came here for stuff like this to happen,” Alexander said. “I believe in coach Lea and his vision and what he asks of this team, and I’m just excited to be here with him and enjoy the moment while I’m here.”

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Alexander’s future, and present, at Vanderbilt appears to be bright

As for what is working at Vanderbilt this season, Alexander credits the preparation done during the week in meetings and practices. Having an offense that leads the SEC in time of possession and has turned over the football just twice this season also helps. Vanderbilt has been led offensively by quarterback Diego Pavia, a graduate transfer from New Mexico State, and Alexander has proven to be a suitable sidekick.

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound Alexander, who celebrates his 20th birthday Friday, has rushed 95 times for 380 yards. He’s also caught 13 passes. Two of his team-high six touchdowns were scored in Vanderbilt’s 40-35 win over Alabama, and Alexander collided with Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell on one of those scores, bullying the 244-pound linebacker into the end zone.

“He’s kind of been a bright spot for us in just how he conducts his business,” Lea said. “The person he is first is where I’d focus. He’s got a great family, got a great spirit. Like all young people, he’s growing into himself.

“We are really excited about his skill set. I think a lot of that has surfaced this year. He’s added physical components to his game that I think make him a really well-rounded back. It’s just his second year, so there’s so many great things ahead for him and we’re glad he’s here.”

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A UT defense that ranks 18th nationally against the run at 104.3 yards per game has taken note of Alexander. Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns’ fourth-year coach, described Alexander this week as a “heck of a running back.” Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron said that “he’s a tough cat.”

“Game recognizes game,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “When you’re a good Austin guy, it’s cool because not a lot of talent comes out of Austin as far as recruiting. I know there’s a lot of talent in Austin, but we don’t always get the recognition that we deserve.”

Alexander joins Texas trio among college football’s Austin-area standouts

Alexander, who was listed as “questionable” with an undisclosed injury on Vanderbilt’s first availability report of the week, has a personal relationship with several Longhorns who also grew up in the Austin area. He has trained with Taaffe, who attended Westlake. Barron, who went to Pflugerville Connally, said that he shared some BBQ and trash talk with Alexander’s father before the season started.

Alexander was also high school teammates with UT safety Andrew Mukuba, who has a “questionable” designation for this weekend’s game because of a knee injury. Texas director of high school relations Jahmal Fenner coached both players at LBJ. While at LBJ, Alexander set the Austin ISD career rushing record and led the Jaguars to the Class 4A, Division I championship game in 2021.

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Alexander is now among those representing the Austin-area football scene on the stage that is college football. Barron, Mukuba and Taaffe all start for Texas, and Barron and Mukuba are responsible for half of UT’s 10 interceptions. Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks leads the Big 12 with his 134.0 rushing yards per game while fellow Manor product Quinten Joyner is averaging 9.1 yards per carry at USC. Westlake’s alumni association also includes the quarterback with the second-most touchdown passes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (Clemson’s Cade Klubnik) and Notre Dame’s second-leading receiver (Jaden Greathouse).

“I’m looking at film each and every day, and I’m like, dang, there’s really three people (in the Texas secondary),” Alexander said. “To see everybody that’s spread out throughout the country at different universities just representing the 512, that is something that I look forward to the rest of my years and with the younger generation.”



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Austin, TX

Texas lawmakers urged to ramp up laws to fight human trafficking

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Texas lawmakers urged to ramp up laws to fight human trafficking


January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. 

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Advocates for victims gathered Thursday at the state capitol. They are urging lawmakers to pass major reforms. 

Texas’ drive to eliminate human trafficking

The backstory:

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The State of Texas launched a comprehensive drive to eliminate human trafficking 20 years ago. 

Since then, many bills have been passed to crack down on the problem. But lawmakers were told this fight is far from over during a rally held on the south steps of the Texas Capitol Thursday.

In 2023, more than 2,300 people from Texas contacted the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

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Advocates for victims gather at Capitol

What they’re saying:

In a prepared statement, Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk, noted the work accomplished in previous Legislative Sessions.

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“Our state has made great strides in strengthening zero tolerance for human trafficking, but there is still work to do,” stated Sanborn in a news release.

The rally at the Texas Capitol involved members of organizations and agencies  that advocate for victims of human trafficking. Cosponsors of the event included:

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  • Allies Against Slavery
  • Crime Stoppers
  • Demand Disruption
  • Dallas CASA
  • Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
  • Gracious Hearts
  • Houston 20
  • Lone Star Justice Alliance
  • No Trafficking Zone
  • North Texas Coalition Against Trafficking
  • Project Protect Our Children
  • Reflection Ministries
  • Texas Family Leadership Council
  • Texas Society of Medical Assistants
  • Street Grace
  • Traffick 911
  • Unbound Now

The coalition is pushing several legislative priorities for the regular session. Key issues include:

  • Screening and prevention for vulnerable youth
  • Improving protections and support for survivors
  • Training frontline workers to recognize human trafficking
  • Reducing illicit massage businesses
  • Improving laws that protect children and hold traffickers accountable

The group also wants legislation to get local prosecutors to do more to shut down sex-exploitation businesses.

“When we think about ending trafficking, there’s so much that needs to be talked about. And one of the big things is collaboration and collaboration with the legislative branch here in Austin and with all the great groups across the state of Texas that are focusing on ending trafficking now. Those that are really focused on making sure that every single victim, survivor of human trafficking is taken care of, that we are beginning to work at ending demand in our state,” said Sanborn during the rally.

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The number of businesses involved in illicit digital massaging has more than doubled in Texas in the past six years, according to information released by Sanborn. 

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Rudy Koski

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Crime and Public SafetyTexas PoliticsAustin



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Austin, TX

Cyber Acoustics to Showcase Award-Winning EdTech Products at TCEA 2025 in Austin, Texas

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Cyber Acoustics to Showcase Award-Winning EdTech Products at TCEA 2025 in Austin, Texas


Cyber Acoustics, Inc.

IT Directors, Technology Specialists, and Educators Encouraged to Stop By Booth #1149

VANCOUVER, Wash., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyber Acoustics, a leading manufacturer of EdTech for all in-person and virtual classrooms, will be showcasing its complete line of durable, affordable education technology products at Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) convention in Austin, Texas from February 1-4, 2025 in booth #1149. On display will be the company’s line of award-winning education headsets and headphones as well as webcams, PC speakers, and laptop docking stations.

Complete line of USB-C headphones and headsets for classrooms
To meet the needs of modern classrooms Cyber Acoustics has expanded its line of USB-C devices to include the new AC-6014 headset. Other USB-C offerings include the AC-4014 headset, AC-5014 headset, and ACM-6005C headphones. All models feature the industry-leading durability Cyber Acoustics is known for, including headbands that can be bent or twisted, tangle-free TuffCords that can be chewed or coiled, as well as an in-line cord management system with a built-in loop closure, allowing for easy cord storage when the headset is not in use.

TCEA, EdTech, classroom headsets, K-12 headsets
TCEA, EdTech, classroom headsets, K-12 headsets

Stop by booth #1149 to explore our line of durable education products

“We always look forward to attending TCEA because it’s a valuable opportunity to hear directly from our customers exactly what they need to facilitate learning in their classrooms,” said Mark Montagna, director of North American sales, at Cyber Acoustics. “Our main priority is to listen to our customers and deliver solutions that truly solve their problems, so having the chance to hear first-hand what challenges they face gives us the opportunity to have a direct impact in their environment, and we always leave inspired to continue innovating.”

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Cyber Acoustics Education Headsets Now Built with Recycled Plastic
In 2024 Cyber Acoustics began building its entire line of education headsets with at least 50 percent recycled plastic, with no compromises to the durability the brand is widely regarded for. The company also utilizes recycled materials in packaging, with a focus on creating efficient packaging to achieve minimal size, leading to the use of fewer trucks and fewer containers.

Cyber Acoustics No-Cost Recycling Program
In 2021 Cyber Acoustics launched a recycling program for schools as a way for them to easily dispose of broken or unused wired headsets. Due to program success, Cyber Acoustics now takes wired and wireless headphones, headsets, and earbuds from any brand, and ensures they are properly recycled. To date the program has diverted more than 30,000 pounds of e-waste from landfills. In addition, these recycling initiatives offset approximately 29 percent of the company’s carbon footprint. For more information about this free program, or to request a collection box for your school or business, visit https://www.cyberacoustics.com/recycling-program



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Austin, TX

Austin named one of the best cities in America—again

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Austin named one of the best cities in America—again


Today, Austin has been named as one of the best cities in America. According to our annual survey—where readers like you choose the cities that make life great—Austin claimed the 7th spot, and it’s easy to see why. World-class cuisine, a vast network of hiking trails, major festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits, and near-perfect weather (except for summer, iykyk) make the city a standout. And while it may have lost the title of the fastest growing metro in the U.S. to neighboring Dallas, Austin remains—and will continue to be—the “weird” city people have come to know and love. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s plenty to see and explore. 

Where to even begin with all the reasons people love Austin? As one of the greenest cities in the U.S. (ranked No. 7), Austin dedicates roughly 15% of its land to parks, gardens and urban green spaces. That means endless opportunities to get outside, whether it’s hiking one of the 147 scenic trails or catching some rays at Zilker Park

When temperatures dip or soar, you can always find refuge at one of Austin’s best restaurants, which encompasses Michelin-starred barbecue and fresh Italian to Tex-Mex and new-age Caribbean joints. Whatever your taste buds desire, Austin will likely have it. In 2024, Austin earned seven Michelin stars and 14 of the 45 Bib Gourmand distinctions, cementing its place as a must-visit culinary destination.

Sports-wise, while Austin might not rival major cities like Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles for professional teams, but it still has plenty to offer. Austin FC keeps soccer fans engaged, while the University of Texas Longhorns bring serious energy to the college football scene. 

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Austin is joined by nine other cities in this year’s rankings, including neighboring Dallas (No. 9) and San Antonio (No. 10). Check out Time Out’s Best Cities in America—and see which global cities made the cut. 



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