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AM Update: More Texas West Nile Deaths, Fewer Traffic Fatalities, More UT Glory in London?

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Nine West Nile Deaths in Dallas County

Dallas County Health and Human Services reports that nine people have died from West Nile Virus. More than 160 people have been infected.

Here in Travis County, one person has died from the virus. As of yesterday, health officials were investigating a total of eight West Nile Virus cases.

According to the Centers for Disease control, Texas has seen the most cases of West Nile Virus and the most cases of the more serious, neuroinvasive form of the disease.Health officials say the best way to protect yourself is to avoid mosquito bites by wearing bug spray with deet, draining standing water, wearing long, loose clothing and staying inside from dusk to dawn.

Rate of Traffic Fatalities Down in Texas

A state audit of the Texas Department of Transportation found the rate of fatalities on Texas roads is down.

The audit looked at the number of fatal crashes in the state per 100 million miles traveled. In 2010, more than 3,000 people died on the road – a rate of about 1.3 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.

The State Auditor’s Office reports that the rate has been going down over the past five years measured. The rate of deaths per 100 million miles was 1.5 in 2006.

But Texas still ranks 16th in the U.S. in the number of deaths per miles traveled.

Former Longhorn Making Gains in Olympic Decathlon

The Olympic competitors are through eight of ten events in the Men's Decathlon. Texas ex Trey Hardee has been ranked second throughout the competition so far – trailing only fellow U.S. Olympian Ashton Eaton. Going into the pole vault competition, Hardee was less than 100 points behind Eaton and leading the next athlete by just under 200. The final event of the decathlon is the 1500m race. It's scheduled to start at 3:20 p.m. CST.

Also on the track today, former Longhorn Bianca Knight is slated to take part in the first heat of the Women's 4x100m Relay.

Destinee Hooker and the U.S. Women's Volleyball team is taking on South Korea in the semifinals. The U.S. is undefeated in play so far. South Korea is 3-3 – including an earlier 3-1 loss to the U.S.

Texas ex Sanya Richards-Ross placed fifth in yesterday's 200m finals. She took the gold in the 400m. Kevin Durant and the Men's Basketball team beat Australia 119-86 in yesterday's quarterfinals. They'll take on Argentina in the semifinals tomorrow.

Laura first joined the KUT team in April 2012. She now works for the statewide program Texas Standard as a reporter and producer. Laura came to KUT from the world of television news. She has worn many different hats as an anchor, reporter and producer at TV stations in Austin, Amarillo and Toledo, OH. Laura is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, a triathlete and enjoys travel, film and a good beer. She enjoys spending time with her husband and pets.
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