In the News

Being that we grew up in New Orleans and our family still lives (lived? probably more accurate, at least for now) there and our mind is not on Austin news, we're going to skimp on the report today. Hope you understand. Local Austin news seems to be preoccupied with the hurricane anyway, so we don't feel too bad. If you want an update on Katrina's aftermath in New Orleans: East side residences (the poorest of the poor) are underwater. Two or three levees have broken and the water pumps have stopped, so it is just flooding. Our crazy uncle who refused to leave had to get off the phone with our mother (who has evacuated to Tyler, Texas) because water was starting to come in the house at around 12 p.m. Our dad said looters are out in the middle of the madness, stealing from businesses and homes. We are not surprised. Trees are everywhere, water is everywhere, glass from windows breaking is everywhere. Our other uncle, a cop, said they probably won't let people back into the city until Monday at the earliest. We are surprised that we are actually shocked by this. The city is a bowl and hadn't been hit bad since the 60's. It was just a matter of time, but still...it doesn't make dealing with it any easier. Anyway, that's our report on New Orleans.

We did quickly glance at other headlines in the The Statesman and were reminded that the smoking ban will go into effect this Thursday, September 1. Just in time for First Thursday! We know you're sick of hearing about it and we are too. Finally, we'll be doing it, not just talking (and talking, and talking, and talking) about it.