News

Every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. from May to September, Save Our Springs Alliance is offering free yoga sessions under the big pecan tree at the south entrance to Barton Springs pool. Each month will be taught by a different studio, with this month's instructors coming from Yoga Yoga. Bring a mat, water, and a towel. more ›

• Gov. Perry issues disaster declaration for the state as swine flu cases increase in number (to 16).
• State lawmakers were warned 14 months ago that Texas was ill-equipped to deal with a flu outbreak.
• Possible swine flu case leads to closing of AISD's Lucy Read Pre-K (til May 11).

President Obama's been in office for exactly 100 days today, and his approval rating remains as high as ever at upwards of sixty percent. And, while he's still a ways off from solving that pesky economic crisis, bringing about world peace, or cloning unicorns, most folks find this a milestone worth celebrating. more ›

Shocking video was released by the Statesman today during the trial of Jerel Lamar, the main subject in an April 2007 APD dashcam video. This two-year-old recording features Lamar firing off shot-after-shot at APD Sgt. Michael Barger, who had responded to a "disturbance with a weapon" call that finally ended with no injuries or casualties after a 13-hour SWAT standoff. more ›

• First US swine flu death was a Mexican toddler being treated in a Houston hospital
• Specter's switch likely to have limited impact on energy, climate bills
• Time magazine offers a day-by-day look at Obama's first 100 days in office

The last agenda item at tomorrow's city council meeting is the proposed ordinance based on the recommendations by the Waterfront Overlay Task Force. The ordinance will set up a new Waterfront Planning Advisory Board to "assist in promoting excellence" in the waterfront overlay district, which covers most of the area near Lady Bird Lake on both sides. In addition to the existing requirements for reviews by the Land Use Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department, the ordinance requires the new board to review site plans and zoning or rezoning applications in the district. more ›

• Case with Austin ties coming up before the Supreme Court tomorrow has some wondering if the Voting Rights Act is needed in the Obama era.
• UT Law Prof Stefanie Lindquist discussed the case with KUT's Jennifer Stayton.
• Bill up before the Texas Legislature would ban usage of cell phones in school zones.

Austin's very own Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website has been nominated for a prestigious 2009 Webby Award in the Tourism category. Vote now! more ›

In a written statement, which Ben Smith reposted on Politico, Specter declares, "Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans." more ›

• Swine flu in Israel, New Zealand; UN says no use trying to stop it.
• Four-year-old swine flu Patient Zero is really cute.
• Still want the job, Sibelius?

Want more affordable housing in downtown Austin? Try building thousands of condos on the way into a recession. Wait - we did that. Now we are seeing the results: Brazos Place has scheduled an auction for May 17, 2009 to sell their twenty remaining unsold units. Starting bids are less than half of the original asking prices - as low as $80,000 for a small one-bedroom, $190,000 for a two-bedroom and $600,000 for the 2,745 sqft penthouse. more ›

• More drugs, please! Texas requests additional pharmaceutical weapons to fight swine flu.
• Deer Park, represent! House declares today Ron White Day. He's the dude from the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” who is clutching the cigar and the scotch.
• If your house gets burgled in the middle of the night this week, your detective might be yawning. APD is switching some detectives to the night shift.

Photos from Eeyore's Birthday Party 2009. more ›

• Mexican swine flu spreads to U.S., Europe
• ZOMG, we're doomed part 2: Swine flu dampens hopes for economy
• Obama health team hampered as flu hits

Have you seen that three-story, squat brick building at the north-west corner of 18th and Guadalupe with the broken windows? It is the color of a UT dorm. On Monday night, the Historic Landmark Commission will hold a hearing on a demolition request by the owners, Travis Hotel Group, LLC. The owners have proposed that it be torn down; city staff has recommended initiating a historic zoning request. How can a Texas building containing the name “Travis” ever be a candidate for the wrecking ball? Are they planning on using cannons? more ›

• The Barbara Jordan statue at UT was unveiled today.
• Austin as the capital of New Texas?
• Rep. Mark Strama has an anti-bullying bill this session; Equality Texas wants your help to get it passed.

• A poll sponsored by Kos and put together by Research 2000 has Texas Republicans split (48%/48%, with 4% not sure) on the question of whether Texas would be better off as a whole other country. A majority of them approve of Perry's comments about our state perhaps, maybe, sometime in the future seceding. In all though, 61% of Texans say Texas should stay in the states, and a majority don't approve of Perry's statements last week. [Washington Post]
• Elise Hu, KVUE's political reporter, illustrates how some state politicians/legislators still have a long ways to go in their views of Chinese-Americans, including the Betty Brown incident with a couple others this session. The last paragraph of her post is priceless. [Political Junkie]
• Vice President Biden will be in town next week to tour the National Domestic Violence Hotline Center (2009 is the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women Act, which Biden championed). He'll also attend a DNC fundraising lunch while in town. Wonder if he'll have anything to say about Perry's hints at secession. [KUT]
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• AP Poll: Americans optimistic about direction the country is moving, despite nasty economy.
• Our #1 friend Tom steps aside.
• GM considering mandatory nine week summer vacation.

• City Council was told today that Austin faces a $30 million budget gap in the next year.
• Waco lawmaker suggests moving the governor to the Pease Mansion, as buying that property would cost much less than restoration for the current mansion is expected to cost.
• Legislation to accept the federal stimulus money for unemployment insurance passed in State Senate and moving to the House; Gov. Perry not happy.

Outside the Mexican-American Center on Monday, Dan Crow, a Barton Springs regular with wiry white hair, handed out a one page flyer: “Leave Barton Springs Alone.” He had just come from his regular swim. “We don’t need to be taking down a bunch of trees ,” he said in a rising voice. Inside, Walter Passmore, Austin’s Urban Forestry (UF) Program Manager, had the job of explaining why to the 100 or so irate citizens and the Joint Subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation and Environmental Board. “I hate it that we’re dwelling on the removals only,” he said, “but that’s what we’ve been asked to do.” more ›

Happy Earth Day! more ›

Sunday morning at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in north Austin found Richard S. “Kinky” Friedman preaching to the choir: like-minded voters seeking a change at the Governor’s Mansion. In 2006, Kinky Friedman, billed at this public affairs forum as the “The Cowboy Philosopher,” ran as an Independent. He lost to Rick Perry. He said, “I made a mistake not running as a Democrat” and strongly hinted he would correct that misstep this time. Taking aim at Governor Perry, he began by telling the crowd of 150 that he was getting older and had been working on his will. He said, “I have requested that when I die, I am to be cremated and the ashes are to be thrown into Rick Perry’s hair. A “listening tour” throughout Texas is his plan to get the grass roots excited. He also talked about his animal rescue efforts at the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch and wants to make Texas a no kill state. Kinky even read a story about his mother from one of his books. more ›

Could a 90 minute train trip between Austin and Dallas someday be possible? Today the popular choices are plane (50 minutes), car (three hours), bus (four hours), and train (best-case about 4 ½ hours). On Thursday, April 16, 2009, the President offered another alternative: his vision of multiple high-speed rail corridors within the United States that included Austin. “My high-speed rail proposal will lead to innovations that change the way we travel in America. We must start developing clean, energy-efficient transportation that will define our regions for centuries to come,” said President Obama. A down payment on the plan of $8B was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and another $1B was added in the proposed FY2010 budget. Cost estimates for the high-speed rail range from $250B to $500B. more ›

• Freddie Mac executive found dead in apparent suicide
• Police report "Craigslist Killer" robbed women to pay gambling debts
• Iranian president refuses to say whether journalist may be freed

As the Statesman points out this morning, last night's episode of The Colbert Report featured the host poking fun at our governor's recent secession antics, saying, “Oklahoma better get to work on that border fence.” more ›

• Dear current college students: the national service bill signed today means Americorps is now your best hope for a post-grad job.
• Remaining pirate arrives in NY to face charges; is quite young.
• Government and Tamils each accuse the other of killing civilians in Sri Lanka.

The Austin Chronicle will be hosting its inaugural mayoral debate, The Hustle for Mayor tonight, Tuesday, April 21, 7-9pm, at the Mohawk. The Hustle will lead each of the candidates in a no-holds-barred rhyme-off, while tunes from Austin's premier party-rocker DJ Mel will play throughout the evening. Election day is May 9, while early voting begins April 27. more ›

• If these bills pass, maybe we’ll be able to buy liquor on Sunday?
• Soon you'll be able to catch Barbara Jordan at both UT and the airport!
• Texas beats OU! It's not football, but we're totally stoked anyway!

Only about 4% of the $24 million recommended for Gov. Perry's office budget still remained after the House voted Friday. Democratic Rep. Jessica Farrar proposed using $4 million for veterans programs instead of that money going to Perry's office. A House Republican (Rep. John Davis of Houston) proposed taking $18.7 million from Perry's planned budget, to go instead towards community "crisis services" which aid the mentally ill. Both proposals passed the House with little debate. more ›

• Obama to order $100 mil in budget cuts, also look for change in couch cushions
• The Hugo Chávez effect: book gift to Obama creates overnight bestseller
• Iran's Ahmadinejad makes unusual intervention in jailed reporter's trial

On Monday, April 20th at 6:15 p.m., the Parks and Recreation Department will hold a hearing on the plan at the Mexican American Cultural Center located at 600 River Street. The public is invited to the presentation and there will be time allocated for public comments. Ten, three-minute slots are currently planned and more may be added, according to Victor Ovalle, the spokesman for PARD. There will be paper copies of the report available. more ›

• Irony?: Perry's comments yesterday on possible secession may have made a Presidential run in 2012 more plausible.
• Meanwhile, Texas Dems say Perry should take back his sorta-secessionist comments.
• Oh, and Perry says he never called for secession.

Some residents of South Austin recently received a letter from Your Living Room, the upscale furniture store on South Congress and Barton Springs, informing them that the store owners have decided to retire. more ›

After much resistance from the four cities where the download cap trials were to take place, Time Warner and NY Sen. Chuck Schumer announced today that the planned trials are off -- for now. more ›

• Hell yes! Obama wants high-speed rail.
• Abuse of power? Nuh-uh.
• Welcome Home, Maersk Alabama.

Tomorrow night, the UT Libraries are hosting a panel discussion on the legacy of Barbara Jordan. Moderated by Texas Politics Project Director James Henson, "When Barbara Jordan Talked, We Listened - A Panel Discussion" will include current State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Susan Rieff, and former Dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs Max Sherman. This panel is free and open to the public. more ›

According to Fred Nelson of Freddie's, prior noise complaints resulting in APD visits had found them to be in compliance with the 85db limit, but a visit on Saturday, April 10, 2009 found them around 80db and not in compliance with the new 70db limit. APD issued a warning and indicated that subsequent visits would result in a fine and arrests. Fred stopped the band and cancelled 83 shows already booked for 2009, representing over 200 Austin area musicians who no longer have a gig at Freddie's. more ›

Tomorrow, April 16, is the two-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings. To commemorate the day, as well as to protest proposed state laws allowing guns on campus, a walk-out has been announced at UT. The plan was sent out to UT staff, faculty and students through a student announcement email this morning. Students and faculty are asked to leave their classes at 11:30am and meet up at noon on the South Steps of the Capitol to hear from state legislators and victims of campus violence, among others, on the issue of firearms on campus. more ›

• Your taxes are due today, and the recession isn't helping
• Nationwide anti-tax and anti-spend "tea party" protests expected
• That Senate election in Minnesota? Yeah, it's still not over

• That thing that looked like a Molotov cocktail near Mt. Bonnell today really was one.
• Among the items stolen from a Burnet County couple who were attacked at midnight: firearms and a Dodge truck.
• East Austin mayoral forum tonight at 6pm.

"I've been known as Crackerjack for five years. I've skated on six teams, I'm nationally known in the derby community as a skater, leader and trainer," said Bell. "What am I supposed to do—change my name to Sally? more ›

The western portion of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway (from Austin High to Shoal Creek) appears to be open. The ambience of car-choked Cesar Chavez can't compete with lovely Lady Bird Lake, but there is something nice about zipping along clear concrete instead of dodging the ladies who lope. The several shrimpy stop signs lead the lone biker to wonder "Are you small so they could make more of you? Does your dinkiness diminish my obligation to obey?" more ›

• North Korea is no longer talking.
• Loosening up on Cuba.
• Changes may be coming in credit card land.

• Pesky lawmaker wants to criminalize the sale of a psychedelic shrub to minors.
• Following a nationwide mocking, Texas Rep. Betty Brown apologies for statement, says Asian-Americans can keep their names.
• “Is there anywhere you’d rather be on Easter Sunday?” Morrissey asked everyone at Bass last night. Oh, Mozzer!

• Psst! Procrastinators! Wednesday Is Tax Day
• Somalian Pirates vowing revenge, target U.S. and French sailors
• Anti-abortion recruitment on rise

As Gothamist reports, the public outcry over Texas State Representative Betty Brown's suggestion earlier this week that Texans of Asian descent should change their native names to ones that would be "easier for Americans to deal with" has spread beyond the Lone Star State. Today, New York City Councilman John Liu posted a public letter to Brown on his campaign website. "It's outrageous and insulting for you to suggest it would 'behoove' us to adopt another name, to give up our birthright and a part of our own identity, in order to exercise our right to vote," wrote Liu. He also suggested that Brown resign should she refuse to apologize. Brown, to her credit, has stated that she tried calling Ramey Ko, the person to whom she addressed the initial remark, but that Ko has not returned her call. [Councilman Liu: Texas Lawmaker Must Apologize] more ›

The Wall Street Journal just broke the news that Enfatico, the $4.5 billion powerhouse agency created to handle all of Dell's marketing needs worldwide, will be merged into a separate ad firm, Young & Rubicam Brands, of parent group WPP. more ›

Your best excuse for throwing that zany-yet-slutty costume onto your favorite pooch (this side of Halloween) comes this Saturday with back-to-back pet events along South Congress. more ›

State Representative Betty Brown (R-Terrell) found herself in a bit of a pickle this week after suggesting that Texans of Asian descent should change their native names to ones that would be "easier for Americans to deal with." more ›

The Austin chapter of the NAACP is planning a protest of Highland Mall this Saturday, April 11. People will be gathering at the mall at 9am. NAACP President told News8Austin, "We're going to encourage folks, number one, to not to shop at Highland Mall, pretend it's still closed." This after the mall closed early last Saturday afternoon because the Texas Relays were in town; the mall management defended the action by saying they lacked adequate security. [News8Austin] more ›

• Somali pirates still holding U.S. Captain for ransom.
• Why not use a briefcase the next time you carry confidential documents around?
• As Iowa goes, so goes New York?

• Uno visits the Capitol.
• Waco man stabbed for his flatulence.
• Local auto theft on the rise.

Last night's Texas Medal of Arts awards honored former First Lady Laura W. Bush for her work with the Texas Book Festival and the President’s Committee on the Arts in Humanities, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, and KLRU-TV's Austin City Limits program, among many others. more ›

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Urban Is Core: Austin Super Forum last Saturday, especially the candidates Brewster McCracken, Lee Leffingwell, David Buttross, Chris Riley, Perla Cavazos, Mike Martinez, Bill Spellman, Sheryl Cole, and Osemene Sam. Also, special thanks to Josiah Ingalls, who had to work during the forum, but was kind enough to complete our questionnaire. If you missed the forum (or liked it so much you want to see the candidates' answers to more questions) click their names above to see their answers to our questionnaire. The mayoral and place 1 races are especially hot contests and the outcome of those races will have a big impact on the shape of our city in the years to come. more ›

• Pirates seize ship with U.S. crew off the coast of Somalia
• Earthquake in Italy kills 260 people, leaves 28,000 homeless
• Cyberspies have penetrated the country's electrical grid

• Mother of dead assault victim (from March attack on Sixth Street) wants access to his sperm to produce a grandchild through a surrogate.
• 19-year-old arrested for assaulting a student at Lamar Middle School as part of gang initiation.
• Note to Georgetown city workers: maybe don't leave the keys in the trucks next time?

The hubbub caused by the news of the Saturday afternoon closing of Highland Mall and proposed Relays weekend closure of a couple downtown clubs has still not completely silenced, but police have released the arrest and citation numbers for downtown this past weekend and the numbers are less than in past years. There were 25 arrests and citations in the downtown area this Relays weekend (compared to 46 in 2008 and 39 in 2007). That number is less than half that of either Mardi Gras (57 arrests/citations) or the last two days of SxSW this year (52 arrests/citations). more ›

• More than 200 people dead in Italy; Berlusconi refuses foreign help with rescue effort.
• Obama in Iraq.
• Black labs are chowhounds, even in Russia.

• Tarp-wrapped body of Houston-area high school senior found after man confessed to the killing.
• Former Austinite and "Charlie’s Angels" star Farrah Fawcett is hospitalized in LA with a cancer-treatment side-effect.
• Did they discuss this over dinner? Bills in the Lege would ban trans fats in restaurants.

Texas State Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso), Representative Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), and the Texas Restaurant Association held a joint press conference this morning promoting new bills that could drastically reduce the level of artificial trans fats in Texas food products. more ›

Rev. Jesse Euresti, the Austin priest who had gone to Mexico to work on his retirement home there, had been missing since last week; a friend had stopped by his Nuevo Laredo house and found blood in the garage and no sign of Euresti. Bishop Gregory Aymond announced today that Euresti's body was found on the side of a highway yesterday near Nuevo Laredo, near a mattress that had been missing from his house. Euresti was the priest at Cristo Rey Catholic Church and was set to retire this summer from his work there. Mexican authorities believe that a caretaker at Euresti's retirement home is responsible for the crime. The currently has audio of Bishop Aymond's announcement on their main page. [Statesman] more ›

• Over 90 dead in Italy earthquake, thousands homeless
• Disaster economics: Milan shares fall after quake
• North Korea launches rocket, world becomes highly nervous

Rep. Senfronia Thompson's strip club tax bill passed the Texas House yesterday. Thompson's bill would take 10% of the gross receipts from any strip club (or other such "adult entertainment" business) that charges an admission fee, replacing the contested $5 charge per customer that the 2007 Legislature passed. The money from this new tax would go towards a support system for Texas victims of sexual violence. The bill is now headed to the Senate. [News8Austin] more ›

Soon, city employees can zip around town in their choice of Smart car or bicycle. At last night's meeting, the city council approved a 200-vehicle car-share pilot program with car2go, Daimler’s smart-car based car-share initiative. At the same time, council members approved the purchase of 15 bikes for city employees to use for business needs or during lunch. more ›

This Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 1:30 pm at St David's Episcopal Church (304 E. 7th Street), Austinist.com is joining several Austin organizations to present the Urban is Core - Austin Super Forum. As a precursor to the forum, we sent questions to each of the candidates, which we will be publishing throughout the week. Click through to see answers from Sam Osemene, running for city council Place 6. more ›

As part of its bankruptcy reorganization, national specialty camera retailer Ritz Camera is closing nearly over 300 of its stores, leaving just over half of its current outlets open. more ›

This Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 1:30 pm at St David's Episcopal Church (304 E. 7th Street), Austinist.com is joining several Austin organizations to present the Urban is Core - Austin Super Forum. As a precursor to the forum, we sent questions to each of the candidates, which we will be publishing throughout the week. Click through to see answers from Sheryl Cole, running for city council Place 6. more ›

This Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 1:30 pm at St David's Episcopal Church (304 E. 7th Street), Austinist.com is joining several Austin organizations to present the Urban is Core - Austin Super Forum. As a precursor to the forum, we sent questions to each of the candidates, which we will be publishing throughout the week. Click through to see answers from Bill Spelman, running for city council Place 5. more ›

This Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 1:30 pm at St David's Episcopal Church (304 E. 7th Street), Austinist.com is joining several Austin organizations to present the Urban is Core - Austin Super Forum. As a precursor to the forum, we sent questions to each of the candidates, which we will be publishing throughout the week. Click through to see answers from Mike Martinez, running for city council Place 2. more ›

• G20 is getting G-deadly.
• Madoff forgot to sell the yacht(s) and the beach hou$e to his wife.
• Rich enough to hire a driver, dumb enough not to.

• Austin priest missing from Nuevo Laredo home; foul play may be involved.
• Dental technician in Oak Hill suffered severe burns today after a piece of equipment using denatured alcohol caught fire.
• Chief Acevedo: "He's the Chief of Police"

Something to start planning for: Time Warner Cable is going to set up tiered pricing for internet subscribers in Austin and San Antonio very soon. A Time Warner spokesman told the Statesman's Omar Gallaga that this new pricing plan will go into effect this summer. This means that if you watch a lot of streaming video or download a lot of music, your cable bill is going to increase. If you don't, perhaps your bill will remain the same as it is, but you will be charged extra if your data usage goes over your set limit. The only good news here may be for Grande, who will likely get some new business from this. [Digital Savant] more ›

This Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 1:30 pm at St David's Episcopal Church (304 E. 7th Street), Austinist.com is joining several Austin organizations to present the Urban is Core - Austin Super Forum. As a precursor to the forum, we sent questions to each of the candidates, which we will be publishing throughout the week. Click through to see answers from Chris Riley, running for city council Place 1. more ›

• President Obama stresses the "sense of urgency" needed to confront the global economic crisis
• Russia and the United States will pursue a new deal to reduce the number of nuclear warheads
• Charges to be dropped against former senator Ted "Series of Tubes" Stevens

This Saturday, April 4, Austinist.com is joining several local urban groups to present the Urban is Core - Austin Super Forum. The forum will give candidates for Mayor and City Council in the May 9, 2009 election an opportunity to discuss urban issues with voters. As a precursor to the forum, we sent questions to each of the candidates, which we will be publishing throughout the week. Click through to see answers from David Buttross, running for mayor. more ›