• One word to describe Netanyahu and President Obama's meeting today: awkward.
• Is it just us or do you think Syria is not taking these U.S. sanctions seriously?
• Dominique Strauss-Kahn is yet another example of how the rich and powerful always get out of jail. Let's not forget he has been indicted by a grand jury.

An Austin-based freelance journalist who contributed to such local publications as the Austin American Statesman and the Austin Chronicle has been accused of setting fire to his rented Shoal Creek home. more ›

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

• ExxonMobil posts record $45.2 billion profit.
• IL Senate votes 59-0 to impeach Rod R. Blagojevich.
• Alaska volcano appears headed toward eruption. Say it ain't so, Joe.

Former Texas Attorney General and Democratic politician Jim Mattox died last night in his sleep; he was 65. Water tower explosion in Giddings leaves 3 injured (one critically so). Rhoda Mae Kerr is now officially Austin's first female fire chief. Arrest warrant out for RRISD Special Education TA after he allegedly had an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student. North Village branch of the APL is closing as of Monday, Dec. 1 (until the new building is ready in the spring). Woman showering in an East Austin group home was injured by a bullet from a drive-by last night. Eyewitness ID process needs improvement in Texas. more ›

City Manager Ott chooses Rhoda Mae Kerr (currently of Little Rock FD) as the next fire chief. Once approved by the council, she would be the first female fire chief in Austin history. APD on the lookout for the suspect in a stabbing on West Campus that happened Sunday. Yesterday UT staff and faculty rallied for domestic partnership benefits. Bye bye, old-school downtown parking meters? This farewell article brought back childhood memories of seeing Ralph the Swimming Pig at Aquarena Springs. Dear Cyclist with the Cat on Your Back... more ›

CapMetro will offer free bus rides on Election Day, so there goes that excuse. After her Obama sign was stolen, a Northwest Austin resident painted another sign ... on her lawn. This weekend, APD will accept no refusals if you drink and drive. Chef at Burnet restaurant fixed a, um, special recipe for the chief of police there. Gov. Perry's data consolidation deal with IBM isn't working out well. You can meet and greet the candidates for Fire Chief on Nov. 3. People are expressing concern over the location of the new biological defense lab; it's set to open in Galveston in November. more ›

Up to 36 fire department employees may have viewed p#rn at work. Man who fired gun at EZ's and Barton Creek movie theatre is caught. Since the City Council has approved the 2009 budget, trash rates will increase. Meals on Wheels starts a new program for volunteers who want to bike (instead of drive) a route to deliver food to needy Austinites. C3 Presents to donate $2.5 million to the Austin Parks Foundation. more ›

Austin firefighters' union not happy about random drug testing proposal. More on the train derailment that occurred downtown this morning. Crews cleaning up the downtown oil tank which earlier this year spilled into Waller Creek. Soon Georgetown residents won't be allowed to park in yards anymore. Two Republican members of the Lege ask AG Abbott about possible state anti-immigration options. more ›

APD seeks help in finding the man (pictured on the right) who hit a South Austin convenience store on June 15. Georgetown landscaper charged with deceptive trade practices (taking customers' money and not doing the job). Austin firefighter who was fired for sexual harassment of a co-worker (and for viewing porn at work) is appealing. Visitability organization asking city officials to require homebuilders make new homes handicap-accessible. more ›

Fire department lieutenant fired after he told a co-worker in September on the 9/11 anniversary that "he would have wanted to rape a female passenger had he been on a plane used in the attack." Southwest flight from Austin lands in Phoenix with flames coming out of one of the wheel areas. Investigators say that the Governor's mansion fire was likely politically motivated. (Insert sarcastic comment here.) Two state troopers should have been working the night of the fire, but only one was on duty. Rep. Lloyd Doggett proposing a global warming bill. more ›