Austin's continued involvement in the Central Texas Clean Cities Program, has earned the city a $12,500 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy. ...

Texas Huckabee supporters aren't giving up. Early voting starts tomorrow and goes through Feb. 29. Two Austin High teens die over the weekend after the car they are in is hit by a hydroplaning truck. USDA finally recalls beef already sent to Central Texas schools....

Tonight's massive Super Tuesday election returns should make for some top notch TV watching, but there's no reason why you should spend the evening yelling at political pundits by yourself. Whether you're a hardcore democrat or republican, plenty of your like-minded brethren are getting together around town to watch the returns and collectively celebrate (or commiserate). Besides the formal meetup spots, you'll probably stand a decent chance of catching some prime time coverage at Brown Bar and the Cloak Room....

Welcome to 'Keeping it Weird in Central Texas', a weekly look at urban legends, bizarre creature sightings, eerie encounters and other unexplained phenomena which have peppered the annals of Austin and Central Texas folklore....

Perhaps Perry should have held off on his endorsement: after losing to McCain last night in Florida, Giuliani is expected to soon drop out of the race. Bouncer assaulted after denying a couple guys entrance to his club and not allowing their friend to urinate in front of it. City may soon switch to LEDs in light fixtures to conserve energy....

In an effort to put to rest the debate over whether Austin has an actual gay and lesbian community, eight prominent LGBT organizations today announced the formation of the Pride Coalition. The unifying entity is, in many ways, largely an effort to eliminate some of the petty squabbling over resources and public attention that many of these groups often found themselves caught up in. It also hopes to better promote the various community volunteer efforts that take place throughout the year....

While high-end luxury transportation may not always be associated with sustainability, a new limo service is rolling into town to change all that. Clean Air Limo is Austin's first eco-luxury private car service. Traditionally, most limousine companies in Central Texas use Lincoln Town Cars which could serve as one of the many contributing factors to why Texas leads the nation carbon emissions. Clean Air Limo uses only eco-friendly vehicles in their fleet. ...

AngelouEconomics will host the annual Economic & Technology Forecast next Thursday, January 24, at the Austin Convention Center. The Economic & Technology Forecast is billed as the largest business event in Austin, with attendees including public officials, educators, media, economic analysts and business executives from Central Texas’ technology, legal, real estate and services industries. Speakers include Angelos Angelou, the Founder and CEO of AngelouEconomics, and Zanny Minton Beddoes, the US economics editor for The Economist....

As if this weather hasn't been enough to get even the laziest of Austinites out and running, Paul Carrozza and his team over at RunTex are creating even more reasons to get out and about in 2008. Over the course of this month, the Lake Austin Boulevard RunTex will be stripped of its retail shelves—in its place will be a running institution aimed at consulting, training, and creating various fitness programs and seminars for local athletes....

The state fish of Texas, the Guadalupe Bass, is close to extinction according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The species was endangered when it was made the official state fish in 1989. Re-stocking efforts in two Central Texas streams led to inter-species mating with small-mouth bass. ...

Score one more for the acquisitions team at the Harry Ransom Center. Yesterday morning, the UT facility announced that it had purchased the papers of Tim O'Brien, American novelist and resident of Central Texas. O'Brien teaches at Texas State University in San Marcos....

As we mentioned last Friday, Austin entrepreneur Jim Plamondon, through his company Thumtronics, has unleashed both a new musical instrument and a new concept of music theory on the international stage that many believe could bring substantial attention to our fair city's music industry. It's called the "Thummer." Praised in last Friday's Wall Street Journal, the device addresses the difficulty that many people experience when attempting to learn how to play the regular old keyboard.......

Photo of Rick Noriega by Matt Wright on flickr After the muggy weekend, some Central Texas counties (not Travis) are under freeze warnings tonight. Today Rick Noriega officially launched his campaign against Cornyn for the Senate seat. Cedar Park police going after drivers who skip out on paying 183A tolls. House State Affairs Committee to review TxDOT's "Keep Texas Moving" ad campaign. Gov. Perry is now heading up the Republican Governor's Association. AT&T is leaving......

Photo courtesy austinsantaspeedorun.com Santa Speedo Run at Trail of Lights 5kSaturday, December 8Zilker Park6pm[info]During next weekend's Trail of Lights 5k Run, Zilker Park's festive arrangement of lighted scenes won't be the only eye candy on display. Some steely individuals will get together to participate in Austin's first annual Santa Speedo Run, wearing, as you might have guessed, nothing but the trademark Lycra swim briefs. It's all in the name of good fun, while (informally) fundraising......

Photo of Z. Bechtol from statesman.com Man found dead under car at a Round Rock Walgreens. Zenobia Bechtol, 14, has been missing since last night around 10pm. More than half of the state's school districts pass on the teacher merit pay plan. Smoking ban started today at some Central Texas hospitals. The two suspects who broke into McBrides earlier this week weren't after guns. State Rep. Dawnna Dukes receives a $10,000 donation from Bob Perry's......

Editors’ note: The opinions and ideas expressed in My Ex-Boyfriend's Band are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the outlook and belief of anyone else in the Ist network. It's been a big year for Graham Williams. Last December, he joined forces with Alamo Drafthouse to put on the inaugural Fun Fun Fun Fest, one day of indie, punk and electronic music on three stages in Waterloo Park. It was......

Sol-Art SOL-ART @ E.A.S.T. Austin Studio TourNovember 17 from 10am-11pm and November 18 from 10am-5pmSOL-ART (1141 Perry Rd)[info]Central Texas living meets sustainability in a new development project called SOL, or Solutions Oriented Living. The new green oasis is three miles east of downtown and will consist of architect-designed, environmentally conscious homes surrounded by 5 acres of oak trees. Some of Austin's finest artists filmmakers, writers, photographers, musicians, and other creative souls will gather in full......

Rebecca Robinson won't sit still. In addition to her day job, Robinson is also an award-winning actor, garnering recognition as the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for the 2006-2007 B. Iden Payne Awards. Austinist asked Robinson some questions about The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas and her role as Executive Director of the Austin-based organization whose membership reads like a a who's who of heavy-hitters in the growing Texas culinary scene. How did......

Several Austin TV stations were honored at last night's 5th annual Lone Star EMMY Awards. One of the evening's big winners was local PBS affiliate KLRU, which garnered 6 awards out of its initial 21 nominations, including three for Downtown (a co-production of KLRU, the Downtown Austin Alliance and Action Figure) and one for the Central Texas community-driven "collaborative collage," Docubloggers. CBS 42's investigative journalist Nanci Wilson scored two wins, for her special feature stories,......

Late night fire at police commander's house in Northwest Austin leaves over half a million dollars worth of damage. Firefighters from various regions of the country attend Central Texas wildfire training school. Hays County Area Food Bank starts their Thanksgiving food drive. Hannah Hawley, announced missing yesterday, is back with her family. Notice a different taste to our tap water? Sen. Cornyn votes against bill that would grant citizenship to young illegal immigrants who......

Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas (BBBS-CT) provided over 82,000 hours of mentoring to 1,588 children in Travis, Williamson, McLennan and Brazos counties. This year, they've teamed up with the Neighborhood Longhorns Program (NLP), and are currently recruiting and pairing UT students with children at AISD elementary schools for a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Volunteers are needed to provide educational and social support through mentoring and tutoring for kids ranging from 6 to......

As a prelude to CNU XVI, Envision Central Texas and the Congress for the New Urbanism are hosting "From Boom to BEST? The Future of Central Texas", a lunch featuring a discussion by Andrés Duany of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, Hank Dittmar of The Prince Charles Foundation for the Built Environment and our own beloved mayor. Topics include fostering walkable development, transit, sustainability in times of booming growth and the impact of mixed-use development......

It looks like our state legislators elected the wrong dinosaur to represent us as the official mascot of Texas: a new report claims that the bones found in North Central Texas, previously believed to be those of a pleurocoelus, are actually from an altogether different species. Southern Methodist University graduate Peter Rose devoted his master's thesis to studying the bones, which were discovered near the Paluxy River back in the 90s. Discrepancies arose when he......

The Health Alliance For Austin Musicians (or HAAM) provides local artists with low-cost health care and other related services. This year’s HAAM Benefit Day is here (today), and the organization is presenting numerous shows all over town this evening, along with a Telethon on ME Television. One can offer their assistance in funds by donating online as well. The HAAM Benefit Day is presented with support from a number of entities, including Whole Foods......

Regardless of whatever Bill Maher might think, pediatricians, parenting experts, and a little organization called the Department of Health and Human Services recommend 12 months or more of breastfeeding. Austin has long been an area where breastfeeding and Attachment Parenting practices are supported. It's no surprise we have the breastfeeding moms and lactivists to prove it. Central Texas Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition and Mother's Milk Bank at Austin are hosting Austin's second year......

After a long, hot summer, it’s time to check out Austin’s new fall fashions and get in the mood for shopping. Tribeza’s Fourth Annual Style Week is right around the corner—Wednesday through Sunday, to be exact—and there are plenty of fun events open to the public. Style Week is kicking off with a happy hour at By George’s South Congress location, where you can nibble on goodies from Cissi’s Market and peruse the flirty fashions.......

Newsweek ranks UT Austin as "Hottest for Saving America's Schools" A woman dies while tubing on the Blanco River Sunday night Keith Williams, 33, and Charkora Gentry, 31, attempt to steal brisket from an H-E-B, end up kicking a store employee in the back The good news: Karl Rove is resigning. The bad news: he's moving back to Texas. Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Texas are searching for a few good male mentors Former......

Low-income families in Central Texas hoping to replace their old cars may qualify for financial aid Put that pen down, sir: authorities are going after hot check writers across the state this month There's a Lady Bird Johnson tribute DVD out now, with proceeds going to the LBJ Wildflower Center Houston area man gets evicted, leaves behind hundreds of chickens Williamson County animal shelter accidentally euthanizes lost dog after only two days, owners show......

RGK Ranch, a proposed suburban development in the Hill Country west of Bee Cave on the south side of Highway 71, was the subject of some protest at the Travis County Commissioners Court hearing last night. The commissioners delayed their vote on the project by at least two weeks. The project would add another 1,500 single family homes to the area. Two similar projects, Sweetwater Lazy 9 and West Cypress Hills, are already in......

*The views expressed in Truesday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole. Thank heavens.* -The Editors It was in my sixth hundredth year that I made a humble man’s plans to perform the recently accepted annual rite of loose boozery and off-cuffed shenanigans designed to commemorate the birth of broad-scale marketing for the two-piece bikini. This rite was to revolve around a vessel, and the Central Texas sea,......