As if scoring endorsements from Willie Nelson and Lance Armstrong weren't enough, Mayor Lee Leffingwell appears to be reaching for the all-important Gen X vote. Today, the Leffingwell campaign posted a sublimely weird spoof of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." more ›

Councilmember Chris Riley and Mayor Lee Leffingwell are crapping all over a plan by the Cities of Leander and Granite Shoals to discharge treated sewage, or effluent (pronounced "eff-you-uhnt"), into the Highland Lakes, including Lake Travis and Late Austin. Late Austin is currently the sole source of drinking water in Austin and the newly approved water treatment plant will draw from Lake Travis. Other councilmembers will decide on Thursday whether to join them in opposition. The Lower Colorado River Authority and Travis County have already indicated that they are opposed to the new plan. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules currently prohibit new treated wastewater effluent discharges into any of the Highland Lakes. LCRA predicts considerable degradation of water quality in the Highland Lakes if new discharges are authorized. Most of the fecal matter is removed from treated wastewater (unless there is a malfunction or it rains), but other contaminants remain - notably pharmaceuticals. 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 ›

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 ›

Native Austinite Chris Riley is formally kicking off his campaign for the City Council Place 1 seat tonight with a fete at Threadgill's World Headquarters on Riverside. The event is free and all are invited to attend. "This is a chance to meet Chris and other fellow Austinites who are getting involved with issues like reducing our dependency on cars, growing our green economy, and promoting our music & arts scenes in town," said campaign staffer Michael Litt. The party runs from 6 to 8 p.m. [More info] more ›