Finally, we have a real, live, legitimate scandal in the Obama White House. The Solyndra scandal seems to be the kind of political cronyism and backroom backscratching that voters have come to loathe in Washington politics, and it has all the makings for a full-scale congressional investigation. So why does no one seem to care? more ›

The city council stuck with most of the proposed budget for 2011-12, but did make some adjustments in their vote yesterday. The extra money in city coffers (mostly gained from high energy use through Austin Energy this summer) meant that the city council could keep some things in the budget that had been suggested for cuts. more ›

Earlier this week the Electric Reliability Council of Texas or ERCOT called on Texans to draw back on power usage. more ›

You or someone you know was likely affected by the statewide rolling blackouts earlier today. As of this afternoon, ERCOT has lifted the mandate on energy providers to limit power consumption, so the outages should be fewer and farther between. Austin's Emergency Operations Center requests that residents watch their power consumption, as this frigid weather will be with us for the rest of the week. Also -- keep an eye out for traffic light outages, and treat them as four way stops. [Austin Energy's Posterous] more ›

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) announced Monday, August 16, that a new electricity demand record, 64,805 megawatts (MW) had been made between 3 and 4pm. more ›

• Republican filibuster broken, jobless benefits extension likely to pass
• A little good news from the Gulf: Relief well days from completion...
• ...Or maybe not: Could cleanup effort damage Gulf further?

• Republican filibuster broken, jobless benefits could flow soon
• A little good news from the Gulf: Relief well "days from completion"
• ...or maybe not: Could oilspill cleanup damage the Gulf further?

• This is like a bad movie of the week: vice officer, prostitution case, charges filed against the officer.
• Is there an app for that? AT&T promises they're ready for SXSW 2010, won’t have repeat of the iPhone traffic jam of SXSW 2009.
• The New York Times covers the big-money deal for energy-company TXU.

Storm system that brought tornadoes to OK this afternoon is headed our way. Two women robbed a man in his North Austin apartment and attacked him with a frying pan and knife; one of them has been arrested. Speaker Straus making House committee assignments this week. Texas Medical Association joins class-action lawsuit against CIGNA and Aetna Insurance companies. AMD not able to reach shareholder quorum on spinoff vote. Peanut Corporation of America suspends operations at its Plainview plant after the salmonella outbreak. Obama Interior Sec. Salazar scraps W's offshore drilling plan. more ›

AE is hosting a town hall meeting tonight at City Hall, which you can participate in via their live online broadcast. You can also submit questions by calling in (512-974-5597). The meeting will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. more ›

Despite controversy, the new wind farm at the Kenedy Ranch in South Texas has started operating. Texas State student dies after being shot in the abdomen last night; authorities believe the shooting was accidental. One person dead, one injured after a shooting off Dessau Rd. this afternoon. One of the Austinites accused of planning an attack at the RNC convention pleads guilty. Limited space at Austin cemeteries. The city loves surveys. There's currently one available through Jan. 22 on the form and character of the Downtown Austin districts. Cityism: new board game tests your Austin trivia skillz. more ›

• U.S. job losses worst since 1974 as downturn deepens.
• Craigslist rant might land Colorado man in prison.
• Farmers upset about proposed law which would tax air-polluting animals.

93-year-old former Texas Supreme Court justice almost drove into Lady Bird Lake today. Current Texas Supreme Court Justice Hecht facing ethics charges after accepting a dicey contribution. Nine major companies (including GE, Dell, IBM and others) are partnering with the Pecan Street Project to bring clean energy & green jobs to Austin. Tech company Analog Devices Inc. shutting down its Austin location. Former American Cancer Society employee involved in cell phone fraud, swindling $590,000 from the non-profit. New York Times fashion critic stops in Austin before Thanksgiving weekend, really likes the Counter Cafe. Farm-to-table dinner tonight at Cipollina. more ›

• Cindy McCain accuses Barack Obama of endangering her son in Iraq.
• Pickens brings energy plan to Austin.
• Economy going to hell in a handbasket.

Both Reps Doggett (D) and McCaul (R) part of the majority who voted against the bailout bill. Montopolis-area residents form a neighborhood association. Four State Board of Education members plugging the Bible curriculum for Texas public schools. The French Ambassador to the US spoke at UT about nuclear power today. Some good news after today's shaky financial events: starting in January, you can fly straight to Puerta Vallarta from ABIA on Viva Aerobus. more ›

Public presentation on Austin's plan for biomass power set for 7pm this evening. Because of high fuel costs, Round Rock ISD is cutting down on school bus stops. City of Cedar Park will align its watering schedule with that of the City of Austin. Known Austin typhus cases now up to 14. VP buzz good for Waco Rep. Chet Edwards, even if he's not chosen. more ›

Electric Reliability Council of Texas and PUC ask you to reduce your energy usage tomorrow between the peak hours of 3pm and 7pm. Rep. Michael McCaul making campaign stops at local gas stations today. Gov. Perry issued a disaster declaration this afternoon before Edouard hits tomorrow. Kingsland resident will be charged with aggravated assault after firing his gun at suspected burglars. Multiple businesses in North Lamar strip mall affected by overnight fire. more ›

Results from the Wildflower Center's study show that having a green roof can knock 20% off your electric bills. APD searching for 2 men accused of swindling Austin-area immigrants. Judge rules that Gov. Perry's travel records can be released to newspapers. Locally-filmed Friday Night Lights looking for paid extras to play players, cheerleaders, and football fans. Snoop Dogg's tour bus was pulled over yesterday near Corsicana and two passengers were charged with marijuana possession. more ›

State public utilities commission issues a yellow alert, asking Texans to conserve energy. It may not be a CapMetro shuttle you take to ACL later this summer. Pilot project in Travis and (part of) Williamson counties has found that 25% of drivers pulled over have no auto insurance. Yikes! Capital Area Food Bank running low on donations this summer. Austin author Bill Bishop (The Big Sort) stops by The Daily Show tonight. more ›

Anita Perry announces a fund (not yet non-profit) to raise money for mansion restoration. Man related to feet found at Lake Travis has been identified. Oklahoma paper to sue UT staffer for his fake news story. Sen. Cornyn far outpacing Democratic candidate Noriega as far as campaign money goes. Texas Public Utilities Commission deciding how much more money to invest in wind energy. Sunset Advisory Commission suggests that public (instead of the governor) should choose head of TxDOT. more ›

• More troops are now dying in Afghanistan than in Iraq.
• Think we suck a lot of energy now? Just wait 'til 2030.
• "Foreign policy expert" McCain mixes up African countries - easy ones, too.

This doesn't bode well for the summer: Austin Energy set a new peak usage record yesterday. City's Chief Information officer placed on leave after allegations of using city funds for personal projects. More details on green restoration possibilities at Governor's Mansion. Carver Library branch to hold Juneteenth event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. more ›