Photo by pisti on stock.xchngAustin City Council will discuss a resolution today that calls for expanding services for the local homeless population. Councilmember Jennifer Kim, citing the need for a "comprehensive and compassionate" strategy in dealing with Austin's estimated 6,000 indigents, sponsored the proposal. From what we've seen, the measure mostly calls for re-prioritizing and increasing social services funding, providing more beds at local shelters, and collecting more data on the homeless. Critics of the... more ›

In an age where presidential hopefuls host public Q&As via MySpace, grassroots "citizen" diaries are making it even easier to keep up with what's happening on the campaign front lines. more ›

“Currently, students' voluntary religious expression is being treated as second-class speech, and sometimes worse, in public schools. School children are being censored and reprimanded at school, leaving them in fear of punishment for their religious beliefs. Due to hostility toward religious expression, children are being forced to defend their First Amendment rights in courtrooms all across Texas, and throughout the nation. “School districts' practices and policies continue to violate the free speech rights of students,... more ›

It’s just a fucking word, people. Seriously, what the fuck? Steve Anderson's documentary Fuck, a hit at this year’s SXSW, takes an honest look at everyone’s favorite four letter word. Part comedy, part earnest anthropological exploration, the film explores our fascination with, and the power of, this ubiquitous swear word. The film features interviews with a host of fascinating subjects, ranging from our most recent favorite genius, David Milch, to Hunter S. Thompson to Pat... more ›

Local: Travis County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a controversial 1,800-home Hill Country development project known as Sweetwater. Sweetwater will cover roughly 1,000 acres with its main entrance at the intersection of Texas 71 and Bee Creek Road. Residents and environmentalists have said the area is already stressed by booming development. Christy Muse, executive director of the Hill Country Alliance, said that "questionable" actions by the commissioners allowed the project to fall under the state's... more ›

Nothing says loving like irate e-mails and death threats. A UT professor has been getting both after that venerable news source, the Drudge Report, linked to a pair of his recent speeches on population. more ›

There seem to be a lot of double standards in place when it comes to regulating Free Speech around the world. Joseph "Jack" Thomas, an Austrailian-Muslim convert, had a hard time with his conversion because he loves his beer. On Sunday, a 22-year old in Detroit shoots his girlfriend's mother while she's attending Sunday Services. While the 'Horns men's basketball team looks ahead to the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments, take a peek at... more ›

In a recent letter released under the Freedom of Information Act, the National Security Agency (NSA) revealed that it is paying two news agencies - Reuters and the Associated Press - for information. Other government agencies purchase news wire services, but no other agency presents the NSA's level of secrecy and defensiveness with such purchases. Is it possible that the NSA is influencing the media and free speech? The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EEF) has... more ›

Well, we'll tell you: somewhere between $122,000 to $123,000. That's how much KVUE news is reporting the city of Austin spent during the KKK's little visit to City Hall before the vote in November. You remember that, don't you? Something about gay people and marriage and bigotry...Anyway, if the city paid it, that means YOU paid it. Doesn't that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? more ›

We've given the IST list a fab makeover - now with pictures, music links, and more! exclamation! marks! Whether you love it or hate it, let us know - we do this for you, after all. And we apologize for the delay in posting this; one word: meetings. Another word: narcolepsy. We're bummed that We Are Scientists decided to bail on their Austin show, but nevertheless there's a full week ahead of us. Pace yourselves,... more ›