Last Friday in Houston, a young girl brought a loaded 9mm pistol to school and started pointing it at people. She is 12 years old. The U.S. Supreme Court's new term starts this week. Why exactly is socialized medicine such a bad idea? Interesting article... The guy who tried to extort $1 million from Tom Cruise commits suicide. Article about the bloggers who helped bring the story of recent government oppression in Burma to... more ›

Last Friday, Governor Rick Perry's office made it public that our Governor has vetoed -- among many other laws that have come to his desk from the Legislature this year -- House Bill 3457, a simple bill that sought to grant the State of Texas the power to prohibit the drivers of diesel school buses from allowing the engine to idle while the bus is parked "at a school or school event." The bill was... more ›

Last Friday, Pets America delivered pet oxygen masks to City Hall; there are enough so that 100 local emergency vehicles can be outfitted with sets of three masks (cat, small dog and large dog). The funds for this project were raised in cooperation with Tomlinson's Pet Supplies, Lowe's, the Austin Community Foundation, and individual donors. Austinites helped raise over $5,500 to help save the lives of cats and dogs in need of oxygen in fiery situations. more ›

Do you live in Austin? Of course you do. Are you in a band? Of course you are, you live in Austin. Well, we here at the Austinist, renowned bastion of local music support, are introducing a new column on the last Friday of every month to broadcast your band's aural accomplishments to the rest of the community. So, if your band, or a friend's band, or your professor's band, or your ex's band,... more ›

WEDNESDAY [27] books • Texas Monthly Author Series presents John Burnett, author of Uncivilized Beasts and Shameless Hellions at BookPeople (7pm) benefit/music/food • Celebration of Choice 2006, a benefit with Genevieve Van Cleve, Carolyn Wonderland, The Texas Sapphires; live & silent auction; light fare buffer; at Antone's (5:30pm, $35/advance, $50/door, $20/music only) ® party • Hot Dog Hump Day: The Peacock Celebrates Its First Birthday! at The Peacock (4:30pm-7pm, Free) music • Bitter Tongues,... more ›

Last Friday, we thought we'd celebrate Chuck Norris Day by heading out to Lake Travis for some beer and boating. While we were out there, we noticed something a little risky, a little attractive and a lot stupid. Once our hands dried, we searched around the internet and were surprised to discover a new trend that has hit Central Texas lakes: Kite Tubing. Okay, the lake's not really our thing so maybe we're a... more ›

Teachers get extra homework
Last Friday , we told you about the legislative special session regarding school funding. Because they can't seem to reach a decision, not only will Speaker of the House Tom Craddick miss his Alaskan fishing trip, about 1,000 Round Rock high schoolers won't have textbooks. It's estimated that the delay in receiving books could be three weeks to two months, causing teachers to throw together some lesson materials at the last minute. [Statesman] more ›

Last Friday we told you about an Austin police officer shooting and killing a man suspected of having drugs. Here is an update to that story. East Austin activists are holding a protest in front of police headquarters Monday night to show their opinion of last Friday's incident. Apparently, the female officer fatally shot eighteen year old Daniel Rocha at point-blank range when he was lying on his stomach. He did try to flee... more ›

Last Friday and Saturday night some unsuspecting “John’s” got a little more than they bargained for when they offered some greenbacks for some lovin’. Unfortunately for the 38 men in question, their attempted quid pro quo was done with undercover Austin Police officers – a move that led all of them to jail for the evening. Maybe they should have offered a little more than the reported $10-$20. We remember the good ol’ days,... more ›