Poverty can suppress a child's genetic potential, according to a study released Monday by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin. The results of the study showed cognitive disparities among socioeconomic groups beginning at age two, while at ten months they were generally equal. Higher socioeconomic groups scored "significantly higher," the study found. more ›

• Apparently the Iranians just heard about the guy who wanted to burn the Quran. Maybe by next week they will hear that he did not.
• A man of the cloth will talk to a bunch of children today. Sounds fishy, doesn't it?
• The mighty Jon Stewart and (the almost as good) Steve Colbert will be holding rallies in DC this October.

Today many blogs are participating in Blog Action Day, with bloggers worldwide posting on this year's topic of poverty. With a focus on Austin, the Capital Area Food Bank has posted some facts along with personal stories on their blog today. The United Way Capital Area has many posts up on the topic, including a series of videos with Councilmember Mike Martinez. Robert Quigley at the Statesman has posted a list of other local Blog Action Day posts. more ›

Over a span of 6 months I trekked out on the weekends/weeknights to converse with some of Austin's houseless (as they like to be called). These images are my attempt to share what I took away from each of these individuals. more ›

The national poverty numbers were released earlier this week, and while Texas isn't the poorest state (we are fifth down the list), we seem to be stuck in a rut. Even though we've seen five years of economic growth in our state, the poverty numbers for our state remain about the same: not great. 3.7 million Texans are living in poverty. And while the rich are getting richer, the poor are increasingly living without... more ›

According to a recent research report issued today, Texas children are getting the proverbial short end of the stick. Like, the really short end. The report - called the KIDS COUNT Data Book - is a national state-by-state report issued by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in conjunction with the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP). more ›

Qué tan lejos | How Much Further Regal Metropolitan #11, 7 PM Qué tan lejos narrates a journey of self-discovery, as two girls in their mid-twenties travel through the Ecuadorian mountains and coastline. Esperanza and Trizteza will not find postcard views or true love, but their journey will open them to a world beyond such illusions. Tania Hermida was born in Cuenca, Ecuador. From 1988 to 1991 she studied Film Direction at the San... more ›

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day, taking place this year on Saturday, January 13th, was created to honor the memory of the civil rights hero and encourage the public to carry on his legacy of volunteerism through community service projects. Locally, what began as a grassroots effort by State Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin) to clean up East MLK Jr. Boulevard in 2000 has blossomed into the citywide MLK Day of Service. The 2007 clean... more ›

Come celebrate indigenous and mestizo contributions in the 3rd Annual Dia de la Raza celebration tonight from 7-10:30 at the Pavilion at Fiesta Gardens, featuring East L.A. band Quetzal and Austin-native Maneja Beto. Poetry readings, a Latino community group fair and refreshments are included. The latest hot-button issue: Christian Deitering, president of the Longhorn Hellraisers, used his Capitol connections to destroy the Texas A&M University pep rally traditionally held on the South side of... more ›

The U.S. Census Bureau has released some new 2005 numbers analyzing the national population. This batch includes more localized information for cities and states. According to this most recent census, Texas ranks 6th among states with the most people living in poverty, and 36th among states with the highest median household income. Median household income: • U.S. – $46,242 • Texas – $42,139 • Travis County – $48,026 Percentage with incomes below the poverty... more ›

Poverty, famine, political corruption, a fragile ecosystem that is growing more fragile by the day. The world is facing some serious concerns and we must be very conscientious in the way we move forward if we want to have any hope of leaving it a better place for our children. Author, actor, filmmaker Turk Pipkin felt the weight of these pressing global concerns, so he went and found some of the world’s brightest people... more ›

Poverty, famine, political corruption, a fragile ecosystem that is growing more fragile by the day. The world is facing some serious concerns and we must be very conscientious in the way we move forward if we want to have any hope of leaving it a better place for our children. Author, actor, filmmaker Turk Pipkin felt the weight of these pressing global concerns, so he went and found some of the world’s brightest people... more ›

With its wide loops of stream-of-conscious narrative and its disturbing string of events—including physical and emotional abuse, poverty, madness, and death—In Night’s City by Dorothy Nelson isn’t an easy read. The mother and daughter team of Esther and Sara share narrating duties, their stories prompted by the death of their abuser, Joe, a not-so-devoted husband and father. more ›

According to the United Way Capital Area's group, Success by Six, Travis County isn't doing so hot in serving area children. The county received a C for "healthy", and Ds for "Happy" and "Smart" on the group's report card (.pdf). Some results:Only 13.35% of area child care facilities meet national/state accreditation standards. 79.7% of Austin parents knew the name of their young child's favorite book. 17.8% of Austin-area parents and families are living below... more ›

Only time will tell what effects Hurricane Katrina will have on New Orleans for generations to come. As we post this, people are being evacuated and the levee is being repaired. But it will be months before New Orleans returns to some semblance of civilization ... but what cultural effects will come of this? We wonder how the African-American community will suffer from the looters in New Orleans. New Orleans' black population is somewhere... more ›

Are you wondering where you will get your sketch comedy funny now that the Chappelle show is on “hold”? How about by supporting your local Latino Comedy Project ensemble. The LCP is performing two shows a night Thursday – Saturday at 8PM and 10:30PM over at The Hideout Theatre downtown. We caught the early show of "Citizen Quién?" last night and we laughed and cried laughed the whole night. more ›