Sex toys are no longer illegal in Texas; federal appeals court overturns the ban. McCain adviser tells NPR that if Obama is the Democratic nominee, he won't keep working on McCain's campaign. Decapitation wire placed by someone on US/Mexico border fence. Hezbollah leader in Lebanon calls for "open war" on Israel at the funeral for their top commander. Yesterday the Prime Minister of Australia publicly apologized for the wrongs done to the Aboriginal people.......

SFist saw Christmas Day turn tragic after a Siberian tiger escaped from her pen at the San Francisco Zoo, killing a visitor and mauling two others. Phillyist counted down the top ten items on Philadelphia's New Year's wish list. Gothamist looked at the wooden bikes being offered for NYC's first bike share program on Governors Island. LAist received a Christmas present in the form of a drunk Santa Claus in a g-string. Bostonist launched......

An earthquake in Indonesia brings fears of possible tsunami in Indian Ocean. One year into serving as Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe is resigning. Another government shakeup: Putin is dissolving Russia's current government in preparation for upcoming elections. Aviator Fossett still lost, but six other lost planes have been found in the search for his plane. US Senate will hold hearing on toy safety today. Doesn't Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson deserve better than playing Carrie......

We always said MySpace is for killers. Elton John as Prime Minister? Don't even go there. People just don't appreciate head like they used to. Canadian Professors can toke it up on campus. We never even asked. We were going to wish we could have had sex at 2:16 yawwwnnnnnn. Altering Catholic guidlines seems to be all about the language. Bishops are attempting to say "gay" without saying "gay".......

Our new toll roads will officially open to traffic November 1st. According to a recent report from the FBI, the large city with the highest crime rate is our very own Dallas. The government is uploading anti-drug videos to youtube in another vain attempt to turn the tide on their war on drugs. Meanwhile, Kinky would like to legalize marijuana. NASA has postponed the Wednesday landing of the Atlantis due to the appearance of......

It appears that city council members are choosing to pursue a bike safety study rather than moving forward with an law requiring cyclists to wear a helmet. The five redrawn congressional districts are now open and ready for political mayhem with multiple candidates running for office in each district. Democratic goobernatorial candidate Chris Bell thinks that Rick Perry is catering to "polluters who write big campaign checks." In other completely unrelated news, a campaign......

Park Officials in Bastrop are busting out the big guns against the hundreds of black vultures that presently terrorize the local establishment. The new Texas State Highway 130 (under construction) may allow drivers to fly down the road at 85 mph. Unfortunately it took a violent death to push the Backyard music venue to address the dangers related to their parking situation. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased.......

Local: The U.S. Commerce Secretary recently met with local Austin business leaders in an effort to push Bush's platform to control illegal immigration. One concern facing business owners will be their ability to find skilled workers who can claim legal status. In other local news that we mentioned a while back: Your house may now be located in a flood plain. State: Democratic candidate for governor Chris Bell believes that the four-way race for......

Austin is getting a new public Art Installation. Today at 11am, Mayor Will Wynn and Gibson Guitars will be part of a ceremony kicking-off the project in front of City Hall. Austin GuitarTown is going to feature guitars scattered around the city, placed in front of landmarks and significant businesses, that are painted by local musicians and artisans. NASA is planning to bomb the moon in order to study dust particles that come from......

With all this talk about extreme weather conditions as a result of Global Warming, some governments have good timing. The City of Austin and Travis County are about to release the latest update of flood plains and low-lying areas that could be affected by serious flooding. Homeowners should take a serious look because it could certainly affect home-values and insurance rates. Prime Minister Tony Blair gave a speech regarding the worldwide battle of values......

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon undergoes emergency surgery after doctors discover an increase in cranial pressure. Meanwhile, Pat Robertson has the audacity to suggest this is some sort of "divine retribution." The Canadian Medical Association Journal claims that supplying winos with booze might actually be good for them and everyone else. BBC lists the top 100 things we learned this year. Our favorites? "WD-40 dissolves cocaine - it has been used by a pub......

- The Hammer motioned to have his appointed judge, Travis County District Court's Bob Perkins, remove himself from the case, his attorney arguing that "Perkins has specifically given money to people or organizations that have opposed DeLay." The defendant himself whined that he was "charged with beating Democrats." Actually, Tom? You're charged with being a fucking crook. - Judge Perkins also presided over the case of Jackson Ngai, the UT student accused of brutally......

In case you have not heard, early this morning in London (which would have been the middle of the night for us) several explosions hit the city’s transport system near the financial district and King’s Cross. Three bombs exploded in the tube system, one other on a public bus. The subway and bus lines were immediately shut down, bringing the city to a standstill. London's transportation system remains frozen indefinitely while rescuers search among......