The Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism has awarded Dallas-based advertising agency Slingshot the much sought-after tourism marketing and ad services account. After a two month review, the Governor's office decided to leave TM Advertising (also in Dallas), and hand the task over to Slingshot's new "Team Texas", which includes the agency's team as well as the creative boutique Belmont Icehouse and a couple other international partners. The account will be managed in Dallas, but Slingshot is planning on opening an office in Austin. Stroll down memory lane with TM's archive of Texas Tourism materials and get to know Slingshot's work to make guesses as to which Willie Nelson song and what kind of cowboy boots will get featured in the upcoming campaign. Tell us: Do you think we're in for a complete overhaul of our tourism advertising, or do you think we'll just get a new spin on the "It's Like a Whole Other Country" tagline? more ›

• Federal Judge blocks key parts of Arizona immigration law
• An uncertain challenge for police
• Before SB1070, AZ deported thousands using controversial fed-local partnership program

• Doh! Don't rob a Sonic in a Caddy. People will notice.
• The New York Times Magazine profiled Liz Lambert. As @Andylanger quipped on Twitter on Sunday, "Huge colorful spread on @thelizlambert in today's New York Times Style mag. Thinking her publicist might need a raise." @thelizlambert quipped back, "dude! don't let it go to her head!"
• Stop the Internets! Willie cut off his pigtails!

KLBJ DJs suspended after making repeated racial slurs. Austin man's death likely to be heat-related. Our troops need their smokes. Oh Paris, we don't need your stinkin' smiles. Je t'aime! Meghan, just come out of the closet...as a Democrat. 50 million and counting. Who needs health coverage, really. Obama and his mom jeans (video). more ›

We're big fans of universal accessibility and all, but we were a little confused when we saw this bit in today's edition of PopBitch: more ›

The FDA approved Plan B as an OTC drug for women 18 and older; the Christian Right looks on in horror as chicks across the nation head out to slut it up. An American woman is about to become the first female space tourist. Tourism: that's where we are Vikings. Apparently, being hipper-than-thou won't save you from laptop explosions. Apple's recalling batteries, just like Dell. Rescued POW Jessica Lynch is pregnant. In perhaps unrelated... more ›

On the fifth anniversary of 9/11, Austin, its sister cities around the world, and 40 other cities around the country will team up in what's being billed as The September Concert. The concurrent event is somewhat bittersweet, as it's intended to both commemorate the tragedy that conspired on September 11th and celebrate the golden anniversary of Sister Cities International, founded by Eisenhower during the historic White House Summit on Citizen Diplomacy. "Fifty years ago,... more ›

: : FRIDAY : : [music] The Zippo Hot Tour Semi-Finals featuring Fractious, 9pm @ The Backroom - FREE! [film] A Bunch of New Movies Open! @ your local theater [film] QT6, 7pm & 9:30pm @ Drafthouse Downtown: Grindhouse Triple Feature also Saturday [music] Mike Graff, 8pm @ End of an Ear [dance] Refraction Arts presents "Shish-ka-bob! An Inventory of Works by Amy Cone," 8pm @ The Blue Theatre [music] Palaxy Tracks, The Glass... more ›