Politics & Policy
January 17, 2012
Greyhound Bus Driver to Occupy Group: Get Off the Bus
A group of protestors—now known as the "Amarillo 13"—say a driver kicked them off of a Greyhound bus for being part of the Occupy movement.
January 2012 – Page 2 of 3
The Culture
January 16, 2012
VIDEO: Ben Kweller Releases a YouTube Video with Jason Schwartzman, Snowboarder Shaun White
The Greenville native and current Austinite tries his hand at Internet comedy to promote his new album.
Politics & Policy
January 16, 2012
Does Rick Perry Make a Better Action Figure than Presidential Candidate?
Hero Builder, a toy company based in Connecticut, created two action figures of the governor complete with "Oops" sound bite.
Politics & Policy
January 16, 2012
Dueling fundraisers in SD 25
Jeff Wentworth faces a tough primary race against TLR-backed Elizabeth Ames Jones. Wentworth’s consultant, Bryan Eppstein, is circulating a comparison of their respective fundraising efforts. The summary in italics is written by Eppstein: Wentworh raises $400,000+ with 500 Co-Hosts for Jan 22nd Campaign Kickoff… Invitations mailed
Politics & Policy
January 16, 2012
The problem for Republicans in Texas
This was Kate Alexander’s main takeaway from the Senate debate. I don’t think it was any surprise that the top-heavy favorite in the race was on the defensive. If anything, as I wrote in my report on the debate on Friday, I thought Cruz missed opportunities
Sports
January 15, 2012
Outside versus Lance Armstrong
Instead of recycling tired rumors about Lance cheating, Outside's Bill Gifford peers into Livestrong's mission, budget, and commercial partnerships.
Politics & Policy
January 15, 2012
Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Romney with big SC lead
How they stand in SC: Romney 37 Paul 16 Santorum 16 Gingrich 12 Perry 6 Huntsman 3 The attacks on Romney’s role and tactics at Bain Capital did not hurt him. They will be heard again in the general election. The only thing the attacks accomplished was to strengthen Obama
The Culture
January 13, 2012
Louis Vuitton Knocks Off San Antonio Flea Market
A federal court ordered Eisenhauer Market, where vendors sold fake LV bags, to pay the high-fashion company $3.6 million for trademark infringement.
Politics & Policy
January 13, 2012
The Empower Texans U.S. Senate debate: no clear winner
Tom Leppert’s pitch was that when he became the mayor of Dallas, the biggest problem was crime, and he brought it down by 31%. “I’ve been there, I’ve done it.” Good talking point, but not what is uppermost in the minds of primary voters. Craig James kept saying that he
Food & Drink
January 12, 2012
Taco-Related Crimes Are Surprisingly Unhilarious
Texas has five entries on Buzzfeed's "30 Best Taco-Related Crimes Ever," but the mere presence of tortillas doesn't make crime funny.
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2012
Does Perry secretly want Obama to win?
His attacks on Romney for being a “vulture capitalist” have not gone over well with other Republicans, and they cost him the support of a major backer in South Carolina: Investment fund executive and top GOP donor Barry Wynn told the Associated Press he was leaving the Perry
Eat My Words
January 12, 2012
The Pies Have It–This Saturday! Y’all Come!
There are two kinds of people in America: pie people and cake people. If you’re a pie person (as I proudly count myself), consider coming to the fourth annual “Peace Through Pie” Social this Saturday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., at the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church
January 12, 2012
A Look Back at the Texas Prison Rodeo
Demolition crews are razing the Hunstville stadium this week, where "The Wildest Show Behind Bars" took place for 35 years. The place may be gone, but its legacy will never be forgotten.
Food & Drink
January 12, 2012
Dublin Dr Pepper Is Dead
The historic bottler's settlement with Dr Pepper kills off a beloved Texas icon.
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2012
Newt’s History With Dallas Topless Bar Revisited
How a Dallas strip club helped create a pit bull rescue sanctuary in Newt Gingrich’s name.
The Culture
January 12, 2012
Ron Paul Supporters are Hacks
Musicians's "endorsement" on Twitter of Ron Paul for president turns out to be the work of hackers.
Politics & Policy
January 11, 2012
Romney’s drive to the nomination continues
As expected, the Republican field did not offer a lot of competition for front-runner Mitt Romney in New Hampshire. The pundits were saying anything under 40% was bad for Romney, but he was close enough, with 39.3%. He has endured a couple of bad days as a consequence of saying
January 11, 2012
Bum Steer: Grapevine Pastor Ed Young Plans 24-hour “Bed-In” on Roof of Church
Meet the Fellowship Church pastor who makes Joel Osteen look like the picture of restraint.
Business
January 11, 2012
Are Twinkies in Peril?
Irving-based Hostess Brands, the maker of the indestructible snack cake, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time since 2004.
The Culture
January 11, 2012
Own Stars: What Are Your Favorite Texas Celebs Up To?
Dennis Quaid moves back to Texas, LeAnn Rimes's mom keeps her from baring it all, and Larry Hagman wants to be a plant.
Health
January 11, 2012
Ironically, Obese Texas is a Leader in Weight Loss Research
Two new studies from Texas researchers focus on shedding the pounds and keeping them off.
Music
January 10, 2012
The Sierra Blanca Checkpoint Strikes Again: Snoop Dogg Arrested for Pot Possession
The rapper takes a marijuana bust in the same place that tripped up his good friend Willie Nelson.
Sports
January 9, 2012
The (Other) Texan at the Helm of the Saints
ESPN profiles the Texas-bred New Orleans Saints co-owner Rita Benson LeBlanc, who describes herself as having "Texas heart, Cajun blood."
Politics & Policy
January 9, 2012
Ken Starr Would Vote for a Mormon
Baylor University President Ken Starr took to the op-ed pages of the Washington Post asking, "Can I vote for a Mormon?"
Politics & Policy
January 9, 2012
Is the State Water Plan unfunded? Yes
Last week the Statesman took me to task for a post I wrote after the Iowa caucus in which I said that the State Water Plan has not been funded. The article appeared under the headline, “Is the State Water Plan unfunded? No” Here is what the Statesman
Business
January 9, 2012
VIDEO: Houston Eschews Preservation and Demolishes Historic Skyscraper
It took less than twenty seconds to take down the sixty-year-old MD Anderson building, which was demolished to make way for new clinical space.
January 9, 2012
TEST – Typography
Testing this "thing" and & maybe an ampersand
January 9, 2012
HPD Stars in “The Fifth Worst Police Misconduct Video of 2011”
Injustice Everywhere readers rated more than eighty police brutality videos, and coming in at number five was a tape of the Houston Police Department stomping and beating a teen burglary suspect.
The Culture
January 9, 2012
Elvis Presley’s Letter to Fort Hood Sergeant Up for Auction
Presley's 1958 letter to William Norwood is a rare artifact chronicling his connection to Fort Hood and Killeen.
Politics & Policy
January 8, 2012
What an odd debate
I don’t get it. Why did Rick Perry go to South Carolina? Why did he participate in the New Hampshire debate? He had no passion, he didn’t attack anybody, and certainly not Romney. I guess he just wants to play with the other kids. He can’t stand being left out.
Politics & Policy
January 6, 2012
Why, exactly, did Perry go to South Carolina?
According to a new CNN/Time/ORC poll, out today on the CNN website, Romney has a commanding lead in South Carolina: Romney 37% Santorum 19% Gingrich 18% Paul 12% Perry 5% Huntsman 1% Since the previous poll, taken in December, Gingrich has dropped 25 points. Santorum has
BBQ Joint Reviews
January 6, 2012
Gatlin’s BBQ & Catering
It was the end of a long day. My friends Nick and Clark had stayed with me bite for bite through six other barbecue joints and we were on our way to Houston to eat at this mightily heralded joint in northwest Houston
Politics & Policy
January 6, 2012
Mitt Romney’s new BFF
That would be Rick Perry, of course. Perry cannot accomplish anything for himself in South Carolina. What he can do, and what he will do by staying in the race, is split the conservative vote between Gingrich, Santorum, and himself (Ron Paul is not a factor), and by doing so,
January 6, 2012
Perry’s Poll Numbers in Low Single Digits in South Carolina
The governor is "not a factor," according to the American Research Group president.
Business
January 6, 2012
The Week in Business: Profits, Losses, and Everything in Between
Another hiccup for AT&T, American Airlines's parent company gets delisted, and San Antonio will now be the mechanic for America's most famous plane.
January 5, 2012
Win the Weekend: What Texas Was Talking About This Week
Rick Perry's campaign, the Houston Texans make the playoffs, and more.
January 5, 2012
Bum Steer: That “Handsome Guy” Nickname Might Be a Curse in Prison
A man suspected in the “Handsome Guy” bank robberies was found on the run after he allegedly left his car keys at the scene of his last heist.
Border & Immigration
January 5, 2012
Oblivious ICE Officials Deport American Teenager to Colombia
Authorities shipped Jakadrien Turner, a fourteen-year-old from Dallas, off to South America even though she's an American citizen who doesn't speak Spanish.
Politics & Policy
January 5, 2012
“The Hill” columnist hints of Perry skullduggery in South Carolina
From The Hill’s “Pundits Blog” today comes this effort in unsubstantiated and unrestrained speculation about why Rick Perry decided to stay in the race and go to South Carolina, by columnist Brent Budowsky, who has never been an admirer of Rick Perry. If Rick Perry was a legitimate conservative (which
Sports
January 4, 2012
Astros GM Makes Up a Fancy Title for His “Moneyball” Stat Guy
Jeff Luhnow named the new statistician Sig Mejdal the team's “Director of Decision Science.”
January 4, 2012
Iowa Caucuses on the State’s Front Pages
How the Iowa caucases played out on the front pages of the big Texas papers after Ron Paul had a strong showing and Rick Perry, well, did not.
Politics & Policy
January 4, 2012
Surrender
What an amazing turn of events. It started out as an ordinary speech by a losing candidate. Rick Perry thanked Iowa, he thanked his supporters, he thanked his family, and he read a letter from a young man who had driven from Texas to work in the campaign, all of
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2012
Perry running 5th in Iowa
Romney, Paul, and Santorum are in what amounts to a three-way tie at 23% each. Nope, Romney has nosed ahead with 24%. Perry has climbed out of single digits to reach 10%, 3 points behind Gingrich. He spent $4 million on media in Iowa. This was a doomed exercise from
January 3, 2012
Midland Green Beret Says He Didn’t See the C-4 While Packing
Trey Scott Atwater, who is charged with attempting to take explosives on an airplane, was “surprised” that there was C-4 in his carry-on.
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2012
Newt Leaves Texas Tech Climate Scientist Out in the Cold
The Texas Tech atmospheric climate scientist who wrote a chapter on climate change for Newt Gingrich's forthcoming book was shocked to learn the GOP hopeful had scrapped her contribution.
News & Politics
January 3, 2012
Heartbreaking Videos from Austin Teen Go Viral
The last YouTube videos of Austin teen Ben Breedlove, who died from a heart attack on Christmas night, have gained a worldwide following.
Politics & Policy
January 2, 2012
NBC News-Marist Poll on the eve of Iowa caucuses
Romney 23 Paul 21 Santorum 15 Perry 14 Gingrich 13 Bachmann 6 * * * * If this holds, Perry will remain in the presidential race for sure, and may even get a boost. This is a good result for him. After being shunted aside by Iowa’s evangelical power brokers
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
To our readers: Thank you for making this blog what I hoped it would become, which is an ongoing town hall meeting about Texas politics. I am very grateful for the interest and involvement of so many people. Now, back to business …. Perry may escape from Iowa with a
True Crime
January 1, 2012
Hannah and Andrew
On October 3, 2006, a four-year-old boy named Andrew Burd died in a Corpus Christi hospital. The cause of death was determined to be salt poisoning, an extremely unusual occurrence. Even more shocking was what happened next: his foster mother, Hannah Overton, was found guilty of killing him. But could
Web Exclusive
January 1, 2012
Did It Their Way
Austin filmmakers David and Nathan Zellner prove that Sundance still embraces their type of idiosyncratic, shoestring-budgeted work.