More happy economy news! Layoffs for the holidays, yay! Any drunk frat boys on Sixth Street missing their parent's credit cards? KBR accused of using mortuary trucks that "still had traces of body fluids and putrefied remains in them" to ship ice to the troops. Bush doesn't actually care about civil rights - just the commemorative coin. Who knew that candy cane lawn ornament could keep holiday guests in line? In case you were... [continue]

Latest news on the attacks in Mumbai. Condi's compliment to Sen. Clinton. Facebook status update: I'm anorexic Ten Things To Know If You're Having Thanksgiving With Republicans Thanksgiving gastronomy support Lone Star Showdown match-up The village idiot's Hanukkah hiccup... [continue]

paraflyer/flickrWe here at Austinist are asking for your help. In a story that could only be described as utterly heartbreaking, Josh Talbot, a junior Radio-TV-Film student at UT, is in desperate need of both white blood cells and a bone marrow donor. What started out as a case of mononucleosis in September has morphed into a very rare complication from Epstein-Barr called Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). We’ll spare you a long-winded medical dissertation and sum it... [continue]

As if flying isn't bad enough these days, pilots are now having in-flight mental breakdowns. Huckabee = FAIL. Again. Cabinet talk. Gremlins do exist! How low can it go? Can it go down low? All the way to the floor? Just when you thought W's hellish destruction was over... Flash back to our childhood Thanksgiving holiday.... [continue]

Strayhorn looks to run for mayor (again) in 2009. She will just not shut up and go away. Group calls for cleaner Austin festivals. EARTHQUAKE!!!! (Planning for the day California physically floats out to sea.) More awesome economic news. Beau Biden headed to Iraq. Suh-weet! Austinist roadtrip! Clothes optional.... [continue]

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is suing Darque Tan owner Robbie Segler and his affiliates for false marketing claims stating that searing your flesh with carcinogenic light bulbs is actually good for you and can reduce your risks of some cancers. In a follow up to a story that originally broke in May, Darque Tan’s marketing material in both print and online video ads suggests that their tanning beds increase Vitamin D levels in the body, thereby reducing customers’ risks of contracting cancer. The state is arguing that those claims violate the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Texas Health and Safety Code which prohibits tanning salons from saying that their tanning devices provide any benefits of the health or medical variety. The FDA has not approved tanning beds as a way to reduce cancer risks or absorb more Vitamin D. Any advertising claims that state otherwise are considered false and in violation of the law.... [continue]

Oh, snap! Oh, snap! (Part Two) How much did it cost to create the CNN hologram? Baylor students hang a symbolic clothesline, burn campaign signs and more to show their anger at an Obama win. The stock market doesn't seem to care about the election. The fight continues. Retail sales tanked in October.... [continue]

News Flash: Obama is not Muslim. REMINDER: Early voting ends tomorrow. GO! GO! GO! In case you missed it, the Phillies win the World Series for the first time in 25 years. Face it, this is called a recession. Record profits for Exxon yet again. Netflix and Tivo are gettin' it on. Gross!... [continue]

You can package it "green." You can market it as "sustainability." It is still Wal-Mart. Palin is just a wolf/pitbull/hockey mom in $150,000 worth of clothing. World Series: Phillies up one. Rove forgets his "air quotes." Toronto's hybrid buses are having some issues. Post office won't deliver to unsafe Chicago neighborhood. More crazy cat fights. (Warning: if you hate The View, do not watch this.)... [continue]

The infection rate for HIV is three times higher for Latinos and six times higher for African Americans in Central Texas. This Sunday marks the 21st AIDS Walk Austin – the largest fundraiser for AIDS Services of Austin which provides essential services to the approximately 5,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Central Texas. In addition to raising crucial funds, the walk also helps raise awareness and educate the Austin community about HIV/AIDS. Mayor Wynn will... [continue]

NPR presidential debate fact check. Does Joe the Plumber know Joe Sixpack and Jane Winebox? Hurricane Omar is now a Category 3 storm. Now, this is the kind of religion we can wrap our head around. Housing prices haven't hit rock bottom...yet. Max's "baby wee" helps minimize swelling. The Phillies are headed to the World Series.... [continue]

White House tells you to "get a job!" Diddy is pissed at McCain. The economy is shot but the Neiman Marcus Holiday catalog wants you to buy a life-sized Lego replica of you and your partner for $60K. Hef is shocked one of his bunnies has left the ranch. Didn't the 54-year age difference give him a clue? How long would an unchained bike last in Austin before it got stolen? Hash or Chocolate? Canadian Border Control can't tell. Mighty Murder Morphin Power Ranger Trial.... [continue]

Senate passes bailout plan "leading us into the pit of socialism" per Senator Jim DeMint. McCain says he is "running an honorable campaign." Obama has significant lead in polls. Voter registration deadline reminder: be sure to register (or reconfirm your registration) by Monday! Steve Fossett's belongings found by California hikers. In unsurprising news, research shows children's cereal has a lot of sugar. Duh. Tiggywinkles save little Rupert.... [continue]

DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 4TH! If you aren't registered, unsure if you are registered or you think there is even a remote chance that your registration is not current, GET ON IT NOW. John McCain hires reality TV make-up artist. We thought he was leaving the "celebrity" status to Obama... Speaking of McCain - he now wants to postpone the Vice Presidential debate too!?! The underage Olympic gymnasts investigation continues and is... [continue]

Texas prepares for Ike. The lipstick controversy continues.... So, Bin Laden wasn't the mastermind of 9/11? White House can't decide. 7th anniversary of 9/11 Excuse me, sir - what did you say? Woohoo! Party at the Interior Department, y'all! Good things come in small packages... [continue]

The posh shops of the 2nd Street District are feeling the growing pains of “urban development" after six stores fell victim to burglary over the last week. In a series of similar style robberies, the break-ins took place in the early morning hours. At two stores on 2nd Street, one on 3rd Street, one on E. Cesar Chavez, and two locations on Lavaca, glass doors or windows were shattered and cash from registers or petty cash tills were taken. Last month, Leaf and RunTex FitCity were burglarized as well.... [continue]

Alaska being "right next to Russia" apparently qualifies as foreign policy experience according to McCain. Jesse Jackson hospitalized. Unemployment claims up once again. So much for our "strong economy." That kitten has claws. Tell us again that global warming doesn't exist. LA City Council offers up to $500,000 to catch serial killer. Detroit Mayor pleads guilty in "Textgate" and resigns.... [continue]

Let us all come together in support of the knockers on Noon this Saturday at Hippie Hollow Park and show Austin what your mama gave ya! May there never be another Janet Jackson Nipplegate again.... [continue]

Survivors of Madrid plane crash tell their story The USA Softball Team's Olympic journey ends but you can still watch the Babes In Bikinis Baby in hospital cooler pronounced dead, comes back to life How is this show still on TV? Potty humor on the quality of drinking water Find an extra hour in your day Not only is he 500 years old, McCain is also "out of touch."... [continue]

After a unanimous vote, the Harrold Independent School District will be the first in the nation to allow teachers to bring guns into their classrooms starting this fall – and not a single parent has contested the new plan.... [continue]