Local Headlines for Austin Texas from Statesman.com

Nation Digest: Payroll tax cut at risk, Republicans warn; 1 million coffee makers recalled after burns

Feb 10, 2012 4:03 am

WASHINGTON Payroll tax cut at risk, Republicans warn Congressional Republicans warned that negotiations with Democrats over extending a Social Security payroll tax cut were going so poorly that ...

To boost grant funding, UT may opt for tobacco-free campus

Feb 10, 2012 3:58 am

For anti-smoking advocates at the University of Texas, a breath of fresh air could be on the way. UT administrators announced Thursday they are considering making the entire campus tobacco-free.

Community Briefing: Final charge against former officer Quintana dropped; Hays student accused of threats

Feb 10, 2012 3:57 am

HYDE PARK Homeless man strikes plea deal in tire puncturing case Deciding that a 10-year prison sentence is tough enough for a homeless man accused of puncturing hundreds of vehicle tires in the ...

World Digest: 73 Central American migrants found near Texas border; Spanish judge famed for human rights cases convicted in wiretapping

Feb 10, 2012 3:55 am

MEXICO Army: 4 men arrested in smuggling operation MEXICO CITY - The Mexican army announced that it found 73 Central American migrants in three houses near the U.S.

Humanitarian crisis worsens amid intense shelling in Syria

Feb 10, 2012 3:53 am

Between blasts of rockets and mortar fire, Syrians used loudspeakers to call for blood donations and medical supplies Thursday in the besieged city of Homs, where a weeklong government offensive has c...

Mexican army seizes 15 tons of pure methamphetamine

Feb 10, 2012 3:52 am

Mexican authorities announced their largest methamphetamine seizure ever late Wednesday: 15 tons, found in pure powder form at a ranch near Guadalajara, Jalisco.

Central Texas representatives vote for insider trading ban, but support is lukewarm

Feb 10, 2012 3:51 am

As they joined their colleagues Thursday in approving a bill banning Congress from insider trading, some Central Texas representatives questioned whether the legislation is needed, and others fended o...

Council members propose smaller 3.5% electric rate increase

Feb 10, 2012 3:48 am

Howls of protest over Austin Energy's rate-increase proposal continued Thursday, with solar industry workers rallying on the steps of City Hall and two City Council members proposing a more moderate i...

Easing of combat rules for female troops draws mixed reactions

Feb 10, 2012 3:05 am

New orders from the Pentagon: The military on Thursday formally opened thousands of jobs to women in units that are closer to the front lines than ever before, reflecting what's been going on for a de...

Democrats divided over contraception insurance mandate

Feb 10, 2012 3:04 am

Democrats are deeply divided over President Barack Obama's new rule that most employers, including religious schools and hospitals, must provide insurance for free birth control to their workers amid ...

Latest news for Austin Texas from Austin Business Journal

San Marcos seeks applicants for $572K in grant funds

Feb 9, 2012 8:48 pm

San Marcos will soon be accepting applications for approximately $572,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funds for projects that benefit low- to moderate-income residents. ...

Austin awarded $163K to enforce fair housing laws

Feb 9, 2012 8:48 pm

The city of Austins Equal Employment and Fair Housing Office has been awarded $163,704 in grants to enforce fair housing laws and educate communities about housing rights. The funds are provided thro...

House approves STOCK Act barring insider trading by lawmakers

Feb 9, 2012 8:26 pm

Legislation that clearly states insider trading by members of Congress is illegal sailed through the U.S. House of Representatives in a 417-2 vote Thursday. The only two "no" votes on the S...

Austin records nations sixth-highest retail job growth

Feb 9, 2012 8:22 pm

Austin added 2,700 retail jobs between 2010 and 2011, the sixth-highest retail job increase in the U.S. Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth were ranked in the top five, adding 6,700 and 5,400 jobs, respect...

Bank deal yields $287M to Texas homeowners, $141M to state

Feb 9, 2012 8:16 pm

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Thursday the state and federal governments $26 billion settlement with five large U.S. banks yielded $428 million for Texas with $287 million targeting homeown...

Doerr added to T3s NY office

Feb 9, 2012 8:01 pm

Advertising agency T3 has named Rick Doerr senior vice president and managing director of its New York office. Doerr was previously managing director for BBDO Hong Kongs South China operation and reg...

Pioneer Green Energy snags $11M in funding for wind projects

Feb 9, 2012 7:37 pm

Green energy venture Pioneer Green Energy has secured $11 million in financing to develop wind projects across the U.S., officials said Thursday. The Austin-based company said the funds, from an undi...

Thermon profit, revenue up in Q3

Feb 9, 2012 7:04 pm

Thermon Group Holdings Inc. posted a third-quarter profit of $6.9 million, an increase on the $3 million profit during the same three months in last year. The San Marcos-based company (NYSE: THR), wh...

Convio Q4 profit shoots up

Feb 9, 2012 6:04 pm

Austin-based Convio Inc., which recently agreed to be acquired by Blackbaud Inc., reported a $12.5 million profit on $20.4 million in revenue for the fourth quarter, a jump from a $65,000 profit on $1...