News Ticker: May 30

Redistricting drags on, the APD makes a big bust, and Texas retail trends up. Demographics are on the News Ticker.

• Regardless of the special session outcome, the Texas redistricting fight could take years. Oh well, the Lege is bound to run out of peach crayons one of these days.

• BitAngels, a group of investors supporting Bitcoin related start-ups, has opened an office in Austin. While previous efforts SecondLifeAngels, PogAngels, and PetRockAngels have been largely unsuccessful, they think they have a winner this time.

• Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce President Michael Rollins has taken to HuffPo to welcome Jim and Pam Halpert to Austin. Future columns will address Leslie Knope's slanderous allegations about Austin Parks and Arthur Fonzarelli's reckless behavior on Lake Travis.

• Sen. Ted Cruz's flock of "Wackobirds" are quickly becoming indistinguishable from "Beliebers." except the Biebs' cult make slightly more sensible policy points.

• The latest Federal Reserve numbers show that Texas retail sales grew in May. This was primarily because Gov. Rick Perry bought a new pair of cufflinks, but at least it keeps Texas open for business.

• However, Perry does have hobbies other than shopping. For example, he enjoys vigorous vetoing and is said to make the cutest diaper cakes.

• Although the public expects a certain amount of decorum from APD Chief Art Acevedo, we wouldn't have blamed him if today's drug bust news conference included a confetti canon. A few sparklers would have been nice too.

• A Waco jury has sentenced a man to 50 years for theft of a rack of ribs. Guess it's a good thing that he didn't try to steal brisket.