News Ticker: October 29

Greg Abbott makes an appeal, Wendy Davis proves her identity, and Michael Quinn Sullivan sticks it to the man. Discretion is on the News Ticker.

• Atty. Gen. Greg Abbott is asking for an emergency appeal to Judge Lee Yeakel's ruling yesterday that deemed portions of HB 2 unconstitutional. Abbott is also asking for a refund on the Planned Parenthood piñata he had made for the verdict party. Although he smashed it as planned, it was in retrospect not all that satisfying.

• Reactions to the verdict were mixed. Sen. Ted Cruz seemed particularly bummed, saying he hates it when any shutdown is prevented.

• Although Cruz has all but hired the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders to spell out "Ted for Prez" in pom-poms, some media outlets still have doubts about his political ambitions.

• Before voting yesterday, Sen. Wendy Davis was forced to sign an affidavit swearing that she is indeed the Texas senator and not a ring wraith looking to steal the election for Sauron.

• Oooh! Snap!

• Although one can hardly call the dreams Todd Starnes has after eating meatball subs "media reports," Rep. John Carter is still deeply concerned.

• The Texas Ethics Commission hearing to investigate possible Michael Quinn Sullivan ethics violations may not be as confidential as hoped-for.

• Two Texas same-sex couples are suing to throw out the state's constitutional gay marriage ban. Upon hearing the news, Ona and Rudolph Ackerman of Buffalo Gap immediately dissolved their 50 year marriage, saying they could no longer hold back the secular forces.

• According to a new Pew Research poll, a majority of Hispanic Texans prefer the term "Hispanic" to "Latino." Rich white blowhards still overwhelmingly prefer the term "Republican."

• UT's Texas Memorial Museum is whittling down its staff to three members because of budget cuts. The Great Hall will also be renamed the "Hall of Meh."

• After this summer's shenanigans, we are not so sure that the removal of the "L" from the downtown DPS office's sign was unintentional.

• The Austin Police Department want to remind Austinites that no weapons will be permitted during Sixth Street's annual Halloween hullabaloo. The ban includes "pointed items." Fair warning to those of you planning to dress up as a George Will op-ed.