Headlines

Photo by Jana Birchum

• Cap Metro's plans to launch the Capital MetroRail Red Line have been put on indefinite hold after allegations of violations of state and federal safety rules by rail contractor Veolia Transportation. See "Cap Metro."

• By unanimous vote on March 23, the Austin Independent School District board of trustees confirmed Meria Carstarphen (pictured), the sitting superintendent of public schools in St. Paul, Minn., as Austin's next superintendent. She takes charge July 1. See "AISD: Carstarphen Seals the Deal."

Photo by John Anderson

• Endorsements in the mayor's race continue to come in, while at council, news that a California firm may redesign the city website has become a campaign issue for Brewster McCracken; he says he won't vote yes unless it "improves government efficiency and stimulates the local economy." (He says it doesn't.) See "City Hall Hustle" and "City Counseling."

• In the Capitol, the House finally broke the legislative logjam by passing House Bill 873, Rep. Dawnna Dukes' (pictured) film incentive bill. On the Senate side, lawmakers tackled the thorny top 10% university admissions rule. Both chambers are still talking about a special session.

• At press time, the State Board of Education was poised to throw the book at science as the creationist-leaning board moved toward a vote on science curriculum in public schools; a final vote is expected late this week.

• Mixed news for Texas pollution: In the latest Toxics Release Inventory, released by the Environmental Protection Agency, Texas has made significant cuts in its emissions, but it's still one of the biggest polluters in the nation.

• Austin Chronicle fashion columnist Stephen Moser (pictured) was arrested Monday and charged with arson after a March 13 car fire at City Hall.

• Rest easy, Tweeple: Popular social media site Twitter suspended the account of user AustinPD after complaints from the city of Austin Law Department and Texas attorney general that the account amounted to police impersonation. Yeah, because tweets like "Trollin flickr for crime notes" sound real official.

• With her career one foot in the grave, Sharon Keller (pictured), presiding judge of the state Court of Criminal Appeals, denied responsibility for closing her court before a last-minute appeal could be filed on behalf of death row inmate Michael Richard on the day of his 2007 execution.

Quote of the Week

Photo by John Anderson

"You're not from Moscow. We understand that."

– Sen. Craig Estes, placating Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston (pictured), who took umbrage over suggestions that his amendments to Senate Bill 175, the top 10% rule, ­amounted to Soviet-style centralized planning