Headlines

Protesters pulverized a Don Zimmerman piñata on Thursday, Sept. 1, in front of City Hall. The demonstration was a direct response to the District 6 City Council member's remarks during an August budget meeting, when he told a predominately Latino group of elementary school students to "do something useful" with their lives and not "live off others." Kids and adults took turns swinging at the piñata (courtesy of Jumpolin). (Photo by John Anderson)

No regular City Council meeting today (Sept. 8), but budget work sessions are scheduled today and (if necessary) tomorrow, with formal budget "readings" Monday and (as necessary) Tuesday and Wednesday. How necessary we should know by Friday – see "If We Had Budget Enough, and Time."

Last Thursday's Council meeting featured another public hearing on the budget, moves to create a "tenant relocation" assistance program and "expedited permit" programs, as well as the appointment of an interim city manager, effective Oct. 31: current Chief Financial Officer Elaine Hart. See "Council: No Zombies Before Midnight," Sept. 5.

Austin Police identified Cesar Garcia as the man shot and killed by police early Monday morning at the San Paloma Apartments in North­east Austin. Police say Garcia, 35, pointed an assault rifle in the direction of officers responding to a reported disturbance between Garcia and his ex-girlfriend. He was shot with less-than-lethal shotgun rounds before police employed deadly force.

Austin Police Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq, 46, died Sunday due to injuries suffered last Thursday while escorting a funeral procession on his motorcycle in North Austin. Abdul-Khaliq, a member of the department's Highway Enforce­ment Command, was hit by a car that pulled onto the street during a break in the procession. A memorial service is planned for 11am on Thursday at the Wilhelmina Delco Center, 4601 Pecan Brook Dr.

The Travis County GOP could have a familiar face in charge after ousting former Chair Robert Morrow. His predecessor, James Dickey, has announced plans to run for his old post. However, while Morrow was being removed two weeks ago, acting TCRP Chair David Duncan informed reporters that the party was left functionally bankrupt under Dickey.

Education advocates plan to hold a rally at the William B. Travis Building on Tuesday, Sept. 13, to call on the Texas State Board of Education to reject Mexican-American studies textbooks deemed offensive and racially insensitive. Latino activists and educators say the books, crafted with the help of former right-wing SBOE member Cynthia Dunbar, portray Mexican-Americans as lazy. For instance, while Industrialists are described as "driven" the text says Mexican laborers "were not reared to put in a full day's work so vigorously."

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday, Sept. 2, declined to review a lower court's ruling that said cities cannot deny married same-sex partners the same benefits it gives opposite-sex couples, leaving in place a ruling that prohibits governments discriminating against the LGBTQ community.