• Barack Obama claimed the Democratic nomination for president: “Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another – a journey that will bring a new and better day to America.”
• Texas Democrats are poised to meet this weekend at the Austin Convention Center and are anticipating a major turnout amidst calls for unity and an early buzz that Obama or Hillary Clinton may turn up for the festivities; see “It’s Party Time at the State Convention.”
• Late Wednesday afternoon, Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott notified the Austin ISD that he is ordering the closure of Johnston High School, effective with the 2008-2009 school year, due to a fourth year of “unacceptable” test scores on standardized state tests. AISD plans to “repurpose” Johnston, with a new academic program, for next fall.
• Mother and child reunions are the order of the day for FLDS members returning home after a harrowing ride through the state justice system; see “Texas Supreme Court Backs FLDS Mothers.”
• The Place 4 run-off campaign continues, and just like the Austin weather, the heat is rising; see “Their Reputations Precede Them.”
• City Council meets today (Thursday) and is expected to address ongoing plans for redeveloping Waller Creek and a redraft of the city’s ever-promised comprehensive plan. See “(Further) Beside the Point.”
• You just can’t beat homegrown tomatoes – especially when health officials are telling folks not to eat the things raw, as they probe a Texas-sized salmonella outbreak here and in other states.
This article appears in June 6 • 2008.