• The Save Muny campaign that fended off two past attempts to close the Lions Municipal Golf Course returns for a third fight to save the historic West Austin landmark, as UT regents weigh a redevelopment deal for the Brackenridge Tract. See “Happenings,” for info on a public meeting about the plan.

• On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to expand the president’s authority to engage in warrantless wiretapping and to immunize the telecom companies against previous violations of the law – a gift from the Democratic Congress to the White House.

• Starbucks announced this week that it will shut down 600 “underperforming” stores across the country in the next year – that leaves only 10,500 or so to go.

• The annual G8 Summit convened this week in Japan; see “Beyond City Limits.”

This article appears in July 11 • 2008.

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