• Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith was named president and editor-in-chief of the 35-year-old magazine this week, replacing founder and publisher Mike Levy, who retires in August.
• The progressive blogosphere – along with headliners like Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, John Dean, and Richard Clarke – gathers this weekend at the Austin Convention Center as Netroots Nation (see last week’s issue and “Bringing the Net to Austin“). If your taste runs more rightward, the RightOnline Summit (part of the Defending the American Dream Summit) is at the Arboretum: your chance to get autographs from Robert Novak, Grover Norquist, and Michelle Malkin.
• The endless Yogurt Shop Murder Case took yet another detour this week, as prosecutors reportedly held back DNA evidence that excludes the accused, over defense objections. See “Defense Cries Foul Over Yogurt Shop DNA.”
• As major mortgage and banking institutions continued to falter, President Bush assured the public that the economy is sound, while Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke warned Congress that the signs are ominous. Pay no attention to those people lining up outside banks.
• Following Bush’s signing of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act amendments last week, broadening federal wiretapping powers and immunizing telecom companies against lawsuits, the ACLU filed a lawsuit, saying the new law violates the Constitution.
• City Manager Marc Ott has promoted longtime city employee Sue Edwards to assistant city manager, overseeing the high-profile Development/Environment Services group of departments. She replaces former ACM Laura Huffman, who had competed for the city manager’s post.
This article appears in July 18 • 2008.