• At press time, Israel continued a pummeling offensive against the Hamas government in Gaza. Retaliating for comparatively weak rocket fire into Israel, hundreds of air assaults have rocked the Gaza Strip, killing more than 300, including 51 civilians, according to the United Nations.
• The I-wanna-be-speaker list hit a baker’s dozen, as Georgetown Republican Dan Gattis added his name, and the House Democratic Caucus released its list of 64 Dems who have pledged not to vote for incumbent Speaker Tom Craddick. For a change, it looks like an interesting January at the Capitol; see “Naked City.”
• The Austin Firefighters Association asked City Manager Marc Ott to reopen negotiations on the proposed contract rejected by union members a month ago, and Ott said, “No dice.” See “City to Firefighters.”
• Happy New Year! Imbibe carefully, celebratory chauffeurs, as the Austin Police Department has announced its latest no-refusal initiative for Dec. 31 – DUI suspects refusing a Breathalyzer will be arrested and have blood drawn.
This article appears in 2008.