Austin American-Statesman

statesman.com — It is disappointing that State Board of Education Member Marsha Farney is stepping down after serving just two years in the District 10 seat, which includes Travis County. The conservative Republican from Georgetown, a former teacher, was our pick in the 2010 general election and has not disappointed as someone who has kept her eye on the ball in prioritizing education and ways to improve instruction in public schools.

statesman.com — A Williamson County grand jury no-billed a Cedar Park police officer Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of a man behind a restaurant in February. The jury declined to indict Cedar Park Officer Joseph Christensen, who shot and killed Chad Runge after Runge had robbed the employees of a Little Caesar's Pizza restaurant on Feb.

statesman.com — Cathy Lynn Henderson, once two days from execution for the 1994 death of an infant she was baby sitting, should have her murder conviction and death sentence overturned, a Travis County judge has recommended.

statesman.com — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz loaned his campaign $400,000 on Friday, according to a newly posted Federal Elections Commission document. The infusion from Cruz came at the same time the campaign reported in a news release that it had raised more than Lt. Gov.

statesman.com — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz loaned his campaign $400,000 on Friday, according to documents posted at the Federal Elections Commission. The infusion from Cruz came at the same time the campaign reported in a news release that it had raised more than Lt. Gov.

statesman.com — The days are getting longer and warmer, the school year is coming to a close, and the Springwoods Pool's gates remain shut for the first summer in 36 years. Home for three decades to North Austin's Stingrays, once a swim team of 230 children, the swimming pool near RM 620 and Lake Creek Parkway, also known as the Forest North Pool, will not be opening anytime soon.

statesman.com — The state's primary electricity grid operator is projecting potential power shortages during peak demand times over the next decade, putting more pressure on attempts to encourage conservation and raise the cap on wholesale prices.

statesman.com — The Central Texas housing market has turned in sellers' favor, with homes going to the swift, multiple offers making a comeback and prices creeping higher, local real estate agents and housing experts say. Activity continued on an upward trend in April, with home sales increasing for the 11th straight month, the Board of Realtors said Monday.

statesman.com — BioWare Corp. has laid off an unknown number of employees in its Austin studio that developed "Star Wars: The Old Republic," company officials say Tuesday. In an online statement, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk, who is general manager of the Austin studio, said the studio had done some "restructuring" on the team.

statesman.com — GEORGETOWN - Williamson County officials are looking for a little more time to complete studies on salamander species in the county before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decides whether or not the species should be added to the Endangered Species List.

statesman.com — This month's back-to-back elections have spawned more than just voter fatigue. Election officials in Central Texas are struggling to find workers to staff the polls with election day only a week away. A lengthy legal battle over redistricting pushed the primaries - normally held in March - back to May 29, just a few weeks after the May 12 local elections and a day after Memorial Day.

statesman.com — The Republican campaign for Texas Senate District 25 between incumbent Sen. Jeff Wentworth and former Railroad Commission Chairwoman Elizabeth Ames Jones has been one of the nastiest races of the primary season. At times it has seemed as though both Wentworth and Ames Jones are competing to see who can make himself or herself the least appealing choice to voters.

statesman.com — The Department of State Health Services has prohibited the use of a controversial treatment at its public psychiatric hospitals after officials say they learned that a doctor performed unauthorized research on aggressive patients with serious mental disabilities.

statesman.com — It's a list, compiled daily, that serves as inspiring tribute to Texans' boundless creativity. Or maybe it's Exhibit A for non-Texans' case that we're a troublingly tasteless and crude subspecies. OU SKS. OU SX. TUSUCKS. TEXSUX. UT-SUX. BMW SUX. USUK2. The list shows up every afternoon for Tim Thompson and Linda Kirksey at their Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' offices.

statesman.com — While I got you, here are nine things and one crazy prediction: 1. Don't count DeLoss Dodds among those expecting the superconferences to get here anytime soon, even after Friday's announcement that the Big 12 and Southeastern Conference will pair their champions in a new bowl game, assuming those teams are not in the four-team national playoff.