Veterans would get specialized medical care from private doctors more easily under a bill the Senate approved Friday. The measure relaxes a rule that makes getting specialized care from local doctors difficult for some veterans, especially those in rural areas. Senators approved the bill by voice vote as they rushed to wrap up legislative work before a weeklong Memorial Day recess. The Senate bill would open up private care to veterans who live within 40 miles of a medical facility run by … [Read more...]
Zimmerman charged with second-degree murder in Trayvon Martin shooting
George Zimmerman, the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla., has been charged with second-degree murder in the 17-year-old's death. Zimmerman has been transferred to Seminole County jail, according to news reports, and is being held without bail. "Just moments ago we spoke by phone with Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton ," Angela Corey, the special prosecutor investigating the case, said at a news conference in Jacksonville. … [Read more...]
Obama takes a shot at Supreme Court over healthcare
President Barack Obama took an opening shot at conservative justices on the Supreme Court on Monday, warning that a rejection of his sweeping healthcare law would be an act of "judicial activism" that Republicans say they abhor. Obama, a Democrat, had not commented publicly on the Supreme Court's deliberations since it heard arguments for and against the healthcare law last week. Known as the "Affordable Care Act" or "Obamacare," the measure to expand health insurance for millions of … [Read more...]
Marino: Manning ‘fits with anybody’ in NFL
If Peyton Manning wants to talk about playing quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, Dan Marino would be thrilled to take his call. And just in case, Marino has his sales pitch ready. "There's great tradition there. We've had a couple off years but believe me, they'll be back," Marino said. "It's a great franchise and they'll get it turned around." Adding Manning would almost certainly help in that quest, which largely started when Marino retired more than a decade ago. From the … [Read more...]
Rush Limbaugh feeling the heat from advertisers
Talk show host Rush Limbaugh sought to reassure listeners Wednesday after the tally of local and national companies that have pulled their advertisements from his time slot topped 40, insisting that the show will go on and that the program is not losing revenue from the exodus. At last count, 42 advertisers, two radio stations and two musicians have closed the door on Limbaugh following incendiary comments he made last week about a Georgetown law student who testified before Congress in … [Read more...]
Raw milk causes most illness from dairy products: CDC
Raw, or unpasteurized, milk causes 150 times more dairy product-related disease outbreaks than pasteurized milk. And states where the sale of raw milk is legal have twice as many outbreaks as states where it is illegal, according to a new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. "This study shows an association between state laws and the number of outbreaks and illnesses from raw milk products," Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director of CDC's division of foodborne, waterborne and … [Read more...]
LeBron James says he is ‘not superior to anyone’
Everyone wanted the circus to end. That is, until the circus actually ended. Such is life for the Miami Heat now, heading into the offseason. A season of intense scrutiny, criticism, attention and intrigue ended without a championship, and while getting out of the spotlight for a while this summer may be of some consolation to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, nothing will completely soothe the fact that Year One of the Big Three ended with a loss in the NBA finals. "There was really … [Read more...]
Closings and delays due to inclimate weather
With the severe cold conditions, here is a list of local closings: * ABC Child Development Center in Round Rock will be delayed 2 hours. * American Campus Communities -- closed Friday. * Austin Community College -- closed Friday. * Austin ISD -- school canceled on Friday. All schools and offices will be closed, and all after-school and extra-curricular activities are also canceled. * Bagdad Head Start in Leander -- two-hour delay on Friday. * Bastrop ISD - Two-hour delay for … [Read more...]
Dr. Laura uses the N-word on air, apologizes later
Infamous radio host and Doctor, Laura Schlessinger apologized to her listeners yesterday after dropping the N-Bomb several times on her show. During her radio talk show, Schlessinger said Ni**er more than 11 times in an attempt to make a point about the use of the controversial word. In conversation Tuesday with a black female caller who was complaining about her white husband’s racist friends and their use of the word, Schlessinger said: Black guys use it all the time. Turn on HBO and … [Read more...]
The Souvenir Menu: Why Guero’s is still one of Austin’s best
It seems strange to write about a restaurant that is so popular that further compliments just seem redundant, but my relationship with Guero’s Taco Bar on South Congress Avenue is a bit different. For decades now, Guero’s has been a frequent but temporary cure for home sickness. I moved to Austin from South Texas in the 1980’s to attend the University of Texas and, over the years, work and busy schedules have made trips home fewer and farther between. Though I keep in close contact with my … [Read more...]
