Austin American-Statesman

Underscoring its commitment to mobile devices, Dell Inc. is creating a new communications unit headed by Ron Garriques, who has been the company's top consumer executive. Full Story »

Less than a month after losing three of its members to the worst mass shooting on an American military base, the tiny 467th Medical Detachment — made up of fewer than 50 mental health professionals — boarded a plane for Afghanistan in the chilly, predawn hours Friday. Full Story »

The Austin American-Statesman is partnering with Valassis Communications Inc., a media and marketing services company, to provide expanded reach for advertisers in the Austin area. Full Story »

Laura Bush , a former librarian and one of the nation's foremost advocates for literature and reading, helped celebrate the designation of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building as a national literary landmark Thursday in a ceremony in front of the library across from the east wing of the Capitol. Full Story »

Gwen Rowling is accustomed to getting automated calls on her land line, but two automated calls from U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith to her cell phone this week caught her by surprise. Full Story »

James Shipwash said that for the more than 30 years he and his wife owned Austin Apartment Washer Service, his longtime bookkeeper Mary Henke Geiger was like family. Full Story »

Enough snow is expected to fall on Austin today for the throwing of snowballs, the making of snow angels and the building of shortish snowmen. But full-blown snow forts are very unlikely. Full Story »

A plan to expand medical education and research in Austin through a partnership involving the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and the Seton Family of Hospitals is an important step toward establishing a medical school, a senior UT System official said Thursday. Full Story »

Alan Roddy remembers when Lake Austin was a quiet refuge lined with small homes and dotted with canoes and kayaks. Full Story »

Why does Texas have to play Nebraska? Full Story »

Meals on Wheels and More received a $1,000 grant from Subaru of America Inc. and the Meals on Wheels Association of America as part of the automaker's "Share the Love" holiday campaign. Full Story »

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In a North Austin strip mall along U.S. 183, the main stage at Capitol City Comedy Club and the gospel music ensemble of Fresh Oil Family Fellowship church are close enough that comedian and drummer could perform a Wednesday night duet, if not for the shared wall between them. Full Story »

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will soon start work on its long-delayed store at Northcross Center, according to the mall's owner and an Austin neighborhood association officer. Full Story »

State Sen. Kirk Watson, whose dual roles as chairman of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization board and vice chairman of the Senate transportation committee have made him something of a Central Texas transportation czar, will step down as CAMPO chair next month. Full Story »

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After an overhaul last summer, Pearce Middle School continues to struggle, but it's making progress. Full Story »

Lawyer David Dow was called before the state Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday to explain why he blew a court-imposed deadline by filing an appeal within 48 hours of his client's execution. Full Story »

Martin Morales, who lives alone in East Austin, has a large extended family and a number of friends and neighbors but no way to effectively communicate with them. Full Story »

Capital Metro, citing unspecified concerns with insurance and its rail contractor, Veolia Transportation, last week shut down the afternoon testing of commuter trains that had begun only a week earlier, officials said Wednesday. Full Story »

Weather forecasters are becoming more confident that Austin and the rest of the Hill Country will see snow and freezing temperatures Friday afternoon. Full Story »

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The City Council approved contracts Tuesday night worth more than a combined $2.8 million for the city's police and fire departments aimed at raising salaries and retaining personnel. Full Story »

On a hot and steamy summer day last year, Robert Corbin shuffled along the marshy bank of an island in the Colorado River in East Austin to get a better look at a plant peeking out from weeds. Full Story »

Debbie Bresette has been named president of the United Way Capital Area. Full Story »