As City Council's taken off for the month, we're gone for the day. Check the board and commission listings below the fold in today's truncated edition of TDH.

While you're weeping into your beer about the departure of Team USA from the FIFA World Cup, take solace in two things. One, finally the US did well at a world championship for a sport that other nations actually play and two, it's time for the Sunday Survey.

There were electoral shockwaves on Thursday when Judge John Dietz ruled that a petition initiative by the Green Party of Texas was illegally paid for using corporate contributions. What may be most explosive is the fresh revelation that close associates of Gov. Rick Perry were involved in not one but two potentially lawbreaking plots.

An opportunity arose to go to New Orleans. But I couldn't shake a nagging feeling: It would seem irresponsible to be so close to the Gulf and to not at least try to learn firsthand about what's happening during this insane oil spill tragedy: Part two.

An opportunity arose to drive a friend to New Orleans (and visit my kid working there with AmeriCorps) last weekend. But I couldn't shake a nagging feeling: It would seem odd to be so close to the Gulf of Mexico and to not at least try to learn firsthand about what's happening on the coast during this insane oil spill tragedy.

While we attempted to acquit ourselves admirably yesterday, with 152 items on the agenda, a few were bound to fall through the cracks. After the jump, a collection of additional developments from Thursday.

Hey guys – we’re gonna try something a little different today and liveblog this behemoth of a City Council meeting. Please join us below the fold.

The Totescast is recycling tropes, as we return to the Materials Recovery Facility controversy over which contractor gets to sort through the city's waste. But first, an overview of the budgetary matters currently preoccupying city staff.

The Hustle ties up a few loose ends in anticipation of tomorrow's meeting: emerging opposition to the development agreement for Austin Energy's Control Center, and the release of the city's new purchasing database.