Seizures of methamphetamine at the Laredo customs district — the nation’s largest inland port — are on pace this fiscal year to surpass last year’s total by about 60 percent, reaching an expected total of about 1,650 pounds. The statistic supports the theory that Mexican cartels are increasingly supplying the heavily addictive narcotic in the U.S., replacing domestic meth labs that were prevalent in rural areas only a few years ago. And analysts say that the ease with which meth can be produced in Mexico could help spark major changes in the bloody turf war between drug cartels....
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Austin Energy will get an audit over the next month to answer the Austin City Council’s question of whether the utility needs as much money as it claims. The revenue requirement is partly fueling the proposed electricity rate increase. In a special meeting today focused on Austin Energy, the City Council voted to have City Auditor Ken Mory, review Austin Energy’s revenue requirement. The utility says it needs an additional $126 million a year to shore up its budget this fiscal year and maintain good bond ratings. ...
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