Horns Down: Every time we turn around…

Student loan default rates have grown for the sixth year in a row, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Education on Monday. The two-year default rate has increased from 9.1 percent to 10 percent, and the three-year default rate has increased from 13.5 percent to 14.7 percent. This is no surprise, as the time needed for young workers to reach financial self-sufficiency has increased along with soaring tuition rates.

Horns Up: Better weather to come.

There’s no federal government, the seas continue to rise and the world’s bees are still mysteriously disappearing, but right now in Austin, at least the heat’s finally starting to break. And it’ll only get better from here. The Weather Channel forecasts highs of 77 and 73 degrees for the weekend — just in time for ACL.

Horns Down: Tommy Williams leaving the Texas Senate.

The Texas Tribune on Wednesday announced that State Senator Tommy Williams, (R-The Woodlands), was resigning from the Senate. Williams’ valiant work as the chair of the powerful Finance committee earned him a spot on Texas Monthly’s “Best Legislators” list last session. Though we disagree with Williams on some issues, we admire him as a lawmaker and negotiator and are sad to see him go.