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TOM BAZAN passes along the latest dismal METRO ridership and fare-collection statistics, which we have posted for public review.

FRESH OFF TWO EDITORIALS on college football (!?), the Chron editorial board decided effectively to outsource one of its weekend editorials to Christof Spieler, a local urban-utopia professional/activist/blogger. With Carolyn Feibel’s departure, we wondered if

MAYBE IF THE CITY didn’t let tenants fall hundreds of thousands of dollars behind in rent, its financial outlook wouldn’t be so bleak. How many other tenants owe the city money? Via KPRC-2, which pointedly

THE CHRON’S BRADLEY OLSON writes about the challenge Mayor Annise Parker faces in dealing with the city’s worsening financial situation. Mayor White’s finance director makes an appearance: Finance Director Michelle Mitchell said the sales tax

ATTORNEY MARK BENNETT posts a copy of the Harris County DWI/DUI DIVERT agreement.

THE USUALLY SOLID FINANCIAL TIMES takes a page from the Chronicle in its selection of sources for a story on Bill White’s gubernatorial run. Only two sources are quoted — Bicyclist Bob Stein and Richard

CORY CROW posts a fun list of “things you won’t hear (or see, or read) in 2010.”

MIKE MCGUFF has the scoop on a couple of Houston Chronicle departures (sports editor Carlton Thompson and assistant business editor Tara Young) and a couple of TV news reporter arrivals (Jason Volentine and Hasti Taghi).

THE CHRON’S MAIN TEXANS CHEERLEADER “is already excited about next season.” Hard to see that one coming, huh? Rah rah! UPDATE: While McClain was leading the cheers for next season, the best coach in the

COUNCILMEMBER JARVIS JOHNSON has decided to challenge (Queen) Sheila Jackson Lee for the CD 18 primary. This could prove to be entertaining (although wouldn’t it be refreshing if some Houston pols could just focus on