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Country Club Sopranos

American banks are on a massive crime spree. Obama and Romney hope you won’t notice.

Capital One Bank AGVENTURE

Capsule Art Reviews: "Book Report," "New Formations: Czech Avant-Garde Art and Modern Glass from the Roy and Mary Cullen Collection"

Comment of the Day: Bank of America's Debit-Card Fees

We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it's time we paid some damn attention to them. So we'll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day's work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula involving wit ... More >>

The Bank of America Five Dollar Fee Firestorm Reminds Us Timing is Everything

As old as paying bills with checks​Last week, Bank of America announced it would begin charging $5 monthly fees to any customer who wanted to use a debit card at retail establishments, setting off a wave of angry online protests by customers and people already infuriated by government bailouts ... More >>

Bank of America Debit Card Fee Hike Just the Beginning

In case you hadn't heard, Bank of America announced that, beginning in 2012, it was going to begin charging $5 per month for account holders who used their debit cards for retail transactions. The move is in response to the federal government via the Dodd-Frank bank reform law putting a cap on so-ca ... More >>

Eddie Griffin

East Montrose Home Tour and Art Walk

Chase What Matters: Higher ATM Fees and No Frequent Flier Miles

The sweet, sweet smell of money.​In what has got to be awkward for its marketing department, Chase has announced it will be testing a new $4 fee for users of its ATM machines in Texas and it will be cutting airline benefits such as frequent flier miles and waived baggage fees for certain debit ... More >>

James Watson Jr: Texas Musical Festival Promoter Gets Five Years in Prison

James Watson, Jr.: Tough to write bad checks when you're handcuffed​James Watson Jr., the promoter who said his Texas Musical Festival would become an annual must-see on the Houston scene, will get five years in a federal prison for fraud. Watson kited a $400,000 check to the Bank of America ... More >>

Texas Music Festival "Promoter" Gets Five Years In The Can

​Remember the Texas Music Festival? The multi-day outdoor event that was supposed to happen around the Fourth of July weekend 2008 (we think) in Eleanor Tinsley Park? Headlined by Los Lobos? Yeah, Rocks Off doesn't remember it either. Most of it got rained out, but even if the weather was pe ... More >>

Lightnin' Hopkins Marker Cast, Ready For Dedication

​Good news on the Lightnin' Hopkins historical marker front: It officially exists. R. Eric Davis, who raised the necessary funds and successfully petitioned the Texas Historical Commission to approve the marker, has received the monument to the legendary bluesman who spent the majority of his ... More >>

Le conseguenze dell’amore

Paolo Sorrentino's Italian comedy examines lives unlived

Houston's Jesus Predicts Troubles

It's Really Happening: Lightnin' Hopkins Historical Marker on the Way

​ Yes, you read that headline correctly. Today the Texas Historical Commission announced that Eric Davis' petition to honor Houston blues icon Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins with an official state historical marker has been approved. Along with 243 others. Took them long enough. "I am completely thrilled ... More >>

It's Really Happening: Lightnin' Hopkims Historical Marker On The Way

​ Yes, you read that headline correctly. Today the Texas Historical Commission announced that Eric Davis' petition to honor Houston blues icon Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins with an official state historical marker has been approved. Along with 243 others. Took them long enough. "I am completely thrille ... More >>

Who's A Dude Gotta Blow To Rob A Bank Around Here?

Photo courtesy FBI​ If there's one thing that sucks about society these days, it's how you have to wait in line forever before getting any service. Especially if you're trying to rob a bank.The gentleman pictured above no doubt thinks so. He walked into a Bank of America on the West Sam Houston Pa ... More >>

Bank Of America Scamming Hispanics, Local Lawsuit Says

​All Jorge Gonzalez of Houston wanted was a safe place to keep his meager earnings. But in this era of banking scandals and swindles, that was apparently too much to ask. Instead, Gonzalez became the lead plaintiff in a sweeping class action lawsuit against Bank of America, AIG and several other c ... More >>

The Flatlanders: Hills & Valleys

Dastardly Plan To Make Poor Put Money Into Banks Apparently Working

The Bank on Houston program, founded by City Controller Annise Parker in conjunction with area banks, credit unions and nonprofit organizations, says it's boasted early success. In three months 10,264 new accounts were opened; the goal for the entire first year was 10,000.People putting their money ... More >>

The Pitch Forks Come Out Near The Galleria

Photo by Blake WhitakerHolding a pro-union demonstration near Voss and San Felipe, a short distance from the epicenter of frou-frou that is the Galleria, seems likely to elicit a less-than-enthusiastic response from passersby. But economic trouble has turned things around a bit, and local activists ... More >>

The First Two Local Bank Robberies of the New Year in Houston

Members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Houston Bank Robbery Task Force were probably still nursing their hangovers when they were called to not one but two bank robberies on the first business day of the new year.

And We Now Return to John Royal for Another Report from North Downtown…

Goodbye, Bellaire Trolley Station

Shell Hell

Shell Hell

Fruits of Their Labor

Somewhere, Bono Is Screaming...

Am I Wrong to Laugh at Nacho Libre?

The Mexican replies

Best Civil Attorney

Get Your Kicks

A Texas filmmaker looks at small-town life through a windshield

Best Parade

Pride Parade

Best Drive-thru Bank

Bank of America

Feature

Headline:The Case Against Hurwitz In one of the last big S&L cases from the '80s, two federal agencies are pursuing Charles Hurwitz over the failure of united Savings. And for once, Hurwitz may have no place to hide.

The Insider

Plume Frazzled

Something's going on beneath the surface of a deal to redevelop a west Houston shopping center

CondoMania

The FDIC steps in to unload the Huntingdon, federally subsidized home of the rich