President Obama won his 34th and 35th consecutive Democratic primary contests on Tuesday night, claiming victories in Arkansas and Kentucky. But his margin was surprisingly small in Arkansas — a state in which he was opposed by Tennessee lawyer John Wolfe, who had previously been on the presidential primary ballot in Louisiana, Missouri and New Hampshire and will be on the ballot in Texas next week. Wolfe has also run unsuccessfully for Congress four times. Read full article > >

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Obama challenged in Arkansas primary

The shadow of the moon began to sweep across the globe from Hong Kong to the Texas Panhandle as a rare annular solar eclipse began Monday morning in Asia.

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Solar eclipse sweeps across globe

The US state of Texas is likely to have executed an innocent man due to careless handling of the case, a report by US law students claims.

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‘Innocent man’ executed in Texas

US car designer Carroll Shelby, who gave his name to the famous Shelby Cobra sports car, dies in a Texas hospital aged 89.

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Car designer Carroll Shelby dies

A part-time stripper fired from her full-time newspaper job covering Texas high society claims she's a victim of gender discrimination.

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Reporter fired for stripping sues

Our sister site HLN reports that a Houston, Texas family claims they were locked inside La Fisherman restaurant after refusing to pay a 17 percent tip on their meal. The restaurant's policy states that the percentage will be automatically added to the tab for parties of five or more. Customer Jasmine Marks told Click2Houston.com that the staff was rude, the drinks weren't refilled and her group received generally poor service. Marks asked if she could speak to a manager to have the auto-gratuity stripped from the bill, but claims the staff locked the doors and told her that her options were to pay the 17 percent or speak with the police outside. According to Marks, the police officer who was summoned was unable to give her a straight answer on the legality of the situation. Her party eventually paid the tip in order to avoid any further difficulty. Automatic tips, or “autograts” as they're sometimes called, are often used by restaurants to ensure that their staff is fairly compensated for the greater amount of effort it takes to tend to larger parties. The server will sometimes have a larger table as their sole focus for the duration of the meal, and won't be making tips from any other tables. This tip, which is generally clearly stated on a menu, or when making a reservation for a larger group, ensures that a server will be compensated for their time and not miss out on earning money for that shift. Often, the tip is shared with other members of the floor staff, like bussers and bartenders. Having a stated policy in place – usually 18 percent of the pre-tax amount – can eliminate awkwardness and confusion over tipping etiquette, especially if you're dining with business colleagues or people you don't know especially well. On the flip side, patrons sometimes feel they're being tricked into tipping more (especially if the server hasn't pointed out that the gratuity was already included) or discriminated against if the auto-grat isn't always applied. And servers, while they're ensured a base tip, run the risk of earning a lower tip than they would have if diners had been able to decide on the percentage, themselves. Our tip: always check the restaurant's policy when you're dining with a large group, and be sure to pore over the bill at the end. Weigh in on the auto-grat in the comments below, and we'll share our favorites from both sides of the table in an upcoming post. Take Our Poll

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Tipping point – family locked in restaurant for skimping on mandatory gratuity

What, exactly, is Ron Paul up to? The Texas congressman has, by all reasonable reckoning, lost his bid to be the Republican presidential nominee. Lost it big. In the GOP’s 35 primary and caucus votes , Paul has won as many as Barack Obama. Zero. Read full article > >

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Ron Paul campaign: Will his delegates influence Republican National Convention?

Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers belted four home runs on Tuesday night in Baltimore, just 17 days after Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox tossed a perfect game in Seattle.

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On Baseball: Rangers’ Josh Hamilton Has Four-Homer Game

The Transportation Security Administration has shelved $184 million in security equipment in a Texas warehouse rather than in the airports for which it was bought, according to a report compiled by House Republican investigators. Read full article > >

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TSA equipment gathering dust, House investigators say

Julia Trigg Crawford and her family have had multiple visits from TransCanada representatives regarding land rights to their farm in Sumner, Tex.

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Old Texas Tale Retold: Farmer vs. TransCanada

Since 1990, the not-for-profit James Beard Foundation named after “the father of American cuisine,” has been honoring the outstanding names in the food and beverage industry. There is no cash reward, but a win – or even a nomination – can substantially increase the buzz for business, according to foundation President Susan Ungaro. The nominations for the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards were announced Monday night at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception by James Beard Award–winning author and television personality Alton Brown . See all the winners below, or explore our Twitter feed for pictures and color from the star-studded night. AMERICA'S CLASSICS AWARDS (pictured above) Locally owned restaurants “beloved in their regions for quality food that reflects the character of their community,” according to the Foundation. The Fry Bread House (Phoenix, Arizona) Nora's Fish Creek Inn (Wilson, Wyoming) St Elmo Steak House (Indianapolis, Indiana) Jones Bar-B-Q Diner (Marianna, Arkansas) Shady Glen (Manchester, Connecticut) RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR Dave Beran, Next (Chicago, Illinois) Danny Bowien, Mission Chinese Food (San Francisco, California) Thomas McNaughton, flour + water (San Francisco, California) WINNER: Christina Tosi, Momofuku Milk Bar (New York City) Sue Zemanick, Gautreau’s (New Orleans, Louisiana) OUTSTANDING BAR PROGRAM The Aviary (Chicago, Illinois) Bar Agricole (San Francisco, California) WINNER: PDT (New York City) Pegu Club (New York City) The Violet Hour (Chicago, Illinois) OUTSTANDING WINE PROGRAM A16 (San Francisco, California) The Barn at Blackberry Farm (Walland, Tennessee) Emeril's (New Orleans, Louisiana) Frasca Food and Wine (Boulder, Colorado) WINNER: No. 9 Park (Boston, Massachusetts) OUTSTANDING WINE & SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware) Merry Edwards, Merry Edwards Winery (Sebastopol, California) WINNER: Paul Grieco, Terroir (New York City) Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery (New York City) Neal Rosenthal, Mad Rose Group (Pine Plains, New York) BEST CHEF: GREAT LAKES Michael Carlson, Schwa (Chicago, Illinois) Stephanie Izard, Girl & the Goat (Chicago, Illinois) Anne Kearney, Rue Dumaine (Dayton, Ohio) WINNER: Bruce Sherman, North Pond (Chicago, Illinois) Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia (Chicago, Illinois) BEST CHEF: MID-ATLANTIC Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve (Alexandria, Virginia) Johnny Monis, Komi (Washington, D.C.) Peter Pastan, Obelisk (Washington, D.C.) WINNER: Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama (Hoboken, New Jersey) Vikram Sunderam, Rasika (Washington, D.C.) BEST CHEF: MIDWEST Justin Aprahamian, Sanford (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) Gerard Craft, Niche (St. Louis, Missouri) Colby Garrelts, Bluestem (Kansas City, Missouri) WINNER: Tory Miller, L’Etoile (Madison, Wisconsin) Lenny Russo, Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market (St. Paul, Minnesota) BEST CHEF: NYC WINNER: Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern April Bloomfield, The Spotted Pig Wylie Dufresne, wd~50 Mark Ladner, Del Posto Michael White, Marea BEST CHEF: NORTHWEST WINNER: Matt Dillon, Sitka & Spruce (Seattle, Washington) Jason Franey, Canlis (Seattle, Washington) Christopher Israel, Grüner (Portland, Oregon) Naomi Pomeroy, Beast (Portland, Oregon) Cathy Whims, Nostrana (Portland, Oregon) BEST CHEF: PACIFIC Michael Chiarello, Bottega (Yountville, California) Chris Cosentino, Incanto (San Francisco, California) Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena, California) WINNER: Matt Molina, Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles, California) Daniel Patterson, Coi (San Francisco, California) BEST CHEF: NORTHEAST Jamie Bissonnette, Coppa (Boston, Massachusetts) WINNER: Tim Cushman, O Ya (Boston, Massachusetts) Gerry Hayden, The North Fork Table & Inn (Southold, New York) Matt and Kate Jennings, La Laiterie (Providence, Rhode Island) Eric Warnstedt, Hen of the Wood (Waterbury, Vermont) BEST CHEF: SOUTH Justin Devillier, La Petite Grocery (New Orleans, Louisiana) John Harris, Lilette (New Orleans, Louisiana) WINNER: Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club (Birmingham, Alabama) Tory McPhail, Commander’s Palace (New Orleans, Louisiana) Alon Shaya, Domenica (New Orleans, Louisiana) BEST CHEF: SOUTHEAST WINNER TIE: Hugh Acheson, Five and Ten (Athens, Georgia) Craig Deihl, Cypress (Charleston, South Carolina) WINNER TIE: Linton Hopkins, Restaurant Eugene (Atlanta, Georgia) Edward Lee, 610 Magnolia (Louisville, Kentucky) Joseph Lenn, The Barn at Blackberry Farm (Walland, Tennessee) BEST CHEF: SOUTHWEST Bruce Auden, Biga on the Banks (San Antonio, Texas) Kevin Binkley, Binkley’s Restaurant (Cave Creek, Arizona) Bruno Davaillon, Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek (Dallas, Texas) Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja (Denver, Colorado) Hugo Ortega, Hugo’s (Houston, Texas) WINNER: Paul Qui, Uchiko (Austin, Texas) OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF Joanne Chang, Flour Bakery + Cafe (Boston, Massachusetts) Melissa Chou, Aziza (San Francisco, California) Hedy Goldsmith, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink (Miami, Florida) Dahlia Narvaez, Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles, California) Ghaya Oliveira, Boulud Sud (New York City) WINNER: Mindy Segal, Mindy’s Hot Chocolate (Chicago, Illinois) BEST NEW RESTAURANT AQ (San Francisco, California) Fiola (Washington, D.C.) Isa (New York City) WINNER: Next (Chicago, Illinois) Tertulia (New York City) OUTSTANDING SERVICE Cyrus (Healdsburg, California) WINNER: La Grenouille (New York City) Michael Mina (San Francisco, California) Spiaggia (Chicago, Illinois) Topolobampo (Chicago, Illinois) OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR Bruce Bromberg and Eric Bromberg, Blue Ribbon Restaurants (New York City) WINNER: Tom Douglas, Tom Douglas Restaurants (Seattle, Washington) Piero Selvaggio, Valentino Restaurant Group (Santa Monica, California) Caroline Styne, Lucques/A.O.C./Tavern (Los Angeles, California) Phil Suarez, Suarez Restaurant Group (New York City) OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT Balthazar (New York City) Blue Hill (New York City) WINNER: Boulevard (San Francisco, California) Highlands Bar and Grill (Birmingham, Alabama) Vetri (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) OUTSTANDING CHEF David Chang, Momofuku Ssäm Bar (New York City) Gary Danko, Restaurant Gary Danko (San Francisco, California) WINNER: Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park (New York City) Paul Kahan, Blackbird (Chicago, Illinois) Donald Link, Herbsaint (New Orleans, Louisiana) Nancy Silverton, Pizzeria Mozza (Los Angeles, California) WHO'S WHO OF FOOD & BEVERAGE IN AMERICA INDUCTEES Grant Achatz , chef and author (Chicago, Illinois) Mark Bittman , journalist and author (New York City) Dana Cowin, editor and journalist (New York City) Emily Luchetti , pastry chef and author (San Francisco, California) Marvin Shanken , publisher (New York City) LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Wolfgang Puck HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR Charlie Trotter Editor's note: Eatocracy Editor Kat Kinsman is the vice chair of the James Beard Journalism Committee, the group that oversees the journalism category's awards. An independent accounting firm oversees the process.

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2012 James Beard Awards: Chefs and restaurants winners

Some hanging from a bridge near Texas border.

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23 Bodies Found in Mexico

Two men are charged by the authorities in Texas after the discovery of 115 illegal immigrants locked in buildings near the border with Mexico.

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Texas charges over immigrants

A former BP engineer was arrested in Texas on two counts of intentionally destroying evidence requested by authorities.

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First criminal charges filed in BP oil spill

A woman is charged with capital murder near Houston, Texas, after a woman was shot dead and her three-day-old son abducted outside a pediatric centre.

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Woman shot mother and took baby