Christmas shopping begins today, and unlike past holiday seasons, the consumer love affair with plastic finally may be giving away to something far less seductive - financial prudence. What's in the bag? Texans' shopping plans this holiday season: •For Texans,

Not long ago, a computer hacker stole a large trove of e-mails between leading climate scientists from around the globe, and published them on the Internet. Suddenly, the heat is on - as well it should be. Also Online What's

State ed board requires athletes to flex academic muscles, too Star quarterbacks and head cheerleaders who were planning to stack their schedules with phys ed classes will be compelled to throw some more academics into the mix, thanks to the