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A federal judge declared Texas' ban on gay marriage unconstitutional but left it in place until an appeals court can rule on the case.

Judge Orlando Garcia issued the preliminary injunction after two gay couples challenged a state constitutional amendment and a longstanding law. He said the couples are likely to win their case and the ban should be lifted, but said he would give the state time to appeal to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Without a rational relation to a legitimate governmental purpose, state-imposed inequality can find no refuge in our United States Constitution," Garcia wrote. "These Texas laws deny plaintiffs access to the institution of marriage and its numerous rights, privileges, and responsibilities for the sole reason that Plaintiffs wish to be married to a person of the same sex."

But this was the first time a court in the conservative 5th Circuit has reached such a decision. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott was expected to file an expedited appeal.

Mark Phariss and Victor Holmes filed their federal civil rights lawsuit saying Texas' ban unconstitutionally denied them the fundamental right to marry because of their sexual orientation. Cleopatra De Leon and Nicole Dimetman also filed a lawsuit saying Texas officials were violating their rights by not recognizing their marriage conducted in a state where gay marriage is legal.

Attorneys for the state argued that Texas voters had imposed the ban through a referendum and that Texas officials were within their rights to defend marriage traditions.

Meghan Stabler, The Board of Director for The Human Rights Campaign, had this to say to DISH;

 ”Today’s historic ruling lays a foundation of marriage equality in the Lone Star State. America has proven to be ready for loving committed gay and lesbian couples’ to marry and so has Texas. If two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to each other, to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, then the state of Texas has no legal or constitutional grounds to deny them the opportunity to get married. The momentum for full equality in Texas started when discriminatory laws were placed on the books by the moral majority, now is the time to right that wrong and we will not stop until our mission is completed.”

Another gay couple has filed a separate lawsuit in federal court in Austin. In that case, two men argue that the ban discriminates against them based on their gender. That case is scheduled for a hearing later this year.

PHOTO BY ROBERT KNIGHT ARCHIVE/REDFERNSThere was an odd hush that hung in the air that warm morning in August. The town woke up like any other morning to our clock radio alarms tuned to KLBJ and a great tune by an Austin radio staple. Then the next song was also by Stevie Ray Vaughan. And the next one after that. They just flowed over the air waves with no DJ interference. It felt beautiful and eerie. The regular and familiar sound started to take on a somber emotion as it became clear something was wrong. Then after what seemed to be an entire album a quieted, hushed normally out of control, yeller of a DJ said the words that will forever be branded into my memory.

"There was a helicopter crash last night and Stevie Ray Vaughan is missing..."

I didn't hear anything more after that.

I was in high school in Austin, Texas. We had just started the new school year when the news started spreading about what had happened. There was a kid that went to school with us that was rumored to be his nephew but no one ever talked about it because everyone in Austin was related to someone famous, or so it seemed. He wasn't in school that day. The teachers couldn't quiet the kids down, after all, one of our local legends and a hero in some folks eyes had gone missing over night and a helicopter crash had been reported after a concert with Eric Clapton. That was all we knew that morning. It was later in the day that it was confirmed that Stevie Ray Vaughan had, in fact, been in that helicopter and died upon impact. The air had been let out of our lungs, no one could focus after that. The shut the school down for the rest of the day.

The morning of the 26th, the day before the crash, it is reported that Vaughan has shared a nightmare he had had that night with band members. He said he was at his own funeral and saw thousands of mourners. He felt "terrified, yet almost peaceful." 

Austin was an amazing community. Everyone loved everyone and folks came together to support each other. A great example of how much that community functioned as a collective is the impromptu candlelight vigil night of the 28th. Right after the local new stations reported what had happened, people just showed up at Zilker Park. A place Stevie Ray Vaughan played regularly. They wanted to connect to their friend one more time. That is how Austin was. 

Since that day in 1990 an August 27th goes by that I don't remember that moment in time. It stands still as the clouds pass over. My best friend's mom was behind the SRV statue that now stands on Lady Bird Lake. As it turns out that kid  in our class was his nephew. His name is Tyrone. It is so enjoyable seeing T play his guitar...the one his uncle gave him when he was a boy. You can see both Jimmy and Stevie in Tyrone when he plays. It is beautiful. Time, it turns out, does go on....Family Style. 

uncredited AP photoDavid "Kidd" Kraddick, the high-energy radio and TV host of the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show heard on dozens of U.S. radio stations, died at a charity golf event supporting his charity Kidd's Kids near New Orleans, a publicist said. Kraddick was 53.

"He died doing what he loved, and his final day was spent selflessly focused on those special children that meant the world to him." said Biro, of the public relations firm Champion Management. He said he had no further details on the death.

The Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show is heard on more than 75 Top 40 and Hot AC radio stations and is a leader among most-listened-to contemporary morning programs, Biro said. The radio program also is transmitted globally on American Forces Radio Network while the show's cast is also seen weeknights on the nationally syndicated TV show Dish Nation.

"All of us with YEA Networks and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader," the network statement said. "Kidd devoted his life to making people smile every morning, and for 21 years his foundation has been dedicated to bringing joy to thousands of chronically and terminally ill children."

The Dallas Morning News reported Kraddick had been a staple in the Dallas market since 1984, starting in a late-night debut. The newspaper said he moved into morning show work by the early 1990s in that market and his show began to gain wider acclaim and entered into syndication by 2001 as he gained a following in cities nationwide.

The network statement said the cause of death would be released "at the appropriate time."

Word of Kraddick's passing spread quickly via social media.

"RIP Kidd Kraddick. You were an amazing man and a friend. You are already missed," Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted.

"Oh Man, I just heard Kidd Kraddick died! He's my childhood dj. What a sad day. His poor family. He was always nice 2 me from the beginning," singer Kelly Clarkson tweeted.

Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, only recently announced as the headline act of a planned first-ever Kidd's Kids charity concert in Dallas next month, wrote: "The sad sad news about Kidd Kraddick is shocking. He will be missed greatly."

"He came out and he borrowed my golf clubs and went out to the driving range," Richie Tomblin, the head golf pro at the course. "It's kind of a freaky situation. He came out. He practiced a little bit. He hit the ball at the first tee and wasn't feeling good and after that I didn't see him."

Tomblin said the hundreds of amateur golfers taking part went ahead with the event Saturday. He added he only found out afterward that Kraddick had died and he was still shaken about it.

You will be missed by all, Kidd. Thank you for making this wold a better place while you were here. God Bless your soul. 

The Texas Renaissance Festival, the nation's largest and most acclaimed festival of its kind, and His Royal Highness The King announce the release of the Royal App, available for Android and iPhone users. Festival fans will find a variety of features designed to help them enjoy all of the offerings of The Kingdom during the 38th annual season.

On the Royal App, guests can find a map of the festival grounds, entertainment schedule and a complete list of shoppes and vendors. Craving a turkey leg? By using the search bar in the Royal App's Food section users can find where they are being sold, as well as any other food, beverage or restaurant. The Royal App also allows users to search and locate their favorite rides and games.  

This festival season, guests need not worry about separating from their group. Users of the Royal App can utilize the handy Friend Finder, where they can create and join groups that will show the location of each member. With the Friend Finder guests can keep a close eye on that new pirate matey of theirs and make sure he or she doesn't beat them to the Sea Devil Tavern and steal all their booty!

Another great feature found on the Royal App is the GPS locator. This feature allows users to save the location of their "horse and carriage" in the parking lot or their campground site. Gone are the days of aimlessly wandering, wondering where your car or family is located.  

The app is available now and free to download on both iPhone and Android devices, just search: Texas Renaissance Festival MyPark App. For more information about the Texas Renaissance Festival, please visit www.texrenfest.com. 

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Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, both of whom are from Texas are apparently teaming up to star in a cable television series called True Detective.

The 8 episode season would follow two detectives over a time period that stretches from 1995 to present, during which their lives intertwine as they investigate and hunt down a serial killer in Louisiana.

If the show takes off, the following season would be about entirely different characters investigating an entirely different case. We especially like the concept because each season would allow different major movie stars the chance to work on the series.

For McConaughey, this will be his first regular role on cable, while Harrelson got his start on the sitcom Cheers. Both have already appeared in the films Surfer, Dude and EdTV together, but we'd love to see these real-life friends join forces again!

SWEET!!