If you're one of those people who go all out for "states rights," you should make sure the states get it right.

In general, poor students come to school with greater educational deficits than children from more affluent families. They tend to come from homes where the adults have less education, the home has fewer books, education is less highly valued—and they often arrive at school under-fed, under-slept and over-stressed. It makes sense for the state to spend extra money on their educations to deal the multiple problems those children face. At the very least, as much money should be spent on their educations as on children who come to school with more advantages.

But, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, about half the states spend less on school districts in poor areas than districts in more affluent areas. However, once federal funds are added in, the disparity evens out. Which, using conservative logic, is a good reason to cut federal spending on education, or at least give the money to states as block grants so they can spend more of it on rich kids. That's what Republican leaders in Congress are trying to do with the revision of No Child Left Behind.

The Washington Post has an excellent graphic charting spending state by state. When you just look at state and local funding, 23 states spend less on their poorest districts than their most affluent districts. The worst offender by a wide margin is Pennsylvania, where 33.5 percent less goes to the poorest districts. The national average is 15.6 percent less, with Arizona coming in at 14.1 percent less.

When you add federal funding into the mix, the disparity shrinks to 1.7 percent, still favoring the rich districts, but only by a little. With the Fed's help, Arizona spends 5.5 percent more on its poorest districts.

Here's the thing. At the very least, state and local funds should equalize spending between all districts, and a more sensible funding formula should swing the balance toward districts with a large number of poor children by adding funds for compensatory education. Federal dollars like Title 1 funds weren't created to restore balance. Their purpose is to help states give an added educational resources to children who need it most.

By the time my car mate and I got to Fredericksburg, I was done being in the car. 15 hours of overnight driving—switching off listening to the "Bossypants" audiobook and then Rumours and then this Smash Mouth song she likes to listen to on the road only half-ironically—had taken its toll. Our eyes were red and puffy and we'd each gotten about two or three hours of sleep huddled up on the passenger seat.



Fredericksburg is my new least favorite place in Texas. While I enjoy its German kitsch, that last hour or so of driving on the stop light addled stretch of the 290 went on forever and I discovered all sorts of fun new swear words I didn't know I had in me, reserved especially for the drivers in that town. (Sorry, drivers of Fredericksburg)



So when we pulled up to the place we're staying for the week, shower was first on the agenda, though a nap would've been more wise. Lyfting our way into downtown proper, the streets were swarmed with people, which only got more congested as the trifecta of SXSW Music Day 1, St. Patrick's Day and UT Austin's spring break converged for one drunk, silly mess.



Wandering around, out first instinct led us to food, which meant a housemade duck and fennel sausage on a fresh pretzel bun and maybe a touch of rye and Mikkeller's imperial stout at Easy Tiger. After geekily approaching comedian Nick Thune and telling him he was funnier than Trevor Moore on @midnight the other week, we were ready for the fest.

First stop was Hotel Vegas, where even the unbadged (gasp) could enjoy some live music. Australia's nearly nude The Gooch Palms, Dallas' Sealion and Phoenix's Man Hands got to break our music seal for the festival. While I'd seen Man Hands a few times and knew Jackie Cruz could totally wail in a way that would make Cassandra Wong envious and maybe even a little frightened, I was pleasantly surprised with the caliber of the other acts, as well. I was also pleasantly surprised to notice that the first three bands had women in them—point one, SXSW.



After popping in for a cocktail at the impossibly cute Rio Rita's, we headed to the packed Stub Hub showcase, which was slotted to feature Charles Bradley, Future Islands and Portugal. The Man. However, despite having a badge and RSVPing, we were apparently also supposed to also get some red wristband at an undisclosed location or something.



"But you can wait in this line for people without wristbands and maybe get let in after all of the wristband people get in—but they do get to go first," the line arbiter said, gleefully. "It isn't hopeless."



"Not hopeless" isn't exactly my style and waiting in lines makes me grumpy (why did I come here?), so we marched over to the Fader Fort, whose preview night featured free Budweiser and Jack Daniels highballs as well as free cheeseburgers and potato chips. As me and my friend/"photographer" wondered who might be playing, Passion Pit took the stage with "Little Secrets," which nearly immediately took away out Stub Hub disappointment. But seriously, get your business straight, Stub Hub.





Passion Pit played a seven or so song set, which was talked over the entire time by entitled brats whose daddys got them SXSW badges because they got a C in a 100-level math class. The band looked visibly annoyed by the non-stop gabbing from the crowd and it was hard to dance or enjoy the show surrounded by a sea of mid-show selfies and drunken chatter. The fact that the band could seemingly hear that chatter over their own very loud and energetic electro indie pop was pretty depressing. If you can't watch the show in the crowd, kindly GTFO so the rest of us can. Thanks.



A tip from a friend led us to a secret show under a stone bridge near downtown. Candlelit, mellow and with a captive, respectful audience, the bridge show was the perfect opposite of Fader's event. Local artist Adam Torres killed it with an unrelenting and beautiful falsetto placed over delicate, plucked guitar.






Walking on the closed off Sixth Street had become a booze-fueled nightmare at this point, so it was finally time for sleep—which lasted about ten hours and was amazing.



Stay tuned tomorrow for TW Goes SXSW: Day 2. We promise our pictures will be better next time.

The immigration rights activists who blocked two buses carrying roughly 70 undocumented men and women to Operation Streamline proceedings two years ago have been acquitted of all but two charges.

It was relieving to hear the good news, but the 12 defendants in court— Gabriel Schivone, Maryada Vallet, Alexandra Nicole Sabo, Angelica Moreno Loreto, Charles Kaufman, Michelle Jahnke, Steve Johnston, Julia Mihich Harden, Sarah Launius, Ethan Beasley, Paula McPheeters and Devora Gonzalez—still wanted to gear the focus back onto the Streamline proceedings and the reasons they feel it's necessary to have actions like the one that occurred Oct. 11, 2013.

"The feeling that I can't escape from is outrage, because Streamline is still going on, it went on today and it's gonna go on tomorrow and the next day and the next month," Schivone said after leaving court. "By putting our bodies, our minds together to figure out how we can stop Streamline and...resist, until the United States obeys international law, until the United States can stop treating people this way."

I was going to write something following a eulogy theme, but I don't think anyone is sad to see this one go.

From the Verge:

While Microsoft has dropped hints that the Internet Explorer brand is going away, the software maker has now confirmed that it will use a new name for its upcoming browser successor, codenamed Project Spartan. Speaking at Microsoft Convergence yesterday, Microsoft's marketing chief Chris Capossela revealed that the company is currently working on a new name and brand. "We’re now researching what the new brand, or the new name, for our browser should be in Windows 10," said Capossela. "We’ll continue to have Internet Explorer, but we’ll also have a new browser called Project Spartan, which is codenamed Project Spartan. We have to name the thing."

Internet Explorer will still exist in some versions of Windows 10 mainly for enterprise compatibility, but the new Project Spartan will be named separately and will be the primary way for Windows 10 users to access the web. Microsoft has tried, unsuccessfully, to shake off the negative image of Internet Explorer over the past several years with a series of amusing campaigns mocking Internet Explorer 6. The ads didn't improve the situation, and Microsoft's former Internet Explorer chief left the company in December, signaling a new era for the browser.

Hey there, Tweedy fans. We've got a pair of tickets to see the father/son duo next week and we want you to have them. The show is Wednesday, March 25 at the Rialto.

You've got until the end of the day Thursday to enter—we'll contact the winner in the morning on Friday. If you're not lucky enough to win, tickets range from $27-$41. Enter here!

From the Rialto:

Jeff Tweedy is "one of the most daring songwriters of his generation" and his band Wilco is "vital, adventurous...breaking new stylistic ground with each ambitious and creatively restless album" -Salon.com.

As the founding member and leader of the American rock band Wilco, and before that the co-founder of the alt-country band Uncle Tupelo, Jeff Tweedy is one of contemporary music's most accomplished songwriters, musicians and performers. Since starting Wilco in 1994, Tweedy ha written original songs for eight Wilco albums and collaborated with folk singer Billy Bragg to bring musical life to three albums—full of Woody Guthrie-penned lyrics in the Mermaid Avenue series.

His latest project is Tweedy, a musical collaboration with his 18-year-old son and drummer Spencer Tweedy. The father/son duo's debut album is called Sukierae and features 20 songs written by Jeff Tweedy. With Spencer on drums, Jeff handles his usual guitars and vocals, a well as bass and keyboards. Musician Scott McCaughey (R.E.M., The Minus Five, The Baseball Project) lends additional keyboards and backing vocals on Sukierae come courtesy of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of the Brooklyn band Lucius.

It is day two of the trial against a group of immigration activists who blocked two prison buses on their way to Operation Streamline proceedings in October 2013.

Their lawyer, Margo Cowan, has filed a motion to dismiss because she argues the state does not have enough evidence to support any of them.

The defendants, 12 of whom are in court today, are accused of criminal trespassing, obstructing government operations, obstructing prosecution in the second degree, resisting arrest, obstructing a highway, disorderly conduct, among others.

Remember a month or so ago when we found out we were so romantic? Well, good news everyone! We're also a cheap date. Coupons Daily—a world leader in romance and date planning, I'm sure—compiled a list of the 10 Cheapest Cities for Dating and we came in at #5. because it's not crazy expensive to live here and Tucson Tamale Company is delicious. 

From their post:

Cost of Living: 96.5
Affordable Restaurants: Tucson Tamale Company, Miss Saigon and Zinburger
Free/Cheap Activities: Agua Caliente Park, the Arizona State Museum and Mission San Xavier del Bac
Tucson, a thriving city in Arizona, is another great place for date night. From fine dining to exploring breathtaking sights, this city offers couples to have an affordable date night that’s memorable and romantic. Whether you’re exploring historical sites to shopping downtown, Tucson is a great place your date will love.

I love how that last sentence is suggesting you, the Cheap Date Scavenger, bring someone to Tucson for a date. So, people from other places: If you don't wan't to spend too much during your night out, but your private jet is ready to take you wherever, come to Tucson! We've got tamales and Agua Caliente. Or you could visit to the city that snagged the #1 spot—but you'd have to stomach being in Florida.

I'm not much of a holiday lady. I don't decorate for Christmas or Halloween, I don't watch the fireworks on July 4 and I am wearing exactly zero green things today*. And while I do love it when drinking is encouraged, there's no way I'm cramming myself into a bar tonight. That sounds crowded and terrible, and green beer isn't much of a consolation prize.

But you know what does sound like a good time? Boozy cupcakes. Mother Nature Network—a website I have never visited before, but whose food section is winning me over with vegetarian breakfast lists and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt companion cocktails—presents a recipe for Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Baileys Frosting:

Ingredients
For cupcakes
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch table salt
6 ounces stout beer
1/4 cup melted butter
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sour cream

For the icing
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
3-4 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda and salt until combined.
In a large mixing bowl, mix the stout, melted butter and vanilla together.
Beat the eggs into the stout mixture, one at a time. Then mix in the sour cream.
Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients a little at a time until it’s all mixed together thoroughly.
Lightly grease 12 muffin tins (or use non-stick spray or cupcake liners). Pour the batter evenly into the tins.
Bake from 18-24 minutes, checking at 18 minutes and continuing to bake until they are set in the middle.
Allow to cool.
While cooling, make the icing.
Combine the softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer (hand or stand mixers will both work). Add the confectioners sugar and mix. Slowly add the Baileys and mix until icing is the desired consistency.
When the cupcakes are cool, frost with icing.

Grab an apron, cancel your bar plans, and get drunk at home where the booze is free and the cupcakes aren't for children.


*Pinch at your own risk. I'm a kicker.

UPDATE: Char's Thai employee Paul Yohn says that unfortunately due to a delay on the new tile they're installing, the restaurant will remain closed until at least March 27.

Thai food junkies in Tucson have likely had a rough couple of weeks. That's because one of the most beloved spots for pad thai and tom kha in town, Char's Thai, has been closed since the beginning of the month. 

If you've tried to stop in between March 7 and this morning, you likely saw a sign that said the spot was closed for kitchen repairs. Well, the wait is finally over and Char's Thai, located at 5039 E. Fifth St., is back open. You can pop in today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to get your Char's fix satiated. 

In case you're wondering what all of the fuss is about, here's what we had to say about the Best of Tucson 2014 winner:

Char's is a little off the beaten path, but if you're looking for the mint, lemongrass and lime flavors of Thailand, it's worth heading over to Fifth Street for this long-time Best of Tucson winner. The dining room isn't likely to wow you, but there's magic happening back in the kitchen and sure, you could go with something off the Chinese menu, but why not live a little and try something new? The panang curry, in particular, shines but find something on the menu with lemongrass and enjoy one night in Bangkok (sorry if that song's in your head now).