Local Blog Roundup: New fodder for Aggie jokes

What's Governor Perry doing in the Middle East? Lone Star Times has the scoop. His first order of business was to help dedicate a new Texas A&M University campus in Qatar. The campus takes up a sprawling 2,500 acres and is part of a deal between the Qatar Foundation and A&M to provide a full, four-year degree program in mechanical, electrical, chemical and petroleum engineering. We wonder if it'll make Qatar's top party schools list. Governor Perry also swung by Dubai and Abu Dhabi to promote business opportunities for Texas.

>> Mind if I smoke? We know City Council does, and so do some members of the state legislature. Off the Kuff has the blow-by-blow of the debate over a statewide smoking ban.

>> Will the real Energy Capital please stand up? Houston Strategies wonders if Dubai can replace Houston as the world's energy headquarters.

>> Mayor White fandom is at an all-time high, with even the Chron's City Hall blog getting in on it. That urban cowboy has captured our hearts.

>> What would Miss Manners say? Channel 11 returned a St. Patrick's Day gift to the giver. Inappropriate. The Brazosport News has the story.

If you have a favorite local blog or a particular post that catches your eye, send it to us!