Campaign Roundup: The Week's Political News
Expect to see some heavy artillery in the state Senate race in Central Texas. Full Story
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![Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, during debate on higher education bill SB5 on May 3, 2011.]()
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To the Surprise of Many, Perry Finds Himself Neck and Neck — With Gingrich
Gov. Rick Perry is increasingly sharing third place with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a candidate many — including some of Gingrich's former strategists — had written off. Full Story
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Regulatory System Allows Some Plants to Skirt Pollution Laws
Several Texas plants have appeared on never-before-published pollution watch lists compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency. Mose Buchele of KUT News and StateImpact Texas looks at the regulatory environment that allows industries to keep polluting. Full Story
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![Steam rises from the stacks at the Martin Lake Coal-Fired Power Plant in Tatum, TX March 30, 2011.]()
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Updated: State Rep. Joe Driver to Plead Guilty to Felony
State Rep. Joe Driver, who acknowledged pocketing taxpayer reimbursements for travel paid by his campaign, will enter a guilty plea on abuse-of-office charges, a third-degree felony, a top prosecutor said Tuesday night. Full Story
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A Runoff Ahead, and Three Amendments Fail
Lawmakers approved 10 changes to the Constitution during the legislative session, and the few voters who turned out approved all but three of them. Full Story
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Former Assistant DA Deflects Blame in Morton Case
Mike Davis, a former assistant district attorney in Williamson County, pointed the finger for any alleged wrongdoing that led to the conviction of Michael Morton directly at his former boss, Ken Anderson. Full Story
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![Former Williamson County district attorney Ken Anderson on his way to give testimony in the Michael Morton case.]()
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Despite Budget Cuts, UT-Arlington Won't Increase Tuition
Despite shrinking state support, University of Texas at Arlington president Jim Spaniolo signaled on Tuesday that his school would not raise tuition in the upcoming 2012-13 academic year. It could be just a temporary respite, however. Full Story
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![Jim Spaniolo, president of the University of Texas at Arlington.]()
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The Midday Brief: Nov. 8, 2011
Your afternoon reading: federal court rejects Texas redistricting maps; Perry criticizes "don't ask, don't tell" repeal; Railroad Commission nixes firearms ban Full Story
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Federal Judges Will Draw New Political Maps for Texas
Next year's congressional and legislative elections in Texas will probably be conducted using political maps drawn by federal judges instead of those drawn by lawmakers. Full Story
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Updated: Cornyn Presses Holder on Alleged Texas Operation
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn confronted U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday about allegations of a Texas-based gun-walking operation similar to the controversial Fast and Furious operation in Arizona. Full Story
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Updated: Railroad Commission Scraps Concealed Firearms Ban
Employees of the agency that regulates the Texas oil and gas industry will now be able to carry concealed firearms as they go about their work, following a unanimous vote on Tuesday by the three commissioners. Full Story
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Texplainer: Will Judge Who Beat Daughter Be Punished?
Hey, Texplainer: What will happen to Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams now that the video of him beating his then 16-year-old daughter has gone viral? Full Story
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Video: Ron Paul Says Wealthy "Ripped Us Off"
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul appeared in an online-only interview with ABC News and Yahoo on Tuesday morning, part of a daylong series of one-on-one discussions with all eight Republican presidential candidates. Full Story
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Video: Perry Tells Amanpour He'd Reconsider "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Gov. Rick Perry sat down for a one-on-one interview with ABC News' Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday morning. The 15-minute session included talk of Herman Cain, foreign policy, religion and Beethoven. Full Story
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Colbert on Larry Taylor: "Get Off His Back, Media"
On last night's episode of The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert "defended" state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who came under fire last week for using an ethnic slur in a legislative hearing. Full Story
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Houston-Area Plant Has History of Emissions Violations
In the Houston area, several industrial plants have repeatedly violated federal clean air standards. Dave Fehling of NPR's StateImpact Texas reports that while one has been the target of EPA enforcement actions for years, its chemical emissions have only increased. Full Story
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The Brief: Nov. 8, 2011
On this Election Day, expect short lines and minimal drama. Full Story
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Voters to Decide City Elections, Amendments
It's Election Day, and voters across the state will decide whether to add 10 amendments to the Texas Constitution. Voters in several cities also will be picking mayors and city council members. Full Story
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Prop 10 Would Tweak Resign-to-Run Rule
Texas voters head to the polls today to vote on 10 constitutional amendments. As Raymond Thompson of ReportingTexas.com reports, Prop 10 would alter the rule requiring certain elected county officials to leave their positions if they are running for higher office. Full Story
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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Grants Stay for Hank Skinner
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals today granted a stay of execution for Hank Skinner, who has been seeking DNA testing for a decade. Skinner was set to be executed on Wednesday. Full Story
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Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller
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