TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

In the second year of a new school accountability system, nine out of ten Texas districts met state standards, according to ratings released by the Texas Education Agency on Friday. The 2014 ratings show a slight decline from last year.

Rick Perry's political star is rising again, and associates say the new man behind the curtain is Jeff Miller, a California transplant known for his fundraising prowess and overflowing address book. 

Water systems in the Panhandle and South Plains last week started drawing water from a once-empty lake that is now just over 4 percent full. It's a sign of just how strapped the region is for water supplies.

Last week, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, shot down speculation she was considering a run for San Antonio mayor. The rumors could hurt her prospects on multiple fronts.

A plan to provide low-income Texans with the tools to help them interact with "smart" meters and improve energy efficiency at their homes has been stuck in a bureaucratic limbo with no end in sight.

Removing Texas' same-sex marriage ban could clear the way for bigamy and pedophilia, according to a brief signed by 63 Republican lawmakers including the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

More than a decade ago, Andrea Yates drowned her five children. The publicity around the case brought attention to the mental struggles of some mothers. Now, advocates are hoping lawmakers will approve mandatory screening.

An EPA proposal would place stricter limits on emissions from petrochemical and other industrial plants. An EPA hearing this week in the Houston area reflected the heated debate over balancing economic growth with air quality concerns.

Gov. Rick Perry has issued at least 221 pardon proclamations since taking office in December 2000. We've made our existing searchable database easier to navigate by name, issuance year, crime type and/or pardon type.

Our new Hospitals Explorer helps you learn more about the quality of care available at 377 Texas hospitals that reported Medicare data. See how hospitals in your area compare with one another and with state and national standards.