The Brief: Jan. 7, 2015
No final resolution was reached in any of the three special elections held on Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Reps. José Menéndez (left) and Trey Martinez Fischer, both Democrats from San Antonio, are seeking the Texas Senate seat vacated by Leticia Van de Putte, who is running for mayor of San Antonio.]()
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And This Was Just His First Day in Congress
Before he was even sworn in, freshman U.S. Rep. Will Hurd had to pick sides in a leadership fight and decide whether to knife a colleague. There were also breakfast tacos. Full Story
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Amid New Earthquakes, Researchers Head to Irving
UPDATED: Irving has experienced scores of small earthquakes in recent months, and seismologists are headed to town to help figure out what’s behind the shaking. Full Story
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![Lynda Stokes, the mayor of Reno, Texas, testified before the Railroad Commission of Texas on Jan. 21, 2014. She voiced her concern about an increased number of earthquakes around Eagle Mountain Lake.]()
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Sources: Lakey Leaving DSHS for Position at UT System
David Lakey, the state's public health chief, will accept a joint position with the University of Texas System and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, sources tell the Tribune. Full Story
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![Dr. Lakey questions witness during the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response at the Texas Capitol on October 23rd, 2014]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Gun Rights Advocates to Build Weapons at Capitol
Gun rights advocates will use a 3-D printer to manufacture weapons at the Texas Capitol during an armed rally set for the opening day of the 2015 legislative session. Full Story
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Raw Gas Fuels Worry for Rural Homeowner
Thousands of rural Texas homes get their natural gas from "farm taps," hooking up to nearby pipelines that carry raw gas on its way from wells to processing plants. One homeowner shut down his furnace when he learned of the risks. Full Story
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![Some rural Texans, including Jon Salis, have been getting untreated natural gas that can freeze up and, in rare cases, pollute homes. Salis poses at the gas line near his Lake Palo Pinto property.]()
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The Brief: Jan. 6, 2015
Another day and another threshold is crossed in oil's steady downward march in value. This time it was the price of U.S. oil dipping below $50 during the day on Monday. Full Story
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![Trucks carry cement that will be mixed to fill the space between multiple layers of casing in preparation for the hydraulic fracturing process at a Chesapeake Energy drill site in Dimmit, Texas in the Eagle Ford Shale.]()
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Top Texas Officials on Hand as Paxton is Sworn In
Joined by many of Texas’ Republican elite as he was sworn in as the state’s attorney general on Monday, Ken Paxton said the state would have to guard against complacency. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton gets a kiss from his wife, Angela, after he was sworn in on Jan. 5, 2015, in the Texas Senate chamber.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
As Student Celebrates Project, Abbott Calls Him an Inspiration
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott visited Austin High School on Monday to tour new automatic push-button doors, which were paid for by funds raised by an Austin High School senior. Full Story
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![Gov.-elect Greg Abbott applauded Austin High senior Archer Hadley on Jan. 5, 2014, for raising enough money to put in automatic doors at the school. Hadley raised more than $80,000 for the installation.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Stick's Chief of Staff Facing Steep Pay Cut
One of three Texas Health and Human Services Commission employees put on paid administrative leave amid a probe into the agency’s contracting procedures is facing a 50 percent cut to his salary. Full Story
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![Jack Stick, the top lawyer for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.]()
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Chancellor McRaven: Time to Move Past UT Conflicts
On his first day as chancellor of the UT System, Admiral Bill McRaven, the former commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, said the system needed to move beyond the conflicts that have marked the last few years. Full Story
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![Admiral William H. McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, was named the sole finalist to be chancellor of the University of Texas System on July 29, 2014. McRaven holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.]()
Credit: Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey, U.S. Air Force -
Special Elections for Central Texas Seats Draw Crowded Field
Central Texas voters will return to the polls on Tuesday to fill three vacant legislative posts — one in the Senate and two in the House. Full Story
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Rediscover the Tribune's New Salaries Explorer
The Texas Tribune's Government Salaries Explorer received a long overdue update in 2014, and we're adding more agencies as we go. Use the explorer to look up salary information of employees in a number of state agencies, school districts and universities. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 5, 2015
Three special elections are on tap for Tuesday, including two contests to find replacements for a pair of San Antonio Democrats who have opted to run for mayor. Full Story
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![Campaign signs outside a polling place at Zilker Elementary School in Austin on March 4, 2014.]()
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Inside Texas Politics: Looking Ahead
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey share some political predictions for 2015 with host Jason Whitely. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics on Jan. 4, 2015.]()
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Gohmert to Challenge Speaker Boehner
U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, announced Sunday morning that he will challenge House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio to be the leader of the House Republicans. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler.]()
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The Playlist: The Best is Yet to Come
For this week's playlist of the news, we’re using our reporters' own predictions for 2015. Kicking things off: “The Best Is Yet To Come,” by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, backed up by the Count Basie Orchestra. Full Story
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from December 29, 2014, to January 2, 2015. Full Story
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Look Back at the 14-Year Tenure of Gov. Rick Perry
Check out our 10-part series examining the impact of Rick Perry, the state's longest-serving governor. Our reporters look closely at what Perry will probably be most remembered for, as well as his impact in various policy areas. Full Story
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With New Land Commissioner, a New Era for Bush Family
Big names in state and national politics gathered in the Texas Senate chamber Friday to welcome George P. Bush, the state's new land commissioner, into the family business. Full Story
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![George P. Bush is sworn in Jan. 2, 2015 as Texas land commissioner as dad Jeb Bush and wife Amanda look on.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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