Familiar Foes Simpson, Merritt Square Off Again
GOP leaders from East Texas see a tight race in the HD-7 primary rematch between state Rep. David Simpson and Tommy Merritt, a former seven-term House member. Full Story
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Becca Aaronson
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Becca Aaronson was the first product manager at the Tribune, where she worked from 2010 to 2018. As product manager, Becca managed the Tribune's website redesign, coordinates cross-departmental projects and conducted user research to improve reader experience. She previously worked on the Tribune's data visuals team as a developer and project manager, contributing to several award-winning investigative projects. She covered health care from 2012 to 2014, making waves with her coverage of women's health and the Wendy Davis abortion filibuster. She has a bachelor’s degree in cultural theory from Scripps College in Claremont, Calif.
Past Contributions
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
TWIA Committee Recommends Staggered Premium Rates
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association could be raising premium rates soon — and for the time first, adjusting policyholder premiums depending on the likelihood of severe storm damage or hurricanes in specific areas. Full Story
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![U.S. Air Force member conducted search and rescue operations on Galveston Island after Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13, 2008.]()
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Texas Economy Adds 10,900 Jobs in March
There's another positive report on the Texas economy: 10,900 jobs were added in March, and the unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent from 8 percent last year, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / www.sxc.hu -
Beef Stakes
The Texas economy is churning out record job numbers, but the $7.5 billion cattle industry isn’t doing too hot — or rather, it’s too hot. Full Story
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![The U.S. Department of Agriculture is abandoning the use of hot-iron branding and moving towards the use of ear tags for the identification of cattle.]()
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Interactive: The Cost of Texas vs. the Feds
This interactive breaks down the costs of the lawsuits that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has brought against the federal government. Full Story
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Texas Dental Board is Accused of Ineptitude
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners was accused of ineptitude Wednesday during a House Public Health Committee hearing. But some said the board lacks the resources to do its job well. Full Story
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Interactive: Mapping Medicaid Patients' Access to Pharmacies in Texas
Use this interactive map to compare Medicaid patients’ access to pharmacies across the state. Full Story
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Walmart Private Plan Stirs Concern Over Workers' Compensation System
When Walmart, one of Texas’ largest private employers, dropped out of the state’s workers’ compensation system, it was a heavy blow to advocates of the system who have watched more large companies offer private injury benefits. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
On the Records: Legal Spending on Redistricting
Redistricting has cost Texas taxpayers nearly $1.5 million in legal expenses so far — a total that could rise as more invoices are filed. Use our interactive to compare spending by category or to see the number of hours billed for legal work. Full Story
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Texas Economy Gains Jobs, Even in Government
The Texas economy continued its upward climb in February, gaining 27,900 jobs while the unemployment rate dropped slightly, from 7.3 percent to 7.1 percent. Even government jobs grew. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman