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Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
The Legislature will soon begin the so-called sunset review process for the Department of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The review, as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, has already attracted the attention of advocacy groups looking to change the state's criminal justice system. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry picked up a substantial endorsement on Tuesday from controversial Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, it's unclear whether the endorsement will be enough to turn around Perry's flagging campaign. Full Story
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Last night's CNN debate on national security highlighted significant differences among the GOP presidential candidates — in particular, between Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
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While national security was the focus of last night’s Republican debate, some voters want to turn the conservation back to religion and social issues. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, even in a year of economic concerns, such voters could tip the scales in early-voting states like Iowa. Full Story
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It was a night of faith and politics for the GOP candidates in Des Moines, Iowa, where six of the eight top-tier candidates spoke at a forum hosted by a conservative Christian group. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
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Lost in the clamor around Gov. Rick Perry's debate stumble last week is that he's calling for the elimination of three federal agencies. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, actually accomplishing that is hard to do. Full Story
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Has South Carolina's primary turned from a must-win to a can't-win for Gov. Rick Perry? Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on how the governor's South Carolina prospects may have changed. Full Story
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The biggest story to come out of last night's Republican debate in Michigan was Gov. Rick Perry’s gaffe. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the more important story is what Perry's performance on stage may spark behind the scenes. Full Story
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The economy — and how to improve it — has been at the center of the fight for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on how unions and their future play into the GOP rhetoric. Full Story
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Rick Perry’s presidential campaign has reshuffled its staff and hopes to resharpen its focus. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the team is hoping to revive a candidate who has fallen from front-runner to fourth place in many polls. Full Story
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