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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.
Four U.S. presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter — will visit Austin this week for a three-day summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Full Story
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The four Republican candidates for lieutenant governor took on end-of-life issues, border security and, of course, one another in an hour-long debate in Dallas. Full Story
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Election Day is right around the corner — at least for voters in one Travis County state House district. Democrat Celia Israel and Republican Mike VanDeWalle will face off Jan. 28 in a special election runoff to succeed retiring Rep. Mark Strama. Full Story
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Fast-food workers walked off the job in several Texas cities on Thursday as part of a national strike calling for higher wages. But proposals to raise the minimum wage face uncertain odds in Washington and even longer odds in Texas. Full Story
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Top GOP candidates in Texas have been burnishing their Second Amendment credentials by expressing support for looser gun laws. But Republicans' efforts could put them at odds with law enforcement groups. Full Story
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Wendy Davis formally filed to run for governor over the weekend. But since her announcement in early October, only a handful of other Democrats have announced for other statewide posts up and down the ballot. Full Story
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A federal judge's decision this week to block parts of Texas' strict new abortion law was just the first step in a legal battle that could drag on for months, or even years, meaning that the courtroom drama will play out against the 2014 governor's race. Full Story
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Whoever wins the House District 50 special election in Travis County next month will have to start campaigning all over again for the March primary. But the victor will enter the race next year with a key advantage: four months of incumbency. Full Story
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Much of the attention in this year's November elections has focused on Proposition 6, a water infrastructure initiative. But some are watching the mechanics of the election to find out how a newly implemented voter ID law affects voters. Full Story
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Two of the nine constitutional propositions on the ballot in Texas this November will lower property taxes for disabled veterans or a surviving spouse. Full Story
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