The Brief: Get ready for a legislative bloodbath in the Texas House
As the Texas House rounded the corner and raced toward a key deadline Thursday night, conservative House lawmakers announced they were killing more than 100 bills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/11/__BDB1680-Thompson_CMS.jpg)
Cassandra Pollock
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Cassi-Pollock_TT.jpg)
Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Past Contributions
-
![Longtime State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, appears exasperated by Liberty Caucus attempts to disrupt normal House business by challenges to the Local and Consent calendar during the session May 11, 2017. Thompson is the chairman of the committee.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: It's bill-killing season at the Texas Capitol
The 140-day clock at the Texas Capitol seems to be ticking faster than ever, and bills are dying inside both chambers. Bill-killing deadlines may stop a bill from being heard on the House or Senate floor this session, but that doesn't necessarily mean the issue is dead. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/UP9A6516.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on last day of 84th Legislative session June 1, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Study: A little sunshine is healthy
Unprotected sun exposure in moderation can help people with a Vitamin D deficiency, a recent study shows. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Grass-field.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Claudia Scholz -
Jury sides with woman’s claim that talc caused her cancer
A jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $110 million to a woman who said the company's talcum products gave her ovarian cancer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/03/ScalesofJustice.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Minnesota sees worst measles outbreak in 30 years
Opponents of the measles vaccine have dissuaded parents from having their children vaccinated in Minnesota, where a measles outbreak is running rampant in the close-knit Somali community. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/04/CooperImmunization1271.jpg)
![A vile of the M-M-R Virus Vaccine at the Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County in Fort Worth, Texas on August 30, 2013. The Immunization Collaboration offers low cost vaccines targeting hepatitis, the flu, chickenpox, measles, mumps and HPV amongst other illnesses.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
The Q&A: Xiang Zhang
In this week’s Q&A, we interview Xiang Zhang, associate professor of molecular and cellular biology at the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/08/Xiang_Zhang_TT.jpg)
![Dr. Xiang Zhang is an associate professor of molecular and cellular biology at the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at the Baylor College of Medicine.]()
-
The Bookshelf: May 9, 2017
In this week’s Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights A Journey with Panic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/08/A_JOURNEY_WITH_PANIC_TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Risks abound on self-diagnosing genetic tests
Consumers can now administer their own tests to diagnose risk for 10 diseases, but doctors warn that determining disease risk is much harder than with other tests. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DNA-Testing.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Courtesy, Net Doktor -
Seven things to know about U.S. House health care bill
U.S. House Republicans approved major health care legislation that repeals much of Obamacare, but preserves the ban on insurers limiting coverage for pre-existing conditions. The measure now heads to the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Tom Harris -
Urgent care clinics provide aid to cancer patients
Urgent care centers are providing cancer patients, who often have vulnerable immune systems, an alternative that avoids the ER and hospital admission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Chemo-Cancer.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()