The Brief: Texas Senate advances school choice bill
The Texas Senate voted 18-13 on Thursday to pass the major school choice bill this legislative session. Here's what you need to know. Full Story
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Cassandra Pollock
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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
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![State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, discusses a bill amendment in the Senate on March 30, 2017.]()
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Texas Senate tentatively approves fetal remains bill
The Texas Senate tentatively approved a bill that would change how health providers in the state handle fetal tissue Wednesday. Full Story
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![Protesters of Texas' fetal remains burial rule gather outside the Governor's Mansion on Jan. 6, 2017.]()
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Texas Senate backs bill that would end most union payroll deductions
The Texas Senate tentatively approved a measure that would end the state’s practice of collecting public employee membership dues for certain labor unions and other associations through payroll organizations. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, during a meeting of the Senate State Affairs Committee on March 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Is the Collin County jury pool tainted in favor of Ken Paxton?
Prosecutors at a pretrial hearing for the securities fraud case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are expected to argue for a change of venue. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2017.]()
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House panel hears bills for open carry without permit
Two measures that would make it easier for Texans to access guns were up for consideration by the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, is shown during a legislative debate on gun legislation on April 17, 2015.]()
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Genetic tests aid cancer prevention
People with a high genetic risk of cancer can help their own odds by getting tested and taking extra precaution with preventative measures, researchers say. Full Story
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GOP pulls Obamacare repeal bill
House GOP leaders pulled a measure to repeal the Affordable Care Act after trying for days to gather enough votes to approve it. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., is shown in 2013. He was voted speaker of the U.S. House on Oct. 29, 2015.]()
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The Q&A: Spencer Berthelsen
In this week's Q&A, we interview Spencer Berthelsen, former managing director of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston. Full Story
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![Dr. Spencer Berthelsen, M.D., former managing director or Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston.]()
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Daylight savings time harder for night owls
It's more difficult for people to adjust to daylight savings time if they sleep and rise later than early birds, research shows. Full Story
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Study: Many cancers caused by bad luck, not lifestyle
Doctors say around 40 percent of all cancer is preventable through lifestyle choices, but the rest appears to be the result of naturally occurring cell mutations. Full Story
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![The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center launched the Moon Shots Program on September 21, 2012.]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman