Past Contributions

• The Q&A: Kenneth Cook

  By Madlin Mekelburg May 17, 2016

  In this week's Q&A, we interview Kenneth Cook, chief executive officer of WaterCentric. Full Story 

• The Bookshelf: May 18, 2016

  By Madlin Mekelburg May 17, 2016

  In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights Water in Plain Sight. Full Story 

• Senators Vow to Tighten Emergency Leave Rules

  By Madlin Mekelburg May 17, 2016

  Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday vowed to "tighten it up" when it comes to granting emergency leave to state employees. Full Story 

• The Brief: Supreme Court Punts Birth Control Case, Avoids Tie

  By Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds May 17, 2016

  The U.S. Supreme Court sent a challenge to the federal Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate back to lower courts on Monday, issuing an unsigned unanimous opinion and avoiding a major ruling. Full Story 

• The Brief: Texas GOP Has Unity on Platform. On Trump? Not So Much

  By Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds May 16, 2016

  Convention delegates take votes on all 266 planks in the platform while GOP leaders struggle in call for party unity under presumptive nominee Donald Trump. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans Rail Against Obama Transgender Directive

  By Patrick Svitek and Madlin Mekelburg May 13, 2016

  Texas Republicans came out swinging Friday against President Barack Obama's new directive on transgender students, already a piping-hot issue here at the state GOP convention. Full Story 

• The Brief: White House Ups Ante in Transgender Bathroom Showdown

  By Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds May 13, 2016

  The Obama administration will issue an executive order Friday directing public schools across the nation to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. Full Story 

• Another Officeholder Wades Into Red River Land Dispute

  By Jim Malewitz, Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds May 12, 2016

  Also, the Texas attorney general weighs in on transgender bathroom legal fight in Virginia. Full Story 

• The Brief: Texas GOP Preps for Eventful State Convention

  By Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds May 12, 2016

  While the Republican Party's presidential nominee has been decided, the state's GOP convention in Dallas will still have plenty to watch: from Ted Cruz's homecoming to further conversation on the ongoing fight over transgender rights. Full Story 

• Volunteers Serve as Alternative Art Education Resources

  By Madlin Mekelburg May 11, 2016

  As schools around the country faced budget cuts over recent years, many discarded their internal arts programs first. A school in California found an alternative, contracting with nonprofit volunteers to offer art curriculum. Full Story