The Brief: Dec. 4, 2014
With two sentences, a federal appeals court in New Orleans stopped the execution planned for Wednesday night of Scott Panetti. Full Story
John Reynolds was the newsletters editor for the Tribune from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, he was a reporter for Quorum Report, a non-partisan online political newsletter focusing on the ins and outs under the Dome, for more than seven years – covering the waterfront from health and human services and redistricting to pensions and elections. A native of Atlanta, Ga., he started his journalistic career one day after the attacks of Sept. 11 in Lubbock, Texas, where he rotated through a slew of beats at The Avalanche-Journal. He received his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and studied at the University of Georgia's graduate school in journalism. When not at work, he actively attempts to convince himself he is adept at tennis with varying levels of success. And he has adopted the Austin custom of appreciating smoked meats and listening to music in grassy/muddy fields.
With two sentences, a federal appeals court in New Orleans stopped the execution planned for Wednesday night of Scott Panetti. Full Story
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: climate change poses new challenges in Texas, water markets offer new way to deal with shortage and an interview with Walt Sears of the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District. Full Story
An execution planned for Wednesday evening is focusing attention on the use of the death penalty on those with serious mental illness. Full Story
A Ted Cruz for president Super PAC is up and running, while others doubt his ability to win over his party's big donors. Full Story
Jeff Archer has been named executive director of the Texas Legislative Council. He had served as acting executive director since August. Full Story
A story published over the weekend gave details on Gov. Rick Perry's prep work this week and month for a possible second run for the White House in 2016. Full Story
In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: more clashes over textbooks at SBOE, school lunches could be healthier than homemade ones and an interview with Matt Bowers of the sport management program at UT-Austin. Full Story
A recent academic study of three rural elementary schools found that lunches packed at home usually contained more calories, fat and saturated fat. Full Story
In the wake of a 2011 state law allowing school districts to purchase textbooks that have not been approved by the State Board of Education, more districts are selecting their materials outside the board process. Full Story
Updated math standards have sparked various reactions from parents, teachers and school officials across the state. Full Story