The Brief: Nov. 21, 2014
Texas will feel more of the effects of Obama's action while a proposed overhaul of the Secure Communities programs draws bipartisan criticism. 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.
Texas will feel more of the effects of Obama's action while a proposed overhaul of the Secure Communities programs draws bipartisan criticism. Full Story
Lois Kolkhorst and Trey Martinez Fischer try to leverage big-name endorsements at the outset of special elections to fill soon to be vacant seats in the Texas Senate. Full Story
More Texas Republicans get leadership positions in Congress, Wendy Davis is ready for Hillary and a gag order is issued in state Rep. Ron Reynolds' upcoming "ambulance chasing" trial. Full Story
His Senate career was marked by pioneering work on end-of life decisions, AIDS, mental health treatment, the prison system and the issuing of state debt. He earned the nickname “Fairabee” for his ability to work across the aisle. Full Story
State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte will run for mayor of her hometown of San Antonio, she confirmed Wednesday night. Full Story
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: farmers are getting more efficient with water use, Odessa looks beyond lakes with water planning and an interview with Ken Kramer, former director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. Full Story
Despite his challenger's vow to take a speaker vote to the floor on the first day of session, backers of House Speaker Joe Straus spent Tuesday trying to demonstrate the race is already a foregone conclusion. Full Story
In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights Superstorm. Full Story
A new controversy could crop up this week as the State Board of Education is expected to adopt new social studies textbooks. Full Story
As authorities arrive in LaPorte to find what caused the methyl mercaptan gas leak that killed four DuPont plant workers on Saturday, information is emerging about the safety record of the plant. Full Story