The latest Department of Public Safety news from The Texas Tribune.
Since the passage of a 2007 law allowing state employees a 30-minute exercise break three times per week, several state agencies have begun offering popular lunchtime workout programs, like weight training and Zumba. Full Story
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As the campaigns for gubernatorial candidates Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis use social media to expand the discourse on the issues they consider priorities, they must also deal with addressing issues like name calling and personal attacks in such forums. Full Story
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The campaigns for two GOP attorney general candidates — state Rep. Dan Branch and state Sen. Ken Paxton — are accusing each other of benefiting from President Obama's 2009 stimulus package. Those are fighting words in a Texas GOP primary. Full Story
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency next week will complete its assessment of damage from an April fertilizer plant explosion in West. As the city continues to recover, state agencies are implementing changes to further ensure safety. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Public Safety announced on Tuesday that 25 mobile locations will begin processing free election identification certificates on Oct. 1. Full Story
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The U.S. Department of Justice will once again seek to stop Texas’ voter ID law, this time in a lawsuit alleging the measure violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. It will also challenge state redistricting maps. Full Story
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Motorists in Texas will soon be allowed to use their cellphones to show proof of insurance during traffic stops. Proponents of the legislation say that the law will increase at the efficiency at those stops. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Thousands of untested rape kits are likely to get processed for DNA evidence after state budget writers included $11 million for the effort in the 2014-15 budget. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Debate continues over whether visitors to the Capitol on July 12 attempted to sneak in containers of human feces. The Department of Public Safety is seeking to withhold information about the alleged incident. Full Story
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A panel of House lawmakers on Monday agreed to join other state officials in calling on the federal government to send additional aid to the small town of West, which was rocked in April by a massive plant explosion. Full Story
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The 2014-15 budget plan for the Texas Department of Public Safety doesn't include money for big-ticket items like gunboats or planes, but it does include money for troopers’ raises and retains funding for the agency’s fusion center. Full Story
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An amendment that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain a permit to legally drive and purchase insurance in Texas was derailed Friday on a point of order. Full Story
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Members of the House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday seemed amenable to a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants a permit to drive after passing a background check and a driving test. Full Story
With less than two months left in the legislative session, some lawmakers are lowering expectations on what can get done related to funding for roads. Full Story
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The Court of Criminal Appeals continued to reverse more convictions of drug offenders on Wednesday after a former employee with a DPS crime laboratory in Houston may have fabricated the results of thousands of drug tests. Full Story
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Calling the old policy "stupid," the head of the Department of Public Safety said Tuesday that congressional and state elected officials will no longer have to endure a background check to access the Governor's Mansion. Full Story
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At least three Texas state representatives opted not to attend a reception at the Governor's Mansion this week rather than submit to new security procedures requiring that even legislators submit to background checks to gain access. Full Story
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Texas Department of Public Safety driver's license offices have a reputation for long lines and exhausting wait times for customers. But new mega centers are drastically cutting the wait time for license renewals and replacements. Full Story
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Three members of the House are pushing legislation that would end the Texas Driver Responsibility Program — a program they say has been ineffective. Full Story
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It could cost Texas up to $11 million to clear the backlog of some 20,000 untested rape kits in police agencies statewide. If Congress doesn't come through with funding, lawmakers here in Texas will search for funds to help solve the crimes. Full Story