The Brief: November 11, 2009
There was a bittersweet note of unity preceding what will undoubtedly prove a poignant Veteran’s Day. Full Story
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Off The Books, Part One: High-Price High-Tech
State agencies are spending tens of millions of dollars every year on information technology contract workers, employees who aren’t on the state payroll – but whose pay often dwarfs those who are. Full Story
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Forensic Science Chairmen Face Off
John Bradley, the Williamson County District Attorney and the newly-appointed chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, spent his morning answering a steady stream of questions from Texas lawmakers. At issue, if and when his panel will re-open the investigation into whether faulty science led to the arson conviction of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed by the state in 2004. Full Story
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Shifting Away from the Death Penalty
Texas lawmakers got their chance Tuesday to ask questions about the recent changes on the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Governor Rick Perry replaced several members of the commission – including its chair just days before it was to hear a report that questioned the science used to convict and execute Cameron Todd Willingham for the arson deaths of his three children. Full Story
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TribBlog: Bradley Makes His Case
Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley expected some verbal jousting today at the Senate Criminal Justice Committee about his plans for the Texas Forensic Science Commission. He was right. Full Story
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Broken Border, Part Three: Decriminalize?
Experts from around the U.S. and Mexico are debating the War on Drugs and its affect on violence south of the border. Some of them wonder whether decriminalization is the answer. Full Story
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On the Records: Ethics Fines Now Searchable
In keeping with our goal of making government data more accessible, we've created a simple application for searching fines issued by the Texas Ethics Commission. Full Story
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Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
TribBlog: A Timely Announcement
Gov. Perry made a timely announcement today: He's proposing initiatives to improve mental health programs for veterans. Full Story
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Case Open
If you're waiting for closure on questions of Cameron Todd Willingham's guilt or innocence, get comfortable. The Texas Forensic Science Commission's new chair tells the Tribune that he doesn't yet have the rules or resources to investigate whether faulty science led to the Corsicana man's conviction and execution. Full Story
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Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
The Midday Brief: November 6, 2009
Your afternoon reading. Full Story
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The Brief: November 6, 2009
A clearer picture of Thursday afternoon’s events is beginning to shape. Full Story
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TribBlog: Fort Hood Shootings
As news of the Fort Hood shootings unfolds, we'll be adding links, maps, audio, photographs, and other information from around the web to this post. Full Story
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TribBlog: Tarrant County College sued for banning empty holster protest
“It’s both an ideological concern and a safety concern,” one of the student plaintiffs said. “Obviously college campuses aren’t some magical zone where no violence occurs, and so I feel particularly strongly that every student that feels the need to carry handgun anywhere in their lives should also be able to do so on a college campus.” Full Story
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The Midday Brief: November 5, 2009
Your afternoon reading. Full Story
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The Brief: November 5, 2009
Recommendation: Do not get swine flu. Tracking the vaccine is getting to be like figuring out what happened to all the TARP money. Full Story
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The Midday Brief: November 4, 2009
Your afternoon reading. Full Story
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On the Records: Dealing with FEC data
Long story short: It's a nightmare. Full Story
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TYC: Mentally ill offenders won't be discharged without proper services
The Texas Youth Commission will stop releasing young offenders who are too mentally ill to rehabilitate until the agency is sure they’re receiving proper treatment in the community, officials said Wednesday. Full Story
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TribBlog: Mentally ill student who stabbed teacher will stand trial
The Tyler Morning Telegraph is reporting that the 16-year-old Tyler special education student who fatally stabbed his teacher in September (referenced in today's story on restraints) has been found competent to stand trial. Full Story
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On the Records: A Data Manifesto
We've created "On the Records" to help you explore these databases and records — and the visualizations, mashups and stories that use them. Full Story
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