Defying Pressure, Regulators Uphold Historical Racing
In a victory for racetracks and a rebuff to state lawmakers, the Texas Racing Commission on Tuesday declined to outlaw historical racing in the state. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: Texas Election Managers Are Partying Like It's 2012
Federal judges are deciding two major Texas election law cases. One in particular — over the political maps for state House and congressional districts — has officials thinking about 2012, when the courts delayed the primary elections. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Lt. Gov. Patrick Endorses Hughes in Open Senate Seat
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who initially planned to stay away from endorsements in Republican primaries, said Tuesday he is backing state Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola in the Republican primary race to replace state Sen. Kevin Eltife of Tyler. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Study Finds Childhood Obesity Program Failed
A four-year, $37 million state program to improve physical education at high-poverty middle schools failed to reduce obesity rates, according to a study by the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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Budget Cuts Hit Film, Video Game Incentives
State lawmakers inflicted deep cuts on the incentive program Texas uses to lure film, television and video game productions to the state. Now, industry advocates say Texas-based productions — like the critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights — will be scarcer. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Filmed in Texas, the television show Friday Night Lights received $6.7 million in state incentive funds.]()
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For Now, Texas Economy Shrugs Off Low Oil Prices
A barrel of West Texas crude is selling for near $40 these days, a roughly 60 percent plunge from the roaring summer of 2014. Drilling communities are worried, but state officials aren't sweating. Full Story
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![State Comptroller Glenn Hegar releases the revenue estimate on Jan. 12, 2015 to reporters and state officials the day before the legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Law Could Bring Remote Doctor Visits to Schools
A new law will allow physicians to get paid for seeing children over a sophisticated form of video chat, as long as the patient is at school and enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program for the poor and disabled. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![A new law will allow physicians to get paid for seeing children over a sophisticated form of video chat, as long as the patient is at school and enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program.]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Video: New Law to Provide Protections for Breast-Feeding Moms
As of Sept. 1, public employees — including state and county workers and public school teachers — will be guaranteed “reasonable accommodations” to pump breast milk in the workplace. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Credit: Elizabeth Brixton -
Patrick Endorses Six GOP Senators for Re-Election, Changing Course
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, abandoning a decision to stay out of legislative primaries, endorsed a half-dozen Republican senators for re-election on Friday, saying he changed his mind because he wants his incumbent senators back for another session. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Freestanding ERs Find A Home in Wealthy Areas
Five years after Texas became the first state to permit freestanding emergency rooms, more than 160 have set up shop around the state — a presence that suburban commuters and health insurers alike are finding impossible to ignore. Full Story
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![When her daughter had a cold, Nancy Nicolas went to a freestanding emergency room that she believed to be an urgent care clinic. The checkup cost more than $500.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
Foster Care Youth Getting State Ombudsman
Starting Sept. 1, children in Texas foster care will get an ombudsman to help them navigate the system, find their caseworkers and report complaints. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Luckless at State Capitol, Minimum Wage Advocates Go Local
After years of failed proposals in the Texas Legislature to raise the minimum wage, organizers and advocates for higher wages are turning to local governments to raise minimum wages. Full Story
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Credit: Anne Swoboda for The Texas Tribune -
Millions Slated to Hire More Border Troopers
The Texas Department of Public Safety will receive hundreds of millions of dollars to bolster its ranks along the Rio Grande, adding 250 new troopers and support staff. Local law enforcement agencies fear higher state salaries will lure away their employees. Full Story
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Process of Getting Mail-In Ballots Poised to Simplify
Texas is streamlining the process by which the disabled and elderly receive annual mail-in ballots. This is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Credit: Tamir Kalifa / Becca Aaronson -
Read the Second Week of 31 Days, 31 Ways Stories
In the second week of the 31 Days, 31 Ways series, we explained the new rules on truancy penalties, showed the potential impact of the state's decision to oust Planned Parenthood from a cancer screening program, and covered much more. Revisit the stories here. Full Story
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Man Suspected of Capitol Arson Arrested in Iowa
A man arrested in Iowa is suspected of setting fire to a car last week at the Capitol, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Thursday evening. Full Story
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![The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking the public’s assistance in gathering information about a person of interest related to a car fire outside the state Capitol.]()
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State to Ride Herd on Failing Schools
If school district leaders can’t fix failing schools, the state may strip their authority under a new law effective Sept. 1. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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After 17 Years, Texas Poised to Resolve Oil Spill
In the time it has taken the state and federal governments to hold a Koch Industries affiliate responsible for a South Texas oil spill, 17 different quarterbacks started games for the Dallas Cowboys. Full Story
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Judge: State Never Proved 6 Houston Children Were Endangered
A state district judge who denied a request to keep six siblings — recently murdered in Houston — in foster care says he wasn’t provided enough evidence two years ago to keep the children removed from their family. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller Goes to China
After eight months of defending deep fryers and championing cupcakes, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is taking his agricultural prowess abroad. Full Story
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![Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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