Dewhurst Plans to Run for Re-election
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, after getting a standing ovation by the Texas Republican delegation in Florida, announced Tuesday that he plans to run for re-election. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talking with reporters while campaigning for U.S. Senate in Houston on July 31, 2012.]()
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Updated Interactive: A Look at West Nile Virus Cases, Deaths Statewide
In the last two weeks, the number of reported 2012 cases of the West Nile virus has nearly doubled, and the death toll rose to 30 in Texas. This interactive shows the number of reported cases by county. Full Story
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Dewhurst Taps Williams to Chair Senate Finance Panel
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has appointed Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, to chair the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee. He'll replace Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, who isn't seeking another term. Full Story
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Senate Hearing Tackles Vouchers, School Choice
In a preview of a likely battle in the upcoming legislative session, state lawmakers on Friday heard testimony on school choice programs, including vouchers that would allow students to use public money to attend private schools. Full Story
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Cancer Institute Will Maintain Ties to Lance Armstrong
The executive director of the state's $3 billion cancer institute said Friday that news retired cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong would be stripped of his Tour de France titles would not affect the agency's partnership with him. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Photo Essay: Women's Health Issues Along the Border
Here's a visual perspective of reproductive health issues in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the country's poorest areas. This year, the issue of public financing for contraceptives and cancer screenings has often become intertwined with the controversy surrounding abortion. Full Story
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Military Bases Want More Say on Development
Representatives from Texas military bases were at the capitol Wednesday asking legislators to require developers to involve military officials in plans for construction near their facilities and training grounds. Full Story
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![Soldiers on a shooting range at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX.]()
Credit: Adam Theo for The Texas Tribune -
ACT Report: 24 Percent of Texas High School Grads Are College Ready
Only about a quarter of the state's Class of 2012 students are college ready, according to a new report by the ACT. Texas Education Agency officials attribute the numbers to an increase in students taking the test. Full Story
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At PUC Hearing, a Push for Smart Meter Opt-Out Plan
At a public meeting held Tuesday by the Public Utility Commission, a state representative suggested that the commission create a way for customers to opt out of having smart electric meters installed at their homes. Full Story
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Texplainer: What if Texas Schools Don’t Meet Federal Benchmarks?
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Texas public schools are supposed to have 100 percent passing rates in reading and math by 2014. The chances of meeting that benchmark are slim. So what happens next? Full Story
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Hearing on Smart Meters Poised to Draw Crowd
After months of fielding complaints about smart electric meters, the Texas Public Utility Commission will hold an open meeting Tuesday to hear testimony from opponents and supporters of the technology. Full Story
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Integrity Unit Investigating Top Aide to Rep. Kleinschmidt
John Higgins, a top aide to state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, R-Lexington, is under criminal investigation for alleged improprieties related to travel reimbursements he got from the state, a prosecutor told the Tribune on Friday. Full Story
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![John Higgins, chief of staff to state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, can be seen on the far left of this photo with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Higgins pleaded guilty following a Travis County District Attorney Public Integrity Unit investigation into improprieties involving travel reimbursements.]()
Credit: Jay Root -
Chris Connealy: The TT Interview
The state fire marshal on how he’ll implement the changes in a Texas Forensic Science Commission report, ideas for educating fire investigators and ways to bring more experts to the scene when arson occurs. Full Story
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New Online Marketplace Emerges After Changes to Textbook Buying Law
In 2011, Texas drastically changed the way it regulates school district purchases of instructional materials. Last week, a new online marketplace opened, giving districts more than 100,000 options to exercise their newfound freedoms. Full Story
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Interactive: West Nile Virus Cases Statewide
State officials are reporting more than 380 human cases of the West Nile virus in Texas so far this year — and no region has been harder hit than North Texas. Here’s an interactive look at reported West Nile cases and deaths by county. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Becca Aaronson / Todd Wiseman -
Inside Intelligence: About Those Personal Finances...
For this week's nonscientific survey of political and governmental insiders, we asked about the Senate in general and its two-thirds rule in particular, and about personal financial disclosures by public officials. Full Story
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Guest Column: Why Republicans Should Support a Democrat
All that’s standing between Texas and an absolute one-party rule is a traffic jam or a sick day. I don’t care what your politics are — that’s not good. Full Story
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TDCJ Faces Ongoing Staffing Challenges
During the 1990s, many Texans believed prison construction would help boost the economies in rural areas. Today, ongoing staffing shortages in rural units are causing legislators and other officials to reconsider that assumption. Full Story
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Court Faults EPA's Rejection of Flexible Permits Program
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency unfairly disapproved of a Texas permitting program for air emissions. The opinion says the EPA must further consider the program. Full Story
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Texas Weekly Newsreel: Guide to Texas Races
This week on the Newsreel, check out our guide to upcoming Texas political races. And, with the runoffs out of the way, lawmakers start talking about the session ahead — and the state budget. Full Story
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