The Midday Brief: Aug. 2, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback might not be coming to Gov. Rick Perry's national prayer event after all." — Is Brownback backing out of The Response?, Trail Blazers

• "In August, Mitt Romney plans to hold seven town hall events in New Hampshire, where he owns a vacation home and which he views as a must-win primary. He is scheduled to spend two days campaigning in Iowa, home to the nation’s first caucuses, and will hold fundraisers and possibly public events elsewhere across the country, including California, New York, Utah and Texas." — Mitt Romney to pick up pace in new phase of 2012 campaign, The Washington Post

• "Texas’ two Republican senators linked arms with President Obama and the bipartisan congressional leadership to secure passage of a deal to increase the U.S. debt limit." — Kay Bailey Hutchison, John Cornyn join overwhelming Senate support for debt deal, Texas on the Potomac

• "Texas is launching a new effort today to urge adults with college credits to go back and finish their degrees, making it easy for them to tailor degree plans and get personalized advising." — State urges adults to finish degrees, San Antonio Express-News

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "Throughout August, The Texas Tribune will feature 31 ways Texans' lives will change come Sept. 1, the date most bills passed by the Legislature — including the dramatically reduced budget — take effect. DAY 2: Licensed hunters will be allowed to shoot feral hogs from helicopters." — 31 Days, 31 Ways: Feral Hog Hunting Takes Flight

• "The U.S. appears poised to install an ambassador in Mexico, more than four months after the country’s top diplomat resigned amid a public split with the Mexican president." — U.S. Poised to Install Ambassador in Mexico