The Midday Brief: Dec. 6, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "Mr. Gingrich, whose presidential candidacy has steadily surged in recent weeks after a series of televised debates, won the support of 31 percent of Republicans and independents who say they will definitely or probably attend the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3. His Republican rivals are trailing significantly, with 17 percent supporting former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, 16 percent backing Representative Ron Paul of Texas and 11 percent choosing Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. The rest of the party’s candidates are in single digits, with Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota at 9 percent and former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania at 4 percent." — Gingrich Surges Ahead in Iowa, The New York Times

• "The Pro-Rick Perry super PAC Make Us Great Again on Monday spent more than $577,000 on new ads touting the Texas governor as he struggles to right his Republican presidential bid. That breaks down as $550,692 for a 'media buy' and $26,759.20 for 'media production.' The ads are running in Iowa and South Carolina. The Make Us Great Again PAC has already spent into the high six-figures promoting Perry since he entered the race in August." — Pro-Perry super PAC goes all in, Politico

• "In a move to oust long-time incumbent Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) has formally endorsed Elizabeth Ames Jones for the District 25 Texas Senate Seat." — TLR endorses Elizabeth Ames Jones for Texas Senate seat, Texas Politics

• "A 'triple whammy,' as the state’s parks chief put it, of drought, heat and wildfires has set the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department back millions of dollars in visitors fees, and officials are asking for $4.6 million in donations." — Parks and Wildlife Department asking for $4.6 million in donations, Austin American-Statesman

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign announced today it is expanding ad buys in Iowa starting on Wednesday. … The second ad, to be released on Wednesday, attacks former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, whom at least three recent polls indicate has widened his lead over Mitt Romney and Paul in Iowa." — Ron Paul Targets Gingrich in New Iowa Ad
  

• "The former general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority talks about rebuilding the organization after the 'Trailergate' sex scandal, the environmental failures of public power and why electricity deregulation is a 'huge mistake.'" — S. David Freeman: The TT Interview

• "More than 1.5 million Texas families will receive food stamps in December. That's a decrease from November, but the number is still up overall since 2005 as the national recession continues. Our updated interactive map allows you to explore the number of food stamp recipients in your county and the economic impact of the program." — Updated Interactive: Food Stamp Distribution Map