Past Contributions

• Patrick Faces Nurse Practitioner in HD-94 GOP Primary

  By Anna Whitney May 25, 2012

  In Arlington's HD-94, incumbent state Rep. Diane Patrick is being challenged by nurse practitioner Trina Lanza. The candidates — like many this primary season — are fighting over who is the true conservative in the race. Full Story 

• Progress Texas Report: Virtual Schools Failing, Unaccountable

  By Anna Whitney May 22, 2012

  A report out Tuesday from Progress Texas blasts virtual schools for having high dropout rates, high student-teacher ratios and low academic performance — and using state money to fund schools run by for-profit businesses. Full Story 

• Interactive: Political Action Committees' Candidate Endorsements

  By Ryan Murphy and Anna Whitney May 22, 2012

  Endorsements stack up, so we've prepared a big spreadsheet to show you who is getting the political support of some prominent interest groups, trade groups and political action committees. Full Story 

• Voter ID Critics Slam Measure, Seek to Delay Court Action

  By Anna Whitney April 24, 2012

  In a conference call, opponents of Texas' controversial voter ID law today said it is unnecessary and that it would discriminate against many voters, including minority, immigrant and disabled voters. Full Story 

• Bastrop State Park Emerges From Fire, With a Focus on Prevention

  By Anna Whitney April 20, 2012

  After a wildfire in September burned 96 percent of Bastrop State Park, the park is beginning to recover, and this month parts of the park opened for the first time since January. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee to Consider Divorce Forms

  By Anna Whitney April 13, 2012

  A Texas Supreme Court advisory committee today will consider whether to approve divorce forms. But many family law attorneys argue that forms are insufficient. Full Story 

• Reaching Out to Friends, the Old-Fashioned Way

  By Anna Whitney April 6, 2012

  If you know Wayne Franke, then you know you'll be getting a congratulatory call for your birthday or wedding anniversary. The contract lobbyist, who lives in Buda, has made a ritual of contacting his friends on their special days. Full Story 

• Citing Resources, Several Districts Steer Clear of School Funding Suits

  By Anna Whitney April 3, 2012

  Already facing budget cuts, almost half of the school districts in Texas haven't signed on to one of the five school finance lawsuits filed against the sate. Full Story 

• El Paso News Site Restarts as Nonprofit

  By Anna Whitney March 21, 2012

  After shutting down in 2010, the Newspaper Tree has hired three veteran journalists and is preparing for a relaunch. Full Story 

• Districts Take Advantage of STAAR Rule Change

  By Anna Whitney March 21, 2012

  School districts are taking advantage of the Texas Education Agency's decision to waive the requirement that STAAR exams count for 15 percent of students' grades for the 2011-12 school year. Full Story