Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., at the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

Your evening reading: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan to speak at Texas GOP convention; UT regents back tuition hikes, medical school development; Medina calls for end to property tax

Enlarge credit: Jacob Villanueva

Tonight, the Democrats vying for Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate seat may finally steal a sliver of the spotlight.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: state's largest business group joins school finance suit; Perry says God forgives people for their "oops" moments; help offered from Midland in Chinese dissident's escape

Enlarge photo by: Elise Hu

Robert Scott, the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, at a State Board of Education meeting on Sept. 24, 2010.

A major resignation has become the latest chapter in the state's high-profile debates over public education.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott answers questions at TASA midwinter conference in Austin, Texas February 1st, 2011

Your evening reading: state's education commissioner to resign in July; federal court stays Planned Parenthood ruling; Texas wind farm study stirs controversy

Enlarge

For this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, we asked about 10 of the hottest primary races involving incumbents in the Texas House. 

Enlarge photo by: Callie Richmond

Texas resident Shantell Keller cannot afford insurance and does not qualify for Medicaid. For years, she has avoided seeking treatment for a variety of mounting health problems. Thanks to reduced rates at the federally qualified health service provider Lone Star Circle of Health in Georgetown, she is now able to afford co-payments for occasional visits to a family practice clinic.

The federal government awarded Texas $61 million today for new and improved community health centers across the state.

Enlarge photo by: Jacob Villanueva

Planned Parenthood scored a rare, if brief, victory in Texas on Monday.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Alex Promios / Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: EPA official resigns in wake of "crucify" comments; judge orders state to maintain Women's Health Program; Leppert launching multimillion-dollar ad push

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Former Dallas mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Tom Leppert gestures during a question at a debate in Austin on January 12, 2012.

The intensifying ad war in the U.S. Senate race sparked another war within the race on Friday.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at a U.S. Senate candidate debate on Jan. 12, 2012, in Austin.

Your evening reading: pro-Dewhurst Super PAC ad calls Cruz, Leppert "too liberal"; Amazon, state settle sales tax fight; UT-El Paso gets tentative approval to host boxing match

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

The war between Texas and the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday turned briefly into the war over a historical analogy.

Enlarge

For this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, we asked about the state's Ethics Commission, reporting laws for lobbyists and third-party advocates, and about ending pensions for lawbreaking lawmakers.