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Your evening reading: Texas Republicans slam Obama for weak jobless report; state's insurance commissioner answers bias charges; $29,000 salary bump over predecessor for new education commissioner

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Austin High School

As Democrats wrapped up their festivities in Charlotte on Thursday, education news stole some of the spotlight in Texas.

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Your evening reading: state to apply for No Child Left Behind waiver; Texas Republicans lead attack on Obama before his convention speech; TxDOT approves fastest speed limit in U.S.

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The Texas Democratic state convention on June 8, 2012

Texas' moment in the convention spotlight this week has the state's Democrats thinking big.

Enlarge photo by: Christopher Dilts for Obama for America

Your evening reading: Castro basks in post-keynote spotlight; Michelle Obama, Chavez-Thompson address Hispanic Caucus in Charlotte; Morning News calls for Dallas convention

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San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro

Whether or not his keynote speech lived up to the hype, Julián Castro on Tuesday night planted his foot firmly on the national stage.

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San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro delivering a speech to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials on June 23, 2011.

Your evening reading: hype surrounding Castro's speech continues to build; Women's Health Program hearing draws impassioned testimony; Parker, Van de Putte address Texas delegates in Charlotte

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For this week's nonscientific survey of government and political insiders, we asked about the presidential race, how it plays in the next race for governor, the lieutenant governor's electoral status, and whether odds for school vouchers have improved.

Enlarge credit: Caleb Bryant Miller

With Julián Castro just hours away from making his national debut, some Texas Democrats say their comeback begins tonight.

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Our partnership with the daily news quiz, launched nearly 20 months ago, came to a close at the end of August. But there are bigger, bolder innovations on the horizon.