Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Texas A&M University

Hey, Texplainer: I heard that Texas A&M University currently allows campus carry. Is that true?

Enlarge photo by: Mike Stone / Bay Area News

A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.

Hey, Texplainer: Which state and federal agencies were responsible for overseeing and regulating the fertilizer plant in West that exploded last week?

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Hey, Texplainer: Can a regent of a university system be recalled or impeached? If so, how could that happen?

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Hey, Texplainer: All anyone is talking about right now is sequestration and the harm it might do to our government. How would Texas fare? 

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Hey, Texplainer: I keep hearing that the money the state spends on public education has increased over the past decade. But the ruling in the school finance trial said Texas schools are underfunded. Who is right?

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

January 9th, 2013: Sen. Dan Patrick R-Houston who is in favor of eliminating the two-thirds rule, speaks on the Senate floor. Senators have agreed to leave the rule as is.

The blocker bill, a tradition of the Texas Senate, gives the minority party power, because it requires that two-thirds of the Senate must agree before a bill is heard on the floor.

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With a major school finance trial under way, lawmakers are reluctant to take up public education funding before a court ruling on the matter. What they'll do in the meantime remains uncertain.

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One year ago, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp moved one of his vice chancellors, Frank Ashley, into a new position unlike any in the state's university systems: vice chancellor for recruitment and diversity.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Texas state Sen. Mario Gallegos (D-Houston) is shown in the Texas Senate chamber on May 4, 2011.

State Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, died Tuesday, but his name will still appear on the November ballot. What happens to his seat — and how soon his district will have representation in the Senate — is in the hands of Gov. Rick Perry.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Nicolas Raymond / Todd Wiseman

The University of Texas at Austin's use of race as a factor in some admissions decisions is being challenged before the U.S. Supreme Court this week. What will happen to the admissions process if UT loses the case?

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

The Texas secretary of state's office doesn't allow online voter registration, because it requires a signature. But there are other simple ways to register to vote. 

Enlarge photo by: Shannan Muskopf

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Texas public schools are supposed to have 100 percent passing rates in reading and math by 2014. The chances of meeting that benchmark are slim. So what happens next?

Enlarge photo illustration by: Gage Skidmore / Todd Wiseman

After Ted Cruz's win in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, his name is being thrown around as a future presidential candidate. But is the Canadian-born Cruz eligible to run for the United States' highest office?

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

To remove their names from the primary ballot, candidates must file a request at least 63 days in advance of the election. But if a party's nominee withdraws ahead of the general election, the party probably can't replace the candidate.

Enlarge photo by: Steve Laugh

When legislators die or resign, their seat is filled through a special election. The new representative serves out the end of the old representative's term.