Following the lead of fellow Republican U.S. Senate candidate Craig James, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has released his tax returns from 2009 and 2010. James on Thursday urged his fellow candidates to release their returns from the last five years. (Jan 27)

University of Texas president Bill Powers says he supports President Obama's recent push toward performance-based funding, but he says the devil will be in the details. (Jan 27)

Federal redistricting judges in San Antonio told lawyers Friday they won't be able to hold primary elections in April if they don't make substantial progress on maps by early next week. But some want the court to slow down, even if it delays the elections again. (Jan 27)

Your afternoon reading: associates say Paul signed off on racist newsletters; signs of redistricting settlement; federal government rejects Texas' request to delay health care reform rule (Jan 27)

In Texas, the largest cattle state, branding cows with a symbol like the "Rocking R" is practically a cultural necessity. But state and federal regulators are keener on another form of identification — ear tags — that's easier to standardize. (Jan 27)

The federal government has rejected Texas' request to delay implementation of a health reform rule that could force some insurers to give premium refunds to customers.  (Jan 27)

Up and down the Texas ballot, candidates are waiting to see whether the redrawn political maps give them any chance of winning. Careers, plans and schemes are in the balance. (Jan 27)

The state's April 3 primaries hang in the balance as the state's increasingly intricate redistricting fight moves back to Texas. (Jan 27)

A new poll shows Gov. Rick Perry's approval numbers in Texas are tanking, but his loyalists are quick to make the case for why he remains a powerful force. (Jan 27)

Craig James, the former sports commentator who is running to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, has released his tax returns from the last five years. Expect his opponents to follow suit.  (Jan 26)

At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, discussed his opposition to Rick Perry's presidential bid and his dissatisfaction with the GOP frontrunners. (Jan 26)

Lame duck or not, Rick Perry is still the Republican governor of a strongly Republican state. In Texas, he controls the levers of government, muzzles the news media and has no meaningful political opposition. (Jan 26)

Emily Ramshaw explains how family planning clinics are complying with the state's new abortion sonogram law. Morgan Smith shows us a school district that is canceling its sports program. (Jan 26)

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board today approved a new rule that would force universities to remind undocumented students of their promise to take steps toward permanent resident status. (Jan 26)

Your afternoon reading: Paul raises funds off son's TSA pat-down refusal; Dallas mayor faces blowback after rejecting gay marriage pledge; district cuts sports to stay alive (Jan 26)

Despite opposition from state Rep. Larry Taylor, who co-chairs the Windstorm Insurance Legislative Oversight Board, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association's board decided today to hire a third party to assess its financial structure.  (Jan 26)

In a rare move in a state where the football field is hallowed turf, Premont ISD has suspended all athletics — including football — to improve its struggling finances. But the decision has brought little backlash from the community in South Texas, perhaps a measure of how dire the school's circumstances have become.   (Jan 26)

At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, explained why the Transportation Security Administration's airport pat-downs are a threat to our liberty. (Jan 26)

In a daring and rare move in a state where the football field is hallowed turf, a superindent has suspended all athletics to help his South Texas district improve its struggling finances.    (Jan 26)

In rural Val Verde County, defendants who are too poor to afford their own lawyers have waited years for resolution of their cases. As a new legal battle between their lawyers and the county begins, their day in court remains elusive. (Jan 26)