A patient at Dallas' Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital was diagnosed Tuesday with Ebola, the first such infection to appear in the U.S. The diagnosis spurred a response by both the federal and state governments, including a quarantine of the infected man's family. Scrutiny also fell on the hospital after it was revealed the patient was sent home before he was put in isolation two days later.

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday lifted a stay issued by a lower court that had blocked enforcement of the law passed last year subjecting Texas abortion clinics to new restrictions. Eight clinics in the state remain open while a challenge to the law continues to make its way through the legal system.

Debates were held this week between the major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor. Both debates were characterized by tough stances taken by the candidates as they made their likely last appearances together on stage before the Nov. 4 general election.

The state's highest criminal appellate court refused to reinstate money-laundering convictions against former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The appeals court upheld the Third Court of Appeals' ruling reversing the 2010 convictions.

The state will appeal a district judge's ruling against the school fincance system, according to a filing made late last week. The appeal goes directly to the Texas Supreme Court.