Jack Stick's verbal resignation last Friday as top lawyer at the Health and Human Services Commission has not quelled controversy over Stick's involvement in awarding a $110 million no-bid contract to detect Medicaid fraud. State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, on Thursday asked the state's public integrity unit to investigate. On Wednesday, HHSC canceled another smaller contract awarded on a similar no-bid basis from the Department of Family and Protective Services to help caseworkers find information on families under investigation.

Gov. Rick Perry decided against having the Academic Building at his alma mater, Texas A&M University, named after him. The proposal to change the name of the historic building had spurred opposition. Perry said in a Thursday address at the university's convocation ceremony that "certain places on this campus ... transcend any one individual."

President Barack Obama's decision to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba could help revive trade between Texas and the Caribbean island nation. In the last five years, red tape has slowed Texas exports to Cuba and some hope the change in federal policy will help restore robust levels of trade.

U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia last Friday declined to lift a stay that is preventing same-sex marriage in Texas, writing that a temporary lifting of the ban would create further "confusion and doubt."

Austin voters chose Steve Adler to lead the city, handing him an easy win in a Tuesday runoff for mayor against Councilman Mike Martinez. The election was also significant for ushering in a new single-member district system for the city.

U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold's office is facing a lawsuit in which a former staffer has alleged sexual harassment. A spokesman for the Corpus Christi Republican has denied the accusations, but operatives are mulling what could happen to the congressman on Capitol Hill.

A bill filed Monday could create a financial incentive for students to become mental health care providers. The legislation by state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, would create a loan reimbursement program for certain licensed mental health workers who assist the underserved.

Gov. Rick Perry is asking to address a joint session of the Legislature one more time before he leaves office. Once a common practice, the custom of an outgoing address has fallen out of fashion. The last governor to make such a speech was Mark White in 1987.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. Steve Adler is a major donor and former board chairman of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Texas Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.