graphic by: Todd Wiseman

LCRA Draws Criticism Over Proposed Rate Hikes

The Lower Colorado River Authority is proposing significant rate increases for Central Texas cities and Gulf Coast-area rice farmers, saying its operating costs aren't being covered. But critics say the agency should focus more on cutting costs. 

 
Gov. Rick Perry is shown on Nov. 15, 2013, at an Austin kickoff rally for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign.
photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Gov. Rick Perry is shown on Nov. 15, 2013, at an Austin kickoff rally for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign.

Analysis: Perry and the Threat That Boomeranged

A grand jury is considering whether Gov. Rick Perry broke the law when he threatened to cut state funding for the public integrity unit of the Travis County DA’s office. No matter what happens, its decision will figure into his future as the 2016 presidential race looms.

Analysis: Perry and the Threat That Boomeranged

Gov. Rick Perry is shown on Nov. 15, 2013, at an Austin kickoff rally for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign.
photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Gov. Rick Perry is shown on Nov. 15, 2013, at an Austin kickoff rally for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign.

A grand jury is considering whether Gov. Rick Perry broke the law when he threatened to cut state funding for the public integrity unit of the Travis County DA’s office. No matter what happens, its decision will figure into his future as the 2016 presidential race looms.

 

Featured Data

News App: Higher Ed Outcomes Explorer

 

Prisoner Advocates: More Resources for Inmate Art

"Illuminating Spirits," an art and poetry exhibition by incarcerated women in the Texas prison system, are displayed at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, presented by The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and the City of Austin.
photo by: Anneke Paterson
"Illuminating Spirits," an art and poetry exhibition by incarcerated women in the Texas prison system, are displayed at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, presented by The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and the City of Austin.

Behind bars, art can be an important form of expression for women who have suffered from trauma, drug addiction or mental illness. Advocates plan to ask lawmakers for more money to provide inmates with art supplies and art therapy.

The Brief: April 22, 2014

Senator Ken Paxton speaks to supporters in Plano on Thursday, August 1, 2013, to announcement his campaign for Attorney General.
photo by: Laura Buckman
Senator Ken Paxton speaks to supporters in Plano on Thursday, August 1, 2013, to announcement his campaign for Attorney General.

GOP attorney general candidate Ken Paxton was a no-show at a Northeast Tarrant Tea Party event on Monday night. The reason given was Paxton's decision to review past financial disclosures in response to a Tribune story.

Paxton Cancels Tea Party Event Appearance

State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, are in a runoff for attorney general.
photo by: Michael Stravato / Callie Richmond
State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, are in a runoff for attorney general.

Sen. Ken Paxton, the leading Republican candidate for attorney general, canceled his appearance at a Tea Party event Monday evening so he could focus on a review of his financial disclosure filings, a moderator said.

The Brief: April 23, 2014

Gov. Rick Perry holds his Texas driver's license and his wallet as he heads to a west Austin early voting site on October 30, 2013.
photo by: Bob Daemmrich
Gov. Rick Perry holds his Texas driver's license and his wallet as he heads to a west Austin early voting site on October 30, 2013.

Gov. Rick Perry continued to work to get Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg to resign even after following through on the threat to veto money for the Public Integrity Unit.

AG Seeks Details on Federal Plans for Land by Red River

A view of the Red River looking east, north of Bonham, Texas. Texas is to the right, and Oklahoma is on the left. The border between the two states runs along the south (right) bank of the river.
photo by: Henley Quadling
A view of the Red River looking east, north of Bonham, Texas. Texas is to the right, and Oklahoma is on the left. The border between the two states runs along the south (right) bank of the river.

Texas officials are seeking more information on the federal government's plans to potentially take control of 90,000 acres of land long managed by North Texans. 

Hundreds of Thousands of Texans Without Workplace Insurance

State Rep. Renee Oliveira, D-Brownsville, votes yes on third reading of HB 1000 creating a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley on March 20, 2013.
photo by: Bob Daemmrich
State Rep. Renee Oliveira, D-Brownsville, votes yes on third reading of HB 1000 creating a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley on March 20, 2013.

At least half a million Texas workers have no workplace insurance coverage, either through the workers' compensation system or the private market, state insurance officials told lawmakers Tuesday.

 

Featured Video

TribLive: A Conversation With Marco Rubio

 

Changes in Curriculum Bring Opportunity for Technical Colleges

Keith Plantier lectures in a "Wind Safety" course at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater, Texas, on July, 22, 2013. The college is placing more of an emphasis on courses that will help their students find employment in the growing number of oilfields and wind farms in West Texas.
photo by: Cooper Neill
Keith Plantier lectures in a "Wind Safety" course at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater, Texas, on July, 22, 2013. The college is placing more of an emphasis on courses that will help their students find employment in the growing number of oilfields and wind farms in West Texas.

At the state’s technical colleges, controversial changes to the state's high school curriculum in House Bill 5 have been met with a sense of excitement — and anticipation that the shift could lead to significant expansion.