The Midday Brief: November 6, 2009

Your afternoon reading:

• “Barack Obama today joined calls from across America for calm amid fears of a backlash in the wake of the shooting spree by a Muslim soldier at the Fort Hood that left 13 dead and 28 wounded.” – Fort Hood: Obama urges caution amid fears of backlash against Muslims – The Guardian

•  "Authorities say Fort Hood shooting Nidal Malik Hasan remains in a coma but is expected to live.” – AP sources: Ft. Hood suspect remains in coma - Austin American-Statesman

• “Congress is on the verge of enacting the largest unfunded mandate in American history.” – Perry & Gingrich: Let states lead the way – The Washington Post

• “The unemployment rate has hit double digits for the first time since 1983 — and is likely to go higher.” – Jobless rate tops 10 pct. for first time since 1983 – Houston Chronicle

• “Days after Twitter Lists were introduced to the public, the shootings at Fort Hood on Thursday showed the power of this feature to cover a major news event in real-time.” – Fort Hood Shooting Shows How Twitter, Lists Can be Used for Breaking News – Poynter Online

New in The Texas Tribune:

 • “Rep. Chuck Hopson, D-Jacksonville, will seek reelection, but as a Republican — a move that might save his neck while wrecking the party's chances at winning a majority in the House.” Hopson's Choice - The Texas Tribune

• “In a historic shift, Texas public schools will soon start tapping the state’s multi-billion-dollar textbook fund for laptops and e-readers.” The Tipping Point: Texas textbook politics meets the digital revolution  - The Texas Tribune