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News For February, 2010

  • Accidents Will Happen

    By Brandi Grissom

    State troopers turned in hundreds of error-riddled crash reports in 2007 and 2008, according to an internal audit by the Department of Public Safety. Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva, Caleb Bryant Miller

  • This Might Hurt

    By Abby Rapoport

    Advocates for vaccination records say a complete registry of shots would help the state navigate major health crises. Opponents say it would jeopardize patient privacy. Lawmakers like the potential cost savings, but they still aren’t sure where they stand. Full Story 

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  • 2010: Newspaper Endorsements: Statesman for White

    By Evan Smith

    "White brings an impressive resume that includes business leadership, a stint as a top official in the Clinton administration's Energy Department and a successful tenure as mayor of Houston — a city as politically and ethnically diverse as our state." Full Story 

    Bill White at the Doubleday Sports Bar Champions in Port Isabel.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Donkey Business

    By Ross Ramsey

    In the run-up to their first appearance together on statewide TV, the leading Democratic contenders for governor are sticking to the script: Bill White sounds like a guy prepping for a town hall meeting, while Farouk Shami is testier, spoliing for a chance to hold the frontrunner accountable. Full Story 

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    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Reform Follows Function

    By Brian Thevenot

    The federal push for accountability at "persistently low-achieving" schools across Texas is running smack into the hard, slow work of improvement at the local level. Full Story 

    Use our data app to find "persistently lowest performing" schools in Texas.
    Credit: Matt Stiles

  • The Trials of Felipe Reyna

    By Morgan Smith

    Two former Texas Supreme Court justices and a Goliath of state judicial politics are trying to oust the 10th Court of Appeals judge from the courthouse that he once cleaned as a janitor. Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva

  • A Short Season

    By Ross Ramsey

    March 2 just seems early, but that's the date, and it's almost upon us. The Republican gubernatorial candidates are through with their debates, the Democrats have one on Monday, early voting starts in ten days, and that election date is less than four weeks from now. Full Story 

  • 2010: Rick and Sarah

    By Morgan Smith

    It's not every campaign rally where volunteers checking your bag at the door ask if you're carrying a concealed weapon. Then again, not every rally features Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, Ted Nugent, Dan Patrick, and hordes of tearful, exuberant realtors, homeschoolers, farmers, and like-minded Washington, D.C. haters. Full Story 

    Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin at a campaign event for Gov. Rick Perry in 2010.
    Credit: Marjorie Cotera

  • 2010: Shami vs. the "Democrat" Party

    By Ross Ramsey

    "They've been supporting one candidate because he's been a Democrat longer than me," he said Saturday. "That is not democratic. That's not in the Constitution. And that is not what people think. So it is not fair that the Democrat Party backs up somebody without listening to the other." Full Story 

    Democratic candidate for Governor Farouk Shami greets visitors at an evening meet and greet at the Celestial Room in downtown McAllen, TX.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich