The Midday Brief: April 2, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

“In coordinated attacks, gunmen in armored cars and equipped with grenade launchers fought army troops this week and attempted to trap some of them in two military bases by cutting off access and blocking highways, a new tactic by Mexico's organized criminals.” — Mexico drug gangs turn weapons on army — Los Angeles Times

“Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle and the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Friday that a letter arrived from the group Guardians of the Free Republics. The group says it wants to "restore America" by peacefully dismantling parts of government.” — Perry among governors receiving threat — Associated Press

“Fresh off his resounding Republican primary victory Tuesday, Texas Governor Rick Perry now finds himself in a close general election contest with Democratic nominee Bill White. Voters have mixed feelings, too, whether Perry's top GOP challenger, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, should remain in the Senate.” — Texas Gubernatorial Poll Released: Perry 49%-White 43% — The State Column

“Officials of Fifth Generation Inc., the maker of the popular Tito’s Handmade Vodka, pleaded no contest today in Travis County court on one charge that they illegally drained production waste into a creek.” — Tito’s Vodka pleads no contest in pollution case — Austin American-Statesman

New in the Texas Tribune:

Cut through the routine GOP primary rhetoric about government spending and job creation and a narrative about the new and old guard emerges in the runoff in Texas' 23rd congressional district. — The Runoffs: CD-23

A small but growing number of state officials are warming to the idea of greater transparency and open access to raw government data, following a budding trend across the country. — Sun on the Horizon