Every time a student drops out of public school, taxpayers save money. That’s one fewer student, at an annual savings of more than $11,000 per year from state and local sources. Full Story
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Thousands of windmills still exist in remote Texas pastures, pumping water from aquifers for cattle to drink. But the dwinding group of men who sell and fix windmills face hard times due to the drought and competition from solar pumps. Full Story
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Early voting is under way for the Nov. 8 constitutional amendment election. Andy Uhler of KUT News has a look at Proposition 5, which supporters say would make it easier for local governments to enter into agreements with one another. Full Story
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Legislators and other concerned groups are preparing for a thorough review of the conflict of interest policies — or lack of policies — that apply to regents of the state’s public university systems. Full Story
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A windmill company based in San Angelo has been making windmills since 1888 — and the family of Panhandle windmiller Mike Crowell has been in the business of fixing the machines nearly as long. Full Story
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Start this week's list by scratching off some names. Full Story
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The primary elections come in less than five months. The general election is about a year away. When that's all out of the way, we'll all be talking about lawsuits — some that have been filed, some that will be filed later — on school finance and franchise taxes. Full Story
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As the field of candidates shapes up for the March 2012 primaries, a new — at least since last election cycle — breed of GOP hopeful is emerging: the education Republican. Full Story
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We stuck with the presidential race and the governor in this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, asking for their impressions of Gov. Rick Perry and how his candidacy reflects on the state. Full Story
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Texans will vote on 10 constitutional amendments on Nov. 8, and early voting is under way. Andy Uhler of KUT News has a look at Proposition 4, which would allow counties to issue bonds for redevelopment projects and improvements. Full Story
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Your afternoon reading: opponents respond to Perry's debate hesitancy; Cruz slams group his wife belonged to; officials urge Perry to halt execution Full Story
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More than a dozen current and former lawmakers, prosecutors, judges, police officers and even a former Texas governor sent a letter today calling on Gov. Rick Perry to allow for DNA testing death row inmate Hank Skinner says could prove his innocence. Full Story
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Nearly 62,500 more students enrolled in colleges and universities in Texas this fall than did in 2010, according to preliminary enrollment data released by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board today. Full Story
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In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, reporter Becca Aaronson talks about the embattled Texas weatherization program getting back on track. Reporter Kate Galbraith introduces us to a family that's been "windmilling" for more than 100 years. Full Story
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Bedeviled by debates, Rick Perry may have settled on a familiar strategy: skip them. Full Story
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At least some Republican 2012 primary candidates for the Texas House hope to trade the anti-government cries of the last election cycle for a message with a decidedly different focus: the state of Texas public schools. Full Story
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Despite the record dry stretch, most Texans are still far from running out of water. But the drought's economic impact is beginning to extend beyond agriculture and into tourism, real estate and other staples of urban economies. Full Story
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The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied a request from former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson to keep him from providing testimony in an investigation of what led to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. Full Story
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In an interview with Piers Morgan that aired tonight on CNN, Donald Trump said the so-called birther issue is "positive" for Gov. Rick Perry's presidential campaign. Full Story
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This week on the TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and special guest Ana Marie Cox review Rick Perry's week so far, including his birth certificate "joke," his campaign shake-up and his flat tax proposal. Full Story
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