The Midday Brief: Nov. 18, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "Rick Perry, speaking at a Federal Law Enforcement Foundation event in New York City just now, weighed in for what may have been the first time on the 'Fast and Furious' guns scandal. He described it as the 'ill-conceived operation known as "Fast and Furious,"' and added that many of the guns involved 'are still unaccounted for.'" — Perry hits Holder on 'Fast and Furious,' Politico

• "The changing tactics show the Texas governor knows he needs to do something drastic to change the trajectory of his campaign and, according to Republican strategists, will try anything to do so." — Rick Perry struggles to keep campaign afloat, The Hill

• "Galveston officials are pondering what action to take after a district judge received a book containing the apocalyptic prophesies of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs, serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting a child bride." — Galveston judge receives polygamist's prophesies, Houston Chronicle

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "The Texas unemployment rate dropped only slightly this month from 8.5 percent to 8.4 percent, according to statistics released by the Texas Workforce Commission today. But the state's economy is not performing as well as it was this time last year. And as the national economy has improved, the Texas economy has lagged." — Texas Unemployment Rate Drops in October

• "This week, GOP presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry outlined his plans to criminalize insider trading in Congress and to make it a part-time body, similar to the Texas Legislature. One fiscal watchdog group, Texans for Public Justice, warns that Perry should be careful what he wishes for." — Video: Watchdog Group Skeptical of Perry's Overhaul Plan

• "Federal judges proposed new political maps for the state late Thursday and hope to have new congressional and legislative maps in place for Texas on the Monday after Thanksgiving." — Not Every Race Will Be a Contest — by Design