The Evening Brief: Feb. 27, 2012

Culled:

• Paul decries racism in "poorest zip code" in Michigan (CBS News): "Ron Paul on Monday brought his signature libertarian agenda to 'the poorest zip code in Michigan,' outlining his ideas to reform problems unique to the Motor City. Speaking to a primarily white audience at the Little Rock Baptist Church here, the Texas congressman and Republican presidential candidate tailored his government-hands-off policies to address topics such as racism and the auto industry. … 'There are areas now in this country that still have a lot of racism,' Paul told the crowd of about 300. 'It's been brought up by me at the debates, but believe me, they don't want to touch it, especially in a Republican primary. Because I think where the most serious, or at least one of the most serious, places where racism still exists is in our judicial system.'"
  

• WikiLeaks publishes leaked Stratfor emails (The Associated Press): "Private intelligence firm Stratfor is in the business of shedding light on the world for its many clients. On Monday, anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks was the one shedding light on Stratfor, saying it had more than 5 million of the company's emails and would publish them in collaboration with two dozen international media organizations. … It's unclear what impact the leak will have on Austin, Texas-based Stratfor. The company counts investment firms, academic institutions and major multinationals among its clients, and one academic said that the disclosure would likely scare away corporate clients."

New in The Texas Tribune:

• Agency Will Investigate Violence in Texas Juvenile Prisons: "The Texas Juvenile Justice Department independent ombudsman, in a letter said she took seriously advocates' request for an investigation and that she would conduct a thorough study. She expects to produce a report within six months."

• For Dewhurst, Sooner is Better in Senate Race: "David Dewhurst has everything going for him in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate — except for time. His opponents have a shared goal: Finish second and hope the race goes to a runoff in the dog days of summer, when a smaller turnout could give a Dewhurst opponent a better chance at victory."

• Conservation a Growing Focus for Industrial Plants as Drought Stirs Fears: "For Texas industry, the drought has brought a conservation focus at many plants, which may have to pay more for future supplies."

• Inside Intelligence: About Maps and Gays and the Rich...: "For this week's nonscientific survey of politics and government insiders, we asked about independent redistricting commissions, same-sex unions and the wealthy."