In this excerpt from his new book, Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson examines the history behind Texas' demographic changes — and what it means for the future. Full Story
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Two winners emerged from redistricting agreements struck Wednesday: state Sen. Wendy Davis and, less directly, Mitt Romney. Full Story
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With the state set to debut its new STAAR tests this spring, concerns about how the tests will impact students' final grades have begun to mount. And as Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports, parents aren't the only ones worrying. Full Story
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The Texas attorney general's office is advising agencies that serve crime victims to prepare for big cuts during the next budget cycle because of a severe shortfall projected for the state's crime victims fund. Full Story
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House Public Education Chairman Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, is planning to send a letter to the state education czar asking the Texas Education Agency to defer implementation of STAAR's 15 percent rule. Full Story
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UPDATED: UT-Austin President Bill Powers says some of the new recommendations for boosting the university's four-year graduation to 70 percent will be implemented immediately, while others require further review. Full Story
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Your evening reading: May 29 primary date floated as deal is reached on state Senate map; Sadler challenges Dewhurst to "work or resign"; Cornyn favored to win race for Republican whip Full Story
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Evan, Reeve, Brandi and Julián ponder a 2016 Perry presidential bid, Obama's budget and the border, reforms at state juvenile detention centers and, of course, Jeremy Lin. Full Story
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UPDATED: Election officials were told to prepare for a possible May 29 primary, as redistricting foes reached agreement on a map for Texas Senate elections this afternoon and continued talks on state House and congressional maps. Full Story
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Candidates are still waiting for maps and primary dates, and if those fall right, there could be a new name on the list for state Senate. Full Story
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An early morning drug bust led to a record number of student arrests on the TCU campus in Fort Worth. Law enforcement officials indicate that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests could still be made. Full Story
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The White House's proposed 2013 budget has the Texas Border Coalition insisting that the administration's lack of money for port improvements puts trade and security in peril. Full Story
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Redistricting hearings on Tuesday clarified that the state needs nothing short of a miracle to keep its primaries on track for April. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Transportation has pitched a rail line that would take passengers from Austin to Houston in three hours. Though funding challenges may keep trains from rolling anytime soon, Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports that planning has already begun. Full Story
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Your evening reading: no agreement reached yet on redistricting maps; Perry says he "absolutely" may run again for president; Wentworth says Jones should repay $30,000 Full Story
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UPDATED: April primaries are all but impossible for the state's election administrators, a Bexar County elections official said today, as an agreement on political maps remains elusive. Full Story
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While in Washington, D.C., for his CPAC speech this past weekend, Gov. Rick Perry told Jonathan Karl of ABC News that he "absolutely" might run again for president in 2016. Full Story
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Texas has a commanding lead over other states in wind-power production. But the looming expiration of a federal tax credit jeopardizes the boom — and Texas' congressional delegation does not appear to be clamoring loudly to save it. Full Story
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Hope for an April primary hangs in the balance as redistricting lawyers return to court today. Full Story
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The drought's effect on Spicewood Beach, a community in Burnet County that recently became the first Texas town to run out of water, has raised concerns about areas of the state on the brink of similar situations. Mose Buchele of StateImpact Texas reports. Full Story
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