TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

The Republican Party of Texas gathered in Fort Worth to start a three-day convention that will feature candidates, national conservative figures and party officials.

Texas Democrats gathered in Houston for yet another state party convention being held amid long odds of any kind of statewide victory.

House Speaker Joe Straus, booed at the Republican state convention two years ago, braced for another chilly reception from the GOP faithful.

Gov. Rick Perry, speaking at the state’s Republican convention, fueled speculation that he’ll run for re-election, saying he was “not riding off into the sunset” but “mounting up for the next operation.”

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie said that despite his disappointment in being unable to propel a candidate to victory in a statewide race, the party should reflect on its significant accomplishments.

A Texas Tribune analysis of spending figures and vote totals in the May 29 primary shows that a high-dollar payout does not guarantee a promising election effort.

Two Republicans and two Democrats are in primary runoffs to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. The nine candidates who have already lost now must decide whom, if anyone, to endorse.

The drought has pushed Texas cities to raise rates to pay for new water supplies and to encourage conservation. But raising rates often triggers public resistance in a state that is wary of too much government.

As the state of Texas and Planned Parenthood prepared to face off in federal court, a recent UT/TT poll shows that favorability ratings for Planned Parenthood are aligned with party affiliation in the state.

Hoping to boost the University of Texas at Austin's four-year graduation rates significantly, President Bill Powers emphasized the benefits of graduating in a timely fashion while addressing incoming freshmen.

A California hospital company facing allegations it inflated disease diagnoses to bill Medicare for more expensive conditions — including a form of Third World malnutrition rarely found in the U.S. — is edging into Texas.

Use these interactive maps to compare the level of food insecurity across Texas to the number of Texans who receive federal food stamps and the estimated economic impact of the food assistance funding.

In the Weekend Insider: Could a recent announcement by the Texas Department of Transportation limit its chances of receiving additional funding? And why do we need state political conventions?