The Evening Brief: July 3, 2012

Culled:

• Jones backs Campbell over Wentworth in runoff (San Antonio Express-News): "Elizabeth Ames Jones, who finished third in the three-person contest for the GOP nomination for Texas Senate District 25, has endorsed the runner-up, Dr. Donna Campbell, over state Sen. Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio. The endorsement wasn't a shocker, given the bitter rivalry between Jones and Wentworth in the May 29 primary. And Wentworth's camp minimized the development, saying many of Jones' supporters aren't following her advice and already are backing the incumbent."

• Drugs, guns found in Rep. Blake Farenthold's sister's home (Houston Chronicle): "The Corpus Christi Police Department raided the home of Sue Farenthold, Rep. Blake Farenthold’s sister, on Monday, and found drugs and weapons inside.'I am saddened to learn the terrible news of the situation unfolding around my sister. Tragedy has occurred in my family in the past, and I am saddened it has happened again,' Farenthold said in a statement."
• State Rep. Mando Martinez indicted in child custody battle (McAllen Monitor): "Martinez, D-Weslaco, surrendered to law enforcement authorities Friday on an interfering with child custody charge and was then released on a personal recognizance bond, his attorney, Fernando Mancias, confirmed Monday. Martinez has been embroiled in an extensive child custody battle with his ex-wife, Jessica Reyes, over a visitation schedule for their son, Kuentin."

• Drilling trucks have caused an estimated $2 billion in damage to Texas roads (Fort Worth Star-Telegram): "The Texas Department of Transportation told industry representatives and elected officials Monday that repairing roads damaged by drilling activity to bring them up to standard would "conservatively" cost $1 billion for farm-to-market roads and another $1 billion for local roads. And that doesn't include the costs of maintaining interstate and state highways."

New in The Texas Tribune:

• Fred Heldenfels: The TT Interview: "The chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on recent criticism of the agency, its relationship with Texas community colleges and the future of higher education and financial aid in the state.
• After Health Care Ruling, Undocumented Remain Uninsured: "The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act last week cleared the way for its implementation. But for one very large segment of the Texas population, the new law will not apply."
• Shale Gas Fuels Refinery "Rebirth" on Texas Gulf Coast: "It's nothing short of a "rebirth" of the petrochemical industry, one executive says. All along the Texas Gulf Coast, big companies are sinking billions of dollars into new plants."