The Evening Brief: Aug. 8, 2012

Culled:

•   Majority of Texas schools fail to meet federal standards (Fort Worth Star-Telegram): "The Texas Education Agency reported that 56 percent of Texas campuses failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress standards this year, compared with 34 percent of campuses that missed the federal benchmark in 2011."

•   Texas sales tax haul last month up 10 percent over July 2011 (The Dallas Morning News): "Texas has racked up another $2 billion month in sales-tax collections. Revenue from the state portion of the tax last month was $2.05 billion, up 10.1 percent over July 2011, Comptroller Susan Combs said Wednesday."

•   DeLay cases inch forward (Austin American-Statesman): "The Tom DeLay legal marathon inched forward Wednesday on two separate fronts. John Colyandro, a DeLay co-defendant who has been under investigation since 2003, found out his trial won’t start until next year. Meanwhile, DeLay, who is fighting his conviction and three-year prison sentence, finally knows which three justices on the 3rd Court of Appeals will hear his appeal. … On Wednesday, Texas Supreme Court Justice Wallace Jefferson named Justice David Gaultney, a Beaumont Republican on the Ninth Court of Appeals."

•   Will Ted Cruz’s Prime Time GOP Convention Speaking Spot Appease the Tea Party? (Slate): "Will Tea Party conservatives and Sarah Palin lovers be appeased by a Canadian with a Cuban last name?"

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   Houston Janitors in Their Fifth Week of Protests: "More than 400 Houston janitors are in their fifth week of protests after unsettled negotiations with employers over a proposed wage increase. Their employers say the raise that janitors want is unrealistic given current economic conditions. The negotiations will resume Wednesday, and both parties are hoping they can come to an agreement."

•   Probation Supervision Program Set for Trial Run: "Since the first drug court began more than 20 years ago, the use of specialty courts has continued to grow nationwide. On Friday, a Hawaiian court program that closely oversees probation periods is set to begin in Texas and may help enhance the work of specialty courts."