The Evening Brief: Aug. 9, 2012

Culled:

•   Paul Sadler: gearing up for Senate race (Houston Chronicle): "Senate candidate Paul Sadler’s latest plea to voters marks the beginning of his effort to make headway against Republican run-off winner Ted Cruz. Sadler said he’s seen momentous energy from potential voters since Cruz won the nod. 'The level of excitement and energy, it’s truly amazing,' Sadler said. 'The best thing that happened was the fact that Ted Cruz won. It has energized people all across the state to get to work.'"

•   Top GOP donor Sheldon Adelson sues Dallas lawyer, Jewish group over prostitution allegations (The Dallas Morning News): "Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a top Republican campaign donor, sued Dallas lawyer Marc Stanley and the Jewish Democratic group he leads for $60 million on Wednesday over claims that he condoned prostitution at his Chinese casinos."

•   Houston Metro receives $188 million for light rail construction (Houston Chronicle): "The expansion of Houston Metro got another boost from the federal government with the allocation of $188 million in additional construction funding for the North and Southeast light rail lines."

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   Testing Firm Hits Back Against Claims of Flaws: "After a University of Texas at Austin professor's research suggested a flaw in the design of the state's standardized tests, an official with the testing vendor said the company welcomes an 'open dialogue' based on well-founded evidence — but not what he called 'wild conclusions.'"

•   Updated Interactive: Executions Since 2001: With Tuesday night's execution of Marvin Wilson, Gov. Rick Perry has now overseen 245 executions — by far the most of any recent governor in the United States. Use this updated interactive to learn more about the prisoners who have been executed since Perry became governor.

•   Weekend Insider: Suspicious Abortion Pills, College Meningitis Shots: "Reporter Thanh Tan takes us to South Texas, where some women are relying on a medication they can purchase over the counter in unregulated Mexican pharmacies to end their pregnancies. Reeve Hamilton looks at meningitis vaccine requirements at colleges and universities."