The Evening Brief: Sept. 14, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   UT Bomb Threat Declared a Hoax; Response Questioned: "The University of Texas at Austin received a bomb threat Friday morning, but officials are now 'extremely confident' that the campus is safe."

•   Governors From Rival Parties and States Find Common Ground: "At a time of bitter partisanship and fierce political competition, Republican Gov. Rick Perry and Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper found rare common ground Friday at a meeting about economic development strategies."

•   Group Looks to High Court to Stop Voter Registration Laws: "An advocacy group has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop new voter registration laws before next month's deadline to register."

Culled:

•   All-clears after bomb threats evacuate campuses (The Associated Press): "Tens of thousands of people streamed off university campuses in Texas and North Dakota on Friday after telephoned bomb threats prompted officials to warn students and faculty to get away as quickly as possible. Both campuses eventually were deemed safe and reopened by early afternoon, as authorities worked to determine whether the threats were related."

•   Democrats optimistic about two Texas congressional pick-up opportunities (San Antonio Express-News): "National Democrats are optimistic they can pick up two congressional seats in Texas despite Republican advantages that make the outcome of the races difficult to predict. 'We have wind at our backs,' said Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The DCCC is looking to hoping to pick off Republican incumbent Rep. Francisco 'Quico' Canseco, R-San Antonio, and win back the coastal district help by Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson."

•   Rep. Lloyd Doggett, other congressmen call for action on DREAM Act ahead of Saturday march (The Dallas Morning News): "Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, joined fellow congressmen, immigrant rights advocates and 'dreamers' in front of the Capitol Friday calling for urgent action on the DREAM Act, a bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who came to the country as children."

•   Ann Romney to attend fundraiser at Bush home in Dallas (NBC News): "Ann Romney will attend a fundraising lunch to raise money for husband's presidential campaign at the home of former President George W. Bush next Tuesday, a Romney campaign spokesperson confirmed. Former First Lady Laura Bush will host the lunch, which is part of a Romney fundraising swing through the GOP donor-rich state of Texas, at the couple's home in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas."

•   Lawyer: Texas man linked to Anonymous hackers arrested, accused of threatening federal agent (The Associated Press): "A Texas man linked to the worldwide hacking group Anonymous has been detained by the FBI over accusations that he threatened a federal agent, his attorney said Thursday."