The Evening Brief: Sept. 4, 2012
Your evening reading: hype surrounding Castro's speech continues to build; Women's Health Program hearing draws impassioned testimony; Parker, Van de Putte address Texas delegates in Charlotte Full Story
Your evening reading: hype surrounding Castro's speech continues to build; Women's Health Program hearing draws impassioned testimony; Parker, Van de Putte address Texas delegates in Charlotte Full Story
Complete with childhood pictures and an interview with his mother, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro stars in a new web video released by the Obama campaign ahead of his Tuesday night keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. Full Story
The Texas Department of State Health Services got an earful Tuesday from lawmakers and women’s health advocates at a public meeting in Austin to discuss proposed rules for the Texas Women's Health Program. Full Story
At the Democratic National Convention, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa says the Latino population is the potential "game-changer" in Democrats' hopes of switching Texas to their column. Full Story
The return to power of Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, is unlikely to be accompanied by the corruption that used to plague the party, say Arturo Sarukhan, the Mexican ambassador to the U.S., and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Full Story
For this week's nonscientific survey of government and political insiders, we asked about the presidential race, how it plays in the next race for governor, the lieutenant governor's electoral status, and whether odds for school vouchers have improved. Full Story
Two of Texas’ top Democratic women — Houston Mayor Annise Parker and longtime state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio — revved up an early morning crowd of state delegates on Tuesday, painting Texas Republicans as on the fringe. Full Story
With Julián Castro just hours away from making his national debut, some Texas Democrats say their comeback begins tonight. Full Story
Texas delegates at the Democratic National Convention want to believe that the selection of San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro for the keynote address is a sign that the national party is beginning to consider Texas a state in play. Full Story
More than a quarter of all Texans younger than 65 were uninsured in 2010, the highest rate in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This interactive map shows the percent of Texans in each county who lacked health insurance. Full Story
The Texas Forest Service wants to plant 4 million loblolly pine seedlings in Bastrop State Park over the next few years, to help restore the forest after last year's fires. But stored seedlings were almost thrown out ahead of the fires. Full Story
Our partnership with the daily news quiz, launched nearly 20 months ago, came to a close at the end of August. But there are bigger, bolder innovations on the horizon. Full Story
An overhaul of the country’s nutrition and farm program is stalled in Congress. A major piece of that program is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. And local food banks are worried about proposed cuts to the program. Full Story
Texans have become accustomed to the nosebleed seats at the Democratic National Convention. But this year, even the most cynical Texas Democrats sense a shift toward relevance. Full Story
The state's top lawyer has filed a pile of lawsuits against the federal government. Two decisions last week — on redistricting maps and the state's voter ID law — went against Attorney General Greg Abbott and the state. Full Story
After one year, University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and Board Chairman Gene Powell are proud of the progress they've made on their "Framework for Advancing Excellence," even as others begin to question it. Full Story
For youths who are considered some of the most troubled in the juvenile justice system, the Phoenix Program is a last chance to straighten their paths. For the troubled juvenile system, it may be the road to reform. Full Story
This week on the Newsreel: Redistricting maps tossed, Dewhurst runs for re-election, and the Senate's committees are being reorganized. Full Story
Aaronson on the state's controversial insurance commissioner, Aguilar on a headline-making voter ID ruling, Batheja on fears of a U.N. takeover, Galbraith on solar power's potential, Hamilton on a university president's plans for his incentive pay, Murphy treemaps Texas Super PAC contributors, Ramsey reads the David Dewhurst tea leaves, Root on Ted Cruz's star turn at the GOP convention and M. Smith on the fierce demographic urgency of now: The best of our best content from August 27-31, 2012. Full Story