TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

With apologies to Charles Dickens, this was an election cycle marked by the worst of candidates and the best of candidates. Our rendering — our timeline — of the progression from Gov. Rick Perry’s remarkably unsuccessful campaign for president to U.S. Sen.-elect Ted Cruz’s surprising political debut.

Anti-abortion advocates in Texas championed a string of successful measures in the 2011 Texas legislative session. For the upcoming 2013 session, they are trying to up the ante.

If a new anti-abortion measure filed by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, passes in the upcoming legislative session, women in remote corners of the state may have even fewer options to get the procedure.

Two years ago, Republican legislators pre-filed several immigration-enforcement bills at their earliest opportunity. But more than a week after lawmakers were allowed to pre-file bills this year, only a handful have been submitted.

With affirmation from voters, little stands between the University of Texas at Austin and its desired medical school except hard work and collaboration. It could open as early as 2015, though leaders say 2016 is probably more realistic.

The 2012 election marked the rise of Super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited funds from individual and corporate donors. These groups spent more than $17 million in Texas, and received more than $100 million from Texas donors. Use our interactive to learn more.

The 2012 elections just ended, and whether you're ready for it or not, the candidates for 2014 have already started their political engines.

Some lawmakers revealed lobbyist ties to investments they made in politically connected banks, and others didn't. It highlights a murky area of the state ethics law — and one some argue needs to change.

Austin's first Formula One race has been largely deemed a success. But state officials are still discussing whether to give as much as $250 million in tax subsidies to the race promoters.

Full video of Evan Smith's 11/19 TribLive conversation with three incoming state representatives: Republicans Cecil Bell Jr. and Giovanni Capriglione and Democrat Mary Gonzalez.