The Evening Brief: Aug. 2, 2013
Your evening reading: Abbott opens up about lawsuit settlement; Cruz quiet on McConnell primary endorsement; federal government approves West recovery funding Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Hospital Changes Policy That Kept Some Rural Doctors From Delivery Room
UPDATED: A Wise County hospital system has changed its specialist-only policy that prevented some family practice doctors from delivering babies. Full Story
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![Dr. Brad Faglie, one of the family physicians being denied hospital privileges at the nearby Wise Regional Health System, examines Adriana Zuniga, a pregnant Medicaid patient at a medical clinic in Alvord.]()
Credit: Robert W. Hart -
Texas Ports of Entry Tapped for Federal Pilot Program
Key ports of entry on the Texas-Mexico border are among those that have been selected for a pilot program that allows local governments to enter into public-private partnerships with Customs and Border Protection. Full Story
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Feds Approve Texas' Request for West Recovery
The West community will receive additional federal funding to rebuild following the explosion of a fertilizer depot in April that killed 15 people and flattened much of the town, Gov. Rick Perry announced on Friday. Full Story
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![A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.]()
Credit: Mike Stone / Bay Area News -
Facebook Says it Erred by Removing Branch Campaign Video
UPDATED: A Facebook spokesperson issued a statement on Friday saying that a campaign video on attorney general candidate Dan Branch's page had been removed erroneously and has since been restored. Full Story
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Craft Breweries Seeing New Doors Open
Texas' craft brewers are facing the biggest legislative overhaul the industry has seen in 20 years. News laws are letting them expand sales of their products. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Matt Bitsche, chief engineer and head brewer at Infamous Brewing Company, inspects a pint of beer for clarity, aroma and overall carbonation in the glass, Jul. 12, 2013.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
For the First Time, Abbott Discusses Details of His Lawsuit Settlement
Attorney General Greg Abbott, the front-running candidate for Texas governor, on Thursday opened up for the first time about the legal settlement that guarantees him a six-figure yearly income for the rest of his life. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks at the National Right to Life convention on June 27, 2013.]()
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In Two Cities, Opposite Reactions to Jail Closure
The decision by legislators this year to close two privately run jails operated by the Corrections Corporation of America is being met with very different reactions in the communities where the jails are situated. Full Story
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![Male detainees work to fix a cell door inside of the Dawson State Jail in Dallas on Jul. 31, 2013. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice decided not to renew its contract with the Corrections Corporation of America for the Dawson State Jail after the state legislature struck 97 million dollars from its funding. The unit will begin relocating its offenders on Aug. 1, 2013, and expects to have all offenders relocated by the end of the month.]()
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Playing "Simon Says" With Political Maps
The state says anyone who disagrees with election law changes ought to prove there is a problem in court. The federal government and others want the state to prove there are no problems before those laws ever take effect. Full Story
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After West Blast, Obama Signs Order Targeting Plants
A few months after the deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, President Obama on Thursday signed an executive order aimed at increasing safety and oversight at chemical plants across the country. Full Story
![A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.]()
Credit: Mike Stone / Bay Area News -
The Brief: Aug. 2, 2013
A combative new phase of a key 2014 down-ballot race is beginning to emerge. Full Story
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![State Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, after failing to win the endorsement of GOP caucus members for House speaker on Jan. 10, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton Announces Bid for Attorney General
UPDATED: Touting himself as a "proven conservative," state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, announced the launch of his campaign to be the state's next attorney general before a conservative crowd at the Plano Centre on Thursday evening. Full Story
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![State Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney]()
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The Evening Brief: Aug. 1, 2013
Your evening reading: transportation funding plan clears House committee; Texas again running low on lethal injection drug; report says Texas counties stand to gain most from health reform Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Women's Health Coalition Concerned State Plan is Falling Short
UPDATED: State Sen. Jane Nelson has responded to the Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition’s concerns that the state’s $100 million expansion of a primary care program would not meet lawmakers' intent of restoring access to family planning. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
House Panel Backs New Transportation Funding Plan
A House committee on Thursday held its first hearing in the third special session, and it voted out a transportation funding plan with minor changes from one that failed in the previous special session. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
As Congress Recesses, Groups Want Immigration to Stay in Spotlight
Proponents of a comprehensive immigration overhaul say that when members of Congress return from their August recess, they face a narrow timeline for passing immigration legislation. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Video: Ag Commissioner Hopeful Opiela Touts His Roots
In a web video titled "Future Generations," Republican agriculture commissioner candidate Eric Opiela highlights his deep ranching roots in South Texas and criticizes the White House's policies. Full Story
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Interactive: Mapping Life Expectancy, Obesity and Physical Activity
How long you live and how healthy you are could depend in part on where you call home. Our interactive map shows life expectancy, obesity rates and levels of physical activity by county, according to data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. Full Story
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Report: Texas Counties Stand to Gain Most From Federal Health Reform
The left-leaning Center for American Progress lists 22 Texas counties among the 30 in the nation that are most likely to benefit from the Affordable Care Act. But the federal health law's critics question how effective the reform will be. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
San Antonio Officials Investigating Eagle Ford Shale's Effect on Ozone
As the ozone rating in San Antonio continues its slow upward march, area officials are beginning to investigate whether oil and gas drilling in the Eagle Ford Shale has anything to do with it. But their efforts are fraught with complications. Full Story
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![San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas.]()
Credit: Lotus Carroll
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