In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: an easing drought is not yet providing relief for the Edwards Aquifer, Marvin Nichols reservoir stays in state water plan and an interview with Greg Flores of the San Antonio Water System. Full Story
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A video of a confrontation between open-carry activists and a lawmaker drew attention to the group's tactics on Tuesday. Full Story
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State lawmakers and their families filled the Texas Capitol in Austin on Tuesday for the start of the 2015 legislative session – a day complete with formalities, pomp and a vote for House speaker. Full Story
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The behavior of open-carry advocates trying to drum up votes for a measure repealing handgun licensing requirements prompted one lawmaker to escort them from his office Monday. Full Story
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The House on Tuesday re-elected Joe Straus to be speaker, easily squelching a rebellion from a noisy but small faction of conservatives who backed Scott Turner. Were the challengers out of sync with Texans, or just with the current management? Full Story
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UPDATED: With the backing of 85 percent of the Texas House, San Antonio Republican Joe Straus was re-elected to his fourth term Tuesday. Straus drew 128 votes for re-election against challenger state Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, who drew 19 votes. Full Story
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As Texas lawmakers convened for the first day of the 2015 legislative session Tuesday, about a dozen activists carrying a variety of firearms gathered in front of the state Capitol to protest gun laws. Full Story
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UPDATED: U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Friendswood, apologized Tuesday for a controversial tweet that compared President Obama to Adolf Hitler. Full Story
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From the first day of the new legislative session, here's a selection of tweets that journalists, lawmakers and others have shared, along with the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting from the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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We're livestreaming lawmakers in action on their first day in the Capitol, courtesy of the Texas Legislature. Both the House and Senate convene at noon; the House has a speaker's race on the agenda. Full Story
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Got your popcorn ready? The Texas Legislature opens its 84th 140-day regular session today at noon, with ceremonies, a little pomp and a skirmish or two. Here's a look at what's happening today. Full Story
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We've relaunched our Ethics Explorer on day one of the 84th legislative session to show you how elected officials' personal interests might conflict with the public interest. Take a look at incoming lawmakers, judges and members of the SBOE. Full Story
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Texas’ recent attempts to figure out what will happen with oil prices have one thing in common: They’re rarely accurate. But that’s the norm for most anyone watching the volatile petroleum industry. Full Story
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A historic vote for House speaker could happen on a day long on ceremony otherwise. Full Story
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Tuesday's vote for speaker of the Texas House will provide "a sense of hope" to "the people of America," state Rep. Scott Turner told a small rally of supporters at a La Quinta Inn near the Capitol Monday. Full Story
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A deputy from former Attorney General Greg Abbott's office will be running the Texas Department of Insurance, Gov. Rick Perry's office announced Monday. But he appears to just be a temporary replacement for outgoing Commissioner Julia Rathgeber. Full Story
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In his first official act as Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller granted full amnesty to cupcakes. Miller was seeking to reassure Texas parents that it's legal to bring cupcakes and other treats to school — and that he'll protect that right. Full Story
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At a White House ceremony, the president on Monday offered the reigning NBA champions advice on winning back-to-back, one of the few milestones the Spurs have yet to reach. Full Story
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State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee, says Texas lawmakers shouldn't wait for the outcome of a sprawling school finance lawsuit to discuss changes to the state's public education funding system. Full Story
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When it comes to supporting higher education, Texas is good — but not great — according to a nonprofit group focused on economic opportunities for young adults. Full Story
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