The Brief: Castro brothers, in Austin, weigh in on FBI probe into Clinton

The Big Story

On Friday, the FBI announced it would be reviewing emails potentially related to Hillary Clinton after federal officials found a new batch they believe connect to its previous investigation into the Democratic presidential nominee. However, two high-profile Texas Democrats criticized the timing of the investigation:

•  On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, questioned the timing of FBI director James Comey’s letter to Congress, saying it "would be something strange even 11 days before a city council election, much less a U.S. presidential election." He also said Comey should "explain exactly what these new emails are and who they're to and who they're from and the subject matter."

•  Castro was joined by his brother, U.S. Housing Secretary Julián Castro, who told the Tribune that he doubts the new investigation will incriminate Clinton. "All signs point to that this is much ado about nothing, that it's not going to turn over anything new. Already the very tentative nature of the whole affair shows that there's not much to it. I'm confident that the American people can see through that or see it for what it is and judge the candidates on the merits,” Julían Castro said.

•  On Sunday night, ABC news reported that the FBI obtained a warrant to review emails on a laptop used by Clinton’s aid, Huma Abedin, and her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner. Earlier this year, however, Clinton was cleared by the FBI of any criminal wrongdoing in her use of a private email server when she was U.S. secretary of state.

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What We're Reading

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

Down-ballot candidates at the mercy of straight-ticket voters, Houston Chronicle 

Senators indicate quick fix for CPS not likely, San Antonio Express-News

Greg Abbott presses Texas Supreme Court to limit gay-marriage ruling, Austin American-Statesman

Despite ramping up fundraising efforts, Trump still lags in Texas, The Dallas Morning News

Cruz, Patrick: Texas can't alone win struggle for life; Congress must cut off Planned Parenthood's funding, Houston Chronicle 

Today in TribTalk

"Texas has a reputation for being tough on crime, and that's because we need to be. The state not only has to deal with the consequences of its homegrown criminals but often also those from many other nations, since we're a high immigration and a border state. So in many cases, the criminals are here illegally."

— Dean Wright, Austin Tea Party 

Trib Events for the Calendar

•   A Symposium on Transportation on Nov. 3 at Texas A&M University - Rudder Tower 

•   A Conversation with U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke on Nov. 4 at The Austin Club 

•   Live Post-Election TribCast on Nov. 9 at The Austin Club 

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville

•   A Conversation with Michael K. Young, President of Texas A&M University on Dec. 1 at The Austin Club

•   San Antonio & the Legislature: A Preview of the 85th on Dec. 2 at University of Texas at San Antonio – Downtown Campus