WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The state's heading into the courtroom today with some momentum. After a federal judge in August halted chunks of the controversial law, Texas asked the 5th Circuit to lift the ruling while the entire case played out. A panel issued a ruling in late September, allowing a provision requiring jail officials to honor all detainers to go into effect for now. 
• It's been a year-long battle between Texas and immigration activists — and there's no clear timeline for when the 5th Circuit could issue a ruling after today's arguments. 
• Want updates? Follow Texas Tribune reporter Julián Aguilar, who's at the hearing. And since we're on the topic, we're keeping tabs on some of the most high-profile pending legal battles here.

• Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith is talking with state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, at The Austin Club in Austin this morning. Join us for the conversation, or watch a livestream here beginning at 8.    

• Happy Election Day — there are seven constitutional amendments on the ballot, including one that would allow Texans easier access to their home equity. Follow Alex Samuels for election results as they come in. 

We're testing a few changes around here. What do you think? Send your thoughts to thebrief@texastribune.org. 

BEST OF THE TRIB

• Buda voters today are deciding whether to reintroduce fluoride to the city's water supply.  

• Should a Mexican-American studies textbook and a Jewish Holocaust memoir be the first state-approved materials for ethnic studies courses?

• Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez may challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in 2018. 

• Vice President Mike Pence will be in Austin next week to talk to a convention of Republican governors. 

• A new state law allows armed volunteer security at places of worship, but the bill's author says a lot of churches in Texas don't know about it. 

• New in TribTalk: Sage advice, on or off the field: Less is more

BEST OF THE REST

Bloomberg: Cornyn says Texas shooting may prompt look at background checks 

Texas Observer: Documents: Texas National Guard installed cellphone spying devices on surveillance planes

Midland Reporter-Telegram: Texas oil companies hire 30,000 over the past year amid oil price recovery 

KUT: For Black DACA recipients in Texas, it often feels "impossible to exist" 

The Houston Chronicle: After Harvey, Texas adds most construction jobs nationally ($)

The Dallas Morning News: GOP tweak would spare SMU and most — but not all — private schools from multi-million-dollar tax hit ($)

The Washington Post: DHS ends protected immigration status for Nicaraguans, but Hondurans get extension ($)
 

PENCIL US IN

PHOTO OF THE DAY

THE LAST WORD

Thanks for reading The Brief, our daily dispatch on Texas politics, public policy and everything in between. Please shoot me your tips and feedback at cpollock@texastribune.org. Love this newsletter? Consider making a donation in support of our nonprofit newsroom. — Cassi Pollock