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Morgan Smith was a reporter at the Tribune from 2009 to 2018, covering politics, public education and inequality. In 2013, she received a National Education Writers Association award for “Death of a District,” a series on school closures. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Wellesley College, she moved to Austin in 2008 to enter law school at the University of Texas. A San Antonio native, her work has also appeared in Slate, where she spent a year as an editorial intern in Washington D.C.
Seven teachers, backed by the Houston branch of the American Federation of Teachers, are suing the Houston school district over a new approach tying standardized test results to pay and employment decisions. Full Story
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The latest statewide TV spot from Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's re-election campaign tells voters they "just can't trust" opponent Dan Patrick, highlighting his name change and history of bankruptcy. Patrick, a Houston state senator, is vying to unseat Dewhurst in a May Republican primary runoff. Full Story
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In this week's Q&A, we interview Heather Mauzé of the Texas Education Agency. Full Story
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A new Texas Democratic Party social media campaign is urging voters to oppose Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in a primary runoff, targeting the incumbent on issues including being "anti-immigrant" and "anti-woman." Full Story
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The Dan Patrick campaign attacks incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst for a "failed record" on illegal immigration in a new TV spot that began airing on Fox News in 14 markets across the state. Patrick, a Houston state senator, is facing Dewhurst in a May Republican primary runoff. Full Story
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House Bill 5, which reduced standardized testing in public high schools, also included a provision aimed at easing the pressure of high-stakes exams for students in lower grades. But it may not be having the intended effect. Full Story
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State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, a San Antonio Democrat vying for lieutenant governor, has released three years of federal tax returns. Full Story
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A new web video from Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's re-election campaign touts the incumbent's experience, saying voters should trust his record of leadership in office. Dewhurst faces state Sen. Dan Patrick in a May Republican primary runoff. Full Story
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Also, David Dewhurst goes on the attack, and Ted Cruz announces a big fundraising haul. Full Story
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In the first significant exchange of gunfire in the Republican runoff for lieutenant governor, the Dan Patrick campaign has called a new attack ad from David Dewhurst "a string of lies, half truths and a rehash of events from 30 years ago." Full Story
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