The Brief: Jan. 6, 2015
Another day and another threshold is crossed in oil's steady downward march in value. This time it was the price of U.S. oil dipping below $50 during the day on Monday. Full Story
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John Reynolds was the newsletters editor for the Tribune from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, he was a reporter for Quorum Report, a non-partisan online political newsletter focusing on the ins and outs under the Dome, for more than seven years – covering the waterfront from health and human services and redistricting to pensions and elections. A native of Atlanta, Ga., he started his journalistic career one day after the attacks of Sept. 11 in Lubbock, Texas, where he rotated through a slew of beats at The Avalanche-Journal. He received his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and studied at the University of Georgia's graduate school in journalism. When not at work, he actively attempts to convince himself he is adept at tennis with varying levels of success. And he has adopted the Austin custom of appreciating smoked meats and listening to music in grassy/muddy fields.
Another day and another threshold is crossed in oil's steady downward march in value. This time it was the price of U.S. oil dipping below $50 during the day on Monday. Full Story
Three special elections are on tap for Tuesday, including two contests to find replacements for a pair of San Antonio Democrats who have opted to run for mayor. Full Story
Former President George H.W. Bush was released on Tuesday from Houston Methodist Hospital, where he had spent a week after experiencing shortness of breath. Full Story
SD-26 candidate Trey Martinez Fischer released on Monday a new TV ad in the hotly contested special election. Full Story
SD-26 candidate José Menéndez went up on television over the Christmas holidays with his ad, "Working Together." Full Story
John Barton, a veteran budget writer for the state of Texas, will spend the next few years in Mongolia, living in one of the most remote corners of the world and advising the country on its finances. Full Story
A clutch of Southern states are in talks to hold 2016 presidential primaries on the same day, according to a story by James Hohmann of Politico. Full Story
The Austin American-Statesman and Houston Chronicle delved further in their Sunday editions into the circumstances around the no-bid Medicaid fraud software contract awarded to Austin technology firm 21CT. Full Story
Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick on Friday released another set of hires for his new administration, including his new general counsel, policy director and assorted policy advisers. Full Story
Starting next month, we'll offer daily afternoon email blasts on the scuttlebutt in the Capitol to subscribers of Texas Weekly, our paid newsletter for insiders. Need another incentive to subscribe? We'll throw in a digital subscription to The Washington Post. Full Story