Analysis: A Lot of Races, But Not as Much Drama
With fewer than 10 weeks remaining until Election Day, almost all of the Texas races for Congress and the Legislature are all but over. Just a handful of competitive races remain. Full Story
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![A voting precinct at the Parker Lane United Methodist Church in Austin is shown in November 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
For Community Colleges, a Chance to Grant More Four-Year Degrees
Ahead of the 2015 legislative session, momentum seems to be building for more chances to earn four-year degrees at community colleges in Texas. Full Story
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![Freshman Samantha Salas (center) hangs out with friends before going to class on the first day of school on Aug. 25, 2014, at South Texas College's Pecan Campus in McAllen.]()
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Inside Texas Politics: Lawyering Up
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, we talked about Thursday's ruling that the state's school finance system is unconstitutional, the delay in raising standards on school tests, Gov. Rick Perry's newest lawyer and more. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA-TV's "Inside Texas Politics" on August 31, 2014.]()
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On Environment Issues, Younger Bush Takes a More Moderate Tone
In his first in-depth interview on environmental policy, land commissioner hopeful George P. Bush's views on global warming and renewable energy set him apart from the Tea Party conservatives he has aligned himself with. Full Story
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![George P. Bush, the Republican candidate for Texas Land Commissioner, in Austin on Aug. 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Playlist: Let's Call it Off
On Friday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott unexpectedly canceled a planned debate appearance, so we start our weekly playlist inspired by Texas political news with "Let's Call It Off" by Peter Bjorn and John. Full Story
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Aug. 25 to 29, 2014. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Abbott Opinion Murky on Plastic Bag Bans
Plastic bag bans in Texas cities such as Austin and Laredo may be legally sound, according to an opinion issued by Attorney General Greg Abbott's office handed down on Friday afternoon — that is, as long as they didn't ban bags for the purposes of "solid waste management." Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
A Timeline of Texas Governor's Race Debates
Take a look back at the highlights from the last three decades of Texas gubernatorial debates. Full Story
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Judge Strikes Down Texas Abortion Regulation
A federal judge on Friday struck down new requirements for Texas abortion facilities — a decision that could have shuttered all but a few abortion clinics in the state. The standards were set to go into effect Monday. Full Story
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![An abortion procedure room at the Whole Woman's Health ambulatory surgical center in San Antonio.]()
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Analysis: To Debate or Not to Debate?
UPDATED: A televised statewide debate between Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis fell apart on Friday, and another one popped up in its place, raising questions about whether voters will get many chances to compare the two candidates for governor. Does it matter? Full Story
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Credit: Majorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich -
Space Travel Companies Compete for NASA Contract
Four private space travel companies, including two with ties to Texas, are competing for a NASA contract that will have them ferrying astronauts to space "like a taxi." NASA will announce the winner of the contract in the coming weeks. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Taxpayer Tab Grows for Perry's Defense
The state tab for Gov. Rick Perry's criminal defense, previously thought to be $80,000, has hit $133,000. Perry has said he will pay for his lawyers with campaign money from now on. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry talks with New Hampshire voters at a GOP rally in Stratham, N.H., on Aug. 25, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
On Border, Questions Over National Guard Troops' Needs
Democrats say media reports that some National Guard troops on the border haven't been paid and can't afford basic necessities are infuriating. Republican Gov. Rick Perry's office says the National Guard is fully equipped to help them. Full Story
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![Governor Rick Perry gives a pep talk to National Guard troops training for deployment to the Texas border at Camp Swift on August 13, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Commissioners OK Betting on Historical Horse Races
UPDATED: The Texas Racing Commission is moving forward with a plan to install machines that simulate historical horseraces at racetracks despite opposition from a Fort Worth lawmaker. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: National Guard Troops on Border Struggling Financially
Some of the Texas National Guard troops deployed by Gov. Rick Perry to help secure the border haven't been paid and are unable to pay for their own food or gas, according to a report from KGBT Action 4 News in the Rio Grande Valley. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Citing Format Issues, Abbott Changes Gears on Debate
UPDATED: On Friday morning, Republican candidate Greg Abbott pulled out of a Sept. 30 gubernatorial debate to be broadcast statewide on television, citing format issues. In the afternoon, his campaign announced he has agreed to another debate for the same date. Full Story
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Texas' Top 100 Congested Corridors
Harris and Dallas counties have the dubious honor of claiming the most spots in the state's latest list of the 100 most congested roadways in Texas. Here's a look at the list, compiled by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Full Story
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Analysis: The Hunt for a Different Spot to House Political Watchdog
Lots of people want to take prosecutions of state officials away from the Travis County district attorney's office. But agreeing on a place to put it is not going to be easy. Full Story
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![Travis County Courthouse in Austin, Texas.]()
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Swelling School Districts Find a Costly Way to Grow Within State Debt Limits
Leander and other fast-growing school districts have relied heavily on a controversial financing tool called capital appreciation bonds to borrow money to expand even as they bump up against state limits on school district debt. Full Story
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![Leander ISD's Whitestone Elementary School, shown on Aug. 21, 2014, has six portable classrooms to help with increased student enrollment. District officials say If the district couldn't use capital appreciation bonds to borrow money, it would have to put more students in portables.]()
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Texas Hospitals Say They've Lost Insured Patients to Urgent Care
The increasing number of urgent care centers in Texas is proving problematic for hospitals, which say they are competing with the clinics for the same pool of insured Texans at a time when they are also getting less money to cover the cost of treating uninsured patients. Full Story
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![Eighth-grader Montanique DeShay waits as Ashlyn Brooks, medical assistant at MedSpring Urgent Care in Austin, comes to check on her on Wednesday.]()
Credit: Martin do Nascimento
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