In response to an open records request, the University of Texas at Austin on Thursday released dozens of recommendation letters written by lawmakers and other individuals that were initially sent to University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa. Full Story
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A state judge on Thursday decided not to bar the Texas Racing Commission from installing historical racing machines — but the commission’s legal fight is not over. Full Story
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State Board of Education members said Thursday that they hoped to persuade regulators overseeing the teaching profession to reconsider a decision made against raising the minimum GPA for educator certification programs. Full Story
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UPDATED: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples confirmed he has been selected to head up the Texas Oil and Gas Association – the state’s largest and oldest petroleum group. He will leave his current post early. Full Story
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Use this interactive, which contains the latest census figures, to compare the rates of uninsured Texans in each of the state's metropolitan statistical areas. You can also see the rate of Texans living below the poverty level in each of the statistical areas. Full Story
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The first debate of the Texas governor's race will be held Friday night in the Rio Grande Valley. It will be a rare opportunity for Democrat Wendy Davis, trailing in the polls, to directly confront Republican Greg Abbott, who has only appeared in one formal statewide debate in his long career. Full Story
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For mineral owners, making sure oil and gas operators pay what they promise can prove incredibly difficult, as shown in a case the Texas Supreme Court will soon decide. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: tackling the lack of male teachers in schools, school finance system found unconstitutional again and an interview with Jane Arnold Lincove, an expert on educator effectiveness. Full Story
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David Alameel, the Democrat challenging Republican John Cornyn for his U.S. Senate seat, knows he faces an uphill battle at best. So why is he running? The wealthy Dallas businessman says it has a lot to do with wanting to reform his own party. Full Story
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After a summer that brought little relief from the drought, the small town of Gordon in Palo Pinto County is just one of many Texas communities still facing a difficult task: find new water or go dry. Full Story
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Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples lost out on his bid to be lieutenant governor, but he might be in line for another job before his term ends in January. Full Story
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UPDATED: A 38-year-old Arlington woman was executed Wednesday for the starvation death of her girlfriend’s son. Lisa Ann Coleman is the sixth woman to be executed in the state since 1982. Full Story
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Reeve, Alexa, Evan and Emily talk about the number of uninsured Texans, the politics of health care, continued drama surrounding the University of Texas System board, and the upcoming Texas Tribune Festival. Full Story
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The State Board of Education took its first vote Wednesday on an amendment that would require teachers in the state to adhere to the state's curriculum standards when teaching Advanced Placement courses. Full Story
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The Lower Colorado River Authority approved a new plan on Wednesday to manage the Colorado River and its reservoirs, known as the Highland Lakes. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday invited Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to witness for himself the operations of the National Guard patrolling the Texas side of the Rio Grande. Full Story
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The Texas A&M University System's board of regents has approved the establishment of the cryptically named Area 41 Institute — a think tank it hopes will play a significant role in legislative policymaking. Full Story
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Midland school officials and area businesses are excited about a planned high school program that will focus on preparing high schoolers to work in the region's booming oil industry. Full Story
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State leaders seem reluctant to break out the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the border surge even though apprehensions of illegal immigrants have hit a target goal laid out in July. Full Story
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A coalition of Texas law enforcement officers filed a brief in federal court Tuesday in support of gay marriage, saying the state has failed to give gay and lesbian first responders “the equal dignity and respect they deserve.” Full Story
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