While Congress hashes out legislation to reform the way the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs treats those who served in the military, Texas officials are trying to help the 1.7 million veterans who live here get timely medical care. Full Story
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The assignment of a detective to investigate requests for court-appointed lawyers in McLennan County has drawn criticism from defense experts, who warn that low-income defendants are being intimidated into waiving their right to counsel. Full Story
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The words of the day on Monday were "force multiplier," as in what Gov. Rick Perry said the activation of up to 1,000 National Guard troops would do for the border surge effort already underway by the Department of Public Safety. Full Story
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Texas ranks among the 10 worst states on a variety of indicators of child well-being, according to a new national analysis out Tuesday. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that he is sending up to 1,000 National Guard troops to help beef up security along the Texas-Mexico border. The operation will cost an estimated $12 million a month. Full Story
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The Texas Ethics Commission has ordered Michael Quinn Sullivan, leader of the conservative advocacy group Empower Texans, to pay a $10,000 fine for failing to register as a lobbyist in 2010 and 2011. Full Story
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In Texas, very few jails allow electronic cigarettes, but some say that could change as sheriffs begin to warm up to the smokeless technology as a way to supplement revenue and help inmates suffering from withdrawal. Full Story
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A handful of Texas communities have passed resolutions barring immigrants from being housed there on an emergency basis. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will make a border security announcement at 2 p.m. at the state Capitol. The two are expected to announce the deployment of 1,000 National Guard troops to the Rio Grande Valley. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, we talked about the new head of the Senate Finance Committee, the border surge, campaign finance reports, the ongoing UT-Austin saga and more. Full Story
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Lawmakers are looking for ways to consolidate Texas' various women's health programs in an effort to improve access to family planning, cancer screenings and dozens of other services for the state’s poorest women. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst appointed state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to chair the powerful Senate Finance Committee this week, so our news-inspired playlist begins with Parliament's "Wizard of Finance." Full Story
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The best of our best content from July 14 to July 18, 2014. Full Story
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"Time demands, salary constraints, poor health care, and the heartbreak of hearing that my class is 'just about the test' make it hard to teach and have a healthy family life," writes Del Valle High School teacher Katie Plemmons. Full Story
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When Sam Monroe steps down next month as president of Lamar State College-Port Arthur, a two-year school in Southeast Texas, he will conclude the state’s longest tenure for a president of a higher education institution. Full Story
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The latest issue of our subscriber-only premier newsletter for political insiders is out. Don't get left behind. Subscribe today! Full Story
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As attention centers on the thousands of unaccompanied minors crossing the Texas-Mexico border, activists in the Rio Grande Valley are working hard to ensure that their ongoing campaigns continue to gain traction after the current crisis subsides. Full Story
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Among large, fast-growing cities, Austin is the only one with a shrinking African-American population, according to a report from the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is on his way out in a few months, but on Thursday he moved to fill some key Senate leadership slots to help the chamber prepare for the coming legislative session in January. Full Story
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After appointing Sen. Jane Nelson to chair the Senate Finance Committee, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has picked Sen. Charles Schwertner to replace her as the head of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Full Story
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