The Evening Brief: Sept. 24, 2013
Your evening reading: Cruz enters fifth hour of marathon speech against Obamacare; top Senate Republicans not coming to Cruz's aid; judge who oversaw Morton case resigns Full Story
Your evening reading: Cruz enters fifth hour of marathon speech against Obamacare; top Senate Republicans not coming to Cruz's aid; judge who oversaw Morton case resigns Full Story
The Texas Department of Public Safety announced on Tuesday that 25 mobile locations will begin processing free election identification certificates on Oct. 1. Full Story
UPDATED: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved the permit for construction of North Texas' Lake Ralph Hall, the first major new reservoir built in the state in decades. Full Story
Williamson County state district Judge Ken Anderson, who oversaw the wrongful murder conviction of Michael Morton in 1987, has submitted a letter to Gov. Rick Perry resigning his position effective immediately. Full Story
For this week’s nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about 2014’s race for lieutenant governor, whether a prominent Democrat will get in and how she’ll fare, and about the four-way race for the Republican nomination. Full Story
About 70 percent of Texans believe in global warming, but many are unconvinced that humans are to blame for the phenomenon, if it is happening. Full Story
The 13 state-supported living centers are dangerous, derelict and inefficient. The time has come to consolidate the population in fewer facilities and close centers that have no chance of ever reaching minimally acceptable standards. Full Story
In the same week that the U.S. Census Bureau released new data showing Texas again ranks highest for the rate of people without health insurance, Gov. Rick Perry quietly laid out his next efforts to derail Obamacare. Full Story
Former state Rep. Norma Chavez will announce next month that after two sessions away from Austin, she’s ready to fight to get back her seat in the Legislature. Full Story
The Federal Emergency Management Agency next week will complete its assessment of damage from an April fertilizer plant explosion in West. As the city continues to recover, state agencies are implementing changes to further ensure safety. Full Story
A push for stricter training requirements for insurance "navigators," who will help uninsured residents sign up for health coverage, is fueling the latest political clash over the Affordable Care Act in Texas. Full Story
The spotlight stayed on Ted Cruz as the fight over defunding Obamacare hit the Senate floor on Monday. Full Story
Your evening reading: Cruz clashes with Reid as Obamacare fight heats up; Cornyn won't block House spending bill; report says illegal immigration may be rising in Texas Full Story
Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that of the six states with the largest number of unauthorized immigrants, Texas was the only one that didn’t witness the significant dip in population figures that took place a few years ago. Full Story
Katy Republican Bill Callegari said Monday he won't seek another term in the Texas House, bringing to 12 the number of state representatives who won't be up for re-election in 2014. Full Story
Democrats are looking for candidates who might fill out their 2014 ticket, including San Antonio state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, who is thinking about it — with reservations. Full Story
A new report shows that among the 60 metro areas in the United States with the largest Hispanic populations, Corpus Christi has the smallest percentage of Hispanics who are foreign-born at 8 percent. Full Story
The oil boom has transformed the West Texas economy, bringing jobs and higher wages to several sleepy communities. But the new prosperity has introduced another unexpected and troubling trend to the region: more residents going hungry. Full Story
Though Texas has refused to implement major provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including a health insurance marketplace, new regulations of insurance plans — and their rates — will still take effect in the state. Full Story
Despite lacking a clear path forward on his quest to defund Obamacare, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz isn't backing down. Full Story