Creighton, Toth Bound for Senate Runoff
UPDATED: With all of the precincts counted, Brandon Creighton and Steve Toth finished first and second and appear headed for a runoff in the contest to succeed Tommy Williams in the Texas Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, insurance company president Gordy Bunch, former state Sen. Michael Galloway and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, were the four initial candidates in a May 10 special election for Senate District 4. Creighton and Toth are heading to a runoff Tuesday.]()
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The Playlist: I'm Here To Get My Baby Out of Jail
Murderer Bernie Tiede, the subject of Richard Linklater's film "Bernie," was released from prison this week on the condition that he live with Linklater, so our playlist starts with Billy Joe and Norah singing "I'm Here To Get My Baby Out of Jail." Full Story
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from May 5-9, 2014. Full Story
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Texas A&M System Announces Hiring Freeze
The Texas A&M University System announced a hiring freeze among non-faculty administrative employees on Friday that's intended to cut costs and redirect money toward academics system-wide. Full Story
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Texas Cancels Medicaid Contract, Sues Xerox Over Allegedly Misspent Money
Health officials canceled a multi-million-dollar contract with Xerox, and the state sued the contractor on Friday amid allegations it erroneously doled out hundreds of millions of dollars for medically unnecessary Medicaid claims. Full Story
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![Dr. Behzad Nazari at his remaining dental clinic in Houston on Friday, April 25, 2014. Nazari sold two of three Antoine Dental clinics after the state began withholding Medicaid payments while they investigated the clinics for fraud.]()
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Texas Strip Clubs Lose Appeal on Pole Tax
A $5-per-patron fee is not an unconstitutional occupation tax and must be paid by Texas strip clubs that serve alcohol, an appeals court ruled Friday. Full Story
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T-Squared: Gun the Engine
On this last day of our spring membership drive, give us what we need for maximum speed heading into the 2014 general election and the 2015 legislative session. Full Story
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What's the Magic Number on Texas' Water Needs?
How much water does the state need in the coming decades? It depends on whom you ask. State water planners say that Texas needs 2.7 trillion more gallons of water a year by 2060. But some water law and planning specialists say that figure is far too high. Full Story
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![Lake Travis, a major water supply reservoir for Austin, is severely depleted due to drought. The State Water Plan calls for dozens more such reservoir projects to be built in the coming decades to meet Texas' future water needs.]()
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"Bernie" Movie Plays Key Role in Bernie's Freedom
Filmmaker Richard Linklater always thought life in prison was too harsh for Bernie Tiede, the East Texas mortician who murdered his 81-year-old companion. Now — in large part because of Linklater's film on him — Tiede is no longer behind bars. Full Story
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![Bernie Tiede leaves the Panola County Courthouse on May 6, 2014.]()
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Border Rail Proposal Getting Mixed Reviews
As Mexican officials contemplate relocating a major railway that connects the state of Chihuahua to Texas, trade experts in El Paso have mixed views on whether the investment is needed immediately. Full Story
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![Men work on the railroad tracks at the Union Pacific railyard in El Paso on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.]()
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New in Texas Weekly: Lite Guv Hopefuls Talk Steak, Frozen
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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The Brief: May 9, 2014
Ahead of a possible vote on impeachment on Monday, members of the House select committee investigating UT System Regent Wallace Hall appear split on how to proceed. Full Story
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Travis County Faces Lawsuit Over Secure Communities
As counties around the country start moving away from the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement program called Secure Communities, a group of Austin lawyers has threatened to sue Travis County over its participation in the program. Full Story
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![U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling in the Rio Grande Valley.]()
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Abbott Calls for Increased Funding for Online Learning
Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott announced the third plank of his education policy plan on Thursday, calling for millions in increased funding for online learning initiatives. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott promoting his pre-kindergarten education proposal on April 2, 2014, at the IDEA Carver Academy in San Antonio.]()
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Flynn: "Obnoxious Attitude" Not a Basis for Impeachment
The co-chair of the committee considering the actions of University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall has concluded that the regent's behavior does not warrant impeachment. Full Story
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Alameel and Rogers, a Study in Contrasts, Make Their Case
David Alameel and Kesha Rogers, the two Democrats facing off in a May 27 primary runoff for U.S. Senate, spoke with KUT News about why they're running for office. Full Story
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The Polling Center: Is Easy Resolution on In-State Tuition a GOP Dream?
As Rick Perry hedges that he could yet again seek a presidential nomination, and the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants continues to arise in GOP primary races, polling results help illustrate the challenges the issue poses for candidates. Full Story
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![Dream Act supporters outside of the W hotel at President Obama's fundraiser on May 10, 2011.]()
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TribLive: A Conversation With Dan Branch
Full video of my May 8 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general in 2014. Full Story
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In North Texas, SBOE Incumbent Faces a Strong Tea Party Challenge
Pat Hardy, a 12-year incumbent on the State Board of Education, is facing a tough re-election fight against a Tea Party activist in a Republican primary runoff that could shift the balance of power on the GOP-dominated board. Full Story
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![State Board of Education incumbent Pat Hardy, left, is facing Eric Mahroum, a Tea Party activist, in a Republican primary runoff in North Texas.]()
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Lawsuits Challenge Transparency of Texas Execution Process
Defense lawyers say that information about the drug Texas uses in executions – pentobarbital — is shrouded in secrecy. And they worry a dearth of information could lead to cruel and unusual executions. Full Story
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