Citing new federal guidelines and recent violent incidents, a coalition of interest groups has asked the Texas Education Agency to prohibit the use of “less lethal” weapons, like Tasers and pepper spray, in public schools. Full Story
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With less than a week before the start of early voting in the March 4 primaries, use our interactive to see how statewide candidates are spending campaign funds to purchase network airtime in Texas' four biggest media markets. Full Story
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Ted Cruz put his party's Senate leaders in a tough spot Wednesday: vote against the Democrats on raising the debt limit and risk damaging global markets, or vote with the Democrats and hand Tea Party challengers a line of attack. Full Story
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A federal judge in San Antonio heard arguments Wednesday in a case seeking to overturn Texas' gay marriage ban. But even if the judge strikes down the ban, an appeals process will likely prevent same-sex couples from rushing to get married. Full Story
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In January, an additional 89,500 Texans selected a health plan on the insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, according to federal data released Wednesday. Full Story
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Emily, Aman, Evan and Ross on the resignation of University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, the Tribune's higher ed outcomes explorer and the non-endorsement endorsements from the state's junior U.S. senator. Full Story
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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has decided not to take action yet on a controversial plan that would almost surely cut off water from rice farmers in the lower Colorado River basin for a third straight year. Full Story
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis has released the latest of her education reform proposals, calling for the state to increase access to full-day pre-kindergarten programs and prioritize early-childhood reading programs. Full Story
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After at first distancing himself from Rick Perry on the campaign trail, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott is set to make a joint appearance at a fundraiser in Houston on Wednesday with the man he's hoping to succeed. Full Story
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A federal court in San Antonio will hear arguments Wednesday in a case that seeks to overturn Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage. It's one of several cases statewide challenging Texas' stance on same-sex unions. Full Story
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Following instructions from House Speaker Joe Straus, Texas lawmakers plan to study the benefits of accepting high-level nuclear waste from around the country, a controversial proposition. But even if Texas seeks a waste facility, huge hurdles would stand in its way. Full Story
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Since the Corsicana juvenile detention center was founded in 1887 as the Texas Orphan Asylum, the facility's history has followed national trends in juvenile justice issues. Full Story
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Former Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos was sentenced Tuesday to 13 years in prison for his role in a corruption scheme that in recent days has become a hot topic in the governor's race. Full Story
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Injecting acid to help drill for oil isn't a new practice, but Texas' oil and gas regulator doesn't track where or how much acid is used by drillers in the state, and that has some people concerned. Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis has filed a corrected 2013 personal financial statement, and her campaign said the new filing corrected minor technical errors. The campaign of her likely gubernatorial opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott, said the timing of the correction raises questions. Full Story
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In the short run, the GOP appears to be embarking on a winning strategy to mobilize a reliable and larger electorate using the rhetoric that motivates its voters. Full Story
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Full video of my 2/7 TribLive conversation with three Amarillo lawmakers: state Sen. Kel Seliger and state Reps. "Four" Price and John Smithee. Full Story
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Among young Texans who started eighth grade in 2001, less than one-fifth earned a higher education credential within six years of their high school graduation, according to data in the Tribune's new Higher Ed Outcomes Explorer. Full Story
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Each year, some 300,000 students begin eighth grade in a Texas public school. Use this app to track the educational milestones of every student who started eighth grade in a Texas public school between 1996 and 2001, broken down by region and county. Full Story
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At least three members of Texas' highest criminal court will be replaced in the next year, and observers say the unusually high turnover could have a significant effect on the court's decisions. Full Story
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