The Brief: Feb. 11, 2014
On paper and in person, GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott pushed back on Monday against critics of his use of the term "third world" to describe corruption in Texas. Full Story
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![Texas attorney general and candidate for governor of Texas Greg Abbott during a campaign stop in San Marcos, Texas on October 12th, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Stockman's Claims About Record Draw Questions
In his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman has made statements about his own record that appear to conflict with public records and his own past statements. Full Story
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![Mug shot from the Oct. 5, 1977, arrest of Stephen Ernest Stockman by the Madison Heights, Mich., police department. Stockman was initially charged with felony possession of diazepam, also known as Valium, records show.]()
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Abbott Defends "Third World" Corruption Remarks, Border Security Plan
Campaiging in El Paso, GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott on Monday said "third world" corruption is a problem across Texas, not just on the border, and he defended his border security plan. Full Story
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Credit: Julian Aguilar -
Analysis: College Resignations Raise a Political Question: Legacy or Change?
Job openings atop the state's big universities give regents and Rick Perry, the lame-duck governor who appointed them, a chance to extend his legacy or to set the stage for his successor. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Davis Says Abbott Should Settle School Finance Suit
Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis is calling on her likely Republican opponent in the governor's race, Attorney General Greg Abbott, to quit defending the state's school finance system and reach a settlement instead. Abbott said Davis was focused on the past. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Laura Buckman / Bob Daemmrich -
UT Chancellor: Political Upheaval Did Not Prompt Resignation
Saying that recent political turmoil did not persuade him to step down, Francisco Cigarroa, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, officially announced his resignation on Monday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Davis on School Finance Trial
Here's video of state Sen. Wendy Davis speaking Monday on what she called the state's "broken school funding formula." Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texans Answer Call to Conserve Water, Only to Face Paying Higher Rates
Drought-stricken Texas cities have succeeded in encouraging residents to slash water consumption — but they've lost money in the process by selling less water. That means everyone must pay higher rates. Full Story
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![Docks on the edge of Lake Kickapoo, which is less than one-third full, no longer reach the water in Holiday, Feb 3, 2014.]()
Credit: Brandon Thibodeaux -
Candidates Sparring Over "Third World” Remark
Greg Abbott's comparison of South Texas corruption to "third-world country practices" has made the GOP gubernatorial candidate a target for Democrats and drawn criticism from border leaders. Full Story
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Credit: Laura Buckman / Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Candidates Enter Season of Campaign Spending
Campaigns, always trying to raise money, shift into another gear when the primaries are looming: It's time to spend some of that cash. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Jacob Villanueva -
The Brief: Feb. 10, 2014
News broke Sunday night of a big move at the UT System: Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa will be stepping down after a successor is named. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Refugees, Too, Must Navigate Health Care Law
Under the Affordable Care Act, most Texans must have health insurance by March 31. That includes refugees, who often lack the English skills needed to understand the complexities of the American health care system. Full Story
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![Eddie Almodovar, far right, a volunteer, helped refugee Aruna Rai, seated, sign up for a health insurance plan at an Austin apartment on Jan 30, 2014. Fellow refugees Khamba Magar, top left, and John Monger served as interpreters.]()
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Cigarroa Confirms He'll Step Down as UT Chancellor
UPDATED: In a Sunday night email to University of Texas System administrators, Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa confirmed he plans to announce his resignation at a Monday morning news conference. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Texas Politics: Tea vs. Tradition?
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, I talked with host John McCaa about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis' surprising-to-some stance on open carry laws. Full Story
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![Ross Ramsey on WFAA TV's Inside Texas Politics, Feb. 9, 2014.]()
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East Texas Town's Stance on Famed Convict Changes Over 15 Years
When Bernie Tiede went to trial in 1999 for murdering a wealthy Carthage widow, many in the town wanted the young man to see a light punishment. But 15 years into his life sentence, many now say prison is where he belongs. Full Story
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![Bernhardt Tiede exits the Panola County Court building with his attorney Jodi Cole after his hearing on February 5, 2014 in Carthage. His attorney filed new evidence that could affect his punishment term. He has been serving time since August of 1997 for the murder of Marjorie Nugent.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson -
The Playlist: Sweater Weather
With freezing conditions all but shutting down cities throughout Texas — prompting fears of an Atlanta-like "snow jam" — we open this week's Texas news-inspired playlist with "Sweater Weather" by The Neighbourhood. Full Story
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![Birthday cake photo by Will Clayton/ Creative Commons]()
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Feb. 3-7, 2014. Full Story
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New Campaign Focuses on Texans in "Coverage Gap"
More than 40 statewide organizations working to educate Texans on health plan options available through the Affordable Care Act are embarking on a campaign to mobilize those who have been left in the state’s “coverage gap.” Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Supporters of Mexican-American Studies Class Push for State Approval
Supporters of adding Mexican-American studies as an official Texas high school course say time is running out for the State Board of Education to approve the class for next school year. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Craft Brewers Celebrate New Beer Laws
When Texas legalized brewpubs in 1993, the owners could only sell their product on-site. That changed in June with the implementation of the largest overhaul of the craft beer industry in two decades. Full Story
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Credit: Adam Barhan
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