The Brief: Nov. 25, 2013
State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte launched her campaign for lite guv with a line of argument sure not to be repeated by her counterparts on the GOP side of the contest. Full Story
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![State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte speaking to press during a visit to a phone bank in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Slideshow: The Diversity of Fort Bend County
Use this slideshow to look at Fort Bend County, which is the nation's most ethnically diverse county, according to a Rice University sociology professor. Full Story
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![BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Stafford, is surrounded by apartments and suburban homes.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Fort Bend County, the Picture of Ethnic Diversity
Fort Bend has been called the most ethnically diverse county in America, with a population that comes close to an equal division among blacks, whites, Asians and Latinos. Full Story
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![Jaanvi Sabharwal's hands were decorated with henna for an Indian wedding she attended in Sugar Land. She was visiting from Toronto.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Women-Led Ticket Highlights Democrats' Suburban Voter Efforts
Democrats seeking a return to the Texas Governor's Mansion are betting on the suburbs — and, in particular, on the women there. Full Story
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![State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte announcing her run for lieutenant governor at San Antonio College on Nov. 23, 2013.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney -
Injured Worker's Ex-Employer Denies Retaliation
UPDATED: A 19-year-old Honduran injured on the job is at the center of a workplace safety controversy. The Workers Defense Project says he was fired for speaking to investigators. His former employer says the firing was unrelated. Full Story
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![The Workers Defense Project and Iron Workers Union organized a demonstration Nov. 23, 2013.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson -
The Playlist: Just a Game
A planned — and quickly canceled — game of "catch an illegal immigrant" at the University of Texas at Austin caused an uproar this week, so we begin our weekly news-based playlist with Birdy's "Just a Game." Full Story
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![Students on the University of Texas at Austin campus.]()
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Newsreel: Perry on Immigration, New LCRA Leader, VDP for Lite Guv
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Gov. Rick Perry says the Mexican energy industry may solve America's immigration problems, the LCRA gets a new leader and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte signals she's running for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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Van de Putte Joins Race for Lieutenant Governor
Long rumored to be a contender, state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte has now made it official: She is running for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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![Sen. Leticia van de Putte, D-San Antonio announces her candidacy for Lt. Governor at San Antonio College on November 23, 2013.]()
Credit: Janis Daemmrich -
President Maestas Out at Sul Ross State University
UPDATED: The Texas State University System released a statement on Monday confirming that Ricardo Maestas has officially resigned as president of Sul Ross State University in Alpine. Full Story
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![Ricardo Maestas, president of Sul Ross State University, during an interview at Marfa Public Radio in Marfa, TX.]()
Credit: Alberto Halpern -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Nov. 18-22, 2013. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Paredes: Meeting Goals Will Require Big Changes
At his annual State of Higher Education address on Friday, Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes said Texas must "do things dramatically differently" to meet its goals. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Evening Brief: Nov. 22, 2013
Your evening reading: Texas postpones closure of high-risk health insurance pool; SBOE blocks entry of Arizona-based charter school into state; railroad commissioner candidate rails against proposed textbook Full Story
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![Kenneth Flippin, left, and Jane Denson, right, of Enroll America at the home of Shelby Childress.]()
Credit: Veronica Zaragovia / KUT -
Railroad Commission Hopeful: New Textbook is Flawed
Becky Berger, a candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, this week criticized an environmental science textbook that is under review by the Texas Board of Education, muddling the book's path to final approval. Full Story
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Credit: Ross Ramsey -
Education Board Blocks Charter School Expansion
The State Board of Education on Friday denied an Arizona-based charter school's application for a Dallas campus, despite previous approval from the state's education commissioner. Full Story
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![Parents look over books and ask questions about curriculum during a parent information session for the new Great Hearts Monte Vista Charter School to open in San Antonio at Temple Beth-El, October 29, 2013.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney -
TDI Postpones Closure of High-Risk Health Insurance Pool
Amid continuing problems with the online federal health insurance marketplace, Texas Insurance Commissioner Julia Rathgeber on Friday postponed the shuttering of the state's high-risk health insurance pool. Full Story
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![A patient at The People's Community Clinic pays her bill as the cashier’s desk. The Community Health Assistance Program, a program that helps Texans get access to insurance, will run out of federal grant money in a few weeks.]()
Credit: Jeff Heimsath -
A Private Battle Over Ethics Goes Public
What had been a private battle over whether and when a nonprofit political group has to register as a lobbyist — or list the donors to its political purse — is slowly edging toward public hearings. Full Story
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![Michael Quinn Sullivan, president and CEO of Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, at a 2012 Texas Tribune event.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Momentum for Water Recycling on Oilfields, but Still a Long Way to Go
As the drought continues across Texas, more oil and gas companies are considering the long-term benefits of water recycling, and state officials are trying to make the transition easier. Full Story
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![Jonathan Jones, Field Supervisor for Water Rescue Services, holding partially cleaned fracking waste water.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster -
The Brief: Nov. 22, 2013
Senate Democrats have launched the nuclear option. Now what? Full Story
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![Sen. John Cornyn at his reelection campaign kickoff in Austin, Texas on November 15th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjoire Kamys Cotera -
High Court May Answer Question on Impairment and Death Penalty
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the case of a Florida death row inmate — who claims he does not have the mental capacity to face execution — could provide more guidance to states like Texas. Full Story
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![The death row file for Marvin Wilson, who was executed in 2012 for the 1992 murder of Jerry Robert Williams of Beaumont. Wilson's lawyers argued that he was mentally retarded and unfit for execution.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
SBOE Retreats From Algebra II in High School Grad Plans
Shifting from a previous proposal, the State Board of Education voted Thursday to require algebra II only for students who pursue an honors plan or a diploma specializing in math and science. Full Story
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![Hank Warner teaches a pre-advanced placement algebra course for ninth graders at Bowie High School in Austin.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa
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