The Evening Brief: Nov. 21, 2013
Your evening reading: Abbott's privacy rights proposals scrutinized; Senate Democrats launch the nuclear option; Perry says "hell, yeah" to changing presidential debate format Full Story
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Your evening reading: Abbott's privacy rights proposals scrutinized; Senate Democrats launch the nuclear option; Perry says "hell, yeah" to changing presidential debate format Full Story
A report released Thursday by a national health consumer organization attempts to put into perspective the 113,000 Texans who have received notices their plans are being canceled. Full Story
In a new video ad, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is in a four-way primary race to keep his seat, attacks President Obama and his signature health care law, saying, "I can’t think of one thing I agree with him on." Full Story
Full video of my Nov. 18 conversation with veteran political reporters Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, whose new book on the 2012 presidential campaign, Double Down, is already a best-seller. Full Story
As a group, women have neither followed the March Hare to the Tea Party nor signed up for Wendy Davis’ trip to Wonderland, leaving the campaigns to ponder their place on the electoral chessboard. Full Story
A U.S. Census Bureau report released this month analyzes median home values over three-year periods. Use this interactive to explore the changes in Texas home values. Full Story
Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott has pushed for more stringent privacy laws, and privacy rights activists say his proposals would benefit Texans. But some concerns tied to enforcement are being raised. Full Story
Houston Mayor Annise Parker will move to extend health and life insurance benefits to same-sex legal spouses of city employees, despite a 2001 city charter amendment that was put to the voters specifically to prohibit the practice. Full Story
As drought-ridden communities near the Red River spend millions on major water projects, water managers say a decades-old federal project to clean up salt in the river water could also ease the strain. Full Story
Two top state lawmakers made an unexpected visit Wednesday evening to urge the State Board of Education to follow their lead on which courses to require in high school graduation plans. Full Story
Neal Smatresk, the president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was named on Wednesday as the sole finalist to lead the University of North Texas in Denton. Full Story
Your evening reading: SBOE discusses math requirements; Fidel Castro doubts lone gunman in JFK assassination; former LBJ right-hand man tells all about the Senate of yesteryear Full Story
UPDATED: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Wednesday announced another set of interim charges for state lawmakers to study before the 2015 legislative session, this time on issues of emergency preparedness and accident response. Full Story
The Lower Colorado River Authority named Ross Phillips its interim general manager on Wednesday. Phillips will replace Becky Motal, who is retiring at the end of this year. Full Story
The 15-member State Board of Education may decide to make algebra II a requirement for all students to receive a high school diploma — despite the wishes of the state Legislature. Full Story
Reeve, Evan, Ross and Emily talk about the anticipated entry of state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, into the lieutenant governor's race and the recent uproar over a planned and quickly canceled game of "catch an illegal immigrant. Full Story
Following the Supreme Court’s decision not to intervene in Texas’ ongoing abortion litigation, Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers are working to secure access to the procedure. Full Story
In a new web ad, Barry Smitherman, Republican candidate for attorney general and the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, highlights his support for the Second Amendment. Full Story
Compared with several other immigrant populations in Texas, the number of Russian-speaking immigrants is small and spread out. But Russian immigrants are striking a balance between maintaining their roots and adapting to life in Texas. Full Story
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to keep in place for now new restrictions on Texas abortion facilities has thrust the state and the hot-button social issue back into the national spotlight. Full Story