After a relative was arrested for shoplifting in a grocery store, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst personally called a North Texas police department to ask how to get her out of jail, saying she had been incarcerated on a "mistaken charge." Full Story
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Your evening reading: police say Dewhurst asked to get relative out of jail; George P. Bush voices support for defunding Affordable Care Act; amid tension, UT regents convene for annual meeting Full Story
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Dallas County has become the first county in the state to join a lawsuit seeking to block implementation of the state's voter ID law, which state officials said would take effect after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June. Full Story
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Reeve, Aman, Evan and Emily talk about a controversial tweet from Attorney General Greg Abbott, the Canadian citizenship of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the state's approach to Obamacare and the conversion of paved roads to gravel ones. Full Story
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It's not surprising that the political class hasn't rallied to one side or the other on the debate over NSA surveillance; the public is sending oblique messages to its elected officials. Full Story
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has added to its list of endangered species two types of Central Texas salamanders that local wildlife officials say play key roles in the region's ecosystem and water supply. Full Story
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The nine members of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, who convene at their annual August meeting Wednesday and Thursday, have been bathed in controversy for more than two years. Full Story
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With the announcement of two new cost-cutting measures, the Texas Department of Transportation has managed to anger dozens of local officials in both rural and urban parts of the state. Full Story
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Texas has led the way in criminal justice reforms, but advocates say there’s more to do. They’re hoping that federal action to reform sentencing laws will provide momentum for further changes here. Full Story
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The Health and Human Services Commission will create a program to promote the resale of certain equipment that was purchased with Medicaid dollars. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Turning the focus away from his birthplace, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday took his push to dismantle "Obamacare" on the road. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry’s office is disputing reports that the state is negotiating with the federal government to draw down $100 million in additional financing under a rule created by the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Texas officials in talks with Obama administration over money for elderly and disabled; Cruz may have to wait to sever ties to Canada; Hilderbran announces bid for comptroller. Full Story
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Ted Cruz saw his fortunes rise after picking up endorsements from like-minded conservatives in Washington. Now he is a hot commodity himself, as a potential 2016 presidential candidate and a potential kingmaker in other Senate races. Full Story
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State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran is entering the comptroller's race. He's the fourth Republican to enter the race after state Sen. Glenn Hegar, former state Rep. Raul Torres and former gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina. Full Story
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College towns across Texas are seeing a rise in so-called stealth dorms, where several students cram into homes in residential areas. Some are calling on cities to limit the number of students allowed to live in residential homes. Full Story
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The Legislature ensured that a fund to help poor Texans with their electricity bills went to its intended purpose. But it also agreed to empty the fund by 2017. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about the GOP primary races for comptroller, railroad commissioner, agriculture commissioner and land commissioner. Full Story
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In an effort to pay for better performance, the federal government is penalizing 169 Texas hospitals that had the highest rates of Medicare patients readmitted within 30 days of being treated for heart failure, heart attacks or pneumonia. Full Story
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He hasn't endorsed in any 2014 races, but U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is already a presence in the Republican primaries. That influence is only going to grow as the races heat up. Full Story
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