The state's decision to stop using CSCOPE is a victory for activists who say the lesson plans advanced an anti-American agenda. But small rural districts that relied on it say they'll now have to spend scarce funds on new materials. Full Story
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A subdued start to the special session has shifted attention back to Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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Megan Winfrey spent six years — nearly all of the 25-year-old's adult life — behind bars before she was acquitted of murder. She faces the colossal challenge of starting her life without compensation for the years she lost in prison. Full Story
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No sooner did lawmakers gavel out the 83rd regular session than Gov. Rick Perry called them back for a special session. So this week's news-inspired playlist starts with "Stay a Little Longer," by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Now that the regular legislative session is over and the special session is under way, the focus has turned to who may be running for office in 2014, and to another round of redistricting. Full Story
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Root considers Rick Perry’s next move, Rocha and Dehn take a fast look back at the regular session, KUT’s Philpott on the return of redistricting, Murphy’s interactive look at 40 years of special sessions, Aaronson on calls for conservative issues in the special session, M. Smith on the education bills in front of the governor, Ramshaw on the fate of transparency legislation, E. Smith’s TribLive review of the Senate’s session, Hamilton finds the work of UT regents undisturbed by the session, Galbraith on new obstacles for water planning, Batheja reports on a revived search for highway money, and Aguilar on increasing numbers of naturalized citizens: The best of our best for the week of May 27-31, 2013. Full Story
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Texas lawmakers may still be hanging around the Capitol for a special legislative session, but their minds are wandering toward 2014. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry open to adding items to special session agenda; Texas man questioned over ricin letters; House redistricting chief considering hearings outside Austin Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry told reporters Friday that he is leaving open the possibility of adding more items to the agenda of the special legislative session, but he wants to first see specific proposals that have a chance of passing. Full Story
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Here's full video of my May 30 TribLive conversation debriefing the 83rd Legislature with state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin. Full Story
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The current special session is the 10th in Gov. Rick Perry's gubernatorial tenure. Take a look at our visualization to see all the special sessions called since 1971, the subjects lawmakers tackled and how Perry compares to previous governors. Full Story
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Robert Black, a former aide to Gov. Rick Perry, has some advice for people who think they can predict the governor's next political move: "For those out there trying to read the tea leaves, don’t. Because you’re probably going to be wrong.” Full Story
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The comity of the regular session might disappear in a special session: The rules change to the disadvantage of the Democrats, and the agenda changes to the advantage of the governor. Full Story
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Legislators made Texas the 21st state to prohibit the use of gas chambers to euthanize animals that have not been claimed or adopted. But switching to the only legal method, lethal injection, could be costly for some. Full Story
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At the first redistricting hearing of the special session, the head of the Senate's redistricting committee said he's open to feedback and amendments to bills that would make the current court-drawn maps permanent. Full Story
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So much for lawmakers acting quickly on redistricting this time around. Full Story
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Your evening reading: special session likely to last at least two more weeks; Patrick still weighing bid for lieutenant governor; Cruz won't rule out filibuster on immigration bill Full Story
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Thwarted attempts at boosting the Texas Department of Transportation's budget could get another shot in the special session. Full Story
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Citing a lack of public funding, the Texas Transportation Commission voted Thursday to agree to consider changing its rules to allow it to share financial risk with the private sector on some toll projects. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin, talked about the 83rd Legislature's approach to public education reform. Full Story
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