The automatic federal spending cuts known as the sequester could hit special education and programs for low-income students hardest. And state lawmakers are unlikely to come up with cash to fill the federal hole. Full Story
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Fewer than 85 percent of Texas students in the class of 2010 graduated from high school. At a hearing Thursday in the state Senate, lawmakers heard the case for keeping better tabs on dropouts who end up back in school. Full Story
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After successfully leading the bruising campaigns for two state senators and a state representative, Terrysa Guerra, an unassuming Democratic strategist, has emerged as a secret weapon for her party. Full Story
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Eleanor Kitzman, the state's insurance commissioner, will be out of a job at the end of the session if she's not reappointed by Gov. Rick Perry and approved by the Texas Senate. Full Story
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He's been out of office for months, but one of Ron Paul's pet issues — gold — may be gaining traction in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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On the third day of Mark Alan Norwood’s capital murder trial, prosecutors concluded their presentation of DNA evidence and presented more evidence that they say connects him to the 1986 murder of Christine Morton. Full Story
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Your evening reading: former workforce commissioner announces bid for governor; House committee approves budget with additional school funding; Cornyn wants hearing on immigrant release Full Story
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Thursday demanded that more information be released regarding the government's decision to release hundreds of unauthorized immigrants from immigration detention centers in Texas. Full Story
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Call it the Rick Perry gold rush: The governor wants to bring the state’s gold reserves back from a New York vault to Texas. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, Ross Ramsey talked to state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and state Reps. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, and Gene Wu, D-Houston, about the prospect of school voucher legislation. Full Story
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The $193.8 billion budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee includes an extra $2.5 billion for public education. The bill is smaller than the Senate budget by about $1.7 billion. Full Story
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A House committee discussed whether to regulate the ownership of “big cats and nonhuman primates" at a hearing Wednesday. Animal rights groups say these animals are a threat to public safety, while owners of tigers, lions and other large cats say they already face enough regulation. Full Story
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Many Republican officials are moderating their views on immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants already in the U.S. Their voters, however, remain opposed to the idea. And Tea Party voters are strongly opposed. Full Story
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Tom Pauken, the former Texas workforce commissioner and former chairman of the Texas Republican Party, confirmed Thursday to the Tribune that he will file to run for governor. Full Story
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Longtime employees of the University of Texas System could not recall a split vote on the board of regents, which has traditionally settled differences behind closed doors and presented a unified front. That changed on Wednesday. Full Story
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When the state closes a decade's worth of testing under the TAKS exams in April, it will mark the end of a period that saw students’ scores on the standardized tests soar. But that success hasn't translated to improvement on national measures. Full Story
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Wichita Falls is the largest city in Texas in danger of running out of water. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the city of more than 100,000 could run out of water in less than six months. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry said last week that any Medicaid overhaul in Texas should include so-called asset testing, "to ensure care is there for those who really need it most." With lawmakers eyeing a Medicaid expansion, such testing is stirring debate. Full Story
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In a marked departure from 2011, the state Senate on Wednesday passed a two-year budget with relative ease. Full Story
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A sunset bill that continues the operations of the Public Utility Commission of Texas won approval Wednesday from the House, though the legislation would adjust how the commission works. Full Story
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