In drilling regions like the Permian Basin, where the water needs of fracking have run up against a historic drought, drillers are increasingly turning to brackish groundwater previously thought too expensive to use. Full Story
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An exit ramp so important it warrants mention in the Texas budget is just one of the many "riders" in competing spending plans proposed by the Texas House and Senate. Full Story
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Texas' health department has embarked on a $10 million project aimed at preventing people with mental health or substance abuse issues from developing chronic diseases. Full Story
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About 50 Texas farmers markets take SNAP benefits, WIC benefits or both. The programs are not well utilized, but proponents say it's important to provide as many healthy food options as possible for Texans who use nutrition benefits. Full Story
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Key legislation aimed at easing the state's water woes took a major step forward on Wednesday. Full Story
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The Texas House approved legislation Wednesday that would use $2 billion to start funding water projects in the state. HB 4 would create a water bank that would offer loans for projects like new water reservoirs, pipelines and conservation projects. Full Story
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On today's Agenda Texas, from KUT News: The 2013 legislative session started quietly for groups hoping to pass anti-abortion legislation, but such measures are starting to gain momentum. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry, Cornyn and Cruz to unite against Medicaid expansion; Norwood sentenced to life in prison for Morton murder; Gohmert refused parking ticket in D.C. Full Story
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Family members of Christine Morton and Debra Baker filled a Tom Green County courtroom with tearful hugs and relieved smiles on Wednesday after a jury found Mark Alan Norwood guilty of murder. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst indicated Wednesday that he shares the concerns of state senators who have called on the UT System regents to use the attorney general's office for an external review of the UT Law School Foundation. Full Story
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Reeve, Ross, Evan and Morgan talk about the debate over education standards in House Bill 5, the gubernatorial bid of former Texas Workforce Commissioner Tom Pauken, and how the last eight weeks of session might look. Full Story
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The Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony Wednesday on two bills addressing criticisms stemming from the proliferation of toll roads and toll lane projects around the state. Full Story
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In their efforts to prevent a micromanaging crisis at the University of Texas at Austin by the UT System's regents, lawmakers will instead prevent regents from managing a crisis in higher education. Full Story
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Some regents at the University of Texas System are ignoring their constitutional duty to provide support and direction for a "university of the first class." And if they keep it up, they could ruin their flagship school. Full Story
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Today we're pleased to welcome the arrival of a brand new sister publication: In the Flow, a free, twice-a-month newsletter about water and related issues. Full Story
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University of Texas System regents chairman Gene Powell responded to a strongly worded letter from Texas senators, saying that a decision on how to proceed with a review of UT-Austin's law school would be made in the "next few weeks." Full Story
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Both the House and Senate are proposing spending about $194 billion over the next two years. But there are key differences between the two plans. Full Story
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The Court of Criminal Appeals continued to reverse more convictions of drug offenders on Wednesday after a former employee with a DPS crime laboratory in Houston may have fabricated the results of thousands of drug tests. Full Story
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After peaking in September, applications for deferred action have dropped off dramatically. Immigration attorneys think most eligible undocumented immigrants are in a wait-and-see mode amid the federal immigration reform debate. Full Story
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Most fracking operations use several million gallons of water. But with water increasingly scarce and costly around Texas, a few companies have begun using alternative liquids, such as propane. Experts say the technology still has far to go. Full Story
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