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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 15, 2012

M. Smith finds school choice already under way in some local districts, E. Smith grills a top energy regulator on conflicts of interest, Root reports on ethics reforms proposed by Tea Party activists, Ramshaw looks at elective surgery’s correlation to the state map, Galbraith and Murphy update the mapping data on the state’s lingering drought, Grissom finds fewer convicts being sent to Texas’ death row, Batheja reports on criticism of state economic incentives from the business community, Aguilar finds political activists in Texas organizing to watch Mexico’s government and Aaronson has details on the governor’s support for banning abortions after 20 weeks: The best of our best from Dec. 10 to 14, 2012. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Dual Eligible Payments to Be Partially Restored in 2013

By Alana Rocha Dec. 14, 2012

Health care providers in Texas who treat dual eligible patients — those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits — will get some relief in 2013. Full Story

Credit: Reynaldo Leal
The Evening Brief: Dec. 14, 2012

By David Muto Dec. 14, 2012

Your evening reading: Texas officials react to Connecticut shooting; Patterson says arming school personnel would save lives; payment for CPRIT consultants stirs criticism Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Big Pay for Cancer Foundation Consultants Draws Criticism

By Jay Root Dec. 14, 2012

Reports show that much of the $1.2 million of private money raised to help the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas in fiscal year 2011 instead benefited the consultants who oversaw distribution of the funds. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Baylor, Scott & White Announce Merger

By Emily Ramshaw Dec. 14, 2012

UPDATED: The boards of both Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare have signed a letter of intent to merge the two organizations, creating a $7.7 billion health network called Baylor Scott & White Health. Full Story
TribLive: A Conversation with Barry Smitherman

By Evan Smith Dec. 14, 2012

Full video of my 12/13 TribLive conversation with Barry Smitherman, the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Full Story
House Speaker's Race is Bluffing Game for Now

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 14, 2012

In the race for speaker of the Texas House, everybody has the votes they need. Or they're well on their way. Or at least that's what they're telling the rest of us. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
State Records Shed Light on Texas' Early "Illegals"

By Jay Root Dec. 14, 2012

Mexican immigrants are apprehended every day on the Texas-Mexico border. But as Jerry Patterson, the Texas land commissioner, likes to remind fellow Republicans, the shoe used to be on the other foot. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond
As State Eyes School Choice Reform, Some Districts Pursue It Locally

By Morgan Smith Dec. 14, 2012

State leaders are preparing to push for legislation to expand the choices available for Texas' nearly 5 million public school students. Meanwhile, some local districts are already pursuing similar reforms within their own systems. Full Story

Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune
Protesters Try to Shine Light on Human Rights in Mexico

By Era Sundar, KUT News Dec. 14, 2012

Protesters met in front of the Mexican consulate in Austin on Thursday to draw attention to violence and human rights violations in Mexico. The gathering marked the beginning of a new group keeping an eye on Mexico's new political regime. Full Story

Credit: Tamir Kalifa
The Brief: Dec. 14, 2012

By David Muto Dec. 14, 2012

The fiscal cliff still looms large, but the Obama administration appears to have quietly begun moving on the next great debate about to hit Washington: immigration. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
The Evening Brief: Dec. 13, 2012

By David Muto Dec. 13, 2012

Your evening reading: Perry sets special election date for state Senate seat; Fox News host cuts off Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson in heated interview; Hispanic groups warn Congress to fix immigration Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
TribLive: Smitherman on the Shale Boom

By Evan Smith Dec. 13, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman talked about the economic impact of the state's various shale plays, as well as concerns about the negative effects on roads, water and air quality. Full Story
SD-6 Election Set for Jan. 26

By Julián Aguilar Dec. 13, 2012

Gov. Rick Perry announced Thursday that a special election on Jan. 26 will decide who will follow the late state Sen. Mario Gallegos in representing Harris County. Two long-time Democrats are vying for the position. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
TribLive: Smitherman on Conflicts of Interest

By Evan Smith Dec. 13, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman explained his opposition to Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations intended to address perceived conflicts of interest. Full Story
Mexico's New Political Regime Sparks Human Rights Activism in Texas

By Julián Aguilar Dec. 13, 2012

Weeks after Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto's inauguration, a group of activists in Texas is organizing a new effort they say will serve as a watchdog to monitor Mexico's treatment of its citizens. Full Story

Credit: Julian Aguilar
Bill Renews Debate on Merging Top Two Courts

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project Dec. 13, 2012

State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond has filed a bill to abolish the Court of Criminal Appeals and bring all of its related cases under the Texas Supreme Court. He's triggering a debate that goes all the way back to Reconstruction. Full Story

Credit: Frank Swift
The Brief: Dec. 13, 2012

By David Muto Dec. 13, 2012

Weeks away from leaving office, a candid Kay Bailey Hutchison on Wednesday opened up about some of the lingering regrets of her political career. Full Story

Credit: Tamir Kalifa
Updated: Norwood Trial in Morton Murder Set for March

By Brandi Grissom Dec. 12, 2012

Mark Norwood's capital murder trial has been set for March in San Angelo. His lawyers sought the delay so they could find experts to review DNA evidence the state says links him to Christine Morton's 1986 murder. Full Story

Credit: Spencer Selvidge
The Evening Brief: Dec. 12, 2012

By David Muto Dec. 12, 2012

Your evening reading: Straus says he's confident of re-election as speaker; business leaders favor changes to testing system; state posts more strong sales tax growth Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera