A new report recommends reforming the state-run jail system by mandating probation for certain types of nonviolent felony offenders and only using the jails for those who violate their probation. Full Story
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Though the controversial proposal to build a 4,000-mile network of highways and rail lines across Texas never came to fruition, the Trans-Texas Corridor proposal helped usher a change in how the state builds roads. Full Story
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Despite Gov. Rick Perry’s firm opposition to Medicaid expansion, a key tenet of federal health reform, Texas Democrats remain optimistic that the 2013 legislative session can yield a deal on the issue. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry's control of the executive branch after 12 years in office is well established. But he's made hundreds of judicial appointments, too. Full Story
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The scorching summer months have passed, but the state recorded barely any rainfall in November, sparking fears that Texas could be in store for a dry and potentially devastating winter. Full Story
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A new report has intensified the spotlight on business incentives in Texas. Full Story
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Already a fixture in Houston, toll lane projects are set to spread to cities across Texas. Officials in urban areas say the lanes are a key way to address congestion, but some deride the projects as "Lexus lanes." Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: It's freshman orientation at the Texas Capitol, and Gov. Rick Perry has appointed a new Texas Supreme Court justice and a new secretary of state. Full Story
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Aguilar on Kay Bailey Hutchison’s immigration proposal and an answer to it, Batheja on the rise of toll roads and Murphy’s interactive toll road map, Galbraith on the pushback against “smart” electricity meters, Grissom on snitches in criminal trials, Hamilton finds Florida following Texas on cheap degrees, KUT’s Philpott looks at the next state budget debate, Ramshaw examines efforts to get a medical school in South Texas, E. Smith corners Todd Hunter and Blake Farenthold, and M. Smith takes a look at the state’s report card on high school dropouts: The best of our best from Nov. 26 to 30, 2012. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Cornyn calls White House proposal to unilaterally raise debt ceiling "crazy"; congressional Republicans clashing over approach to immigration reform; education commissioner to delay 15 percent rule Full Story
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Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams on Friday announced that he would defer a rule that requires state end-of-course exams count for 15 percent of high school students' final grades. Full Story
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Robert Titus had told his mom that he would get a college degree. But service in the U.S. Navy and a long sales career derailed that pledge for years. But Titus, 80, is now the proud owner of a degree from WGU Texas, an online university. Full Story
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Freshman legislators are getting their first look at Washington and Austin, and the differences are as clear as red and blue. Full Story
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Amid a lack of public financing to meet the state's transportation needs, Texas officials are increasingly looking to toll projects, some boosted by investments by private firms. Full Story
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Still reflecting on the election, Ted Cruz says he knows why Republicans lost, and what they can do about it. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Dewhurst proposes taking $1 billion from Rainy Day Fund for water projects; Perry voices support for letting districts decide on 15 percent rule; ethics commission backs off plan to add investigative powers Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry has come out in favor of allowing school districts to choose whether to implement a rule requiring that new state assessments count for 15 percent of high school students' final grades. Full Story
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The Texas Ethics Commission backed off Thursday from a proposal to take some investigative authority away from the Travis County district attorney’s office, but the agency approved two recommendations aimed at enhancing criminal investigations of state elected officials. Full Story
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While skeptics say reporting requirements for state graduation rates contain too many loopholes, other education policy experts say Texas deserves credit for implementing innovative programs to keep students in school. Full Story
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Cost-cutting and fiscal transparency will likely dominate the upcoming legislative session, but lawmakers don't have high hopes for reforming the System Benefit Fund, a pot of $850 million not being used for its intended purposes. Full Story
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