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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 8, 2012

Ramshaw on Texas Democrats’ efforts to keep some political money from leaving the state, Root on lessons learned at the GOP convention, Aaronson profiles an insurance regulator some say is too cozy with insurers, Aguilar on the next round in a the voter ID fight, Batheja on the most congested roads in Texas, Galbraith finds a rising tide of property-rights cases, Grissom on the latest reform in juvenile justice, Hamilton on computers that teach algebra, Ryan and Galbraith map struggling public water systems and M. Smith on the state’s request to waive some federal education standards: The best of our best from Sept. 3 to 7, 2012. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Simpson Joins Criticism of House Redistricting

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 7, 2012

One of the House's most conservative members said Friday he is "pretty dismayed" about redistricting conversations revealed in a stern letter to House Speaker Joe Straus from a top Democratic legislator. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Insurance Firms Paid $271 Million in Bastrop Fire Claims

By Audrey White Sept. 7, 2012

The top 10 homeowners insurers in Texas paid out more than $270 million in claims related to last year's Bastrop wildfires, according to a new report. But that is still much less than some other catastrophes, like Dallas' April hailstorms, which led to $2 billion in insurance losses. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
The Evening Brief: Sept. 7, 2012

By David Muto Sept. 7, 2012

Your evening reading: Texas Republicans slam Obama for weak jobless report; state's insurance commissioner answers bias charges; $29,000 salary bump over predecessor for new education commissioner Full Story
TEA Commissioner Michael Williams Will Make $215K

By Morgan Smith Sept. 7, 2012

New Texas Education Agency Commissioner Michael Williams will get a salary bump of about $29,000 over his predecessor, the governor's office confirmed Friday. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Fort Worth Stretch Sets the Pace in List of State's Most Congested Roads

By Aman Batheja Sept. 7, 2012

The Texas Department of Transportation's annual list of the 100 most congested roadways ranks a section of Interstate 35W in Fort Worth as the worst stretch of asphalt in the state. Use our sortable table to look at TxDOT's list. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
The Brief: Sept. 7, 2012

By David Muto Sept. 7, 2012

As Democrats wrapped up their festivities in Charlotte on Thursday, education news stole some of the spotlight in Texas. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Insurance Chief Answers Charges of Industry Bias

By Becca Aaronson Sept. 7, 2012

Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman has been the subject of concerns raised by lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups. But she deflects the criticism, saying her focus is only on how to best serve Texas consumers. Full Story

Credit: Erin Trieb
Budget Outlook is Better, but Not Necessarily Good

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 7, 2012

Writing the state budget might not be as difficult next year as it was two years ago, but things haven't improved enough to make it easy. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
At UT-Arlington, a New Way to Tackle Algebra

By Reeve Hamilton Sept. 7, 2012

In an effort to address lagging student success in required algebra courses, the University of Texas at Arlington is taking an approach that is becoming more common throughout the country: letting computers do the teaching. Full Story

Credit: Allison V. Smith for The Texas Tribune
In Pitch to Young Voters, Longoria Recalls Texas Upbringing

By Emily Ramshaw Sept. 6, 2012

Two Latina Texans — actress Eva Longoria and College Democrats President Alejandra Salinas — graced the Democratic National Convention stage on Thursday night with messages that seemed targeted at young voters. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Ricky Brigante / Todd Wiseman
TribLive: Against In-State Tuition

By Evan Smith Sept. 6, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, GOP state Reps. and Texas Senate hopefuls Kelly Hancock, Ken Paxton and Larry Taylor came out against the state's policy of offering in-state tuition to the children of undocumented persons. Full Story
The Evening Brief: Sept. 6, 2012

By David Muto Sept. 6, 2012

Your evening reading: state to apply for No Child Left Behind waiver; Texas Republicans lead attack on Obama before his convention speech; TxDOT approves fastest speed limit in U.S. Full Story

Credit: Shannan Muskopf
Video: Democrats Proud of Diversity at DNC

By Alana Rocha Sept. 6, 2012

Delegates at the 2012 Democratic National Convention reflect proudly on diversity in the party. Full Story
At Senate Hearing, a Debate Over Renewable Energy Incentives

By Kate Galbraith Sept. 6, 2012

At a Senate hearing on Thursday, Texas Public Utility chairwoman Donna Nelson sharply criticized renewable energy incentives, saying that they are “one of the primary causes” of the current strains on the state power grid. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
TribLive: The Two-Thirds Rule and Democratic Chairs

By Evan Smith Sept. 6, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, GOP state Reps. and Texas Senate hopefuls Kelly Hancock, Ken Paxton and Larry Taylor discussed two key procedural matters related to the 83rd Legislative Session. Full Story
Weekend Insider: Texas Budget, Assistance for Migrant Students

By Justin Dehn Sept. 6, 2012

In this edition of the Weekend Insider: The Texas state budget may not be as bad as expected, and a program to help migrant students attend college reaches a milestone. Full Story
Video: Emily Ramshaw From the DNC Sidelines

By Paul Brown, YNN Sept. 6, 2012

The Tribune's Emily Ramshaw talks with Paul Brown of YNN/Capital Tonight after day two of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Full Story
Texas to Apply for No Child Left Behind Waiver

By Morgan Smith Sept. 6, 2012

Texas plans to join the more than 30 states that have already asked for a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act's requirements, according to a letter new state Education Commissioner Michael Williams sent school districts Thursday. Full Story
Interactive Map: Public Water System Shortages

By Kate Galbraith and Ryan Murphy Sept. 6, 2012

The drought that began in October 2010 has continued into 2012, and it has taken a toll on Texas' water supplies. This map shows communities that are at risk of running out of water within 180 days. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Ryan Murphy