After months of fielding complaints about smart electric meters, the Texas Public Utility Commission will hold an open meeting Tuesday to hear testimony from opponents and supporters of the technology. Full Story
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Texas' Republican leaders believe that abortion should not be performed in instances of rape — a stance that is at odds with a prospective Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan presidential administration. Full Story
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Dramatic increases in oil and gas production, and the drilling technique called fracking, have been tied to elevated levels of air pollution in Texas, stirring concerns over health risks like cancer. Full Story
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U.S. Senate hopeful Ted Cruz has snagged a prominent speaking role on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Tampa next week. Two other major Texas political figures, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul and Gov. Rick Perry, are not expected to address convention delegates. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Cornyn suggests Missouri Senate candidate should withdraw from race; Perry says "deferred action" doesn't alter state policies; Planned Parenthood to expand breast health screenings Full Story
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This week on the Newsreel, a look at property taxes versus sales taxes, 85-mph speed limits and Super PAC contributions from Texas. Full Story
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Planned Parenthood will expand breast health services to more than 40,000 women across five Texas cities, the result of increased donations following Dallas-based Susan G. Komen for the Cure's short-lived decision to halt funding to the organization. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry has advised state agencies that the recent “deferred action” policy to allow illegal immigrants a two-year reprieve from deportation and a work permit does not change state policies. Full Story
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For the latest clues on whether Rick Perry plans to run for governor again, follow the money. Full Story
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The state economy, and the state's finances, look relatively good. Tax revenue is far higher than the comptroller had predicted. But don't get too confident — there are some tough decisions ahead. Full Story
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"Pocket prairies" have been popping up all over Houston, helping beautify the city while preserving the native plants that are now harder to find in Harris County. Full Story
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Ted Cruz, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, told Meet the Press moderator David Gregory that he's "thrilled with the pick of Paul Ryan" as Mitt Romney's running mate. Full Story
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Because of the complexity of school finance, it’s tempting to turn to per-student spending to understand how well — or how poorly — a district is spending its money. But that approach has its perils. Full Story
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Aaronson and Ramshaw map West Nile incidence by county, Aguilar on early applicants for deferred action, Batheja on emerging plans for a bullet train, Grissom on the latest in the Larry Swearingen case, Hamilton on the College Station shooting, Murphy maps the stunningly noncompetitive general election, Ramsey on why property taxes are politically dangerous to mess with, Root on alleged improprieties by a Capitol staffer, M. Smith on public ed personnel cuts and Tan on questions about the state-run Women's Health Program: The best of our best content from Aug. 13-17, 2012. Full Story
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Your evening reading: UT System announces plans for South Texas medical school; state's unemployment rate rises to 7.2 percent; aide to state representative under investigation for travel reimbursements Full Story
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Amid major changes at health science centers across the state, University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa on Friday announced his intention to establish a freestanding medical school in the Rio Grande Valley. Full Story
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John Higgins, a top aide to state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, R-Lexington, is under criminal investigation for alleged improprieties related to travel reimbursements he got from the state, a prosecutor told the Tribune on Friday. Full Story
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Texas may have reached a milestone in July, reporting two straight years of job growth. But the unemployment rate inched up again last month, from 7 percent to 7.2 percent, while economic growth remained relatively consistent. Full Story
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Based on one presidential candidate's campaign schedule, you might think Texas was up for grabs in November. Full Story
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For public universities in Texas that are striving to distinguish themselves — particularly those vying to be the state’s next tier-one research institution — special collections in their libraries can provide a boost. Full Story
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