The Evening Brief: June 21, 2012
Your evening reading: Texas Democrats hit Romney over immigration plan; Abbott accuses Google of withholding documents; group says state's efforts to prevent blackouts could cost billions Full Story
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![Mitt Romney speaking at the Veterans of Foreign Wars conference in San Antonio on Aug. 30, 2011.]()
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Texas' Blackout Avoidance Measures Could Cost Billions, Group Says
Texas’ efforts to stave off future blackouts could cost ordinary households hundreds of dollars per year, a filing by a Texas industrial group suggests. Texas regulators are due to vote on the proposal next week. Full Story
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Weekend Insider: Tension in Jasper, Surgeries for Obese Texans
The firing of Jasper's first black police chief is exposing racial tensions in the East Texas town. And how much taxpayer money should should be used to subsidize bariatric surgery? Full Story
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Updated: Compass Group to Take Over Services at A&M
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced today that Compass Group, a major private company based in North Carolina, will be taking over dining and support services at Texas A&M University. Full Story
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Advocates Worry Cuts to Food Aid Programs Could Hurt Texas Families
As legislators tinker with what some say is the cornerstone of America's food safety net, some Texans are concerned about what cuts could mean for low-income families, if they come to fruition. Full Story
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The Brief: June 21, 2012
A long-simmering fight between the GOP and the Obama administration threatened to boil over on Wednesday, and Texas Republicans didn't miss the chance to stir the pot. Full Story
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In a More Urban Texas, Farmers Face Uncertain Future
The drought has permanently changed life for some Texans, but in many ways, the scarcity just underlined a looming crisis. For the latest installment in KUT News' series on water issues, Mose Buchele looks at Wharton County, where water concerns have imperiled a generation of rice farmers. Full Story
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![The Brazos River in Knox County during the summer of 2011.]()
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In CD-33, Garcia, Veasey Aim to Draw New Support
Former state Rep. Domingo Garcia of Dallas and state Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth are hoping to encourage their initial supporters to return to the polls and to widen their reach to find success in the CD-33 Democratic runoff. Full Story
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Decision Frees Cable Companies to Pursue State-Issued Franchises
Cable companies can now break existing contracts with cities, negotiating instead for state-issued franchises, after the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal of a ruling that declared a 2005 Texas law unconstitutional. Full Story
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Storify Timeline: Texans Sound Off on "Fast and Furious" Hearing
Texas officials and politicians weren't quiet about a House panel's vote on Wednesday to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt over a fight involving the "Fast and Furious" weapons operation. Use our Storify timeline to follow this week's key developments and to see what Texans had to say. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Spencer Selvidge / Ryan J. Reilly / Todd Wiseman -
The Evening Brief: June 20, 2012
Your evening reading: House panel votes to hold Holder in contempt over Fast and Furious; immigration flares in U.S. Senate race; Governor's Mansion restoration nears completion Full Story
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![U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaking at the University of Texas LBJ Presidential Library on Dec. 13, 2011.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
TribCast: Immigration, Education and the U.S. Senate
Reeve, Ben, Julian and Aman talk about President Obama's new immigration policy, the changing narrative of the U.S. Senate race, and the rigor of the STAAR test. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Historic Furnishings to Return to Governor's Mansion
Restoration of the Texas Governor’s Mansion takes a significant step Wednesday, with the return of historic furnishings to the building. Gov. Rick Perry and the first lady are expected to return to the mansion late next month. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Texplainer: When Legislators Die or Resign, What Happens to Their Seats?
When legislators die or resign, their seat is filled through a special election. The new representative serves out the end of the old representative's term. Full Story
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![The March 1 primary ballot will feature 18 open seats in the Texas Legislature – two in the Senate and 16 in the House.]()
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Immigration Emerges as Flashpoint in Senate Race
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst opposes the DREAM Act, and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz doesn't support amnesty. Yet after the back-and-forth between the rival U.S. Senate campaigns, some voters could be left wondering. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz speak at the Republican Women of Kerr County luncheon at Inn of the Hills in Kerrville, June 15, 2012.]()
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The Brief: June 20, 2012
School's out, but frustration with the state's new STAAR testing system continues to mount. Full Story
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"Come Forward" Policies May Be Put to Test With Federal Immigration Shift
Immigration advocates say how the government treats illegal immigrants who come forward after last week’s federal policy shift will provide a test for other reforms — including those championed by some Texas Republicans. Full Story
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Interactive: A Look at 2012 Primary Turnout by Voting Age Population
Only 11.1 percent of the state's adults voted in the May 29 primary. This interactive lets you explore voting age percentages by county and see a breakdown of voting statistics by county. Full Story
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At Public Ed Hearing, Complaints Center on "15 Percent Rule"
At a House Public Education Committee hearing Tuesday, superintendents and students told lawmakers that the new "15 percent rule" regarding STAAR exams should be done away with, and some lawmakers were receptive. Full Story
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![State Rep. Rob Eissler, R-Woodlands, listens to testimony at a Senate Committee on Education hearing on July 20, 2010.]()
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The Evening Brief: June 19, 2012
Your evening reading: Romney to attend NAACP convention in Houston; Paul still raising millions; Hutchison pushes for federal Juneteenth holiday Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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