Redistricting has cost Texas taxpayers nearly $1.5 million in legal expenses so far — a total that could rise as more invoices are filed. Use our interactive to compare spending by category or to see the number of hours billed for legal work. Full Story
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At our Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, state Reps. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, and state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other by-products of the 82nd Session. Full Story
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Bernard Rapoport, an outspoken liberal and a stalwart of Texas Democratic politics, died late last night in Waco. He was 94. Full Story
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Supporters of Rick Santorum, who this week faced intensifying calls to drop out of the presidential race, have seized on a new game plan for the Texas primary: Change the rules. Full Story
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If you know Wayne Franke, then you know you'll be getting a congratulatory call for your birthday or wedding anniversary. The contract lobbyist, who lives in Buda, has made a ritual of contacting his friends on their special days. Full Story
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Viability is a standard question in politics. Why is she running? What about that guy? Don’t they know they’re going to lose? The Libertarians and the Greens don't think that's the right question. Full Story
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North Forest ISD has gotten what amounts to a stay of execution. But the question of whether students would be better off attending different schools still lingers. Full Story
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The U.S. is losing a generation of family farmers that may not be replaced, according to national agriculture statistics. And as Mose Buchele of KUT News reports for StateImpact Texas, the drought may be exacerbating that trend in Texas. Full Story
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At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, state Rep. Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, and state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, talked about the impact of cuts to public education. Full Story
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At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, state Reps. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, and state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, declined to endorse their party's likely 2012 presidential nominee. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Santorum supporters pushing to make Texas primary winner-take-all; cost of redistricting legal battle for state approaching $1 million; Paul begins California campaign push Full Story
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Wal-Mart looks to provide a cheaper alternative to workers compensation for their employees, and a Houston school district struggles with the possibility of closure. Full Story
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Supporters of Rick Santorum want to change the rules for the state's presidential primary so the winner gets all the delegates that are up for grabs. But they face major hurdles. Full Story
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The manager of a West Texas farm on the oddities of crop insurance, why all the farmers near Lubbock want to grow cotton and why West Texans don't believe in climate change despite the drought and weird weather. Full Story
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His opponents may be preparing to campaign harder in Texas, but Mitt Romney appears to be winning the state's endorsement race. Full Story
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There's little research that indicates closing districts will improve outcomes for students, but letting chronically low-performing and financially mismanaged schools stay open doesn't work either. Full Story
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Public health officials in Austin, an area with one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state, have launched an effort to educate teens about sexual health using a familiar medium: their cellphones. Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports on how the effort compares to information students receive in school. Full Story
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Yearly state accountability ratings can make or break a school district. But there's more to determining how districts stack up. Use our interactive data application to explore how districts' demographics and finances correlate to their ratings. Full Story
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Mitt Romney has snagged endorsements from three Texas congressmen, including Pete Sessions of Dallas, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who said it's time for the GOP to unite behind one candidate. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry will tour tornado-devastated areas of North Texas on Thursday. Hundreds of homes were damaged and several people injured during frightening afternoon twisters on Tuesday. Full Story
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