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  • The Third Coast of Biotech?

    By Reeve Hamilton

    One hundred miles from the nearest major city, where there was nothing but flat earth seven months ago, a 145,000-square-foot facility has sprung up on the Texas A&M Health Science Center campus. Starting in January, its cavernous rooms will be filled with racks of tobacco-like plants expected to produce as many influenza vaccines in a single month as a traditional lab does in one year, at a fraction of the cost. Dr. Brett Giroir, the vice chancellor for research at the Texas A&M University System, calls it the most exciting project of its kind in the world, the potential savior of the next pandemic. And, he says, “it’s in Bryan. Go figure.” Full Story 

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    Credit: Todd Wiseman

  • Tom DeLay Wins!

    By Ross Ramsey

    Yes, a jury convicted the former U.S. House majority leader of money laundering. But his maps — the ones that upended the careers of Democrats and helped the GOP take over Congress — are still in place. No amount of jail time can change that. Full Story 

    Tom DeLay, shown after his trial in 2011. DeLay, who was convicted of conspiracy and money-laundering, was found innocent of all charges by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2014.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • The Shipping News

    By Julián Aguilar

    The prospect of unabashedly Republican Texas becoming communist Cuba's leading U.S. trade partner seemed almost too good to be true. And, indeed, the relationship between two very different kind of red states hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Full Story 

    Barbour's Cut Container Terminal
    Credit: Louis Vest

  • TribBlog: DeLay Convicted

    By Ross Ramsey

    Tom DeLay, the former U.S. House majority leader from Sugar Land, was convicted on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering this afternoon. Full Story 

    Tom DeLay, at the Travis County courthouse following his conviction on money-laundering charges.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • TribBlog: RINO Hunters

    By Ross Ramsey

    The latest salvo in the speaker race is a slick internet video that argues the House should have a more conservative speaker than Joe Straus. And it suggests the fight to come, knocking over dominoes with the pictures of "Republicans In Name Only" who could be targets in the GOP primaries two years from now: Keffer, Truitt, Geren, Solomons, Eissler, Cook... Full Story 

    Joe Straus' face on a slot machine. Screen grab from internet ad.

  • Deliberations Continue in DeLay Case

    By Matt Largey, KUT News

    The jury in the money laundering trial of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, continues to deliberate — and is asking some questions of visiting District Judge Pat Priest. Full Story 

    Tom DeLay, shown after his trial in 2011. DeLay, who was convicted of conspiracy and money-laundering, was found innocent of all charges by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2014.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Deborah Peel: The TT Interview

    By Emily Ramshaw

    The patient privacy advocate on why our electronic medical records are in grave danger, how they could be used to discriminate against us and what Facebook can teach health care professionals about informed consent. Full Story 

    Deborah Peel, founder and chair of the non-profit Patient Privacy Rights
    Credit: Emily Ramshaw

  • The Techbook Wars

    By Morgan Smith

    Penny-pinchers at the State Board of Education opted to incorporate changes to the high school science curriculum via lower-cost electronic supplements to existing textbooks instead of spending up to $500 million to have new ones printed. Trouble is, many schools lack the technological capability to use them. Full Story 

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    Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman

  • House Ethics Panel on Speaker's Race Threats

    By Elise Hu

    In a House Ethics Committee meeting Tuesday, state Rep. Chuck Hopson, R-Jacksonville, revealed that state Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, is the man behind an alleged threat that lawmakers who fail to support Speaker Joe Straus for re-election could face retribution through redistricting. Hopson named Phillips before the panel went into a closed executive session to discuss the allegation. Full Story 

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  • DeLay of Reckoning

    By Matt Largey, KUT News

    Jury deliberations have begun in the money-laundering trial of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land. Matt Largey of KUT News reports on what happens now — and how long it could take. Full Story 

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    Credit: Majorie Cotera

  • State of Overdose

    By Brandi Grissom

    Deaths from accidental overdoses increased in Texas by more than 150 percent from 1999 to 2007, according to a recent report from the Drug Policy Alliance. Accidental poisoning during that time was the third-leading cause of injury-related deaths statewide, behind only car crashes and suicide. Full Story 

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    Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman