Amid STAAR Test Backlash, School Performance is Mixed
More Texas school districts and charter schools are failing in 2016, though the number of individual campuses that received that label decreased. Full Story
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Texas Ethics Commission Chases "Campaign in a Box" Spending
Commissioners are trying to open so-called “campaign in a box” disclosures, where candidates report their spending on consultants — but not on the specific campaign services those consultants are providing. Full Story
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Trump Spokeswoman Katrina Pierson: We All Make Mistakes
The only person on Donald Trump's campaign who can overshadow the boss and keep her job is Katrina Pierson — the Texan and Trump spokeswoman who has made waves over a pair of embarrassing on-air flubs. Full Story
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![Campaign spokeswoman Katrina Pierson and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.]()
Credit: Katrina Pierson Facebook Page -
The Brief: A New Look at the Cost of Detaining Asylum Seekers
A new Washington Post report digs deeper into the $1 billion contract given to the Corrections Corporation of America to build the facility in Dilley to detain women and children seeking asylum. Full Story
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![Protestors left their signs on the fence surrounding the South Texas Family Residential Center near Dilley, Texas on May 2, 2015.]()
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Analysis: Hiding Texas Campaign Spending Details, Legally
The state is trying to regulate what some have called the “campaign in a box,” when a candidate reports writing one big check to a consultant, who then handles all of the campaign spending off the books. Full Story
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![The Texas Ethics Commission is considering rules that would require political consultants to report their spending in the same way that candidates are required to do.]()
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10 Texas School Names Honoring Confederates Have Changed. At Least 24 Haven't.
Tense debates have raged at Texas schools over the proper place of Confederate names in the public landscape. But many other districts have not considered any changes. Full Story
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![Russell Lee Elementary was named Robert E. Lee Elementary when it opened in 1939. This year, the Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to rename the school, making it one of 10 Texas schools that will bear new names when classes begin later this month. The banner shown above replaced art deco-style letters that spelled out "Robert E. Lee."]()
Credit: Qiling Wang/The Texas Tribune -
From Michael Morton's Wrongful Conviction to Exoneration (Timeline)
In the 30 years since Christine Morton was murdered, her husband Michael Morton has been wrongfully convicted of killing her and fought for sweeping changes to state law. Look back at his case and the developments since his release. Full Story
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![Michael Morton was released on a personal bond in October 2011 after spending nearly 25 years in prison for murdering his wife. DNA evidence ruled him out as Christine Morton's killer.]()
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How Michael Morton’s Wrongful Conviction Has Brought Others Justice
Thirty years ago, a Williamson County murder set in motion a shoddy prosecution that led to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. It's a miscarriage in justice that's still felt in the state's criminal cases. Full Story
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![Michael Morton stands for his February 1987 mugshot (left) and a portrait 25 years later, taken at the Williamson County Courthouse on Feb. 6, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Cornyn Asks DOJ for Answers into Clinton Foundation Probe
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is seeking answers from U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch over potential links between the Clinton Foundation and the U.S. State Department when Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wraps up his keynote address to delegates at the Republican Party of Texas convention in Dallas on May 13, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
Judge Doesn't Rule in Texas' Lawsuit Over Transgender Protections
In the first hearing over a Texas-led lawsuit against the federal government, state attorneys argued that the Obama administration’s guidelines to accommodate transgender students unconstitutionally “hold a gun to the head” of states and school districts. Full Story
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Donald Trump's Rocky Road and Hillary Clinton's Stumbles (Audio)
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott review Hillary Clinton's troubles on the campaign trail — and talk about how Donald Trump's own mistakes appear to be giving her a pass. Full Story
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New in Texas Weekly: Gauging the Trump Effect
The insiders weigh in on the Trump effect in Texas, a prominent Hispanic Republican will work for the Libertarian ticket and Wendy Davis is helping Democrats flip the House — all that and more in the latest issue of our subscriber-only newsletter for political insiders ($). Full Story
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The Brief: Trump an Opportunity for Texas Democrats, Memo Says
An Austin-based Democratic pollster makes the argument that with the GOP presidential nominee's unpopularity, Texas Democrats have a chance to be competitive in more races. Full Story
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![Main stage inside the Alamodome during the Texas Democratic Convention on June 17, 2016]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas Seeks Temporary Block of Rules for Transgender Students
The legal distinction between gender identity and sex will be central as Texas on Friday tries to block the Obama administration's order that public schools accommodate transgender students. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a press conference on June 9, 2016 in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to discuss the filing of a lawsuit against the state of Delaware]()
Credit: Bill Clark for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas Legislator Wonders if a New School Tax Might Bring Less Pain
State Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, wrote to his constituents about school finance and used these phrases along the way: statewide commercial property tax, consolidated funding districts, and statewide property tax. Yikes. Full Story
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George P. Bush, Tim Kaine Talk 2016 Election
In the Roundup: George P. Bush calls on conservatives to back his father’s former primary foe, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine swings through Texas and a Republican congressman is reportedly being asked to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. Full Story
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Texas Democrats Said to Have "Greatest Opportunities in a Generation"
Texas Democrats are being told they have their "greatest opportunities in a generation" this November with Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee and many voters viewing corruption as a major problem in state government. Full Story
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![Signs at the Texas State Democratic convention in San Antonio on June 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Prison Guard's Convicted Killer Wins Another Execution Stay
Robert Lynn Pruett, convicted in the 1999 stabbing death of a state correctional officer, has won another stay of execution from a Court of Criminal Appeals judge. His lethal injection was set for August 23. Full Story
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![Robert Pruett, seen here in a 2013 interview, was sentenced to death in 2002 for the murder of correctional officer Daniel Nagle.]()
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Former Bush National Security Aide: Trump is No Statesman
William Inboden said Donald Trump has shown no interest in “learning the responsible behavior of a statesman” and warned that the GOP standard-bearer would risk the country’s national security and diplomatic relations abroad. Full Story
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![Republican nominee for president Donald Trump at a press conference in Fort Worth on Feb. 26, 2016.]()
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Congressional Panel Extends Review of Roger Williams Ethics Case
Congressional ethics investigators have decided to take a further look at U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, over a legislative amendment he pushed that allegedly benefited his car dealership. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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