Video: Perry Outlines Border Security Plan
Gov. Rick Perry announced on Monday that the state will activate as many as 1,000 Texas National Guard troops to enhance security on the Texas-Mexico border; here is the video of his remarks. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Driver Program Relies on Lender Fined by Feds
Texas sends people who want to make cash payments under the Driver Responsibility Program to ACE Cash Express, which last week agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations that it harasssed borrowers. Full Story
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Abbott, Cruz Blame Obama for "Humanitarian Crisis"
Warning of the dangers faced by undocumented and unaccompanied children crossing the border into the U.S., Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday called on the Obama administration to more strictly enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (left), R-Flower Mound, joined Attorney General Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz for a news conference on June 23, 2014, after touring a Lackland Air Force Base facility in San Antonio that was serving as a shelter for unaccompanied minors who crossed the border.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
From Desks to Dumbbells: Law Lets State Workers Find Time for Fitness
Since the passage of a 2007 law allowing state employees a 30-minute exercise break three times per week, several state agencies have begun offering popular lunchtime workout programs, like weight training and Zumba. Full Story
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![Forensic chemist Rusty White completes a workout during a cross-training class at the DPS office in Austin on May 14, 2014.]()
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Campaigns Contend With Vitriol on Social Media
As the campaigns for gubernatorial candidates Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis use social media to expand the discourse on the issues they consider priorities, they must also deal with addressing issues like name calling and personal attacks in such forums. Full Story
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Stimulus Fund Allegations Spicing Up AG Contest
The campaigns for two GOP attorney general candidates — state Rep. Dan Branch and state Sen. Ken Paxton — are accusing each other of benefiting from President Obama's 2009 stimulus package. Those are fighting words in a Texas GOP primary. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, are in a runoff for attorney general.]()
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Video: As West Continues to Rebuild, Agencies Make Changes
The Federal Emergency Management Agency next week will complete its assessment of damage from an April fertilizer plant explosion in West. As the city continues to recover, state agencies are implementing changes to further ensure safety. Full Story
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DPS to Roll Out Mobile Stations to Process Free Voter IDs
The Texas Department of Public Safety announced on Tuesday that 25 mobile locations will begin processing free election identification certificates on Oct. 1. Full Story
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U.S. DOJ Again Seeks to Stop Texas Voter ID, Redistricting Maps
The U.S. Department of Justice will once again seek to stop Texas’ voter ID law, this time in a lawsuit alleging the measure violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. It will also challenge state redistricting maps. 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.]()
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Hard Copy Not Required: Law to Let Drivers Show Insurance on Phones
Motorists in Texas will soon be allowed to use their cellphones to show proof of insurance during traffic stops. Proponents of the legislation say that the law will increase at the efficiency at those stops. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Money for DPS to Help With Backlog of Rape Kits
Thousands of untested rape kits are likely to get processed for DNA evidence after state budget writers included $11 million for the effort in the 2014-15 budget. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Pictured is a sexual assault evidence collection kit used by law enforcement throughout Texas.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Evidence of Excrement Remains Elusive
Debate continues over whether visitors to the Capitol on July 12 attempted to sneak in containers of human feces. The Department of Public Safety is seeking to withhold information about the alleged incident. Full Story
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Lawmakers Seek Lessons From West Explosion
A panel of House lawmakers on Monday agreed to join other state officials in calling on the federal government to send additional aid to the small town of West, which was rocked in April by a massive plant explosion. Full Story
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![A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.]()
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Budget Plan for DPS Has Pay Hikes for Troopers
The 2014-15 budget plan for the Texas Department of Public Safety doesn't include money for big-ticket items like gunboats or planes, but it does include money for troopers’ raises and retains funding for the agency’s fusion center. Full Story
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![Texas DPS agent Cuevas removes a M2-40 machine gun from newly commissioned patrol vessel. The boat, part of the Tactical Marine Unit, funded by federal Homeland Security grants, will help with the state's efforts in combating Mexican drug cartels patrolling the Rio Grande River]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Measure Allowing Driver's Permits for Undocumented Immigrants Stalls
An amendment that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain a permit to legally drive and purchase insurance in Texas was derailed Friday on a point of order. Full Story
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Bill Would Let Undocumented Immigrants Get Driver's Permit
Members of the House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday seemed amenable to a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants a permit to drive after passing a background check and a driving test. Full Story
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Roadblocks Emerge for Transportation Funding
With less than two months left in the legislative session, some lawmakers are lowering expectations on what can get done related to funding for roads. Full Story
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After Drug Lab Scandal, Court Continues to Reverse Convictions
The Court of Criminal Appeals continued to reverse more convictions of drug offenders on Wednesday after a former employee with a DPS crime laboratory in Houston may have fabricated the results of thousands of drug tests. Full Story
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DPS Changes Security Policy at Governor's Mansion After Lawmakers Complain
Calling the old policy "stupid," the head of the Department of Public Safety said Tuesday that congressional and state elected officials will no longer have to endure a background check to access the Governor's Mansion. Full Story
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Lawmakers Protest Security Policy at Governor's Mansion
At least three Texas state representatives opted not to attend a reception at the Governor's Mansion this week rather than submit to new security procedures requiring that even legislators submit to background checks to gain access. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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