Private, for-profit colleges, which offer professional certificates at a steep cost, have come under fire for peddling big student loans to vulnerable Texans in exchange for credentials of dubious value.
The “Career” Path
Posted in
Health care
A Shot in the Arm
Most of Texas’ health insurance companies have fully covered the costs of the infant vaccine Prevnar 13, which prevents deadly cases of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis. The exception has been Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, which has forced physicians to make up the difference or turn babies away. But no more: On Monday, the same day The Texas Tribune asked about the reimbursement gap, BCBS reversed course. It will now cover all costs associated with the vaccine.
Posted in
Demographics
Ports of Prosperity
After a sluggish 2009, Texas’ top trade districts — Houston, Laredo and El Paso — are rebounding well from the national recession and witnessing huge increases in the value of trade passing through their ports this year.
Posted in
Demographics
TribBlog: Troops to Texas Aug. 1
Of the 1,200 National Guard troops deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border, Texas will see 250 — fewer than half of the 524 ordered to Arizona.
Posted in
Energy
TribBlog: PACE Slows
A national program to encourage energy-efficiency and solar in homes is generating interest in Texas cities — even as it has encountered setbacks in Washington.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: July 19, 2010
It seems that business and politics may not mix well for gubernatorial candidate Bill White.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Hide in Plain Sight
A few elected officials and municipalities in Texas are asking a federal judge to throw out the state’s open meetings law, which they claim is an infringement on free speech. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted in
Energy
The Off Switch
Rather than building new power plants just to meet peak electricity demand on hot summer afternoons, why not just persuade people and companies to use less electricity? “Demand response” is quickly taking hold in Texas.
Posted in
State Government
Follow the Money
The mid-year campaign finance reports reveal which races have the attention of the political players. They’re a down-in-the-weeds look at where the fights will be this fall.
