As Texas’ rapid growth continues to be fueled by an increase in the Hispanic population, Hispanic and black Texans are likely to keep lagging socioeconomically behind whites, leading to a poorer and less competitive state, according to a new book.

In Texas, 2013 featured a legislative calendar that included multiple special sessions, a filibuster that drew international attention and a multitude of filings for the 2014 elections. Here's a look back at some of 2013's top stories.

Many Republican officials have pointed to George P. Bush, the odds-on favorite in the 2014 land commissioner's race, as an example that Hispanic candidates are able to win statewide GOP primaries. But several political observers do not see a trend starting.

Use this interactive to see which Texas counties have the highest rates of child poverty and unemployment, and to see which counties have the highest raw numbers of children in poverty or people who are unemployed. 

Nearly 30,000 Texans were among more than 610,000 Americans who were homeless this year. But Texas was among the states with the largest decreases in the homeless population.

Full video of my Nov. 18 conversation with veteran political reporters Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, whose new book on the 2012 presidential campaign, Double Down, is already a best-seller.