The Department of State Health Services will allow an El Paso abortion clinic to reopen after a federal judge ruled that state health officials cannot enforce the state's requirement that abortion facilities meet hospital-like standards against the provider.

Don’t expect Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to apologize over a social media post that appeared to call for the atomic bombing of “the Muslim world” – despite an outcry from critics. Miller, who is currently on a trade mission to China, did not personally share a controversial photo that appeared on his campaign Facebook account and has since been removed.

The Houston City Council used the wrong language when it put the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, better known as HERO, on the November election ballot, Texas Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The court ruled the council must reword the language because the vote should be on whether to affirm the ordinance, not repeal it. That means the ordinance will not take effect unless voters say so.

Lawyers for former Gov. Rick Perry are asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to throw out the remaining count in the indictment against him.

After re-filing indictments against Attorney General Ken Paxton in his securities fraud case, two special prosecutors are pushing back against criticism from Paxton's attorney, who says Tuesday's action raises questions about the case.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. John Whitmire on Tuesday announced the creation of an interim jail safety study committee following concerns in the wake of the hanging death of Sandra Bland and the deaths of other jail inmates.

Facing a temporary restraining order, the University of Texas at Austin delayed plans to relocate over the weekend the statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.

The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a new admissions policy for its 10 universities Thursday, mandating strict guidelines for how and when letters of recommendation are considered.

University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves announced Thursday that he has convened a group of students, faculty and staff to recommend policies for the school to comply with a new state law that will allow the concealed carrying of gun on college campuses.

Texas A&M University has dropped out of the race to host a presidential debate in 2016, citing high costs and logistical challenges. Two other Texas sites remain in contention.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed another set of rules that would slash oil and gas sector emissions of methane, which often leaks from well pads, compressor stations, processing plants and other equipment used in production.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Gov. Greg Abbott named Mike Swanson as judge of the 143rd Judicial District Court, which covers Loving, Reeves, and Ward counties. He named Sara Kate Billingsley of Odessa to the 446th Judicial District Court in Ector County.  He also appointed a pair of judges to courts in Collin County — and Piper McCraw of McKinney to the 469th Judicial District Court and Emily Miskel of Dallas to the 470th Judicial District Court.

Miguel Romano, Jr. of Austin was named by Abbott to the State Securities Board for a term to expire Jan. 20, 2021.

Malinda L. Cowen of Beeville was named by Abbott to the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2018.

Abbott also made three appointments to the Stephen F. Austin University board of regents. He named Alton Frailey of Katy, Nelda Blair of The Woodlands and Scott Coleman of Houston, who is a reappointment, to terms to expire Jan. 31, 2021.

Peter Cramton, an expert in energy auctions at the University of Maryland, will join the board of directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the grid covering most of the state.

Hood County businessman Kevin Downing launched his candidacy late last week to replace retiring state Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland.

Chente Quintanilla intends to run to regain the El Paso County House seat that he represented for five Legislatures beginning in 2003. In 2012, he opted for an unsuccessful run for county commissioner.

Senate District 1 candidate Bryan Hughes rolled out Monday the endorsement of the DPS Officers Association. He is running to succeed Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, who has opted not to run for re-election.

Senate District 24 candidate Dawn Buckingham announced Monday the endorsement of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

Corsicana businessman Thomas McNutt announced Tuesday an endorsement from former Republican Party of Texas Chairwoman Cathie Adams for his candidacy for the Texas House district currently held by Byron Cook.

Houston mayoral candidate Bill King announced on Wednesday that he has the backing of former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.

Julie Linn is stepping down as president of Texans for Education Reform to take a job as senior vice president at Great Hearts Texas. She will take a seat on TER's board of directors next month.

Deaths: Sam Tasby, 93, the lead plaintiff in the 1970 class-action lawsuit that would usher in the desegregation of Dallas ISD schools. A northeast Dallas middle school is now named for him.

Disclosure: Stephen F. Austin University was a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune in 2014. Texans for Education Reform was a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune in 2013. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.