Courts

The Midday Brief: November 30, 2009

by Reeve Hamilton

Your afternoon reading. Full Story 

On the Records: Hutchison vs. White Money

by Matt Stiles

With some notable exceptions, few political donors cut checks to both candidates. Full Story 

On the Records: Mack Brown vs. Mike Sherman

by Matt Stiles

We've added Texas A&M to our payroll database, so now you can compare both coaches' salaries. Let's hope next week's game isn't so lopsided. Full Story 

TribBlog: Supreme Court Won't Review Bonfire Ruling

by Emily Ramshaw

The Texas Supreme Court today freed Texas A&M University from further liability in the decade-old bonfire case. Full Story 

On the Records: Tracking Unemployment

by Matt Stiles

Analyzing unemployment in Texas: What would Google do? Full Story 

TribBlog: Perry Won't Grant Thompson Clemency

by Emily Ramshaw

Gov. Rick Perry won't grant clemency to Robert Lee Thompson, who was sentenced to death under Texas' controversial "law of parties." Full Story 

The Brief: November 18, 2009

by Reeve Hamilton

Could Sarah Palin be far behind? Full Story 

On the Records: Your Turn to Make Word Clouds

by Higinio Maycotte and Matt Stiles

An easy guide to visualizing tweets. Full Story 

Behind Closed Doors

by Elise Hu

Should the Texas Forensic Science Commission meet in private? The new chairman, John Bradley, says there's a good argument for it. Full Story 

The Public Payroll

by Ross Ramsey

Our searchable database of public employees' pay — now featuring data from universities and eight of the state's largest cities. Full Story 

On the Records: Campaign-Finance FAIL.

by Matt Stiles

Numbers and text don't mix. Full Story 

Off The Books, Part Two: Contractor Conflicts

by Emily Ramshaw

State contractors – many of whom get paid top dollar to advise Texas agencies – are largely immune from reporting conflicts of interest. Full Story 

TribBlog: The Inside of Hasan's Apartment

by Emily Ramshaw

All-star Dallas Morning News journalists Lee Hancock and Courtney Perry somehow finagled their way into the apartment of Maj. Nidal Hasan, the army psychiatrist who murdered more than a dozen people at Fort Hood last week. Full Story 

The Brief: November 11, 2009

by Reeve Hamilton

There was a bittersweet note of unity preceding what will undoubtedly prove a poignant Veteran’s Day. Full Story 

Off The Books, Part One: High-Price High-Tech

by Emily Ramshaw

State agencies are spending tens of millions of dollars every year on information technology contract workers, employees who aren’t on the state payroll – but whose pay often dwarfs those who are. Full Story 

Forensic Science Chairmen Face Off

by Elise Hu

John Bradley, the Williamson County District Attorney and the newly-appointed chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, spent his morning answering a steady stream of questions from Texas lawmakers. At issue, if and when his panel will re-open the investigation into whether faulty science led to the arson conviction of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed by the state in 2004. Full Story 

TribBlog: Bradley Makes His Case

by Matt Stiles

Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley expected some verbal jousting today at the Senate Criminal Justice Committee about his plans for the Texas Forensic Science Commission. He was right. Full Story 

On the Records: Ethics Fines Now Searchable

by Matt Stiles

In keeping with our goal of making government data more accessible, we've created a simple application for searching fines issued by the Texas Ethics Commission. Full Story 

TribBlog: A Timely Announcement

by Emily Ramshaw

Gov. Perry made a timely announcement today: He's proposing initiatives to improve mental health programs for veterans. Full Story 

Case Open

by Emily Ramshaw and Matt Stiles

If you're waiting for closure on questions of Cameron Todd Willingham's guilt or innocence, get comfortable. The Texas Forensic Science Commission's new chair tells the Tribune that he doesn't yet have the rules or resources to investigate whether faulty science led to the Corsicana man's conviction and execution. Full Story