Hamilton on efforts to boost faculty productivity, Grissom on newly uncovered evidence in an old murder case, Galbraith on a wind-powered construction boom, Dehn unfurls the new Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, Aguilar on this year’s record number of deportations, Ramshaw and Tan on budget cuts and cervical cancer screenings, M. Smith on local control over student grades, Root and Ramshaw on Rick Perry’s latest debate performance, Philpott on an issue that didn’t get its due in that debate and Titus and Murphy on fundraising and spending in congressional races: The best of our best content from October 17 to 21, 2011.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Despite Lingering Concerns, Wind Power Transmission Lines Go Up
Workers are stringing thousands of miles of wires across Texas to aid the wind-power boom, despite lingering controversy — and an estimated cost of $6.8 billion. West Texas businesses have found a niche providing for workers.
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Energy
Weekend Insider: Super PAC Influence, Wind Power Challenges
In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, executive editor Ross Ramsey talks about the influence super PACs have on political campaigns, and reporter Kate Galbraith explains the challenges Texas faces with its wind power boom.
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Energy
New Federal Forecast Says Drought Likely to Worsen Over Winter
While already-sodden northern regions of the United States can prepare for above-average rains this winter, the worst one-year drought in Texas history looks set to persist, according to a federal winter forecast released today.
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Energy
Parched Western States Looking to Perry’s Water Record
You won’t hear about the water problems out West during the GOP presidential debate, but as Ben Philpott reports for KUT News and the Texas Tribune, the problems are there — and the next President could play a role in the solutions.
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Energy
Dewhurst Tells Senate Committees to Study Drought, Wildfires
State Senate committees will soon begin studying the impact of drought on power generation, agriculture and the economy, along with how to improve Texas’ response to wildfires, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced today.
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Energy
More Bad Drought News: End Not in Sight
The town of Junction recently endured a six-week ban on outdoor watering, during which residents sometimes used bathwater to water lawns. With the prospect of drought becoming a way of life, Junction is searching for solutions.
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Energy
Looking Back on Perry’s Energy Record
With Rick Perry set to unveil an energy-centric jobs plan today, Mose Buchele of KUT News looks back at the governor’s handling of energy policy here in Texas.
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Energy
Peanut Farmers Feeling Strain of Record Drought
Little-known fact: Texas is second only to Georgia in peanut farming. But as Terrence Henry of KUT News reports, while Texas’ peanut farmers have dealt with droughts before, they’ve never seen anything like this year’s crippling dry spell.
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Energy
With the Drought, More Dust Storms
Despite last weekend’s rains, the Texas drought lingers — and experts say the number of irritating and dangerous dust storms could increase across the state, especially in West Texas and the Panhandle.