On the Texas side of the U.S. border with Mexico, an estimated half a million people live in colonias, impoverished subdivisions that often lack basic services. Take our video tour of some of the worst — and most improved — conditions.
Health care
In-depth reporting on public health, healthcare policy, hospitals, and wellness issues shaping communities across Texas, from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
The Next Green Grocery Frontier: Zero Waste?
A trio of brothers and their business partner are hoping to change grocery shopping habits in Austin with in.gredients, billed as the first “zero-waste, package-free” market in the nation.
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Demographics
Red Tape, Catch-22s Slow Progress in Texas Colonias
Conditions have clearly improved in Texas’ colonias since devious developers first established them for migrant workers in the 1950s. But many efforts have fallen short, the result of bureaucratic nightmares and a spiral of confusion and fees.
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Health care
Texas 12th Most Obese State, Study Finds
They say everything’s bigger in Texas — and apparently, that includes the people. Texas ranks as the 12th most obese state in the U.S., according to a new study by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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Health care
Courtroom Battle Begins on Abortion Sonogram Law
Opposing legal teams presented arguments at the first courtroom hearing on Texas’ new abortion sonogram law on Wednesday, and U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks said he hoped to rule by September on whether the measure could take effect.
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Health care
Perry Throws His Weight Around Lege and Comes Out a Winner
Gov. Rick Perry may or may not try to become the leader of what was once called the free world. In the meantime, he has cemented his reputation as one of the most powerful governors ever to walk the corridors of the Texas Capitol.
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Health care
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Tan on how it all came out in the special session, Tan and Dehn on what the Tea Party folks thought of the results, Aguilar on Rick Perry’s uneasy relationship with Latinos, Root on Perry’s past positions on various controversies and how those would figure into a presidential race, Ramshaw on a $90 million health care mistake, yours truly on the candidates falling out of the race for the U.S. Senate, Hamilton’s exit interview with former University of Texas advisor Rick O’Donnell, Grissom on Anthony Graves’ payday, and Galbraith on the Texas drought’s effect on hallowed athletic grounds: The best of our best content from June 27 to July 1, 2011.
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Health care
Group Asks For Injunction Against Sonogram Law
The Center for Reproductive Rights, a national abortion rights advocacy group, filed a motion Thursday in U.S. District Court to postpone implementation of Texas’ recently signed abortion sonogram bill.
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Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: In Closing
You can let your children out of the storm cellar — the Texas Legislature has gone home. Better still, our insiders don’t think lawmakers will be back in session before January 2013, when the 83rd Legislature will convene.
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Demographics
Rick Perry: Deft Leader or Teflon Governor?
Attribute it to a Teflon coating, to his decisive win in a divided primary last year, or to luck, but Gov. Rick Perry is coming out of the 82nd legislative session without many bruises.
