The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Federal judges told redistricting lawyers Friday afternoon to redouble their efforts to reach a quick settlement — by next week — on interim political maps for the state's congressional and legislative elections. Full Story
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Pushing the state's primaries from March back to April (or further) could cheat Texas voters out of a rare chance to choose the next nominee for president. Full Story
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A brawl is brewing in South Texas, but this one has nothing to do with cartels or drug smuggling — it's an environmental battle over a proposed surface-mining site that some Eagle Pass residents worry will ruin their way of life. Full Story
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Start here: The judges in charge of the redistricting case in Texas haven't rejected the maps proposed by the state and agreed to by some but not all of the plaintiffs. They simply observed that no deal has been made to satisfy everyone and told everyone to keep talking and get ready for a hearing next week. Full Story
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In the latest Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, dying citrus trees in the Rio Grande Valley and a battle along the border over a proposed coal mining site. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry targeted “left-wing, pro-abortion radicals” in a speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, blaming the Obama administration for the state’s stand-off over the Women’s Health Program. Full Story
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Animal protection organizations are pushing for legislation in Texas that further regulates ownership of exotic animals as pets, but one East Texas resident says she'll fight to keep her 22-year-old African lion. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Ben, Ross, Emily and Morgan discuss redistricting, public school accountability testing and the controversy involving Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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Former Perry campaign manager Rob Johnson has a new job: running a Super PAC for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's U.S. Senate bid. Full Story
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Some say that the Texas Department of Public Safety is going against its own policy with its "limited term" designations for driver's licenses and identification cards. Full Story
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The Department of State Health Services will begin enforcing Texas' abortion sonogram law, after releasing guidelines for women's health clinics on Monday night. Full Story
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Since Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones moved to San Antonio to run for Senate, she shouldn't be collecting a paycheck for a job that requires her to live in Austin, according to a lawsuit filed this afternoon. Full Story
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UPDATED: The state unveiled proposed redistricting maps, saying some of the parties in that litigation have signed off on at least some of the lines. Full Story
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While Texans wait for the courts to determine most of the state's political races, the candidates for U.S. Senate have begun a campaign blitz in the run-up to this spring’s primary. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
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Abortion opponents say they're disappointed by Susan G. Komen for the Cure's decision to reverse its policy of prohibiting grants to Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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In a dramatic reversal on Friday, Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced it will continue funding breast exams at Planned Parenthood clinics. Full Story
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Legislators and abortion opponents cheered the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's original decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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There's still that pesky problem after the maps are drawn: When will Texans vote? Full Story
In two weeks, the federal judges in San Antonio will be drawing a new set of maps. Between now and then, the lawyers on both sides have a lot of writing and arguing to do. Full Story
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This week, the redistricting judges in Washington did the judges in San Antonio a favor, telling them the D.C. panel won't be ruling on its part of the case for a month. The Texans can start drawing maps. Full Story
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