Hutchison's ammo falters in debate [1]

By WAYNE SLATER, The Dallas Morning News, Jan. 15, 2010

But for the voters she needs – the conservative, small-government, anti-abortion party activists who will dominate turnout in March – the reason to pick her seemed a less convincing case.

No clear winner emerges after first GOP gubernatorial debate [2]

By ANNA M. TINSLEY and AMAN BATHEJA, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 14, 2010

Although several punches were landed by all candidates, there was no clear winner in the debate that was at times marked by smirks and mocking statements between Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and former Wharton County Republican Party Chairwoman Debra Medina.

Experts review Thursday night's debate performance by GOP candidates [3]

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 14, 2010

Overall theme: Government is ineffective, burdensome and hurts individuals and businesses.

Excerpts from Thursday night's debate [4]

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 14, 2010

"We need to be working to stop these programs before they ever get to the point where you even start talking about the concept of nullification."

Hutchison calls on Medina's help against governor [5]

By BUD KENNEDY, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 14, 2010

For Hutchison — and, for that matter, Medina — the basic game plan right now is to keep the sprinting Perry from running away with the election and winning an outright majority of votes March 2.

What the candidates said on the issues [6]

AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, Jan. 14, 2010

"I never said I wouldn't vote for the bailout. I said I wouldn't give $700 billion to anyone and I didn't."

Taxes, bailout, abortion are flash points in GOP debate [7]

By Jason Embry, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF, Jan. 14, 2010

The debate was notable for the themes it didn't hit. There was hardly any discussion of public education or state transportation policies, and the candidates laid out few specific ideas about what they want to do in office.

Ex-SMU football star Craig James unsure of run for office [8]

By ROBERT T. GARRETT, The Dallas Morning News, Jan. 15, 2010

ESPN college football analyst Craig James says he will fight the "welfare state" that Democrats in Washington are promoting, though he's not yet sure if he'll run for office or simply become a highly vocal citizen.

GOP foes Perry, Hutchison slug it out in first debate [9]

By CHRISTY HOPPE and GROMER JEFFERS Jr., The Dallas Morning News, Jan. 15, 2010

Taxes and testiness dominated the first debate between the Republican candidates for governor, as Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison each suggested the other had lost contact with the truth.

Texas GOP gov. candidates clash over taxes, jobs [10]

By KELLEY SHANNON, Associated Press, Jan. 15, 2010

Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison sparred over taxes, spending and the economy in their first Republican governor's race debate, but their differences on abortion also took a spotlight.

Sniping colors GOP debate [11]

By R.G. RATCLIFFE and PEGGY FIKAC, AUSTIN BUREAU, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jan. 14, 2010

Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison clashed repeatedly in the first Republican gubernatorial debate, speaking over one another and all but calling the other a liar.

Abilenian's reaction to gubernatorial debate [12]

Jared Fields, Abilene Reporter-News, Jan. 14, 2010

At Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, local conservatives, Tea Party and Abilene 9-12 Project members had 37 people gathered as Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina engaged in an hourlong debate.

Gubernatorial hopefuls trade barbs over jobs, taxes [13]

by BJ Lewis and Lowell Brown, Denton Reporter-Chronicle, Jan. 14, 2010

It didn’t take long for the pre-debate handshakes and smiles to devolve into political jabs and haymakers between gubernatorial candidates during “The Texas Debates: Race for Governor” Thursday night.

East Texans Weigh In On Debate's Outcome [14]

by Adam Russell, Tyler Morning Telegraph, Jan. 15, 2010

The focus group of eight… agreed that Perry, as the incumbent and an established conservative, won the debate by avoiding a loss.

Local Democrats, Republicans stunned by Waco state Sen. Averitt's withdrawal from race [15]

by Michael W. Shapiro, Waco Tribune, Jan. 15, 2010

Local Democrats and Republican alike expressed astonishment at Waco state Sen. Kip Averitt’s decision to nix his re-election bid, with the reverberations felt in Austin and across the state.

Group watches gubernatorial debate, most support lesser known candidate [16]

by Lourdes Vazquez, Victoria Advocate, Jan. 14, 2010

The first debate of the Republican gubernatorial election race was viewed at the Tejas Bar and Grill on Thursday night by a group of mainly Ron Paul supporters.

State Board of Education labors over social studies draft proposal [17]

By TRACI SHURLEY, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 14, 2010

At 10:30 p.m., the 15-member board was still working on a proposed social studies curriculum for more than 4.7 million schoolchildren.

National report gives Texas high marks for its self-crafted curriculum standards [18]

By SHIRLEY JINKINS, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 14, 2010

Education Week, published by a leading Maryland-based nonprofit agency, released its nationwide Quality Counts survey Thursday, which ranked Texas sixth in the country on standards, assessment and accountability.

Some minorities put back in social studies [19]

By Kate Alexander, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF, Jan. 14, 2010

Some of the board members' first votes in this lengthy process were aimed at adding to the standards such people as Richard Allen, a founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the first Latina astronaut, Ellen Ochoa; and the Tejanos who died at the Alamo.

Texas board to vote on social studies standards [20]

By APRIL CASTRO, Associated Press, Jan. 15, 2010

Texas Board of Education members spent more than five hours Thursday wading through dozens of amendments to the state's required curriculum.

HISD moves ahead on dismissal policy [21]

By ERICKA MELLON, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jan. 14, 2010

One of every 300 teachers in the Houston school district was fired for poor performance last year — a number likely to rise under a new policy to hold them more liable for student achievement.

Rodriguez to announce $1.2 million for Stinson improvements [22]

By Vianna Davila, San Antonio Express-News

U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez today will announce the allocation of $1.2 million for rehabilitation of a Stinson Municipal Airport runway.

Several officers to face discipline over Fort Hood shooting [22]

By JULIAN E. BARNES, Tribune Washington Bureau, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 14, 2010

Several Army officers are expected to face discipline for failing to take action against Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the suspect in the Fort Hood shootings, over a series of behavioral and professional problems in the years leading up to the November rampage.

Officers could face rebuke in Ft. Hood shooting [23]

By ANNE GEARAN, Associated Press, Jan. 15, 2010

As many as eight Army officers could face punishment for failing to do anything when the alleged shooter in the Fort Hood rampage displayed erratic behavior early in his military career, a U.S. official says.

Texans dispatched to help Haiti [24]

By DANE SCHILLER and CINDY GEORGE, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jan. 14, 2010

Texans headed to Haiti include 80 search-and-rescue specialists, the first wave of help that could later grow with two military cargo planes and a 600-foot Texas A&M University ship.

Hall pulls out of state rep race [25]

By Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, Jan. 15, 2010

Hall's withdrawal came only 10 days after his last-minute campaign filing to pursue the San Antonio Republican's House seat.