Dec 21 Death sentences decline sharply as public attitudes shift By Sam Hananel, Associated Press Only 30 people were sentenced to death in the United States this year, the lowest number since the early 1970s. Continue reading
Dec 14 Watch 7:32 RNC strategist Spicer: ‘Zero evidence’ Russian hacks had any impact on the election By PBS News Hour With the choice of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for the Energy Department of Energy and Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, President-elect Donald Trump has named most of his cabinet. Judy Woodruff speaks with Sean Spicer,… Continue watching
Dec 14 Perry brings oil industry ties to Energy Department By Stephen Braun, Associated Press Rick Perry, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Energy secretary, has close ties to the Texas oil industry. Continue reading
Dec 13 From ‘oops’ to Energy chief: Rick Perry is Trump’s pick for energy secretary By Matthew Daly and Will Weissert, Associated Press Perry is likely to shift the department away from renewable energy and toward oil and other fossil fuels that he championed as Texas governor. Continue reading
Nov 28 Texas reports possible local transmission of Zika virus By Ryan Connelly Holmes “We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services commissioner. Continue reading
Nov 27 Watch 4:47 Texas judge issues injunction, blocking overtime pay law By PBS News Hour A federal judge in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction on a new nationwide rule that would nearly double the salary cap for workers eligible to receive overtime pay to $47,476 a year. The rule was supposed to take effect… Continue watching
Nov 22 Watch 3:11 News Wrap: Obama commutes prison sentences for 79 more By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Tuesday, President Obama commuted the sentences of another 79 federal offenders, taking him over the 1,000 mark. The White House says that’s more than the past 11 chief executives combined. Also, a federal judge in Texas… Continue watching
Nov 22 Americans who live near border say Trump’s wall is unwelcome By Frank Bajak, Associated Press If a 30- to 40-foot concrete wall is a panacea for illegal immigration, as Trump insisted during the campaign, the locals are not convinced. Continue reading
Nov 12 Watch ‘Junk science’ law exonerates woman of murder By PBS News Hour A 68-year-old Texas woman, who in 1993 was convicted of murder by arson of her uncle, was found not guilty on Wednesday through a new ‘junk science’ law in Texas that reopens cases if there is new scientific evidence contradicting… Continue watching
Oct 28 Watch 9:58 How polls and campaign tactics are shaping up in critical states By PBS News Hour This campaign season, the electoral map has undergone major upheaval -- and the race could come down to just a handful of critical states. For insight into what's motivating voters in hotly contested Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and New… Continue watching