William James Gerlich

Some colleges and schools did not return requests for comment by press time. The Daily Texan will continue to reach out to them for information.

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is enacting a number of reforms this summer that officials say will protect homeowners by making the organization more efficient and financially stable.

Gov. Rick Perry, Pres. Barack Obama and former Pres. George W. Bush have each made a mark on higher education in Texas. The Daily Texan takes a look at the three politicians’ impacts on higher education.

The University’s blue legislative districts may turn red if the current state and federal redistricting maps pass through the judicial system untouched.

Lawmakers of the 82nd legislative session are trading in their suits and ties for Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts now that special session is over at the Texas Capitol.

Wednesday marked the close of the 82nd legislative special session rife with political posturing, finger pointing and headline-grabbing, values-based bills. In the process, senators and representatives passed a few bills that will impact all Texans.

The special session almost went into round two after the Texas House of Representatives first rejected the “must-pass Senate bill” that would balance the state’s next biennium budget.

Daily Texan Staff William James Gerlich gives an update on legislation from the special session. 

The Texas Senate passed its version of the long-debated Texas Windstorm Insurance Association bill Wednesday, but legislators said it may be impossible to compromise the Senate and House versions of the legislation in conference committee.

Senators approved the final passage of the congressional redistricting map with a vote of 19-12 along party lines. The map now awaits Gov. Rick Perry’s signature, and according to some Democrats, many lawsuits.

The Sanctuary Cities bill passed in the state Senate which allows law enforcement officials to inquire about a person's citizenship status based on the color of their skin.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus formed the Texas Joint Committee for Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency last month to discuss higher education policy decisions openly and protect the high quality of Texas universities.

Here's a brief update on the special session legislation so far. Follow developing and breaking legislative news on our website.

The Texas Senate passed four bills Friday that will help balance the budget and prepare Texas for the next biennium.

Everything we need to say can be summed up in 30 words. Our time here ranges from six months to five years, with work ranging from music reviews to feature writing. Although our experiences could amount to a novel of inch counts, we believe what needs to be said can be done in less. Every word matters.

Filing a paper police report for petty crimes can be a hassle, and the Austin Police Department hopes its new online system will simplify the process.

UT has a “work hard, party hard” ethos, but the University no longer holds the Playboy Magazine No. 1 party school title.

Total student loan debt may top $1 trillion this year, having previously exceeded total credit card debt for the first time last year, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

In India, a farmer takes his own life every 33 minutes because of the rise of corporations and the systemic problems in the country’s agriculture, said journalist P. Sainath during a talk Tuesday.

Hospitals, nursing homes and physicians could be forced to cut services if lawmakers pass House Bill 1 this Friday, said leaders of the Texas Hospital Association on Tuesday.

The Obama administration rolled out an new program Tuesday that it hopes will help the United States boast the best college graduation rate in the world by 2020.

When it comes to radio pledge drives, KUT deserves a Ph.D. for schooling every other local radio station in town.

Iconic men with trendsetting mustaches have shaped the way we have shaved our faces since the dawn of the razor, and from Salvador Dalí to Johnny Depp, it is clear that with a great mustache comes great responsibility.

The Texas Department of Public Safety performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new crime lab Tuesday. The new facility will allow the department to expand and keep up with technological advances, speakers said.

Industry insiders revealed the secrets of how to make it big as a recording artist during a talk Tuesday night.