Texas has taken its fight against the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state to federal court, filing suit against the federal government and a refugee resettlement nonprofit. The suit argues that the federal government and group have not fulfilled their contractual obligations to consult with state officials.

Two sets of attorneys who believe their client doesn't belong on death row are fighting not only the state of Texas but also each other as his case arrives at the U.S. Supreme Court. Robert Leslie Roberson III was sentenced to death for killing his two-year-old daughter in 2002. Because the jury didn't hear from a defense expert who thought Roberson might suffer from mental lapses caused by a brain injury, his attorneys have since asked state and federal courts to throw out his conviction.

Seeking to reduce the number of child abuse fatalities in Texas, a group of medical, law and child welfare experts recommended Wednesday that the state create a new advisory board, as well as review teams to examine child abuse cases in each county.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton claims the federal government and the International Rescue Committee — one of about 20 private nonprofits that have a state contract to resettle refugees in Texas — are violating federal law by moving forward with the planned resettlement of two Syrian families. After unsuccessfully demanding that private resettlement groups stop helping Syrian refugees move to Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott's administration is now insisting that the federal government turn over medical, security screening and other background information on them.

Energy Future Holdings, mired in bankruptcy, has agreed to pay up to $2 million to help clean up long-abandoned uranium mines in New Mexico — a sum far lower than the federal government originally sought.

In a letter sent Wednesday to University of Texas System Chancellor Bill McRaven, state Sen. John Whitmire joined a growing number of legislators asking the UT System to pause and reconsider its plans to open a branch campus in his hometown of Houston.

Nonprofit workers in the Rio Grande Valley say they’ve seen an increase this year in the number of rip-off artists charging Texans for help signing up for health insurance — a service they are eligible to get for free.

While Gov. Greg Abbott hasn't called for the outright repeal of the United States' decades-old trade embargo with Cuba, he made clear to Cubans Tuesday that Texas is ready to jump at the business opportunity if it happens.

The Obama Administration won a small but significant battle on Tuesday when the U.S. Supreme Court denied Texas’ request for an extra 30 days to respond to the White House’s petition for review of a controversial immigration case.

Early education advocates on Tuesday urged the Texas Education Agency to ensure that a diverse group of school districts will be able to apply for funding through a new state grant program designed to bolster the quality of pre-kindergarten.

As U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's stock rises in Iowa, he is increasingly finding himself in the crosshairs of one of the corn-growing state's most powerful lobbies: the ethanol industry. And Cruz's campaign is aggressively pushing back, asking radio stations in the early voting state to take down an attack ad that labels him a "hypocrite" for his unapologetic opposition to an ethanol-friendly fuel standard.

The Texas land commissioner on Tuesday asked to joined seven North Texas families in a federal lawsuit that accuses the U.S. Bureau of Land Management of perpetuating an “arbitrary seizure” of land along the Red River.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday offered a spirited defense of Republicans on women's health issues, accusing Democrats of creating a phony "war on women" based on claims that his party wants to restrict access to birth control.

Experts warn that a lack of safety on Texas roads is not just killing thousands of people each year. It's taking an even greater — if less visible — toll on life expectancy, due to a lack of safe options for pedestrians and cyclists.

Rice University is the latest private college in Texas to announce that it would opt out of the state's new campus carry law.

House Speaker Joe Straus will see a shakeup in his office next year with chief of staff Jesse Ancira stepping down in the spring and other shifts in his office's leadership, Straus’ office confirmed Monday. Patricia Shipton, currently a strategic legislative advisor in Straus’ office, will replace Ancira as chief of staff.

A Texas veterinarian who offered pet-care advice online lost a battle against state regulators on Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case.

After more than a decade of hype, the Panama Canal is scheduled to open an expanded channel next year. For the first time, massive ships the length of four football fields will be able to pass through the canal, quickly traveling between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Roughly 2,000 miles north, the historic event is renewing a debate: Is Texas properly prepared to capitalize on the canal expansion, or is it letting a huge opportunity sail by?

Disclosure: Rice University was a corporate sponsor of the Tribune in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Energy Future Holdings was a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune in 2012. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Gov. Greg Abbott has named Josh McGee of Houston, Stephanie Leibe of Austin and Ernest Richards of Irving to the State Pension Review Board for terms to expire Jan. 31, 2021. McGee, who was additionally named the board’s presiding officer, is a vice president at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation where he leads the foundation’s “nationwide efforts to improve retirement security.” His appointment has drawn criticism from labor groups.

Abbott named Carol Ann Bonds and Darrell Coleman to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission for terms set to expire Feb. 1, 2019.

Abbott appointed nine people — Neva Fairchild of Carrollton, Susan May of Austin, Lonny Matthew “Matt” Berend of Abilene, James M. “Jim” Brocato of Beaumont, JoAnne Fluke of Lumberton, Paul Hunt of Austin, Crystal Stark of College Station, Casey Hertel of Abilene and Troyon Myree of Houston — to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas.

Abbott has named Ronald M. “Ronnie” Richards of Clear Lake Shores and Kiran Shah of Richmond to the Manufactured Housing Board for terms to expire at the end of January 2017 and January 2019, respectively.

House Speaker Joe Straus has accepted a leadership position with the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, which is the only national level group working to elect Republicans to statehouses across the country. Straus was named the group’s incoming chairman for 2016 on Tuesday. Straus replaces Iowa Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen in the position.

Walter Fisher, whose stint as senior adviser to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was just the latest stop in a long career in state government and in the lobby, announced on Wednesday that he is retiring. Fisher, who was the Senate parliamentarian from 1996 to 2004, was brought on board as part of Patrick’s transition team prior to his taking over as the Senate’s presiding officer in January.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker has endorsed state Rep. Sylvester Turner in the race to succeed her. The term-limited Parker announced her support for Turner, a Democrat, during a news conference Thursday morning at City Hall in Houston. Turner also received endorsements this week from former Houston Mayor Lee Brown and City Councilman C.O. "Brad" Bradford.

Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan is backing Bill King in the Houston mayoral race, citing his belief that King will best "tackle serious financial challenges."

Former Gov. Rick Perry has endorsed the candidacy of state Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, for Senate District 1, citing Hughes’ work to secure borders and “protect life and East Texas values.” Hughes also picked up an endorsement from state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, who said Hughes will help end sanctuary cities and called Hughes's record on anti-abortion issues "second to none."

Steve Hotze, the founder of Conservative Republicans of Texas, endorsed Tom Oliverson's campaign for HD-130, saying Oliverson is "the pro-life, pro-family, pro-business, pro-gun, anti-tax candidate in the race." Oliverson is running against Kay Smith for the open seat.

GOP HD-126 candidate Kevin Roberts announced Tuesday that he has won the endorsement of state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, in his run for the open seat. And on Thursday he won the endorsement of Texas Values Action, the advocacy arm of Texas Values.

GOP HD-33 candidate Lorne Liechty announced Tuesday an endorsement from Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach in his run for the open seat.

Bonny Cain, who chairs the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), on Wednesday offered up her personal endorsement of GOP SD-24 candidate Dawn Buckingham.

Texas Alliance for Life announced Monday that it is presenting state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, with a "Courageous Defense of Life Award" for his work during the 84th legislative session, particularly for his work on the judicial bypass law, which goes into effect Jan. 1.

State Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, received a lifetime community service award Thursday afternoon. He was given the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the AmeriCorps/Volunteers in Service to America 50th Anniversary Spotlight event at the LBJ Library.

Texas Central Partners, LLC, the group working to build a high-speed rail spanning between North Texas and Houston, announced on Monday the hiring of Holly Reed as managing director for external affairs, Doug Jones as managing director for the design build program and Lori Willox as chief financial officer.

Prominent geopolitical forecaster George Friedman announced plans to launch a new online publication, Geopolitical Futures, after stepping down as chairman of Stratfor, the company he founded in 1996.

Deaths: David Hartman, 79, died last Tuesday. He was prominent in Republican circles as a donor, a leader with Associated Republicans of Texas and, in 1994, was the last GOP nominee for state treasurer. He also founded the Lone Star Report in 1996, which covered the state Capitol as a conservative voice for 15 years.

Forrest Roan Jr., 70, died Saturday. A well known lawyer and lobbyist in the Austin political community, Roan ran his own law firm in recent years. Prior to that, he was partner at Winstead PC and, before that, at Cantey, Hanger, Roan & Autrey.

Disclosure: The Laura and John Arnold Foundation is a major donor to The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.