The Texas Department of Transportation has ended its controversial program aimed at converting some badly damaged paved roads to gravel, more than a year after the launch of the initiative drew national attention to the agency's budget troubles.

Criticism by state leaders of the Obama administration for failures in the response to the Ebola virus omits mention of the tools at the state's disposal that were not used.

Here are some dispatches from around the state on the first day of early voting.

In a speech in Washington, D.C., on Friday, outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst doubled down on claims that Muslim prayer rugs had been found on the Texas-Mexico border. His comments follow a panel discussion on border security last week where he suggested Islamic extremists might be coming into the U.S. from Mexico.

Most incumbents and front-runners have something in common: They're cautious in the vicinity of the public. But some of them aren't like that. In recent public appearances, Ted Cruz and Rick Perry zipped right past the usual political warning signs, while others, like Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick, took it easy.

We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Immigration track. The sessions include panels on border security, Latinos and the Republican Party, the comprehensive immigration reform debate, and what to do with the DREAMers.

Greg Abbott continued on Thursday his attack against his rival in the race for governor, not going after the substance of Wendy Davis' new memoir but rather the publicity tour that has accompanied it.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst issued a harsh rebuke of the Mexican government on Thursday for issuing what he called an “offensive” statement on the border surge that coincided with the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The arrival of the Texas National Guard to the border has been met with praise by some who say the state is taking the lead in securing the border while the federal government falls flat in its mission. But others say the deployment is overkill that only serves to hamper the local economy.

Lame-duck Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst had to make a few committee assignments to replace members who resigned. But he didn't stop there. He also replaced members who will be leaving in January, setting up some vexing choices for his yet-to-be-elected successor.

Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that he is sending up to 1,000 National Guard troops to help beef up security along the Texas-Mexico border. The operation will cost an estimated $12 million a month.

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will make a border security announcement at 2 p.m. at the state Capitol. The two are expected to announce the deployment of 1,000 National Guard troops to the Rio Grande Valley.

Wendy Davis' fundraising figures from Tuesday that showed her raising slightly more money than her GOP rival for governor are now being questioned.

UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry will meet with President Obama on Wednesday to discuss the continuing crisis on the border, an aide to the governor confirmed Tuesday.

A state senator will have to testify in response to allegations that he exerted improper political pressure on the state windstorm insurance agency, a judge ruled Thursday. Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, has been accused of pressuring the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to fight more insurance claims cases in court

As a lengthy legislative investigation of University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall appears to be nearing an end, the 2014 elections and developments at the University of Texas System are adding new twists with the potential to affect the ultimate outcome.

Both immigrants' rights groups and conservative lawmakers are criticizing the White House's plan, announced Friday, to deal with the influx of migrants illegally crossing Texas’ southern border.

UPDATED: The Texas DPS said Thursday that as part of its new mission, it will partner with local and federal authorities to “deter and disrupt drug and human trafficking, and other border-related crimes.” The directive for the new operation came from state leaders is in response to the recent surge of undocumented immigrants breaching the Texas-Mexico border.