As the night lengthened on Tuesday, the real contest, it seemed, was to find a fitting description as to how thoroughly Democrats were taken to the woodshed both in Texas and nationally.

Voters go to the polls today with much at stake, as in the wholesale turnover at the top of state government, but seemingly little in the way of suspense about the outcome of those races.

Nine months into a federal pilot program created to reduce wait times at international ports of entry, operators of bridges on the Texas-Mexico border say it appears to be accomplishing that goal. But they also say it’s difficult to measure whether cars, trucks and pedestrians are moving faster across the border.

A lingering fight over a failed petition drive aimed at the city of Houston's equal rights ordinance boiled over this week as subpoenas issued against area pastors allied with the petition effort drew the ire of conservative leaders.

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.

State leaders seem reluctant to break out the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the border surge even though apprehensions of illegal immigrants have hit a target goal laid out in July.

At a special University of Texas System regents meeting on Tuesday evening, they are expected to name a sole finalist for the system's next chancellor. And their choice is expected to be Admiral William H. McRaven.

In Texas, the traditional model for general election campaign advertising — don't run ads before Labor Day — is being challenged by some campaigns. Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott has aired ads in movie theaters, and Democratic comptroller hopeful Mike Collier has already bought TV airtime in some markets.

U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, is facing a challenge from former CIA agent Will Hurd, a Republican. The contest is considered a toss-up, with immigration and border security likely to be key issues in the border district.

On Texas Independence Day, more than 60 Lone Star transplants in the nation's capital gathered to celebrate with breakfast tacos. Despite the capital’s buttoned-up atmosphere, the many Texans who have flocked here for government posts and lobbying jobs are eager to share the familiar talk and tastes of home.

The Obama administration on Thursday announced that it deported fewer undocumented immigrants in 2013 than in 2012, but the numbers still drew criticism from immigration advocates.

Steadfast supporters of comprehensive immigration reform say that to have a chance for any change in 2014, they may have to be content with legislation that only addresses some of their objectives. They add, however, that the end result matters more than how they get there.

Your evening reading: Anderson gets jail time; Perry releases national TV ad amid Iowa trip; pro-Hillary Clinton PAC raises $100,000 in San Antonio fundraiser

Your evening reading: federal court weighs emergency appeal by Abbott of abortion law ruling; Abbott also needs affidavit to vote; USA Today weighs in on Perry's job poaching tour

Proponents of a comprehensive immigration overhaul say that when members of Congress return from their August recess, they face a narrow timeline on passing immigration legislation.

State Comptroller Susan Combs says her office doesn't have the resources to update a 2006 study of the economic impact of Texas' undocumented immigrant population.

On this morning's edition of The Daily Rundown, U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, told Chuck Todd that a Democrat can win a down-ballot statewide race in the next four-year cycle.