Congressmen urge UT-Dallas, other Texas universities to cut ties with China’s Confucius Institute

Two Texas congressman urged Texas universities to cut ties with Chinese government supported academic organizations, citing concern that the Chinese government could influence American education and possibly gather intelligence through their presence at schools. Republican Michael McCaul of Austin and Democrat Henry Cuellar of Laredo said in a joint statement Thursday they strongly urge universities to end their partnerships with the Confucius Institute.

With top-of-the-ticket races all but decided, lesser-known GOP races benefiting from media boost

Without much action at the top of the Republican primary ticket, much of the media and voter attention this election season has focused on races to decide the leaders of lesser-known statewide offices -- the General Land Office and the Texas Department of Agriculture. "It's heated, they're spending money, it's competitive," said Jim Henson, the director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas.