The Texas Tribune

A record number of people wrongly convicted of crimes were exonerated in 2015, with 42 wrongful convictions in Harris County drug cases boosting the nationwide tally to 149, according to the National Registry of Exonerations' annual report.

The report shows that most exonerations, 105, were in homicide and drug cases. Texas led in overall exonerations with 54, followed in distant second by New York with 17. Last year's record barely exceeds the 139 exonerations documented in 2014.

Citing an increasingly diversified Texas economy, former Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday defended the “Texas Miracle” — the decade of rapid growth during his 14-year tenure — and said there’s no reason for undue concern about the plummeting price of oil.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional comment.

Republican John Lujan defeated Democrat Tomas Uresti in a special election runoff Tuesday in Texas House District 118 in San Antonio.

With 100% of precincts counted, Lujan had 52.38 percent to Uresti’s 47.62 percent. The margin of victory was 171 votes out of 3,601 cast, with a voter turnout of just 4.12 percent. As of late Tuesday night, Lujan’s campaign said Uresti had not yet called to concede the race.

State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio, has submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott, effective Jan. 31, the governor's office confirmed Tuesday.

Democrat Tomas Uresti and Republican John Lujan face off Tuesday in a special election runoff in Texas House District 118 in San Antonio.

Joe Farias, a Democrat who had served as the district’s representative since 2007, resigned his state House seat in August. He had already announced that he would not be seeking re-election, and in a statement at the time, he said he hoped to enjoy more time with his family.

CIUDAD JUAREZ  – Residents of this border city hope the rest of the world sees next month what Juarenses already know: Despite years of bloodshed and continuing poverty, the local spirit is high and its people are determined to persevere.

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Ciudad Juárez on Feb. 17 for the final stop on his six-day tour of Mexico. People here expect the visit will place the city once considered the most dangerous in the Americas under a new and positive light.

Supporters and opponents of two controversial new gun laws passed last year — one allowing the open carry of handguns and another allowing handguns on public university campuses — will update Texas lawmakers Tuesday on how the measures are working so far. 

Editor's note: This story has been updated.

OTTUMWA, Iowa — The questions came almost immediately, as they usually do.

Do you think you think you'll be picked as her running mate? No. 

Are you auditioning to be vice president? No.

Do you want to be vice president? No.