Shelley Kofler

In less than three months, gunmen have assassinated Brandi Fernandez’s boss, District Attorney Mark McLelland, his wife Cynthia and her colleague Mark Hasse. Fernandez, 42, spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since she was appointed interim DA.

Law enforcement officials are digging into details about a white supremacist prison gang as they investigate Saturday’s cold-blooded shootings of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia, and the January murder of another county prosecutor, Mark Hasse.

The Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office was among agencies that helped bring indictments against members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) last fall.

Heidi Beirich investigates hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center.  She told KERA’s Shelley Kofler the Aryan Brotherhood which formed in the 1980’s is known as the most violent prison gang in the country.

Gov. Rick Perry has said there’s no way he’ll sign legislation that expands access to Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, what he calls Obamacare.  But one North Texas Democrat believes that issue is still alive and kicking in the legislature.  And Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie says there’s also some good news about money for public schools.

In today’s “Capitol Closeup” he tells KERA’s Shelley Kofler why he’s feeling optimistic.

State Rep.Dan Branch says he’ll decide whether to run for attorney general at the end of the legislative session in May.

Right now the six-term lawmaker has his hands full as Chairman of the House Higher Education Committee.

In today’s “Capitol Closeup,” the Dallas Republican talks to KERA’s Shelley Kofler about changes he’s proposing for colleges and universities, and one proposal that would hit where it hurts if they don’t produce better results.

A group that wants state lawmakers to restore funding for parks is asking the public to get involved.

Tonight in Dallas, “Keep Texas Parks Open” will hold a town hall meeting.  The group is holding town halls in six other cities this week. 

Group director Ian Davis says they’re calling on lawmakers to dedicate money from the sales tax on sporting goods to parks, which is what the tax money was originally supposed to be used for. 

The tax is expected to generate about $265 million for the next two- year budget. 

A Plano mother whose infant son died pleaded with state lawmakers today to approve a bill that would automatically test newborns for congenital heart defects.