David Martin Davies

Texas Matters: The open-carry gun rights rally on the Alamo grounds will include remarks from Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, arguably the state's most vocal proponent for Second Amendment rights. Also on this show: Leticia Van De Putte talks about the veteran issues on this year's ballot, and more about the strength of the Texas economy, which is the focus of a "Time" magazine article.

Gonzales rallying cry gets San Antonio makeover

Texas Matters: There is finally movement on the government shutdown in D.C. but Democrats say it's not enough. While there is plenty of support for Prop. 6, the November ballot item to establish a water fund, there is also a strong current of opposition. Also on this show: GOP candidates in Texas try to stay true to fundamentals and appeal to Latino voters, and the future of execution drugs used in Texas.

Is the end of the government shutdown finally in sight?

Texas Matters: The players are now set for the Texas governors race in 2014, and the players seem to be digging even deeper trenches in Washington, D.C. Who will be victorious in these battles of political wit (and values)? Also on this show: Gun rights advocates are holding an (armed) rally at the Alamo this weekend, and a high school senior in Amarillo shocks her entire school in the name of journalism.

With the Affordable Care Act online marketplace expected to go live tonight at midnight, health care advocates are doing all they can to raise the public’s awareness of the law, which included finding the throngs of people turning out at Síclovía this weekend.

An estimated 73,000 people joined in the city’s promenade down Broadway on Sunday. Síclovía promotes getting fit and healthy lifestyles and some organizations spread the word about the new health care law.

Texas Matters: Wendy Davis will finally announce her decision on the governor's race, which will finally end the speculating and kick the 2014 election campaigning into a new gear. Ted Cruz' attempt to "defund Obamacare" is still playing itself out, but has he gained or lost political capital? The insurance exchanges that are part of the Affordable Care Act open up on Oct. 1 and people for and against the new health care law are working their tails off for their case. A look at boomtowns from Mose Buchele of StateImpact Texas, and last, a few words about sustainability from an International Space Station flight controller.

The Affordable Care Act's online health insurance exchanges go live on Oct. 1, which is where many people without health insurance can pick a plan and enroll.

One out of four Texans do not have health insurance -- the largest percentage of uninsured in the nation -- and leaves the state with over 6 million potential customers for the health insurance exchanges.

Texas Matters: A look at major issues from all over the state this week -- Tom DeLay is acquitted of money laundering, the American Bar Association reviews the states system of capital punishment, alleged scandal with the dunes sagebrush lizard and a water tug-of-war between the Highland Lakes and Matagorda Bay.

If this isn't money laundering, then what is?

The last legislative session saw changes to high stakes standardized testing in Texas, but many public school advocates say the reforms didn’t go far enough.

Starting in the Fall of 2014 Texas students will only have to take five standardized tests, which is down from 15. House Bill 5 passed unanimously in both the state house and senate – and was signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry. There was, however, another testing bill that also passed, but this one got different treatment from the governor.

Texas Matters: As we quickly approach the opening of the online marketplaces tied to the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 1, community organizations are promoting enrollment while those opposed to the law continue their fight against it. Also: Will there be political fallout in the state for not expanding Medicaid under the ACA? And why Texas has become the "Wild West" for electronic cigarettes.

The competition to bring a world class children’s hospital to San Antonio took another dramatic turn today as the UT Health Science Center and Methodist Health Care announced they had signed an Memorandum of Understanding. 

The UTHSC and the Methodist Children’s hospital make a natural fit -- since they are already right across from each other on Medical Drive in the city’s Medical Center.

Dr. Bill Henrich, president of the Health Science Center, said the medical match up goes beyond to two institution’s proximity.