Richard Tabler called officials to brag about killing four people in Killeen in 2004. He was convicted for two of the deaths.

The designations come at a tumultuous time for universities as funding could be cut off and efforts to end tenure continue.

A pair of lawsuits filed by allies of West Texas megadonor Tim Dunn shut down laws that banned outside spending in the House leadership race, allowing for more political mudslinging and raising questions about ethics rules.