Testimony concludes in lengthy Texas school finance trial

Months of testimony in a trial challenging the school finance system in Texas has concluded. The Austin American-Statesman says more than 600 school districts--responsible for educating three-quarters of the state's 5 million-plus public school students--have sued, arguing that education funds provided by the state legislature are inadequate and unfairly distributed. Lawmakers voted in 2011 to slash school funding and educational grant programs by $5.4 billion. Closing arguments are scheduled for next week.