Strangest State: Petty Drama, Electric Trucks and Hungry Bears

Austin Drue Wagner / Texas Observer The unreliable Texas grid could not stop one man’s pursuit…

December unemployment rate drops in Texas, nearly 30,000 jobs added

December unemployment rate drops in Texas, nearly 30,000 jobs added

Texas reportedly set to hire local high school coach to key off-field role

Texas reportedly set to hire local high school coach to key off-field role

Governors to voters: The state of our nation is bleak, except under me

If you’d sat in the Wyoming statehouse as Gov. Mark Gordon issued his State of the…

Man shot in car on West Side, police say

SAN ANTONIO – A man was shot while sitting in his car in a parking lot…

Who is Ocastor Ferguson? Married man was dating now-deceased Kayla Kelley under a fake name, according to sheriff

Ferguson is currently in jail on murder, kidnapping and arson charges after Kelley’s body was found…

Kayla Kelley identified as body found near home of murder suspect, officials say

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers are at the scene in Grand Prairie, near…

Former boyfriend Ocastor Ferguson charged with murder in death of Kayla Kelley

Kelley’s body was found Wednesday not far from the suspect’s home. COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — Authorities…

Meet the Latest Wingnuts to Join the State Board of Ed

A newly elected band of bankrupt, bought, and criminal-abetting representatives joined the Texas State Board of…

Mexico’s Testosterone Shortage Puts Trans Men at Risk

This story was originally published by Global Press Journal. Global Press Journal is an award-winning international news…

The strategist who didn’t believe in the red wave

In off-the-record conversations and private emails, AFL-CIO political director Michael Podhorzer argued that the pundits focusing…

Business owners say ongoing construction north of downtown continues depleting revenue

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio has 54 construction projects currently working and city officials say 89%…

Meditations on Life and Death at Houston’s Rothko Chapel

In a part of Houston famous for its giant live oaks, museums, and million-dollar homes, 3900…

23 arrested in North Texas prostitution sting, police say

The Dallas Police Department’s Special Investigation Division ran an operation targeting online sex trafficking in the…

Conspiracy-Peddling Mayor Who Fondled Drunk Stepsister Loses Defamation Lawsuit

The far-right mayor of Colleyville, Bobby Lindamood, has cemented a number of deeply embarrassing facts about…

The Rising Cost Of Mexico’s ‘Free’ Education

This story was originally published by Global Press Journal. Global Press Journal is an award-winning international news…

Supreme Court Sides with Defense on Death Row Case

The state forensics lab that handled the evidence in Areli Escobar’s capital case was so bad…

Fight for Change Where You Live

Watching the national media’s reaction to last fall’s midterm elections made my head spin. While the…

A Question with No Easy Answers

Why would the book club I participate in at a Texas church choose to read a…

EPA Backs Down from Permian Air Pollution Crackdown

This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate,…

A Hot, Dry 2022 by the Numbers

Last year, Texas experienced climate change not as a single disaster like Hurricane Harvey or Winter…

Catastrophe #88: The Texas Legislature Returns for a Brutal Year

Elections have consequences. This political bromide is overused for a reason—it’s reliably true. And this year,…

‘Striking Does Work’: Fort Worth Journalists Win Only Newspaper Union Contract in Texas

On the heels of an unprecedented 24-day labor strike late last year, around 20 journalists at…

Italy’s most-wanted Mafia boss nabbed after 30 years on run

He was the last of three longtime fugitive top-level Mafia bosses who had for decades eluded…

Young boy fatally shot at Dallas apartment complex, police say

Police say the boy was a bystander and was shot during a fight between two other…

Within hours of Debbie Stabenow announcing her retirement, Dems are scrambling to replace her

Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s decision to not run for reelection jolted national Democrats on Thursday, setting…

The unauthorized history of the House Freedom Caucus

In 2015, Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) was traveling back to Louisiana with his wife when he…

Conservative commentator Diamond of ‘Diamond and Silk’ dies at 51

Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and a member of the…

Arlington police investigating motel murder

Police say they found the body of a man with multiple gunshot wounds in a motel…

‘Get your home in Frisco now’: A new Universal Studios theme park will mean higher home prices. Experts say to get in now

For people hoping to purchase homes in Frisco, one realtor said her advice is to get…

Texas Awards Biggest Border Wall Contract Yet to Trump-Tied Firm

Texas has handed out the biggest contract yet for its border wall project to a construction…

Far-Right Texas Republicans Mutiny at the Capitol

Two-hundred and eighteen votes is the magic number to elect a new Speaker of the House,…

Governor Abbott Appoints Allred And Williams, Reappoints Elliott To Teacher Retirement System of Texas Board Of Trustees

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Brittny Allred and Elvis Williams and reappointed John Elliott to the…

‘It’s especially prevalent in Dallas’ Sen. John Cornyn meets with law enforcement, advocates to discuss human trafficking prevention in North Texas

The act, signed on Jan. 5, essentially re-establishes programs and funding put in place by the…

White House: Jill Biden has two cancerous lesions removed

The president’s doctor says exams showed a lesion over Jill Biden’s left eye and one newly…

Farmers face a higher risk of suicide. The Texas Agriculture Department wants $500,000 a year to change that.

The department's helpline is less than a year old. But advocates hope state lawmakers fully fund…

As the share of white Texans continues to shrink, the Legislature remains mostly white and male

In the 2023 legislative session that convened Tuesday, 70% of lawmakers are men. More than half…

‘Not everybody is going to be a victim’ Louisiana mom kills intruder to protect her children, police say

Police say Robert Rheams, 51, broke into the woman’s trailer while she and her two young…

Damar Hamlin released from Cincinnati hospital, back in Buffalo to continue recovery

The 24-year-old Hamlin has made significant progress in his recovery since spending his first two days…

Naked Man Shot In Hospital By Houston Cop Gets $900K Settlement

When Alan Pean drove himself to Houston’s St. Joseph Medical Center in August 2015, he got…

Florida and Texas, the Far-Right Axis

At the crux of the nation’s hyperpartisan political and culture wars stand Texas and Florida, the…

Climate Advocacy’s Elder Statesman

An Inconvenient Truth, the 2006 documentary featuring former Vice President Al Gore, ignited what was previously…

Students Taking Back ‘Ownership’ of Education

Texas school libraries have been far from quiet in the past two years. The voices of…

San Antonio has more green space than any other major Texas city, report finds

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio was recently ranked as the No. 1 city in Texas with…

Texas Cities Prioritize Police over People

If city budgets are a reflection of what a community holds precious, one thing is glaring…

2022 Must-Reads From TXO

There is a point in every Texas Observer magazine production cycle—usually after the first, sometimes second,…

Operation Lone Star Continues Unprecedented Border Mission Into 2023

Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are…

Governor Abbott Names Beauchamp Chair, Appoints Lane To Commission On State Emergency Communications

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Edwina Lane to the Commission on State Emergency Communications for a…

Governor Abbott Statement On Texas Stopping President Biden’s Attacks On Permian Basin

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement after the Biden Administration removed a plan by the…

Appeals court to decide if First Amendment should have protected Laredo’s “big crazy lady” from arrest

Priscilla Villarreal was arrested over her Facebook postings. In a rare proceeding, the entire 5th U.S.…

Midland is the latest Texas city to issue a boil-water notice

Officials said the water levels at the local reservoir were too low to meet safety standards.

Chip Roy, key McCarthy opponent, steps up as top negotiator in House speaker standoff

Roy has differentiated himself from peers like Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida,…

The Uncounted: People of Color Are Dying at Much Higher Rates Than COVID Data Suggest

This investigation was conducted by the Documenting COVID-19 Project at Columbia University’s Brown Institute for Media…

RGV Punk Rocker Makes It Big on the Silver Screen

When Raul Castillo saw Elegance Bratton’s name on the script for The Inspection, it sent him…

Yes, you can collect Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings

If you are divorced, you may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on your…

Gov. Abbott calls for legislative action to create criminal penalties for parolees who cut off their ankle monitors, prioritize their arrest

Abbott’s letter to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan came two…

Suspect who had hours-long SWAT standoff at Dallas golf course is identified

Dallas police said a suspect crashed a car with stolen plates, ran from the car into…

Attorney General Paxton enters settlement with JUUL for over $43 million

The settlement not only includes money, but also restrictions on marketing, sales and distribution of JUUL…

Yes, the IRS delayed the $600 tax reporting rule for payment apps

Here’s what you need to know about payment apps and taxes after the latest IRS announcement.…

FDA rule change allows abortion pills to be sold at retail pharmacies

The FDA’s rule change broadens availability of abortion pills to many more pharmacies, including large chains…

Body found on side of road outside Pleasanton city limits, sheriff says

ATASCOSA COUNTY – The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man’s body was discovered…

McCarthy faces possible historic challenge in vote for Speaker

McCarthy is in line to replace Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but he heads into the vote…

FAA: Computer issue that caused Florida flight delays, cancellations fixed

The FAA reduced the number of flights flying in and out of Florida on Monday afternoon,…

Man tracks stolen AirPods to Southwest Side truck stop; SAPD arrests 4, recovers stolen property

SAN ANTONIO – A man who had his car stolen and his work van burglarized overnight,…

Multimillion-dollar renovation planned for Alamodome this year

SAN ANTONIO – The City of San Antonio is planning on millions of dollars in renovations…

Floods in Philippines leave 51 dead, over a dozen missing

Officials said over 4,500 houses were damaged, along with roads and bridges, and some areas still…

They Don’t See it

Like what you see? We’d love you to Share, Like, and Comment on Facebook! Conservative Intel has partnered with Pat Cross Cartoons!…

The USS Big Government

Pat loves drawing, America, and the Big Man upstairs. His work aims to combine these three elements into a petri dish and see…

Democrats kept the Senate, Republicans want it back

This week: The Briefing, Vol. X, Issue 50 Outlook Speaker race: Formally, House Republican Leader Kevin…

‘Wherever it is peaceful’: Venezuelan migrant seeks refuge in D.C.

'Wherever it is peaceful': Venezuelan migrant seeks refuge in D.C. lead image

Benedict XVI, first pope to resign in 600 years, dies

ROME, Metropolitan City of Rome — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the shy German theologian who tried…

Watch Dallas ISD basketball tournament with KSAT 12?s Big Game Coverage, Texas Sports Productions

To kick off high school basketball season coverage early, KSAT 12 Sports’ Big Game Coverage (BGC)…

Texas passengers with canceled flights wondering if they’ll be reimbursed by Southwest

If your flight is canceled and you choose to cancel your trip as a result, you…

Texas Supreme Court says it can’t force the state to process deluge of applications for tax break expiring this year

The program, known as Chapter 313, provides companies with billions of dollars in property tax breaks.…

Biden Is Still Separating Immigrant Kids From Their Families

The persecution for her work as a lawyer in Colombia had gotten so bad that Victoria…

Texas Is Becoming a Bitcoin-Mining Capital. Can the Grid Handle It?

While the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX earlier this month dominates national headlines, the Texas blockchain…

Far-Right Lawyer Drops Neo-Nazi Lawsuit, Celebrates Fascist Thanksgiving

In a quaint, sparsely populated neighborhood in Decatur, a small town of fewer than 7,000 people…

Texas Wants to Save Community Colleges From Sinking

Moss often felt depressed and frustrated as a homebound high school student in Ellis County. They…

Unions Fight to Make Good Jobs Out of Texas’ Solar Boom

This story originally appeared in The American Prospect. Gary Bylander has spent the last four years…

Tense Runoff Election Pits Old Austin Versus New

This year’s municipal elections in Austin are an apt case study of a generational and ideological…

Trey Martinez Fischer Will Helm the Democratic Opposition

For what feels like the hundredth year running, Democrats in 2023 will hold no positions of…

Texas Democrats After Beto

In the fall of 2021, a national reporter from Politico was in Austin writing another profile…

How much did Southwest’s meltdown cost one Wylie family? Here’s the math.

The rebooked flight, hotel room, car rental and food costs that Southwest passengers are asked to…

Texas Gov. Abbott asks for investigation into Atmos over ‘unacceptable’ response during arctic blast

The Railroad Commission said it has launched an investigation into Atmos. AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg…

Venezuelan migrant hopes to work in U.S. to support family back home

Venezuelan migrant hopes to work in U.S. to support family back home lead image

The anti-McCarthy faction teases a shadow speaker

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va. 5th District) details his strategy for the next potential House speaker. It's…

Musk says he will resign as Twitter CEO when he finds successor

Elon Musk tweeted that he would resign as soon as he finds “someone foolish enough to…

Trump to meet with Orthodox Jewish group on heels of Fuentes, Ye dinner

The former president will speak before the annual President's Conference of Torah Umesorah at his club…

GOP lawmakers accuse investment firms of breaking a law that prohibits divesting from oil and gas

At a senate committee hearing in Marshall, Texas Republican lawmakers accused investment firms of pulling back…

After a Texas National Guard member died, his family got no financial payment. Lawmakers want to change that.

In April, Bishop Evans drowned after jumping into the Rio Grande to save two migrants being…

After recount, Democrat remains winner of battleground South Texas Senate seat

Republican Adam Hinojosa conceded Friday after a recount that included three counties in Senate District 27,…

U.S. judge in Amarillo halts Biden administration’s attempt to end “remain in Mexico” policy

The Biden administration stopped enrolling new asylum-seekers into the Trump-era program in August.

Federal health order allowing rapid removal of migrants must end Wednesday, court rules

The Biden administration attempted to end Title 42 earlier this year before a federal judge blocked…

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Without evidence, Gov. Greg Abbott asks whether nonprofits are helping migrants enter Texas

A Fox News story described Mexican nonprofits aiding migrants, but did not allege any improper action…

Texas state senator blasts Uvalde police response in congressional hearing: “It was cowardice”

Roland Gutierrez made the remarks during a hearing of the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime,…

Months after Massacre, Uvalde County Turns Out for Greg Abbott

Skip to content Five and half months after the worst school shooting in Texas history took…

Lina Hidalgo Prevails Against Republican Offensive in Harris County

Once again, Lina Hidalgo overcame the odds with a narrow reelection win for Harris County judge—the…

‘Red Wave’ Makes Modest Splash in South Texas

In deep South Texas, where Republicans have spent two years foretelling a red tsunami, Tuesday night’s…

The Age of Abbott Continues Unfettered

Heading into his reelection bid, Republican Governor Greg Abbott appeared more vulnerable—from the left, right, and…

Voters Reinforce Republican Stronghold on State Board of Education

Republicans will hold onto power at the highest level of education policymaking in Texas after Tuesday…

Course Corrections: The Return of Prison Education

On a lower level of the Wynne Unit, a state prison in Huntsville, about 20 men…

Elon Musk’s Tesla Gigafactory Built on Wage Theft and Safety Violations, Texas Workers Allege

On Tuesday, the Austin-based nonprofit Workers Defense Project announced it was filing complaints with the federal…

Blue Havens in Red States

Red and inherently conservative. That’s the assumption many people have about the South. While there’s an…

WNBA star Brittney Griner thanks JBSA-Fort Sam Houston for aid after arriving to US

WNBA star Brittney Griner gave thanks to the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston base for helping bring her…

Gov. Chris Sununu surveys the field

He's a New England moderate in the party of MAGA.

PUC releases report on changes made since the deadly Feb. 2021 winter storm, federal report says it’s not enough

Two reports paint different pictures of the Texas power grid’s reliability during an extreme winter storm.…

Got a side hustle or own a business? Your taxes may be more complex this year

Tax payers who have accepted payments through apps such as PayPal, Cash App and Venmo might…

Congressional negotiators reach deal on government funding

Congress faces a midnight Friday deadline to pass a spending bill to prevent a partial government…

Christmas drag show controversy: armed protesters, supporters gather outside San Antonio theatre

The protest remained non-violent. SAN ANTONIO — Tuesday night, “A Drag Queen Christmas” show attracted a…

In El Paso, migrants are sleeping on the streets after thousands crossed the border last weekend

A Nicaraguan fisherman planned to spend the night in a parking garage with other migrants, then…

World’s largest volcano no longer erupting

Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano, began spewing molten rock Nov. 27 after being quiet for…

You may have free money waiting for you! How Texans can check for unclaimed property

The Texas Comptroller’s Office said the money comes from things like abandoned bank accounts, overpayments on…

Musk’s Twitter dissolves Trust and Safety Council

Twitter informed the advisory board via email that it was disbanding it shortly before it was…

UT suspends head basketball coach after family violence arrest

Chris Beard was hired in 2021 and is one of the University of Texas' highest-paid employees.

Feud between two men leads to shooting on West Side, SAPD says

SAN ANTONIO – An ongoing feud led to a man being shot and hospitalized on the…

Inside the turmoil roiling No Labels’ unity ticket presidential campaign

The centrist group says its critics don't give it proper credit. But ex-staffers say the organization…

Republicans have a post-election epiphany on mail voting

There's just one main hurdle: Donald Trump isn't ready to drop his attack on the method.

Small church bus carrying 25 people flips over in Houston, several injured, sheriff says

HOUSTON, Texas – A small church bus carrying 25 people flipped over near an apartment complex…

Texas’ last public lighthouse shines for the first time in 117 years

Get TPR’s best stories of the day and a jump start to the weekend with the…