SHOCKING: 17 - You Need To See This

AI Is Dead

A Texas author earned a certificate in AI—but there’s no way he’d ever use it to write a book.

Texas Observer · Apr 15, 2025

The Winds of Willacy: Inside Texas’ Largest Wind Farm

The coastal gales of the Rio Grande Valley have helped rejuvenate this small farming community.

Texas Observer · Apr 14, 2025

Slowly and Painfully, House Passes $337 Billion Budget

The chamber deliberated until 3 a.m.

Texas Observer · Apr 11, 2025

Texas’ First Black Woman Poet Laureate Spreads Poems of Praise

In tough times, Amanda Johnston is creating a community of gratitude with contributions from poets all across the state.

Texas Observer · Apr 7, 2025

House Committee Passes ‘Texas Two Step’ of Vouchers and Public Ed Funding

Dems could do little but sound the alarm on vouchers—and warn the $7.7-billion school-finance package is still not enough.

Texas Observer · Apr 4, 2025

The Lawless Border Wall

The application of waivers and the interpretation of their scope has repeatedly expanded, such that border walls are now privileged over all potential legal constraints short of the U.S. Constitution.

Texas Observer · Apr 3, 2025

‘It’s About Censorship, Erasure, and Control’: the GOP’s Push for Parental Rights

It’s part of a new right-wing project to control public schools.

Texas Observer · Apr 3, 2025

Carlton Carl, 1945-2025

Carlton was a patriot, feminist, Democrat, journalist, bibliophile, philanthropist, entrepreneur, art enthusiast, history buff, and more. He was a staunch supporter of his family and community, of organizations including the Observer, and of the town of Martindale.

Texas Observer · Apr 1, 2025

The Scientist and the Serial Killer: Cracking the Case of Houston’s ‘Lost Boys’

More than 50 years later, some Houston families still wait for confirmation that their sons and brothers were among the victims of serial killer Dean Corll.

Texas Observer · Apr 1, 2025

Texas’ AI-Powered Surveillance Arsenal Has Ballooned. Proposed Laws Provide Few Guardrails.

Operation Lone Star has turbocharged DPS’ surveillance capabilities. Lawmakers say they want to prevent Texas from becoming a police state but have filed only modest legislation to regulate use of AI.

Texas Observer · Mar 31, 2025