A Slice of Life in Watermelon Country The annual Watermelon Thump has been a Central Texas staple for more than 70 years. Texas Observer · Sep 12, 2024
Junk Science, ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome,’ and the Fate of Robert Roberson An East Texas man could soon become the nation's first person killed by the state based on the controversial hypothesis. Texas Observer · Sep 11, 2024
The Far Right Wants to End Out-of-State Abortion. Amarillo Is in the Way. Texas' biggest popular vote on abortion post-"Roe" pits local advocates against an abortion travel ban that's part of a scheme to block the path to New Mexico. Texas Observer · Sep 10, 2024
Rice Farmers on the Brink Limited water, changing weather, skyrocketing costs, and land losses are causing the state's rice farms to slowly disappear. Texas Observer · Sep 9, 2024
The Woman Who Died in the Heat on a San Antonio Sidewalk Was My Friend After many months of fruitless efforts to get Jessica help, our case was finally moving, and for a couple days we were hopeful. Then the heat dome hit. Texas Observer · Sep 6, 2024
When Will Texas Workers Finally Get Protections from Heat Exposure? U.S. Representative Greg Casar discusses the timing and impact of a new federal workplace heat safety rule. Texas Observer · Sep 5, 2024
What Trump 2.0 Would Mean for Texas The state’s ruling conservative class stands to gain bigly, while everyone else will face the fallout of a radical second term. Texas Observer · Sep 4, 2024
The ‘Untranslatable Palestinian Flesh’ What do we owe to language in times of unimaginable violence? Palestinian-Texan verse helps show us the way. Texas Observer · Sep 3, 2024
Texas Is Arming Mexico’s Gunmen Data shows that firearms were purchased in 212 Texas counties before being trafficked to Mexico and recovered as crime guns from 2015-2022, for a total of nearly 22,000 firearms. Texas Observer · Aug 30, 2024
After Hurricane Beryl, Cooling Centers Were Few and Slow to Arrive for Houstonians of Color—Some Died of Heat Exposure During the power outage following the storm, a shocking lack of support in vulnerable communities reflected a larger breakdown in coordination between the state, CenterPoint Energy, and local governments. Texas Observer · Aug 29, 2024
Editor’s Letter: Introducing Our September/October Issue A note from the interim editor-in-chief Texas Observer · Aug 28, 2024
Announcing Our Executive Director: Loren Lynch With our permanent ED in place, we look forward to establishing a truly sustainable foundation for the future. Texas Observer · Aug 27, 2024
How Can You Tell If Soil Is Healthy? Just Listen to It. First-of-its-kind research shows how "ecoacoustics" can help scientists monitor the health of soils—using underground critter concerts. Texas Observer · Aug 27, 2024
Texas State Police Gear Up for Massive Expansion of Surveillance Tech DPS plans to spend millions in taxpayer dollars on a controversial software, used first as part of Governor Abbott’s border crackdown, to “disrupt potential domestic terrorism.” Texas Observer · Aug 26, 2024
Texas Observer · Aug 23, 2024 The Mexican American Story Sometimes learning about history hurts. But if we want to heal from these wounds, we first have to learn the truth.
Texas Observer · Aug 22, 2024 In El Paso, a Migrant Death Crisis Emerges amid Extreme Heat As an emergency physician, I see the cost of climate change and border militarization first-hand—ice-filled body bags and all.
Texas Observer · Aug 21, 2024 A Visionary in the Borderlands While he lived, Canales saved countless lives in the remote South Texas ranchlands. A statewide center in Texas to identify missing migrants would be a fitting legacy.
Texas Observer · Aug 20, 2024 how to admire wildflowers From the Texas Observer's July/August issue: "rub your eyes & see nothin’..."
Texas Observer · Aug 19, 2024 Observing the Borderlands As the Texas Observer’s border reporter from 2008 to 2018, Melissa del Bosque investigated corruption and uncovered injustices.
Texas Observer · Aug 16, 2024 The Walls Prison Break–50 Years Later Questions linger about Fred Gomez Carrasco’s escape attempt and the killings that followed.
Texas Observer · Aug 15, 2024 DPS Dodges Transparency in Uvalde—Again Director Steve McCraw reinstated a Texas ranger he’d fired over the response to the Robb Elementary shooting. The ranger’s appeal could have brought scrutiny on his agency.
Texas Observer · Aug 14, 2024 Stories from Deep in the Heart A new collection of Joe Holley's Native Texan columns treats subjects ranging from Austin's moontowers to a notorious prison to a battle of porcine proportions.
Texas Observer · Aug 13, 2024 Turning Trauma Into Activism: She’s Fighting for Reproductive Rights in Texas and Beyond Amanda Zurawski, whose lawsuit challenging state abortion bans was ultimately rejected by the state's high court, wants Republicans to rue Roe’s demise come November.
Texas Observer · Aug 12, 2024 A Rough Road to the Christmas Mountains The small range in West Texas provides gorgeous vistas and huge research opportunities that are finally being realized.
Texas Observer · Aug 9, 2024 Bringing Home the Story of Ben Spencer An innocent Texan was caught for more than three decades in a web of lies and injustice.