BIZARRE: 3 - What They Never Told You

The Texas Observer Loses Three Editorial Staff, Plans to Grow Business Team

On Monday, the board of directors of the Texas Democracy Foundation—the parent nonprofit of the Texas Observer—announced that Gabriel Arana is no longer editor-in-chief of the Texas Observer. Arana had led the Observer since he took over as interim editor-in-chief in 2021. He chose not to immediately comment on the…

Texas Observer · Feb 27, 2024

A Statement from the Texas Democracy Foundation

On February 26, the board of directors of the Texas Democracy Foundation—the parent nonprofit of the Texas Observer—announced that Gabriel Arana is no longer Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Observer. Independently, the board announced that the Observer has been restructured to ensure its financial stability. As part of this process, two…

Texas Observer · Feb 26, 2024

The Judges Who Ruled Against La Gordiloca Are Criminalizing Watchdog Journalism

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a lawsuit by Laredo’s most famous citizen journalist, Priscilla Villarreal, aka La Gordiloca.

Texas Observer · Jan 24, 2024

Beyond the Refrigerator Door

Multifaceted, multidimensional, Meow Wolf is "art for everybody." Digital Editor Kit O'Connell visits Meow Wolf Grapevine.

Texas Observer · Nov 20, 2023

These Are the Right-Wing Ideologues Taking Over School Boards

Conservative consultants and PACs are turning Texas school boards into partisan battlegrounds. From Steven Monacelli.

Texas Observer · Nov 13, 2023

Strangest State: Alligators, Tigers & Hailstorms, Oh My!

Weird weather, unusual attacks on education, and zoo animals keeping cool, in the latest dispatch from far-flung Texas.

Texas Observer · Oct 13, 2023

Ghosts from Texas’ Past

Dispatch from a haunted—and historically fraught—building in Austin, from Staff Writer Michelle Pitcher in the Texas Observer magazine.

Texas Observer · Oct 5, 2023

Reconciliation on Death Row

A murder and an execution date changed those on both sides of the bars. A changed viewpoint on capital punishment.

Texas Observer · Sep 25, 2023

On Making News

Renowned journalist Kathleen McElroy made headlines after Texas A&M University reneged on a high-profile job offer. She’s still processing that experience.

Texas Observer · Sep 20, 2023

‘Drag is so Healing’: Austin’s Queens Won’t Back Down

Performers remain committed to their art in the face of persecution. Digital Editor Kit O'Connell on how drag queens respond to the ban.

Texas Observer · Sep 18, 2023