Alicia Maria Orta
@aliciamariameier.bsky.social
managing editor at @texasmonthly.bsky.social, sometimes translator. she/her
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
“You are preparing to invite children to swim in the very river that may still hold our daughter’s body when you plan to ‘open your gates,’” a new statement from the parents of the remaining camper missing after July's floods reads.
Their Daughter Is Still Missing. They Say Plans to Reopen Camp Mystic Are “Unthinkable.”
"You are preparing to invite children to swim in the very river that may still hold our daughter’s body when you plan to ‘open your gates,’” the new statement from CiCi and Will Steward reads.
www.texasmonthly.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
“You are preparing to invite children to swim in the very river that may still hold our daughter’s body when you plan to ‘open your gates,’” a new statement from the parents of the remaining camper missing after July's floods reads.
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Good news: Thirteen new episodes of our docuseries with PBS will be airing weekly. 🎉 https://www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/texas-monthly-presents-returns-to-texas-pbs-stations-this-fall/
'Texas Monthly Presents' Returns to Texas PBS Stations This Fall
Thirteen new episodes of the docuseries will begin airing weekly on August 31.
www.texasmonthly.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Good news: Thirteen new episodes of our docuseries with PBS will be airing weekly. 🎉 https://www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/texas-monthly-presents-returns-to-texas-pbs-stations-this-fall/
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
🎸👨🎤 ⛓️ An exclusive excerpt from a new oral history of the wild, early days of the Lone Star State’s distinctive and underappreciated punk scene: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-secret-history-of-texas-punk/
The Secret History of Texas Punk
An exclusive excerpt from a new oral history of the wild, early days of the Lone Star State’s distinctive and underappreciated punk scene.
www.texasmonthly.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
🎸👨🎤 ⛓️ An exclusive excerpt from a new oral history of the wild, early days of the Lone Star State’s distinctive and underappreciated punk scene: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-secret-history-of-texas-punk/
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
#journalismjob alert: We've just posted a new role at @texasmonthly.bsky.social, a research chief who will supervise our team of fact-checkers and do some fact-checking themselves www.texasmonthly.com/about/jobs-a...
Jobs and Internships
Since 1973, Texas Monthly has chronicled life in contemporary Texas, reporting on vital issues such as politics, criminal justice, the environment,
www.texasmonthly.com
July 16, 2025 at 9:23 PM
#journalismjob alert: We've just posted a new role at @texasmonthly.bsky.social, a research chief who will supervise our team of fact-checkers and do some fact-checking themselves www.texasmonthly.com/about/jobs-a...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
This week, @texasmonthly.bsky.social’s reporting on the floods in Kerr County has been so purposeful and so deeply empathetic. It was personal. This first person account is so, so horrific and so beautifully written.
You’ll cry very hard.
(CW: Child death.)
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
You’ll cry very hard.
(CW: Child death.)
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
“The River House Broke. We Rushed in the River.”
The July 4 Texas flooding ripped our Kerr County home from its pillars, pulling us into the water and into the night. Then morning came.
www.texasmonthly.com
July 12, 2025 at 2:19 AM
This week, @texasmonthly.bsky.social’s reporting on the floods in Kerr County has been so purposeful and so deeply empathetic. It was personal. This first person account is so, so horrific and so beautifully written.
You’ll cry very hard.
(CW: Child death.)
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
You’ll cry very hard.
(CW: Child death.)
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Cloud seeding isn’t new. It dates back to the Dust Bowl era, when Texans desperate for rain took to the skies with silver iodide.
Today, it’s still used to "nudge" clouds, but decades later, it’s caught in a storm of conspiracy theories. @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Today, it’s still used to "nudge" clouds, but decades later, it’s caught in a storm of conspiracy theories. @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
A West Texas Cloud Seeder Debunks Those Conspiracy Theories
Why there’s no scientific basis for blaming the longtime drought-fighting practice for the tragic Central Texas flooding.
www.texasmonthly.com
July 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Cloud seeding isn’t new. It dates back to the Dust Bowl era, when Texans desperate for rain took to the skies with silver iodide.
Today, it’s still used to "nudge" clouds, but decades later, it’s caught in a storm of conspiracy theories. @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Today, it’s still used to "nudge" clouds, but decades later, it’s caught in a storm of conspiracy theories. @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
The most haunting story you will read about the flood. "If I or anyone else had been closer to them, we would have helped her. We would have grabbed one of the kids. But we didn’t know that we were about to be plunged into the water. We simply didn’t know." www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
“The River House Broke. We Rushed in the River.”
The July 4 Texas flooding ripped our Kerr County home from its pillars, pulling us into the water and into the night. Then morning came.
www.texasmonthly.com
July 11, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The most haunting story you will read about the flood. "If I or anyone else had been closer to them, we would have helped her. We would have grabbed one of the kids. But we didn’t know that we were about to be plunged into the water. We simply didn’t know." www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
“I don’t know how long it took—ten seconds, maybe fifteen—for the house to come apart."
During the early-morning hours of July 4, the Guadalupe River pulled senior editor Aaron Parsley and six members of his family into its waters. Read his firsthand account:
During the early-morning hours of July 4, the Guadalupe River pulled senior editor Aaron Parsley and six members of his family into its waters. Read his firsthand account:
“The River House Broke. We Rushed in the River.”
The July 4 Texas flooding ripped our Kerr County home from its pillars, pulling us into the water and into the night. Then morning came.
www.texasmonthly.com
July 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
“I don’t know how long it took—ten seconds, maybe fifteen—for the house to come apart."
During the early-morning hours of July 4, the Guadalupe River pulled senior editor Aaron Parsley and six members of his family into its waters. Read his firsthand account:
During the early-morning hours of July 4, the Guadalupe River pulled senior editor Aaron Parsley and six members of his family into its waters. Read his firsthand account:
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Catastrophic flooding hit Kerrville overnight.
Fourth of July revelers and campers are feared lost in the floodwaters.
Fourth of July revelers and campers are feared lost in the floodwaters.
The Fourth of July Turned Tragic in Kerrville, Texas
Catastrophic flooding hit Kerrville overnight. Fourth of July revelers and campers are feared lost in the floodwaters.
www.texasmonthly.com
July 4, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Catastrophic flooding hit Kerrville overnight.
Fourth of July revelers and campers are feared lost in the floodwaters.
Fourth of July revelers and campers are feared lost in the floodwaters.
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Our 2025 list of the Top 50 barbecue joints in Texas is here! Thank you, @bbqsnob.bsky.social and team. 🙏🍖🙌🤠
Feast your eyes (and then feast)! 👀 www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/...
Feast your eyes (and then feast)! 👀 www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/...
The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2025 Edition
Is there such a thing as too much good barbecue? If you’re trying to determine the fifty best barbecue joints in the state, the answer is yes.
www.texasmonthly.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Our 2025 list of the Top 50 barbecue joints in Texas is here! Thank you, @bbqsnob.bsky.social and team. 🙏🍖🙌🤠
Feast your eyes (and then feast)! 👀 www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/...
Feast your eyes (and then feast)! 👀 www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
After losing dozens of farm animals to suspected chemical poisoning, two Texas families are pushing lawmakers for a fertilizer ban. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
After Cows Kept Dying on a Texas Farm, Lawmakers Are Taking Aim at Forever Chemicals
Two Texas families that lost dozens of farm animals to suspected PFAS poisoning are pushing lawmakers for a fertilizer ban.
www.texasmonthly.com
May 7, 2025 at 7:13 PM
After losing dozens of farm animals to suspected chemical poisoning, two Texas families are pushing lawmakers for a fertilizer ban. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Congrats to J.K. Nickell and @texasmonthly.bsky.social, who won an ABA Silver Gavel Award today for this fantastic feature about a Dallas eviction lawyer's heroics www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
The Eviction Cure
What happens when a hotshot Dallas attorney gets ticked off about thousands of his fellow citizens being thrown out of their homes in violation of the law? Courtroom fireworks, for starters.
www.texasmonthly.com
May 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Congrats to J.K. Nickell and @texasmonthly.bsky.social, who won an ABA Silver Gavel Award today for this fantastic feature about a Dallas eviction lawyer's heroics www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
The Society of Publication Designers recently announced that Texas Monthly’s art department is a finalist in seven categories, marking the second year in a row. 🏆
Texas Monthly’s Art Department Shines Bright Again in Society of Publication Designers Competition
In the society’s sixtieth annual competition, the visuals team is a finalist in seven categories, including the prestigious Brand of the Year.
www.texasmonthly.com
April 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The Society of Publication Designers recently announced that Texas Monthly’s art department is a finalist in seven categories, marking the second year in a row. 🏆
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Trump sent a teenager in the US legally to a gulag for being Venezuelan www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
The Austin-Area Teen Trump Disappeared to El Salvador
Eighteen-year-old Daniel Terán was taken from his home and shipped to a notorious prison on the charge that he is a gang member. The government hasn't produced evidence supporting the claim, says his ...
www.texasmonthly.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Trump sent a teenager in the US legally to a gulag for being Venezuelan www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
In film: Long dismissed or disregarded, the Texas-Mexico border has come to be seen as a violent no-man’s-land thanks to incessant sensational news coverage and cartel thrillers. But these stories paint a different, quieter picture.
The Texas Border Is the New Frontier of Film
After years of having their stories told by outsiders, locals are fighting back with their own cameras and building much-needed infrastructure. But they need more support.
www.texasobserver.org
March 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
In film: Long dismissed or disregarded, the Texas-Mexico border has come to be seen as a violent no-man’s-land thanks to incessant sensational news coverage and cartel thrillers. But these stories paint a different, quieter picture.
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Texas Monthly received two dozen nods in the national awards competition this year. 🏆
The magazine was recognized for its writing, design, and digital platform, as well as for general excellence, for works published last year. www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/2...
The magazine was recognized for its writing, design, and digital platform, as well as for general excellence, for works published last year. www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/2...
Texas Monthly Shows Up Big as a Finalist for Multiple 2025 National City and Regional Magazine Awards
The magazine received two dozen nods in the national awards competition this year.
www.texasmonthly.com
March 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Texas Monthly received two dozen nods in the national awards competition this year. 🏆
The magazine was recognized for its writing, design, and digital platform, as well as for general excellence, for works published last year. www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/2...
The magazine was recognized for its writing, design, and digital platform, as well as for general excellence, for works published last year. www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/2...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Political operatives want to crush the state’s independent press.
They’re using a crude messaging strategy. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
They’re using a crude messaging strategy. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
DOGE Has Reinvigorated the Right-Wing Crusade Against Texas Media
Political operatives want to crush the state’s independent press. They’re using a crude messaging strategy.
www.texasmonthly.com
March 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Political operatives want to crush the state’s independent press.
They’re using a crude messaging strategy. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
They’re using a crude messaging strategy. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Tourists are flocking to the 1,252 square miles of rugged terrain, where visitor safety is a primary concern.
DOGE just slashed five employees from the already understaffed park. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
DOGE just slashed five employees from the already understaffed park. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
“Terrible, Thoughtless, and Reckless:” Inside the Firings at Big Bend National Park
Tourists are flocking to the 1,252 square miles of rugged terrain, where visitor safety is a primary concern. DOGE just slashed five employees from the already understaffed park.
www.texasmonthly.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Tourists are flocking to the 1,252 square miles of rugged terrain, where visitor safety is a primary concern.
DOGE just slashed five employees from the already understaffed park. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
DOGE just slashed five employees from the already understaffed park. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
more than a year ago, the TM editorial staff concluded that we needed to cover this disaster in our backyard in the same way were then covering the uvalde shooting: with human depth and mightily resourced reporting. i’m so proud to see that effort come to fruition today.
More than two years after the worst immigration-related disaster in American history, traffickers involved in the deaths of 53 migrants are set to stand trial.
The Quintana Road tragedy was decades in the making. www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/...
The Quintana Road tragedy was decades in the making. www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/...
A Deadly Passage
It's been two years since the worst immigration-related disaster in American history, when 53 migrants were killed in San Antonio after being trapped in a sweltering tractor trailer. We spoke with the...
www.texasmonthly.com
February 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
more than a year ago, the TM editorial staff concluded that we needed to cover this disaster in our backyard in the same way were then covering the uvalde shooting: with human depth and mightily resourced reporting. i’m so proud to see that effort come to fruition today.
are you a recent or upcoming grad looking for an *actual entry level gig* in journalism? one week left to apply to our editorial coordinator job!
www.texasmonthly.com/about/jobs-a...
www.texasmonthly.com/about/jobs-a...
Jobs and Internships
Since 1973, Texas Monthly has chronicled life in contemporary Texas, reporting on vital issues such as politics, criminal justice, the environment,
www.texasmonthly.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
are you a recent or upcoming grad looking for an *actual entry level gig* in journalism? one week left to apply to our editorial coordinator job!
www.texasmonthly.com/about/jobs-a...
www.texasmonthly.com/about/jobs-a...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
Two @texasmonthly.bsky.social features are finalists for the American Society of Magazine Editors’ sixtieth annual National Magazine Awards.
The magazine was also recognized for awards in Design, Photography and Illustration. 🏆 🤠 www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/t...
The magazine was also recognized for awards in Design, Photography and Illustration. 🏆 🤠 www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/t...
Texas Monthly Is a Finalist for Two 2025 National Magazine Awards
The American Society of Magazine Editors announced Thursday that Texas Monthly’s “The 50 Best Tacos in Texas” and “The Billionaire Who Runs Texas”
www.texasmonthly.com
February 18, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Two @texasmonthly.bsky.social features are finalists for the American Society of Magazine Editors’ sixtieth annual National Magazine Awards.
The magazine was also recognized for awards in Design, Photography and Illustration. 🏆 🤠 www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/t...
The magazine was also recognized for awards in Design, Photography and Illustration. 🏆 🤠 www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/t...
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
For my latest story, I reported on the lives of the undocumented contract workers who helped power Elon Musk's expansion in Austin. Sweeping debris, laying plumbing and pouring concrete, these workers built facilities that helped make Musk’s $400 billion fortune.
Read for free:
bloom.bg/41gG6a3
Read for free:
bloom.bg/41gG6a3
The Undocumented Workers Who Helped Build Elon Musk’s Texas Gigafactory
Tesla and SpaceX both relied on their labor while Musk advocated for a border crackdown.
bloom.bg
February 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
For my latest story, I reported on the lives of the undocumented contract workers who helped power Elon Musk's expansion in Austin. Sweeping debris, laying plumbing and pouring concrete, these workers built facilities that helped make Musk’s $400 billion fortune.
Read for free:
bloom.bg/41gG6a3
Read for free:
bloom.bg/41gG6a3
Reposted by Alicia Maria Orta
One of the largest workplace immigration-enforcement actions in American history upended the Panhandle town of Cactus in 2006. The hamlet’s recovery offers warnings about Donald Trump’s plans for mass deportations. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
ICE Came for This Town’s Workforce. It Was Never the Same.
One of the largest ICE raids in American history upended the town of Cactus in 2006. The recovery offers warnings about Trump’s mass deportations.
www.texasmonthly.com
February 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
One of the largest workplace immigration-enforcement actions in American history upended the Panhandle town of Cactus in 2006. The hamlet’s recovery offers warnings about Donald Trump’s plans for mass deportations. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...