Josephine Lee
@josephinelee.bsky.social
Reporter at the Texas Observer
Email: lee@texasobserver.org
Signal: Josephineklee.14
https://www.texasobserver.org/author/josephine-lee/
Email: lee@texasobserver.org
Signal: Josephineklee.14
https://www.texasobserver.org/author/josephine-lee/
“The Texas Education Agency on Tuesday warned school districts that they could be taken over by the state if they help facilitate students walking out of class to attend protests.” www.texastribune.org/2026/02/03/t...
TEA warns of state takeovers for “encouraging” student protests
The state education agency issued guidance to districts after Gov. Greg Abbott directed its commissioner to investigate the student protests of killings by federal agents.
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:03 PM
“The Texas Education Agency on Tuesday warned school districts that they could be taken over by the state if they help facilitate students walking out of class to attend protests.” www.texastribune.org/2026/02/03/t...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Reposted by Josephine Lee
BREAKING: We just approved our Texas AFL-CIO COPE 2026 Primary Endorsements!
We're ready to get to work to elect this wave of union members, and take on the billionaires and the big corporations. View our full list of endorsements here: texasaflcio.org/news/texas-a...
We're ready to get to work to elect this wave of union members, and take on the billionaires and the big corporations. View our full list of endorsements here: texasaflcio.org/news/texas-a...
January 26, 2026 at 12:10 AM
BREAKING: We just approved our Texas AFL-CIO COPE 2026 Primary Endorsements!
We're ready to get to work to elect this wave of union members, and take on the billionaires and the big corporations. View our full list of endorsements here: texasaflcio.org/news/texas-a...
We're ready to get to work to elect this wave of union members, and take on the billionaires and the big corporations. View our full list of endorsements here: texasaflcio.org/news/texas-a...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
The Houston Chronicle editorial board says that Democrats should make state Rep. James Talarico their Senate candidate because he's running like he actually wants to win in Texas. bit.ly/4qfdZkM
February 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
The Houston Chronicle editorial board says that Democrats should make state Rep. James Talarico their Senate candidate because he's running like he actually wants to win in Texas. bit.ly/4qfdZkM
Reposted by Josephine Lee
New from @josephinelee.bsky.social: "I lived in Pearland for six years, but I didn’t learn about the Sri Meenakshi Temple until last year when I made a wrong turn. The temple’s sculpted stone tower rises 58 feet, seeming to materialize out of nowhere in this otherwise humdrum space ..."
A Reporter's Religious Quest in Houston Suburbia
At a Hindu temple hidden in Pearland, I found lessons about community, womanhood, and alienation.
www.texasobserver.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:28 PM
New from @josephinelee.bsky.social: "I lived in Pearland for six years, but I didn’t learn about the Sri Meenakshi Temple until last year when I made a wrong turn. The temple’s sculpted stone tower rises 58 feet, seeming to materialize out of nowhere in this otherwise humdrum space ..."
Reposted by Josephine Lee
While accusing Democratic leaders in Minnesota of inciting violence, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says the federal government should “recalibrate” its immigration operations in order to garner respect.
Greg Abbott says White House needs to ‘recalibrate’ ICE following fatal Minneapolis shooting
The Republican governor accused Democratic leaders in Minnesota of inciting violence. Democrats in Texas have condemned the shooting of demonstrator Alex Pretti.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
January 26, 2026 at 8:54 PM
While accusing Democratic leaders in Minnesota of inciting violence, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says the federal government should “recalibrate” its immigration operations in order to garner respect.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
@nytimes.com fails to answer its question! Jobs turned 'bad' because bosses use an underclass of workers to drag down our working conditions. The only way to end this is to unite the working class and fight against the criminalization of working people. Learn more at equalrightsforallworkers.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:04 PM
@nytimes.com fails to answer its question! Jobs turned 'bad' because bosses use an underclass of workers to drag down our working conditions. The only way to end this is to unite the working class and fight against the criminalization of working people. Learn more at equalrightsforallworkers.org
Reposted by Josephine Lee
You can see pretti’s hands under the pile all the way up to where gray jacket guy takes the gun.
Pretti clearly never pulled it out.
Pretti clearly never pulled it out.
January 24, 2026 at 9:30 PM
You can see pretti’s hands under the pile all the way up to where gray jacket guy takes the gun.
Pretti clearly never pulled it out.
Pretti clearly never pulled it out.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
I've been informed that the man in this video is Matthew James Obadiah Allen, better known as Twin Cities hip hop artist Nur-D
Minneapolis protester as he's being brutalized by feds: "You're gonna have to kill me! You're gonna have to kill me! I've done nothing wrong! My name is Matthew James! I'm a US citizen! You're gonna kill me! Is that what you want?" (You can hear his wife screaming)
January 24, 2026 at 8:54 PM
I've been informed that the man in this video is Matthew James Obadiah Allen, better known as Twin Cities hip hop artist Nur-D
Reposted by Josephine Lee
this guy just wanted to help defend his community and they murdered him for it and the highest officials in the nation are lying about what multiple camera angles are showing the nation
this cannot stand
this cannot stand
Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school. Later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill Veterans. He had such a great attitude. We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
this guy just wanted to help defend his community and they murdered him for it and the highest officials in the nation are lying about what multiple camera angles are showing the nation
this cannot stand
this cannot stand
Reposted by Josephine Lee
3) @josephinelee.bsky.social at the @texasobserver.org finds that many private schools accepted into the program openly discriminate by religion and sexual orientation - while rural Texans have few private school options at all.
bsky.app/profile/texa...
bsky.app/profile/texa...
January 21, 2026 at 10:53 PM
3) @josephinelee.bsky.social at the @texasobserver.org finds that many private schools accepted into the program openly discriminate by religion and sexual orientation - while rural Texans have few private school options at all.
bsky.app/profile/texa...
bsky.app/profile/texa...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Coalition group Youth Against Sweatshops put out a statement on Venezuela and how it will directly hurt American workers.
www.instagram.com/p/DTdHMnsjWb...
www.stopcriminalizing.us/articles/tru...
Join Break the Chains and learn more at equalrightsforallworkers.org
www.instagram.com/p/DTdHMnsjWb...
www.stopcriminalizing.us/articles/tru...
Join Break the Chains and learn more at equalrightsforallworkers.org
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Coalition group Youth Against Sweatshops put out a statement on Venezuela and how it will directly hurt American workers.
www.instagram.com/p/DTdHMnsjWb...
www.stopcriminalizing.us/articles/tru...
Join Break the Chains and learn more at equalrightsforallworkers.org
www.instagram.com/p/DTdHMnsjWb...
www.stopcriminalizing.us/articles/tru...
Join Break the Chains and learn more at equalrightsforallworkers.org
Reposted by Josephine Lee
The execution of Renee Good clearly shows that ICE's assaults are not just a war on immigrants but a tool to silence all workers. We must go further beyond ICE accountability to demand equal rights for ALL workers @ equalrightsforallworkers.org. time.com/7345243/ice-... #SayHerName #stopiceviolence
Anti-ICE Protests Spread Across U.S. After Fatal Shooting
The killing of Renee Good and shooting in Portland has sparked plans for 1,000 anti-ICE protests this weekend
time.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:13 PM
The execution of Renee Good clearly shows that ICE's assaults are not just a war on immigrants but a tool to silence all workers. We must go further beyond ICE accountability to demand equal rights for ALL workers @ equalrightsforallworkers.org. time.com/7345243/ice-... #SayHerName #stopiceviolence
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Exactly @channel5bluesky.bsky.social ! Our government criminalizes immigrants so we fight among ourselves! We cannot let our bosses and landlords continue to exploit us and divide workers! Unite to fight back against those who are killing us! go to: equalrightsforallworkers.org to learn more!
January 20, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Exactly @channel5bluesky.bsky.social ! Our government criminalizes immigrants so we fight among ourselves! We cannot let our bosses and landlords continue to exploit us and divide workers! Unite to fight back against those who are killing us! go to: equalrightsforallworkers.org to learn more!
An important and heartbreaking look at how incarcerated people are dying of overdoses under the care of facilities meant to rehabilitate them, by @michellepitcher.bsky.social for @texasobserver.org 👇
www.texasobserver.org/state-jails-...
www.texasobserver.org/state-jails-...
In Texas State Jails, a Rising Death Toll and a Broken Promise
Once billed as rehabilitative alternatives to prisons, these facilities are the sites of fatal overdoses—like that which ended the life of a Texan named Jackie Wiley.
www.texasobserver.org
January 20, 2026 at 8:17 PM
An important and heartbreaking look at how incarcerated people are dying of overdoses under the care of facilities meant to rehabilitate them, by @michellepitcher.bsky.social for @texasobserver.org 👇
www.texasobserver.org/state-jails-...
www.texasobserver.org/state-jails-...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Out today: “Isn’t it ironic that the same system that punished him for his addiction on the outside continued to supply and feed it on the inside?”
In Texas State Jails, a Rising Death Toll and a Broken Promise
Once billed as rehabilitative alternatives to prisons, these facilities are the sites of fatal overdoses—like that which ended the life of a Texan named Jackie Wiley.
www.texasobserver.org
January 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Out today: “Isn’t it ironic that the same system that punished him for his addiction on the outside continued to supply and feed it on the inside?”
Reposted by Josephine Lee
The expansion raises questions long-term about the size, strength, and investigative firepower of the state’s press corps—particularly at the Capitol. Is it in fact a good thing that Hearst now runs the papers servicing the four largest metros in Texas?
In Ink and on Airwaves, Texas Media Grows Ever More Concentrated
Hearst's acquisition of struggling newspapers in the state may seem like welcome news. But bigger doesn't always mean better.
www.texasobserver.org
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The expansion raises questions long-term about the size, strength, and investigative firepower of the state’s press corps—particularly at the Capitol. Is it in fact a good thing that Hearst now runs the papers servicing the four largest metros in Texas?
Reposted by Josephine Lee
The neo-fascist group Patriot Front is building a network of businesses in North Texas in an attempt to create a parallel, self-sufficient white nationalist economy. The Observer identified the men behind 4 of these companies.
Revealed: Four Businesses with Ties to Patriot Front Operating in North Texas
The neo-Nazi group is engaged in a strategy to establish an independent economic ecosystem. Through publicly available information, interviews, and in-person observation, the Observer has identified…
www.texasobserver.org
January 17, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The neo-fascist group Patriot Front is building a network of businesses in North Texas in an attempt to create a parallel, self-sufficient white nationalist economy. The Observer identified the men behind 4 of these companies.
FBI Investigating Renee Good While Obstructing Probes Into ICE Killer @sharonzhang.bsky.social truthout.org/articles/fbi...
FBI Investigating Renee Good While Obstructing Probes Into ICE Killer
At the same time, numerous officials have resigned from the DOJ over its decision to not investigate the killing.
truthout.org
January 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM
FBI Investigating Renee Good While Obstructing Probes Into ICE Killer @sharonzhang.bsky.social truthout.org/articles/fbi...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
As someone on the Dallas subreddit said: "This article provides the best description of the individuals attempting to undermine homeless services in Dallas."
Give it a read.
www.texasobserver.org/dallas-texas...
Give it a read.
www.texasobserver.org/dallas-texas...
A Dallas Megadonor, a New Nonprofit, and the War on ‘Housing First’
A scheme to relocate the unhoused out of one Texas city's downtown sheds light on a larger right-wing takeover of federal homelessness policy.
www.texasobserver.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:47 PM
As someone on the Dallas subreddit said: "This article provides the best description of the individuals attempting to undermine homeless services in Dallas."
Give it a read.
www.texasobserver.org/dallas-texas...
Give it a read.
www.texasobserver.org/dallas-texas...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
New from Josephine Lee: Our investigation of the state's voucher program shows that many schools discriminate against potential students. Around 40% of the religious schools have policies that favor their own faith and around 25% discriminate against LGBTQ+ students.
Texas Taxpayers Will Fund Dozens of Private Schools that Openly Discriminate
The state has signed off on voucher funds for schools that exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids.
www.texasobserver.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
New from Josephine Lee: Our investigation of the state's voucher program shows that many schools discriminate against potential students. Around 40% of the religious schools have policies that favor their own faith and around 25% discriminate against LGBTQ+ students.
92% of private schools already enrolled in Texas’ voucher programs serving kids beyond kindergarten are religious. @texasobserver.org found many of these exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids. #TxEd #TxLege #TexasSchools #ProtectPublicSchools #SchoolVouchers www.texasobserver.org/texas-vouche...
Texas Taxpayers Will Fund Dozens of Private Schools that Openly Discriminate
The state has signed off on voucher funds for schools that exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids.
www.texasobserver.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
92% of private schools already enrolled in Texas’ voucher programs serving kids beyond kindergarten are religious. @texasobserver.org found many of these exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids. #TxEd #TxLege #TexasSchools #ProtectPublicSchools #SchoolVouchers www.texasobserver.org/texas-vouche...
Texas encourages students and university faculty members to engage in govt witch hunt of professors. www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Texas launches website to collect complaints about public universities violating state law
Texas has launched a website for people to submit complaints against public universities after a new state law pledged increased oversight. The portal is...
www.dallasnews.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Texas encourages students and university faculty members to engage in govt witch hunt of professors. www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
New: I spoke to Rice University Latin American Studies Professor Luis Duno-Gottberg and @sdonziger.bsky.social about the history of U.S. oil adventurism in Venezuela and the role Chevron is set to play in Trump's blood-for-oil imperial venture. www.texasobserver.org/houston-oil-...
Why Houston Oil Majors Are Hesitant to Go All In on Venezuela
Though petro-giants have long sought lost assets in the South American country, they have reasons, for now at least, not to leap at Trump’s invitation to join his war on the climate and the internatio...
www.texasobserver.org
January 7, 2026 at 10:20 PM
New: I spoke to Rice University Latin American Studies Professor Luis Duno-Gottberg and @sdonziger.bsky.social about the history of U.S. oil adventurism in Venezuela and the role Chevron is set to play in Trump's blood-for-oil imperial venture. www.texasobserver.org/houston-oil-...