Gus Bova
@gusbova.bsky.social
Kansas-Texas transplant. Editor-in-Chief, Texas Observer. Tips: bova@texasobserver.org, or DM for Signal.
Pinned
Gus Bova
@gusbova.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Personal/professional news: I am now the Editor-in-Chief of @texasobserver.org. My entire journalism career has taken place here, as I've learned from all who've come and gone from this little magazine. Thank you to all the colleagues and sources who helped me along the way
Now that the dust has settled I can finally let the city know that my futile vote for Prop Q was still meant as a vote against the new logo.
It's not too late to reverse course, replace it with a bat eating a taco
It's not too late to reverse course, replace it with a bat eating a taco
OK in. Prop Q toast:
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Now that the dust has settled I can finally let the city know that my futile vote for Prop Q was still meant as a vote against the new logo.
It's not too late to reverse course, replace it with a bat eating a taco
It's not too late to reverse course, replace it with a bat eating a taco
don't think i've ever seen Travis Co. take this long with early vote results
November 5, 2025 at 2:08 AM
don't think i've ever seen Travis Co. take this long with early vote results
Reposted by Gus Bova
NEW: The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached the Texas Department of Public Safety, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Texas Turns Its Sprawling State Police Force Into Immigration Agents for Trump
The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached DPS, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
www.texasobserver.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
NEW: The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached the Texas Department of Public Safety, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Big (bad) news from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Texas Turns Its Sprawling State Police Force Into Immigration Agents for Trump
The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached DPS, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
www.texasobserver.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Big (bad) news from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
A great review from @capaciousmood.bsky.social that's a satisfying read but still leaves you wanting to pick up the book: www.texasobserver.org/queen-mother...
The ‘Queen Mother’ of the Reparations Movement Gets Her Due
A UT-Austin historian tells the under-told story of Audley Moore, “one of the most important activists and theorists of the twentieth century.”
www.texasobserver.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A great review from @capaciousmood.bsky.social that's a satisfying read but still leaves you wanting to pick up the book: www.texasobserver.org/queen-mother...
A TPPF lawsuit against the City of Dallas seeks to push the bounds of what the 2023 "death star" bill applies to, validating the fears of all those who said the bill was far too vague
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
October 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A TPPF lawsuit against the City of Dallas seeks to push the bounds of what the 2023 "death star" bill applies to, validating the fears of all those who said the bill was far too vague
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
The Texas Department of Public Safety, Criminal Investigations Division, signed a 287(g) task force agreement with ICE on 10/17: www.ice.gov/identify-and...
Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act
www.ice.gov
October 27, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The Texas Department of Public Safety, Criminal Investigations Division, signed a 287(g) task force agreement with ICE on 10/17: www.ice.gov/identify-and...
I feel like the alarm dial may be turned to its maximum level already.
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
October 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I feel like the alarm dial may be turned to its maximum level already.
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
Reposted by Gus Bova
Check out my article in the Texas Observer about Prop Q, the Austin tax rate election.
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
Why the City of Austin Wants Voters to Hike Their Property Taxes
And what Prop Q could mean for the future of local governments in Texas
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Check out my article in the Texas Observer about Prop Q, the Austin tax rate election.
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
Lots of opportunites right now for aspiring state reps in Austin. Local labor leader Montserrat Garibay announces for Gina Hinojosa's seat.
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Lots of opportunites right now for aspiring state reps in Austin. Local labor leader Montserrat Garibay announces for Gina Hinojosa's seat.
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
Reposted by Gus Bova
NEW: ICE remains mum regarding prosecutor exposed as white supremacist.
"They want to signal to the other white supremacists...out there that under this administration things are going to be different and you’re not going to have to worry about losing your job"
www.texasobserver.org/ice-white-su...
"They want to signal to the other white supremacists...out there that under this administration things are going to be different and you’re not going to have to worry about losing your job"
www.texasobserver.org/ice-white-su...
ICE Still Won't Answer Questions About Prosecutor with White Supremacist X Account
Congressman Marc Veasey arrived at an ICE facility Monday in his latest attempt to follow up on the Observer's reporting.
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
NEW: ICE remains mum regarding prosecutor exposed as white supremacist.
"They want to signal to the other white supremacists...out there that under this administration things are going to be different and you’re not going to have to worry about losing your job"
www.texasobserver.org/ice-white-su...
"They want to signal to the other white supremacists...out there that under this administration things are going to be different and you’re not going to have to worry about losing your job"
www.texasobserver.org/ice-white-su...
"He married an American citizen in 2017. But he was unable to obtain a green card, routinely reporting to ICE until June 10, when agents arrested him after he dutifully arrived for his appointment. That day, they took him..." www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Trump's ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.
Douglas Menjivar is a survivor and activist. He’s also married to a U.S. citizen, but he was caught up in the president’s mass deportation agenda anyway.
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:04 PM
"He married an American citizen in 2017. But he was unable to obtain a green card, routinely reporting to ICE until June 10, when agents arrested him after he dutifully arrived for his appointment. That day, they took him..." www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Thank goodness that *both* these logos now appear in the email signature from the APD press office.
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
October 16, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Thank goodness that *both* these logos now appear in the email signature from the APD press office.
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
This raises the possibility of all three top-ballot Dem spots being Austin state reps.
On the other hand, Hinojosa is from Brownsville and has a last name that basically shouts deep South Texas. First serious Latin@ Dem to jump in statewide so far: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rU6...
On the other hand, Hinojosa is from Brownsville and has a last name that basically shouts deep South Texas. First serious Latin@ Dem to jump in statewide so far: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rU6...
Gina for Texas: “Fight Back”
YouTube video by Gina Hinojosa
www.youtube.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
This raises the possibility of all three top-ballot Dem spots being Austin state reps.
On the other hand, Hinojosa is from Brownsville and has a last name that basically shouts deep South Texas. First serious Latin@ Dem to jump in statewide so far: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rU6...
On the other hand, Hinojosa is from Brownsville and has a last name that basically shouts deep South Texas. First serious Latin@ Dem to jump in statewide so far: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rU6...
Reposted by Gus Bova
The Court of Criminal Appeals has stayed Robert Roberson’s execution, sending his case back to a lower court for reconsideration. He was scheduled to be executed in less than a week.
October 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The Court of Criminal Appeals has stayed Robert Roberson’s execution, sending his case back to a lower court for reconsideration. He was scheduled to be executed in less than a week.
Behold, interesting political reporting about Texas Democrats: www.texasobserver.org/inside-rift-...
Inside the Rift Between Texas Dems and a Soros-Backed PAC
The Texas Majority PAC is the latest deep-pocketed initiative meant to turn Texas blue. But have its dollars just brought more discord?
www.texasobserver.org
October 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Behold, interesting political reporting about Texas Democrats: www.texasobserver.org/inside-rift-...
Reposted by Gus Bova
SCOOP: A Soros-backed PAC in Texas expects a massive budget—$20 million a year, each year, until 2032—but the group has been roiled by territorial disputes and allegations of "data falsification" & "systemic" voter outreach fraud. And here come the midterms. In @texasobserver.org: bit.ly/3IYSfdc
Inside the Rift Between Texas Dems and a Soros-Backed PAC
The Texas Majority PAC is the latest deep-pocketed initiative meant to turn Texas blue. But have its dollars just brought more discord?
bit.ly
October 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
SCOOP: A Soros-backed PAC in Texas expects a massive budget—$20 million a year, each year, until 2032—but the group has been roiled by territorial disputes and allegations of "data falsification" & "systemic" voter outreach fraud. And here come the midterms. In @texasobserver.org: bit.ly/3IYSfdc
Reposted by Gus Bova
New from @samrussek.bsky.social: While some local Democratic party chapters speak effusively of their partnerships with Texas Majority PAC, others liken it to a bait-and-switch operation that commandeers the grassroots manpower of established county parties & fails to deliver on its lofty promises.
Inside the Rift Between Texas Dems and a Soros-Backed PAC
The Texas Majority PAC is the latest deep-pocketed initiative meant to turn Texas blue. But have its dollars just brought more discord?
www.texasobserver.org
October 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
New from @samrussek.bsky.social: While some local Democratic party chapters speak effusively of their partnerships with Texas Majority PAC, others liken it to a bait-and-switch operation that commandeers the grassroots manpower of established county parties & fails to deliver on its lofty promises.
Reposted by Gus Bova
subscribe to the observer
There are simply so many fires to attend to; we don't even have a story on the gov shutdown up, but I feel proud of what the @texasobserver.org did get to this week.
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Trump's ICE Has Arrested a Pillar of the Dallas Muslim Community. I Grew Up Hearing His Calls for Compassion.
When I heard Marwan Marouf had been swept up in connection with decades-old charitable donations, my mind went to his gentle voice we sometimes had to strain to hear at the mosque.
www.texasobserver.org
October 4, 2025 at 8:03 PM
subscribe to the observer
Reposted by Gus Bova
There are simply so many fires to attend to; we don't even have a story on the gov shutdown up, but I feel proud of what the @texasobserver.org did get to this week.
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Trump's ICE Has Arrested a Pillar of the Dallas Muslim Community. I Grew Up Hearing His Calls for Compassion.
When I heard Marwan Marouf had been swept up in connection with decades-old charitable donations, my mind went to his gentle voice we sometimes had to strain to hear at the mosque.
www.texasobserver.org
October 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
There are simply so many fires to attend to; we don't even have a story on the gov shutdown up, but I feel proud of what the @texasobserver.org did get to this week.
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
There are simply so many fires to attend to; we don't even have a story on the gov shutdown up, but I feel proud of what the @texasobserver.org did get to this week.
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Trump's ICE Has Arrested a Pillar of the Dallas Muslim Community. I Grew Up Hearing His Calls for Compassion.
When I heard Marwan Marouf had been swept up in connection with decades-old charitable donations, my mind went to his gentle voice we sometimes had to strain to hear at the mosque.
www.texasobserver.org
October 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
There are simply so many fires to attend to; we don't even have a story on the gov shutdown up, but I feel proud of what the @texasobserver.org did get to this week.
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Today's story, ICE snatches a Dallas Muslim leader known for his gentleness and humility: www.texasobserver.org/ice-marwan-m...
Reposted by Gus Bova
Trump hastens plan to deny domestic workers the minimum wage. www.texasobserver.org/texas-domest...
Texas Domestic Workers Face Trump Attack on Minimum Wage
Advocates warn a proposed rule by the Department of Labor will deepen the country’s “crisis of care.”
www.texasobserver.org
September 25, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Trump hastens plan to deny domestic workers the minimum wage. www.texasobserver.org/texas-domest...
Reposted by Gus Bova
Robert Roberson's attorney Gretchen Sween will not petition for clemency ahead of his scheduled Oct. 16 execution. "A quest for clemency would not right the wrong...It would only divert precious time and resources from the fundamental mission: obtaining a new trial for Robert at long last."
September 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Robert Roberson's attorney Gretchen Sween will not petition for clemency ahead of his scheduled Oct. 16 execution. "A quest for clemency would not right the wrong...It would only divert precious time and resources from the fundamental mission: obtaining a new trial for Robert at long last."
Lessons to learn from the politically motivated firing of a UT president in the 1940s: texasobserver.org/texas-facult...
Texas History Offers Warnings amid Rash of Faculty Firings
Lessons to learn from the politically motivated firing of a UT president in the 1940s
texasobserver.org
September 24, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Lessons to learn from the politically motivated firing of a UT president in the 1940s: texasobserver.org/texas-facult...