Texas Monthly
@texasmonthly.bsky.social
Texas news, politics, food, culture, travel, yee-haw, and more since 1973. 🤠
Pinned
The newest issue of Texas Monthly, wrapping up 2025 with our Best Things in Texas, is our holiday gift to you. 🎁
Peek inside for where to travel, what to listen to, what to watch, and moments that made us proud to be Texans: https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/best-things-in-texas/
Peek inside for where to travel, what to listen to, what to watch, and moments that made us proud to be Texans: https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/best-things-in-texas/
Respected nationwide for her trendsetting sensibilities, renowned Austin hotelier Liz Lambert only buys presents she would use herself. 🎁
Her essentials from last year: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/liz-lambert-six-essential-christmas-gifts/
Her essentials from last year: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/liz-lambert-six-essential-christmas-gifts/
Liz Lambert’s Six Essential Christmas Gifts
Respected nationwide for her trendsetting sensibilities, the renowned Austin hotelier only buys presents she would use herself.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Respected nationwide for her trendsetting sensibilities, renowned Austin hotelier Liz Lambert only buys presents she would use herself. 🎁
Her essentials from last year: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/liz-lambert-six-essential-christmas-gifts/
Her essentials from last year: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/liz-lambert-six-essential-christmas-gifts/
In today's word wrangler, search for ten songs performed by the late Houstonian Esther Phillips, the First Lady of Black country music. 🎶 https://www.texasmonthly.com/games/word-wrangler-december-9-2025/
Word Wrangler: December 9, 2025
Ten songs performed by the late Houstonian Esther Phillips, the First Lady of Black country music.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:35 PM
In today's word wrangler, search for ten songs performed by the late Houstonian Esther Phillips, the First Lady of Black country music. 🎶 https://www.texasmonthly.com/games/word-wrangler-december-9-2025/
Studies have found that adults who recall their parents lying to them frequently feel more anxious and show more aggression. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/santa-claus-lie/
Should You Lie to Your Kid About Santa?
Psychologists in Texas are trying to answer a question that has boggled parents for decades.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Studies have found that adults who recall their parents lying to them frequently feel more anxious and show more aggression. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/santa-claus-lie/
Reposted by Texas Monthly
Get thee to the RGV. You deserve the best.
The 22 Best Taco Spots in the Rio Grande Valley
Where to find the best examples of the region’s specialties, from mammoth breakfast tacos to old-school barbacoa.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Get thee to the RGV. You deserve the best.
"Could this strange, wise boy with the gentle cadence of a preacher be the one to deliver Democrats from damnation? Or at least from decades of unabated loserdom?" writes Allegra Hobbs. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/james-talarico-next-great-hope-texas-democrats/
The Confessions of James Talarico
The insurgent Democrat wants religion out of politics. And he won’t stop preaching about it.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"Could this strange, wise boy with the gentle cadence of a preacher be the one to deliver Democrats from damnation? Or at least from decades of unabated loserdom?" writes Allegra Hobbs. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/james-talarico-next-great-hope-texas-democrats/
It’s hard to go wrong when you're in the region that's the birthplace of most of our state’s great tacos, but we tried to whittle down some choices for you. 🌮
An updated Rio Grande Valley taco trail from our taco editor: https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/rio-grande-valley-taco-trail/
An updated Rio Grande Valley taco trail from our taco editor: https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/rio-grande-valley-taco-trail/
The 22 Best Taco Spots in the Rio Grande Valley
Where to find the best examples of the region’s specialties, from mammoth breakfast tacos to old-school barbacoa.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM
It’s hard to go wrong when you're in the region that's the birthplace of most of our state’s great tacos, but we tried to whittle down some choices for you. 🌮
An updated Rio Grande Valley taco trail from our taco editor: https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/rio-grande-valley-taco-trail/
An updated Rio Grande Valley taco trail from our taco editor: https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/rio-grande-valley-taco-trail/
What’s the very best Christmas song by a Texas artist? 🎄
The Texanist answers with his favorites in an archival story from 2021:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/texanist-best-texas-christmas-songs/
The Texanist answers with his favorites in an archival story from 2021:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/texanist-best-texas-christmas-songs/
The Texanist: What’s the Best Texas Christmas Song?
An El Paso woman is looking for the finest example of Lone Star holiday musical jollity. But can there only be one?
www.texasmonthly.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:15 AM
What’s the very best Christmas song by a Texas artist? 🎄
The Texanist answers with his favorites in an archival story from 2021:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/texanist-best-texas-christmas-songs/
The Texanist answers with his favorites in an archival story from 2021:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/texanist-best-texas-christmas-songs/
Reposted by Texas Monthly
"Could this strange, wise boy with the gentle cadence of a preacher be the one to deliver Democrats from damnation? Or at least from decades of unabated loserdom?"
Great profile of James Talarico via @allegrahobbs.bsky.social
Great profile of James Talarico via @allegrahobbs.bsky.social
The Confessions of James Talarico
The insurgent Democrat wants religion out of politics. And he won’t stop preaching about it.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"Could this strange, wise boy with the gentle cadence of a preacher be the one to deliver Democrats from damnation? Or at least from decades of unabated loserdom?"
Great profile of James Talarico via @allegrahobbs.bsky.social
Great profile of James Talarico via @allegrahobbs.bsky.social
Reposted by Texas Monthly
very good profile of James Talarico in @texasmonthly.bsky.social by the ever-wonderful Allegra Hobbes: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
The Confessions of James Talarico
The insurgent Democrat wants religion out of politics. And he won’t stop preaching about it.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
very good profile of James Talarico in @texasmonthly.bsky.social by the ever-wonderful Allegra Hobbes: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Where can one find the most Texan ornaments made by actual Texans? 🤔
In 2022, we rounded up some of the season’s best ornaments from local makers and institutions across the state: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/where-to-buy-texas-christmas-ornaments/
In 2022, we rounded up some of the season’s best ornaments from local makers and institutions across the state: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/where-to-buy-texas-christmas-ornaments/
Where to Buy Texas Ornaments for Your Christmas Tree, Y’all
All the baubles you need for a Willie nice holiday.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Where can one find the most Texan ornaments made by actual Texans? 🤔
In 2022, we rounded up some of the season’s best ornaments from local makers and institutions across the state: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/where-to-buy-texas-christmas-ornaments/
In 2022, we rounded up some of the season’s best ornaments from local makers and institutions across the state: https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/where-to-buy-texas-christmas-ornaments/
Maxine Johnston was a mild-mannered librarian who had just the right temperament to take on big timber companies.
Watch our latest installment of 'The Story' here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/maxine-johnston-big-thicket-preserve-activist/
Watch our latest installment of 'The Story' here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/maxine-johnston-big-thicket-preserve-activist/
The Story: The Big Thicket’s Big Advocate
Maxine Johnston was a mild-mannered librarian who had just the right temperament to take on big timber companies.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Maxine Johnston was a mild-mannered librarian who had just the right temperament to take on big timber companies.
Watch our latest installment of 'The Story' here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/maxine-johnston-big-thicket-preserve-activist/
Watch our latest installment of 'The Story' here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/maxine-johnston-big-thicket-preserve-activist/
Rich Brotherton has been a guitar virtuoso for over five decades, and he’s not done yet. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/austin-guitarist-rich-brotherton-battling-als/
www.texasmonthly.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Rich Brotherton has been a guitar virtuoso for over five decades, and he’s not done yet. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/austin-guitarist-rich-brotherton-battling-als/
Insurgent Democrat James Talarico wants religion out of politics.
And he won’t stop preaching about it. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/james-talarico-next-great-hope-texas-democrats/
And he won’t stop preaching about it. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/james-talarico-next-great-hope-texas-democrats/
www.texasmonthly.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Insurgent Democrat James Talarico wants religion out of politics.
And he won’t stop preaching about it. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/james-talarico-next-great-hope-texas-democrats/
And he won’t stop preaching about it. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/james-talarico-next-great-hope-texas-democrats/
The show’s second season has been heavy on questions of mortality, and in the fourth episode, we even get a burial.
Our recap: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/landman-recap-season-2-episode-4/
Our recap: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/landman-recap-season-2-episode-4/
www.texasmonthly.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The show’s second season has been heavy on questions of mortality, and in the fourth episode, we even get a burial.
Our recap: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/landman-recap-season-2-episode-4/
Our recap: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/landman-recap-season-2-episode-4/
In chapter seven of the serialized novel, 'The Bowie Knife That Killed Dracula,' Erzsebet and Don Santiago fight over a bowie knife, and Burk Morris embarks on a subterranean journey. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-bowie-knife-that-killed-dracula-chapter-7/
www.texasmonthly.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:05 AM
In chapter seven of the serialized novel, 'The Bowie Knife That Killed Dracula,' Erzsebet and Don Santiago fight over a bowie knife, and Burk Morris embarks on a subterranean journey. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-bowie-knife-that-killed-dracula-chapter-7/
Reposted by Texas Monthly
obsessed with @lonlozzin.bsky.social look behind the scenes at Prestonwood Baptist Church’s annual extravaganza "The Gift of Christmas," featuring three camels, two zebras, 1,200 cast members (including angels and a Santa who fly in on wires), and so much more www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/...
Behind the Scenes at America's Most Extreme Christmas Pageant
Prestonwood Baptist Church’s 'The Gift of Christmas' features pyrotechnics, lasers, elves on trapezes, peacocks, and a flying Santa. Oh, and a nativity.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:58 PM
obsessed with @lonlozzin.bsky.social look behind the scenes at Prestonwood Baptist Church’s annual extravaganza "The Gift of Christmas," featuring three camels, two zebras, 1,200 cast members (including angels and a Santa who fly in on wires), and so much more www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/...
Reposted by Texas Monthly
Elliott Woods has written and photographed a searing account of the deadliest immigration-related disaster in U.S. history: the deaths of 53 migrants who were stuffed inside an overheated truck trailer. A tenacious two-year, three-country research effort. @thefern.org @texasmonthly.bsky.social
He Refused to Let His Brother Go to America Alone. Only One of Them Survived the Journey.
Inside the deadliest immigration-related disaster in American history.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Elliott Woods has written and photographed a searing account of the deadliest immigration-related disaster in U.S. history: the deaths of 53 migrants who were stuffed inside an overheated truck trailer. A tenacious two-year, three-country research effort. @thefern.org @texasmonthly.bsky.social
Reposted by Texas Monthly
This is one of the most powerful investigations @thefern.org ever produced in partnership with @texasmonthly.bsky.social. It's more than worth your time.
The catastrophe that unfolded on June 27, 2022 would result in the deadliest immigration-related disaster in modern American history, explains Elliott Woods in his investigative piece for FERN and Texas Monthly.
December 5, 2025 at 3:33 PM
This is one of the most powerful investigations @thefern.org ever produced in partnership with @texasmonthly.bsky.social. It's more than worth your time.
“Maybe we’re just going to be funny—because there’s no way we’re going to compete with our families in the Good Musician category.”
Instead of fretting over their family names, the pair have found their own way as musicians. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/folk-uke-band/
Instead of fretting over their family names, the pair have found their own way as musicians. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/folk-uke-band/
www.texasmonthly.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
“Maybe we’re just going to be funny—because there’s no way we’re going to compete with our families in the Good Musician category.”
Instead of fretting over their family names, the pair have found their own way as musicians. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/folk-uke-band/
Instead of fretting over their family names, the pair have found their own way as musicians. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/folk-uke-band/
Prestonwood Baptist Church’s long-running annual show, 'The Gift of Christmas,' features pyrotechnics, lasers, elves on trapezes, peacocks, and a flying Santa.
Oh, and a nativity. ☝️ https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/behind-scenes-extreme-christmas-pageant-prestonwood-plano/
Oh, and a nativity. ☝️ https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/behind-scenes-extreme-christmas-pageant-prestonwood-plano/
www.texasmonthly.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Prestonwood Baptist Church’s long-running annual show, 'The Gift of Christmas,' features pyrotechnics, lasers, elves on trapezes, peacocks, and a flying Santa.
Oh, and a nativity. ☝️ https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/behind-scenes-extreme-christmas-pageant-prestonwood-plano/
Oh, and a nativity. ☝️ https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/behind-scenes-extreme-christmas-pageant-prestonwood-plano/
The folks behind this year’s Texas Monthly gift guide discuss a few of their favorites and the philosophy behind choosing a truly great gift. 🎁
Listen by subscribing to 'TM Out Loud': https://www.texasmonthly.com/podcast/tm-out-loud-texas-gift-guide-2025/
Listen by subscribing to 'TM Out Loud': https://www.texasmonthly.com/podcast/tm-out-loud-texas-gift-guide-2025/
How We Rounded Up the Year’s Top Texas Gifts
The folks behind this year’s Texas Monthly gift guide discuss a few of their favorites and the philosophy behind choosing a truly great gift.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The folks behind this year’s Texas Monthly gift guide discuss a few of their favorites and the philosophy behind choosing a truly great gift. 🎁
Listen by subscribing to 'TM Out Loud': https://www.texasmonthly.com/podcast/tm-out-loud-texas-gift-guide-2025/
Listen by subscribing to 'TM Out Loud': https://www.texasmonthly.com/podcast/tm-out-loud-texas-gift-guide-2025/
Writer Forrest Wilder tells of Ron Wooten, an everyman who stumbled into the discovery of a rare canid “genetic hot spot” on Galveston Island.
Watch here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/coyote-wolves-ghost-dna-galveston/
Watch here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/coyote-wolves-ghost-dna-galveston/
The Story: A Runaway Dog, a Pack of Coyotes, and a Wildlife-Conservation Break-through
Senior writer Forrest Wilder tells of Ron Wooten, an everyman who stumbled into the discovery of a rare canid “genetic hot spot” on Galveston Island.
www.texasmonthly.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Writer Forrest Wilder tells of Ron Wooten, an everyman who stumbled into the discovery of a rare canid “genetic hot spot” on Galveston Island.
Watch here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/coyote-wolves-ghost-dna-galveston/
Watch here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/video/coyote-wolves-ghost-dna-galveston/
Reposted by Texas Monthly
“Inside the deadliest immigration-related disaster in U.S. history,” Elliott Wood's investigative story for FERN and Texas Monthly, took over two years to write.
December 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
“Inside the deadliest immigration-related disaster in U.S. history,” Elliott Wood's investigative story for FERN and Texas Monthly, took over two years to write.
School officials have created a Microsoft Copilot prompt to review course descriptions with an eye toward avoiding “advocacy-oriented or prescriptive terms.”
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/
To Root Out Wokeness in the Course Catalog, This Texas University Is Turning to AI
“The AI was upset with my use of the phrase ‘women's rights movement.’”
www.texasmonthly.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM
School officials have created a Microsoft Copilot prompt to review course descriptions with an eye toward avoiding “advocacy-oriented or prescriptive terms.”
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/
School officials have created a Microsoft Copilot prompt to review course descriptions with an eye toward avoiding “advocacy-oriented or prescriptive terms.”
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/
To Root Out Wokeness in the Course Catalog, This Texas University Is Turning to AI
“The AI was upset with my use of the phrase ‘women's rights movement.’”
www.texasmonthly.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM
School officials have created a Microsoft Copilot prompt to review course descriptions with an eye toward avoiding “advocacy-oriented or prescriptive terms.”
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/
Trigger words include decolonizing, justice oriented, and centering. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-state-ai-woke-courses/