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Texas Observer
@texasobserver.org
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A nonprofit newsroom covering Texas through investigative journalism & narrative storytelling since 1954.
Follow our journos: https://go.bsky.app/EdSL3Co
🤠Learn more about us: https://linktr.ee/texasobserver
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texasobserver.org
Look for us on Saturday at Zine Fest Houston! Come chat with us and check out our print magazine: www.zinefesthouston.org
Zine Fest Houston poster showing a rider on a bucking horse with a rope, lassoing zines and books which reeadf "Sun Nov $5" "12-5pm" "FREE". The event is at the Orange Show in Houston.
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Previously: At Alienated Majesty Books, the "screamo bookstore," volumes from small and indie publishers, plus works in translation, comics, and poetry stand side-by-side with shoegaze, noise and hardcore punk bands.
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
November 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
texasobserver.org
Happy Halloween! 🤠🎃

#ICYMI, catch up on everything we shared from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine. From the "screamo bookstore" to the horrors of prison healthcare, there's plenty to keep you awake at night: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
October 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
texasobserver.org
Introducing our November/December 2025 issue: "As this frankly awful year comes to a close, I hope having this magazine lying around will strike an appropriate note, as you celebrate holidays while temporarily avoiding or bravely facing the news as you like." www.texasobserver.org/editors-lett...
The November/December 2025 issue of Texas Observer shows an illustration of a person in a comically tall cowboy hat, blonde pony tail emerging from underneath, and wearing round glasses reading a book as they sit atop a throne made from books. Top headline: Winter Books Issue. An End-of-Year Roundup of Texas Reading Recs and Reviews by Lise Olsen, Irene Vázquez, and Michael Agresta. Other headlines: Bitcoin's Texas Grid-lock by Candice Bernd. Reducing Harm in Juárez by Jason Buch.
October 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
texasobserver.org
In culture: At Alienated Majesty Books, the "screamo bookstore," volumes from small and indie publishers, plus works in translation, comics, and poetry stand side-by-side with shoegaze, noise and hardcore punk bands.
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
October 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Last week: At Alienated Majesty Books, the "screamo bookstore," volumes from small and indie publishers, plus works in translation, comics, and poetry stand side-by-side with shoegaze, noise and hardcore punk bands.
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
October 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
texasobserver.org
Out today from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: At Alienated Majesty Books, the "screamo bookstore," volumes from small and indie publishers, plus works in translation, comics, and poetry stand side-by-side with shoegaze, noise and hardcore punk bands. www.texasobserver.org/night-at-the...
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
October 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up on everything we've published from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
October 12, 2025 at 9:01 PM
texasobserver.org
Texas sure can be the Strangest State. Let Molly Ivins guide you through some of the weirdest news of recent days.

Read more from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
Strangest State: Notes from Far Flung Texas by Texas Observer staff and illustrated by Drue Wagner. An image of Molly Ivins in glasses wearing a blue jacket over a red shirt and khaki slacks. She's smiling and holding a white coffee mug. "Howdy, y'all, Molly Ivins here. Texas sure can be the strangest state. Let's see what happened since our last issue. Next panel: A robot in a cowboy hat and a shopping bag on a street. "A mysterious lone robot in a cowboy hat strolled down South Congress this summer, prompting Austinites to speculate. Maybe it's "begging for a battery charge," one said. Next panel, Sid Miller in a cowboy hat at a press conference. "Ag commissioner Sid Miller issued a press release to dispel 'conspiracy theories' about whether state cloud-seeding caused the deadly hill country floods. Miller denied dabbling in "artificial weather manipulation," saying instead he prays for rain. Next panel, a bug on a tree with an axe. "Beware the bright green beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, a major tree-killer, has now spread to 31 Texas counties. Experts one that "one of the wosr invasive insects" is helped by human trade in infected firewood. Next panel, a sad wild horned sheep with crosshairs on it. "Texans have been shooting feral pigs from the air for years, and now some will be able to kill Barbary sheep. The animals escaped hunting ranfches, where people still pay to kill them the old-fashioned way." In the final panel, Molly returns: "Well folks, that's some strange news isn't it? If you see something happening around town, give us a shout! strangest@texasobserver.org"
September 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up with everything we've shared so far from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
September 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up with everything we've shared so far from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
September 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
texasobserver.org
On Wednesday: 20 years after Katrina, the storm still lingers. Join @motherjones.com, @capitalb.bsky.social & Texas Observer in Houston for an evening of stories, action & resilience.

When: Sept 10 | 7PM
Where: Julia Ideson Building, Houston, TX
Tickets: bit.ly/KatrinaEvent2025 #TheLingeringStorm
An image of a storm-wrecked, rubble strewn New Orleans behind text: The Lingering Storm. 20 years after Katrina -- Stories of Hope and Action. Wednesday, September 10 2025, Houston TX 77002. RSVP Now!
September 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
texasobserver.org
Next week: 20 years after Katrina, the storm still lingers. Join @motherjones.com, @capitalb.bsky.social & Texas Observer in Houston for an evening of stories, action & resilience.

When: Sept 10 | 7PM
Where: Julia Ideson Building, Houston, TX
Tickets: bit.ly/KatrinaEvent2025 #TheLingeringStorm
An image of a storm-wrecked, rubble strewn New Orleans behind text: The Lingering Storm. 20 years after Katrina -- Stories of Hope and Action. Wednesday, September 10 2025, Houston TX 77002. RSVP Now!
September 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
texasobserver.org
In our magazine: Brenda Bazán is a Mexican-American independent photographer from San Antonio who was on assignment for @texastribune.org from July 5-11 in Kerr County covering the Hill Country flood.

Her photos are presented in partnership with the Tribune. www.texasobserver.org/where-the-wa...
Seen from behind, a woman in denim shorts and white sleeveless tank top looks out at the watery devastation of the flood, with some home wreckage and rows of downed trees among the receding waters. The sky is an ominous cloudy gray.
September 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
texasobserver.org
Congratulations to @stevanzetti.bsky.social and @tristanl.ee (of @bellingcat.com) for winning the Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award, small newsroom category from @journalists.org, for a series of articles identifying online extremists. awards.journalists.org/entries/open...
Winner in the 2025 Online Journalism Awards: The Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award, Small Newsroom, for Open-Source Extremism Identifications, published by The Texas Observer and Bellingcat
September 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM
texasobserver.org
From our magazine, by Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent.

See more from Loon Star State: www.texasobserver.org/topics/loon-...
A cartoon of a chaotic rainswept landscape utterly destroyed by flooding, with glimpses of ruined homes, cars, and trees among the waters. At the center is a siren and loudspeaker system floating away, labeled "Decent Warning System." The cartoon is captioned "Among the tragically missing ..."
August 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
texasobserver.org
20 years after Katrina, the storm still lingers.
Join @motherjones.com, @capitalb.bsky.social & Texas Observer in Houston for an evening of stories, action & resilience.

When: Sept 10 | 7PM
Where: Julia Ideson Building, Houston, TX
Tickets: bit.ly/KatrinaEvent2025#Katrina20 #TheLingeringStorm
An image of a storm-wrecked, rubble strewn New Orleans behind text: The Lingering Storm. 20 years after Katrina -- Stories of Hope and Action. Wednesday, September 10 2025, Houston TX 77002. RSVP Now!
August 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
texasobserver.org
"Loon Star State" is back.

Read more Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent: www.texasobserver.org/topics/loon-...
A cartoon of a surprised motorist passing a pair of highway signs in their blue convertible: "Leaving Constitutional Democracy" "Entering Texas"
August 16, 2025 at 9:00 PM
texasobserver.org
The latest from Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent.

Read more Loon Star State: www.texasobserver.org/topics/loon-...
A cartoon of a surprised motorist passing a pair of highway signs in their blue convertible: "Leaving Constitutional Democracy" "Entering Texas"
August 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
texasobserver.org
Lineup for #TheLingeringStorm:

• Soledad O’Brien
• Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. (Hip Hop Caucus)
• Former Houston Mayor Bill White
• Journalists from Mother Jones, Capital B & Texas Observer

Donation-based tickets (suggested $5): bit.ly/KatrinaEvent2025
An image of a storm-wrecked, rubble strewn New Orleans behind text: The Lingering Storm. 20 years after Katrina -- Stories of Hope and Action. Wednesday, September 10 2025, Houston TX 77002. RSVP Now!
August 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
texasobserver.org
20 years after Katrina, the storm still lingers.
Join @motherjones.com, @capitalb.bsky.social & Texas Observer in Houston for an evening of stories, action & resilience.

When: Sept 10 | 7PM
Where: Julia Ideson Building, Houston, TX
Tickets: bit.ly/KatrinaEvent2025#Katrina20 #TheLingeringStorm
An image of a storm-wrecked, rubble strewn New Orleans behind text: The Lingering Storm. 20 years after Katrina -- Stories of Hope and Action. Wednesday, September 10 2025, Houston TX 77002. RSVP Now!
August 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
texasobserver.org
Introducing the September/October 2025 issue of Texas Observer magazine, with cover art by Adrià Volt, and stories by Michelle Pitcher, Julie Poole, Francesca D'Annunzio and more.

Become a member to get our magazine 6 times per year: texasobserver.fundjournalism.org/join/
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
August 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
texasobserver.org
Previously: Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent takes on redistricting.

More: Read our interview with an expert on gerrymandering.
A cartoon of "emperor" Trump in a toga with a palm fan, laying on a golden chaise lounge as worshippers, including the Texas GOP kneel to him. Trump declares "Oh la! Bring me four, no five more congressmen from your state! Oh and peel me a grape!" while his followers declare "At once, my liege!"
August 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Texas sure can be the strangest state. Let our pal Molly Ivins walk you through some of the oddest recent stories from our state.

Read more Strangest State: www.texasobserver.org/topics/stran...

#Texas #culture #news #comics
August 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Texas sure can be the strangest state. Let our pal Molly Ivins walk you through some of the oddest recent stories from our state.

Read more from the July/August 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/july-...
In Strangest State, Notes from Far-Flung Texas, by Texas Observer staff and illustrated by Drue Wagner: Molly Ivins appears in her cowboy boots, blue jeans and light green button down cowboy shirt, saying "Howdy y'all! Molly Ivins here. Texas sure can be the strangest state. In the next panel, an man sits on a throne in a crown surrounded by toilet seats decorated with skulls, flamingos, clowns and more. "A museum in The Colony was crowned as our state's weirdest roadside attraction for its collection of 1,400 discarded toilet seats converted into objets d'art by a retired plumber. In the next panel, a cowboy lassos a steer on a roadway. "A herd of cattle got loose and ran through traffic on I-45 near Spring. It took hours for Harris County Sheriff's deputies to round up the nearly 30 roping cows, which are bred to avoid capture." In the fourth panel, an Easter bunny smokes a cigar surrounded by plastic eggs, some full of green material. "A Lufkin man posing as the Easter bunny was busted after hiding five plastic eggs filled with weed in parks and a motel and then inviting locals to hunt via Facebook." In panel five, a truck is overturned onto a road. A woman and a worker in a hard hat are diving into a pile of coins, Scrooge McDuck-style, while another angry worker tries to clean them up. "A tractor-trailer rolled over near Alvord, spilling millions of newly minted dimes--$800,000 worth--onto the U.S. Route 287. State workers took half a day to pick up the change." Molly returns in the final panel: "Well folks, that's some strange news isn't it? If you see something happening around town, give us a shout! strangest@texasobserver.org"
August 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM