April 2001 Cover

Photograph by Michael O'Brien

April 2001

Table of Contents

Features

He was one of the most influential cultural figures in Texas–a generous godfather to a generation of rappers, an entrepreneur of Houston's mean streets, the master of a scene fueled by codeine cough syrup and hip-hop beats. When he overdosed in November at the age of 29, it was easy to dismiss him as yet another musician who succumbed to his own success. But his story is more complicated than that.

In Maverick County illegal immigrants are crossing in record numbers, creating a war zone. Mexicans have been shot and killed, houses robbed, cattle stolen. Some ranchers are fleeing. But others, like Dob Cunningham, have decided to stay and fight.

A first read on the Midland librarian in the White House: what she has learned so far and how her life has changed.

An audio slide show of images of former first lady Laura Bush and the town that shaped her.

Tortillas have been with us since the heyday of the Maya and the Aztecs. Now these simple small cakes are big business-but some are still made the old fashioned way. Includes extra tortilleria listings.

Austin's new Bob Bullock museum sports six bas-reliefs that tell the story of Texas. Here's how a sculptor and a team of artisans made them, like the museum's namesake, larger than life.

Columns

Behind the Lines

A new Texas Monthly by design—and necessity.

Politics

The top 10 percent rule was supposed to solve the admissions problems at Texas' public universities, but it isn't making the grade.

Sports

Forget A-Rod's $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers. Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros has more important numbers to brag about.

Law

The question about the James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Act isn't whether it will pass. The question is, Is it good law?

Health

The prescription to treat the sickest areas in Texas isn't what you think.

Travel

The Hill Country Equestrian Lodge is perfect for city slickers who want to escape civilization—but not entirely.

Books

Aaron Latham's new novel about a cowboy Camelot gets lost in the bull.

Music

Chalee Tennison wants to reclaim old-time country music.

Reporter

Reporter

The El Paso mayor's race.

Reporter

Fort Worth's horse play.

Reporter

McAllen's terminal condition.

Reporter

Colleyville's library plot.

First Person

Anne Dingus' language lesson.

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

Miscellany

The Last Roundup

My assault on the body politic.

Web Exclusives

It sounded like the perfect assignment: Find the state's best tortillas. But was it? A Q&A with senior editor Patricia Sharp.

Executive editor Paul Burka tells the story behind this month's cover story.

After spending a week at the busiest U.S. Border Patrol station in Texas, associate editor Pamela Colloff learned that there is more to an agent's job than helicopters and surveillance cameras.

Travel From Athens to Victoria—and never cross the state line.

Helena—the myth lives on.

Where to eat, what to do, where to shop: a great weekend in Houston.

Recipes

Chef Paul Clark’s sea bass basks in barbecue sauce with a luxurious accompaniment of crawfish tails.

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