Last September a human torso was found floating in Galveston Bay—a gruesome discovery that opened a window into the bizarre life of the accused murderer, New York multimillionaire Robert Durst.

All over Texas, ranchers are putting up eight-foot fences to keep their deer from roaming so they can charge more for hunting leases. Purists say shooting such deer doesn't amount to "fair chase." Biologists say penning them in causes disease. I say it's the best thing that could happen to the land.

Want to know where to find remarkable roast chicken? Terrific shrimp tacos? Cloudlike chèvre cheesecake? Having munched my way across the state, I have the answers. Chow, Baby.

Rumor has it that director Ron Howard and screenwriter John Sayles are coming to Austin this spring to make a $100 million movie about the Alamo. It may be too much to ask that they get Texas' defining battle right (since no one knows what really happened), but I've got my fingers crossed—and a few friendly words of advice.

And just how long are his coattails? Texas politics is always interesting, but the 2002 election—with two formidable tickets, four big races, and a healthy debate over whether this is still a two-party state—promises to be one for the books.

George Christian, one of a kind.

Since September 11, Texas' big three airlines—American, Continental, and Southwest—have struggled to survive. Here's their flight plan for the future.

If you think your flulike symptoms could be anthrax, don't call your HMO—call your doctor. And other advice the television "experts" should have told you.

The University of North Texas Mean Green Eagles had one of their most exciting football seasons ever last year. Too bad everyone was talking about UT.

If you want the romance in your marriage to take flight, take a cue from the whooping cranes of the Texas coast.

Bitter ethnic rivalries. Fragmented musical styles. Who knew that polka fans could be so hard-core? Not Denton's Brave Combo.

South Padre Island on the road to recovery.

Michael Hall bids farewell to a true Champ of the Texas music scene.

Olympian Todd Hays puts his opponents on ice.

In New Mexico—far West Texas to you and me—my old friend the radio jock runs a ranch for kids with cancer, and you thought he was all talk.