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Ring of Fire

It was one of the most passionately observed traditions on any college campus in the country. Then, on November 18, 1999, a week before it was scheduled to burn, the Texas A&M Bonfire collapsed in the middle of the night, killing twelve Aggies. Ten years later, as the university continues to wrestle with the tragedy—and debate whether Bonfire should ever return to campus—the students and alumni who chopped logs, hauled timber, and built stack talk about what they saw, what they lost, and how their school was changed forever.
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Below the Surface

Since 1996, a legal battle has raged between ExxonMobil and a powerful South Texas ranching clan that believes the oil company sabotaged wells on the family property. Even after a ruling by the state Supreme Court earlier this year, the bitter feud shows no signs of letting up. Maybe that’s because it’s about something far more important than money.
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With God On Their Side

The decision to abruptly remove 437 children from a fundamentalist Mormon compound in Eldorado sparked the largest custody battle in U.S. history. But now that the last child’s case has been settled and all the kids are back home, a question still lingers: What really happened on the Yearning for Zion Ranch?
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The 50 Greatest Hamburgers In Texas

A gastro-scientific inquiry into the finest burgers in the state that invented the burger, including the Toro (#4), the Stodg (#6), the Miss Hattie (#28), and, in our top slot, a miracle of meat served only on Sundays. No wonder they call it the Lord’s day.
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Across The Line

According to the district attorney in Smith County, this building was the site of the most horrific child sex ring in Texas history. Three of the adults convicted of running it have already been sentenced to life in prison. There’s just one problem: The DA in neighboring Wood County, where the building is located, says nothing happened here at all.
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The Reaper Doth Protest Too Much

When the president visited Texas A&M last week, the opposition was waiting.
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Memo to Kay

Even someone who supports the death penalty, as you do, can and should be up in arms over the Cameron Willingham case.
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Texas High Ways

Why the unlikeliest of states—ours—should legalize marijuana.
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Fundamental Arguments

On October 26, the first FLDS criminal trial in Texas begins. What legal strategies remain for the defense?
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“You Don’t Want to Know What We Do After Dark”

On the streets of southwest Houston, violent gangs are out of control, dealing drugs, robbing businesses, and protecting their turf at all costs. For one longtime member, each day comes down to two simple questions: Will I have to kill? Will I be killed?

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January 24th, 2009 at 6:25pm
G’mont SWC says:
that salvaputa is a snitch talkin to a reporter bout that go down in SWC hood that aint MS13 hood. MS13 are a bunch of pussys they cant with cholos straight up. i remember we was warring hard back in 05 they couldnt with us and some of them were from LA. Cowards thats what they are they aint down for a real war they cant even wear their colors without gettin dropped by cholos thats why the Gulfton ghetto still belongs to SWC cuz them mierda secas cant handle the heat we bring, they fear SWC thats a fact.

November 25th, 2008 at 2:21am
JD says:
It's funny that I grew up on these same streets knew a lot of these kids and was even friends with a lot of them, but I never once found myself jumping into any of these gangs and I was never harmed by any of them. I moved out of my neighborhood about 3 years ago and I can't even believe it has gotten even worse. Despite being around all that violence and crime, I was able to move out and graduate and I am now going to college. I still kind of miss that place though, it strangely feels like home to me, even though I will never set foot there again.

October 16th, 2008 at 6:25pm
andrea says:
Im SOUTHWEST "LA PRIMERA" I DIE FOR IT SO MY COLOR IS WHITE SO SI TIENES ALGUN PROBLEMA COME AND SAY IT IN MY FACE BITCHS THAT I WILL BE READY FOR YOU WITH MY GANGS MENBERS. "LP'