The Talented Mr. Wittliff
His screenplays for Lonesome Dove and The Perfect Storm have won him acclaim in Hollywood. But back home in Austin, Bill Wittliff has been famous all along.
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.
BackTalk (36 comments) »
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.
BackTalk (8 comments) »
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?
BackTalk (37 comments) »
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.
BackTalk (35 comments) »
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.
BackTalk (40 comments) »
The Reaper Doth Protest Too Much
When the president visited Texas A&M last week, the opposition was waiting.
BackTalk (5 comments) »
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.
BackTalk (9 comments) »
Texas High Ways
Why the unlikeliest of states—ours—should legalize marijuana.
BackTalk (25 comments) »
Fundamental Arguments
On October 26, the first FLDS criminal trial in Texas begins. What legal strategies remain for the defense?
BackTalk (4 comments) »
christmas concert free children’s music football green art classes kaboom books miller science free family holidays austin children’s museum learning aggies children outdoors austin young opening holiday fun outdoor theater miller outdoor theatre music weekend professional charity hispanic culture education longhorns ut nature things university of texas dance events arboretum houston theatre center kids
