1995

Sorry, Charlie

The last of the LBJ-style Democracts, the rowdy and reckless Charlie Wilson has called it quits. A fond farewell.

Carrillo’s Crossing

In the billion-dollar business of drug trafficking, Amado Carrillo Fuentes is king. He's the elusive ringleader of a smuggling operation that police are powerless to stop.

State Fare: Cinnamon Croissant Bread Pudding

In theory and in practice, bread pudding is what you do with leftover bread—it’s poor folks’ food. But not this bread pudding. The dauntingly rich and absolutely delicious dessert is the specialty of pastry chef Melissa Bailey, who with her husband, executive chef Benjamin Bailey, heads up the kitchen at Houston’s arty

Sour Notes

Bullets over Broadway at the Granbury Opera House.

A Whale of a Tale

In a remote Mexican bay, you can touch a forty-ton gray, watch her lovely, enormous baby rub playfully against your boat, and ponder the mysteries of the natural world.

Doubting Thomas

Leaving the popular sitcom Wings for his own show on the Fox network seemed like a risky move, but it’s paying off for native Texan Thomas Haden Church—so far.

The Fund’s Over

Budget cuts are coming. Are teaching hositals DOA? Plus: Are white Democrats MIA?

The Pickup Basketball Diaries

It has its own language, a distinct culture, and codes and standards that transcend race and national identity. uls it’s ebhilarating—even in the Texas heat.

Home, Sweet Homestead

Five chic interior design stores in Fredericksburg are comforting, inspiring, and for the acquisitive, absolutely irresistible.

Good Buddy

Forget Buddy Holly? That’ll be the day. Plus: Boone Pickens’ hellish fight, Norma McCorvey’s heavenly conversion.

Br-u-u-ce!

A cyberpunk writer’s sterling career.

Roads to Nowhere

The myth of the NAFTA superhighway.

Fighting Back

Inspired by th O.J.Simpson case, Texas has taken the lead in fighting domestic violence.

Low Talk

Where Microsft wants to go today.

The Last Picture Shows

A loving look back at nine grand old movie houses from the golden age of small-town Texas.

The Sweet Song of Justice

The verdict is in, but a complete account of what went on in the Selena murder trial hasn’t come out—until now.

What Does “Jolt” Mean?

Why are so many students in Texas unable to read? The answer is obvious: because the school system has failed them.

The Good Old Boy

After four decades of writing classic Texas novels, there’s no denying that San Angelo’s Elmer Kelton has earned his Spurs.

We Are the World

An ambitious new exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston suggests Texas is becoming less like itself and more like everyplace else.

Mrs. & Mrs. Bridge

Tobi Sokolow and Mildred Breed, two of the world’s expert cardplayers, have little in common—except a killer instinct.

Crude Awakening

There’s black gold in the South American rain forest—lots of it. Can the oil companies get it out without ruining the jungle and the way of life of the Indians who live there? The perils of drilling in the heart of darkness.

Smelling Like a Rose

Critics complain about Houston’s rising debt, but Mayor Bob Lanier’s reputation is blooming, which is why he’ll win a third term this month.

Crazy for Brew

With 31 new brewpubs across the state, deciding which bar to belly up to has never been more difficult—or fun. Our guide to the craft-beer craze.

Time Marches On

Computer-aided choreography, professional composers to score the music, mammoth budgets: At high schools and colleges across Texas these days, marking bands are playing for keeps.

Cop Crisis

Are Texas cops as bad as Mark Huhrman? Ples: Why your cara rental rates are being driven up.

Roaring Twenties

An Armey of opposition to the House majority leader; a spirited response to a Christian’s plea for understanding.

An Udder Shame

Even Cowgirl Hall of Famers get the blues.

Nerdysomething

Lisa Loeb eyes stardom.

Alternative Weakly

Texas newspapers go to war.

Hype or Hero?

He’s won the support o Mexican Americans in El Paso; now he wants to win a seat in Congress. Is Silvestre Reyes’ attack on illegal immigration heroism or hype?

Low Talk

Ross Perot defends his wife.

The Real Medical Crisis

For reformers of the nations health-care system, ground zero may be Dallas’ Parkland Memorial Hospital, where the crush of uninsured patients with non-urgent complaints is affecting everyone’s care.

Twelve Yards and a Cloud of Dust

The Tiny town of Mullin adopted its high school football heroes in more ways than one. These foster children and native sons had the time of their lives playing in the Super Bowl of six-man football.

Hostile Makeover

Mary Kay Ash and Jinger Heath have made fortunes getting women to buy and sell their beauty products. But no lipstick or powder can conceal the ugliness between these Dallas cosmetics queens.

Seeing Red

The contrversial color of ASan Antonio’s new public library is only the latest indication that architect Ricardo Legorreta isn’t afraid to buck convention.

Prince “Tex” Charles

Donald Trump is one. So are Boris Yeltsin and John Gotti. So was Emily Dickinson. What are they? Texans of course.

Hi-Ho Daddy-O!

From dancing frogs to towering cowboy boots, a look at how Bob Wade’s outlandish sculptures became Texas landmarks.

Reversal of Fortune

Boone Pickens and his protégé, David Batchelder, built Mesa Petroleum into an energy giant. Now Pickens’ empire is crumbling and his former aide is leading the charge against him.

Raving On

Two decades after he played the role of his life in ‘The Buddy Holly Story,’ Gary Busey’s hero worship has made him his own worst enemy.

Getting His Kicks

He scored big for UT and four NFL teams; now Raul Allegre is back in the game with his weekly Spanish-language football show.

The Force

Joe Jamail fights the power. Plus: Who will save the Texas Democratic party?

Cover Shots

Bar Hopper

Tainted Mexican pols sign up a Corpus Christi lawyer.

Lolita Does Lajitas

Hollywood goes for Big Bend in a big way.

No Choice

Jane Roe flips for a preacher.

Gramm’s Master Plan

Phil Gramm’s master plan for defeating Dole, whipping Wilson, and locking up the GOP nomination.

The News About Jim Lehrer

Once an accomplished newscaster and reporter in Dallas, he’s still going strong—and now solo—on PBS.

Wasted Days

Freddy Fender has one of the most affecting voices in the music business. So why isn’t he a star?

Low Talk

Anne Richards Stages a comeback.