April 11, 2012
The DNA of Kerry Max Cook’s Case
What did Kerry Max Cook actually win on Monday, when he was granted his request for DNA testing? Not a lot, most likely.
April 2012 – Page 3 of 3
Politics & Policy
April 11, 2012
Perry tells fundraiser crowd he’s running in 2014
So I am told by an eyewitness. Not exactly music to Greg Abbott’s ears.
Eat My Words
April 11, 2012
Bourdain and Brisket
Thousands upon thousands migrated to Austin during SXSW to hear some tunes, stalk some celebs, and, of course, eat some darn barbecue. One of those thousands included the no-holds-barred No Reservations host – Anthony Bourdain. In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, Bourdain talked about pre-made egg salad sandwiches,
Politics & Policy
April 11, 2012
Let the turnout speculation begin
Rick Santorum’s withdrawal from the presidential race leaves the state Republican party scrambling for primary turnout. The presidential race was the main drawing card for the primary. Early polling showed Santorum running strongly with 45% of the vote. The Senate race will bring out some voters. Dewhurst has name ID,
April 11, 2012
Creationism Among the Dinosaur Footprints in Glen Rose
Is Glen Rose, famed for its fossilized dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River, becoming a hotbed of creationism? A Texas Observer story says yes.
April 10, 2012
Where Do the Highest Paid Professors in Texas Work?
The Chronicle of Higher Education put together a list of the highest paid professors across the country.
Politics & Policy
April 10, 2012
Michael Gerson on the GOP and ideological purity
From Politicalwire.com: Michael Gerson: “The GOP’s main problem is not the contraceptive issue; it is the perception that it has become too ideological on many issues. Women and independent voters have seen a party enthusiastically confirming its most damaging stereotypes. The composite Republican candidate — reflecting the party’s ideological
Politics & Policy
April 10, 2012
Santorum suspends his campaign
His daughter’s illness is the reason. He is scheduled to make a statement at Gettysburg. Our best wishes go to him and his family.
April 10, 2012
My, What a Big Bass You Have
Lake levels are down, but things just might be looking up for fishermen. Two thirteen-pounders were snagged from a depleted reservoir, and officials say there's more where they came from.
Food & Drink
April 10, 2012
How to Roast a Whole Steer
Texas chefs Louis Lambert, Larry McGuire, and Emmett Fox build a custom spit to prepare for roasting an entire steer.
The Culture
April 9, 2012
Museum Tower Proving an Unfriendly Neighbor in the Dallas Arts District
The shiny new building is far too shiny and is sending unwanted beams of sunshine into the Nasher Sculpture Center.
Books
April 9, 2012
The Ascent of Joe Lansdale
After three-plus decades toiling in semi-obscurity, the prolific Nacogdoches-based horror fiction author is having a moment.
Food & Drink
April 9, 2012
Calling All Whataburger Spicy Ketchup Lovers
The San Antonio-based fast food chain is giving away box 101,197, its last case of "Spicy Ketchup."
Eat My Words
April 9, 2012
A Quick Chat with Top Chef Paul Qui
Paul Qui is a chef on the move. On Friday, Qui got a key to the city of Austin and celebrated Paul Qui Day. On Saturday, he was on his way to D.C. On Sunday, he was anticipating the
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2012
The Meeting of the Ricks
Erstwhile presidential candidate Rick Perry met with Rick Santorum in Austin, but the details of their discussion are unknown. Maybe Santorum hopes the state will switch to a winner-takes-all primary.
Politics & Policy
April 7, 2012
Conservatives continue push for winner-take-all primary
The Texas Eagle Forum has upped the ante for the May 29 Texas presidential primary. Five prominent conservatives have signed a TEF e-mail headlined “Texas’ role in choosing the president.” It calls for a winner-take-all Republican presidential primary, rather than awarding the state’s 155 delegates based on proportionality, as stipulated
Politics & Policy
April 6, 2012
Bernard Rapoport passes away at 94
B. Rapoport was a Texas giant. Universally respected by Republicans and Democrats alike, he served his state as chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents. For half a century, he supported the Texas Observer in its mission of bringing great public service journalism to Texans. His granddaughter, Abby,
Business
April 6, 2012
Texas Business Report: Tornado Property Damage Claims Relatively Low
Dallas insurers say claims are lower than expected, the home construction slump adversely affects the ice-production industry, and other business news.
April 6, 2012
Special Goat’s Milk Could Vaccinate Against Malaria?
Texas researchers are doing their part to fight malaria by monitoring the spread of a drug-resistant strain of the parasite and breeding a genetically modified goat with malaria-vaccine in her milk.
April 6, 2012
Cartel Member Responsible for 1,500 Murders is Sentenced
Jose Antonio Acosta Hernandez, who admitted to ordering hits on more than 1,500 people—including a U.S. consulate employee—received a life sentence in federal court in El Paso.
Politics & Policy
April 6, 2012
Santorum supporters seek winner-take-all Tx primary
From today’s Statesman: Trailing badly in the race for the GOP presidential nomination, Rick Santorum is banking on a fast-moving effort to change the Texas primary into a winner-take-all affair, sending all 152 eligible delegates to the state’s top vote-getter. Weston Martinez, a Santorum supporter and Texas Republican
Arts & Entertainment
April 5, 2012
I Really Do Like Jane Aldridge
Jason Sheeler, who wrote about the Dallas-based fashion blogger for the April issue of TEXAS MONTHLY, responds to the sea of controversy unleashed by his profile.
The Culture
April 5, 2012
Are the Astrodome’s Days Numbered?
A recent tour of the interior of the landmark structure reignited discussions on what to do with the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 5, 2012
Pody’s BBQ
Israel “Pody” Campos needed a new direction in life. He had been training police recruits in Austin before being laid off. He then decided to move back home to Pecos, buy a laundromat, and convert it into a barbecue joint. Open for just six months, Pody’s is an
Eat My Words
April 5, 2012
Get the Scoop on King Ranch Casserole Here! (Because You Sure Didn’t Get it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives)
What do you get when you put, ahem, three stooges in a kitchen who have no notion of what they’re talking about but feel compelled to yak about it anyway? You get the season opener of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, in which host Guy Fieri goes to the
Eat My Words
April 5, 2012
Have You Heard of Justin Yu’s Oxheart?
Despite only opening in mid-March, Oxheart is already winning hearts across Houston and breaking ones too far away to grab a bite. Justin Yu was on to something with his pop-up dinners, but he is really on to the extraordinary with his first restaurant. He explained
April 5, 2012
TDCJ Wants to Keep a Secret
Why does the Texas Department of Criminal Justice want to block the release of information about its lethal drugs stock?
Politics & Policy
April 4, 2012
Jana Duty wins CLEAT endorsement in Willco DA race
This is a biggie — CLEAT is the biggest law enforcement organization in the state.
Politics & Policy
April 4, 2012
Times v. Sullivan
Maybe the times are a-changin’ in the Texas House if legislators are willing to challenge Michael Quinn Sullivan. Win or lose, the ethics complaints lodged against Sullivan by two committee chairs, Vicki Truitt and Jim Keffer, are a shot across the bow and an indication that Sullivan’s detractors are not
Arts & Entertainment
April 4, 2012
Anti-Bullying Video by Cypress Students Goes Viral
Students at Cypress Ranch High School wrote and performed the song “Who Do U Think U R,” filming a music video that has already received nearly 50,000 hits on YouTube.
The Culture
April 4, 2012
“Big Rich Texas:” Big Fat Lawsuit
A cast member of Big Rich Texas claims that a woman who did not make the show has launched a smear campaign against her.
Politics & Policy
April 4, 2012
No Expense too Small for Ron Paul
The Texas Republican congressman's campaign appears to report every expense—even a $0.22 purchase from FedEx—to the Federal Elections Commission.
Politics & Policy
April 4, 2012
GOP remains divided on party purity
I seldom devote time to reading press releases, but this one from the Dallas County Republican Assembly caught my eye. The subject of the release was endorsements in local races, but what really intrigued me was the DCRA’s self-description: The Dallas County Republican Assembly is a chapter of
Eat My Words
April 4, 2012
Jesse Herman of La Condesa talks new Austin Thai restaurant
For five years, Jesse Herman, owner of La Condesa, has been working on the concept behind his yet-to-be-opened Thai restaurant in Austin. His modern Mexican establishment, La Condesa, has garnered culinary praise from all over Lone Star State and the nation. So what’s a guy
Politics & Policy
April 3, 2012
More on Perry and the e- book
I received a call from Catherine Frazier in the governor’s office early today (Tuesday). She was very critical of the last paragraph of the blog post about the allegations in the e- book. This is how it reads: The question that must be asked, and must be answered, is what
Eat My Words
April 3, 2012
It’s Nice to Be Liked: Our Texas Cooking Story Gets Nominated for a National Magazine Award
I’m keeping my fingers crossed: Texas Monthly’s April 2011 cover story, “Home Plates,” usually referred to around here as “how to cook like a Texan,” has been nominated for a National Magazine Award. That’s like a Pulitzer, except for magazines, folks. But the people who deserve the most
Food & Drink
April 3, 2012
Matthew McConaughey Renames the King Ranch Casserole
On Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, McConaughey and host Guy Fieri visit Georgetown's Monument Cafe, where the actor dubs the dish "a caschilada."
Business
April 3, 2012
Condemning the Judges Who Eviscerated the Open Beaches Act
Land Commisioner Jerry Patterson, former Galveston legislator A.R. Schwartz, and TEXAS MONTHLY's Paul Burka all blast the Texas Supreme Court for last week's ruling.
Politics & Policy
April 3, 2012
DEFEAT THE SUPREME COURT DEADLY DUO
Their names are Nathan Hecht and Don Willett, and they are the only two of the five justices on the Texas Supreme Court who (1) v0ted to to protect the private property rights of beachfront landowners instead of protecting long-established public rights of access; and (2) are up for reelection
Energy
April 3, 2012
Life in the Eagle Ford Boom
A dispatch on how the petrodollars from the Eagle Ford Shale boom are reshaping life in South Texas.
Politics & Policy
April 2, 2012
e- book says Perry was affected by painkillers during presidential run
The Chronicle’s Gary Scharrer has the story: AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry’s heavy use of painkillers to help relieve severe back pain may have kept the governor from the top of his game last fall during an aborted presidential run, according an e-book being released Tuesday. Perry campaign adviser Ray
Politics & Policy
April 2, 2012
Duty gets key endorsement in Williamson County DA race
The blogger WillcoWatchdog is reporting on his Web site that the Austin Police Association has endorsed Jana Duty for DA against John Bradley. The endorsement was made on March 28. UPDATE: Bradley issued a press release Monday saying that he had received the endorsements of seven Williamson County mayors.
April 2, 2012
Could Spinach Save the Citrus Industry?
A Texas researcher is working to fight citrus greening by using bacteria-fighting genes found in spinach.
Critters
April 2, 2012
The Top Ten Most Rabid Counties in Texas
Give that skunk in your yard wide berth, because it might be rabid.
Eat My Words
April 2, 2012
ICYMI: Reactions to the Franklin BBQ “Vegan Brisket”
APRIL FOOLS! Breathe a sigh of relief, all you extremist carnivores. Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue in Austin IS NOT – I repeat, IS NOT – going to host Meatless Monday Vegan Brisket dinners. The TM Daily
Politics & Policy
April 2, 2012
What if Texas Were to Actually Secede?
NPR explores what Texas would look like as an independent state in the modern era.
Texas History
April 1, 2012
The True Meaning of the Tejano Monument
A $2 million bronze monument honoring Tejanos was unveiled at the Capitol last week. Here's why it's historically significant to all Texans.