January 26, 2012
Texas Set to Execute First Man of 2012
Rodrigo Hernandez, who was convicted of the rape and murder of Susan Verstegen, a 38-year-old single mother and Frito-Lay employee, is set to die.
684 Articles
Politics & Policy
January 25, 2012
How Drunk Would You Have Been If You Played Karl Rove’s SOTU Drinking Game?
Rove said that if State of the Union watchers drink every time President Obama said the phrase "middle class," then "we're going to have a lot of drunk people in America." Was he right?
Border & Immigration
January 25, 2012
Nacogdoches Embraces Burmese Refugees
When refugees from Myanmar moved to the small city to work for Pilgrim's Pride, residents practiced good Texas hospitality and made efforts to bridge the cross-cultural divide.
January 24, 2012
A River (of Pig Blood) Runs Through It
Columbia Packing Co., a meatpacking plant in Dallas's Oak Cliff neighborhood, has been accused of dumping pig blood into Cedar Creek, which feeds into the Trinity River.
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2012
Fewer Americans Concerned About Illegal Immigration
More Americans are worried about tax fairness and "moral breakdown" than illegal immigration, a new national poll finds.
Politics & Policy
January 23, 2012
Meet Mitt Romney’s Mexican Relatives
NPR's John Burnett traveled to Colonia Juarez, Mexico, to explore a side of Romney’s biography that he doesn't stump about.
January 23, 2012
Rick Perry Gets Praise from an Unlikely Place
In the latest issue of the New Yorker, Hendrik Hertzberg explains why Governor Perry's idea to give the Supreme Court term limits is a good one.
The Culture
January 20, 2012
“Bootylicious” Horsefly Named After Beyonce
An Australian scientist honored the singer by dubbing the "all time diva of flies" Scaptia beyonceae. Surprisingly, this isn't the only insect named after a Texan.
Business
January 19, 2012
Allen Stanford Trial to Start Monday
Houston's own mini-Madoff, who is accused of orchestrating an international $7 billion Ponzi scheme, finally goes to court.
January 18, 2012
Another NASA Love Triangle?
A former NASA contractor allegedly killed her Air Force Colonel husband's mistress after learning of the affair.
The Culture
January 17, 2012
Glenn Beck’s New Irving Production Studio
The former Fox News host takes fans on a virtual tour of his new Las Colinas production studio.
Food & Drink
January 17, 2012
If Killer Bees Get Us, Blame the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Due to budget cuts, the federal agency plans to shutter the Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center in Weslaco, the organization standing between us and invasive pests.
Politics & Policy
January 16, 2012
Does Rick Perry Make a Better Action Figure than Presidential Candidate?
Hero Builder, a toy company based in Connecticut, created two action figures of the governor complete with "Oops" sound bite.
January 12, 2012
A Look Back at the Texas Prison Rodeo
Demolition crews are razing the Hunstville stadium this week, where "The Wildest Show Behind Bars" took place for 35 years. The place may be gone, but its legacy will never be forgotten.
January 11, 2012
Bum Steer: Grapevine Pastor Ed Young Plans 24-hour “Bed-In” on Roof of Church
Meet the Fellowship Church pastor who makes Joel Osteen look like the picture of restraint.
Business
January 11, 2012
Are Twinkies in Peril?
Irving-based Hostess Brands, the maker of the indestructible snack cake, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time since 2004.
Health
January 11, 2012
Ironically, Obese Texas is a Leader in Weight Loss Research
Two new studies from Texas researchers focus on shedding the pounds and keeping them off.
Sports
January 9, 2012
The (Other) Texan at the Helm of the Saints
ESPN profiles the Texas-bred New Orleans Saints co-owner Rita Benson LeBlanc, who describes herself as having "Texas heart, Cajun blood."
Politics & Policy
January 9, 2012
Ken Starr Would Vote for a Mormon
Baylor University President Ken Starr took to the op-ed pages of the Washington Post asking, "Can I vote for a Mormon?"
Business
January 9, 2012
VIDEO: Houston Eschews Preservation and Demolishes Historic Skyscraper
It took less than twenty seconds to take down the sixty-year-old MD Anderson building, which was demolished to make way for new clinical space.
January 6, 2012
Perry’s Poll Numbers in Low Single Digits in South Carolina
The governor is "not a factor," according to the American Research Group president.
January 5, 2012
Bum Steer: That “Handsome Guy” Nickname Might Be a Curse in Prison
A man suspected in the “Handsome Guy” bank robberies was found on the run after he allegedly left his car keys at the scene of his last heist.
Border & Immigration
January 5, 2012
Oblivious ICE Officials Deport American Teenager to Colombia
Authorities shipped Jakadrien Turner, a fourteen-year-old from Dallas, off to South America even though she's an American citizen who doesn't speak Spanish.
January 4, 2012
Iowa Caucuses on the State’s Front Pages
How the Iowa caucases played out on the front pages of the big Texas papers after Ron Paul had a strong showing and Rick Perry, well, did not.
January 3, 2012
Midland Green Beret Says He Didn’t See the C-4 While Packing
Trey Scott Atwater, who is charged with attempting to take explosives on an airplane, was “surprised” that there was C-4 in his carry-on.
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2012
Newt Leaves Texas Tech Climate Scientist Out in the Cold
The Texas Tech atmospheric climate scientist who wrote a chapter on climate change for Newt Gingrich's forthcoming book was shocked to learn the GOP hopeful had scrapped her contribution.
News & Politics
January 3, 2012
Heartbreaking Videos from Austin Teen Go Viral
The last YouTube videos of Austin teen Ben Breedlove, who died from a heart attack on Christmas night, have gained a worldwide following.
The Culture
January 1, 2012
Joe Arellano, Meteorologist
Arellano, who was born and raised in McAllen, is the meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service forecast office in New Braunfels. His career, which began in 1976, has taken him all over Texas, as well as to Puerto Rico and Florida.There’s an old saying here in Texas: “Either you’re in
December 28, 2011
DMN Nails It By Naming Admiral Bill McRaven the Texan of the Year
The decision to bestow the honor to the SEAL Team Six commander took “just minutes and was a shutout,” according to Dallas Morning News editorial page editor Keven Ann Willey.
Politics & Policy
December 22, 2011
World’s Most Honest Man Pays 58-Year-Old Parking Ticket
A Houston Army veteran proved himself to be the city's most law abiding resident when he paid a 58-year-old parking ticket Wednesday.
The Culture
December 22, 2011
Merry Christmas! Twelve Gifts for Twelve Texans
What we'd like to get Rick Perry, Warren Jeffs, Willie Nelson, and other prominent Texans for Christmas.
Energy
December 21, 2011
More EPA Regulations Upset Power Industry Leaders
The EPA announced new mercury emissions rules that please environmentalists, but the timeline and potential price tag worries industry officials.
Politics & Policy
December 21, 2011
Learn the Legislative Process in Three Minutes
U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling advises colleagues to watch Schoolhouse Rock to learn about the conference committee process.
December 20, 2011
Highland Park Is the Red State Version of Berkeley
Mother Jones writer Josh Harkinson traveled to 75205 and found it to be remarkably similar to Berkeley, CA.
December 19, 2011
It’s Hard Out There for a Tree
It was a bad year to be a tree in Texas. The drought alone claimed half a billion trees, and now eminent domain threatens a 100-year-old oak planted by one of the founders of League City.
Business
December 19, 2011
The Cattle Industry Could be Forever Changed
Texas shed roughly 600,000 cattle in 2011, record drop that threatens to reshape the industry.
The Culture
December 16, 2011
Patton Oswalt Sends a Message to Rude Theatergoers
The stand-up comedian helped record another anti-texting PSA for the Alamo Drafthouse on a recent trip to the theater.
December 16, 2011
Texas Executions Drop to Fifteen-Year Low
The number of people Texas executes each year is steadily declining as public sentiment in America turns against the death penalty.
Critters
December 16, 2011
Furry Friday: Reindeer Take the Interstate
Two reindeer ran out onto I-45 during rush hour in Webster.
The Culture
December 15, 2011
RIP Billie Jo Spears
The Beaumont-raised country crooner, known for the number-one hit "Blanket on the Ground," died of lung cancer at her home in Vidor.
December 15, 2011
Border Fence Threatens America’s Remaining Ocelots
Biologists are worried that the U.S.-Mexico border fence adversely impacts endangered species and other animals.
December 15, 2011
Tasteless Casket Photo Goes Viral
A picture of fifteen Air Force members posing with a metal casket containing a seemingly lifeless corpse has led to an investigation at Lackland Air Force Base.
The Culture
December 15, 2011
Abilene Strippers Suing Over Backpay
Four strippers from Abilene are suing their employer in hopes of recouping overtime and unpaid wages they would have been entitled to if they were considered employees instead of contractors.
December 14, 2011
Theology Professor Calls Islam a Cult
A Tarrant County College adjunct professor resigned from his post after two Muslim students objected to his characterization of Islam in his Great Religions of the World class.
December 14, 2011
Building a Different Kind of Wall in the Valley
After stray bullets hit two students at an Edinburg junior high, officials consider erecting a cinder-block wall around the property.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2011
Should Ron Paul Run as a Third-Party Candidate?
Glenn Beck and Joe Scarborough said if Newt Gringrich wins the nomination, they would rather vote for the Texas Congressman.
News & Politics
December 13, 2011
Dallas Cowboys Legends Endorse Tom Leppert for Senate
If you take your political cues from your favorite football stars, we may have the Senate candidate for you.
Politics & Policy
December 13, 2011
VIDEO: Perry Is Not Politically Correct
In his latest ad, Perry tries to convince voters that he won’t engage in the “politically correct” ballet danced in D.C.
Critters
December 13, 2011
Things Get Hog Wild in a Fort Worth Neighborhood
Thirty feral hogs escaped from their pens at a local meatpacking plant and led animal control officers on a frantic chase.
Border & Immigration
December 12, 2011
Boquillas Crossing to Reopen
For many in this remote part of Texas, the crossing is convenient, but detractors fear the port entry could compromise security.