Travel & Outdoors
February 8, 2013
Six Must-Attend Events: Feb. 8-15
The state's top events and offerings, from parking at a drive-in theater with your sweetheart to channeling your inner cowboy at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
Politics & Policy
February 8, 2013
The Wise Men: Pete Laney and Bill Ratliff
In the first conversation of a new interview series called "Out of Office," the former Speaker of the House and the former lieutenant governor discuss their years in the Lege, how the Capitol has changed, and what to expect this session.
Business
February 7, 2013
So Governor Brown Called Governor Perry’s Pitch to Californian Businesses “Barely A Fart”
How likely are Californian businesses to move to Texas?
Business
February 7, 2013
Dell’s Great Success Story
Twenty-five years after the company’s first offering, Dell’s public stock will cease to exist. But its astonishing rocket-ride changed Austin forever.
Court of Inquiry
February 7, 2013
Ken Anderson’s Court of Inquiry Continues
More testimony suggested that the former Williamson County D.A. may have withheld evidence that could have proven the innocence of Michael Morton.
Politics & Policy
February 7, 2013
Opening Moves
Democrats have signaled their intention to offer an amendment to restore the education spending cuts made last session, which signals to everyone who is watching that the Democratic strategy is going to pretty much be this: make the Republicans pay for every bad vote.
Politics & Policy
February 6, 2013
El Paso Named Safest U.S. City
And the border was declared secure. What does this mean for immigration laws?
Politics & Policy
February 6, 2013
Charters v. PEG
As most readers know, one of the battles of the 83rd Legislature is likely to occur over the use of public funds for private schools. Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst and Senator Dan Patrick are backing the proposal. (At a recent Texas Tribune event, Speaker Straus urged caution on the issue.) The
The Culture
February 6, 2013
What Is a Boy Scout?
The board of the Boy Scouts of America was supposed to decide today whether to change its policy of excluding gay members. I hoped they would do the right thing. Instead they kicked the can down the road. (UPDATED)
Eat My Words
February 5, 2013
Austin CultureMap Tastemaker Award Nominees Announced
CultureMap announces Austin nominees for annual Tastemaker Awards Austin
Eat My Words
February 5, 2013
The Breakfast Klub May Have the Best Wings & Waffles in America
The iconic Houston breakfast spot is a finalist in the Wings & Waffles Showdown featured on Steve Harvey's show.
News & Politics
February 5, 2013
Rick Perry to Californians: Come Check Out Texas
Perry's thirty-second radio ad aimed at wooing businesspeople will run in six Californian cities.
Court of Inquiry
February 5, 2013
Ken Anderson’s Court of Inquiry: Day One
Michael Morton testifies at the inquiry for the former Williamson County district attorney who sent him to prison for a crime he didn't commit.
Court of Inquiry
February 3, 2013
Michael Morton Update: The Court of Inquiry Begins
Ken Anderson, the former Williamson County D.A. who prosecuted Michael, will essentially go on trial as the subject of a “court of inquiry,” an arcane legal procedure used to investigate possible wrongdoing by state officials.
Art
February 3, 2013
Cadillac Ranch Could Be Torn Down
How the sex scandal consuming Amarillo art patron Stanley Marsh 3 also might bring down America's most famous roadside attraction.
Eat My Words
February 1, 2013
Welcome to Our New Site!
Dear Readers, Welcome to our brand-new redesigned website! We feel like we’ve just bought a new car. Granted, the old one was still running, but it was looking a little dated and didn’t have the latest features. This one is up-to-the-minute and, most importantly, it looks hot. At least, we
Travel & Outdoors
February 1, 2013
Six Events During February 1–8
Throw your plans out the window. We scoured the state in search of the top events and offerings, from the honoring the death of rock legend Buddy Holly to Mardi Gras in Galveston and Fredericksburg. Here’s our super select guide to the things you absolutely can’t afford to miss.[February 1–12]
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2013
Meet the Governor: Clayton Williams
Revealing profiles of Ann Richards and Clayton Williams raise the question. How about none of the above?
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2013
Ted Cruz, For Real
The newly elected senator makes a thoughtful case for opportunity conservatism, but can he sustain the message?
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2013
State of the Session
What have the opening weeks of the Eighty-third Legislature taught us? And where do we go from here?
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2013
State of the Website
Today marks another big step forward at Texas Monthly, thanks to the hard work of countless people on our staff (and countless late nights that turned into early mornings). We’re launching a new and vastly improved website, which I hope you’ll spend some time browsing. One of the
Sports
January 31, 2013
Breaking: Johnny Football is a College Student
A&M QB Johnny Manziel has a little fun post-Cotton Bowl, to the delight of TMZ, and the distress of some prigs in the media.
Crime
January 31, 2013
Meanwhile, in Lufkin… January Edition
Our favorite recent items from the Lufkin Daily News’ police blotter.
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2013
BREAKING: House committee assignments
Well, today is the day that the Speaker’s honeymoon ends and the members’s complaints begin. Last session the Republicans held 25 chairs and the Democrats 10. This time around it’s Republicans 24 and Democrats 14. Of course, the Democrats picked up seats in the last election cycle, but I suspect
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2013
The Education of Tom Craddick
The future Speaker of the House had a secret weapon when he wanted to pass a bill in 1969: his Democratic roommates.
The Culture
January 31, 2013
E.T. Fills His Tank In Eagle Ford
More talk about UFO sightings near the oil play in South Texas.
Eat My Words
January 30, 2013
Austin Food & Wine Festival announces finalized schedule
Yesterday, the Austin Food & Wine Festival announced the finalized schedulefor the 2013 festival, which takes place April 26-28 at Auditorium Shores. The culinary event features a plethora of seminars including Drinking Vinegars & Shrubs, Classic Desserts in a Modern Kitchen, Qui Ingredients, It’s Tailgate Time In
Politics & Policy
January 30, 2013
Cornyn, Cruz oppose Kerry confirmation
The emergence of Ted Cruz has made life miserable for Minority Whip John Cornyn. Cruz constantly has the senior senator for Texas looking over his right shoulder. Cornyn voted against Kerry as secretary of state, as did Cruz, but it’s likely that he did so only to inoculate himself against
Burka Blog
January 30, 2013
Not with a bang but a whimper
And so ends, for all practical purposes, the long Perry governorship. In an article I posted on Saturday, previewing the State of the State address, I asked, “Is it his last?” The tenor of his speech yesterday affirms that it is. Perry spoke mainly about the state he loves:
Arts & Entertainment
January 29, 2013
The Drop Everything List
Carrie Rodriguez, Singing Bach on the Flues, A Day With Dangerous Guitar, and the Eighth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium . . .
Arts & Entertainment
January 29, 2013
The Drop Everything List
Tales from Dell City, Texas, "Taquerías of Southmost," Terry Allen, and lessons in method acting . . .
Energy
January 29, 2013
Texas Tenth in the Nation for Green Building
The Lone Star state constructed over 36 million square feet of energy-efficient space last year.
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2013
Teachers, Protect Yourselves
State legislators propose a bill that would allow communities to raise taxes in order to fund the school security measures they prefer.
Sports
January 29, 2013
Matthew McConaughey Works Through Stages of Grief After Lance Armstrong’s Confession
First he was mad, then he was sad. Now he is coming to terms.
News & Politics
January 29, 2013
One Texas Lawmaker Wants Electric Vehicle Owners to Pay
Representative Drew Darby wants fuel-efficient vehicles, which naturally incur lower gas taxes, to be charged increased registration fees.
Business
January 29, 2013
Texas Business Report: Dell May Go Private
The company's stocks shot up thirteen percent on news that CEO Michael Dell might work with private investors to buyout shareholders.
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2013
How Texas Tackles Gun Control
State politicians propose solutions ranging from arming teachers to praying for protection.
Libations
January 29, 2013
Texas Wine of the Month: Pedernales Cellars Tempranillo Reserve 2010
This year kicks off with a Tempranillo for Texas Wine of the Month. By now, you should be fairly familiar with the prevalence of this grape. It’s turning heads in Texas blends (McPherson Cellars La Herencia) as well as in single-varietal wines (Inwood Estates Vineyards “Cornelius” Tempranillo). This month, we
Media
January 29, 2013
Happy 40th Birthday To Us
A sneak peek of the cover of our fortieth anniversary issue and an important announcement regarding the future of TM Daily Post.
Books
January 29, 2013
Scientology Versus Author Lawrence Wright
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s new book on Scientology, Going Clear, arrives on shelves today amid a swarm of controversy.
Books
January 28, 2013
Bexar County Public Library Will Be Entirely Digital
Announced a judge who himself has 1,000 first editions in his personal library.
Eat My Words
January 28, 2013
Uchi Houston Sous Chef to Replace Uchiko’s Tim Dornon
Last week, we reported that Tim Dornon, chef de cuisine of Uchiko, was leaving the Uchi establishment to join Paul Qui’s newest restaurant, QUI, as a chef consultant. Just a day after the news broke, Philip Speer, culinary director of Uchi, revealed to Eater Houston that Page Pressley,
Eat My Words
January 27, 2013
Texas Spirits: San Antonio’s Jeret Peña Dishes on Texas Cocktails
On heels of the San Antonio Cocktail Conference—a national four-day conference modeled after the likes of the New Orleans’ Tales of the Cocktail event that brings together bartenders from around the country to learn, taste, and talk everything cocktail—I had a chance to catch up with local craft bartender
Politics & Policy
January 26, 2013
Perry will deliver State of the State address on Tuesday; is it his last?
And what will he say? He will no doubt take credit for the flourishing economy and the things that contribute to it: low taxes, low spending, a favorable regulatory climate, and a judicial climate that is hostile to lawsuits. He will touch on his legislative priorities; in particular, the fetal
Politics & Policy
January 25, 2013
SAEN: DNC finance chair Munoz’s career marred by fiscal debacle
The San Antonio Express-News has a story today by columnist Gilbert Garcia about Munoz’s experience in handling a project called Museo Alameda. (Garcia, you may recall, wrote a well-received book about the 1976 presidential primary in Texas called Reagan’s Comeback.) I don’t think Obama would be cheered by the
Sports
January 25, 2013
VIDEO: Johnny Football’s Latest Unbelievable Performance
It may not be as high-stakes as the Alabama game or Cotton Bowl, but Johnny Manziel’s video with basketball trick shot specialists Dude Perfect is still jaw-dropping.
Sports
January 25, 2013
The Dallas Cowboys as the Oakland Raiders
Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman wonders when Jerry Jones will "will trade in his designer suits for a set of silver-and-blue warm-ups," a la former Raiders owner Al Davis.
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2013
“Battleground Texas”
I have long been a skeptic about the prospects for revitalization of the state Democratic party, but recent developments call for re-evaluation. For one thing, the new finance chair of the Democratic National Committee is Henry Munoz III, of San Antonio. Some of his fundraising is likely to benefit
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2013
License to Thrill
Texas considers requiring strippers to be certified.