Politics & Policy
January 9, 2020
Bull Session: Texas Republicans Rally Around Ricky Gervais and Enrique Iglesias Dances to the Tune of $485,000
Plus, Julián Castro and Beto O’Rourke are on the rebound, and Tony Buzbee is on another bender.
Politics & Policy
Reporting and commentary on the Legislature, campaigns, and elected officials
Politics & Policy
January 7, 2020
The White Settlement Shooting and When It’s Okay to Politicize a Tragedy
Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick were quick to find a self-serving narrative in the shooting at a church last week.
The National Podcast of Texas
January 6, 2020
A Dozen Memorable Moments From the ‘National Podcast of Texas’ in 2019
Some of our favorite conversations from our second season, featuring Willie Nelson, Ted Cruz, and Brooklyn Decker.
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2020
What Democrats Lose With the End of Julián Castro’s Campaign
Long criticized for his political caution, the former San Antonio mayor and Obama cabinet member had a profound effect on the presidential primary.
Politics & Policy
January 2, 2020
Miss Me When I’m Gone: Now That His Campaign Is Over, Julián Castro Is Extremely Popular
Castro’s presidential ambitions have ended, but Texas has likely not heard the last of him.
Politics & Policy
December 30, 2019
The Best Texas Monthly Longform of 2019
Settle in for a by-no-means comprehensive list of some of the most popular stories in our pages this year.
Politics & Policy
December 26, 2019
The Last Decade’s Ten Worst Years in Texas Politics
We stumble down memory lane, gawking at the madness and the mayhem of 2010–2019—and looking for an off-ramp.
Politics & Policy
December 19, 2019
Bull Session: Remember the Alamo? And Wendy Davis? And That Peloton Ad?
Ever since 2014, the Alamo has become the locus of a notably less cinematic war, all raging around the controversial plan to renovate and redesign it.
Criminal Justice
December 19, 2019
He’s One of the Best Young Prosecutors in Texas. He Also Could Get Kicked Out of the Country.
Pedro Villalobos handles felony cases in Travis County, but his own legal status could be in jeopardy.
Politics & Policy
December 18, 2019
2020 Bum Steer of the Year: Dennis Bonnen
For breaking new ground in being bad at being bad, Texas Speaker of the House Dennis Bonnen has earned one half of our annual booby prize!
Politics & Policy
December 18, 2019
2020 Bum Steer of the Year: Beto O’Rourke
For abandoning the state that had lifted him up from obscurity, Beto O’Rourke is the winner of one half of our annual booby prize!
Politics & Policy
December 18, 2019
The 2020 Bum Steer Awards
Beto O'Rourke, Dennis Bonnen, and the Houston Astros make our annual dishonor roll, along with assorted lesser-known idiots and evildoers.
Politics & Policy
December 18, 2019
Red Scare: Can Donald Trump Rescue the Texas GOP? Or Is He Part of the Problem?
Like so much in American conservative politics these days, everything begins and ends with Trump.
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2019
Bull Session: Ted Cruz and Louie Gohmert Bring Comedy and Tragedy to Impeachment
Plus, Dan Crenshaw goes full-on Krusty the Clown, and a new Bush has entered the game.
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2019
Infowars Editor Warned Alex Jones That His Sandy Hook Sources Were “Bat Shit Crazy”
New depositions from Jones and longtime editor Paul Joseph Watson reveal how Jones and his company, in the midst of numerous lawsuits, justified its decisions.
Politics & Policy
December 11, 2019
Weird Candidates and Fifteen-Way Races: The Texas Primary Ballot Is Madness
Now that races for the March primary are (mostly) set, here are a few things worth keeping an eye on.
Politics & Policy
December 11, 2019
Damn, It Feels Good to Be a Councilman
Rapper Brad Jordan, better known as Scarface from the Geto Boys, is running for Houston City Council. And he might actually win.
The National Podcast of Texas
December 10, 2019
MJ Hegar: “Texans Have Very Sensitive BS Meters”
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the Senate candidate outlines her plan to unseat John Cornyn.
Politics & Policy
December 9, 2019
Who Gets to Live and Die When the State Relies on False Testimony in Death Penalty Cases?
A.P. Merillat helped send at least 15 people to death row. On Wednesday, Travis Runnels will become the third this year to be executed, even though a former prison official calls Merillat’s testimony “bullshit.”
Border & Immigration
December 5, 2019
At Trump Administration’s Request, Federal Judge Stops a Private Border Wall in South Texas
For the second time in a week, the pro-Trump group has been told to stand down.
Politics & Policy
December 5, 2019
Bull Session: Rick Perry Beats a Hasty, Slow-motion Retreat
Chip Roy, Chris Putnam, and the specters of Trump and Beto were also running this week.
Politics & Policy
December 5, 2019
How Houston Is Leading the Way on Keeping Poor Defendants Out of Jail
In a landmark legal case, Harris County has agreed to release the vast majority of misdemeanor arrestees instead of locking them up. But reformers aren’t done yet.
Politics & Policy
December 4, 2019
Rick Miller’s Racist Remarks About “Asians” Were Not Part of the GOP Plan for Fort Bend County
Now that the Texas GOP is trying to present a more diverse face this year, it can't afford to alienate voters in places like Fort Bend County.
Politics & Policy
November 26, 2019
Tony Buzbee Ran as a Trumpian Shark in the First Round of the Houston Mayoral Race. Now He Appears to Be Dead in the Water.
To beat Sylvester Turner in the runoff, the flamboyant millionaire needs to be aggressive and smart. Instead, Buzbee’s campaign is lackluster.
Politics & Policy
November 26, 2019
In a First, the New Homeland Security Chief Met With South Texans About Cross-Border Trade
Chad Wolf was in the Rio Grande Valley last week for a border wall photo-op, but over a meal of cordon bleu he heard from businesspeople about economic woes.
Politics & Policy
November 25, 2019
The Book of Rick
Rick Perry says Trump is ”chosen by God.” But what if Perry were chosen to write the newest book of the Bible?
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2019
There Was a Julián Castro–Shaped Hole on the Democratic Debate Stage Last Night
The former San Antonio mayor didn’t qualify, but he still made his presence felt.
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2019
From Rick Perry to Kenneth Starr, Here Are the Texans Involved in the Impeachment Hearings
The Ukraine scandal is unfolding quickly, and quite a few Texans are playing significant roles in the drama.
Politics & Policy
November 20, 2019
How to Win Texas in 2020
This could be the year that Texas Democrats finally break through. (Yes, really.) But Republicans have a solid plan to stop them.
Politics & Policy
November 19, 2019
A Texas Politician’s Guide to Avoiding the Press
Fourteen strategies to deal with uncomfortable questions about impeachment proceedings.
Politics & Policy
November 15, 2019
Cocaine Is a Hell of a Drug, But Then So Is Partisanship
What Poncho Nevarez’s cocaine problem tells us about corruption and impunity at the Texas Capitol.
Border & Immigration
November 15, 2019
‘We Build the Wall’ Ordered to Stop Construction of Private Border Wall in South Texas
Environmentalists worry the wall could worsen flooding and violate an international treaty.
The National Podcast of Texas
November 11, 2019
Austin Mayor Steve Adler on the City’s Polarizing Debate Over Homelessness
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the mayor weighs in on sparring with Governor Abbott. Plus, his takes on mayors Bloomberg and Buttigieg.
Politics & Policy
November 7, 2019
Are There Really 300,000 Texas Secessionists Running Around the State?
An 'Atlantic" piece says there are — but does that really mean anything in a population of 29.1 million people?
Politics & Policy
November 6, 2019
Let’s All Hope Tony Buzbee Drank a Lot of Water Last Night
The eccentric megalawyer’s unpredictable and at times unintelligible speech claiming victory in Houston’s mayoral election has to be seen to be believed.
Politics & Policy
November 6, 2019
Texas Counties Are Declaring Themselves ‘Second Amendment Sanctuaries.’ But What Does That Mean, Exactly?
Spooked by the gun control debate, some rural Texas communities say they will defy “unconstitutional” gun laws, though it’s not clear how they would do so.
Politics & Policy
November 5, 2019
The (Fake) Beto Diaries, Vol. 5: Journey’s End
Our hero’s odyssey ends where it started: with him.
Politics & Policy
November 5, 2019
Proposition 7 Could Increase Education Funding, But That’s Part of the Problem
One constitutional amendment on the ballot poses a question that often vexes lawmakers—short-term need, or long-term benefit?
Politics & Policy
November 4, 2019
The Crowded Houston Mayoral Race Has Shaken Up Traditional Bayou City Politics
Despite, or maybe because of, Mayor Sylvester Turner’s business-as-usual approach, the race is surprisingly contentious.
Politics & Policy
November 4, 2019
Beto’s Mega-Hyped Local Act Disappoints in Major-Label Debut
Despite obvious talent and a dedicated fanbase, the El Paso native’s big national release is uninspired.
The National Podcast of Texas
November 4, 2019
The Texas Tribune’s Evan Smith Celebrates 10 Years of Nonprofit Journalism
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the digital news startup’s CEO and co-founder discusses how a risky bet on covering Texas politics and public policy paid off.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 2019
Beto O’Rourke Calls It Quits
When Beto left Texas, he lost his way.
Politics & Policy
October 29, 2019
What Happens When the Texas Governor Shares the Worst Day of Your Life on Twitter?
As part of his campaign against Austin’s homelessness rules, Greg Abbott tweeted an old video of a non-homeless man having a mental health episode. His attorney says the governor is “retraumatizing” the man and his family.
Politics & Policy
October 24, 2019
How Teenagers Are Using Their Quinceañeras to Boost the Latinx Vote in Texas
The nonprofit Jolt Texas is partnering with families across the state to register voters.
Politics & Policy
October 22, 2019
Bonn Voyage, Dennis!
The embattled speaker of the Texas House, Dennis Bonnen, calls it quits.
Politics & Policy
October 21, 2019
What Should Rick Perry Do Next?
Rick Perry, the former governor turned energy secretary, is about to have a lot of time on his hands.
Politics & Policy
October 18, 2019
The Texas GOP Keeps on Dancing to Donald Trump’s Tune
Dan Patrick, John Cornyn, and Ted Cruz stood by at the president’s Thursday night rally in Dallas as he ridiculed them and claimed Hurricane Harvey made the state “a fortune.”
Politics & Policy
October 16, 2019
No More Nurdles? Formosa’s Agreement to Stop Pumping Plastics Into Lavaca Bay Is Historic
Gulf Coast citizen-activists collected 30 million plastic pellets in order to prove that Formosa was violating the Clean Water Act.
Books
October 16, 2019
When Texas Democrats Roamed the Earth
Two new books remind us that the Lone Star State once had a nationally powerful tradition of liberalism.
Politics & Policy
October 15, 2019
The Bonnen Tape Is Tawdry, Shocking, and Kinda Funny
The secretly recorded meeting between Dennis Bonnen and Michael Quinn Sullivan shows how Texas political operators talk behind closed doors.