What’s Behind the Fact-Challenged Freak-out Over Colony Ridge?
The Houston exurb offers cheap land to hardworking families. But some in the GOP see the benefit in demonizing the migrants who’ve moved there.
Forrest Wilder is a senior editor at Texas Monthly. He covers politics, the outdoors, the environment, and what all. In a previous life, he served as editor of the Texas Observer. A native Texan who grew up in South Texas and the Hill Country, Forrest earned a bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Austin. He enjoys rock climbing, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. Send tips and fan mail to [email protected].
The Houston exurb offers cheap land to hardworking families. But some in the GOP see the benefit in demonizing the migrants who’ve moved there.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The attorney general’s acquittal affects an upcoming legislative session on school vouchers—and the civil war within the Texas GOP.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
After eight days of arguments and testimony, senators deliberate on whether to convict the embattled Texas attorney general.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Rick Perry rides a gunboat. Ted Cruz goes militiaman. Ron DeSantis and George P. Bush try their best.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business.
The attorney general’s affair finally took center stage. Plus, testimony on a meeting at Galaxy Cafe, a red car, and a Bible verse.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
For the second year in a row, the iconic spring-fed swimming hole has stopped flowing, the consequence of drought and overpumping.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The Guardian thinks so and, weirdly, so do many Aggies.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
I like to think I am Texas Tough when it comes to the heat. But lately, my fortitude has been tested.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The Legislature took a big step Monday, but further efforts could come with great costs: a sky-high sales tax, decimated public schools, and defunding the police.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
On property taxes, school funding, and more, “Democrats are not even in the conversation,” Dallas representative John Bryant says.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Lawmakers just authorized lots of money to acquire new parkland. We asked advocates and conservationists to dream big.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Our scorecard of the Eighty-eighth Texas Legislature’s noisy scoundrels and quiet heroes.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Sasha von Oldershausen is an associate editor who writes about news and politics.
The conservative, gun-toting superintendent of Fort Davis Independent School District is fed up: “I’m not patient enough to spend time with assholes in Austin, and I’m not rich enough to buy any votes.”
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Rarely are special-interest bills in the Texas Lege quite so special as in Brooks Landgraf’s bill targeting the tiny town of Volente.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Amid a debate over competing property tax–relief plans, the lieutenant governor isn’t holding back. But is “California Dade” a good insult?
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business.
In the ongoing push to preempt progressive policies at the local level, the GOP-controlled Legislature could undo protections against predatory payday lending.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The governor has promoted “school choice” at seven religious academies around the state. Why there?
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
I stopped by for a hike on the park’s final day. Its 1,420 acres are set to become luxury homes.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Scientists are using GPS collars to gather surprising data—including on one bear that walked 35 miles to dumpster dive.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
In an address that resembled a campaign ad, the governor issued seven priorities for the Legislature, including a push for “school choice.”
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Internal documents offer new insights into an unprecedented ploy in Wimberley to divert public-education dollars to private schools.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Three good spots around the state to fly-fish for Cyprinus carpio.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The first rule of catching a carp: don’t expect to catch a carp.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The ways of the Texas Legislature are confoundingly weird. Here’s a guide to the madness.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
What happens when hundreds of thousands of people go to the same place looking for a little quiet time? One of our two national parks is finding out.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Proposed regulations have prompted an intense backlash from hunters, trappers, and landowners.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Representative Jared Patterson is following a long legislative tradition of trying to troll Austin.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
It's a big win for a city that often feels neglected by Austin and Washington, D.C.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Author S. C. Gwynne calls his 2009 profile of the pirate-obsessed former Texas Tech coach part of the “golden era” of his journalism career.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Only a handful of the state’s 219 legislative and congressional races were competitive. That was by design.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
DPS director Steve McCraw could legally release mountains of evidence tomorrow. Instead, he is hiding behind a veil of secrecy.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Political operatives descended on the Hill Country town of Wimberley with a scheme to send taxpayer dollars to private schools. Now they’re shopping the same blueprint elsewhere.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The lieutenant governor’s rural bus tour looks more like an extended vacation than a reelection bid.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
It’s become a Texas tradition to hold brief gubernatorial debates during high school football prime time.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
In 1982, Dick J. Reavis chronicled the first government-led lethal injection in world history—and the last moments of Charlie Brooks's life.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Plans were underway to revive tourism at Fort Clark Springs in southwest Texas. But then, in a scenario increasingly common across the state, the water stopped flowing.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Across the state, Texans are experiencing record-high temperatures, but we might be recalling this summer fondly someday.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Homeowners in hot housing markets got a nasty surprise when their appraisals arrived this spring. Here’s what happened when some of them tried to get reductions.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
My family’s shack on an island in the world’s largest hypersaline lagoon has brought us closer to the fishing—and to one another.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
How to get the adventure and scenery without having to spend days in your kayak or canoe.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Texas authorities bungled the facts about the law enforcement response at Robb Elementary School. Then they went silent.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Texas has wild weather. We need a lexicon to match.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Defenders of limitless guns are out of ideas but full of excuses.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
In the Republican runoff for attorney general, incumbent Ken Paxton—not to mention Donald Trump—got his wish.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Please clap.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
No, sorry, we can't blame the Californians. Here's more than you ever wanted to know about your home’s skyrocketing appraisal.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Two-fifths of Texas Republicans say they would never vote for a Bush.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
Over several years, Richard West spent two months in seven Texas locales. His reporting eventually won the National Magazine Award.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
The seventh-generation Texan is roaming the state in her van, registering voters—and digging into her family's history in the long struggle for voting rights.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.
After two years of hell, Texas teachers are burned-out, angry, tired—and sounding the alarm about public education.
Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors.