Politics & Policy
January 5, 2023
Chip Roy, Bless His Heart
The Central Texas representative who is helping block Kevin McCarthy’s ascent to Speaker of the House has a long history of obstructionism.
News & Politics
Politics & Policy
January 5, 2023
A GOP Lawmaker in Texas Wants to Try Again to Ban Puppy Mills
Representative Jared Patterson’s bill is a second swing at stopping pet stores from getting animals from out-of-state for-profit breeders.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2023
Is Ron DeSantis the Most Powerful Republican in Texas?
Forget Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick. Florida’s governor will be calling the shots when the Texas Legislature returns in January.
Politics & Policy
December 30, 2022
Stories We Wish We’d Published This Year
Fifteen staffers selected their favorite writing about our state that outlets other than Texas Monthly produced in 2022.
Politics & Policy
December 28, 2022
Every Texan Gets $900! And Other Ideas for Spending the State’s Massive Surplus
What should we do with our $27 billion windfall? We asked a variety of Texans for their brightest ideas.
Politics & Policy
December 28, 2022
More Trouble at the ‘Lord’s Mill’
Federal inspectors cited a sawmill run by members of the insular Church of Wells with multiple safety violations.
Politics & Policy
December 22, 2022
A Federal Court Will Rule on Book Bans in Llano. Many in the Community Have Already Made Up Their Minds.
Over the last year, the pulling of a dozen books off county library shelves has split the Hill Country town.
Politics & Policy
December 21, 2022
A Texas GOP Lawmaker Wants to Increase “Viewpoint Diversity” by Banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Ed
The legislation would rewrite a portion of the education code to target programs that represent marginalized groups.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
December 20, 2022
The Migration Crisis in El Paso Could Soon Grow Worse—Much Worse
The looming disaster has thrown both Governor Abbott’s and President Biden’s failed border policies into sharp relief.
Politics & Policy
December 16, 2022
A Texas Republican Defies His Colleagues on Ukraine, While Louie Gohmert Can’t Stop Believing
The lame-duck congressman looks to leave a mark, while his colleagues float a big border plan and do some culture warring.
By Ben Rowen![Ben Rowen's Profile Photo]()
Health
December 15, 2022
Texas’s Doctor Shortage Is Bilingual
There aren’t nearly enough physicians in the state, especially for the more than 7.5 million Texans who primarily speak Spanish.
Border & Immigration
December 14, 2022
In Rural Far West Texas, Justices of the Peace Confront a Death-Investigation System That’s Failing Unknown Migrants
As the migrant death toll rises, county officials, forensic laboratories, and locals work with little governmental assistance to process, identify, and repatriate the bodies.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2022
A Few Republican Lawmakers Said They Want Exceptions to Texas’s Abortion Ban. A Democrat’s Bill Proposes Some.
Austin Democratic representative Donna Howard’s legislation seems written to try to appeal to Republicans.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Health
December 14, 2022
Long-COVID Sufferers Are Flocking to a Texas Clinic to Treat Smell Disorders. But Does the Remedy Work?
Many with parosmia, a condition whereby normal scents smell foul, have searched for relief and found hope in a facility in Bryan.
Bum Steers
December 12, 2022
2023 Bum Steer of the Year: Austin
How a funky little college town became the unbearable-traffic, unaffordable-real-estate, insufferable-tech-bro, inanely-precious-restaurant, expensive-BBQ capital of the world!
Bum Steers
December 12, 2022
2023 Bum Steer of the Year Runner-up: Floperation Lone Star
Greg Abbott’s $4 billion program to deter migration . . . doesn’t seem to be deterring migration.
Bum Steers
December 12, 2022
2023 Bum Steer of the Year Runner-up: Gilberto Hinojosa
Texas Monthly recently acquired the (fake!) résumé of one Gilberto Hinojosa, the seemingly indefatigable chair of the long-suffering Texas Democratic party. We print it here in full.
Bum Steers
December 12, 2022
2023 Bum Steer of the Year Runner-up: Louie Gohmert
An open letter to Louie Gohmert, the Bum Steer Hall of Fame’s newest inductee!
Bum Steers
December 12, 2022
2023 Bum Steer of the Year Runner-up: Herschel Walker
(Fake!) excerpts from the campaign diary of a displaced Texan, summer–fall 2022.
Bum Steers
December 12, 2022
The 2023 Bum Steer Awards
The dopes, villains, and terrible ideas that bedeviled our beloved state over the past twelve months. (This time, with slightly less Ted Cruz!)
Politics & Policy
December 9, 2022
Austin Powers: A Republican Lawmaker Wants the Texas Legislature to Take Over the Capital City
Representative Jared Patterson is following a long legislative tradition of trying to troll Austin.
Politics & Policy
December 9, 2022
Texas’s Abortion “Bounty” Law Just Lost Its First Test. Here’s What That Means.
The plaintiff was found to lack legal standing to bring the case. That has big implications—and not just for abortion laws.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Sports
December 8, 2022
Texan Brittney Griner Released From Russian Custody in Prisoner Swap
The Texas basketball star was first detained in February and was recently moved to a Russian penal colony.
Politics & Policy
December 6, 2022
Texas Lege Watch: A Democratic Resolution Would Put Abortion Directly on the Ballot. But It’s Doomed.
Recent history and polling tell us that voters would support a measure to stop lawmakers from restricting abortion access—which is precisely why it’ll never pass.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
December 5, 2022
The Untold Story of the Insular Texas Family That Invaded the U.S. Capitol
The Munns became a national curiosity after five of them were indicted for participating in the insurrection. But the full scope of their malignant behavior is little known—including to the federal prosecutors tasked with investigating their crimes.
Politics & Policy
December 2, 2022
A Peek Inside Herschel Walker’s Controversial Texas Mansion
The former football star says his campaign for the U.S. Senate began in his home outside Dallas. Will it end there as well?
News & Politics
December 2, 2022
Alex Jones Has a Playbook for Hedging Outrageous Statements. Ye Ignored It.
The rap star spent more than three hours praising Nazis on Infowars, while making the host squirm—but not for the reasons you might think.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
December 1, 2022
Harris County Botched Another Election. The GOP Senses Opportunity.
After an election marred by malfunctioning machines, long lines, and a shortage of paper ballots, Republicans are contemplating big changes in the next Legislature.
Politics & Policy
November 30, 2022
Texas Held an Election. Most Voters Didn’t Come.
Every two years the Democrats claim they will win by turning out new voters. Every two years they fail.
By Ben Rowen![Ben Rowen's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2022
Louie Gohmert’s Last Stand, Shuffling Government Spending, and Other Texan Proposals in Congress
Texan legislators in Washington keep their eyes on the important things. Texas Monthly rounded up the latest.
By Ben Rowen![Ben Rowen's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
November 18, 2022
Texas Lege Watch: Jared Patterson Wants to Regulate Drag Shows. He Has Trouble Defining Them.
Under his new Texas bill, any community theater that hosts a performance of ‘Peter Pan’ could find itself regulated as a strip club.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Business
November 16, 2022
The San Antonio Missions’ New Superstar Owners Want to Bring the Team Downtown
The real estate developer who engineered a deal to buy the 134-year-old minor league baseball franchise thinks new team ownership can help transform the city’s urban core.
By Tom Foster![Tom Foster's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
November 16, 2022
Texas Lege Watch: Briscoe Cain Wants to Extend “Baby on Board” by Nine Months
The small-government conservative has proposed a bill to allow pregnant drivers to access carpool lanes.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Meanwhile in Texas
November 11, 2022
Meanwhile, in Texas: Raccoons Caused Two Power Outages in Seguin
Plus, porch pirates spread manure on a home after getting pranked, a teen swallowed part of a dog toy, and more.
Politics & Policy
November 11, 2022
Texas Democrats: It’s Time for a Celebrity Candidate!
It’s worked for the GOP elsewhere, and nothing else has worked for Democrats here.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
November 10, 2022
Texas Democrats Are the Charlie Brown of Political Parties
Every two years, the party tries to kick the football—and every two years, it misses. Good grief!
Politics & Policy
November 9, 2022
GOP Gerrymandering Made the Texas Midterms Kind of Boring
Only a handful of the state’s 219 legislative and congressional races were competitive. That was by design.
News & Politics
November 9, 2022
Inside Texas A&M’s New Military Combat Lab
At the high-tech testing ground near College Station, the Army can develop its future drones, missiles, lasers, and vehicles.
News & Politics
November 8, 2022
Analysis: Texas 2022 Election Results
Greg Abbott defeats Beto O’Rourke. Dan Patrick and Ken Paxton defeat their Democrat opponents comfortably. Lina Hidalgo narrowly wins in Harris County.
Politics & Policy
November 7, 2022
How to Lose a Texas School Board Campaign in 150 Days
Maryam Zafar, a college junior, wanted to improve the Round Rock schools she had attended. Then she saw how hard it was.
Business
November 7, 2022
The Rebirth of Red Bird Mall
Peter Brodsky could have retired on the wealth he built taking over billion-dollar companies. So why has he bet millions on a shopping center in southern Dallas?
Politics & Policy
November 4, 2022
Why Is Ken Paxton Sending a Task Force to Monitor Harris County’s Elections?
Local officials and civil rights activists worry that the attorney general could be laying the groundwork for challenging another election.
Politics & Policy
November 3, 2022
Gen Z Is More Liberal Than Older Generations. The Texas Right Has a Plan to Change That—One Local Race at a Time.
Amid a crowded field of conservative youth organizers, Run GenZ is supporting young candidates for local office across the state.
Politics & Policy
November 2, 2022
Inside the Movement to Root Out Nonexistent Election Fraud in Texas
Weston Martinez can’t provide evidence for his claims of fraud in the 2020 election, but he is drawing crowds of right-wing activists across Texas.
Politics & Policy
November 2, 2022
The Mysteries of Texas’s Midterm Elections
Republicans are pursuing South Texas Latinos. Democrats are counting on the Dobbs abortion decision. Nobody knows who’s going to turn out to vote. And the polls are all over the place.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
November 1, 2022
A Federal Judge Jailed Two Leaders of True the Vote
Catherine Engelbrecht and Gregg Phillips refused to disclose the name of a mystery man who supposedly helped them investigate election software company Konnech.
News & Politics
November 1, 2022
This Texas Election Could Change School Lessons Nationwide
The fifteen-member State Board of Education will determine how public school educators and textbooks teach issues such as sexual orientation and race.
Politics & Policy
October 31, 2022
Can Texas Democrats Make the Election a Referendum on Abortion?
For the first time in fifty years, single-issue abortion voters are pro-choice. Can Texas Democrats capitalize on it?
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
October 28, 2022
Uvalde Revolts
The South Texas town’s ongoing protests in the wake of the Robb Elementary shooting hold echoes of Uvalde’s 1970s protest movement against racial inequities.
Energy
October 28, 2022
After a Lifetime of Drilling, This Texas Oilman Digs One Final Well
On a farm near Flatonia, Mike Shellman closes the chapter on nearly sixty years in the business.