Politics

September 21, 2018

Jack Martin Hopes for a Return to Civility in Texan Politics

The former Democratic kingmaker would also be happy to see a blue wave in November—but he’s not betting on it.

By Carlos Sanchez

The Texanist |

September 3, 2018

The Texanist: How Do I Talk Politics With My Friends in West Texas?

A Lone Star native who has lived in the Northeast for nearly four decades is nervous about socializing when she's back at home.

By David Courtney

BBQ |

August 16, 2018

Sid Miller Is Still Obsessed With Barbecue Scales

Despite Attorney General Ken Paxton’s advice, the agriculture commissioner won’t let go of barbecue scale enforcement.

By Daniel Vaughn

March 7, 2018

VIDEO: ‘Texas Monthly’ Examines the 2018 Primaries

Watch our discussion of the winners and losers of this year’s Fall-of-the-Alamo primary.

By Carlos Sanchez

Sports |

November 13, 2017

Gregg Popovich for President? Here’s His First 2020 “Campaign Ad”

Funny or Die lines Coach Pop up to take his shot.

October 18, 2017

Ted Cruz Got Doused with Dr Pepper. Then He Tweeted the Zodiac Killer Cipher Thing

Just another day for the junior senator.

By Leif Reigstad

October 4, 2017

Amid Reports He Called Trump a Moron, Rex Tillerson Announces He’s Not Resigning

A weird news story gets weirder.

September 29, 2017

Four Texas Democrats Vote Against House Bill Offering Tax Breaks to Harvey Victims

Texas's Democratic delegation previously acted as a united front in response to the storm. So why the change?

By Leif Reigstad

September 25, 2017

Here’s a List of Everyone Running for Texas Governor So Far

Would you cast your vote for Mr. Leather International, or a guy who legally changed his name to SECEDE?

By Leif Reigstad

September 13, 2017

Why Those Texan Congressmen Didn’t Pass the Harvey Aid Package

A reminder of just how much the debt ceiling matters to some of our lawmakers.

By Nick Anderson

August 11, 2017

DC2DQ: Will Hurd’s Road Trip for Survival

Republican congressman is among the most vulnerable in the nation.

By R.G. Ratcliffe

Film & TV |

April 25, 2017

What The Film Incentives Program Means to The Texas Film Industry

The Rooster Teeth CEO Matt Hullum takes a quick break from directing ’Lazer Team 2’ to talk about the future of the film incentives program.

Sports |

February 17, 2017

Greg Abbott v. The NFL

The NFL is threatening to pull out of Texas when it comes to event consideration, and the governor is fighting back.

February 7, 2017

How Are Texas Elected Officials Dealing With An Unusual Amount Of Constituent Engagement?

In Houston, Austin, and even Temple, senators and representatives are hearing from a section of the constituency that’s been quiet until now.

November 8, 2016

Glenn Beck, Ted Nugent, And The Texas Conservative Identity

What does Texas conservatism look like after the election is over?

October 25, 2016

Here’s How Early Voting Has Gone In Texas So Far

It’s early on in the voting process, but there’s a lot happening here nonetheless.

October 25, 2016

Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty Has The Cutest Campaign Ad Of The Season

An ad for Travis County Commissioner is just like a deleted 'Parks & Recreation' scene.

September 28, 2016

Houston Taco Trucks Are Helping Register People To Vote

Tacos with a side of civic engagement.

August 8, 2016

Does The Green Party Matter?

After its Houston convention, the Green Party is aiming to gather the Bernie-or-Bust momentum.

August 4, 2016

Should Texas Republicans Be Worried About The State Of Their County Organizations?

The newly elected Dallas County GOP chair announced his resignation this week, while the Travis County party head wears his jester’s cap.

Mothers of the Movement (L-R) Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton; Annette Nance-Holt, mother of Blair Holt; Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland; Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; and Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, mother of Hadiya Pendleton; Lezley McSpadden, Mother of Mike Brown and Wanda Johnson, mother of Oscar Grant; and Lezley McSpadden, Mother of Mike Brown stand on stage prior to delivering remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 26, 2016.

August 3, 2016

A Dallas Weatherman Resigned After Describing Grieving Moms As “The Mothers Of Thugs”

In his resignation, he denied that his statement had a racial element. Let’s talk about the history of the word ”thug.”

June 27, 2016

The Long Tale Of HB2 Comes to a Close

Three years after Wendy Davis’s filibuster, Texas’s anti-abortion law is struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

May 24, 2016

From Castro To Cuban: Will A Texan Be On The Democratic Presidential Ticket?

As the Democratic primary winds down, speculation on who frontrunner Hillary Clinton might select as a running mate ramps up—and there are some surprising names on the list.

May 23, 2016

A Harris County GOP Precinct Chair Tried To Block A Muslim Man From Serving In The Same Role

That’s one way to do outreach to voters who may feel alienated by the presumptive Republican nominee for President.

Business |

May 9, 2016

What Comes Next For Ride Services In Austin And Beyond Now That Prop 1 Is Dead?

Some frequently asked questions, and even a handful of answers.

March 30, 2016

Will Texas Be A Swing State In November? You Can Bet On It (Literally)

The odds aren't great, but according to booking sites they're there.

February 25, 2016

Explosions In The Sky Are Not Happy That Greg Abbott Used Their Music To Endorse Ted Cruz

The sad, but triumphant post-rock band from Austin is the latest group to find their music in the hands of politicians.

January 25, 2016

The “Julián Castro For Vice President” Train Is Chugging Along

The former San Antonio mayor has been waiting in the wings for the past four years—and the 2016 talk is heating up.

December 17, 2015

Ted Cruz Erotic Fan Fiction Is A Thing You Can Buy And Read Right Now

Oh, what a time to be alive.

December 8, 2015

Ted Cruz’s Headlines May Be Mundane, But He’s Still Rising In The Polls

His headlines might not be as incendiary as Trump's, but Ted Cruz is still making a splash.

October 14, 2015

Houston Texans Owner Bob McNair Shells Out Major Bucks To GOP Candidates

By the looks of it, McNair is more concerned with political influence than a winning team.

By John Nova Lomax

August 24, 2015

62% of Texas Republicans Want Paxton to Resign

First question: Who are the 38%?

By Erica Grieder

December 3, 2014

Is It Legal For an Atheist to Hold Public Office in Texas?

A mailer sent out during an Austin City Council runoff makes this weird question relevant once more.

October 16, 2014

Houston City Attorneys Subpoenaed Sermons from Pastors They Suspect Fought the Ordinance from the Pulpit

Making a whole lot of people uncomfortable.

Health |

October 13, 2014

Does Wendy Davis’s Ad Cross the Line in Mentioning the Accident that Put Greg Abbott in a Wheelchair?

Davis's latest ad has caused a lot of controversy. Is she wrong in bringing up Abbott's accident?

Health |

September 22, 2014

Why Did State Rep. Dawnna Dukes Have to Reveal That She’d Had an Abortion at Trib Fest?

On a panel about the "Women's Health Debate," Texas House candidate Molly White insisted to Dukes that women who haven't had abortions couldn't understand their impact—so Dukes revealed her own history with the procedure.

September 8, 2014

Some Things Worth Considering About the Wendy Davis Abortion Reveal

The big news out of the gubernatorial campaign has got a lot of people talking—but is it anything worth saying?

Sports |

September 4, 2014

It’s Come to This. Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis Are Bickering About Favorite Football Teams

Yesterday, Davis told a radio station that she's a Cowboys fan, which led the Abbott campaign to call her a flip-flopper, in one of the sillier press releases of this campaign season.

August 12, 2014

What the New Wendy Davis Ad Tells Us About Her Campaign

And the coverage of it by the media.

February 24, 2014

Did We Just Witness the End of Ted Nugent’s Political Relevance?

The Motor City Madman has been called many things over the past few decades, but until last week, you couldn't call him phony.

Sports |

February 25, 2013

Our Aggie Governor’s Prediction for a Democratic-Leaning State…

“The University of Texas will change its colors to maroon and white before Texas goes purple, much less blue.”– Rick Perry, always thinking about college football (just like all of us).(From the Wall Street Journal. For the back story, read Erica Greider’s Thursday column.)

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.

By Texas Monthly and Ross Dubois

January 29, 2013

How Texas Tackles Gun Control

State politicians propose solutions ranging from arming teachers to praying for protection.

By Texas Monthly and Ross Dubois

January 21, 2013

“Fetal Pain”: The First Thing on Rick Perry’s Desk?

The Governor will hold a press conference with Texas Right to Life in Houston today to personally offer his support for more restrictions on abortion in the state.

Health |

January 21, 2013

Are You Sure You Want to Drink That?

San Antonio joins Chicago as the first two cities to get health-conscious soda vending machines.

Food & Drink |

January 21, 2013

Do You Have the Palate of a President?

Exploring the culinary preferences of George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon Baines Johnson.

By Sonia Smith

News & Politics |

January 21, 2013

¿Dewhurst Habla Español Mas Mejor Que Cruz?

UPDATE: The Lite Guv says he never really "challenged" Ted Cruz to debate en español, but the Senate candidates are now scheduled to spar in English twice.