The State of Texas: Nov. 8, 2013
Nearly one-third of Republicans want Ted Cruz to run for president and the new Lance Armstrong documentary premieres today.
Nearly one-third of Republicans want Ted Cruz to run for president and the new Lance Armstrong documentary premieres today.
President Barack Obama's tour through Texas and Blockbuster decides to close all its bricks-and-mortar locations.
Another voter ID snafu and the Astrodome garage sale.
A federal appeals court reversed the reversal of the newly enacted abortion law and Central Texas floods.
The United Nations is NOT taking over the Alamo and two of the nation's poorest cities are in Texas.
Inspiration of the DayFrisco seventh-grader Tyler Sampson has one hand and plays football. Not the European kind involving feet, but real gridiron—offense and defense. “When I play,” said Sampson in a video, “they underestimate me.” You now have no excuse for complaining about the little inconveniences in your daily
Longreads FridayThe Dallas Observer has a long piece detailing the April event at Arlington’s “Garden of Eden,” in which the garden and house were raided(!) by police, and SWAT members(!), for not complying with minor city ordinances regarding lawn upkeep. The piece takes all the fun out of mocking
Get to know Mrs. Ted Cruz, and the new voter ID law has an unforeseen consequence.
The UT Regent Wallace Hall investigation begins and an entire football team is accused of bullying.
Day two of both early voting and Planned Parenthood's court battle against the state.
Remembering Bum Phillips, a Dallas Police Department incident that requires investigation, and the abortion debate is back.
The retirement of Nolan Ryan, "why Texas is our future," and goodbye to another State Fair.
Ted Cruz comes under fire, Mark Cuban found not guilty, and the battle for UT's soul continues.
Texas gets its day in Supreme Court, the Lite Gov races heats up, and the Alamo will be a battleground once again.
Tuesday Shame-DayOddly, a collection of Texans fans wearing bags over their heads looks less weird after a minute or two.Photos of the DayThe Miss Texas Pole Star Competition happened over the weekend. Done right—as demonstrated by these competitors—it’s both impressive and beautiful. So leave both your leering
Ted Cruz wins the election (in a straw poll) and Kinky Friedman throws his black cowboy hat in the race for ag commish.
OSHA fines the parent company of the West fertilizer plant and A&M sells sections of its field.
Rick Perry wants to make it rain, Texas executed another man, and Buc-ee's might be dethroned as the state's best bathroom spot.
Photo of the DayAstronaut Karen Nyberg took this mesmerizing photo from her vista window of the International Space Station, which makes it clear that Austin and San Antonio are not yet one statistical metropolitian area. Sorry, Elizabeth Ames Jones:San Antonio & Austin, Texas. October 8.
Brooks County is now working to identify bodies of deceased illegal immigrants, the shutdown results in bad Internet hoaxes, and this week's Bum Steer nominee.
All You Can Eat FridayFortune has bestowed upon us this celebration of National Taco Day. Praise be tacos! Here’s Texas Monthly‘s 2007 list of the best tacos in the state. And, for good measure, here’s another list of (some of) the best tacos in Texas. Anyone
Photos of the DayLike Christmas, Halloween seems to arrive earlier each year. Houston Chronicle just published a slideshow of the Most Haunted Properties in Texas. For a bigger fright, use Texas Monthly‘s 2009 list as a guide, though watch out for ghosts and police.Tweets from Last
Photos of the DayOh, October! That time of year when the temperature begins to drop, leaves begin to fall, and Texas teens continue one of the state’s better traditions. Forget the haters who call it “weird.” Mums the word.Today in HistoryThe first military engagement of the
Video of the DayStar Wars Kid, Grumpy Cat . . . Texas tuba players. The Lake Travis Cavalier Marching Band is now Internet famous! Thanks go entirely to a tubular wreck last week. The band’s received national press after a video of their tuba section’s halftime pileup
Monday GoodnessThe Dallas Morning News has an idea about the Texas Constitution that folks on both the left and right can probably agree on: burn it. The editorial suggests a complete makeover for the “bloated” document that’s “a relic of a bitter, bygone era after the Civil War
Thursday Time-waster“Yes to Texas,” a Buzzfeed for the rest of us, posted a wonderful list: 16 Signs You Went to School in Texas via @TexasHumorDaily RoundupWendy Davis is Strappin’ on Her Runnin’ Shoes (Probably) — You’re the state’s first really viable Democratic candidate in years, not to
Texas PlaylistHunter Hauk at the Dallas Morning News curated some fine, young tracks from North Texas bands.Pictures of the DayIf you haven’t yet visited the Eclectic Menagerie Park in Belfort, here’s a recent snapshot. Giant spiders, and chickens, and ‘dillos, oh my! Created by
Picture of the DayHere’s a recent street campaign (in true social media fashion) challenging a February study that declared Beaumont the “saddest city,” based on tweets from the city. Either way, it sure beats “Clapton is God”Daily RoundupA Stranger From Our Neighborhood — Washington D.C. is still reeling
Texas in HollywoodTinseltown’s favorite Texan, Tommy Lee Jones, turned 67 on Sunday. Even though he’s probably all, like, “no birthday for old man,” you can still celebrate by reading Skip Hollandsworth’s 2006 profile.Photos of the Day“Mermaid Theater” was a big thing at the San Marcos springs during the sixties. And
Cormac McCarthy’s latest is bloody good.
The assignment was the chance of a lifetime to see the whole state, once and for all. At times pure pleasure and at times a feat of will, it was always and foremost a writer’s dream come true.
You don’t have to be born here to qualify. The mark of a true native is an undying passion to be one.
There’s no point in grousing about Texas’ minor shortcomings. Why not just roll up our sleeves and make it perfect once and for all?