Josephine Lee
@josephinelee.bsky.social
Reporter at the Texas Observer
Email: [email protected]
Signal: Josephineklee.14
https://www.texasobserver.org/author/josephine-lee/
Email: [email protected]
Signal: Josephineklee.14
https://www.texasobserver.org/author/josephine-lee/
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Our top story, by @candicebernd.bsky.social: A Texas Observer analysis found since 2021, at least 60 cryptomines have been developed or are under construction in at least 33 counties statewide. Experts worry our grid, and water supply, can't handle the load.
Crypto's Cryptic Texas Takeover
State regulators don't want you to know about the 60-plus Bitcoin mines guzzling public water and electricity—even though consumers are already paying the price.
www.texasobserver.org
November 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Our top story, by @candicebernd.bsky.social: A Texas Observer analysis found since 2021, at least 60 cryptomines have been developed or are under construction in at least 33 counties statewide. Experts worry our grid, and water supply, can't handle the load.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
In our magazine: Weeks after a transphobic attack, dozens of trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming folks gathered on the “free side” of Austin’s Barton Springs to swim, celebrate, and fearlessly take up space.
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance
Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."
www.texasobserver.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:15 PM
In our magazine: Weeks after a transphobic attack, dozens of trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming folks gathered on the “free side” of Austin’s Barton Springs to swim, celebrate, and fearlessly take up space.
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
@kitoconnell.com was there to witness this moment of queer joy and resilience...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
In books: “There were so many Black booksellers and historians who were and who are counting on me to tell the story right. It truly is the first full-length book to chronicle the history of Black-owned bookstores in this country.”
Black Bookstore Owners, Government Spies, and Murder
At the 2025 Texas Book Festival, authors bring new insights to complex stories in nonfiction.
www.texasobserver.org
November 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
In books: “There were so many Black booksellers and historians who were and who are counting on me to tell the story right. It truly is the first full-length book to chronicle the history of Black-owned bookstores in this country.”
Reposted by Josephine Lee
New from @byjustinmiller.bsky.social: Even as the lege debated school vouchers, corporate vendors were already competing behind the scenes for the lucrative contract. A closer look at how Odyssey became the big winner... and whose influence helped make the decision.
Texas’ Top Voucher Vendor Taps Abbott Allies in Contract Bid, Program Rollout
The New York firm Odyssey is now running the state’s lucrative voucher scheme with a little help from the governor’s friends.
www.texasobserver.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New from @byjustinmiller.bsky.social: Even as the lege debated school vouchers, corporate vendors were already competing behind the scenes for the lucrative contract. A closer look at how Odyssey became the big winner... and whose influence helped make the decision.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
By @michellepitcher.bsky.social in our magazine: "There’s a very strong pro-life argument. As a society, we are capable of keeping people safe, & we can do that while honoring that every life has inherent dignity and worth, and that includes people on death row who have committed unspeakable acts."
Pro-Life, Anti-Death Penalty
Nan Tolson is the face of the conservative movement against capital punishment in Texas.
www.texasobserver.org
November 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
By @michellepitcher.bsky.social in our magazine: "There’s a very strong pro-life argument. As a society, we are capable of keeping people safe, & we can do that while honoring that every life has inherent dignity and worth, and that includes people on death row who have committed unspeakable acts."
Reposted by Josephine Lee
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: Texas Department of Public Safety and ICE signed a pair of agreements that will authorize state police within DPS’s Criminal Investigations and Highway Patrol divisions to effectively operate as ICE agents, on a statewide basis.
Texas Turns Its Sprawling State Police Force Into Immigration Agents for Trump
The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached DPS, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
www.texasobserver.org
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: Texas Department of Public Safety and ICE signed a pair of agreements that will authorize state police within DPS’s Criminal Investigations and Highway Patrol divisions to effectively operate as ICE agents, on a statewide basis.
In winning the bid to administer Texas’ school vouchers, the venture-capitalist- backed firm, Odyssey, cultivated close ties to the political world of Gov Abbott, by @byjustinmiller.bsky.social. @texasaft.org @democracymoms.bsky.social @hft2415.bsky.social www.texasobserver.org/texas-vouche...
Texas’ Top Voucher Vendor Taps Abbott Allies in Contract Bid, Program Rollout
The New York firm Odyssey is now running the state’s lucrative voucher scheme with a little help from the governor’s friends.
www.texasobserver.org
November 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
In winning the bid to administer Texas’ school vouchers, the venture-capitalist- backed firm, Odyssey, cultivated close ties to the political world of Gov Abbott, by @byjustinmiller.bsky.social. @texasaft.org @democracymoms.bsky.social @hft2415.bsky.social www.texasobserver.org/texas-vouche...
Houston ISD’s top schools may no longer be accessible to all its students through its open-enrollment lottery system under a proposal to turn these schools into private partnerships: www.texasobserver.org/houston-magn...
Houston's Top Magnet High Schools Could Become Private Partnership Charter Schools, Raising Equity Concerns
Texas' largest school district may even convert its renowned performing arts institution under a program that benefitted the state-appointed superintendent in his previous career.
www.texasobserver.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Houston ISD’s top schools may no longer be accessible to all its students through its open-enrollment lottery system under a proposal to turn these schools into private partnerships: www.texasobserver.org/houston-magn...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
“An appointed board of managers is beholden not to local citizens. They’re beholden to Mike Morath and ultimately, Greg Abbott.”
New from @josephinelee.bsky.social: Despite months of protest, TEA announced that the takeover is coming.
New from @josephinelee.bsky.social: Despite months of protest, TEA announced that the takeover is coming.
Fort Worth ISD Parents Fear the Same Chaos that State Takeover Has Brought to Houston ISD
TEA intervention into locally controlled school districts has become increasingly common—despite mixed results.
www.texasobserver.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
“An appointed board of managers is beholden not to local citizens. They’re beholden to Mike Morath and ultimately, Greg Abbott.”
New from @josephinelee.bsky.social: Despite months of protest, TEA announced that the takeover is coming.
New from @josephinelee.bsky.social: Despite months of protest, TEA announced that the takeover is coming.
Fort Worth ISD fear the same chaos that state takeover has brought to Houston ISD: www.texasobserver.org/fort-worth-i... @texasaft.org @hft2415.bsky.social
Fort Worth ISD Parents Fear the Same Chaos that State Takeover Has Brought to Houston ISD
TEA intervention into locally controlled school districts has become increasingly common—despite mixed results.
www.texasobserver.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Fort Worth ISD fear the same chaos that state takeover has brought to Houston ISD: www.texasobserver.org/fort-worth-i... @texasaft.org @hft2415.bsky.social
The $50 billion rural health fund was set up to help rural hospitals shoulder cuts from Trump’s OBBBA. It’s looking unlikely that will happen… www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
States jostle over $50 billion rural health fund as Trump's Medicaid cuts trigger scramble
States are battling for their piece of $50 billion in federal rural health funding, but it's not just hospitals vying for the money. Tech startups and policy demands are raising the stakes as Medicaid...
www.cbsnews.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The $50 billion rural health fund was set up to help rural hospitals shoulder cuts from Trump’s OBBBA. It’s looking unlikely that will happen… www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
“The Trump administration is preparing sweeping changes at the Internal Revenue Service that would allow the agency to pursue criminal inquiries of left-leaning groups more easily, according to people familiar with the matter.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Exclusive | Trump Team Plans IRS Overhaul to Enable Pursuit of Left-Leaning Groups
The effort would install a Trump ally at the IRS’s criminal unit who has drawn up a list of investigative targets.
www.wsj.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:44 PM
“The Trump administration is preparing sweeping changes at the Internal Revenue Service that would allow the agency to pursue criminal inquiries of left-leaning groups more easily, according to people familiar with the matter.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
“We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.” @nicolefoy.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/immi...
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
October 19, 2025 at 10:24 PM
“We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.” @nicolefoy.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/immi...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
From @byjustinmiller.bsky.social: Two days after Kirk’s murder, the Texas House speaker and lieutenant governor announced a select committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education, an Orwellian title for a body to ostensibly oversee two recently enacted laws policing speech.
For Greg Abbott, Free Speech Is Just Another Political Prop
Charlie Kirk defended the First Amendment. Texas betrays it in his defense.
www.texasobserver.org
October 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
From @byjustinmiller.bsky.social: Two days after Kirk’s murder, the Texas House speaker and lieutenant governor announced a select committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education, an Orwellian title for a body to ostensibly oversee two recently enacted laws policing speech.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
“We can prove that Robert is innocent, and no reasonable jury would find otherwise if presented with all relevant medical evidence.”
New from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: Despite the evidence, and overwhelming support, Robeson's execution date is set for October 16.
New from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: Despite the evidence, and overwhelming support, Robeson's execution date is set for October 16.
‘I Got a Lot of People Believing in Me’: Robert Roberson Stares Down Death, Again
Set to be the first U.S. person executed based on the controversial “Shaken Baby Syndrome” diagnosis, Roberson told the Observer last week he hopes his story will mean something.
www.texasobserver.org
October 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“We can prove that Robert is innocent, and no reasonable jury would find otherwise if presented with all relevant medical evidence.”
New from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: Despite the evidence, and overwhelming support, Robeson's execution date is set for October 16.
New from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: Despite the evidence, and overwhelming support, Robeson's execution date is set for October 16.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Important Medicaid programs are being cut right now. The Medicaid Estate Recovery Program is the sort of program the government SHOULD get rid of, instead it’s going after the health care benefits that people actually need. MERP is wasteful spending at its absolute worst.
In our magazine, from @juliepoole.bsky.social: When callers pose even basic questions about how to get claims on their family homes dismissed, they are often left without answers. When families are hit with enormous six-figure claims, no one advocates on their behalf.
One Woman's Fight Against Texas' Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
Her mother had been in a nursing home paid for by Medicaid. Now, the state wanted its money back: “It was like wild animals pouncing on meat."
www.texasobserver.org
October 6, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Important Medicaid programs are being cut right now. The Medicaid Estate Recovery Program is the sort of program the government SHOULD get rid of, instead it’s going after the health care benefits that people actually need. MERP is wasteful spending at its absolute worst.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
“Are the complainants going to be chasing people down in bathrooms? That sounds hostile to me, and it’s not really clear.”
One legal expert called SB 8 “the most plainly unlawful, undemocratic legislation I’ve seen in recent history, It tries to shut down the basic right of every citizen to seek relief in our courts, which is one of the basic principles of American democracy."
How the Bathroom Bill Weaponizes Transphobia Against Public Institutions
A legal expert called the new anti-trans Texas bathroom law “the most plainly unlawful, undemocratic legislation I’ve seen in recent history.”
www.texasobserver.org
October 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
“Are the complainants going to be chasing people down in bathrooms? That sounds hostile to me, and it’s not really clear.”
Reposted by Josephine Lee
From @juliepoole.bsky.social: When callers pose even basic questions about how to get claims on their family homes dismissed, they are often left without answers. When families are hit with enormous six-figure claims, no one advocates on their behalf.
One Woman's Fight Against Texas' Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
Her mother had been in a nursing home paid for by Medicaid. Now, the state wanted its money back: “It was like wild animals pouncing on meat."
www.texasobserver.org
October 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
From @juliepoole.bsky.social: When callers pose even basic questions about how to get claims on their family homes dismissed, they are often left without answers. When families are hit with enormous six-figure claims, no one advocates on their behalf.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Out today from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: At Alienated Majesty Books, the "screamo bookstore," volumes from small and indie publishers, plus works in translation, comics, and poetry stand side-by-side with shoegaze, noise and hardcore punk bands. www.texasobserver.org/night-at-the...
October 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Out today from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: At Alienated Majesty Books, the "screamo bookstore," volumes from small and indie publishers, plus works in translation, comics, and poetry stand side-by-side with shoegaze, noise and hardcore punk bands. www.texasobserver.org/night-at-the...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Our top story: “If you go, like, to a shopping center, just to the store or a market, you will find a lot of military trucks full of soldiers. I work with people who are homeless, and the stories that they told us are very awful.”
In Juárez, a Militarized Border Makes Drug Use More Deadly
Growing security deployments pose unique challenges for harm reduction groups.
www.texasobserver.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Our top story: “If you go, like, to a shopping center, just to the store or a market, you will find a lot of military trucks full of soldiers. I work with people who are homeless, and the stories that they told us are very awful.”
Reposted by Josephine Lee
Greg Abbott is "running for an unprecedented fourth term on a record of schools in crisis, housing more expensive, groceries more expensive, electricity utility rates are up. This is a record of failure, and he owns it."
'Failures and Grift’: Gina Hinojosa Wants to Stop Greg Abbott from Making History
The five-term Austin state representative will wage an underdog campaign to deny the powerful Texas governor an unprecedented fourth term—and the chance to further entrench his “corruption.”
www.texasobserver.org
October 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Greg Abbott is "running for an unprecedented fourth term on a record of schools in crisis, housing more expensive, groceries more expensive, electricity utility rates are up. This is a record of failure, and he owns it."
“Trump is simultaneously wrecking American agriculture while also subsidizing its foreign competition, where several friends of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent coincidentally have large business interests. America first!” @naomibethune.bsky.social prospect.org/politics/202...
America Bet the Farm on Soybeans. Then Came Trump.
Collapsing soybean exports reveal an agricultural sector rife with longstanding problems.
prospect.org
October 18, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“Trump is simultaneously wrecking American agriculture while also subsidizing its foreign competition, where several friends of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent coincidentally have large business interests. America first!” @naomibethune.bsky.social prospect.org/politics/202...
Reposted by Josephine Lee
This is staggering. “The staff of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the journal that reports on health trends and emerging infectious threats, was also laid off.”
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This is staggering. “The staff of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the journal that reports on health trends and emerging infectious threats, was also laid off.”
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
Reposted by Josephine Lee
BREAKING: Our client Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning journalist detained by ICE in retaliation for livestreaming law enforcement activity, will be deported tomorrow to El Salvador.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
October 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
BREAKING: Our client Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning journalist detained by ICE in retaliation for livestreaming law enforcement activity, will be deported tomorrow to El Salvador.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
Reposted by Josephine Lee
The forests that once sheltered the small town of Roseland are turning brown. Now, many residents are left wondering: Is what was left behind after the Aug. 22 blast safe? If it’s making the trees ill, what about them?
In This Black Louisiana Town, Forests are Browning and Animals are Dying
After the industrial explosion in rural Louisiana town, the EPA still says there is no health threat.
capitalbnews.org
September 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The forests that once sheltered the small town of Roseland are turning brown. Now, many residents are left wondering: Is what was left behind after the Aug. 22 blast safe? If it’s making the trees ill, what about them?