Olivia Messer
@oliviamesser.bsky.social
texan. editor in chief, the barbed wire. words in rolling stone, marie claire, slate, the daily beast, texas monthly, texas observer etc
for texas tips, email: [email protected]
for texas tips, email: [email protected]
Pinned
Just a reminder as we approach the 2025 #txlege session: My email is in my bio, and I always welcome tips. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
genuinely perfect that the interview with Olivia was done by Jacob Bernstein, the child of Nora Ephron and Carl Bernstein, who themselves had a monumental scandal that involved romance, adultery, and the highest echelons of the literary and journalism worlds
November 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
genuinely perfect that the interview with Olivia was done by Jacob Bernstein, the child of Nora Ephron and Carl Bernstein, who themselves had a monumental scandal that involved romance, adultery, and the highest echelons of the literary and journalism worlds
RIP to these drinks that aren’t allowed inside the #tribfest event for @jamestalarico.bsky.social 🫡🫡🫡
November 14, 2025 at 3:26 PM
RIP to these drinks that aren’t allowed inside the #tribfest event for @jamestalarico.bsky.social 🫡🫡🫡
Reposted by Olivia Messer
Photojournalism is not a crime
A photojournalist was arrested by ICE at gunpoint — and his DACA status revoked.
“Ya’akub isn’t being accused of breaking immigration law — his DACA protection doesn’t expire until May 2026. In fact Ya’akub’s lawyers say he hasn’t been accused of any crime.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/04/h...
“Ya’akub isn’t being accused of breaking immigration law — his DACA protection doesn’t expire until May 2026. In fact Ya’akub’s lawyers say he hasn’t been accused of any crime.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/04/h...
When Storytelling Is Called ‘Terrorism’: How My Friend and Fellow Journalist Was Targeted by ICE
As a DACA recipient, Ya'akub Ira Vijandre’s arrest holds drastic implications for the state of free speech in America.
thebarbedwire.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Photojournalism is not a crime
Reposted by Olivia Messer
“Just the day before he was detained, Ya’akub had recorded and participated in a city council meeting in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, where he spoke out in support of local community leader Marwan Marouf who was detained by ICE, according to a court filing from his legal team last week.”
A photojournalist was arrested by ICE at gunpoint — and his DACA status revoked.
“Ya’akub isn’t being accused of breaking immigration law — his DACA protection doesn’t expire until May 2026. In fact Ya’akub’s lawyers say he hasn’t been accused of any crime.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/04/h...
“Ya’akub isn’t being accused of breaking immigration law — his DACA protection doesn’t expire until May 2026. In fact Ya’akub’s lawyers say he hasn’t been accused of any crime.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/04/h...
When Storytelling Is Called ‘Terrorism’: How My Friend and Fellow Journalist Was Targeted by ICE
As a DACA recipient, Ya'akub Ira Vijandre’s arrest holds drastic implications for the state of free speech in America.
thebarbedwire.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
“Just the day before he was detained, Ya’akub had recorded and participated in a city council meeting in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, where he spoke out in support of local community leader Marwan Marouf who was detained by ICE, according to a court filing from his legal team last week.”
Texas hemp outlasted Dan Patrick. It may not survive Mitch McConnell.
The good news? THC is still legal in Texas, despite myriad failed attempts by the legislature to eradicate the state’s $8 billion hemp industry.
The bad news? Some Republicans in Congress still want to ban it — and they might actually get their wish this time.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/12/t...
The bad news? Some Republicans in Congress still want to ban it — and they might actually get their wish this time.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/12/t...
Just When the Texas Hemp Industry Breathed a Sigh of Relief, It Faces Another Extinction-Level Event
The $8 billion Texas hemp industry is once again in peril.
thebarbedwire.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Texas hemp outlasted Dan Patrick. It may not survive Mitch McConnell.
“Breaking: Epstein emails allege Trump ‘knew about girls’”
a woman says everyone knows that jerry in front of a mirror
ALT: a woman says everyone knows that jerry in front of a mirror
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
“Breaking: Epstein emails allege Trump ‘knew about girls’”
Reposted by Olivia Messer
Sean Duffy threatens "action" against air traffic controllers who didn't come to work during the shutdown: "I'm concerned about their patriotism."
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Sean Duffy threatens "action" against air traffic controllers who didn't come to work during the shutdown: "I'm concerned about their patriotism."
Reposted by Olivia Messer
Great, troubling work by Candice.
From @candicebernd.bsky.social in our magazine: 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 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Great, troubling work by Candice.
Reposted by Olivia Messer
Check out Kit’s latest on Queer social clubs at @thebarbedwire.com
Queer social clubs offer a much-needed alternative to the bar scene. One founder said his group is about “bringing everyone together and tearing down these walls that, over time, have gradually gone up between the L, the G, the B, the T and the Q.”
Now out at @thebarbedwire.com:
Now out at @thebarbedwire.com:
Looking For Queer Community Outside the Bar? There’s a Walking (and Hiking and Yoga and Line-Dancing) Club For That.
Tired of alcohol? Join a queer walking club. “Sometimes, a sense of belonging can genuinely be lifesaving.”
thebarbedwire.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Check out Kit’s latest on Queer social clubs at @thebarbedwire.com
Reposted by Olivia Messer
“Come hang out, and you hopefully make some really good friends out of the whole process.”
There's a growing number of Queer Social Clubs that offer sober alternatives to the bars, from hiking to yoga to line dancing and soup. My first for "Big and Bright," @thebarbedwire.com's queer news section.
There's a growing number of Queer Social Clubs that offer sober alternatives to the bars, from hiking to yoga to line dancing and soup. My first for "Big and Bright," @thebarbedwire.com's queer news section.
Looking For Queer Community Outside the Bar? There’s a Walking (and Hiking and Yoga and Line-Dancing) Club For That.
Tired of alcohol? Join a queer walking club. “Sometimes, a sense of belonging can genuinely be lifesaving.”
thebarbedwire.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“Come hang out, and you hopefully make some really good friends out of the whole process.”
There's a growing number of Queer Social Clubs that offer sober alternatives to the bars, from hiking to yoga to line dancing and soup. My first for "Big and Bright," @thebarbedwire.com's queer news section.
There's a growing number of Queer Social Clubs that offer sober alternatives to the bars, from hiking to yoga to line dancing and soup. My first for "Big and Bright," @thebarbedwire.com's queer news section.
Reposted by Olivia Messer
Reposted by Olivia Messer
“We made a mistake and I apologize. I hope you know the heart of our church, and I think all of you know the heart of our church. Our church is to help people. We would never deny helping a desperate mom or baby, and I hope you know that.”
“So, what would you like for me to say?” the woman asked.
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
A Woman Asked 43 Churches If They'd Feed a Starving Baby. The Texas Ones Failed Her Test.
Nikalie Monroe is going viral on TikTok for calling churches across the country to ask for baby formula for a fictional two-month-old.
thebarbedwire.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
“We made a mistake and I apologize. I hope you know the heart of our church, and I think all of you know the heart of our church. Our church is to help people. We would never deny helping a desperate mom or baby, and I hope you know that.”
Reposted by Olivia Messer
“The churches that said yes to a liberal, tattooed lesbian were a MAGA church, a Hispanic church, a Black church, a Catholic church, and an Islamic mosque. That should tell you everything.”
“So, what would you like for me to say?” the woman asked.
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
A Woman Asked 43 Churches If They'd Feed a Starving Baby. The Texas Ones Failed Her Test.
Nikalie Monroe is going viral on TikTok for calling churches across the country to ask for baby formula for a fictional two-month-old.
thebarbedwire.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
“The churches that said yes to a liberal, tattooed lesbian were a MAGA church, a Hispanic church, a Black church, a Catholic church, and an Islamic mosque. That should tell you everything.”
“So, what would you like for me to say?” the woman asked.
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
A Woman Asked 43 Churches If They'd Feed a Starving Baby. The Texas Ones Failed Her Test.
Nikalie Monroe is going viral on TikTok for calling churches across the country to ask for baby formula for a fictional two-month-old.
thebarbedwire.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
“So, what would you like for me to say?” the woman asked.
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
“Honestly, my next question is, are you pro-life? Is your church pro-life?” Monroe asked. The church hung up.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/11/t...
Reposted by Olivia Messer
Three former officers faced life in prison for the death of Melissa Perez, whom they shot behind a locked glass door. All were found not guilty on Monday.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/10/s...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/10/s...
‘They Were Very Sorry for Your Loss’: Ex-San Antonio Officers Found Not Guilty in City’s First Murder Trial for Police Shooting
Three former officers faced life in prison for the death of Melissa Perez, whom they shot behind a locked glass door.
thebarbedwire.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Three former officers faced life in prison for the death of Melissa Perez, whom they shot behind a locked glass door. All were found not guilty on Monday.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/10/s...
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/10/s...
Reposted by Olivia Messer
a texas story™️
ahhh the burnt toast smell of turning on your heater for the first time
a doll with blue eyes and a chef 's hat
ALT: a doll with blue eyes and a chef 's hat
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
a texas story™️
ahhh the burnt toast smell of turning on your heater for the first time
a doll with blue eyes and a chef 's hat
ALT: a doll with blue eyes and a chef 's hat
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
ahhh the burnt toast smell of turning on your heater for the first time
Finally catching up on my period dramas — the kind with heavy metal plot armor — and have so little emotional bandwidth for turmoil I gotta fast forward through the bits where things go wrongly (briefly, before everyone realizes there’s been a small misunderstanding)
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Finally catching up on my period dramas — the kind with heavy metal plot armor — and have so little emotional bandwidth for turmoil I gotta fast forward through the bits where things go wrongly (briefly, before everyone realizes there’s been a small misunderstanding)
I still can’t believe The Witcher’s new season was so bad -- I genuinely couldn’t make it through an episode. Guys, I made it through every season of Selling Sunset. Completed The Office. Game of Thrones. The Walking Dead! All the way to the finale of And Just Like That.
But I could not do this.
But I could not do this.
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I still can’t believe The Witcher’s new season was so bad -- I genuinely couldn’t make it through an episode. Guys, I made it through every season of Selling Sunset. Completed The Office. Game of Thrones. The Walking Dead! All the way to the finale of And Just Like That.
But I could not do this.
But I could not do this.
Reposted by Olivia Messer
Bari Weiss’ interest in high-profile journalists under contract at rival networks has struck insiders as naïve, and raised questions about her recruiting tactics. Meanwhile, CBS News staffers are bracing for another round of layoffs.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/bari-weiss...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/bari-weiss...
Weiss’ Anchor Wishlist
Bari Weiss’ interest in high-profile journalists under contract at rival networks has struck insiders as naïve, and raised questions about her recruiting tactics. Meanwhile, CBS News staffers are bra...
www.status.news
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Bari Weiss’ interest in high-profile journalists under contract at rival networks has struck insiders as naïve, and raised questions about her recruiting tactics. Meanwhile, CBS News staffers are bracing for another round of layoffs.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/bari-weiss...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/bari-weiss...
Reposted by Olivia Messer
There absolutely is a way! Climate change affects every single bread and butter issue. From fertility risks to the price of chocolate.
My TED talk explains more, and then every week I have a newsletter that makes this connection!
www.talkingclimate.ca
My TED talk explains more, and then every week I have a newsletter that makes this connection!
www.talkingclimate.ca
The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it
How do you talk to someone who doesn't believe in climate change? Not by rehashing the same data and facts we've been discussing for years, says climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe. In this inspiring, ...
www.ted.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
There absolutely is a way! Climate change affects every single bread and butter issue. From fertility risks to the price of chocolate.
My TED talk explains more, and then every week I have a newsletter that makes this connection!
www.talkingclimate.ca
My TED talk explains more, and then every week I have a newsletter that makes this connection!
www.talkingclimate.ca
Reposted by Olivia Messer
call your girlfriend and let her know that there’s a
NEW ROBYN SINGLE IN TWO DAYS!!!!!!
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
call your girlfriend and let her know that there’s a
NEW ROBYN SINGLE IN TWO DAYS!!!!!!
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
NEW ROBYN SINGLE IN TWO DAYS!!!!!!