Texas Observer
LightNews LightNews
banner
texasobserver.org
Texas Observer
@texasobserver.org
75K followers 1.5K following 3.7K posts
A nonprofit newsroom covering Texas through investigative journalism & narrative storytelling since 1954.
Follow our journos: https://go.bsky.app/EdSL3Co
🤠Learn more about us: https://linktr.ee/texasobserver
🎄Holiday giving: https://tr.ee/9w938r
Posts Replies Media Videos
texasobserver.org
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Texas Observer!

Thank you for supporting our work in 2025, and we'll see you in the New Year!
Photos of the staff of the Texas Observer are decorated in cartoon holiday attire such as scarves, antlers, Christmas tree boppers, a winter hat, elf costume and so on. Cartoon Molly Ivins also appear ms again. Happy Holidays from the Texas Observer!
December 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Introducing the January/February 2026 issue of Texas Observer magazine.

Cover photo (and story by Jordan Vonderhaar).
Tha January/February 2026 issue of Texas Observer magazine depicts a military vehicle, topped with a foreboding looking apparatus covered in tubes and lenses, against the backdrop of a tree turned bright red with autumn color. Headline: The River and the Fever Dream: Seeing the surreal in border militarization by Jordan Vonderhaar. Other headlines: The Texas Triumph over 'Housing First' by Steven Monacelli, LNG's Forseeable Future by Gaige Davila.
December 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
texasobserver.org
Texas sure can be the strangest state! Let our pal Molly guide you through some of the recent, weirdest headlines ...

Read more from Strangest State: www.texasobserver.org/topics/stran...
Strangest State, Notes From Far Flung Texas, by Texas Observer Staff and Illustrated by Drue Wagner. Molly Ivins here. Texas sure can be the Strangest State. Let's see what happened since our last issue. A wandering sheep and his great Pyrenees pal turned up at the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, prompting a probe. Turned out they weren't lost, just thirsty locals. (A sheep and a sheep dog seen wearing cop shades and sheriff badges). Two dozen people were accused of stealing deer from a licensed facility to illegally breed them. They face about 1,400 charges for one of the largest deer smuggling operations in Texas history. (A pickup truck bulging with deer in the back peels away) Newly elected West Texas DA Sarah Stagner caused a stir when she appeared to smoke a joint on TikTok in protest of the GOP's potential THC ban. "Come and take it," she said. (A woman in cowboy boots and a stagner for sheriff hat smokes a joint) Amazon initiated drone deliveries in Waco, prompting Texan
December 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
texasobserver.org
🤠Happy Holidays from the whole team at the Texas Observer!☃

(🎄🧵 3/3)
Photos of the staff of the Texas Observer are decorated in cartoon holiday attire such as scarves, antlers, Christmas tree boppers, a winter hat, elf costume and so on. Cartoon Molly Ivins also appear ms again. Happy Holidays from the Texas Observer!
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
texasobserver.org
🌅 If our reporting has helped you understand this state more clearly, now is a powerful moment to give back. Your gift is doubled up to $25,000, helping us shed light on the truth into the new year.

🎊Support independent Texas journalism and make double the impact today.

👉 tr.ee/9w938r

(🎄🧵 2/3)
If there was ever a time or a place that hard-hitting journalism was needed, it's now in Texas (John, member of the Texas Observer)
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
texasobserver.org
❄️Even investigative journalists need a little holiday cheer

⛄This season, we’re grateful for a community that believes in truth-telling in Texas—especially when it matters most.

👉 Double your gift: tr.ee/9w938r

(🎄🧵 1/3)
Cartoon Molly Ivins in a scarf says Help us shed light on truth this holiday season, support Texas Observer right now and your donation is doubled up to $25,000. Click the link in our bio now.
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
texasobserver.org
Texas sure can be the strangest state! Let our pal Molly guide you through some of the recent, weirdest headlines ...

Read more from the November/December 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/novem...
Strangest State, Notes From Far Flung Texas, by Texas Observer Staff and Illustrated by Drue Wagner. Molly Ivins here. Texas sure can be the Strangest State. Let's see what happened since our last issue. A wandering sheep and his great Pyrenees pal turned up at the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, prompting a probe. Turned out they weren't lost, just thirsty locals. (A sheep and a sheep dog seen wearing cop shades and sheriff badges). Two dozen people were accused of stealing deer from a licensed facility to illegally breed them. They face about 1,400 charges for one of the largest deer smuggling operations in Texas history. (A pickup truck bulging with deer in the back peels away) Newly elected West Texas DA Sarah Stagner caused a stir when she appeared to smoke a joint on TikTok in protest of the GOP's potential THC ban. "Come and take it," she said. (A woman in cowboy boots and a stagner for sheriff hat smokes a joint) Amazon initiated drone deliveries in Waco, prompting Texan
December 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up with everything from our November/December 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/novem...
The November/December 2025 issue of Texas Observer shows an illustration of a person in a comically tall cowboy hat, blonde pony tail emerging from underneath, and wearing round glasses reading a book as they sit atop a throne made from books. Top headline: Winter Books Issue. An End-of-Year Roundup of Texas Reading Recs and Reviews by Lise Olsen, Irene Vázquez, and Michael Agresta. Other headlines: Bitcoin's Texas Grid-lock by Candice Bernd. Reducing Harm in Juárez by Jason Buch.
November 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up on everything we've published from the November/December 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/novem...
The November/December 2025 issue of Texas Observer shows an illustration of a person in a comically tall cowboy hat, blonde pony tail emerging from underneath, and wearing round glasses reading a book as they sit atop a throne made from books. Top headline: Winter Books Issue. An End-of-Year Roundup of Texas Reading Recs and Reviews by Lise Olsen, Irene Vázquez, and Michael Agresta. Other headlines: Bitcoin's Texas Grid-lock by Candice Bernd. Reducing Harm in Juárez by Jason Buch.
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
texasobserver.org
From our magazine, the latest by Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent.

See more cartoons from Loon Star State: www.texasobserver.org/topics/loon-...
A melted looking Donald Trump caricature writhes on a psychotherapist's couch, as the therapist looks on startled and signals to a pair of mental hospital workers in heavy protective coats carrying a net. Trump is oblivious and shouts out a word salad of his favorite phrases, like Going to Hell, Shut Down, Free Speech, Get My Enemies, Like Nobody's ever Seen, Acetaminofoo, Criticizing Me Is Illegal, Etc.
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
texasobserver.org
From our magazine, the latest by Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent.

Read more from the November/December 2025 issue: www.texasobserver.org/issues/novem...
A melted looking Donald Trump caricature writhes on a psychotherapist's couch, as the therapist looks on startled and signals to a pair of mental hospital workers in heavy protective coats carrying a net. Trump is oblivious and shouts out a word salad of his favorite phrases, like Going to Hell, Shut Down, Free Speech, Get My Enemies, Like Nobody's ever Seen, Acetaminofoo, Criticizing Me Is Illegal, Etc.
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
texasobserver.org
TODAY: Look for us on Saturday at Zine Fest Houston! Come chat with us and check out our print magazine: www.zinefesthouston.org
Zine Fest Houston poster showing a rider on a bucking horse with a rope, lassoing zines and books which reeadf "Sun Nov $5" "12-5pm" "FREE". The event is at the Orange Show in Houston.
November 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
texasobserver.org
Look for us on Saturday at Zine Fest Houston! Come chat with us and check out our print magazine: www.zinefesthouston.org
Zine Fest Houston poster showing a rider on a bucking horse with a rope, lassoing zines and books which reeadf "Sun Nov $5" "12-5pm" "FREE". The event is at the Orange Show in Houston.
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Previously: 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.
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
November 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
texasobserver.org
Happy Halloween! 🤠🎃

#ICYMI, catch up on everything we shared from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine. From the "screamo bookstore" to the horrors of prison healthcare, there's plenty to keep you awake at night: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
October 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
texasobserver.org
Introducing our November/December 2025 issue: "As this frankly awful year comes to a close, I hope having this magazine lying around will strike an appropriate note, as you celebrate holidays while temporarily avoiding or bravely facing the news as you like." www.texasobserver.org/editors-lett...
The November/December 2025 issue of Texas Observer shows an illustration of a person in a comically tall cowboy hat, blonde pony tail emerging from underneath, and wearing round glasses reading a book as they sit atop a throne made from books. Top headline: Winter Books Issue. An End-of-Year Roundup of Texas Reading Recs and Reviews by Lise Olsen, Irene Vázquez, and Michael Agresta. Other headlines: Bitcoin's Texas Grid-lock by Candice Bernd. Reducing Harm in Juárez by Jason Buch.
October 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
texasobserver.org
In culture: 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.
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
October 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
texasobserver.org
Last week: 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.
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
October 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
texasobserver.org
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...
A tall bookshelf labeled "Fiction" stands behind a young masculine-presenting person singing at the top of their lungs into a microphone as they play an electric guitar.
October 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up on everything we've published from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
October 12, 2025 at 9:01 PM
texasobserver.org
Texas sure can be the Strangest State. Let Molly Ivins guide you through some of the weirdest news of recent days.

Read more from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
Strangest State: Notes from Far Flung Texas by Texas Observer staff and illustrated by Drue Wagner. An image of Molly Ivins in glasses wearing a blue jacket over a red shirt and khaki slacks. She's smiling and holding a white coffee mug. "Howdy, y'all, Molly Ivins here. Texas sure can be the strangest state. Let's see what happened since our last issue. Next panel: A robot in a cowboy hat and a shopping bag on a street. "A mysterious lone robot in a cowboy hat strolled down South Congress this summer, prompting Austinites to speculate. Maybe it's "begging for a battery charge," one said. Next panel, Sid Miller in a cowboy hat at a press conference. "Ag commissioner Sid Miller issued a press release to dispel 'conspiracy theories' about whether state cloud-seeding caused the deadly hill country floods. Miller denied dabbling in "artificial weather manipulation," saying instead he prays for rain. Next panel, a bug on a tree with an axe. "Beware the bright green beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, a major tree-killer, has now spread to 31 Texas counties. Experts one that "one of the wosr invasive insects" is helped by human trade in infected firewood. Next panel, a sad wild horned sheep with crosshairs on it. "Texans have been shooting feral pigs from the air for years, and now some will be able to kill Barbary sheep. The animals escaped hunting ranfches, where people still pay to kill them the old-fashioned way." In the final panel, Molly returns: "Well folks, that's some strange news isn't it? If you see something happening around town, give us a shout! strangest@texasobserver.org"
September 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up with everything we've shared so far from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
September 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
texasobserver.org
Catch up with everything we've shared so far from the September/October 2025 issue of our magazine: www.texasobserver.org/issues/septe...
The September/October 2025 issue of Teas Observer magazine has a lead headline, "The Health Penalty by Michelle Pitcher." An illustration shows a Black prisoner in an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a prison bed as light streams in the prison windows. Subheadline: How Texas prisoners are denied medications, treatments, disability accommodations and any redress in the courts. Other stories: The State's Estate Collector by Julie Poole. Big Brother at the Border by Francesca D'Annunzio.
September 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
texasobserver.org
On Wednesday: 20 years after Katrina, the storm still lingers. Join @motherjones.com, @capitalb.bsky.social & Texas Observer in Houston for an evening of stories, action & resilience.

When: Sept 10 | 7PM
Where: Julia Ideson Building, Houston, TX
Tickets: bit.ly/KatrinaEvent2025 #TheLingeringStorm
An image of a storm-wrecked, rubble strewn New Orleans behind text: The Lingering Storm. 20 years after Katrina -- Stories of Hope and Action. Wednesday, September 10 2025, Houston TX 77002. RSVP Now!
September 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
texasobserver.org
Next week: 20 years after Katrina, the storm still lingers. Join @motherjones.com, @capitalb.bsky.social & Texas Observer in Houston for an evening of stories, action & resilience.

When: Sept 10 | 7PM
Where: Julia Ideson Building, Houston, TX
Tickets: bit.ly/KatrinaEvent2025 #TheLingeringStorm
An image of a storm-wrecked, rubble strewn New Orleans behind text: The Lingering Storm. 20 years after Katrina -- Stories of Hope and Action. Wednesday, September 10 2025, Houston TX 77002. RSVP Now!
September 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM