Congress repeatedly shielded the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge from the border wall. Now, construction has begun—and an irrigation district lawsuit may be the only option left to buy time for law...

Congress repeatedly shielded the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge from the border wall. Now, construction has begun—and an irrigation district lawsuit may be the only option left to buy time for law...

An exhaustive accounting of the Austin podcast giant's thoughts (and lack thereof) on James Talarico, Ken Paxton, and the electoral contest between them

An exhaustive accounting of the Austin podcast giant's thoughts (and lack thereof) on James Talarico, Ken Paxton, and the electoral contest between them

An exhaustive accounting of the Austin podcast giant's thoughts (and lack thereof) on James Talarico, Ken Paxton, and the electoral contest between them

An exhaustive accounting of the Austin podcast giant's thoughts (and lack thereof) on James Talarico, Ken Paxton, and the electoral contest between them

While many top Texas GOP leaders rushed to denounce the Railroad Commissioner nominee’s latest racist screed, an assortment of Lone Star conservatives have stood behind him.

How one progressive Texan's blog, filled with years of misplaced optimism and disproved predictions, has come to seem increasingly… reasonable

While many top Texas GOP leaders rushed to denounce the Railroad Commissioner nominee’s latest racist screed, an assortment of Lone Star conservatives have stood behind him.

The North Texas Republican has made enemies during his time in the Freedom Caucus, including police unions and his GOP predecessor. Democrats look to capitalize in November.

While many top Texas GOP leaders rushed to denounce the Railroad Commissioner nominee’s latest racist screed, an assortment of Lone Star conservatives have stood behind him.

The Texas Observer is hiring for an intern to help cover the 2027 Texas legislative session, running from January through early June. The Observer’s Legislative Internship program is for student journ...

Now is a perfect day, good and fresh, clear and bright...

Three recent books press us to understand the humanity and lives of gender-expansive athletes.

Three recent books press us to understand the humanity and lives of gender-expansive athletes.

While quality treatment options remain scarce—even in the hardest-hit lockups

YouTube video by Gina Hinojosa

Our state's homes are built above a hundred years of drilling by an industry that was never made to clean up after itself.

While quality treatment options remain scarce—even in the hardest-hit lockups

While quality treatment options remain scarce—even in the hardest-hit lockups

Turn-based satire. Watch the Hypocrisy Meter, file lawsuits, read the receipts — every factual claim is sourced. An unaffiliated work of political satire and parody.

Election officials need to confirm their address, but registrations in suspense haven’t been canceled.

As the strong mayor of Texas' largest city, the former dean of the Texas Senate should be able to get his way in Houston. But he faces a shrinking ability to do so without vindictive state Republicans...

A note from the editor-in-chief

Organization Overview The Texas Observer is a nonprofit investigative journalism organization based in Austin. Since 1954, we’ve delivered powerful reporting that matters. We publish a bimonthly print...

A note from the editor-in-chief

"It's gotten that bad: People don't want to register their children to school. They don't want to do groceries. They don't even want to stop by the store for their morning coffee."

"It's gotten that bad: People don't want to register their children to school. They don't want to do groceries. They don't even want to stop by the store for their morning coffee."

An Abilene public school librarian has a message for the lieutenant governor and his book-banning crusade.

The attorney general's office once aggressively pursued fraudsters targeting immigrants. Not on Ken Paxton's watch.

Texas' local governments are facing growing fiscal pain. What’s that mean for the 2026 elections—and the 2027 session?

A note from the editor

And one Texan says the body’s decision “retriggered” the pain of losing his wife, who counts among the preventable deaths that soon followed the state’s abortion bans.

How the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe turned family lore into money, media, and a place at the United Nations.

The lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction, arguing that CBP construction and surveying activities in Big Bend violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction, arguing that CBP construction and surveying activities in Big Bend violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.