Reposted by Robert DownenSteven Rich @datab.ae · 10hgod bless student journaliststhecut.comHow Student Journalists Broke the ‘Cornell Seven’ Case“Our coverage was absolutely completely raw from the lawsuit and nothing was concealed. At a minimum, that’s what we can do as the student newspaper.” 111735
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Wu on redistricting if Dems get control: "You do the exact same thing that they did to you until they say mercy" and agree to national, bipartisan reform. 291740336
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Texas dem minority leader Gene Wu at Texas Tribune Fest: "I think we can take the (Texas) House." 524623
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Per Texas media, it’s looking like +100K registrations were affected. Secretary of State is saying that it shouldn’t affect voting. 38785418
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026‼️ Weeks before midterms, Texas election officials have discovered that an unknown number of voter registration applications havent been processed due to an error by the DPS. The Texas Association of County Elected Officials say number could be "tens of thousands" - much of them in urban areas.votebeat.orgError means unknown number of Texas voter registrations haven’t been processed yetIt’s unknown how many prospective voters have been affected. 30279164
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026New Marist poll has Talarico with 50% of the vote and, wait for it, with a 56-point lead among 18 to 29 year olds. 99919
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 22/09/2026For all the anti-brown bigotry that emanates from this state, a reminder that this story is so much more consistent with how daily life actually is here 36313
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 22/09/2026This is such a lovely Houston storynytimes.comThis Houston Restaurant Is the Busiest Uber Eats Restaurant in the World (Gift Article)Aga’s, an Indian-Pakistani spot, generates more Uber Eats deliveries than any other single-location business around the globe. A visit shows that’s only the start. 17718
Reposted by Robert DownenLaura Jedeed @laurajedeed.bsky.social · 20/09/2026How much influence is end times prophecy exerting over American policy right now? The short answer: more than one might like My latest for The New Republicnewrepublic.comWe Need to Talk About the ApocalypseEnd-times prophecy, pro-war prayer circles, Democrats as demons: Christian dominionism’s influence is everywhere in the second Trump administration—and increasingly, within America itself. Can democra... 26363138
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Honestly think that the whole Bo French stuff may be a turning point for the far right. They have fundamentally misunderstood why they won in 2024, and are now poisoning the one break that people have from a horrible economy with the most noxious part of their platform. 2657675
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 17/09/2026With November fast approaching, Texas Republicans are in their weakest position in a generation, facing voter revolt over data centers, transmission lines and a faltering economy tied to the party’s standardbearer, President Donald Trump.texastribune.orgTwo months from Election Day, Texas Dems are truly competitiveDemocrat James Talarico is consistently leading in the polls over Ken Paxton, which is unheard of in recent decades. National forecasters are calling Texas a tie, or else giving the advantage to the D... 0305
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Next week: Come see me say things festival.texastribune.org/schedule 090
Reposted by Robert DownenRobert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Sat down with @janecoaston.bsky.social to talk Bo French, Ken Paxton and the Texas GOP's ongoing racism problem.youtube.comRepublican Race-Baiting Is Backfiring With Their Own BaseYouTube video by What A Day 0167
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Sat down with @janecoaston.bsky.social to talk Bo French, Ken Paxton and the Texas GOP's ongoing racism problem.youtube.comRepublican Race-Baiting Is Backfiring With Their Own BaseYouTube video by What A Day 0167
Reposted by Robert DownenBloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 15/09/2026Donald Trump made nearly 29,000 securities trades in 17 months — more than every member of Congress combined. The stock-purchasing ban he’s pushing would leave him exemptbloom.bgTrump Made 29,000 Securities Trades, More Than All of CongressDonald Trump made nearly 29,000 securities trades in 17 months — more than every member of Congress combined. The stock-purchasing ban he’s pushing would leave him exempt 15348203
Reposted by Robert DownenRobert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Wrote a bit more about Bo French's long history of racism, why Republicans are finally calling it out - and what his candidacy says about the current state of the GOP. Gift link: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic... 611255
Reposted by Robert Downengwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 15/09/2026As Rob has pointed out several times now, the viral UT post Bo French made is "tame" compared to the stuff he regularly posts, re-tweets and replies too. Not that long ago he was quoting obscure a racist, nationalist French dystopian novel. To call this guy a gutter racist would be charitable. 48630
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Robert Morris, the former megachurch pastor and Trump spiritual advisor who just finished a sentence for sexual abuse charges, has an...interesting new photo on the sex offender website 1329771
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Wrote a bit more about Bo French's long history of racism, why Republicans are finally calling it out - and what his candidacy says about the current state of the GOP. Gift link: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic... 611255
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026NEW: Amid blowback to his racist post about University of Texas, Bo French is touting support from, among others, an influencer who has praised fascist dictators, and a Canadian who is so racist that his dad, a Christian college president, publicly denounced him. (Gift link).texasmonthly.comTexas Republicans Finally Rebuked Bo French’s Racism. What Took Them So Long?The Republican candidate for Texas railroad commissioner has a history of making xenophobic comments. This time he came for University of Texas students. 13310
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 13/09/2026After months of staying quiet on his gutter racism, top Texas Republicans are now condemning a post in which Bo French, candidate for Texas Railroad Commission, posted a photo of brown UT students at yesterday's game and said "the problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined." 1924164
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026"A second 9/11 cheerleading routine hit the nation." Incredible stuff here from @kissphoria.bsky.socialchron.comYou don't know the real story behind that viral 9/11 cheer tributeA tale of two ill-advised cheerleading routines, over a decade later. 1269
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 08/09/2026News: James Talarico endorsed by David Maxwell, the high-ranking Texas Ranger who was among a group of top Attorney General officials who reported Ken Paxton to the FBI.youtube.comPaxton's Former “Top Cop” Endorses James TalaricoYouTube video by James Talarico 29433
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Ken Paxton appears to have violated federal ethics law in significant ways when filing recent disclosures of his assets and liabilities, creating confusion about his net worth and holdings.propublica.orgKen Paxton’s Financial Disclosures Appear to Violate Federal Ethics Law, Experts SayThe Republican U.S. Senate nominee from Texas appears to have omitted rental income and multiple mortgages from his recent financial disclosures, making it difficult for voters to get the full picture... 38526
Reposted by Robert Downenanna walsh @annamccachren.bsky.social · 04/09/2026💀👴 www.texasmonthly.com/culture/texa... 1181
Reposted by Robert Downenanna walsh @annamccachren.bsky.social · 04/09/2026JB Sauceda interviews his 10-year-old daughter Evie about Ella Langley, the "the one musician my daughter and I both agree on at this stage of her life." It's as delightful as you would imagine it to be @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/culture/texa... 2366
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 31/08/2026A donkey named HeeHaw was fatally shot by Georgia police after "braying" at them during a 1AM search. Farm owners say police did not have permission to be there. www.fox5atlanta.com/news/donkey-... 74216
Reposted by Robert DownenRobert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Long before the other scandals - the divine intervention at a Dairy Queen, affairs, indictment, impeachment - Ken Paxton took another lawyer's $1,000 pen. The incident has, for whatever reason, become Texas lore. Now, the man behind the infamous pen is speaking out. An interview with Mr. Montblanc:texasmonthly.comKen Paxton Took His $1,000 Pen. He Has Not Forgotten.Fourteen years ago, Paxton was caught on camera taking attorney Joe Joplin's Montblanc from a security tray. The incident has become the stuff of Texas politics lore. 7466120
Reposted by Robert DownenRobert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Gift link: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic... 38237
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Increasingly looking like Adam Lazarra will be the only 2000s-era frontman left standing 4120
Reposted by Robert DownenMeredith Nudo 🤌🏻 @meredithnudo.myatproto.social · 30/08/2026This unironically rules. 031
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Tom Hardy just dropped a Hip Hop album and it is, wait for it, good. 3312
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Milo Yiannopoulos has been apprehended by ICE in Louisiana.tmz.comKanye Exec Milo Yiannopoulos Detained by ICE in LouisianaMilo Yiannopoulos has been apprehended by ICE in Louisiana ... TMZ has learned. 1414229
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Texas has 11 House members leaving Congress at the end this year. Together, they spent more than $178,000 on travel and dining expenses during the quarter.houstonchronicle.comOutgoing U.S. House members are spending big on steakhouses and hotelsA review of campaign finance records found outgoing members of Congress expensing large amounts of travel and meals to their campaign funds. 1258
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Gift link: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic... 38237
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Long before the other scandals - the divine intervention at a Dairy Queen, affairs, indictment, impeachment - Ken Paxton took another lawyer's $1,000 pen. The incident has, for whatever reason, become Texas lore. Now, the man behind the infamous pen is speaking out. An interview with Mr. Montblanc:texasmonthly.comKen Paxton Took His $1,000 Pen. He Has Not Forgotten.Fourteen years ago, Paxton was caught on camera taking attorney Joe Joplin's Montblanc from a security tray. The incident has become the stuff of Texas politics lore. 7466120
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Nothing is certain in politics but I can all but guarantee you 12% of Republican voters would not be crossing over to vote for Talarico if Cornyn is on the ballot. Meanwhile the party is doubling down on closing its primaries. If there is a lesson to be learned from all this, they probably wont. 0569
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 27/08/2026New poll has James Talarico up six points on Ken Paxton, buoyed by majority support from independents (51%) and significant crossover from Republican voters (12%). 816835
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Shawn Thierry pivoted to anti-trans activism after breaking with Texas Dems over gender care for children, and losing her House seat. Now, Gov. Greg Abbott is appointing her to be a judge.texastribune.orgFormer Dem Shawn Thierry appointed to be a Harris County judgeThe former Houston legislator left the Democratic Party over its stance on gender-transitioning care for minors, and is now embraced by Republicans. 2148
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Falangists are planning rallies in Texas next month. Notably, the call to "stop the invasion" is no different than what many prominent Texas Republicans have said about Islam in recent months. 3162
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Texas was once considered a leader on government transparency. But now it's getting harder and harder to access public information. A great and timely explainer on an oft-overlooked issue:texasmonthly.comTexas Was Once a Leader in Government Transparency. No More.Our state once wanted residents to know what politicians were saying and doing behind closed doors. Now leaders are redacting most everything. 05424
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Gorgeous but haunting story and photos here. 02512
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller apparently took a lil nap yesterday 314440
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 20/08/2026NEWS: An appeals court has ruled against Cindy Clemishire in her defamation suit against Gateway Church, whose founding pastor Robert Morris molested her. Fifth Court of Appeals panel says ecclesiastical abstention doctrine bars them from weighing in on most internal church decisions or doctrine. 5157
Reposted by Robert DownenRobert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 18/08/2026NEW: An activist called far-right lawmakers "bullshit" over a proposal to cut nearly half of all polling places. Eight days later, he was in jail. (Gift link).texasmonthly.comHe Cursed at a Public Meeting. Then He Was Arrested.Police charged Fort Worth resident E. J. Carrion with disrupting a meeting, a Class B misdemeanor, after his public comments. He says that won’t stop his activism. 15782365
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 19/08/2026The activist pictured here, Bonnie Wallace, maintains a list of +2,000 supposedly inappropriate books. Among those rated 4 or 5 out of 5 for obscenity: Love in the Time of Cholera; All the Light We Cannot See; Perks of Being A Wallflower; Handmaid's Tale; and Elliott Page's memoir. 2320693
Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 19/08/2026"Local media has been dying all over America, which means that there’s essentially no real way to hold local governments accountable—and they can do whatever they want. You should be fantasizing about this. This is a good thing.” 02821
![JBS: What’s my style?
ES: Country. You don’t really rock out unless it’s like . . . [sings “Orinoco Flow (Sail Away),” by Enya]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mdpwvvgpx5qxb7u2leqvcxug/bafkreibeshzxtjzsq2x2ykzpe4qtipjovevfogamtzmrjrnimz4sf7chnu)
