steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 29/09/2026The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has stopped running op-eds and letters to the editor. That's a bummer, but also an opportunity: I'm excited to announce my new project, The Daily Crank, which will exclusively publish petty quibbles and opinionated screeds. 19013
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I'm hard at work finding novel ways to ask people "what the hell is this all about" 1392
Reposted by steven monacellilauren @lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com · 25/09/2026Ways of Seeing is maybe the most influential piece of television in my life, instantly need to track this down 6947
Reposted by steven monacelliTexas Observer @texasobserver.org · 28/09/2026More from Steven on Bo French:texasobserver.orgNot All Texas Republicans Are Condemning Bo FrenchWhile many top Texas GOP leaders rushed to denounce the Railroad Commissioner nominee's latest racist screed, another assortment of Lone Star conservatives has stood behind him. 16525
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 28/09/2026A CNN @kfile.bsky.social investigation unearthed since-removed posts from Texas GOP candidate Bo French that repeatedly advocated public executions for political opponents, including former President Barack Obama www.cnn.com/2026/09/28/p...cnn.comKFile: Texas GOP candidate Bo French has a history of calling for public executions | CNN PoliticsBo French, the Republican nominee for one of Texas’ most powerful statewide offices, is facing bipartisan criticism over a racist post about the crowd at a University of Texas football game. 14285110
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Republican candidate for TX Railroad Commissioner Bo French reposted John Doyle, a self-identified "Christian Fascist" who is associated with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Doyle once fantasized about cops "putting bullets in the heads" of LGBT people at a Pride event in Dallas. 713435
Reposted by steven monacelliCollins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Washington Post confirms @propublica.org's reporting that the FBI shuttered a pay-to-play investigation into Susan Collins after Trump took over last year. #MEpolitics 319479
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 24/09/2026"We will defeat the communists,” President Trump said. “That’s what they are. They’re not socialists, they’re not Democrats. They’re communists. We will reject these radical left lunatics. We will demolish the extremists, fanatics, lunatics, and criminals that want to destroy our country.” 4647
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Everyone has that one friend who is haunted by their fate that the oracle revealed to them 1541
Reposted by steven monacelliJustin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Welp. According to Semafor, David Ellison has discussed bringing Elon Musk on as an investor in Paramount's merger with Warner Bros., which could mean Musk could have a stake in CBS News and CNN. www.semafor.com/article/09/2...semafor.comExclusive: Paramount weighs tapping Musk for equity investmentA cash injection from SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk could reduce investor Larry Ellison’s financial burden and bolster the deal’s investor base. 2112086794
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Right-wing proponents of school vouchers are very upset that Republican Texas State Rep. Gary VanDeaver, who opposed vouchers and recently resigned from the lege, is now executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards. Among them is Monty Bennett, who helped create a TASB alternative. 56414
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Small correction here: it was first reported by me dentonrc.com/education/hi... 0517
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 22/09/2026When my friend tells me he plans to get into WoW Forever 2390
Reposted by steven monacelliProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵 410113446033
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Always read @kissphoria.bsky.social www.chron.com/culture/arti...chron.com'We did it again!': Texas Rep. pressures school into erasing LGBTQ+ siteUNT hosts one of the largest archives of LGBTQ+ history in the South. 26537
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Scooplet: after Texas State Representative Brian Harrison and megadonor Monty Bennett publicly complained about the University of North Texas having a large archive of primary sources related to LGBTQ history in North Texas, UNT has taken down a website about it, and Rep. Harrison is taking credit. 1715698
Reposted by steven monacelliTexas Observer @texasobserver.org · 19/09/2026Worth revisiting: @candicequestions.com's analysis of Bo French's "Blood and Oil" politicstexasobserver.orgBo French’s Blood-and-Oil Bid for Railroad CommissionerThe former Tarrant County GOP chair's statewide campaign displaces blame for the fossil fuel industry’s ravages onto the far right’s favored scapegoats. 13819
Reposted by steven monacelliDavid at FOIAball @foiaball.com · 16/09/2026How deep do Bo French's ties to the University of Texas go? How about his dad having a room in the football facility named after him? And his noxious run for office is financed by prominent Longhorn boosters. That and A LOT more, in today's FOIAball. www.foiaball.com/p/texas-coll...foiaball.comBo French insulted Texas fans. Longhorn boosters fund him.The school even had a room named after his dad. 415454
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Texas Scorecard, a right wing media outlet, last filed an update regarding its leadership with the Texas government in 2018. Among the directors are Bo French, the Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, and Tim Dunn, French's largest donor. Scorecard has routinely amplified French. 15510
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Monty Bennett, the publisher of the Dallas Express and CEO of Ashford, complained that the University of North Texas has a large archive of primary sources related to LGBTQ history in North Texas. Bennett calls this "leftist activism and gender ideology." 37618
Reposted by steven monacelliJen Wang @jeniverseabr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I'm so pissed because my brother is on city council. My parents are trying to do some damage control and gave me a bullshit excuse about attendance number and proximity to residential areas. Just admit you want to stay buddies with the more powerful homophobes. 46211
Reposted by steven monacelliTexas Observer @texasobserver.org · 18/09/2026⌚ Time for an ever-topical reminder that the Dallas Express is right-wing astroturfed slop:texasobserver.orgThe 'Dallas Express': Your Go-To Source for Right-Wing, Astroturf NewsThe formerly Black-owned, progressive newspaper has re-emerged as a "pink slime" media site that launders conservative propaganda. 010141
Reposted by steven monacelliAna Marie Cox @anamariecox.com · 17/09/2026So, uh, about that Dallas Express piece I recommended, largely on the basis that it was about the dangers of AI in the local news market? I read it again in light of learning more about the publication and then I got curious... 78820
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Incredible irony: the Dallas Express published a piece about the decline of journalism (and also serves to promote the outlet as an alternative) that was obviously generated using LLMs 211224
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 17/09/2026This Dallas Express story appears to be AI generated 3536
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The city council of Southlake voted unanimously to deny a permit to a LGBTQ Pride vendor festival planned to be held at private property owned by a church. www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/a...dallasnews.comSouthlake refuses to issue permit for LGBTQ Pride festivalPride So-Kel drew 1,600 people to an Episcopal church last year in Southlake. This year, city council members refused to issue a permit to the festival. 58962
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 17/09/2026It's North Texas Giving Day and I would be so grateful if you can support Apprentice Creative Space. For the last three years it has provided a vital third space to literary, creative, and civically engaged Dallasites. Help make it three more years! www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization...northtexasgivingday.orgSupport Apprentice Creative Space on North Texas Giving Day!Apprentice Creative Space is a nonprofit third-space in Dallas, serving communities at the intersection of literary arts, creative arts, and civic engagement. We foster connections across literary ar... 0168
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, speaking to the CEO of a news website that is published by a guy who donated $5k to French's campaign 23010
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Earlier this year, Bo French did an interview with Chris Putnam, CEO of the Dallas Express and former Tarrant County GOP finance committee chair. Putnam asked French about "Islamic incursion." French said "it is an ideology that is hell bent on destroying America." 55919
Reposted by steven monacelliGus Bova @gusbova.bsky.social · 15/09/2026There are a number of Texas Republicans who are defending Bo French's post targeting those UT kids. History suggests they're at least as likely to win out as the Republicans who are discovering principles www.texasobserver.org/not-all-texa... -- @stevanzetti.bsky.socialtexasobserver.orgNot All Texas Republicans Are Condemning Bo FrenchWhile 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. 0237
Reposted by steven monacelliTim Murphy @timothypmurphy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026it's an incredible election cycle to make the big public purity test "we should be rhodesia," especially when the only thing that could cause French to lose is if enough people actually learn who he is. 111018
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Karl Rove, who spent his entire adult life getting Republicans elected and has voted straight Republican for decades is now a fake Republican because he drew the line at "deport all Muslims and Indians" 19722110
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 14/09/2026While 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. I wrote about a few of them, and the extreme rhetoric the man they're supporting has been spewing for months.texasobserver.orgNot All Texas Republicans Are Condemning Bo FrenchWhile 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. 1113159
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Husband dot com: ask about what's wrong with your husband Wife dot com: make an offer 2563
Reposted by steven monacelliAaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 13/09/20261.2 million foreign students represents just 6% of the 19.4 million students studying as of 2025. But even that is too high, as the 1.2 million number includes ~300,000 people on post-graduate Optional Practical Training (OPT), meaning foreign students are sub-5%. 1627767
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Monty Bennett, Republican megadonor and publisher of the "nonpartisan" Dallas Express, weighs in on Bo French's most recent provocation, appearing to endorse rhetoric that other Republican politicians in Texas have described as racist. 1722963
Reposted by steven monacelliMGB @mgbustillo.bsky.social · 12/09/2026“The City of Dallas, which is already facing a budget shortfall and a rising police budget, estimates police presence around the convention will cost Dallas $1.8 million.” Damn 04310
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 11/09/2026"Trump [spoke] for a second time. Another figure who also made a second appearance was socialist livestreamer Hasan Piker, depicted once again in a near-nude photo displayed on the Jumbotron, for whatever reason." www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...dmagazine.com 2536
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 11/09/2026RNC Convention Day 2: more Trump, more locals, more protests, and more empty seats. We recapped what happened inside and outside the convention. A street preacher who was charged in January for harassment accused two protesters of assault, and the two were arrested. www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...dmagazine.comRecap: RNC Midterm Convention Day 2 - D MagazineDonald Trump, J.D. Vance, Eric Johnson, Greg Abbott, and Ted Cruz took the stage at American Airlines Center as protests unfolded outside and the RNC Midterm Convention wrapped up its second day in Dallas. 0229
Reposted by steven monacelliTexas Observer @texasobserver.org · 11/09/2026Our coverage of the delayed maternal mortality report and what is missing from it:texasobserver.orgTexas Maternal Mortality Committee's Next Report Will Skip Post-'Roe' Deaths. Lawmakers Suspect Political Influence.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. 510462
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Some tremendous photos here www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/... 6419
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Texas is delaying its typical September 1 release of maternal mortality data until December 1, conveniently timed to be after the midterm election. Recent reports have shown a sharp rise in ectopic pregnancy deaths after the abortion ban went into effect. www.austinchronicle.com/news/texas-p...austinchronicle.comTexas’ Pregnancy Death Report Set to Release After Midterms • The Austin ChronicleTexas’ Pregnancy Death Report Set to Release After Midterms 20538482140
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 10/09/2026The neo-Nazi influencer Captive Dreamer, aka Geoffrey Martin, who is followed by Elon Musk and J.D. Vance appears to be in Dallas during the RNC midterm convention. 1115743
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Ominous to put my name in quotes like that 101231
Reposted by steven monacelliTxnewsprincess @txnewsprincess.bsky.social · 10/09/2026We didn't have media credentials, but we did it. By we I mean @stevanzetti.bsky.social, Jason Janik, and Perry Hall, with me orchestrating and providing occasional pep talks and memes. More Day 1 photos coming, and Jason and Jessica Winniford are on deck today. www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...dmagazine.comInside the RNC Midterm Convention in DallasThe best thing about the RNC Midterm Convention was a hot Grand Prairie parking lot. 0257
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 10/09/2026"Trump’s speech, which began an hour late, showed him in classic form. He said Paxton is ugly and doesn’t know how to dress, but that he has been the best attorney general. He promised $5k to all Americans if Republicans win...a promise that may or may not be legal" www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...dmagazine.com 3271
steven monacelli @stevanzetti.bsky.social · 10/09/2026I'm not reporting live from the RNC midterm gathering in Dallas because I had some other things to do, but I will be monitoring the livestream and updates from protests planned for today. Starting off, I've been informed that photographer Jason Janik already witnessed two arrests of protesters. 1/ 310015