The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 21hVoting by mail? Your ID number or last four of your Social Security number goes on the application AND the envelope. In the 2022 primaries, Texas rejected nearly 25,000 mail ballots, mostly over that number (state figures via NPR). 030
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 21hID expired? Under 70, it counts up to four years past expiration. 70 or older, any expiration works. Can't reasonably get a photo ID? Bring a supporting document, like a utility bill or paycheck, and sign a form at check-in. 141
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 21hToday's News Brief: Texas voter ID, explained. Seven forms count, including a Texas driver license, Texas ID card, handgun license, U.S. passport and military ID with photo. 161
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 30/09/2026Election Day is Tue., Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. In line by 7? You vote. Bring photo ID. Texas has no same-day registration. Check yours at votetexas.gov.votetexas.govYour Guide to Voting in Texas | VoteTexas.govVoteTexas.gov is your go-to resource for voter registration, election dates, polling locations, and more. Get the info you need to make your vote count. 041
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 30/09/2026Voting by mail? Your application must be received by your county by Fri., Oct. 23. A postmark isn't enough. You qualify if you're 65+, sick or disabled, or out of your county for all of early voting and Election Day. 142
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 30/09/2026Today's News Brief: Your Texas election calendar. Here's every date you need for Nov. 3. Screenshot and please share to spread the word. Oct. 5 (next Monday!) is the last day to register or update your name or address. Early voting runs Oct. 19–30 at any site in your county. 153
Reposted by The Barbed WireThe Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 29/09/2026Today's News Brief: Want to vote in November? In Texas you must register by Monday, Oct. 5. You qualify if you're a U.S. citizen, live in the county and will be 18 by Election Day. You can sign up at 17 and 10 months. 1103
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 29/09/2026Past felony? You're eligible once your sentence, parole and probation are done. Your orange certificate arrives within 30 days. 050
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 29/09/2026There's no online registration except through DPS with a driver's license. Everyone else: votetexas.gov → print → sign → mail to your county registrar, postmarked by Oct. 5. Mailing late? Get it hand-stamped at a post office counter.votetexas.govYour Guide to Voting in Texas | VoteTexas.govVoteTexas.gov is your go-to resource for voter registration, election dates, polling locations, and more. Get the info you need to make your vote count. 130
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 29/09/2026Today's News Brief: Want to vote in November? In Texas you must register by Monday, Oct. 5. You qualify if you're a U.S. citizen, live in the county and will be 18 by Election Day. You can sign up at 17 and 10 months. 1103
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 28/09/2026The latest Texas Southern poll: French 44, Jon Rosenthal 42. Rosenthal is a four-term state rep and 20-year oilfield engineer. Early voting starts Oct. 19; check your registration at votetexas.gov.votetexas.govYour Guide to Voting in Texas | VoteTexas.govVoteTexas.gov is your go-to resource for voter registration, election dates, polling locations, and more. Get the info you need to make your vote count. 075
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 28/09/2026Republican nominee Bo French posted a photo of South Asian UT students: "The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined." Cornyn and Karl Rove say they won't vote for him. Abbott and Paxton declined to condemn. 160
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 28/09/2026This evening's News Brief: The Texas Railroad Commission has nothing to do with trains. It oversees your gas rates and whether the gas system is ready for the next Winter Storm Uri. 154
Reposted by The Barbed WireProPublica @propublica.org · 26/09/2026Hey, ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson here. I’m taking over the account to tell you about my new story. For months, I posed as a problem gambler on DraftKings to test the company's "responsible gaming" safeguards. Spoiler alert: They made me a VIP — and I lost $10K. Here's how it all went down. 🧵 19595943536
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 27/09/2026😬 we left the timer on! But now you can count the cut times too! 🫠😭 040
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 27/09/2026Sunday morning News Brief: Ken Paxton never accepted the Sept. 22 Senate debate in the Valley. The day before, he was at a Cypress church rally with Ted Cruz. Two more debates are scheduled, and he hasn't confirmed either. Meanwhile, Texas Southern's new poll has Talarico at 47 and Paxton at 46. 292
Reposted by The Barbed WireKit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽) @kitoconnell.com · 25/09/2026Big & Bright 🌈 ⭐ 👏, my newsletter for @thebarbedwire.com is out. Are you subscribed?thebarbedwire.comNewslettersNewsletters Three newsletters, one mission. Pick what fits, drop your email, and we'll land in your inbox. No spam, no filler, no selling your address to anybody. The Flagship · Weekly ... 022
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 26/09/2026Active: you're registered, but check the address. Suspense: your county isn't sure where you live, usually because mail bounced. Update your address by Oct. 5. 171
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 26/09/2026Today's News Brief: More than a million Texans are on the state's voter suspense list. Check your status in two minutes before the Oct. 5 registration deadline: votetexas.gov → "Am I Registered?" 176
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 25/09/2026Why it matters: Emerson (Aug. 9–10) has Texans under 50 backing Talarico by 15 and those over 50 backing Paxton by 11, with the race tied overall. 140
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 25/09/2026Today's News Brief: Texas' voter registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 5. About 1.2 million Texans are on the state's voter suspense list. Check and update at votetexas.gov. 275
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 24/09/2026Today's News Brief: 🎟️ State Fair of Texas tickets are cheaper in 2026! Kids 3–12 are $10 every day, down from $22 on weekends. Adults are $2 less than last year. Parking is down to $25. Buying at the gate saves $2 per ticket. Enjoy! 🎡🎠🎢 020
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 23/09/2026That bill only asked states to consider making data centers pay. Texas already ordered it — SB 6, in June 2025. Meanwhile, Gov. Abbott froze the line to connect: an audit of about 300 data center projects, after some wouldn't fill out the state survey on their power and water use. It's due Dec. 10. 030
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 23/09/2026Today's News Brief: Who pays to plug data centers into the Texas grid — them, or you? Last week the House voted 417–3 on a bill about it. Sen. Martin Heinrich blocked it in the Senate, saying it didn't go far enough. 🧵 130
Reposted by The Barbed WireKit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽) @kitoconnell.com · 22/09/2026My latest @thebarbedwire.com: Ever taken an HIV test at a nightclub or event? 13 AIDS-related nonprofits in Texas (and more nationwide) are losing millions in HIV outreach funding, thanks to the latest DOGE-like cuts at the CDC. Six nonprofits in Houston will collectively lose ~$2M in vital funds.thebarbedwire.comThanks To CDC Cutbacks, 13 Texas Nonprofits Lose Millions In HIV Outreach FundingGulf Coast is hardest hit: The CEO of a Houston-area nonprofit estimated that six organizations in the area are losing a total of about $2 million in funds. 13326
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 22/09/2026New from @kitoconnell.com: These HIV prevention organizations have spent years building inroads to their local communities, but now the CDC is taking away millions in funding they use for targeted outreach and testing, even as HIV cases are on the rise.thebarbedwire.comThanks To CDC Cutbacks, 13 Texas Nonprofits Lose Millions In HIV Outreach FundingGulf Coast is hardest hit: The CEO of a Houston-area nonprofit estimated that six organizations in the area are losing a total of about $2 million in funds. 0105
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 22/09/2026Today's News Brief: Texas diesel just hit a record — $5.96 a gallon, per AAA. Even if you never buy diesel, you pay for it. It moves the freight trucks — it's in the price of your groceries before you ever see a gas station. Thoughts on what's driving it? 🤔 2100
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 18/09/2026If you've seen or heard about what your city is doing to adapt, let us know... 030
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 18/09/2026On today's News Brief: Houston faces the same climate risk as New York, per AlphaGeo's ranking of 72 cities. The difference: New York's adaptation cuts 19 points off its risk. Houston's cuts 15. Dallas and San Antonio also landed in the bottom half. 🏙️ 132
Reposted by The Barbed Wiregwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Bands that have made statements about White Oak Music Hall in Houston hosting Ken Paxton or switched venues because of his rally there: -Chat Pile -Wednesday -Mannequin Pussy -Weatherday -Meet Me @ The Altar -Leisure Hour -Faetooth www.chron.com/culture/arti...chron.comBands donating money, boycotting Houston venue over Paxton event"First off, f--k Ken Paxton." 1123651
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 17/09/2026Abbott declined to condemn it. In San Antonio, locals held a "Hate Has No Home Here" town hall. One student in the photo told the Texas Tribune: "When I look at that picture, I don't see a problem." French faces Democrat Jon Rosenthal in November. 072
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 17/09/2026Today's News Brief: Texas' GOP nominee for oil and gas regulator saw UT students celebrating a win over Ohio State and called it proof Americans are being "displaced by foreigners." His own party pushed back. He called them "less conservative." 182
Reposted by The Barbed WireKit O'Connell (🏳️🌈Big & Bright Queerdo👽) @kitoconnell.com · 16/09/2026Gina is right: we do have plenty of real problems in Texas. I just don't understand why she couldn't make that point without invoking the “one joke” about pronouns. In Big & Bright 🌈 ⭐ 👏, my newsletter for @thebarbedwire.com, I went on a rant about feckless Texas Democrats.thebarbedwire.com🚍 Under the bus, again💥 Greetings, my queer stars, Welcome back to Big & Bright 🌈 ⭐ 👏, your biweekly newsletter about life in queer Texas … where the ground is always shifting under our feet and this time we can't blame f... 081
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 16/09/2026"Republicans have been quite open about admitting they're coming for broader queer rights, like marriage, once they're done with trans folks," writes @kitoconnell.com in the latest Big & Bright newsletter. Sign up for for all the latest queer Texas news.thebarbedwire.com🚍 Under the bus, again💥 Greetings, my queer stars, Welcome back to Big & Bright 🌈 ⭐ 👏, your biweekly newsletter about life in queer Texas … where the ground is always shifting under our feet and this time we can't… 0104
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 16/09/2026New York legalized marijuana under state law. Texas never legalized recreational marijuana — everything sold here stands on the federal hemp definition. When Congress rewrites that definition, New York doesn't feel it, but we do. 050
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 16/09/2026Today's News Brief: Hemp and marijuana are the same plant. The legal difference is one number — delta-9 THC by dry weight, from the 2018 Farm Bill. "By dry weight" is the whole game. Make the gummy heavy enough and it carries ten milligrams of THC and still tests under the line. 150
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 15/09/2026YESSSS stories.tamu.edu/news/2024/10...stories.tamu.eduMillions Of Bats Call Texas Home – Texas A&M StoriesTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts separate fact from fiction about this fascinating flying mammal. 0212
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 15/09/2026Rep. Donna Howard, chair of the Texas House Women's Health Caucus, called the delay disrespectful. Her caucus asked for recommendations by Oct. 1. 072
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 15/09/2026Today's News Brief: Texas' report on women who die in pregnancy and childbirth was due 9/1. It's now due 12/1 — a month after the election. This is the first report to examine deaths under the abortion ban. But it reviews 2024 cases only, and skips 2022 and 2023, the first two years of the ban. 167
Reposted by The Barbed WireThe Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 10/09/2026Today's News Brief: The big Dallas GOP convention protest march is today. Organizers applied for a permit in early August. For a month, Dallas said nothing. No permit was ever issued — this was an application, stalled and killed. The coalition says it's marching from Pike Park anyway. 193
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 10/09/2026BTW, thanks @bsky.app for raising the MB limit for video! We can post native now! 030
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 10/09/2026Today's News Brief: The big Dallas GOP convention protest march is today. Organizers applied for a permit in early August. For a month, Dallas said nothing. No permit was ever issued — this was an application, stalled and killed. The coalition says it's marching from Pike Park anyway. 193
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 10/09/2026Related News Brief coming, and we'll dig into this as well. 092
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 10/09/2026Texas relies on sales and property tax — and neither one asks what you earn. The sales tax on a new phone is identical whether you make $30,000 a year or $3 million. If you rent, you're paying property tax too. 0115
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 10/09/2026Texas relies on sales and property tax — and neither one asks what you earn. The sales tax on a new phone is identical whether you make $30,000 a year or $3 million. If you rent, you're paying property tax too. 171
The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 10/09/2026On today's News Brief: "No income tax" is true. It's just not the same as "low taxes."youtube.comNo Income Tax Isn't Low Taxes — Who Actually Pays in Texas #texas #texaspolitics #taxes"No income tax" is true. It's just not the same sentence as "low taxes." Texas raises its money through sales tax and property tax instead — and neither one asks what you earn. The sales tax on a… 190
