Texas Observer

@TexasObserver@texasobserver.social
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Founded in 1954, the Texas Observer is a #progressive #nonprofit news outlet and print #magazine covering the Lone Star State.

Follow Interim Editor-in-Chief @gusbova
McHam Investigative Reporting Fellow @josephinelee

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#Texas #Politics #Culture

Homepagehttps://www.texasobserver.org
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Mission"We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to the truth as we find it and the right as we see it."

In #books, from Michelle Pitcher: Law professor, former prosecutor, and death penalty expert Corinna Barrett Lain brings readers into the death chamber to bear disturbing witness to the reality of lethal injection. A look behind the curtain at our state's grim legacy in criminal justice ...
https://www.texasobserver.org/sordid-story-behind-lethal-injection/

#politics #USpol #Texas #bookstodon #DeathPenalty #CriminalJustice #HumanRights #history

According to a new book edited by Andréanne Bissonnette and Élisabeth Vallet, while “restoring the rule of law” to the U.S.-Mexico #border has been a repeated talking point for successive administrations, it is the border walls themselves which are lawless. https://www.texasobserver.org/the-lawless-border-wall/

#immigration #politics #USpol #CriminalJustice #democracy #law #books #bookstodon

The Lawless Border Wall

The application of waivers and the interpretation of their scope has repeatedly expanded, such that border walls are now privileged over all potential legal constraints short of the U.S. Constitution.

The Texas Observer

Featured story: “Up until now, the state of #Texas—like most other banned states—has made it very clear they are not interested in providing clarity for providers and patients. And Texas doctors face some of the most draconian penalties in the country.” https://www.texasobserver.org/republican-abortion-laws-texas-legislature-exceptions/

#abortion #politics #USpol #TXlege #Health #Healthcare #news

Republican Abortion Laws Are 'Torturing Women.' Can the GOP Fix Its Own Crisis?

Too late for many pregnant Texans, lawmakers might finally clarify exceptions to the state’s deadly bans—but advocates fear the current bills could also pose a new threat.

The Texas Observer

Last week: “We said this was a historic funding bill but our schools are in a historic hole, and this bill does not even catch us up to 2019 funding levels.” https://www.texasobserver.org/house-ed-committee-approves-vouchers-and-public-school-funding/

#education #schools #TXlege #Texas #politics #USpol #news

House Committee Passes ‘Texas Two Step’ of Vouchers and Public Ed Funding

Dems could do little but sound the alarm on vouchers—and warn the $7.7-billion school-finance package is still not enough.

The Texas Observer

Our top story: Operation Lone Star has turbocharged DPS’ #surveillance capabilities. Lawmakers say they want to prevent Texas from becoming a police state but have filed only modest legislation to regulate use of #AI https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-surveillance-arsenal-artificial-intelligence-lege/

#Tech #politics #USpol #police #border #immigration #HumanRights #privacy #news #Texas

Texas’ AI-Powered Surveillance Arsenal Has Ballooned. Proposed Laws Provide Few Guardrails.

Operation Lone Star has turbocharged DPS’ surveillance capabilities. Lawmakers say they want to prevent Texas from becoming a police state but have filed only modest legislation to regulate use of AI.

The Texas Observer

“I wanted to do something that would amplify and support poets across the state and amplify and uplift poetry for everyone.”

From Lise Olsen in our magazine: How Amanda Johnston, the state's first Black poet laureate, is using her craft to elevate unsung Texas heroes ...
https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-first-black-woman-poet-laureate-praise/

#poetry #poem #Texas #culture @poetry

Texas' First Black Woman Poet Laureate Spreads Poems of Praise

In tough times, Amanda Johnston is creating a community of gratitude with contributions from poets all across the state.

The Texas Observer

In books: While “restoring the rule of law” to the U.S.-Mexico border has been a resonant and repeated talking point for successive administrations, it is the #border walls that they have built, not the border itself, that are lawless.
https://www.texasobserver.org/the-lawless-border-wall/

#immigration #law #CriminalJustice #politics #USpol #news #HumanRights

The Lawless Border Wall

The application of waivers and the interpretation of their scope has repeatedly expanded, such that border walls are now privileged over all potential legal constraints short of the U.S. Constitution.

The Texas Observer

Last week: Remembering Carlton Carl, a patriot, feminist, Democrat, journalist, bibliophile, philanthropist, entrepreneur, art enthusiast, history buff, and more.
https://www.texasobserver.org/carlton-carl-1945-2025/

#politics #USpol #Texas #news #journalism #culture #memorial

Carlton Carl, 1945-2025

Carlton was a patriot, feminist, Democrat, journalist, bibliophile, philanthropist, entrepreneur, art enthusiast, history buff, and more. He was a staunch supporter of his family and community, of organizations including the Observer, and of the town of Martindale.

The Texas Observer

Featured story, from Mary Tuma: “These laws are torturing women, there’s no other way to put it. It is absolutely horrible having to try to help patients get care when the state has barred us from using our best medical judgment.”
https://www.texasobserver.org/republican-abortion-laws-texas-legislature-exceptions/

#abortion #health #HumanRights #healthcare #news #TXlege #politics #USpol

Republican Abortion Laws Are 'Torturing Women.' Can the GOP Fix Its Own Crisis?

Too late for many pregnant Texans, lawmakers might finally clarify exceptions to the state’s deadly bans—but advocates fear the current bills could also pose a new threat.

The Texas Observer

“[SB 12] will create an atmosphere where minorities are forced to conform. If achievement gaps for minority students widen, we can look back to this bill as the start. The state has demonized #DEI. But I refuse to accept the narrative.”
https://www.texasobserver.org/senate-gop-parental-rights-bills-school-control/

#politics #USpol #Texas #education #schools #news #TXlege #censorship

'It’s About Censorship, Erasure, and Control': the GOP's Push for Parental Rights

It’s part of a new right-wing project to control public schools.

The Texas Observer