Wacowabunga! Why California Surfers Are Descending on Central Texas
Some of the best waves in the world are found at the Waco Surf water park, far away from any ocean.
Sorry, Democrats, Texas Is Not Secretly a Blue State
Millions of eligible Texans don't vote. That doesn't mean they're liberals-in-waiting.
The Case for More Californians
They’re self-obsessed and believe themselves exceptional. In other words, they fit right in. Plus, Texas needs ’em.
Don Huffines Won the War of Ideas. Did It Cost Him a Chance to Unseat Greg Abbott?
He decided to mount a GOP primary challenge when COVID-19 policy was animating Texas’s right wing. But the governor stole his thunder.
Collin College Has a Free Speech Problem
At the sprawling North Texas community college, four professors say they were let go for speaking their minds. They’re not going quietly.
I Went Skiing in Texas
On top of Mt. Aggie, the only slope in the state, it’s all downhill from here.
28 Articles
Books
December 6, 2023
A Wild Trip Into the World of Far-Right Novels
Texas's Defiance Press publishes conservative broadsides that border on fiction. But it’s the company’s actual novels that are truly strange.
Sports
October 26, 2023
Wembymania Achieves Liftoff—Barely
Foul trouble slowed the San Antonio Spurs rookie in Wednesday’s loss to Dallas, but Wembanyama’s flashes of brilliance still shone bright.
Food & Drink
August 8, 2023
My Week of Whataburger
When I first arrived in Texas, I didn’t get the fawning over Whataburger. I tried to understand by eating 21 straight meals there.
Sports
July 17, 2023
Wacowabunga! Why California Surfers Are Descending on Central Texas
Some of the best waves in the world are found at the Waco Surf water park, far away from any ocean.
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2023
Texas Secessionists Rail Against Censorship. Now One Is Suing a Republican Lawmaker for Calling Her Treasonous.
A right-wing First Amendment lawyer is representing a plaintiff suing representative Jeff Leach of Plano for harsh tweets about a TEXIT backer.
Politics & Policy
April 14, 2023
Cruz Watch: The Senator Attempts to Dunk on Pop
Our man picks a fight with a San Antonio icon. Maybe they should settle this on the court—or in the 2024 election?
Politics & Policy
February 27, 2023
Inside the Karaoke Bar Where Texas Lawmakers Serenade One Another
Legislators and staffers have been cavorting in one of Austin’s most dimly lit establishments.
Politics & Policy
January 30, 2023
Kyle Rittenhouse and What the Right Is Talking About When It Talks About Censorship
Booted from one locale amid outcry, the “Rally Against Censorship” proceeded—with an airing of familiar right-wing grievances.
Politics & Policy
December 16, 2022
A Texas Republican Defies His Colleagues on Ukraine, While Louie Gohmert Can’t Stop Believing
The lame-duck congressman looks to leave a mark, while his colleagues float a big border plan and do some culture warring.
Politics & Policy
November 30, 2022
Texas Held an Election. Most Voters Didn’t Come.
Every two years the Democrats claim they will win by turning out new voters. Every two years they fail.
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2022
Louie Gohmert’s Last Stand, Shuffling Government Spending, and Other Texan Proposals in Congress
Texan legislators in Washington keep their eyes on the important things. Texas Monthly rounded up the latest.
Politics & Policy
October 26, 2022
Sorry, Democrats, Texas Is Not Secretly a Blue State
Millions of eligible Texans don't vote. That doesn't mean they're liberals-in-waiting.
Politics & Policy
October 13, 2022
A National Law That Would Keep the Spurs in San Antonio, and Other Texan Proposals in Congress
Texan legislators in Washington keep their eyes on the important things. Texas Monthly rounded up the latest.
Politics & Policy
September 14, 2022
Is There Anything Ken Paxton Could Do to Turn Voters Against Him?
Texans have stood by their attorney general through two criminal indictments and a host of other scandals. Is there any misdeed that might stick to his Teflon coating before the November election?
Sports
June 21, 2022
Kayak Polo Is the Most Joyful, Adrenaline-Fueled, Raucous Sport You’ve Never Tried
Marco who? This is the ultimate water game.
Politics & Policy
May 18, 2022
A Texas Cop’s Indictment Made Him a Right-wing Darling. Will It Get Him Elected?
Justin Berry was running a sleepy state House race against Ellen Troxclair before his policing at George Floyd protests came to the fore.
Politics & Policy
May 10, 2022
Collin College Has a Free Speech Problem
At the sprawling North Texas community college, four professors say they were let go for speaking their minds. They’re not going quietly.
Travel & Outdoors
February 16, 2022
I Went Skiing in Texas
On top of Mt. Aggie, the only slope in the state, it’s all downhill from here.
Politics & Policy
February 12, 2022
Don Huffines Won the War of Ideas. Did It Cost Him a Chance to Unseat Greg Abbott?
He decided to mount a GOP primary challenge when COVID-19 policy was animating Texas’s right wing. But the governor stole his thunder.
Politics & Policy
January 30, 2022
Texas Republican Candidates Need Donald Trump More Than He Needs Them
At the former president’s Saturday evening rally in Conroe, even candidates whose opponents he’d endorsed were out in full force.
Politics & Policy
January 11, 2022
Greg Abbott’s GOP Challengers Debated Without Him on Monday—and Gave Him Hell
Don Huffines, Chad Prather, and Allen West had plenty to say about the governor’s failings—all in perfect unison.
News & Politics
December 20, 2021
The Case for More Californians
They’re self-obsessed and believe themselves exceptional. In other words, they fit right in. Plus, Texas needs ’em.
Politics & Policy
October 28, 2021
Greg Abbott’s Pandemic Approach Almost Worked. Then He Launched a Crusade Against Vaccines.
In the beginning, Greg Abbott took a hands-off approach that kept Texas ahead of other large states in mitigating cases and deaths. But when he tried to appease right-wing Republicans, the story changed.
Politics & Policy
January 6, 2021
“Love Bombs” vs. “Hang Traitors”: Pro-Trump Protesters Rally for Their Man in Austin
As the president’s supporters launched a violent insurrection in Washington, D.C., about three hundred demonstrators gathered at the Texas Capitol to call for the election results to be overturned.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2020
Texas Electors Cast Votes for Trump—and for Tossing Out the Results in Key Battleground States
A resolution calling on four other state legislatures to override the will of their voters passed after electors in those states had already confirmed Biden’s win.
Politics & Policy
October 14, 2020
Sixteen Candidates on Policing and the Black Lives Matter Movement
We surveyed a range of Texas politicians in competitive races to see how they’re addressing the demands of the movement.
Being Texan
April 6, 2020
Seeking Connections in the Time of the Coronavirus, Lonely Texans Turn to Craigslist
Social distancing mandates have been instituted to slow the pandemic’s spread—a necessity that also coincides with a loneliness epidemic.
Politics & Policy
March 3, 2020
“The Oldest, the Lowest, the Slowest”: Why Voting Isn’t Easy for Homeless People in Texas
The Legislature added an option for voters without valid IDs per a court order, but for the homeless population it might not be enough.