The Crypto Racket
Public officials at all levels are propping up a Texas Bitcoin mining boom that’s threatening water and energy systems while afflicting locals with noise pollution.
Featured Stories
The Latest
‘It’s Not a War Zone’: Val Verde County’s Conservative Democratic Sheriff on Misinformation, Immigration
“Before people start commenting on the border, come visit the border. Right now there’s nothing going on.”
Will Dan Patrick’s Senate Stymie Fentanyl Test Strip Legalization (Again)?
Legislation to allow some forms of drug checking has reached the same Senate committee where a similar bill died last session—two years and at least 3,200 Texas overdose deaths ago.
The High Cost of Texas’ Property Tax Cut-and-Run Politics
Biennial promises of “relief” are just window dressing on a broken taxation system.
At UT, a Day of Drag and Defiance
Students gathered for a joyful protest of the university system’s drag show ban.
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Politics
The Lege’s ‘Big Government Intrusion’ into University Academics
Expanding on last session’s anti-DEI campus crackdown, Republicans are now going after gender and ethnic studies programs and faculty independence.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (if You Wanna Oust the Pols)
The Texas GOP’s dominance of the 21st Century has been marked by entrenchment in the highest offices. Is that changing?
Ending 30 Years of Resistance, Trump and Abbott Break the ‘People’s House’
The Legislature’s lower chamber has finally blessed school vouchers—and denied ordinary Texans the chance to weigh in.
Border and Immigration
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.
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.
Congressman Denounces ICE Response About Prosecutor Operating Racist X Account
In response to the Observer’s reporting, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey demanded answers he has yet to fully receive—while ICE refuses to clarify the prosecutor’s current job status.
Culture
Son of a Gun: What to Do with a Legacy of (Unwanted) Firearms
I love my dad; I don’t love his guns.
AI Is Dead
A Texas author earned a certificate in AI—but there’s no way he’d ever use it to write a book.
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