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‘You are the best El Jefe!’: Henry Cuellar’s Alleged Brazen Foreign Bribery Schemes
The powerful Laredo congressman is indicted for allegedly acting as a foreign agent for Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank in exchange for at least $600,000 in bribes.
Lise Olsen
Lise Olsen is a Houston-based investigations editor at the Texas Observer. Lise has investigated many twisted Texas tales, including crooked judges, an unjust execution, massive environmental disasters, myriad cases of corporate and public corruption, and unsolved serial killings. Her reports in three states over 20 years contributed to the prosecutions of a former congressman and a federal judge, inspired laws and reforms, helped solve cold cases, restored names to unidentified murder victims, and freed dozens of wrongfully held prisoners. She is the author of The Scientist and the Serial Killer.
Articles by Lise Olsen
Surviving Baptistland
A well-known warrior in the #ChurchToo movement reveals in a new book how she escaped from an abusive Texas home and an abusive Southern Baptist church.
The SpaceX Land Swap Is Only the Latest Texas Public Park Giveaway
Does the state parks agency serve the people, or corporate interests?
Saving Lone Star Literary Life
A literary website that has connected bookish Texans since 2015 nearly closed this year. Then one of its readers saved it.
Texas-Style Money Laundering
FinCEN’s proposed real estate rule could help investigators flag dubious deals—but there’s a big loophole.
The Cancer Factory
Too many U.S. workers still suffer and die from exposure to well-known toxic substances, a Texas investigative reporter’s new book says.
After Abortion Ban, Texas Teen Birth Rate Rises
The increase reverses a 15-year trend. And unwanted pregnancies will rise, researchers predict.
Texas Counties Try to Fight Poverty with Cash
A program intended to put money in the pockets of the poor faces a challenge from a state senator.
Tense Elections in Mexico and U.S. Endanger Democracy
Tense presidential elections could bring upheaval to both nations, according to a recent report.
Top 20 Stories From the Year We Nearly Went Under
After roaring back with an issue on women’s health, we exposed heat deaths at Tesla and USPS, went after Angela Paxton, and broke news on queer rights.