The Contrarian
The More Things Change…
On most mornings for the past 12 years, I’ve come to work at The Texas Observer’s dusty little office in downtown Austin, walking through our creaky front d...Read More
Ed Graf Trial Ends in Guilty Plea
The jury has begun deliberating the fate of Ed Graf, a Waco man being re-tried on controversial arson charges. Graf has spent 25 years in prison. ...Read More
At Ed Graf Trial, Prosecutors Rely on Circumstantial Evidence
On day two of Ed Graf's re-trial in Waco, the prosecution began laying out its circumstantial evidence....Read More
Re-Trial of Ed Graf’s Flawed Arson Case Begins in Waco
After 25 years in prison, Ed Graf is once again on trial for a crime he likely didn’t commit....Read More
Observer Nominated for National Magazine Award
For the second consecutive year, a Texas Observer reporter is a finalist for the National Magazine Award, the most prestigious award in magazine journalism....Read More
Welcome, Chris Hooks
The 2014 election is shaping up as one to remember in Texas, even by our high standards. Kinky Friedman is back on the ballot—oh, how we missed him—Ted Nuge...Read More
Wendy Davis’ Media Fail
The campaign’s mismanagement of the press is damaging Davis' candidacy.
The Wendy Davis campaign’s mismanagement of the press is damaging her candidacy....Read More
It Was a Very Good Year
Every media outlet on earth is running year-in-review pieces this week. Here at The Texas Observer, we usually don’t follow the media crowd, but in this ...Read More
What Ted Cruz Really Wants
You’ve got to credit Ted Cruz: The man’s been in elected office less than a year, and he’s already a household name across the country. With his Ivy Leagu...Read More
Observer Story Wins SPJ Award
When Texas Observer staff writer Emily DePrang first met Josh Gravens in early 2012, his life was in shambles. The 25-year-old husband and father was still suff...Read More