Forrest for the Trees
The Texas Legislature’s Chainsaw Massacre
In the name of “liberty,” Senate Republicans are hacking down local rules protecting trees — except when they’re making exceptions for themselves.
At least 90 cities and counties in Texas have ordinances protecting trees. San Antonio has an ordinance. Weatherford has an ordinance. Austin has an ordinance. ...Read More
Reintroducing Myself
My commitment is to build on the Observer’s strengths—investigative reporting, fearless truth-telling and sophisticated cultural coverage—while inv...Read More
When Climate Disaster Hits Home
The Memorial Day flooding along the Blanco River that devastated my hometown of Wimberley is a wake-up call that climate-related disasters are increasing. ...Read More
The Rudderless Reign of Greg Abbott
He could have governed with substance, but instead, Greg Abbott seems to be a dud of a governor—Rick Perry without the charisma, George Bush without the impul...Read More
Dan Patrick to the Rescue on Hays County Groundwater Bill
After his tour of the Wimberley flood damage, Dan Patrick revived a groundwater bill that if passed would protect residents’ water wells in Hays County....Read More
Wimberley Groundwater Protection Faces Challenge from El Paso Democrat
In a last-minute surprise, an El Paso Democrat is holding up a bill that would bring groundwater regulation to the “white zone” of Hays County, an area with...Read More
To Save Lives, Close the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint
Despite being a death trap for hundreds of migrants, Border Patrol is planning on expanding a secondary checkpoint near Falfurrias in Brooks County....Read More
World’s Largest For-Profit Prison Blasted in Federal Audit
The world’s largest for-profit prison has minimal oversight, overcharged the federal government by $2.1 million, arbitrarily punishes protesting inmates and s...Read More
State Punishes Payday Lender for Criminalizing Debt
A year and a half after the Observer documented hundreds of examples of payday loan companies using the criminal justice system to pursue unpaid loans, state re...Read More
The Legislature’s Approach to Climate Change: Say Nothing, Do Nothing
I think I know why Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) chose to hold his second climate change hearing on 4/20 instead of Earth Day, which is on Wednesday: You’d ha...Read More