In Tarrant County, a Grassroots Coalition Pushes Back on Christian Nationalists
The GOP's recent redistricting of the county commissioners court has galvanized progressive organizers heading into 2026.
elections
An East Texas County Fights a Bitter Battle Over a Reborn Hospital
As a rural hospital in Crockett struggles with the cost of indigent and other unpaid care, a torn community weighs how to keep its local hospital open and financially viable.
The Specter of Disinformation Haunts South by Southwest
Artificial intelligence technologies are all the rage at SXSW. Is our democracy prepared?
Partisans Are Politicizing Our Schools
A network of consultants, PACs, and political activists has quietly infiltrated school board elections.
Texas Observer School Board Investigation Spurs Call for Reform
State Representative Erin Zwiener says Texas must improve campaign finance transparency and adopt contribution limits.
Houston Mayoral Candidates Inspire Yawns As Run-Off Election Looms
Two veteran (and older) politicians in Texas’ largest city are generating little excitement among its youthful population.
A Watchdog in the Water Wars
Flooding and bureaucracy drove Mary Kelleher to run for a spot on a powerful North Texas river agency board.
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The Voting Vendor in Reality Winner’s Leak Is Coming to Texas
The whistleblower started conversations about election tech supplier VR Systems which remain controversial to this day.
Celia Israel’s Got ‘Both Feet on the Ground’
What the historic race for mayor meant for her, for Austin, and women in Texas politics.
Fight for Change Where You Live
“Our efforts can’t be limited to complaining on our social media accounts.”