Ken Paxton’s ‘October Surprises’ Are Pure Disinformation
For Paxton and the influencers around him, shoddy work in the election’s home stretch is getting rapidly exposed—though some mystery still surrounds a deceptive mail campaign.
Politics
Data Center Boom Exposes GOP Faultlines over Local Control
In rural areas like Caldwell County, local Republican officials and citizens are scrambling to find ways to empower counties and slow AI-fueled development.
How a Gun-Rights Extremist Could Soon Represent Uvalde in Congress
On his YouTube channel, Brandon Herrera has discussed the relative merits of weapons used in mass shootings and made light of political violence. He’s now on a glide path to the U.S. House.
Can James Talarico Do Better than Beto?
With his scandalized general election opponent now set, the newest Texas Democrat phenom begins his barnstorming of the state.
From San Diego to Plano, Islamophobia Has Consequences
In Texas and beyond, Republican leaders continue to peddle dangerous lies trying to falsely cast Muslims as the “other.”
‘Fake’ Christian? Or Faithful?
Though MAGA believers call James Talarico “blasphemous,” he’s squarely within his Mainline Presbyterian tradition. And that’s a timely reminder of the diversity of Christianity in Texas and beyond.
Texas Nights Are Getting Hotter, and the Power Grid Isn’t Ready
The state grid was built on the assumption that demand would fall at night. As hotter evenings and around-the-clock power use erase that drop, the system is being pushed in ways its original design did not fully anticipate.
Did Texas Republicans’ Restive Runoffs Imperil Their November Ballot?
In almost all cases, the most problematic, extremist, unqualified, and Trumpian candidate won the day.
They’re Mostly Anglo. They’re Largely from Austin. And They Just Might Have a Shot.
Led by James Talarico, a relatively well-qualified Democratic slate—one that poorly reflects the state's demography and geography—might have gotten its most important boost from the Republican side on Tuesday.
Christian Menefee’s Win Foreshadows Fights to Come Across the South
Al Green was a fighter past his prime, and Houstonians finally chose a new direction. But a post-Voting Rights Act world means that intraparty fights over Black representation are just beginning.