AltWeeklies Wire
Rick Perry's Army of Godnew
A little-known movement of radical Christians and self-proclaimed prophets wants to infiltrate government, and Rick Perry might be their man.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
07-14-2011 |
Politics
Tax and Divertnew
Texans pay billions in special fees and taxes for worthwhile programs. Why does the money go elsewhere?
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
05-05-2011 |
Policy Issues
The Fire Down Belownew
As a gas-drilling frenzy in North Texas continues, residents fight for the truth--and brace for the worst.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
12-08-2010 |
Environment
Tags: Shale Gas, Barnett Shale
Texas Could Soon Have 12 New Coal-Fired Power Plants. What Gives?new
The Texas coal rush threatens to throw a monkey wrench into the nation's long-delayed efforts to stem global warming. If all 12 plants are built, they would add upwards of 80 million tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere every year.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
11-18-2009 |
Environment
Is West Texas' Water Supply at Risk of Radioactive Contamination?new
For years, Waste Control has touted its 1,300-acre dump site as nearly geologically perfect for containing radioactive waste for tens of thousands of years. The company’s primary selling point has been what it calls the "almost impenetrable red bed clay" in which the waste will be buried. But the red bed is leaking.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
06-17-2009 |
Environment
The Strange and Scary Story of the North Central Texas Fusion Systemnew
Fusion centers arose amid post-9/11 efforts to get local and state law enforcement involved in anti-terrorism. The meteoric rise of this confoundingly complex and patchwork system has scary implications for privacy and civil liberties.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
04-08-2009 |
Policy Issues
Why a Texas County Is So Eager to Get Dumped Onnew
Waste Control Specialists LLC has spent the last 20 years pulling political, business, and regulatory strings to do what no other company in the nation has been able to do in three decades: license and build a new radioactive waste dump.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
03-12-2009 |
Economy
Ike Was Bad for Galveston's Poor, but it Might Get Worsenew
The hurricane devastated the city's North Side, an historic African-American community. Four of the area's six housing projects have been condemned and many residents have lost everything. Will the community be rebuilt or will it suffer the same fate as New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after Katrina?
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
12-17-2008 |
Disasters
The Latino Factor: How Ethnic Bias Distorts Texas Electionsnew
There is compelling evidence that ethnic bias skewed Texas' 2008 statewide judicial election results. Some voters, with little else to go on in these low-profile races, appear to have cast a vote against Latino surnames. You've heard of the Bradley Effect. Call this the Latino Factor.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
12-03-2008 |
Politics
The Winnebago Vote: How 12,000 RVers Tilt East Texas Electionsnew
A mail-forwarding business near Livingston allows these RVers to claim legal residency in Texas, while many have never been to Livingston, or even Texas, and own property in other states. Together these 12,000 overwhelmingly Republican voters have helped erode what was once a stronghold of yellow dog Democrats.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
10-08-2008 |
Politics
How Will W's Library Shape His Legacy?new
It's somewhat ironic that the Bush administration would create the first presidential library with a policy think tank attached. That has led some critics to wonder if the think tank will engage in genuine policy innovation or mainly try to shape Bush's legacy.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
09-24-2008 |
Politics
After 36 Years Without, Some Residents of La Presa, Texas, Finally Get Electricitynew
For 36 years, the people in this dusty, sweltering colonia south of Laredo, have lived without electricity, potable water, or an adequate sewage system. Now an innovative experiment is bringing power to a dozen lucky residents. While the wheels of bureaucracy turned slowly or not at all, residents suffered, despite many applications for assistance from state and local government.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
08-13-2008 |
Housing & Development
Texas Republicans Sport Stiff Upper Lips at Their State Sonventionnew
Discord and infighting set the tone of the Republican convention in Houston, which saw a smaller and more subdued turnout than in recent years. The GOP event included many who felt betrayed by broken promises and false conservatism from current state and national leadership.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann and Forrest Wilder |
07-02-2008 |
Politics
Texas is Greenlighting Massive Nuclear Waste Dumpnew
Scientists and engineers at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality stridently object to the plans, but agency upper management wants to approve the licenses.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
04-09-2008 |
Environment
Election '08: Could the Age Gap Trump Race & Gender?new
Every exit poll conducted to date in the presidential primary race indicates a generation gap separating the two candidates. The reasons for the split have almost nothing to do with voting records or policy proposals. It's how each candidate packages those positions that makes the difference.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder and Dave Mann |
02-26-2008 |
Politics
