AltWeeklies Wire
The DeLay Scandal Turns Sixnew
We catch up with the players from the infamous scandals surrounding the former House majority leader. Although some resulting lawsuits -- and DeLay's shady redistricting -- have not been resolved, they have pulled back the curtains on Texas' 2002 elections.
The Texas Observer |
Andrew Wheat |
11-19-2008 |
Politics
Houston Goes International with the Latin Grammysnew
What in the world is such an important event -- 49 awards in categories ranging from cumbia, ranchera and norteño to urban and alternative -- doing in Houston, of all places?
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
11-18-2008 |
Music
Green Cement Plants Could Mean Cleaner Air and Lower Costsnew
A growing number of local governments are turning to "green cement" resolutions to rectify North Texas' status as a shameless failure when it comes to complying with clean air standards.
Dallas Observer |
Megan Feldman |
11-10-2008 |
Environment
Diane Wilson's Memoir of Her Fundamentalist Upbringing is a Delightnew
Holy Roller: Growing Up in the Church of the Knock Down, Drag Out; Or, How I Quit Loving a Blue-Eyed Jesus describes Wilson's Pentecostal upbringing in a tiny fishing town in Texas, where residents were ruled by poverty, labor, elaborate religious mores, and corrupt authorities.
The Texas Observer |
Emily DePrang |
11-06-2008 |
Nonfiction
Asarco's Dirty Moneynew
For more than a century, American Smelting and Refining Co. raked in profits while poisoning poor communities in nearly two dozen states. In 2005, the company filed for bankruptcy, initiating a sprawling case that left many Texas residents wondering who will pay to clean up toxic waste at Asarco's dirtiest plant.
The Texas Observer |
Melissa del Bosque |
11-05-2008 |
Business & Labor
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Early Votenew
To avoid what might be the longest lines in recorded history, my wife and I trekked to the polls on Tuesday after dropping the kids at school. Yet I remained fearful that some literature-laden politician or worse, a community organizer, might engage in electioneering and violate my ballot security.
Dallas Observer |
Mark Donald |
11-03-2008 |
Commentary
Texas Republicans Aim to Shoot Down Juan Garcia's Rising Political Starnew
A central chess piece in the Democratic Party's ongoing Take Back Texas push, Garcia faces a GOP eager to send him back to private life in Corpus Christi, before his career momentum proves unstoppable.
San Antonio Current |
Gilbert Garcia |
10-22-2008 |
Politics
Turning Houston Bluenew
If Democrats hope to once again win statewide elections in Texas, they first must takeover the state's biggest city. Toward that end, Dems are pouring lots of money into a coordinated campaign to sweep Harris County this year. And everything was seemingly going their way -- until Hurricane Ike hit.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
10-22-2008 |
Politics
'Bordertown' Depicts True Life and History on the Mexican Bordernew
With Bordertown, Gusky and Johnson intend to provide a historical and cultural narrative that seems to be missing from contemporary conflicts.
Dallas Observer |
Megan Feldman |
10-20-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
What's the Greatest Texas Rock Album of All Time?new
Billy Gibbons talks to us about ZZ Top's 1983's album, Eliminator, 25 years old this year and reissued by Rhino last month in the usual two-disc expanded format with extra tracks and a bonus DVD, takes the cake.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
10-15-2008 |
Music
Is there Natural Gas Beneath Dallas County?new
Drillers -- and cities -- are betting Barnett Shale riches are headed Dallas' way.
Dallas Observer |
Pablo Lastra |
10-14-2008 |
Environment
Friend and Foes of Illegal Immigrants Deal with the Delugenew
As the number of undocumented immigrants in this country continues to grow, so does the volume of the debate over how to fix the problem. The controversy has no clear end in view, or even likely to come into view for a long time.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Eric Griffey |
10-10-2008 |
Immigration
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
Ink-Stained Kvetches: Where Are All the Editorial Cartoonists Going?new
As newspapers cut back on staff, editorial cartoonists are losing their positions at newspapers across the nation. In Texas, only the San Antonio Express-News, the Houston Chronicle, and the Austin American-Statesman still employ staff cartoonists.
The Texas Observer |
Brad Tyer |
10-08-2008 |
Media
After the Flood: Letter From Galvestonnew
As the cleanup continues, Galveston, like Tennessee Williams' Blanche DuBois, must rely on the kindness of strangers. As for those who do come back intending to stay, medical experts say a plague of pestilences, from tetanus to toxic mold, may await them. So does a state of emergency and a dawn-to-dusk curfew with a $2,000 fine for violators.
The Texas Observer |
Tom Curtis |
10-08-2008 |
Disasters
