WILD TEXAS
ICE Has Considered Adding 20,000 Detention Center Beds in Secretive Expansion Across Texas, Reports Say
DHS officials have been quietly snapping up office buildings and warehouses across Texas, according to reports from Wired and Bloomberg.
An ‘Over-the-Top’ Megachurch Christmas Show Has Divided Social Media, Again
1,200 volunteers in 17,000 costumes, a 50-piece orchestra, and 21 animals take the stage at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, among beaming lights and angels ‘flying’ on harnesses, sparking criticism online.
For the Record, Both John Cornyn and Ted Cruz Voted Against Releasing the Epstein Files
As the senate primary race heats up in Texas, let us note the senators and senate hopefuls who voted against releasing the Epstein files. On Tuesday, the House gets their say.
Texas National Guard Spent About $4 Million to Never Activate in Chicago. Now They’re Going Home for the Holidays.
The 200 Texas National Guard troopers were sent to “safeguard” federal officers carrying out deportation efforts.
A Woman Asked 43 Churches If They’d Feed a Starving Baby. The Texas Ones Failed Her Test.
Nikalie Monroe conducted what she called a social experiment on TikTok, calling churches across the country to ask for baby formula for a fictional two-month-old. They’ve racked up millions of views as SNAP benefits remain in limbo for millions of people.
The Government Shutdown Caused Thousands of Flight Delays This Weekend. Even Sen. Cornyn Wasn’t Safe.
Four major Texas airports made the FAA’s list for flight cancellations as the government shutdown puts a strain on air traffic controllers. Officials warn that air travel could be ‘reduced to a trickle’ as holidays approach.
Gov. Abbott Was ‘Just Joking’ About That ‘100% Tariff’ on New Yorkers Fleeing a Mamdani Win
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, has proposed a wealth tax to fund affordability measures, leading many to predict an exodus of the city’s millionaires. Gov. Greg Abbott has one unconstitutional message — don’t come to Texas.
‘Hell on Earth’: Texas Airports Are Slammed With Hours-Long TSA Lines and 1,000 Flight Delays
Major airports in Houston, Dallas, and Austin are struggling with staffing issues as air traffic controllers and TSA agents are not being paid during the federal shutdown.
Gov. Abbott Admitted to Purging ‘Leftist’ Professors. People Are Calling It the ‘Definition of Fascism.’
Students and professors have protested firings at major universities in recent weeks, as people online have criticized what they see as an attack on free speech.
…So Was It the Price of Turkey Legs? State Fair of Texas Attendance Dropped by 400,000
State Fair of Texas attendance was the lowest since 2018, and many, including U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, point to rising costs and tariffs as the culprits.
Houston Erased Texas’ First-Ever Gay Pride Crosswalk in the Middle of the Night
After an online firestorm — and orders from Gov. Abbott — to remove “political ideologies” from roadways, Houston tore up the Montrose rainbow crosswalk last night, arresting four protestors who gathered at the intersection.
‘Are We in a Civil War?’ Texas Troops Are Still in Illinois, but It’s Getting Messy
The escalating tension between our two states has devolved into personal insults, a protracted legal battle, and escalating fears of an actual second civil war.
We’re Claiming Arden Cho of ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ as a New Texas Icon
As you’re picking out your Rumi costume for Halloween, know that the voice behind the character is a Texas Hold ‘Em champion from Amarillo.
Hey, New York Times? Stay Out of Texas Football Family Business.
Following Texas’ upset loss to Florida, the New York Times branded Arch Manning “college football’s first flop,” drawing a backlash from some unlikely places.
Supporters Say ‘God Has Forgiven’ Ex-Megachurch Pastor Robert Morris, Who Admitted to Sexual Abuse of a 12-Year-Old
Robert Morris’ six-month jail sentence for sexual abuse of a child somehow has the internet divided with supporters of the former Gateway Church pastor saying he should be forgiven and others outraged at his light punishment.
It Might Actually Be Time to Take the Texas Stock Exchange and ‘Y’all Street’ Seriously
After SEC approval for the TXSE, Trump and other Republican leaders are touting Dallas-based “Y’all Street” as an alternative to “woke” Wall Street.
Even Corn Dogs Aren’t Safe from Inflation. Now Some Texans Are ‘Done With the State Fair.’
With viral videos showing an emptier-than-usual State Fair, some Texans speculate that high prices may be to blame, while officials say that attendance is doing just fine.
Religious Leader Who Calls Himself ‘Jesus’s Best Friend’ Made $50M from Human Trafficking, DOJ Says
How prosecutors say a ministry exploited victims by controlling their movements, forcing women to take Plan B emergency contraceptives, and threatening unpaid workers with “eternal damnation.”
The Day Austin ‘Lost Its Innocence’: HBO’s Newest Crime Doc Tackles Haunting Unsolved Murder
“The Yogurt Shop Murders” digs into a 33-year-old cold case in Austin — an unsolved murder so disturbing that A24 paid for the production team’s therapy during the project.
What Has Abbott’s $100 Million in Border Security Bought Taxpayers? Office Renovations and Expensive Trucks.
Gov. Abbott’s highly-touted Operation Lone Star has sent more than $100 million to Texas counties, but the money is funding office renovations and equipment seemingly unrelated to immigration enforcement — despite the fact that the grants were earmarked for border security.
‘He’s Making Up Some Sh*t:’ Texas House Issues Arrest Warrants in Quorum-Bust as Democrats Counterattack
Dozens of Texas representatives left the state to block Republican-proposed redistricting maps. Now, Gov. Greg Abbott is claiming they’ve broken the law forfeited their elected positions. U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called him “out of his mind.”
Inside a South Texas Drug-Trafficking Scheme: Kilos of Cocaine, a Middle School, and Two Disgraced Mayors
Nine people were sentenced last week after the group — including the town’s mayor, the president of the local school board, and even a school bus driver — smuggled cocaine through the IT room of Progreso’s Dorothy Thompson Middle School.
‘Love Is Blind’ Is Coming to Austin, Home of Horribly Behaved Singles
The mega-popular show has produced successful couples in Dallas and Houston, but may meet its match in Austin, whose men earned Match.com’s 2018 label of “worst behaved singles” in the country.
Thousands of Democrats Pour into Texas to Combat ‘Extreme Republican Gerrymandering’
As redistricting efforts ramp up in Texas, all eyes are on the Lone Star State. Last week, a Democratic candidate went viral after he was arrested at a redistricting hearing at the Texas Capitol. Now, the DNC has unveiled a $20 million-dollar plan to “turn the tide on recent Republican gains” in the state.
Dang, Texas Heat Advisories Are Back. Shocked? Neither Are We.
North Texas is facing its hottest day of the year yet, and has been placed under a heat advisory as temperatures threaten to reach 105 degrees.
Ozzy Osbourne Once Urinated On the Alamo. Texas Forgave Him (But Didn’t Forget).
The godfather of heavy metal passed away on July 22, at 76 years old. Tributes have poured in — even from the Alamo, which is (mostly) over the “deeply disrespectful incident in 1982.”
Guess Who’s Back, Back Again? Texas’ THC Ban
Exactly one month after Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would ban all THC and hemp-based products, the Texas Senate has advanced a nearly identical measure during its special session. “Feels a little like Groundhog Day,” said Sen. Charles Perry, who introduced the bill.
Joe Rogan Wants This Democratic, Pro-Choice Lawmaker from Texas to Run for President
Rogan’s podcast has been coined an “unlikely political influencer.” He told state Rep. James Talarico: “We need someone who’s actually a good person (in office).”
Dallas Cop Accused of Stealing Nearly $38,000 of Apple Products to Sell on Facebook
Senior Cpl. Le Chau was an overnight security guard at three local Apple stores. He had worked at Dallas Police Department for a decade “If (law enforcement are) not going to follow (the laws), what makes you think other people are going to follow them?” his neighbor said.
‘This Is How You Steal an Election’: Texas Democrats Weigh Walkout Over Trump’s Redistricting Plans
President Trump told congressional Republicans he wants to net five new GOP seats in the Lone Star State during the upcoming legislative session — and Attorney General Ken Paxton said any Democrats who break quorum “should be found and arrested no matter where they go.”
Gov. Greg Abbott Claims His Emails with Elon Musk Are Too ‘Embarrassing, Intimate’ for Public Consumption
As one Reddit commenter put it, “That’s the stupidest thing they could have said. Now of course everyone wants to see the emails.”
The Feds Are Quizzing Mexican Truck Drivers on English Literacy — and Banning Dozens from U.S. Highways
An executive order last week placed stricter guidance on language proficiency requirements for truckers, and 40 drivers — primarily Spanish speakers — have already lost permission to operate on U.S. highways.
‘The Pulpit is Sacred’: Dallas Faith Leaders Sue to Block Ten Commandments Bill
The plaintiffs allege that S.B. 10, which will soon require Texas public schools to display the Ten Commandments, is unconstitutional and “religiously coercive.” The highly controversial measure will take effect on Sept. 1, 2025, but not without an uphill battle in the courts first.
Battle of the Fitness Bros: The ‘Liver King’ Was Arrested in Austin After Challenging Joe Rogan to a Fight
The fitness influencer known as the “Liver King” was arrested in Austin after posting dozens of bizarre, rambling videos “picking a fight” with famous podcaster Joe Rogan. He is facing a misdemeanor charge of making a terrorist threat.
Austin Is on Trial for Alleged ‘Culture of Impunity’ in Police Department
In 2021, Alex Gonzales Jr. was fatally shot by a police officer. Now, a lawsuit claims systemic misconduct in the city’s police department, and a federal judge found “sufficient evidence” that Austin had employed a “longstanding practice of under-investigating and under-disciplining officers for excessive force.”
Man Accused of Killing Minnesota Lawmaker Attended Religious School in Dallas
Vance Boelter, accused of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker, received a theology degree from Christ For the Nations Institute, a nondenominational religious school in Dallas.
Amid Safety Concerns, Tesla ‘Robotaxis’ Will Soon Hit Austin’s Streets
Tesla is “tentatively” rolling out its robotaxi service next week. One problem: they don’t really work.
THC Gummies May Soon Be Illegal, But Can Texas Interest You in a Psychedelic Instead?
Texas will spend $50 million to research ibogaine, a naturally occurring but illegal psychedelic that advocates herald as a potential treatment for addiction and brain trauma.
In the Name of ‘Peace,’ Abbott Has Called in the National Guard
As Texans continue to protest immigration enforcement, Gov. Greg Abbott has responded by saying the National Guard will be dispatched across the state.
Immigration Crackdowns Are Sweeping Texas and the Nation. Here’s What to Know.
Since Trump’s administration took office, ICE has arrested 100,000 people — and Texas is a hotspot for detainments. “I keep thinking, it can’t get worse,” one immigration attorney told The Barbed Wire.
Is Pride Month Canceled? In This Texas Town, Sort Of.
For the first time in five years, Taylor’s mayor declined to issue a formal Pride proclamation (because of Dan Moody’s birth month, obviously). The town’s Pride organization is pushing back.
Texas Voted to Mandate Schools Display the Ten Commandments. This “Bite Me Greg” Activist Wants Them in Arabic With a Dash of Satanism
A new law might soon require Texas schools to display posters of the Ten Commandments. A self-proclaimed “professional disruptor” is challenging that logic, re-designing the posters one Satanic star at a time.
It’s Daylight Savings Time Somewhere (in Texas, Maybe Forever)
Lawmakers want Texas to stay in daylight savings time. The U.S. won’t let them — yet.
Alright, Alright, Alright. Lawmakers Just Passed a Celebrity-Endorsed Bill to Make Texas a ‘New Hollywood.’
Lawmakers are close to approving $1.5 billion in funding for Texas-made movies over the next decade. Some aren’t too happy about what they call “Hollywood handouts.”
Is That… Common Ground? Texas House Voted to Lift a Ban on ‘Homosexual Conduct’
It’s the farthest this effort has gone through the legislature. Never mind that the old law is unconstitutional and unenforceable.
The Fires of Hell Aren’t as Hot as This Early Texas Heat Wave
Cities in North and Central Texas saw record-breaking triple-digit temperatures Wednesday. For context: Austin’s average first 100-degree day is in July.
Trump Cut Funding To Texas Arts Groups, Leaving Them in ‘Confusion and Chaos’
Texas organizations were awarded grants totaling $1.5 million in January. Now, the announcement on Friday casts a cloud of uncertainty as they seek alternative streams of funding.
Well, Elon Musk Got What He Wanted. Starbase Is Texas’ Newest City
Residents of Starbase voted on a measure incorporating the launch site as an official city on Saturday. The election was a landslide victory.
Paxton Joins RFK’s Anti-Fluoride Crusade, Targeting “Misleading, Deceptive, and Dangerous” Kids’ Toothpaste
The attorney general claims toothpaste manufacturers have marketing practices that encourage children to consume too much fluoride.
Sorry, South Texas. Maybe Lawmakers Do Want More SpaceX Rockets on Our Beaches
After lawmakers narrowly blocked SpaceX’s bid for more control of Boca Chica Beach this week, they revived and passed a bill to give Musk’s company control over a beloved public beach, amid a critical local election that’ll decide whether to turn Starbase into Texas’ newest city.
Trump Slashed Billions in Health Funds During A Measles Outbreak. Now Harris County Is Suing
As measles cases top 600 in Texas, state and local health departments lost grants that would’ve helped track diseases and run vaccination clinics.
Trump Administration Sent a Man From Pennsylvania to Texas to Deport Him, Though a Judge Said Not To
As experts warned us, Trump’s ambitious mass deportation plans are running up against the law, again.
‘I Was Doing Witchcraft:’ Fort Worth Man Performed An Exorcism to Murder His Mom, Police Say
A Snapchat photo of a woman covered in blood led law enforcement to the scene to investigate.
Austin Explosion Injures 6, Damages At Least 24 Houses
The Austin Fire Department responded to a northwest Austin house explosion Sunday that could be heard in cities as far as Georgetown.
Paxton’s Anti-CRT Lawsuit Was Based on A Manipulated Video, Coppell ISD Says
District officials claim the suit was meant to fuel debates over private school vouchers and public school funding.
Now Ken Paxton Wants Law Firms to Hand Over Info on DEI Practices
Paxton and attorneys general from 11 other states sent letters to 20 law firms, including 13 that have Texas offices. The letters are the latest attack on law firms bolstered by the Trump administration.
As Texas Measles Outbreak Hits 422 Cases, Dallas County Cancels 50 Vaccine Events After DOGE Cuts
Who needs vaccinations — or health care workers — when you have a flourishing infectious disease?
H-E-B Has the Cheapest Egg Prices in the Nation, Thank Goodness
A dozen white eggs at Texas’ favorite grocery store cost $4.31 this week, the lowest of major supermarket chains, according to a study.
‘People Are … So Triggered:’ Dallas Tesla Owner Sues for $1 Million After Car Was Keyed
The lawsuit comes after a video of a man appearing to vandalize a Model X went viral.
3 Teens Beat Their Mom with a Brick for Turning Off the Wi-Fi, Sheriff Says
The siblings, ages 14, 15, and 16, were arrested on aggravated assault charges Monday. They also attacked her with kitchen knives and tried to kill her, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett Defends ‘Governor Hot Wheels’ Comments as She Faces Outrage
Crockett, who went on to call Gov. Greg Abbott a “hot ass mess,” claims she meant to attack the governor’s “terrible policies,” not his disability.
‘Draggieland’ Is Back: Federal Court Blocks Unconstitutional Texas A&M Drag Ban
A federal judge ruled that drag is “theatrical performance,” which is protected by the First Amendment.
Texas Prison Falsified Temperature Records Inside Inmate Housing Units, Investigation Found
An internal investigation, released this week, found that a unit in Beaumont kept temperature logs that didn’t reflect actual conditions.
Texas Is Secretly Collecting Data on Trans Drivers
The state recorded residents’ attempts to change the sex listed on their driver’s licenses but won’t explain why.
Houston-Area Midwife Arrested After Allegedly Providing Illegal Abortions
Texas midwife may be the first to face criminal penalties under the state’s near total abortion ban, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Texas Megachurch Pastor Will Turn Himself in on Child Sexual Abuse Charges
Robert Morris, who resigned from Gateway Church last year, was indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child and faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge if convicted.
As If He Needed More of Our Money, Texas Gives Elon Musk’s SpaceX Another $17.3 Million
As billionaire (and father of 14) Musk works to slash federal spending, his own companies are raking in billions from government contracts.
A U.S. Citizen Child Seeking Brain Cancer Treatment Was Deported with Her Parents
Immigration officials arrested a Rio Grande City family en route to see specialist doctors in Houston.
Hundreds of Texans Had Thoughts on School Voucher Scheme at Tense 23-Hour Capitol Hearing
Concerned Texans signed up to testify at a House Education Committee hearing that invited fierce debate.
‘We Value Our Health’: Fort Worth Pastor Brags About Low School Vaccination Rates
Private Fort Worth school had a 14.29% MMR vaccination rate, the lowest in the state.
Gross. Natalist Conference Is Returning to Austin with Race Science, Eugenics.
Organizers have invited famed pro-natalist Elon Musk, saying on X that his advocacy “was a huge inspiration.” The March event will reportedly feature speakers who promote eugenics — with the goal of outbreeding liberals.
Women Are Saved! Texas A&M Just Banned Drag Shows on All 11 Campuses
A resolution unanimously passed on Friday, arguing that drag events are “likely to create or contribute to a hostile environment for women.” Sure, Jan.
Fight, ‘Stampede’ at Dallas Cheer Competition Injured 10
When a fight broke out between parents, the loud noise caused a stampede and a shooting scare — and broken bones.
In a Cruel Twist of Fate, Victor Wembanyama Is Out for the Season
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is out for the rest of the season due to blood clots.
KFC Moves to Texas, Changes Motto to ‘Don’t Mess with Drumsticks’
The motto may be a suggestion but we’re pretty sure the news has Colonel Sanders rolling in his grave, probably breading himself in protest.
Why Is a Texas University Rewarding an Anti-Trans Politician?
Former state Rep. Shawn Thierry, who abandoned her party and embraced MAGA, has secured a powerful position at Texas Southern University.
Beer’s Going to Cost More. Thanks, Trump.
Texas Breweries say they’re preparing to charge up to $2 more per pack of beer cans as a result of Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Measles Is Making a Comeback in Texas, Thanks to Anti-Vaxxers
Who could have predicted that skipping vaccines would bring back a disease we eliminated decades ago?
Thousands Protest Trump’s ICE Raids as Texas Empowers National Guard to Act as Immigration Officials
After a weekend of protests state and nationwide, speaking out against an immigration crackdown, Gov. Greg Abbott seals a deal with Donald Trump to allow National Guard members to make immigration arrests.
Post-Roe Stats Keep Getting Worse: 6 Texas Children Under 12 Got Abortions Out of State in 2023
At least 100 children, aged 17 and younger, received the procedure in other states. That’s nearly a ninefold jump from five years earlier, and it’s only half the year’s data.
Texas Is Now at the Heart of Trump’s Immigration Raids
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has conducted sweeping operations across the state in recent days, arresting dozens in cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.
Take Down Your Bird Feeders. Texas Parks & Wildlife Warns Bird Flu Is Highly Contagious.
More dead birds were found in Texas counties, and the first human death of the current strain was reported in Louisiana.
Abbott Threatens to Fire Texas A&M President Over a Conference Invitation for Black, Latino, and Native American Students
A&M officials quickly canceled the trip to a conference that’s limited to Black, Latino, and Native American participants.
Abbott Sends Texas Firefighters to California, Quietly Hopes Trump Doesn’t Notice
Despite his buddy Trump blaming California leaders for exacerbating the wildfires, Gov. Greg Abbott is sending Texas firefighters west, saying, “Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause.”
Joaquin Castro Wants the FBI to Release Latino Civil Rights-Era Surveillance Docs Too
The CIA has already released records , from 1968 to 1983, which validated long-held suspicions the government was monitoring and disrupting activists’ work — and viewed them as threats. Now, Rep. Joaquin Castro has asked that the FBI follow suit.
Officials Warn Texans of Parasites That ‘Screw Into Flesh With Sharp Mouth Hooks’
Be on the lookout for the flesh-burrowing New World Screwworm, which was discovered in Mexico. Officials say it could be headed our way.
Meta Moves Teams to Texas Over ‘Concern’ of ‘Biased Employees’ in California
Mark Zuckerberg announced he’s replacing fact-checkers with community notes, removing restrictions on topics like immigration and gender, and moving Meta’s “content review” team to the Lone Star State.
It’s Freezing in Texas This Week. Here’s How to Keep Your Pipes From Bursting.
It’s gonna get really cold all over the state, so we’ve all gotta do a little preventative maintenance. (We know. We don’t like adulthood, either.)
Houston Man Acted Alone in Horrific New Orleans Attack, Officials Say
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, rented a truck in Houston on Dec. 30 and drove to New Orleans, where he killed 14 people while plowing through crowds on Bourbon Street. He was born and raised in Beaumont.
Texas Pro Athletes Latest Targets of High-Profile, ‘Bling Ring’-Style Burglaries
Sports-related thefts have had the FBI, NBA, and NFL on high alert since November. This week, Dallas Mavericks’ beloved guard Luka Dončić and Dak Prescott’s fianceé were targeted.
Four of Five Texas Men Executed This Year Were Black or Latino
A recent report by an anti-death penalty group highlights major racial disparities among those executed this year — and, unfortunately, it reflects a history of systemic inequality.
Texas’ Grid Operator Promises State Can Handle Winter Cold. No Really This Time.
Despite years of evidence to the contrary, ERCOT says the grid is better than it was in 2021 — and won’t collapse immediately when temps drop below 32 degrees.
Everyone Hates This Christmas Song. Except Texans.
“Feliz Navidad” is beloved by the Lone Star State — and it recently found new life in South Korea as a protest melody. But lots of other people can’t stand it.
AI Chatbot Suggested Texas Boy Kill His Parents, Terrifying Lawsuit Claims
A chatbot platform called Character.AI allegedly told a kid it was cool to whack his parents for taking away his phone. “I just have no hope for your parents,” it said, according to a lawsuit.
Why Are Texas Lawmakers So Obsessed with Dildos?
A newly elected state representative has reignited an age-old obsession by state legislators, who’ve been policing our bodies, sexual habits — and that top drawer of your nightstand — for many, many years.
National Republican Morons Are Mad About the Texas House Speaker Race
It’s drawing national attention from right-wing mouthbreathers like Donald Trump Jr. and convicted felon Dinesh D’Souza who want a pure-bred Republican Speaker, untainted by Democratic support.
Texas Dance Company F*cked Around, Now Must Pay $560,000 to Fired Black Dancers
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre, which terminated the employees after they tried to unionize, owes back pay, compensation, and apology letters to each of the artists.
Texas Takes Gold in the Stolen Package Olympics
With the holiday season in full swing, a new study claims that Texans have a 30% chance of getting their porch deliveries snatched — that’s higher than any other state.
SEC Grinches Say Bevo Must Stay Home
As the Texas Longhorns get ready to play in the SEC championship, Bevo will be absent from the sidelines.
The Most Powerful Man in Texas Really Wants to Ban THC
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants the state to outlaw all forms of THC after claiming that retailers “exploited the agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public.”