Federal intervention empowered the Edwards Aquifer Authority to restrict water waste like no other area of the state.
Decades of overpumping, spurred in part by agricultural subsidies, have left too much of the region with too little groundwater.
In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick have doubled down on their long-standing neglect and mistreatment of the state's largest city.
A Texas Monthly roundtable discussion.
An ascendant faction of the GOP wants to make the party smaller and purer while keeping Democrats from power by any means necessary.
These 75 weird and wonderful local flags are what happens when somebody has a quixotic vision and a copy of Photoshop.
Austin and San Antonio are becoming more like Houston in terms of summer mugginess.
The embattled Republican speaker of the Texas House faced down a Trump-backed opponent, but his allies were routed this primary season.
Life really slows down here.
Cities across the state dramatically curbed water use over the last decade. Now, newcomers and first-time homeowners are causing it to spike again.
The unprecedented discovery of coyotes carrying the DNA of nearly extinct red wolves has excited the island. But booming development, including a Jimmy Buffett–themed resort, threatens the animals.
The think tank convinced the state comptroller that it should be exempt from paying taxes on its lavish headquarters because it conducts “scholarly scientific research.”
Party officials in several counties have adopted resolutions against the grocery store magnate for a litany of alleged offenses against the state Republican platform.
The GOP primary has yanked the lower chamber, once again, to the right—a huge victory for Greg Abbott and lieutenant governor Dan Patrick.
Donald Trump and Joe Biden cruised to victory, the Democrats chose Colin Allred to challenge Ted Cruz, and Dade Phelan is heading to a runoff.
The Texas governor should be reeling from a humiliating defeat on his biggest policy priority. Instead, he’s at the height of his power.
Not everyone can vote, but seemingly anyone can run. Your guide to some of the more intriguing scoundrels, weirdos, and ne’er-do-wells on the ballot in 2024.
Utility giant Aqua Texas pumped 66 million gallons beyond its legal limit in 2023.
Seven great spots to seek those natural highs.
No longer a niche subculture, climbing has attracted converts across the state. Senior editor Forrest Wilder explores the sport—from El Paso’s Hueco Tanks to the cliffs over Lake Marble Falls—and tries to tackle his own white whale.
The Pecos River bridge offers spectacular views, especially from the overlook.
Glenn Beck went looking for proof that the Liberty County community is a cartel-controlled nightmare. He was surprised by what he found.
The Houston exurb offers cheap land to hardworking families. But some in the GOP see the benefit in demonizing the migrants who’ve moved there.
The attorney general’s acquittal affects an upcoming legislative session on school vouchers—and the civil war within the Texas GOP.
After eight days of arguments and testimony, senators deliberate on whether to convict the embattled Texas attorney general.
Rick Perry rides a gunboat. Ted Cruz goes militiaman. Ron DeSantis and George P. Bush try their best.
The attorney general’s affair finally took center stage. Plus, testimony on a meeting at Galaxy Cafe, a red car, and a Bible verse.
For the second year in a row, the iconic spring-fed swimming hole has stopped flowing, the consequence of drought and overpumping.
The Guardian thinks so and, weirdly, so do many Aggies.
I like to think I am Texas Tough when it comes to the heat. But lately, my fortitude has been tested.
The Legislature took a big step Monday, but further efforts could come with great costs: a sky-high sales tax, decimated public schools, and defunding the police.
On property taxes, school funding, and more, “Democrats are not even in the conversation,” Dallas representative John Bryant says.
Lawmakers just authorized lots of money to acquire new parkland. We asked advocates and conservationists to dream big.
Our scorecard of the Eighty-eighth Texas Legislature’s noisy scoundrels and quiet heroes.
The conservative, gun-toting superintendent of Fort Davis Independent School District is fed up: “I’m not patient enough to spend time with assholes in Austin, and I’m not rich enough to buy any votes.”
Rarely are special-interest bills in the Texas Lege quite so special as in Brooks Landgraf’s bill targeting the tiny town of Volente.
Amid a debate over competing property tax–relief plans, the lieutenant governor isn’t holding back. But is “California Dade” a good insult?
In the ongoing push to preempt progressive policies at the local level, the GOP-controlled Legislature could undo protections against predatory payday lending.
The governor has promoted “school choice” at seven religious academies around the state. Why there?
I stopped by for a hike on the park’s final day. Its 1,420 acres are set to become luxury homes.
Scientists are using GPS collars to gather surprising data—including on one bear that walked 35 miles to dumpster dive.
In an address that resembled a campaign ad, the governor issued seven priorities for the Legislature, including a push for “school choice.”
Internal documents offer new insights into an unprecedented ploy in Wimberley to divert public-education dollars to private schools.
Three good spots around the state to fly-fish for Cyprinus carpio.
The first rule of catching a carp: don’t expect to catch a carp.
The ways of the Texas Legislature are confoundingly weird. Here’s a guide to the madness.
What happens when hundreds of thousands of people go to the same place looking for a little quiet time? One of our two national parks is finding out.
Proposed regulations have prompted an intense backlash from hunters, trappers, and landowners.
Representative Jared Patterson is following a long legislative tradition of trying to troll Austin.