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‘The Secrets We Kept’ is a Finely-Structured Story of Secrets, Spies, and Secretaries

Lara Prescott’s sparkling debut novel is based on one of the Cold War’s strangest stories: a covert operation to spread a banned book across the Soviet Union.

Texas Observer · Sep 3, 2019

Thousands of Rape Kits in Texas Went Untested For Years. Lavinia Masters Is Ending That.

The Lavinia Masters Act, which goes into effect in September, is the culmination of more than ten years of Masters’ advocacy in Texas, where a backlog of about 20,000 untested rape kits was identified in 2011.

Texas Observer · Sep 3, 2019

They Persisted

An unprecedented number of first-time female candidates ran for office in Texas in 2018—and lost. Now, many of those women are running again.

Texas Observer · Sep 3, 2019

Beto’s Last Chance at a 2020 Revival

The confines of a traditional presidential primary campaign weren’t working for O’Rourke. In the wake of El Paso, he is embracing a new strategy.

Texas Observer · Aug 29, 2019

Thousands Have Disappeared Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border. They Deserve to be Remembered.

Opinion: We must honor those who have gone missing to remind people that real lives are lost due to the decades-long militarization of the southern border.

Texas Observer · Aug 29, 2019

In Houston, Thousands Continue to Wait for Harvey Relief Money

More than 4,500 households have applied for city assistance, but fewer than two dozen applicants have been approved.

Texas Observer · Aug 29, 2019

Starr County Proposes Alternative Border Wall Plan

New maps obtained by the Observer represent a local plan developed as part of a Congressionally mandated consultation process.

Texas Observer · Aug 28, 2019

Texas Schools Suspended Students Between Pre-K and Second Grade More than 70,000 Times in a Year

Black boys, foster care kids, and special ed students were disproportionately suspended, according to a new report from Texans Care for Children.

Texas Observer · Aug 28, 2019

‘My Congregation Trusts Women’: Progressive Faith Groups Counter Anti-Abortion Narratives

Conservative Texas groups and lawmakers have cited their faith to back abortion restrictions, but polling shows that majorities across many religions actually support abortion rights.

Texas Observer · Aug 28, 2019

The Symphony Comes to South Dallas

Music education and enrichment opportunities are scarce in my neighborhood, but the Dallas Symphony aims to bridge the gap.

Texas Observer · Aug 27, 2019