All of the Texas Observer’s articles are available for free syndication for news sources under the following conditions: ...

Legislation to allow some forms of drug checking has reached the same Senate committee where a similar bill died last session ...

Bitcoin mining afflicts locals with noise pollution, threatens water supplies, and receives generous public backing.

New 287(g) task force agreements are trickling in as the Lege considers mandating ICE cooperation and some counties await ...

Republicans want to double down on a system that can keep Texans in jail for years without a trial, while attacking bail ...

On Monday, however, several students made a pitstop to get their makeup done by one of over a dozen drag performers, each in ...

All of the Texas Observer’s articles are available for free syndication for news sources under the following conditions: ...

A version of this story ran in the March / April 2025 issue.

Public officials at all levels are propping up a Texas Bitcoin mining boom that’s threatening water and energy systems while afflicting locals with noise pollution.