Earlier: The new #Texas "bathroom bill" not only makes it harder for trans people to exist in public, it also attempts to grant immunity from prosecution to those enforcing it, even if they violate the constitution.
The Texas Observer
How the Bathroom Bill Weaponizes Transphobia Against Public Institutions
A legal expert called the new anti-trans Texas bathroom law “the most plainly unlawful, undemocratic legislation I’ve seen in recent history.”
 #law #HumanRights #genocide #fascism #politics #USpol #news #TXlege #trans #LGBTQIA+
In our magazine: When Kendrick Sampson eventually launched BLD PWR, he was looking to merge activism and education with pop culture, inspiring others to fight for a cause while being creative—and having a good time.
The Texas Observer
‘Make Resistance Sexy’
In Houston, actor Kendrick Sampson seeks to make a party out of political engagement.
 #activism #art #music #Houston #GulfCoast #culture #politics #USpol #Texas
“They’re essentially trying to revoke his bond for thought crimes. I think it’s very important for people to understand: Fascism is here.”
The Texas Observer
Inside Tarrant County's Dogged Prosecution of a Pro-Palestine Activist
Raunaq Alam has been in and out of jail five times in relation to anti-Israel graffiti on a Christian church. His lawyer says the case shows "how e...
 #Palestine #activism #Texas #NorthTexas #law #police #USpol #politics #news
From Monday: So swings the political pendulum of First Amendment rights, as this foundational protection is treated as a prop to be bear-hugged in one moment and conveniently tossed aside when an opportunistic moment demands.
The Texas Observer
For Greg Abbott, Free Speech Is Just Another Political Prop
Charlie Kirk defended the First Amendment. Texas betrays it in his defense.
 #Republicans #GregAbbott #news #politics #USpol #CharlieKirk #FreeSpeech #Texas
ICYMY 🤠: Are you interested in covering politics in the Lone Star State? The Texas Observer is hiring an intern to help us cover the 2026 elections! Apply here:
The Texas Observer
Work for the Texas Observer
We’re a nonprofit with a strong public service mission; we seek to expose injustice and to produce the kind of impact journalism that makes a dif...
 #journalism #jobs #Texas #politics #USpol #elections #democracy #JournoJobs #hiring #GetFediHired #FediHired
Decades of research show that standardized tests don’t measure intellect, creativity, or resilience. They measure zip codes.
The Texas Observer
Austin’s Children Deserve More than a Test Score
The city's “F” schools overwhelmingly serve mostly low-income African-American and Hispanic children.
 #education #Austin #news #Politics #USpol #schools #CentralTexas
Featured story, from Mary Tuma: “This bill will harm women and could even lead to more pregnant women dying because they couldn’t access life-saving medications. The only reason we haven’t returned to the days of ‘coat-hanger abortions’ is because of the medication #abortion pill.”
The Texas Observer
Texas Legislature Passes ‘Bounty Hunter’ Ban on Abortion Pills
House Bill 7 attacks one of the last remaining options for reproductive care in Texas and declares legal war on blue states.
 #healthcare #politics #USpol #news #TXlege #Texas #HumanRights
Out today: “The work is physically hard, the pay right now is barely keeping up with other jobs. There is a shortage of #workers willing to even do these jobs because of the already low wages.”
The Texas Observer
Texas Domestic Workers Face Trump Attack on Minimum Wage
Advocates warn a proposed rule by the Department of Labor will deepen the country’s “crisis of care.”
 #Texas #Trump #poverty #news #politics #USpol #HumanRights #disabled #healthcare
Austin’s “F” schools overwhelmingly serve mostly low-income African-American and Hispanic children. Closing them on the basis of a flawed metric sends one message: Your community does not matter.
The Texas Observer
Austin’s Children Deserve More than a Test Score
The city's “F” schools overwhelmingly serve mostly low-income African-American and Hispanic children.
 #Austin #Texas #education #schools #politics #USpol #Texas #news #racism
Our top story: Friends rented the Airbnb to celebrate a pair of birthdays. There were beers, arepas, and a birthday cake. They were planning to blow out candles and sing the following day. But first there was a massive, militarized multi-agency #ICE raid.
The Texas Observer
Officials Said They Busted a Tren de Aragua Party. Attendees Beg to Differ.
A highly publicized multi-agency raid in Hays County resulted in dozens of arrests on low-level immigration charges and left an Austin mother'...
 #HumanRights #immigration #police #law #politics #USpol #news #fascism #CentralTexas #Texas