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.

A bill in the Texas Legislature would protect the last 21 pristine watersheds. But for years, previous attempts have been ...

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

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

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.