Billy is a Jack of All Trades. He served as TBW's first director of operations, while writing sharp political analysis for the site, and coming up with the very best turns of phrase. E.g. Our future product review site? The Barbed Wire Cutter!
News
As if election nights weren't stressful enough, more than 1,000 voters were reportedly turned away from polling locations in Dallas on Tuesday. That count — from Kardal Coleman, the chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, via the New York Times — was only through the afternoon. By the
Perspectives
In this tumultuous American moment, Texas is still unique in its mind-boggling extremes. Texas loves to pick on queer kids. At least, the Texas Legislature does. We just wrapped up the 2025 legislative session(s) and, as has become a cruel habit of Texas politicians, lawmakers have once again
Perspectives
We should all be pissed. At President Trump’s behest, the Texas GOP released new proposed congressional maps Wednesday, and on the surface, they’re exactly what Republicans seemed to be hoping for: an aggressive gerrymander that, if passed, would more than likely deliver five additional seats to Republicans in
Culture
On Monday night, the Gators eked out a nailbiter win over Houston to claim their third championship in school history. The University of Houston Cougars basketball team was about as big of an underdog as a 1-seed gets entering the Final Four in San Antonio. Duke, led by their
Culture
There is an oncoming maelstrom in Texas — a massive fight brewing over a phenomenon that has already swept through most of the nation. The fight to legalize gambling. I find myself in an odd position — in between both the blue hairs on the evangelical right and the purple-haired progressive
Arts & Entertainment
There’s no denying Austin’s growth. In the last two decades, the skyline has changed from one that looked not all that different in 2021 than it did in 1975 to a beautiful, crowded, modern silhouette cast in a burnt orange glow when the sun sets over the paddleboarders
Arts & Entertainment
“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.” – Robert Frank Forgive us for opening with a quote from Robert Frank – the famed Swiss-American photographer and documentary filmmaker. It would no doubt be better if these inspiring words came from Tommy Lee Jones, Selena, DJ
Culture
It’s colder than a well-digger’s ass. I've got a freezer full of South Texas venison. Let’s make some chili and pray the grid doesn’t shit the bed. Step One: The Meat Last year, I got lucky and bagged a beautiful eight-point South
Food
There’s an old trope in Texas politics that “Texas isn’t a red state, it’s a non-voting state.” And it’s more or less true — fewer than half of the Texans who are registered to vote cast a ballot in the 2022 gubernatorial election. In total, nearly
News
Tuesday night’s debate was not great for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. His opponent, Colin Allred, ripped him a new one, calling him an “architect” of the attempted insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, who was “hiding in a supply closet” when the mob finally entered the Capitol. “You’re