Brian is founding member of The Barbed Wire team. A longtime Texas journalist, he has written for the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald, Texas Monthly, and more. He was also a writer and producer at Rooster Teeth.
Perspectives
As you probably know, more than 50 Texas House Democrats have skipped town to stop Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislature from turning Texas’ congressional map into a racist GOP fever dream where every district somehow ends in Ted Cruz’s driveway. Most of our blue-shirted fugitives have landed
News
If you were worried that Texas politics was getting a little boring, worry no more: The upcoming Republican Senate primary between incumbent John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is here to inject a full dose of chaos, betrayal, biblical divorce filings, and party-wide panic. This race has
Perspectives
Texans, start hoarding your doubloons. Gold and silver are now legal tender in the Lone Star State — which is great news for anyone who’s been dying to tip their bartender in Krugerrands. Yes, while the state is busy dealing with immigration raids, floods, and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s
Perspectives
Good news, Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a special legislative session to tackle the most pressing issues facing the state — like whether gummies are too fun and whether your uterus is up to no good. On Wednesday, Abbott laid out 18 priorities for the July 21 special session. At
Culture
It’s almost the Fourth of July, and I have no idea what to do with it this year. I guess I could grill something? Or wave a sparkler and pretend things are normal? But it just feels bizarre, like clapping for a magic trick while the magician bleeds out
Culture
It’s official: Texas has lassoed itself another big win for freedom — by banning it. Yes, in a bold stand for liberty, small government, and the God-given right to eat things that once mooed, the Texas Legislature has banned the sale of lab-grown meat. If you were hoping
News
THC is still legal in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill Sunday night that would have banned all THC products in the state. But the battle isn't over: Soon after the veto, Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin for a special session on July 21 to,
Ted Cruz
Cheering for Tucker Carlson over Ted Cruz is like rooting for leprosy over a root canal, but here we are. Carlson, the former Fox News host who is less likeable than a group chat with your ex, your boss, and your mom, bodied Texas’ least favorite senator in an interview
News
Greg Abbott, part-time Texas governor and full-time social media tough guy, took a break from doing anything about actual problems to hop on X and issue a warning to protesters demonstrating against immigration enforcement. In a post that screamed “I watch too many tactical YouTube channels,” Abbott promised
Perspectives
Gov. Greg Abbott can’t be enjoying all this. On one side, his powerful lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, is foaming at the mouth to rid Texas of THC products, waving candy-flavored edibles around like they’re contraband at a kindergarten show-and-tell. On the other, you’ve got
Texas Politics
Dan Patrick should be on top of the world. Texas’ lieutenant governor has just strong-armed lawmakers to pass his pet bill that bans THC in Texas, despite most Texans being against it. But instead of celebrating, the 75-year-old Maryland native seems cranky. On Wednesday, he held a
News
Well, Texas, if you were hoping our elected officials might finally embrace reality, science, or even basic common sense when it comes to cannabis policy — lol, nope. Instead, the Texas House just gave a big yeehaw to banning all consumable hemp products that contain THC, because nothing says “freedom” like