Forget false bravado. Vergil Ortiz Jr., the boxer known as ‘The Texas Machine,’ is “relentless” in the ring, but in conversations, his quiet confidence and curiosity rival his athletic prowess.  Our contributor sat down with him in Saudi Arabia after his last win. thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/06/v...

Ortiz Jr. is a next generation fighter — he’s got an undefeated record of 23 wins and zero losses. But he breaks the mold in many ways. He plays guitar and dabbles in piano. He writes music. He’s a chess fan. He listens to heavy metal; he’s a voracious reader, and fan of science and space.

“One of the things that truly separates college athletics is the passion, pride, and spirit of its fans. There is no greater fan anywhere than Scott Wilson." Legendary football coach Mack Brown, Quarterback Colt McCoy, and other members of Longhorn Nation share memories of a fallen friend. ⬇️

Fewer than 3 million Texans bothered to vote this week, but that didn’t stop them from rewriting the state’s constitution — again — mostly in ways that make life easier for property owners, business interests, and the already comfortable. ⬇️

Ya’akub Ira Vijandre is a 38-year-old Muslim Filipino photojournalist who sheds light on human rights abuses. As a DACA recipient, his arrest holds drastic implications for the state of free speech in America.

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, has proposed a wealth tax to fund affordability measures, leading many to predict an exodus of the city’s millionaires. Gov. Greg Abbott has one unconstitutional message — don’t come to Texas.

Texans love to gripe about property taxes, potholes, and school funding, but when it’s time to vote for the people who actually fix (or ignore) those things, most folks suddenly remember they’ve got laundry to do.

“If you’re flying out of the Houston airport, allow 6 hours to go through security. I am not kidding.” Texas airports are starting to feel the pressure of the federal government shutdown, which is nearing the five-week mark.

Samantha Casiano’s baby died at birth in 2023 due to a fatal fetal anomaly, building an ofrenda has helped her cope with the grief of losing a child. "It’s a really big thing to embrace death as it’s a natural part of life.”

Creating ofrendas for Día de los Muertos can be therapeutic. And in a year filled with grief, a radical act of resistance.

"To be queer in Texas is to be enraged, joyful, desperately frustrated, emboldened by solidarity, sometimes scared for yourself and your friends, and other times grateful for a thoughtful, sparkling community." Our EIC, @oliviamesser.bsky.social, opens up about how queer Texas really is. ⬇️

I wrote the first version of this draft almost exactly a year ago, but I wasn’t ready. I am now. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/27/t...

While other Palestinian protesters have been released, Leqaa Kordia has languished in Prairieland Detention Center for over 220 days. If she is deported to Israel, she will be placed in the custody of the government that her lawyers say has killed almost 200 members of her family. ⬇️

Texas is one of the queerest states in America — 1.8 million of us, more than double the number of queer New Yorkers. Welcome to Big & Bright 🌈⭐👏 , The Barbed Wire’s new space for queer life in Texas! Subscribe here: thebarbedwire.com/subscribe-bi...

Stop treating local elections like the junior varsity game. Your local vote doesn’t just count. It’s where the real power is, hiding in plain sight.

Gov. Greg Abbott admitted in an X post that Texas is purging professors with “leftist ideologies” — and people are not happy.

Turkey legs were $25. Corny dogs were $8 each. Deep-fried Oreos were $14. This year, The State Fair of Texas saw its lowest attendance since 2018, and a lot of Texans are blaming rising costs and tariffs. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/21/t...

A pile of broken, colorful concrete pieces was all that remained of Texas’ first gay pride crosswalk as the sun rose on Monday, along with a few messages from protestors: “we are lucky to witness queer love,” and “don’t erase us.” thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/20/h...

There’s Texas lore. Then there are the tales of Oscar Wyatt — an infamous scoundrel whose exploits were so wild they were nearly impervious to exaggeration. Though many did’t know him, he impacted millions of Texans, including our EIC @oliviamesser.bsky.social thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/16/o...

Can a woman in her own apartment behind a locked glass patio door with a blunt object really be a threat to police officers? A San Antonio jury will decide the answer, as former officers are tried for murder for the first time in the city’s history. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/16/s...

🚨 APPLY TODAY! DEADLINE APPROACHING - October 16! 🚨 Are you a journalist or writer who is passionate about the culture and lives of queer Texans? The Barbed Wire is looking for a dynamic Queer Texas Culture & Newsletter Writer to join our editorial team. Check out our post for details:

While politicians and judges debate the legality of Texas National Guard troops’ presence in Illinois, columnists and creators are wondering: “Are we in a civil war?”

Khalid's latest album, “after the sun goes down,” which dropped at midnight, has earned him the crown of least problematic favorite in a genre populated with headline-grabbing “this is going to ruin the tour” DUIs, monkeys getting confiscated at the airport, and other unsavory scandals.

We interviewed Texas historians and ghost tour guides — and combed the internet — to round up the scariest ghost stories from across the state.

Chaya Raichik, better known as Libs of TikTok, was dutifully bemoaning the fact that the city of Houston repainted a Montrose neighborhood crosswalk decked on in LGBTQ+ rainbow colors. Raichik wrote that the crosswalk “must be removed immediately.” And our governor dutifully complied.

Hours after announcing ‘undercover operations’ into leftist groups, Texas’ attorney general Ken Paxton compared Charlie Kirk to Jesus at a Turning Point USA event. Yes. For real. ⬇️

As you’re picking out your Rumi costume for Halloween, know that the voice behind the character is a Texas Hold ‘Em champion from Amarillo. Here's why if you haven’t seen “K-Pop Demon Hunters” by now, it may be time ⬇️

Ken Paxton’s showing at a Turning Point USA event hours after announcing “undercover operations” into “leftist terror cells” made one thing clear: Kirk’s death is being used by Republican leaders to justify power grabs. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/08/k...

“He was also young himself. God has forgiven him,” Rirhandzu Manganyi wrote.  “AND HIS MINISTRY WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER,” user Shannon Liddle wrote. “I still will listen to him!” Pam Ullo wrote. Meanwhile, Morris must register as a sex offender. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/08/s...

Texans will vote on 17 constitutional amendments on Nov. 4. Here’s the ballot in plain English: If you’re wealthy, the state promises to protect your fortune. For everyone else, there’s small perks, patriotic gestures, and pothole-filling promises. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/07/t...

The Texas Stock Exchange now has SEC approval. And, of course, President Trump has already used it to taunt Democratic opponents in New York. So, it’s time to learn about “Y’all Street.” thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/06/t...

We’re sad to report that Big Tex hasn’t been spared cost of living increases. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/06/t...

OPINION: Bari Weiss’ reported hiring at CBS News is the latest example of corporate media capitulating to Trump. We need media organizations that aren’t intimidated into doing the president’s bidding.

Corporate outlets aren’t resisting fascism. They’re enabling it. All the president’s men aren’t breaking into the Watergate; they’re buying up the media and firing anyone who won’t toe the line. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/03/b...

If political fundraising is supposed to be a marathon, U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico just showed up, sprinted past fellow Democrat Colin Allred, and then jogged a victory lap while counting $100 bills.

If you live in or have just heard of Texas, you know about our barbecue — particularly brisket. It’s one of the foods most strongly associated with the state. @briangaar.bsky.social argues that just one other state is as joined at the hip to a specific food as Texas is to smoked meats. ⬇️

If you weren’t actively rooting for the Cowboys or Texans to make it all the way this year — time to unlock your inner armchair coach. Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show. And we’ve got less than 18 weeks to ensure a Texas team is there for it. thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/29/m...

In the weeks since the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, historically Black colleges and universities have experienced terroristic threats. That’s the story @taylorcrumpton.bsky.social set out to write about for us. Except she struggled to get anyone to talk.

NEW: @thebarbedwire.com conducted an in-depth review of the court records and statements thus far in the July 4 Prairieland case and found holes that call into question the government’s narrative. thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/24/n...

Since Charlie Kirk’s assassination, President Trump has escalated attacks on political foes — labeling “antifa” a terrorist group and amplifying DHS claims of a 1,000% spike in assaults on ICE. But reviews, including our probe of the July 4 Prairieland case, expose holes in that narrative. ⬇️

Latest from NBC: “He didn’t have strong feelings about ICE as far as I knew,” said Noah Jahn, Joshua’s older brother. “I didn’t think he was politically interested,” he said. “He wasn’t interested in politics on either side as far as I knew.” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

22-year-old Ward Sakeik, a Palestinian woman who has lived in Texas since she was 9, says her experience in federal detainment could only be identified as “human trafficking.” And she’s not staying quiet about the women she was forced to leave behind. thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/22/w...

Ward Sakeik met Leqaa Kordia at Prairieland Detention Center. The Palestinian women quickly trauma bonded while in ICE custody. Sakeik has since been released — and is now advocating for Kordia and the others who she said helped her stay sane.

On this day in 1950, the Supreme Court ruled that the University of Texas Law School had to enroll Heman M. Sweatt and other Black students. The case was monumental — like the first domino slammed onto the table of equality. And, our writer found, it was personal. thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/19/s...

Turns out the only thing keeping Dade Phelan from speaking his mind was … his job. Who knew? Take his musings on “free speech." After U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said authorities will “target” and “go after” people for alleged “hate speech,” Phelan warned that the party is on a slippery slope.

"The reality is living in Texas is truly heartbreaking, but it’s also the place where communities are resisting," writes @iamleslierangel.bsky.social at the link. Journalism can help fight the myths and half-truths Texans are taught in classrooms. Help us do more of it.

Want to know why your coworkers are talking about Brandon Aubrey? Or get why your group text is hating on Arch Manning? We’re here to help.

The lieutenant governor insists it’s just a policy dispute, while lambasting Abbott for failing to stop the sale of what he seems to believe are poisonous, brain-melting gummies.

"The Bullock Museum glorifies Texas heroes while treating slavery like an awkward uncle no one wants to talk about." At the link @briangaar.bsky.social examines the serious consequences of teaching history this way. ⬇️

“Texas isn’t just big—it’s a place with a rich history of progressives fighting an often thankless uphill battle.” Billy Begala writes about the wonderful and nonsensical nature of our state, and why independent journalism is more important than ever.