Hey y'all, the Texas Observer is doing a mini-donation drive right now, aiming to raise $5K in 5 days! Link: texasobserver.fundjournalism.org/donate/ I mean, just look at the stream of hard-hitting, unique magazine and investigative journalism we've published just in the last 2 weeks:

As we rapidly approach election day, having as many eyes on the halls of power is critical, but that need doesn't go away on Nov. 6. Reporting like Justin Miller's cover story on the Paxton's is the result of months of watchdog reporting. texasobserver.org/paxtons-lobbyi…

Mini-Fund Drive: Do you love our hard-hitting journalism on #Texas politics, investigative reporting into untold stories and passionate explorations of Lone Star culture? Help the Texas Observer raise $5K in 5 days by donating now: buff.ly/3Tw5FQa

“Tens of millions of Americans will get new protections that they’ve never had before, including the right to a rest break every two hours whenever the heat index gets up past 90 degrees.” buff.ly/47jVcg7

Linda Greenhouse called The Highest Law in the Land an "eye-opening account of the modern-day American sheriff." And you can own it now! penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707263/t…

New today from Lise Olsen: Ultraconservative sheriffs who believe they’re above the law threaten our democracy, says #NewBook by investigative journalist and attorney Jessica Pishko @jesspish. texasobserver.org/lawmen-above-t… #books

Our top story: “The theft and money laundering involved a publicly traded company regulated by the SEC and traded on the Over-the-Counter market with tenacles [sic] extending to a Texas Senator, who is the wife of the Texas Attorney General.” buff.ly/4grjPvy

Day 2 of our mini-fund drive! We're raising $5k in 5 days! Did you know we've survived 70 years thanks to readers like you? Help us keep publishing for another 7 decades by making your donation today: buff.ly/3Tw5FQa

“They had this image that these guys were going to stop them on the highway ... And the ordinance hadn’t even passed yet. We know this travel ban is unconstitutional, but it almost doesn’t matter. As soon as people hear about it, they’re scared.” buff.ly/3B3b4rp

New today from @lisedigger: The sheriff is a position that serves no legitimate purpose in modern America, and the United States should abolish it, Jessica Pishko concludes in her new book. buff.ly/3B9YXsI

"The towering fire that continued to burn on Tuesday points to the perils of Texas’ emphasis on deregulation and development over safety—and how that atmosphere exposes Texans to needless dangers, environmental activists say." texasobserver.org/pipeline-explo… Lise Olsen

New, by @lisedigger: “One of the biggest explosions and fires in recent Texas pipeline history was apparently sparked by a disoriented driver who took the wrong road out of an oversized Walmart parking lot in the Houston-area city of Deer Park Monday. ...” buff.ly/4eKy5Oz

THREAD: I've been digging into an Austin lobbyist named James Frinzi and his company Multiband Global and allegations of an elaborate fraud scheme. It's a long, wild saga, one that involves his friends Ken & Angela Paxton. #txlege texasobserver.org/paxtons-lobbyi…

Roberson is scheduled for execution October 17, unless the Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Greg Abbott heed calls to reconsider from his attorneys and from scores of Texas lawmakers: texasobserver.org/robert-roberso… Michelle Pitcher #txlege

“In the 2023-2024 school year, 86 percent of Texas school districts struggled to fill vacancies. In 2021-2022, the teacher attrition rate peaked at 13.4 percent, the highest rate in the state’s recorded history.” buff.ly/4d5089W

From Michelle Pitcher: The strong showing of support from both sides of the aisle for a condemned person is unusual in Texas, which has executed more people than any other state since the death penalty was reinstated in the 1970s. buff.ly/3zqAIpA

For 70 years, we've brought stories from Texas that no one else does. Can you help us keep telling those stories? We're raising $5K in 5 days. Will you donate today? buff.ly/3Tw5FQa

Our top story, from Justin Miller: State Senator Angela Paxton served on the board of a company called Multiband Global that is alleged to have been "nothing more than the proceeds of a sophisticated fraudulent scheme.” buff.ly/4grjPvy

“Maybe there are reasons in Texas why schools and houses that need to be evacuated and Walmarts with too much parking are too close to dangerous pipelines that are this combustible.” buff.ly/4eKy5Oz

In Luling, the Watermelon Thump takes precedence over all else: “I will be here, needless to say, because this is the thing in town,. No other news can happen.” buff.ly/3XmlYQs