The Texas Observer - May/June 2020

In this issue

"The Disappeared": Genetic genealogy is helping crack cold cases and identify nameless victims. The process is effective—and controversial; "The Traveling Midwife": In far West Texas, some lifeline for incarcerated women have to travel hours to give birth, endangering themselves and their babies. Could midwives help fill in the gap?; "Locked Out": Visitation is a critical lifeline for incarcerated people, yet some families say they have been banned from seeing loved ones over petty or unproven claims of misconduct; "Texotics": Exotic animals are big business in Texas.

The Texas Observer Magazine Description:

The Texas Observer is an Austin-based nonprofit news organization known for fearless investigative reporting, narrative storytelling and sophisticated cultural criticism about all things Texan. The nonprofit Texas Democracy Foundation publishes the Texas Observer bimonthly magazine and texasobserver.org.

Since its founding in 1954, the Observer has covered issues that are often ignored or underreported by other media. We strive to expose injustice and to produce the kind of impact journalism that changes people’s lives for the better. Our thoughtful arts and culture coverage recognizes the diversity and talent of Texas’ creative community.

Our guiding light continues to be our founding mission statement:

We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to the truth as we find it and the right as we see it. We are dedicated to the whole truth, to human values above all interests, to the rights of humankind as the foundation of democracy. We will take orders from none but our own conscience, and never will we overlook or misrepresent the truth to serve the interests of the powerful or cater to the ignoble in the human spirit.

We cover stories crucial to the public interest and provoke dialogue that promotes democratic participation and open government, in pursuit of a Texas where education, justice and material progress are available to all.

Our reporting is fair, accurate, and, as our mission states, it hews hard to the truth as we find it. As a 501(c)(3), we do not endorse candidates or legislation.