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The Barbed Wire

@thebarbedwire.com

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For all Texans who love Texas.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 1d

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...

Texas Is Asking Voters to Protect the Rich and Punish the Poor. Will They Do It?

Among 17 potential constitutional amendments, voters will be deciding the fate of corporate welfare and inherited wealth.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 1d

Honestly, fair.

The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 1d

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...

It Might Actually Be Time to Take the Texas Stock Exchange and ‘Y’all Street’ Seriously

President Trump and other Republican leaders are touting Dallas-based “Y’all Street” as an alternative to “woke” Wall Street.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 1d

We’re sad to report that Big Tex hasn’t been spared cost of living increases.

thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/06/t...

Even Corn Dogs Aren’t Safe from Inflation, Leaving Some Texans Saying They’re Done With the State Fair

With viral videos showing an emptier-than-usual State Fair, some Texans speculate that high prices may be to blame.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 4d

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.

Bari Weiss Doesn’t Want You to Read This

Bari Weiss’s reported hiring at CBS News is the latest example of corporate media capitulating to Trump.

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Olivia Messer @oliviamesser.bsky.social · 4d

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...

Bari Weiss Doesn’t Want You to Read This

Bari Weiss’s reported hiring at CBS News is the latest example of corporate media capitulating to Trump.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 6d

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.

U.S. Senate Hopeful James Talarico Raised Millions More in 3 Weeks Than Colin Allred Did in 3 Months

Joe Rogan and The New York Times are swooning, the money is pouring in, and Allred is starting to look like yesterday’s casserole.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 7d

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. ⬇️

Texan Visits Maine, Immediately Becomes Insufferable About Lobster

To a Texan, lobster is the brisket of Maine. I had the real thing — and yes, I’ll be talking about it for months.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 9d

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...

Micah Parsons’ Dallas Return Resulted In a… Tie? And More Texas Football Talk

A Bad Bunny concert, er, Super Bowl halftime show is on the line. So we’re going to need more from the Dallas Cowboys to get us there.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 11d

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.

The Free Speech Crisis for Black Americans Is Worse Than You Think

Don’t let Jimmy Kimmel’s return fool you: Black academics are more frightened of talking to the press than I’ve ever seen.

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Olivia Messer @oliviamesser.bsky.social · 13d

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...

‘None of It Makes Any Sense’: New Details in the July 4 ICE Attack Show Holes in Feds’ Case

Repeated changes to the official narrative after the July 4 attack have shrouded the investigation.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 13d

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. ⬇️

‘None of It Makes Any Sense’: New Details in the July 4 ICE Attack Show Holes in Feds’ Case

Repeated changes to the official narrative after the July 4 attack have shrouded the investigation.

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Olivia Messer @oliviamesser.bsky.social · 13d

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...

Live updates: 2 dead, another in critical condition after Dallas ICE facility shooting

Following live updates in the Dallas ICE facility shooting, where two people, and the suspect, are dead

www.nbcnews.com

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Olivia Messer @oliviamesser.bsky.social · 16d

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...

She Survived 141 Days in ICE Custody Thanks to a ‘Beautiful Sisterhood.’ Now She’s Fighting for Those Still Inside.

22-year-old Ward Sakeik, a Palestinian woman who has lived in Texas since she was 9, talks about her experience in federal detainment.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 16d

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.

She Survived 141 Days in ICE Custody Thanks to a ‘Beautiful Sisterhood.’ Now She’s Fighting for Those Still Inside.

22-year-old Ward Sakeik, a Palestinian woman who has lived in Texas since she was 9, talks about her experience in federal detainment.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 18d

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...

If You Don’t Already Know Heman Sweatt’s Name, It’s Time to Learn It

Heman Sweatt’s U.S. Supreme Court case — which paved the way for nationwide desegregation — helped me understand how personal history is.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 21d

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.

Former Texas Speaker Calls Out His Party for Charlie Kirk Hypocrisy

Dade Phelan, who was ousted last year for being insufficiently insane, is blasting his fellow Republicans on social media and we are here for it.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 21d

"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.

How Journalism Helped Me Fight Against the White-Washed Texas I Grew up In

As a Latina and a child of immigrants, a college journalism class taught me there was more to being Texan than the myths we tell ourselves.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 23d

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.

Texas Football Had Everything this Weekend: Blowouts, Drama, Fans Questioning Life Choices

This weekend’s Texas football games delivered everything a fan could want: blowouts, drama, and overtime field goals.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 25d

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.

Dan Patrick Loses It Over Abbott’s New THC Rules (But Swears It’s Not Personal)

The lieutenant governor lambasted Gov. Abbott for failing to stop the sale of what he seems to believe are poisonous, brain-melting gummies.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 25d

"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’ Official History Museum Hides More Than It Shows

The Bullock Museum glorifies Texas heroes while treating slavery like an awkward uncle no one wants to talk about.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 27d

“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.

After a Year of Covering Texas, It Still Makes No Damn Sense

The wonderful, horrible, nonsensical nature of our schizophrenic state underlines why honest, independent journalism is so badly needed.

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Olivia Messer @oliviamesser.bsky.social · 28d

In this tumultuous moment, Texas is still unique in its mind-boggling extremes. Texas loves to pick on queer kids. Yet, Texas is one of the queerest states in the country. Nearly 20% of our residents were born in another country, but we’ve vilified those neighbors.

thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/10/t...

After a Year of Covering Texas, It Still Makes No Damn Sense

The wonderful, horrible, nonsensical nature of our schizophrenic state underlines why honest, independent journalism is so badly needed.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 28d

After lawmakers failed to pass a THC ban, Abbott steps in. Because nothing says “personal freedom” like showing your ID for a watermelon-flavored cube.

Gov. Abbott Is Apparently About to Ban THC for Texans Under 21

After lawmakers failed to pass a THC ban, Abbott steps in. Nothing says “personal freedom” like showing your ID for a watermelon-flavored cube.

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The Barbed Wire @thebarbedwire.com · 29d

During Week 1, the Houston Texans lost to the Rams after offensive line roulette left C.J. Stroud unsettled. The Cowboys’ loss was eclipsed by the spit heard round the world and a missing Micah Parsons.

After Week 1, the Cowboys & Texans Look Messier Than a Postgame Tailgate

The Texans lost to the Rams as C.J. Stroud was unsettled. The Cowboys’ loss to the Eagles was eclipsed by the spit heard round the world.

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