A pipe discharges liquid waste from Tesla’s lithium refinery plant into a ditch on Feb. 13 in Robstown, Texas.

Texas officials didn’t know Elon Musk’s Tesla was discharging lithium wastewater into a ditch

While the electric vehicle company has a permit to discharge effluent into a ditch, the local drainage district said it didn’t permit use of its easement.

by Arcelia Martin, Inside Climate News March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

While the electric vehicle company has a permit to discharge effluent into a ditch near Corpus Christi, the local drainage district said it didn’t permit use of its easement.

The SpaceX Starship is seen on its launch pad from the shore of Boca Chica Beach ahead of its 10th flight test on the morning of Aug. 24, 2025.

Texas News

Legal fight over SpaceX beach closures hits Texas Supreme Court

The justices are considering the constitutionality of a 2013 law in a lawsuit brought by environmentalist and indigenous groups against the General Land Office and Cameron County.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune March 6, 2026March 6, 2026

Environmental Protection Agency workers and supporters protest job cuts at the agency on the streets of Chicago.

Texas News

Local environmental groups in Texas are still reeling from Trump’s DOGE cuts

Since last year, the EPA has cut millions of dollars in grants previously awarded for environmental initiatives in Texas during the Biden administration.

By Justin Doud, The Texas ObserverFebruary 11, 2026February 11, 2026

The changes to Texas' social studies curriculum have a lasting effect on what kids learn in the classroom.

Bad Takes

It’s time to push back the right-wing forces dismantling Texas’ history curriculum

So far, the Texas State Board of Education’s massive revamp of the social studies curriculum is driven by ideology, not an attempt to accurately convey history.

by Kevin Sanchez February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Residents attend a public meeting about proposed new zoning and map at Elon Musk's SpaceX town of Starbase's temporary city hall on June 23, 2025.

Texas News

SpaceX wants a tax break meant to create jobs in low-income areas. Critics question the benefits.

Elon Musk’s company got a boost in its application by the city commissioners in its South Texas community. Two commissioners are SpaceX employees.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

The SpaceX Starship on the launchpad on August 24, 2025.

Texas News

Trump administration weighing new South Texas land exchange with Elon Musk’s SpaceX

Federal officials are considering swapping 775 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge with the aerospace company, according to The New York Times.

by Ayden Runnels, The Texas Tribune December 24, 2025December 24, 2025

Then-President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk view SpaceX’s sixth Starship test flight last November.

News

Elon Musk has criticized environmental regulations. His companies have been accused of sidestepping them.

Musk considers environmental regulation a barrier to innovation. As he eyes a new project in Houston, here’s what to know about some of his companies’ past projects that have faced scrutiny from regulators and environmental advocates.

By Taylor Kate Brown, ProPublica September 19, 2025September 19, 2025

News

Veterans who work Texas VA health system: ‘The dam’s gonna break’

Some vets say they’re being hurt as both workers and patients by Trump administration staffing decisions.

by Josephine Lee, The Texas Observer August 5, 2025September 1, 2025

News

Why Gov. Greg Abbott won’t release his emails with Elon Musk

We asked Abbott for his and his staff’s emails with Elon Musk and Musk’s companies. The governor’s office won’t turn them over, saying some contain ‘intimate and embarrassing’ information that is ‘not of legitimate concern to the public.’

by Lauren McGaughy, The Texas Newsroom July 14, 2025July 22, 2025

News

Inside Elon Musk’s stellar year at the Texas Capitol

While Elon Musk took Washington, D.C., by storm, his company representatives and lobbyists were also notching up big political wins in Texas.

by Lauren McGaughy, Texas Newsroom July 2, 2025July 15, 2025

News

Assclown Alert: Pining for the bad old days of DOGE with Texas Congressman Chip Roy

Despite DOGE’s record for creating chaos and failing to find waste and fraud, Roy filed a bill to make it permanent.

by Sanford Nowlin June 10, 2025July 5, 2025

News

Court slaps down Texas AG Ken Paxton’s bid to investigate watchdog over its reporting on Elon Musk

An appeals judge wrote that Paxton, a Republican and Trump ally, sought to retaliate against Media Matters for exercising its First Amendment rights.

by Sanford Nowlin May 30, 2025July 24, 2025

News

Elon Musk’s Austin neighbors are reportedly sick of him

In its reporting of Musk’s neighbor drama, the New York Times also briefly revealed his home address.

by Stephanie Koithan May 9, 2025July 15, 2025

News

Saturday election will decide whether Elon Musk gets his own Texas city

Most of the eligible voters already work for SpaceX, making Starbase’s incorporation likely to pass.

by Stephanie Koithan May 2, 2025May 9, 2025

News

San Antonio companies and nonprofits lost $375 million due to cuts made by Elon Musk’s DOGE

Recent investigations show many of the billionaire Trump donor’s terminations of federal contracts resulted in no savings.

by Sanford Nowlin April 24, 2025August 5, 2025

News

Social Security drops DOGE-imposed April 14 deadline to stop taking benefits applications via phone

The administration faced backlash from older and disabled Americans as its website crashed and people waited hours on hold.

by Sanford Nowlin April 10, 2025May 20, 2025

News

Texas AARP says DOGE’s Social Security job cuts creating anxiety, chaos as retirees seek help

As an April 14 deadline looms for the agency to stop taking new benefit applications via phone, people experience hours-long waits, website crashes.

by Sanford Nowlin April 9, 2025July 5, 2025

News

Police called to remove ‘incendiary’ devices found at Austin Tesla dealership

Authorities removed the suspicious devices without incident, according to media reports.

by Sanford Nowlin March 24, 2025July 23, 2025

News

Resale value of Tesla cars sliding into toilet, both in San Antonio and nationwide

Analysts blame the car’s declining fortunes on owner Elon Musk’s bizarre and divisive actions.

by Sanford Nowlin March 20, 2025May 28, 2025

News

Republican Texas lawmaker introduces bill to eliminate state’s Parks and Wildlife Department

House Bill 4938 would kill off the agency that oversees state parks and issues hunting and fishing licenses.

by Stephanie Koithan March 18, 2025March 31, 2025