Texas Monthly Magazine
Senior Editor for Texas Monthly Magazine; Former Correspondent for the Economist
PROFILE
Erica Grieder
Guest
FROM Erica Grieder
Left, Right & Center
How has the response to Hurricane Harvey been? President Trump on down react to the enormous disaster.
Left, Right & Center
Boehner, Pope, China and VW Emissions Boehner's resignation, the Pope's visit, and China's and VW's emissions.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Ted Cruz Throws His Hat in the 2016 Ring Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced in a speech this morning that he’s making a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. That makes him the first to enter the race for his party’s pick. Cruz is a favorite among Tea Party conservatives and evangelicals -- but he doesn’t have the broad appeal needed to make him a likely contender in the next presidential race. That said, four years ago he was an unlikely Senate candidate. So, what does his 2016 bid say about him and today’s political climate?
To the Point
The Texas Wildfires and Political Issues They Raise A summer of drought has led to one of the most devastating wildfires in the history of Texas. Some 170 fires have erupted during the past week. The worst is in Bastrop County near Austin, where almost 800 homes have been destroyed, thousands have been evacuated and at least four people have died. The White House says seven federal grants have been approved to help with the outbreaks. Erica Grieder, Austin-based correspondent for The Economist , updates the situation and discusses the political consequences for Texas governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry .
Recommended
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.