Strangest State: Notes from Far-Flung Texas, by Texas Observer Staff. Illustrated by Druw Wagner. Howdy, y'all! Molly Ivins here. Texas sure can be the Strangest State! Let's see what happened since our last issue. (Texas demands money from New York). Reacting to New Yorkers support for Democrat Zohran Mamdani's bid for mayor, Governor Greg Abbott posted this threat on X: "I will impose a 100^ tariff on anyone moving from Texas to NYC." (Men standing in an oil field) At a West Texas symposium, a landowner described operators who deliberately drilled nonproducing wells to defraud investors. Even after the scam was exposed, they got permission to drill again. "The Texas Railroad Commission would permit a Billy Goat," she said. (Cranes outside a gated brick wall with travel sacks) Central Texas birders were thrilled to spot grey-crowned cranes strutting around Llano COunty. But unlike native whoopers, these African birds don't belong -- they're likely zoo escapees. (A bull and a bear with pistols back to back). With enthusiastic endorsement of Donald Trump, Jr, GrabAGun -- A Coppell-based online ammo and gun seller -- is now trading on the NYSE. Well folks, that's some strange news isn't it? If you see something happening around town, give us a shout! strangest@texasobserver.org
