Why are people wagering on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s term on Kalshi and PolyMarket? The answer probably won’t surprise you...
Candi Bolden
@candibolden.bsky.social
Social Media Manager at The Barbed Wire. Lover of crafts
TL;DR: I’m back in the job market. After a few months at The Barbed Wire I’m looking for a job I can write scripts, shoot and edit videos and manage social media platforms.
Countdown to Juneteenth! Have you ever wondered about the enslaved people freed on and around Juneteenth? Did you know one went on to vote in a North Texas election?
Several Black-owned bookstores in Texas have reported harassment and vandalism. In 2017, the Craddocks’ front window was broken. Some months later, a man came up to them during closing and spit on them.
There are many still standing in 2026, said Char Adams, author of “Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore.” But, she added, “Today, Black-owned bookstores are still struggling.”
“We became a space for one-on-one conversations and group conversations,” said Donya Craddock, who owns The Dock Book Shop in Forth Worth with her sister. “Just to be heard.”
🧵After the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, at least 11 Black-owned bookstores opened in Texas — and customers who wanted to learn about race in America poured in. But keeping them open is a challenge. And it’s not just financial. By @candibolden.bsky.social — thebarbedwire.com/2026/05/28/b...
Black-Owned Bookstores in Texas Bring Communities Together. They’re Also Harassed and Vandalized.
After George Floyd’s murder, 11 Black-owned bookstores opened their doors in Texas. But keeping them open has its myriad challenges.
thebarbedwire.com
I just learned that I’m an example in the dictionary. I know it’s probably not in the print version but super proud either way
Trump endorses messy-ass Ken Paxton over Republican donor favorite John Cornyn in their cage match for the Senate. Read more at @thebarbedwire.com : thebarbedwire.com/2026/05/19/t...
Trump Finally Endorses Paxton, Cornyn Reduced to ‘Good Man’ Status
President Trump endorses Ken Paxton for Senate, siding with the MAGA firebrand over incumbent John Cornyn.
thebarbedwire.com
The church and Morris agreed on a forum for arbitration of the pay dispute, according to the former pastor’s attorney.
Gateway Church and founder Robert Morris agree to dismiss retirement pay lawsuit
The church and Morris agreed on a forum for arbitration of the pay dispute, according to the former pastor’s attorney.
bit.ly
Thank you @oliviamesser.bsky.social , @carakelly.bsky.social and @iamleslierangel.bsky.social for letting me write about an icon
Olivia Messer@oliviamesser.bsky.social · 4mo agoSpent some hours illustrating Selena in honor of Selena Day on April 16. I wanted to do something special for this essay because it’s our social media manager @candibolden.bsky.social’s first byline, and I think it’s really lovely. thebarbedwire.com/2026/04/15/b...
“My introduction to Texas was not the metroplex. Nor was it SMU,” writes @candibolden.bsky.social . “It was Selena Quintanilla.” On April 16, Texas celebrates Selena Day, honoring the birthday of the iconic Queen of Tejano music. thebarbedwire.com/2026/04/15/b...
How Selena Called Me Home to Texas
Growing up Black in a predominantly white city of less than 70,000 people, what Selena meant to me took years to understand.
thebarbedwire.com
Spent some hours illustrating Selena in honor of Selena Day on April 16. I wanted to do something special for this essay because it’s our social media manager @candibolden.bsky.social’s first byline, and I think it’s really lovely. thebarbedwire.com/2026/04/15/b...
How Selena Called Me Home to Texas
Growing up Black in a predominantly white city of less than 70,000 people, what Selena meant to me took years to understand.
thebarbedwire.com
Help! I’ve been attacked by the book I’m reading for fun
@thebarbedwire.com isn’t just a kickass source for news that isn’t hidden by a paywall or owned by a billionaire it’s also an amazing place to work. Help us continue this!
The Barbed Wire@thebarbedwire.com · 4mo agoWe’ve built an independent Texas newsroom that doesn’t answer to billionaires, corporate overlords, or an old boys’ club — all without a paywall or spamming you. That’s why we need your support. We’re launching our first-ever spring fundraising campaign. thebarbedwire.com/spring-fundr...
We’ve built an independent Texas newsroom that doesn’t answer to billionaires, corporate overlords, or an old boys’ club — all without a paywall or spamming you. That’s why we need your support. We’re launching our first-ever spring fundraising campaign. thebarbedwire.com/spring-fundr...
Spring Fundraiser
The Barbed Wire is an independent news and culture outlet powered by Texans, for Texans. We keep our journalism free and accessible for everyone — no paywalls, no bull — and we rely on our readers to ...
thebarbedwire.com
We’re LIVE with Olivia Messer, our editor in chief, and our panelists of experts, commentators, and creators, talking about the Texas Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Join and share your questions as unpack this race. www.instagram.com/thebarbedwir...
Happy election day!!! The Texas Democratic primary for U.S. Senate has been a wild ride, and while we wait for results to roll in, @thebarbedwire.com is hosting a live stream where we’ll unpack it all at 6pm CT. LINK HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI6b...
Tonight I'm producing an election night live stream panel on the Democratic Senate Primary for The Barbed Wire. Tune in to experts talk about electability, voter turn out, and more: www.youtube.com/live/DI6bdkm...
LIVE: Experts, Journalists Talk Texas Democratic Senate Primary on Election Day
YouTube video by The Barbed Wire
youtube.com
Have you voted yet? 🗳️ Send us a pic with your "I voted" sticker, and you could end up on our social media.
EXCLUSIVE: A whistleblower tells @thebarbedwire.com he spent years burying radioactive fracking waste, which melted the bones in his neck and jaw. Then a residential community — and an elementary school — was built on top. 🧵 thebarbedwire.com/2026/02/11/a...
Whistleblower Says Radioactive Fracking Waste Site Melted His Jaw. Now There’s an Elementary School There.
Then an elementary school was built on top of it.
thebarbedwire.com
U.S. Rep. @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social visited Liam Ramos today — the 5-year-old boy who was used as bait in Minneapolis, then sent to Texas, where is now being held at Dilley Detention Center. Protests have occurred both inside and outside the facility since he arrived.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Man tackled to ground after spraying unknown substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at town hall in Minneapolis.
Sometimes I realize how well adjusted I am for someone who watched America’s Next Top Model at 8 years old
When asked about her electability on Saturday, Jasmine Crockett said: “I’m not a likely story.” “We are not looking at politics as usual,” she added. “I’ll do the things the political consultants will never tell you to do.” thebarbedwire.com/2026/01/24/j...
Jasmine Crockett Was Asked About Her ‘Electability’ Again. Some Say That’s Just a ‘Pretext’ for Race.
Crockett and state House Rep. James Talarico faced off in their first U.S. Senate primary debate on Saturday.
thebarbedwire.com
Freezing rain, not snow, could pose the biggest risk for Houston as arctic air moves in this weekend. See timing, model trends and what to expect.
Houston weekend freeze: Will it snow or be like 2021? Here's a weather timeline
Freezing rain, not snow, could pose the biggest risk for Houston as arctic air moves in this weekend. See timing, model trends and what to expect.
bit.ly
On the eve of starting my new job I'm a little nervous and excited..... @thebarbedwire.com here I come!!
What Can I Teach? Will Martin Luther King’s Work Be Censored Next? thebarbedwire.com/2026/01/19/w...
What Can I Teach? Will Martin Luther King’s Work Be Censored Next?
I’ve taught “Letter From Birmingham Jail” more than 100 times and have never questioned whether I’d be violating university policy. Now I am.
thebarbedwire.com
School districts across the DFW area have been dealing with a rash of hoax threats for the past couple of weeks. Experts say the impact of those threats is real, even if the threats themselves aren't. www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...
As North Texas schools deal with a rash of hoax threats, experts say the effects are real
Hoax threats have disrupted school days across Dallas-Fort Worth over the last week. The immediate scare passes, but here's the damage it can do.
dallasnews.com