Michael Barnes

I haven't spent enough time there.

Sorry to hear that. What town?

From the UT Tower to West Sixth: Austin’s history of mass violence After the West Sixth Street tragedy, we look at mass shooters, serial killers, murderers from Austin and Texas past

True crime: Mass murderers, serial killers are part of Austin and Texas past www.statesman.com/news/history...

How West Sixth Street compares: Breaking down mass shootings in Austin history The Sixth Street bloodshed marks the shooting with the most casualties in Travis County in at least 12 years.

How the West Sixth Street compares: Breaking down a decade of mass shootings in Austin and Texas www.statesman.com/news/article...

SXSW alternatives: Easy trips from Austin area See Frida Kahlo in Houston, explore Texas history sites and catch spring migration on easy road trips from Austin.

Over SXSW? Here are easy Texas spring break getaways worth the drive www.statesman.com/entertainmen...

Mobsters, neon signs and Austin motel lore From roadside tourist camps to SoCo icons, a look at four historic properties that helped shape the city’s travel culture.

Neon, motor courts and mobsters: A history of Austin's oldest motels www.statesman.com/news/history...

First thing we noticed when we returned to Austin today.

Michael Pollan Punctures the AI Bubble His new book, about the mystery of consciousness, strengthens the case that technology will never truly replicate humans.

Michael Pollan’s new book, “A World Appears,” explores the mysteries of consciousness. It also strengthens the case that AI will never truly replicate humans, Charles Finch writes:

Historically Black elementary and high schools carry history in their names A look at the educators, activists and trailblazers honored at schools across Austin and Texas.

The Black leaders behind the names of Texas schools, from Blackshear to Jordan www.statesman.com/news/history...

American Modernism from the Charles Butt Collection: From Edward Hopper to Alma Thomas - Blanton Museum of Art Opens March 8, 2026 (Member Preview Day on March 7)INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION. FREE FOR MEMBERS. American Modernism from the Charles Butt Collection: From Edward Hopper to Alma Thomas is the first exhibi...

Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, Texas.
From 8 March 2026
American Modernism from the Charles Butt Collection: From Edward Hopper to Alma Thomas is the first exhibition dedicated to the collection of businessman, philanthropist, and Texas native Charles Butt.
blantonmuseum.org/exhibition/a...

Bought my copy in Berlin. Harrowing.

Let the 32nd Winter Reading Retreat on the Texas Coast begin! Two weeks of reading, walking, birding, cooking, eating, loving and more.

More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...

When the Supreme Court allowed immigration agents to consider race during sweeps, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that citizens shouldn’t be concerned because agents will “promptly let the individual go.”

For these Americans, that wasn’t true.

(Published Oct. 2025)

The weird, wonderful toy shops Austin grew up with From model trains to dragons and oddball toys, these Austin shops are treasure troves for unique gifts and collectibles.

Toy Joy, Terra Toys and the weird, wonderful shops Austin grew up with www.statesman.com/news/history...

20-time Grammy winner, Fort Worth native Kirk Franklin honored by City Council " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20250210_Kirk-Franklin-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20250210_Kirk-Franklin-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" />The gospel singer’s life and legacy was recognized by city leaders Tuesday night.

20-time Grammy winner, Fort Worth native Kirk Franklin honored by City Council

What happened to Black Clarksville? Much is lost, yet remnants remain. During Black History Month, it's vital to remember Clarksville, Austin's most famous freedom colony, as an American American community

Inside Austin's Haskell House, a descendant keeps the story of Black Clarksville alive www.statesman.com/news/history...

Mystery solved: We learn why Olivia de Havilland visited Austin often A Hollywood legend, a Texas ranch and nights at the Driskill: readers help reveal Olivia de Havilland’s Austin ties.

Did Olivia de Havilland visit Austin? Readers help solve a Hollywood mystery www.statesman.com/news/history...

How Linklater, Rodriguez and Malick shaped Austin’s film identity A look at four filmmakers whose work helped define Austin’s identity as a creative film city.

Before the boom, Linklater and Rodriguez were making movies in Austin www.statesman.com/news/history...

Of 32 Carnegie libraries built in Texas from 1898-1915, only four are still use as libraries. They are:

Ballinger Carnegie Library in Ballinger
Jefferson Carnegie Library in Jefferson
Stamford Carnegie Library in Stamford
Franklin Carnegie Library in Franklin

www.statesman.com/entertainmen...

'Tradition!': Austin Opera's 'Fiddler on the Roof' stars a Tevye for our times Steven Skybell discusses playing Tevye, antisemitism, and why “Fiddler on the Roof” feels urgent as Austin Opera stages the classic.

Why the Texan star of Austin Opera's 'Fiddler on the Roof' is a Tevye for our times www.statesman.com/entertainmen...

This Austin actor says “The Sound of Music” feels urgent now Austin-born Broadway actor Nicholas Rodriguez explains why “The Sound of Music,” playing at Bass Concert Hall, now feels darker and more political.

Why an Austin-born Broadway actor says 'The Sound of Music' feels urgent now www.statesman.com/entertainmen...

She was Melanie in 'Gone with the Wind,' but did she visit Austin? From “Gone with the Wind” to a landmark legal fight, Olivia de Havilland’s papers now belong to the Ransom Center in Austin.

Olivia de Havilland papers arrive at UT. Did the early Hollywood legend ever visit Austin? www.statesman.com/news/history...

Four Austin bakeries that survived fires, moves and decades of change From Texas French Bread to Upper Crust, explore the histories of four beloved Austin bakeries and the buildings and people behind them.

From bread to blues: Four classic Austin bakeries and the stories behind them www.statesman.com/news/history...

‘Every other band was led by a guy.’ Honoring Marcia Ball's legacy in Austin A tribute concert at the Paramount celebrates Marcia Ball’s music, resilience and decades of advocacy for Austin musicians.

As Marcia Ball faces ALS, Austin comes together to celebrate her music and philanthropy www.statesman.com/entertainmen...

Love Slap Ya Mama!

What's to blame for the Balcones Fault and Escarpment in Austin? For this installment of "From the Archives," we answer questions about the Balcones Escarpment and the Balcones Fault

The fault line that shaped Austin: A guide to the Balcones Escarpment www.statesman.com/news/history...

Ice? Snow? Sleet? Wintry mix? No matter, it's a Winter Wonderland again. Stay safe and stay warm.

You are right. Not much left. Headwaters of the San Gabriel River finally got me there.