Texas Monthly

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The January 2007 issue of Texas Monthly

Texas Monthly is a monthly American magazine published in Austin, Texas. Founded in 1973 by Michael R. Levy, Texas Monthly chronicles life in contemporary Texas, writing on politics, the environment, industry, and education. The magazine also covers leisure topics such as music, art, dining, and travel. Texas Monthly has a paid circulation of 300,000 and is read by more than 2,500,000 people each month — one out of seven Texas adults. Texas Monthly is published by Emmis Publishing, L.P.

Texas Monthly takes as its premise that Texas began as a distinctive place and remains so. However, as waves of New Yorkers and Californians and the like have moved to Texas, attracted by a strong economy and vibrant lifestyle, the state has evolved and thus has the mission of the magazine. For the natives, Texas Monthly functions as a reminder of what once was, a record of their proud heritage. For those new to the state, it is part textbook and part guidebook, a journalistic road map of the state, its history, and its people.

Its audience comprises an equal number of men and women, most of whom are between the ages of 30 and 55. Generally speaking, they are college educated, married, and affluent, and they live in urban areas.

Texas Monthly's annual "Bum Steer Awards" poke fun at Texas politicians and policies, odd Texas-related news items and personalities from the previous year. Anna Nicole Smith is a perennial "winner." Other Bum Steer 'Hall of Famers' include Ross Perot, Tom DeLay, Jessica Simpson, and all 'Aggies' (students, faculty and alumni of Texas A&M).

The magazine's current editor is Evan Smith, who also hosts the weekly television interview/talk program Texas Monthly Talks.