Y'all-itics

The threat is only dozens of miles from Texas’ southern border. And if it takes hold, it could lead to an economic loss in the billions. The New World Screwworm (NWS) seeks out wounded animals, but could also infest our pets, even hunters. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons learn about the steps Texas leaders are taking to keep the pests out of Texas, and the plan to deal with it when it crosses the border. And a Texas rancher with hundreds of head of cattle explains what’s keeping him up at night. GUESTS Dr. Thomas “TR” Lansford...

In the May 17 episode, Republican candidates for Texas Attorney General Chip Roy and Mayes Middleton throw barbs at one another and press their cases to voters before the May 26 runoff election. And Sarah Eckhardt, the Democratic nominee for Texas Comptroller tells us her day one priority if she’s elected in the fall.

Violent offenses, murder in particular, may have dropped in Dallas, but gun violence involving juveniles has not. There are many causes, but few solutions. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Joe Sexton who worked for months on a story focused on a Dallas mother who survived unimaginable loss and whose story is a real-life personification of this crime conundrum. GUEST Joe Sexton, Journalist

In the May 10 episode, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran tells us why he endorsed a candidate in a Republican primary for the first time ever, while the roundtable discusses whether the GOP can reunite after a bruising U.S. Senate race. Council Member Chad West on why money is suddenly tight at Dallas City Hall. And U.S. Rep. Roger Williams explains why he thinks the World Cup is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for large and small businesses alike.

Texas is not the Big Apple, but these days it seems everyone wants a big bite. Not one. Not two. But three stock exchanges now have addresses in the Lone Star State, including a homegrown rival to the long-established exchanges from New York. Big Money is banking on Texas being central to this country’s future growth. Why are the exchanges here? How will this change Texas? And is even Texas big enough for all three of them? The Jasons hear from Edward Crawford with NYSE Texas about the Texas stock market stampede. Wheelers digital article: https://www.wfaa.com/ar...

In the May 3 episode, U.S. Rep. Keith Self discusses his votes on three critical pieces of legislation passed in the U.S. House: the farm bill, a controversial spy program extension and funding for most of DHS. But does he support a blank check for the Iran war? Houston Council Member Abbie Kamen explains why she thinks the city’s new ICE policy violates the Fourth Amendment. And Dallas Council Member Maxie Johnson tells us why he’s asking for random gunfire to be classified as a higher priority crime.

Already operating on thin margins, Texas farmers are being squeezed yet again, this time by a war 7,300 miles away. The cost of fertilizer and diesel have skyrocketed since Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And farmers have no choice but to pay the price… in more ways than one. In this episode, Y’all-itics heads to the farm to speak with farmer and rancher James Foster who explains why this is the toughest situation he’s faced in his 25 years of farming and why that group is sticking with President Donald Trump. Guests James Foster, Texas Farmer Sid Miller...

In the April 26 episode, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller tells us how Texas farmers are being squeezed by a war 7,300 miles away, and whether rising fertilizer and diesel costs will impact your grocery prices. Corpus Christi Council Member Mark Scott discusses the city’s impending water emergency and why residents may have to cut water usage by 25%. And Texas Democratic Party chair Kendall Scudder talks about keeping the party focused during an internal fight over party leadership. 00:00 — Texas Political Headlines: EARLY VOTING, GOP TO DROP LAWSUIT, AND NEW AIR FORCE ONE 03:03 — INTERVIEW: Sid Miller on Rising Fuel Costs & Farming Pressures 07:28 — ROUNDTAB...

Governor Abbott wants to freeze property appraisals statewide for five years, but Tarrant County just tried a two-year version—and the results are shocking. Chandler Crouch joins the Jasons on the patio at Manhattan Project Brewing Co. and shares the data he tried to show the Governor and the Tarrant County Appraisal District. Crouch also gives the one thing you MUST do before the next deadline to protect your wallet. GUEST Chandler Crouch, Chandler Crouch Realtors/FreeTaxProtest.com Eric Crile, TAD Board of Directs Member

In the April 19 episode, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pushes back against proposed budget cuts to NASA and argues that Iran will not be a forever war. On Tuesday, Arlington city council votes to spend $273-million dollars to keep the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T stadium through 2055.  Council Member Bowie Hogg takes our questions on whether voters should get a say in it. And state Senator Royce West, D-Dallas, says his 1999 law to help minority- and women-owned state businesses get a cut of state contracts needs some tweaking - even as he defends it in court.

Long waits in juvenile detention. Cases languishing in court. High recidivism. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot called it a failure of responsibility and set out to change it. And some four years later, it appears to be working. Earlier intervention and a better understanding of risk factors appear to be lowering the bad numbers and raising the good numbers across the board. In this episode of Y’all-itics, Creuzot discusses how and why they changed the way they thought about juvenile justice and the new report that says the results are substantial. GUEST John Creuzot, Dallas County District Attorney

In the April 12 episode, Fort Worth District 3 Council Member Michael Crain explains what he wants state lawmakers to do when it comes to regulating data centers, and why his residents don’t think leaders should be providing tax breaks. State Representative John Bucy III tells us why he’ll file legislation to prevent one party from dictating how another party runs elections at the local level. And State Representative Jared Patterson on why he thinks recent jury verdicts against social media will help him pass legislation banning under-16s from using it in Texas.

Texas leads the nation in new solar installations — and now, a massive factory just south of Dallas is churning out 25,000 Texas-made panels every day. Y’all-itics hit the road to meet Jaime Gualy, a former oil and gas guy turned solar exec, who says despite political headwinds, the future of solar in Texas is shining bright.

In the April 5 episode, state Rep. Carl Tepper, R-Lubbock, says annexing part of New Mexico is no joke. He explains what it might take to get it done. Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne on the House Republicans rare pushback against the President, the Senate and Speaker Johnson, plus Dallas Council Member Paul Ridley on whether he still has confidence in the city manager after new revelations on the future of the iconic city hall building.

NASA’s Artemis II mission is a go. And four astronauts will soon travel farther from Earth and closer to the Moon than any human in more than 50 years. The mission will be full of “firsts” and “farthests” in an effort to get humans ready to once again step foot on the lunar surface and eventually travel to Mars. In this early release episode of Y’all-itics, retired, and highly decorated, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy explains why it matters, what it means when the astronauts wave across the ditch, and how in the world they take a toilet break among four people...

The deadline to drop out of the runoff has come and gone, so Republican voters in Texas will have a Cornyn vs. Paxton ballot in the May 26 Primary runoff election. And just like the gladiatorial combat made famous in the Mad Max series - - this political grudge match has already been vicious and unrelenting. In this episode of Y’all-itics, our political experts tell the Jasons this is only the beginning, and it will get nastier. Meantime, by the fall, the U.S. Senate race could become a $200 million campaign, a spending level never reached before. GUESTS Vinny Minchillo, GO...

In the March 29 episode, U.S. Representative Craig Goldman explains why he’s not opposed to the war in Iran and whether he’d support boots on the ground. State Representative Ramón Romero Jr. tells us why he supports the new FWISD Superintendent installed by the state and why he’s okay with Texas removing the name Cesar Chavez. And former DISD Board President Miguel Solis discusses the district’s proposed $6.2 billion bond, which would be the largest in state history.

China has become, by far, the epicenter of new mega battery storage projects for its electric grid. But after that, the most compelling ramp up of battery power is happening in Texas, says Michael Thomas. He’s the founder of Cleanview.co, a site that tracks an expansive constellation of new and planned battery farms that harvest power when electricity is abundant and feeds that juice back into the Texas grid when supply is short. He joined the Jasons from his Colorado base to explain how batteries are making Texas electricity more reliable and cheaper…and why much more of it w...

00:00 Sarah Eckhardt’s Path to Texas Comptroller 00:28 Tarrant County Legislative Race: Arman Mazani vs Kate Brennan 00:56 May Runoff Election Explained + Key Voting Rules 01:52 Sarah Eckhardt Interview: Why She Wants to Be Comptroller 02:57 Managing School Vouchers & Public School Concerns 03:34 Debate Over State Audits and Government Oversight 04:40 Can Democrats Flip the Texas Comptroller’s Office? 07:37 School Voucher Applications & Who Benefits 09:40 Arman Mazani on Winning the Republican Primary 11:11 Religion, Values, and Representing Diverse Voters 13:19 Kate Brennan’s Strategy to Win a Deep Red District 16:55 Cornyn vs Paxton Runoff & The Battle for Republ...

00:00 – Inside Texas’ Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) 01:05 – How PEP Is Changing Lives Behind Bars 02:20 – Meet Michael Etcheson: From Prison to Leadership 03:45 – Why Texas Supports This Unusual Prison Program 05:10 – Sharing Life Dreams in a “Tough on Crime” State 06:40 – What Makes the Prison Entrepreneurship Program Elite 08:05 – Business Skills and Leadership Training in Prison 09:30 – 100% Job Placement After Release: How It Works 10:55 – Why PEP Graduates Are Less Likely to Reoffend 12:20 – The Support System Waiting After Prison 13:40 – Bipartisan Support and Interest From Other States 15:00 – The Future Expansion of PEP Across Texas