Texas Wants to Know

The Texas Senate on Saturday voted to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton on 16 articles of impeachment and dismissed the remaining four. While House impeachment managers expressed disappointment in the vote, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had harsh words for the House after the decision.

If you've driven through the Central Texas city of West, odds are you stopped for a kolache at one of several bakeries along Interstate 35. Texas Wants to Know took a road trip to West to learn how the city has maintained its strong Czech connection and how kolaches evolved from a fruit-filled pastry to include the meat-filled goods we know today.

The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton enters its second week on Monday. Catch up on what you missed in the trial's first four days and find out when it could wrap up in this special episode of Texas Wants to Know.

The Texas population grew at a rate of nearly 16% between 2010 and 2020 -- more than double the growth rate of the U.S. As the country's second state with more than 30 million people, how has the economy reacted? This week on Texas Wants to Know, we look at that question through the lens of healthcare, job growth, and the state budget. Stacey Pogue, senior policy analyst at the nonpartisan public policy nonprofit Every Texan, explains the healthcare angle. Business consultant, former chair of the National Immigration Forum, Del Rio native, and host of the Beyond the Bite podcast Eddie Aldrete offers thoughts on immigration and job growth, while Daniel Oney of the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M breaks down which border cities have seen the highest rates of job growth. Finally, Karen Brooks Harper of the Texas Tribune breaks down what immigration-related items the state budget funds and tries to explain just how much money $32.7 billion really is.

The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton begins Tuesday. This week, Texas Wants to Know breaks down the articles filed against him and what to expect when the trial starts. Austin-based investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy of The Dallas Morning News explains the 20 articles the House filed against Paxton, Bloomberg News Texas bureau chief Julie Fine offers analysis on the charge that apparently tipped the scale in the Texas House, and Rice University political science professor Mark Jones walks us through what the trial will look like.

Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on the Texas coast this week, becoming the eighth named storm in the Atlantic this year. As hurricane season arrives, Texas A&M professor of atmospheric sciences Robert Korty and KRLD Chief Meteorologist Dan Brounoff explain what warmer waters, brought on by record-setting summer heat, could mean for the strength and duration of hurricane season. Then, E&E News climate reporter Chelsea Harvey discusses trends leading to even the weakest tropical storms getting stronger.

Students across Texas are either already back in school or will be in the next couple of weeks. And this year, more of them than ever will be attending class just four days per week. More than 70 school districts across the state will operate on a four-day calendar, up from around 40 last school year. Education reporter Wayne Carter, of KRLD's media partner NBC 5, says districts that have already made the change haven't noticed a significant difference in learning. The superintendent in Kingsville ISD, which will operate under a four-day calendar for the first time, says they chose to adapt to a changing world, while an administrator in Corrigan-Camden ISD says the shortned week has made a difference in the workplace.

The odds of being attacked by a shark in Texas, or anywhere for that matter, are minuscule -- a one in 3.7 million chance, according to the University of Florida. So why do they strike such fear in beachgoers? On the occasion of Shark Week, Texas Wants to Know set out to understand the predators, specifically the ones who live along the Texas coast. This week's guests are Jesse Gilbert, the president and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Karen Rifenbury, the curator at Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine, and a surfer named Jim, who suffered a shark bite on his foot in December.

As the women's World Cup gets underway in Australia and New Zealand this month, we trace the roots of one of the best players in U.S. Women's National Team history, Carla Overbeck, back to Richardson, Texas, and the Dallas Sting. Overbeck was on the U.S. team that won the first women's World Cup in 1991 and a captain on the 1999 squad that elevated the sport to a new level in the United States. We also hear from three current or former players on FC Dallas' club teams and from a coach with the Dallas Surf.

As the number of 100-plus degree days pile up and Texans continue to set new records for energy demand, it begs the question: Can our power grid keep up with our growing population? This week, Baylee Friday is joined by a former advisor to the chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas Alison Silverstein, state Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas), and J.P. Dowling with Houston-based Reliant Energy.

Interstate 35 runs through four of Texas' five largest cities and has seen rural areas turn into suburbs seemingly overnight. In this episode of Texas Wants to Know, we explore how the state is keeping up with growth along the I-35 corridor and hear from those impacted by the construction.

If you drive around Texas, you’ll see no shortage of cities with unusual names. There’s Klondike and Ding Dong; Bacon and Egypt. But we focus on two city names that feel specific to Texas: Muleshoe and Gun Barrel City.Baylee Friday talks to Gun Barrel City city planner Brooke Atkinson and Robyn Sykora, the executive director of the city's economic development corporation. Then she visits with Muleshoe-based writer Alice Liles.

On this week's episode host Baylee Friday talk to John Mark Meulman from the Collin County Substance Abuse Program, Cynthia Pursely from the non-profit Livegy and Dr.Wendy Eldredge who is the superintendent of Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.

The first five months of 2023 saw the failure of three major U.S. banks: Silicon Valley, Signature, and First Republic. With large banks like Frost, Comerica, Texas Capital, and others based in our state, what are the chances a Texas-based bank could meet a similar fate?This week, host Baylee Friday talks to Frost Bank CEO Phil Green, Texas Capital CFO Matt Scurlock, and KRLD business analyst David Johnson about the outlook for Texas' banks.

Texas has seen a 137% growth in its Asian American and Pacific Islander population over the last 20 years. While AAPI Heritage Month wraps up we pose the question: What's driving the growth in Texas' Asian-American population? Baylee Friday is joined by Lily Trieu, executive director of Asian Texans for Justice, who explains that Texas is a minority-majority state and how many different areas have concentrated AAPI populations -- not just the big cities. State Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) breaks down Senate Bill 147 and how it affects the AAPI community. Nabila Mansoor, executive director of Rise AAPI, sheds light on how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are feeling after the Allen Mall man shooting and highlights the accomplishments of AAPIs across the state.

Lawmakers are making a final push for their bills at the state Capitol as the 88th Texas legislative session enters its final weeks. And as the anniversary of the Uvalde mass shooting nears, the spotlight will shine on bills that would address school safety. To learn what lawmakers are doing to improve school safety, Baylee Friday is joined by state Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio), who represents Uvalde, Derek Cohen, the vice president of policy at the conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation, and Rena Honea, president of Alliance AFT.

When the 88th Texas Legislature convened in January, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) listed school choice as one of his top priorities. But with the session set to conclude at the end of May, it's unclear if the Texas House will deliver. This week, Baylee Friday talks to Mandy Drogin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, state Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock), and Texas Monthly senior editor Forrest Wilder, who has written extensively about the intersection of public schools and politics, about why school choice is a priority, how it would impact public schools, and who it would benefit.

While barbecue in other parts of the country focuses on pulled pork, ribs, or even sides, in Texas one menu item takes center stage -- brisket. Owner and pitmaster at Austin's Interstellar BBQ, John Bates explains how important brisket is to Texas culture. "Texas barbecue is definitely built around a few key concepts," he said. "It's very much driven by offset smokers. Our style is typically very low and slow with a lot of smoke and clean flavors going through the pits. It's also built on mostly brisket. It's definitely the most important item in all Texas barbecue." Pitmaster at Corkscrew BBQ in Spring, Will Buckman, discusses why he left his career in communications to open the restaurant, and Texas Monthly BBQ Editor Daniel Vaughn tells host Baylee Friday what to order if you want to get a feel for a barbecue restaurant.

Thirty years ago this week, a fire broke out at a compound occupied by an apocalyptic cult outside Waco. The blaze ended a weeks-long standoff between federal authorities and the Branch Davidians. As it turned out NewsRadio 1080 KRLD in Dallas-Fort Worth played a central role in the early days of the standoff. News anchor Mike Rogers covered the standoff for KRLD and recounts his memories of the weeks spent in Central Texas. Then, therapist Rachel Bernstein, who specializes in cults and hosts a weekly podcast about them called IndoctriNation, explains what draws people into these types of groups.

If you've ever traveled through the state of Texas, then you've seen a billboard with a cartoon image of a beaver alongside a phrase like, "It’s the brisket for me." Buc-ee's uses billboards along highways to capture the attention of hungry drivers looking for a gas station oasis. In this episode of Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday talks to lecturer Chris Aarons from the University of Texas and Buc-ee's customers to understand what they like about the brand.

Universal is building its newest theme park in Frisco, on a piece of land that is part of a 2,500-acre development that will include the PGA of America headquarters, two golf courses, a campus of the University of North Texas, and thousands of homes. But how did Universal decide on a suburb 30 minutes north of Dallas for its new micro-park? Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney tells Baylee Friday, Universal came to the city with the idea. University of Texas at Dallas associate professor of public and nonprofit management James Harrington says the park is another example of the northern expansion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and theme park expert and journalist Carly Caramanna explains that micro-parks are part of a new trend in the industry.

A hotel was once many people’s only option when taking vacations. In recent years, companies like Airbnb and VRBO have created a different lane with short-term rentals. The rentals are categorized as a stay that is no longer than 30 days. While this option is helpful and more convenient for some people, the areas where these short-term rentals are located have caused stress for others. This episode of Texas Wants to Know examines the future of short-term rentals, especially as they affect neighborhoods with primarily single-family homes. We spoke to Bill France, Dave Schwarte, and Jessica Black from the Texas Neighborhood Coalition. They've all been personally affected by short-term rentals in their communities. We also heard from community members who shared their perspectives after a shooting at an STR in a Plano neighborhood, and Rachel Berndt from Fort Worth Report discussed a new ordinance on STRs in the city.

Spring in Texas means severe weather season -- and a busy time of year for storm chasers. "Tornado season" historically runs from late spring to early summer, but this year, the state has already seen several tornadoes through mid-March. KRLD Chief Meteorologist Dan Brounoff says storm chasers play an integral role in helping meteorologists collect data that radar alone can't always provide. Baylee Friday talks to three storm chasers, Joe Bajza, Jennifer Stark, and Jeff Stephens, about why they got into the storm chasing, how they know where to position themselves, and about some of their best stories from being out in the field.

Finding a life partner has never been an easy or simple process. The pandemic changed the way we interact socially, and the prevalence of dating advice everywhere you turn on social media can make dating in 2023 overwhelming. On this episode of Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday explores the different avenues of dating and even gets some advice from an expert. She talks to Porschia Paxton, a Lewisville native and a dater on a new show called "Farmer Wants a Wife", about her experience on the show and what led her to try dating on reality TV. Davis Darusman, who created his own production company and Houston-based dating show "Panning for Love," explains his unique love story and what motivated him to create a platform for LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming people to date and look for love. Relationship expert Eric Wooten gives his perspective on dating in Texas and provides helpful tips for singles looking for a healthy relationship.

If you're from Texas, there's a good chance you've heard of the Marfa Lights. It's a phenomenon that some say can be explained away, some believe is supernatural, and others are content to accept as a mystery. This week on Texas Wants to Know, Dr. Karl Stephan of Texas State University tells Baylee Friday what he found after weeks of studying the lights, the president of the Marfa Chamber of Commerce Abby Boyd explains how the tourism associated with the lights have impacted the city, and two West Texas residents, Hector Montemayor-Perez and Kelsey Picolo, recount their experiences seeing the "real" Marfa lights.

Nearly two years ago, lawmakers passed a bill that allows most Texans to carry a gun without a permit. But experts say that doesn't mean gun owners are free of responsibility to themselves and those around them. "I mean, we love to carry them. We love to be able to say that we have the Second Amendment that is part of our DNA," said Alex Del Carmen, the dean of the school of criminology at Tarleton State University and the director of the Institute for Predictive Analytics in Criminal Justice. Baylee Friday also talked to Chief Jimmy Perdue of the North Richland Hills Police Department and the president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, and the founder of the Brain Performance Center in Dallas Leigh Richardson about the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of using a gun.

With more than 3.9 million, Texas is home to more Black residents than any other state. Yes, Texas is the second-most populous state in the U.S., but California has the most multiracial Black residents and New York has the most Hispanic Black residents. The Lone Star State is home to the most non-Hispanic, single-race Black residents. The single biggest reason? Slavery. But there's nuance to the answer too. Deborah Liles, the W.K. Gordon Chair of Texas history at Tarleton State University, explains what may have kept some Black residents in Texas after the Civil War, and Amber Sims, the executive director of the nonprofit Young Leaders, Strong City, details the progress that's been made and the steps we still need to take.

This February marked the third straight year in which many Texans were iced in for at least three days. Students lost several days of school, a lot of businesses closed, and the roads were a mess. So what can the state do to better prepare if this trend continues? To find out, host Baylee Friday spoke to Denton County Emergency Management Director Eric Hutmacher, Alliance AFT President Rena Honea, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Texas A&M Ali Mostafavi, professor of civil engineering at Texas Tech Ali Nejat, and of course the weather expert, KRLD Chief Meteorologist Dan Brounoff.

Black History Month is a time to celebrate Black achievement, but it's also a time to reflect on the past and learn from it. Redlining is a form of financial discrimination, a term first coined in the sixties that had already been happening to the Black community for years. This discrimination prevented Black people from getting loans and other financial help, which created a domino effect in other parts of their lives. On this episode of Texas Wants to Know, Baylee Friday talks to Barbara Minsker, a professor at Southern Methodist University. Minsker has done extensive research on how these practices not only affect communities but whole cities. She also talks to James McGee, the president of Southern Dallas Progress. He gives his perspective on the issue while also sharing what his organization does to assist those in need.

Super Bowl LVII is just over a week away, but Texas residents won't be able to place bets on the game -- at least not legally. Some state lawmakers are working to change that, but they could face political hurdles just to get their bills to a floor vote. State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has filed SJR 17, which would create a Texas Gaming Commission and allow for legalized casino gambling in the state, while a yet-to-be-introduced bill back by the Sports Betting Alliance will focus more specifically on sports betting. But some experts, like SMU political science professor Cal Jillson, think the bill will face obstacles, particularly in the Texas Senate, while Robert Kohler, a lobbyist and consultant for the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist Convention of Texas said he thinks gambling just isn't high on the list of priorities for Texas voters or lawmakers.

Twenty-six percent of rural hospitals in Texas are at risk of closure, according to a report issued late last year by the firm Kaufman Hall. The number is up 10% from 2021 and the risk is due in part to pandemic relief money running out. The Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals defines a rural hospital as one in a community of fewer than 60,000 people. Henderson pointed to a closure in Bowie as an example of how important hospitals are not just to a city's health care, but to its economy. "It wasn't just that the hospital closed and you lost access and lost 100 or more good jobs. It's that local sales tax revenue dipped by a third the following year, school enrollment dropped. They went through around a teacher layoffs," TORCH president and CEO John Henderson said. "So you see all those cascading economic impacts that are all negative and harmful to a community." Dr. Kristie Loescher, assistant dean for instructional innovation for the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas and the academic director for the Healthcare Innovation Initiative, said one of the ways rural hospitals can make smart decisions by limiting the services it offers. For example, she pointed to an emergency room. Due to a federal law, a hospital is required to treat any patient who walks through its emergency room doors -- whether or not they can pay for services. "In Austin or Dallas, if a hospital sees a few patients like that, they can absorb it. They can absorb the bad debt. But in a rural situation, they're living so close to the wire, they don't have that extra margin to be able to provide the amount of charity care required," she said. Host Baylee Friday also speaks with the CEO of Muenster Memorial Hospital, Marion Bruce, about the challenges facing her hospital in recent years.

Social media has been an integral part of our lives for years now. While there are benefits to using social media there are also some negative effects, especially for young people. Before the start of Texas' 88th legislative session, Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) proposed House Bill 896, which would ban minors from using social media. On this week's episode of Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday asks if it is possible for lawmakers to ban all minors from social media. Greg Sindelar, the CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, voiced his support for the bill, while Caleb Milne, vice chair of the Collin County Democratic Party, and Delia Parker Mims, chair of the Denton County Democratic Party, talked about how they feel about someone from their area proposing such a bill. Baylee also talked to Amy Sanders, an associate professor of journalism and media at the University of Texas, and Jeff Temple, a professor and licensed psychologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who break down the bill and explain whether a bill like this could be passed at all.

In the aftermath of the February 2021 winter storm that knocked out power to two-thirds of the state and killed more than 200 Texans, lawmakers and regulators vowed that the grid would not fail like that again. So, have they made good on their promise? Energy consultant and former advisor to the chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission Alison Silverstein and NBC 5 senior investigative reporter Scott Friedman join host Baylee Friday to explain the new regulations put in place to safeguard the grid and what still concerns them about the natural gas side of the industry.

When we hear the phrase, "Don't California my Texas," culture and politics are some of the first things that come to mind. But one of the more tangible things that could be imported is the housing market. "I think there's a rational factor and then maybe a not-so-rational factor," said Dr. Cullum Clark, the director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, of the sentiment towards Californians moving to the Lone Star State. The population of Texas eclipsed 30 million people late last year, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, joining the Golden State as the only other state with at least 30 million residents. On this episode, host Baylee Friday talks to Clark, and Alia Lysiuk, who moved from California to Texas in 2021.

While some people happily prepare for the season, others get anxious about family gatherings, stress over finances, or overthink every detail about their holiday function until it loses its enjoyment. On this episode of Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday talks to lead mental health counselor at Parkland Health, Jeanette Dominguez, licensed professional counselor and lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas, Lynn Winstead, and licensed psychologist Dr. Jeff Temple about mental health topics including Seasonal Affective Disorder, how to navigate family trauma and maintaining your mental well-being.

The Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday in one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL. But how did the Eagles surpass the Giants and the Commanders as Dallas' primary rival? Baylee Friday of Texas Wants to Know teamed up with Sabrina Boyd-Surka and Brian Seltzer, the hosts of the Philadelphia podcast, The Jawncast, to try to figure out how the tension between the teams spilled out into a perceived rivalry between the cities. Baylee also asks about some of her perceptions of Philadelphia, like are all Philly sports fans really mean? And what the heck is a jawn? Meanwhile, she explains to Brian and Sabrina the virtues of the word "y'all" and the glory of Texas barbeque.

Christmas trees and mistletoe everywhere you look with the smell of peppermint and freshly baked goods prancing across your nostrils. This winter wonderland isn't at the North Pole but in North Texas. On this episode of Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday travels to Grapevine to figure out how Grapevine was officially named the Christmas Capital of Texas. She talks to Daniel Horsch, the Director of Marketing and Brand Management at the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau, and some of the locally owned businesses on Main Street including the managers at outdoor outfitters Nomad and the beloved bakery shop Judy Pie.

From putting up a tree to leaving cookies and milk for Santa, there are plenty of Christmas traditions many Texans partake in. But there are other regional and cultural customs that make the holidays unique. In Texas, some of the prevailing customs are from Hispanic, indigenous and German cultures. This week on Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday explores holiday traditions from different backgrounds with Fr. Jesus Belmontes, rector at Dallas' Cathedral of Guadalupe, Evelyn Weinheimer, archivist for the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, and Liz Lopez, the curator of education at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures.

Dallas has about three miles of subterranean tunnels and sky bridges that crisscross the city, but aside from a few food courts beneath office highrises, they're largely vacant. If that's the case, why are they there in the first place? And what is the future of the empty space? Baylee Friday gets a tour of the tunnels from Dallas software developer Michael Sitarzewski, who took an interest in them and knows every nook and cranny. Then, Dustin Bullard, chief of urban transformation for Downtown Dallas Inc., and Dallas City Council member Paul Ridley, whose district includes most of the tunnels, explain the vision for downtown and whether the underground space has a place in it.

Two H-E-B openings in Collin County this fall drew crowds who waited outside for hours to be among the first inside. The stores marked the grocer’s long-anticipated arrival in Dallas-Fort Worth. But what’s with all the hype around a grocery store? University of Texas business marketing professor Leigh McAlister tells Baylee Friday what sets the chain apart from its competitors and H-E-B Executive Vice President of Northwest Food and Drug Juan Carlos Ruck explains why this fall was the right time for the brand to expand in Dallas-Fort Worth

Nov. 7 marked the 22nd anniversary of the last day without a traffic-related death on Texas roadways. The Texas Department of Transportation has launched a campaign called "End the Streak" to encourage people not to drive distracted or under the influence in an effort to put the state on a path to safer roads. Kenna Mitchell with TxDOT and Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas tell Baylee Friday the three things everyone should avoid while behind the wheel, and Deanna Irwin shares the story of her daughter's death on Texas roads and what she's doing to prevent other families from going through the same pain.

From taking books off library shelves to private school vouchers, issues surrounding public schools have taken a place near the center of the debate leading up to the 2022 midterms. And with Election Day just days away, we examine those two topics through the prism of two Texas school districts. In Keller ISD, parents are divided over 41 books that have been removed -- a second time -- for further review. Two district parents explain their views and why they think northeast Tarrant County has become ground zero for the nexus of education and politics. Then, we look at the voucher-adjacent program that almost got off the ground in Wimberley ISD, in Central Texas, with Forrest Wilder, a senior editor at Texas Monthly. He wrote an article last month titled "Inside the Secret Plan to Bring Private School Vouchers to Texas." University of Texas at Arlington political science professor Rebecca Deen joins host Baylee Friday to explain how the debate around schools got so heated.

People are getting into the spooky spirit to celebrate Halloween. While some only have decorations up for the month of October, others in North Texas deal with spirits 365 days a year. On this episode of North Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday talks to Debbi Davis who is an innkeeper at the infamously haunted Miss Molly's Hotel in Fort Worth. She also talks to TCU parapsychology professor Tim Barth and Hill House Manor owner, Linda Hill.

Crime is an issue that's been used to mobilize voters by both parties in elections for years. In this episode of The Homestretch, a limited-series politics podcast from Audacy, host Doug Sovern explores how candidates are running on crime in 2022. The Homestretch is available wherever you listen to podcasts and new episodes drop weekly through the midterm elections. Subscribe here.

The midterm elections are just three weeks away and one of the groups with growing influence in Texas is Latino voters. But J.R. Gonzales of the Texas Association of the Mexican American Chambers of Commerce says its important candidates don't treat Latino voters as a monolith. "Hispanics in this state, in this country, come from 22 different countries of origin, 22 different countries, and 22 different ways of thinking," he said. "It is not a monolith. It is not a homogeneous group that you go, OK, how are the Hispanics going to vote?"

When fall arrives everyone in North Texas is excited to attend the State Fair of Texas. Fun rides, deep-fried food fun and good family fun. What most people don't think about are the hundreds of young people participating in the youth livestock shows On this episode of North Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday talks to the Senior Vice President of Agriculture & Livestock at the State Fair of Texas, Daryl Real, exhibitor McKenzie Evans and livestock judge Jess Yeaman about the importance of these shows to those who participate and how it is vital to the history of the fair's culture.

Dallas residents will vote on a proposition in November that could inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Fair Park. What would that mean for the park’s future and how does it affect its uncomfortable past? On this episode of North Texas Wants to Know, host Baylee Friday talks to Dallas City Councilman Adam Bazaldua, Fair Park First CEO Brian Luallen, and Dorothy Hopkins and Felisa Conner with the nonprofit Frazier Revitalization about what's next for the Dallas landmark.

A Fort Worth muralist inspired by his daughter and a Dallas digital artist who's explored a range of artistic outlets open up about what motivates them and why Latinx representation is important in the art community. "I'm never apologetic about my art. I am very proud of what my heart kind of develops on its own. I don't want to create guidelines, expectations or demands of it." digital artist Priscilla Villareal said. Juan Velazquez's murals decorate many spaces in Dallas-Fort Worth. He's a self-taught muralist who's not only an inspiration to his daughter, but to the community he came from.

Tens of millions of people in the United States speak Spanish, but that number is not reflected in the health care system. One North Texas nonprofit, the Cuidado Casero Foundation, is working to change that by helping aspiring nurses fund their education. Host Baylee Friday talks to the foundation's president and executive director, Doricelys Martinez, about the challenges facing Spanish speakers at the doctor. We also hear from Teresita Oaks, director of community health programs at Parkland Hospital, about how they are meeting patients where they are.

In a post-pandemic world, with streaming services dominating the cinema sphere, could movie theaters ever reign supreme again? North Texas is dotted with historic theaters that have been renovated either to screen films or as event spaces. Host Baylee Friday talks to Jason Reimer, creative director and co-owner of the Texas Theatre and Talented Friends, partner of Aviation Cinemas, about the role he played in re-opening the historic Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff. She also speaks to University of Dallas professor Scott Churchill who teaches classes on cinema and reviews films for the Irving Community Television Network.