Y'all-itics

In his first interview of record since getting released from federal prison, Dwaine Caraway gets into everything on this special episode of Y’all-itics. Caraway, at one time, was among the most powerful politicians at Dallas City Hall. He spent more than a decade on city council and served briefly as the 60th mayor of Dallas. But he resigned and pleaded guilty to taking $450,000 in bribes. Now after serving a four-year prison sentence, Caraway is working on his comeback. He talks to host Jason Whitely about his past, lays out his future and explains what made him so upset when he got back to Dallas.GUEST:Dwaine Caraway

Get ready for an raw, insightful, and in the weeds conversation about how Latinos might save the U.S. democracy. Mike Madrid, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and Chuck Rocha, senior strategist for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns, get into the nitty gritty of The Latino Vote – which is also the title of their new podcast series. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the two veterans of national political campaigns explain why candidates have finally started to communicate directly with Latino voters, which political party has the advantage in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley and whether Latino support for Donald Trump was a one-off or an indicative of changing trends. https://thelatinovote.buzzsprout.com/GUESTS:Mike Madrid, Founder, The Lincoln Project – host of The Latino Vote podcastChuck Rocha, Senior strategist, Bernie Sanders campaigns – host of The Latino Vote podcast

It may seem like a world away. But experts say the crisis unfolding all along Ukraine’s border will eventually find its way to Texas. And in this special release of Y’all-itics, we take you to Moldova, a small country to the southwest of Ukraine, that’s also Europe’s poorest. If the same number of Ukrainian refugees that have flooded Moldova, percentage-wise, suddenly crossed into Texas, it would be the equivalent of around three million people, with just under a million or so deciding to stay. In Moldova, we’re joined by Sara Phillips with Medical Teams International, who’s been on the ground for nearly two weeks assessing how her organization, which provides basic medical care, should respond to the growing crisis that has no end in sight. And Sara says it’s not just war and bombs they’re worried about now. It’s also illness, from COVID to colds. There was even a recent polio outbreak in Ukraine and since the war completely halted the vaccination campaign underway to end it, there are fears that disease is coming across the border too. And Sara also tells us why many of these refugees could ultimately end up in Dallas, Texas.GuestSara Phillips, Medical Teams Internationalhttps://www.medicalteams.org/country/ukraine/

SYNOPSIS:This week marks one month since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Most of what we see and read about it is focused on military movements. But Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, is still bustling with more than two million people who have not evacuated. In this episode of Y’all-itics, we called a 24-year-old photojournalist who decided she wanted to document what is underway. While air raid sirens are a regular occurrence, life in Kyiv is not what you’d imagine. Madeliene Kelly describes coffee stands reopening on Kyiv’s streets, artists from an underground scene turning their creativity into creating body armor and devices to stop Russian tanks and raw determination keeping fear at bay – for now.GUEST:Madeleine Kelly, photojournalistKellyindependent.com/ @kellyindependent

What if your natural blonde or red hair suddenly meant you couldn’t get that job you always wanted? Or what if that same hair color got you suspended from school if you refused to change it? African-Americans say they’ve been fighting this type of discrimination for hundreds of years. And an attempt to ban race-based hair discrimination recently failed in the U.S. House of Representatives with 188 Republicans voting against it. Known as the CROWN Act, similar legislation here in the state of Texas also stalled during the last legislative session. But supporters vow to continue the fight in D.C. and Austin calling it a civil rights issue because folks are being discriminated against based on something they can’t change. In this episode of Y’all-itics, Jason Whitely is joined by WFAA anchor Tashara Parker, who’s been shining a bright light on the issue for years after her own experience, in particular through her “Rooted” series. And state Representative Rhetta Bowers also promised to reintroduce the Texas CROWN Act next year with even broader protections. Guests Tashara Parker, WFAA Anchor(www.wfaa.com/rooted) State Rep. Rhetta Bowers, (D) Garland

Le Roy Torres remembers the last words his Sergeant Major told him; Don’t give up the fight. There are at least 31,000 Texans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and came home with rare cancers, debilitating headaches and severe breathing problems after inhaling toxic smoke from piles of trash that the U.S. military burned at most every large base. Torres’ symptoms got so bad that he had to leave his position as a Texas state trooper. After years of persistence, the U.S. House of Representatives just passed a substantial law to help vets like him. The Senate is considering another one. And Le Roy and his attorney are taking their case to the U.S. Supreme Court at the end of the month. It’s monumental movement in a battle he never expected to fight

Tuesday night brought some surprises in the Texas primary elections. The top of your November ballot is already decided. Greg Abbott will face Beto O’Rourke for governor. But runoffs will settle a number of other big contests including the Republican race for Texas Attorney General. Joining the Jasons for this podcast is a team of Texas political experts who have context and analysis on the results. What did the results say about the state of the Texas GOP? Can Texas Democrats finally win a statewide seat? How important will South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley be in November. This is one to listen to for all die-hard Texas politicos.GUESTS:Chrysta Castaneda, Democratic StrategistBud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-TelegramBerna Dean Steptoe, WFAA Political ProducerJason Villalba, Republican, former Texas State Representative

When it comes to war, everyone seems to lose. But Texas could come out a big winner if our oil and gas industry have to step in and help supply energy to Europe that has regularly relied on Russia. The oil patch in West Texas is already seeing increased demand as we come out of the pandemic. But war could now accelerate it. In this episode, Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, predicted that state taxes generated by oil and gas revenues are likely to lead to a windfall of new money for the Texas budget. But how will it be spent? State Senator Paul Bettencourt already has some ideas. Plus, he said, if Texas has any money invested in the Russian Federation, Senator Bettencourt wants it out.

In this special episode of Y’all-itics, a former colleague puts us in touch with a Ukrainian mother who wants to speak to an American journalist. Maryna, 41, decided not to evacuate and is now stuck at home outside Kyiv with her 8-year-old daughter. In this compelling interview, Maryna gives a ground level description of what life is like as Russia invades. She and her daughter have about a week’s worth of food and supplies. They do not have a firearm, only a knife. And as a trained pharmacist, Maryna even said she could concoct homemade bombs if she had to, to defend her town.

$150 Million in tax revenue in 2021. $53 Million into education. More than 8,100 growers. More than 2,200 dispensaries. And it’s estimated that 10% of the population now has a medical marijuana card. In just a few short years, medical marijuana has become big business in Oklahoma, a state that is far more conservative than Texas. And now, our neighbors to the north are poised to become major players in the global marijuana industry. But here in Texas? Crickets. Could, or should, Texas follow Oklahoma? In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons learn about the good, the bad and the ugly. They’re joined by a Republican lawmaker from Oklahoma who now wants his state to legalize recreational marijuana use. This conservative legislator admits that Oklahoma needs more guardrails on its industry because, he says, truckloads of it get driven across the Red River into Texas and, he estimates that Oklahoma’s marijuana likely makes up a third of all illicit marijuana sold in the eastern part of the United States. But he’s adamant that we can’t put the genie back in the bottle. The Jasons also get knowledge from a Tulsa woman who has run dispensaries and now helps hundreds of Oklahomans get their medical marijuana card. GuestsRep. Scott Fetgatter, (R) OkmulgeeKimberly Moore, Medical Marijuana Patient Consultant

The right-wing is trying to takeover public schools. Texas superintendents are quitting. Boards have banned books. The once obscure term Critical Race Theory is now part of our lexicon. Why is public education under attack? Who’s behind it? And how did we get here? In this episode of Y’all-itics some pastors are now pushing back. The Jasons put down their pint glasses after seeing an evangelical group tangle on Twitter with a sitting Republican Congressman over this issue. Scrolling further through their feed, an op-ed from a Baptist news organization began trending after arguing that the right-wing has had this playbook in the works for 60-years. What’s the end game for the right? What’s really at risk? The Jasons walked away with some better context on this mashup of church, state and Texas politics. Guests:Rev. Charles Johnson / Executive Director, Pastors for Texas ChildrenMark Wingfield / Executive Director and publisher of Baptist News Global

Can Ken Paxton survive without a runoff? The Republican race for Texas Attorney General appears to be tightening. For the first time in recent memory, the GOP primary for the state’s top cop is crowded with high profile candidates. And three weeks before the March 1 primary, the gloves are off. George P. Bush, Louis Gohmert and Eva Guzman all recently joined our weekly political program Inside Texas Politics and didn’t hold back (Ken Paxton declined our invitation to join). They went after each other in general, and the incumbent specifically. In this episode of Y’all-itics, GOP political insider and former state Senator Konni Burton joins the Jasons to analyze their pitches to Texas voters and handicap the race she fully expects to end with a runoff. And that could change everything. As Konni says, iron sharpens iron and that’s why a heated primary is good for the Texas voters.

It is the siren song of Texas: lower taxes, more land and more jobs. And it’s luring folks from all over. But is our promise too good to be true? And can policy keep up with this explosive growth? In this episode of Y’all-itics, hear the confessions of a Texas transplant. The Jasons are joined by a recent transplant whose family moved here from a NYC suburb thinking they were about to experience Texas-sized savings. But reality on the ground is proving to be much more expensive for many Texas newbies, from property taxes, to home prices, to the gas in those vehicles they’re now using much more than they expected.

Have you recently quit your job? Wanted to quit? Still plan to quit? We ask because in recent months, Texas has been racking up huge numbers of job quitters. In just three months, 1,280,000 Texans said I quit…I resign…see y’all later…take this job and shove it. It looks like many of them aren’t headed to South Padre to kick back at the beach…or to the Texas Hill Country to sip wine and hike the rolling hills. Many of them have just headed right across the street to a new employer who will pay them more, and maybe even throw in some crazy bonuses. Workers are in demand. So much so that some new employees aren’t even showing up to their first day of work with a new employer because they’ve already landed another job that’s more lucrative! So how do companies know how much to pay? Will salaries keep rising here? And how do you talk your boss into giving you a raise, so you don’t have to find a new job just to get a decent bump in pay? This week the Jasons are picking the brain of Jay Denton, whose Dallas-based labor market analytics firm Labor IQ by ThinkWhy probably has a good idea of how much money you make---and they are telling Texas companies how much they need to pay to lure you…or to keep you. So how are those companies responding?

We are celebrating a Y’all-itics first this week! This episode if the first Y’all-itics recorded before a live audience, both in-person and virtual. It was all part of the Texas Conference of Urban Counties, with County Judges and County Commissioners meeting in College Station for three days to discuss policy and politics. If you want to get a pulse on Texas politics, this would be a great place to start. So, that’s exactly what the Jasons did. While they discussed everything from property taxes to the power grid, just about everyone at the conference, including and especially Republicans, wondered out loud what ever happened to local control? What ever happened to the idea that no one size fits all in Texas and local communities should be allowed to make the best decisions for them at the local level? These local leaders made it very clear to the Jasons they want it back because they think it’s hurting Texans. Guests: County Judge Glen Whitley, (R) Tarrant County County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., (D) Cameron County

From ambulances to airlines, school buses to paramedics, and garbage pickup to water main breaks. The latest wave of COVID in Texas is, fortunately, not killing as many people as other variants. But Omicron is certainly disrupting many aspects of our daily lives. Despite your job title, many Texans are picking up new responsibilities at work as businesses and governments try to remain open. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons call up Hallie Stewart, the North Texas Operations Manager for Acadian Ambulance. She not only manages that operation from the office, but she is now forced to actually hop on ambulances and respond to dispatches since the sick call list at her company has tripled with Omicron. But it’s not just ambulances. Fort Worth, like many cities across the state, is moving employees around to different departments to have enough staff to keep the city open. The Jasons also called in to that city’s noticeably empty command center to talk with the person in charge, Brandon Bennett. He and Hallie share new insight, and both answer the question of when this surge will peak.

2021 was quite a ride… even after many of us thought things might quiet down after 2020. Now that 2022 is upon us, will the political news calm down at all? Not. A. Chance. In our first episode of the new year, the Jasons speak with a couple of experts who know Texas politics. They’re breaking out their crystal balls to give us an idea of what to expect in the year ahead. And things will escalate quickly with the looming GOP primary battles. Forget the Farmer’s Almanac. This is your Y’all-itics Almanac for Texas politics in 2022. Guests: Cassandra Pollock, The Texas Tribune State Politics Reporter Kimi Lynn King, Professor/Interim Chair UNT Department of Political Science

The holiday season is upon us and the Y’all-itics team is taking a break to spend time with family. But for a couple of weeks, the Jasons wanted to share their favorite episodes of 2021 with you. It’s now Jason Whitely’s choice and his rewind episode focuses on legendary WFAA sportscaster Dale Hansen, who retired earlier this year after a distinguished career. “Dale Hansen Unplugging” originally released on May 19, 2021 and was our fourth most listened to episode in 2021. We checked… and Dale is still retired. But this remains one of our most favorite conversations, including how wrestling a bear basically launched his career. Original Summary: By now you’ve likely heard the news, legendary WFAA sportscaster Dale Hansen is retiring. But we’re pretty sure you haven’t heard the stories that Dale shares on this special episode of Y’all-itics. Exactly 24-hours after the announcement, Dale cracked open a beer with the Jasons for a look back at his 50-years in broadcasting, the well-known statewide politician he was recruited to run against a few years ago, the unbelievable way he got a job in Dallas, and how he handles haters who really get under his skin. The Jasons raise a toast to Dale and share a lot of laughs. This episode really is Dale unplugged. (original release date May 19, 2021) Guest: Dale Hansen, Retired WFAA Sports Anchor

The holiday season is upon us and the Y’all-itics team is taking a break to spend time with family. But for the next couple of weeks, the Jasons wanted to share their favorite episodes of 2021 with you. We start with Jason Wheeler. And naturally, being the “Right On The Money” guy, his rewind episode has to do with… money, and how much it takes to move into even a small home in Texas. “We’re Out of Houses in Texas” originally released on March 30, 2021 and was our second most listened to podcast all year. The Jasons add some new context nine months later. But rest assured, the housing crunch in Texas is still a big problem and the affordability issue is growing in communities all over the state. Original summary: It is a seller’s market on steroids right now in Texas. Healthy housing inventory is typically six months. But some cities in Texas are down to days. If you’re a seller, you’re likely receiving multiple offers, some significantly above asking. If you’re a buyer, good luck. It could take you a while. Some buyers are even resorting to entering contracts without a guaranteed final sales price. And at the end of the day, all homeowners in Texas will pay for the housing frenzy through higher property taxes. In this episode of Y’all-itics, experts tell the Jasons to buckle up, because we’re not living in a bubble. They say there is no end in sight. And if that wasn’t enough, learn how that “big, stuck boat” in Egypt’s Suez Canal could impact Texas real estate. (original release date: March 30, 2021) Guests: Todd Tramonte, Real Estate Marketer and Broker Anne Lakusta, Real Estate Broker

This is the farthest away from home Y’all-itics has ever been! Legendary and award winning former WFAA journalist Byron Harris joins the Jasons from the Drake Passage, one of the stormiest bodies of water on Earth. Byron had just left Antarctica after participating in a climate change research mission. If you watched any of Good Morning America’s recent extensive coverage from Antarctica, those crews were on the same ship. And did the Jasons ever learn a lot. While Byron figured he’d see a lot of penguins, nothing prepared him to see hundreds of thousands of them. And if you want to track climate change, track the penguins. Guests: Byron Harris, Former WFAA Investigative Reporter Sven-Olof Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions CEO

In less than 60-days, one of the titans of Texas business is retiring. Gary Kelly will depart as CEO of Southwest Airlines on February 1, after 17-years leading the company. He helped transform it to the largest domestic carrier in the country, opened Hawaii and international destinations and got rid of the Wright Amendment, among other things. Now, as Southwest celebrates the 50th anniversary since its first flight, Kelly joins the Jasons for this episode of Y’all-itics – meeting them at the San Antonio bar where the airline was born on the back of a cocktail napkin in the 1960s. GUEST: Gary Kelly, CEO Southwest Airlines

Known as the Texas Triangle, the area from Dallas to Houston and over to San Antonio/Austin would be the 15th largest economy in the world, producing $1.2 Billion in economic output. That’s equivalent to Mexico or Spain. And seven in 10 Texans live there. So, if it is the economic engine driving our state, why isn’t it also driving our politics? And because the politics outside of this Triangle have come to dominate the state, some experts fear it could kill the Texas growth model. At least one major company has already said it would help pay for any employee who wishes to relocate. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by Steven Pedigo, the Director of the LBJ Urban Lab in Austin and a professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Pedigo says if you want to understand the country, then understand our state, because Texas is the future of America… unless the direction of our politics pulls the rug out from under all of us. Guest: Steven Pedigo, LBJ Urban Lab Director

If you’re waiting for the supply chain to return to normal, stop immediately. This is the new abnormal. And our experts say it’s going to stay this way for a while. The problem is worldwide and can be found in factories, on cargo ships and inside ports and trucks. And often, it’s not that the goods aren’t available. In fact, warehouses all across the country are full. There just aren’t enough workers to move those goods. And as if that’s not bad enough, everything is now wrapped in a shroud of inflation. And through it all, consumers have still been spending like crazy, so ultimately the problem could be… us. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by supply chain and logistics experts who discuss how long this will last, how much worse it might get and the government policies that could fix it. As it turns out, Texas could actually benefit in the long run. Guests Professor Margaret Kidd, University of Houston/Supply Chain & Logistics Technology Aaron Armistead, Regional Vice President/NFI Industries

Y’all-itics is celebrating a birthday! The unofficial podcast of Texas is now a two-year-old. And in this special release, we celebrate with you… and our boss. We asked for comments from our listeners and you delivered. And the Jasons are also joined by the unofficial Y’all-itics CEO. Thanks for your support! We couldn’t do this without you. And the entire Y’all-itics team is looking forward to year three. Cheers! Guest Carolyn Mungo, WFAA Station Manager/Y’all-itics CEO

Only 90-minutes after his official announcement that he’d be running for Texas Governor, Democrat Beto O’Rourke joined the Jasons for this early episode of Y’all-itics. And one of the first things they noticed was a different candidate than in the past. O’Rourke didn’t hold back, speaking directly about many issues, including his past comments on guns, February’s power grid fiasco, protecting oil & gas jobs, even trying to lower property taxes through Medicaid expansion. The Jasons also get more perspective on O’Rourke’s candidacy and the gubernatorial race from the journalist who broke the news that Beto was back… and running for Governor.

You say it’s our birthday? Well, yes it is. Y’all-itics is turning two and we want you to be a part of our birthday podcast! Tell us why you listen, your favorite episode, who you’d like for us to interview, what beer we should try, even what you’re hoping to see in 2022. Click on this link to go to our Zoom room and record a video voicemail! Or call the Y’all-itics hotline at (214) 977-6020

You don’t have to live near the Texas coast to soon start seeing the effects of climate change. The next decade or two mean more flooded parking lots, water in roads, and beach erosion from sea level rise. The ocean has already risen two feet in Galveston since 1900. But there’s another problem unique to this state. Texas is also sinking. All the oil and gas we have pulled out of the ground for the last century is now causing subsidence. That means Texas will see a double whammy from climate change. What is Texas doing to address it? Turns out, not much. David Schechter, reporter for WFAA in Dallas, is one of the few Texas television reporters to consistently document the changing climate in our state. Last year, David won the duPont-Columbia Award, the broadcast equivalent of Pulitzer Prize, for his reporting on climate change. On this week’s episode, we pour David a pint and listen to him explain what’s at stake right now for Texas, why being the leader in wind and solar energy isn’t enough. The U.N. Secretary General even had something to say to David about Texas ignoring the warning signs. Forget political talking points. The science is clear. As David put it, this is what we’re headed for. Period. Watch: With world leaders gathering to find solutions for climate change, what does it mean for Texas? Texans face greater risk of heat, drought and hurricanes, but Abbott administration has no plan to tackle future threats of climate change The sea is rising faster than any time in the last 3,000 years, experts say | Climate Crossroads

It is an alarming statistic: rural Texans are twice as likely to die of COVID than their urban counterparts. While the pandemic has heightened the mortality disparity, the reasons behind it go much deeper than the disease itself. Secret vaccinations and remote healthcare are helping some of these communities pull through. But not all. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons go on the road to Mount Pleasant and visit Titus Regional Medical Center, the last independent hospital in northeast Texas. There were more deaths at that hospital in September than at any point in its 70-year history. And the CEO says closing this mortality gap will not be easy, or fast. The Jasons are also joined by John Henderson, CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH), who recently testified before lawmakers in Austin as they debated how to spend billions in federal COVID relief funding and discusses the “breathing room” those dollars will provide rural hospitals. Guests: Terry Scoggin, CEO/Titus Regional Medical Center John Henderson, CEO/Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals

November 1 could mark a historic moment at the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s when Texas goes to D.C. to defend its new abortion law and the ruling could change 50-years of legal precedent. The Justices even took the rare step of fast-tracking two cases brought against the state’s near-total ban. Abortion providers filed one. The U.S. Department of Justice filed the other. So, in this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons call up Stephen Vladeck, a constitutional law expert at the University of Texas, to cut through the legalese. Turns out, Vladeck explained, Justices could strike down the Texas law and still limit abortion rights. It’s the first of several big cases this Supreme Court term. And Vladeck says the country hasn’t seen this much constitutional tumult since the 1930s and there is a gravity to this moment which has no comparison.

Better get ready for winter. Electric providers and some state lawmakers tell the Jasons they remain concerned that Texas could again experience a large-scale failure if the state suffers through another deep freeze in the coming months. State Representative Jon Rosenthal recently filed a bill that would close a loophole which allows natural gas companies to opt out of winter weatherization requirements, but that legislation will not be taken up during the final few hours of the third special session in Austin. Meantime, the President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association tells the Jasons the concern is not that too many natural gas companies will use that loophole to opt out, but that too many might opt in and they would take the electricity reserved for, say, a hospital during an emergency. Still, Todd Staples says there’s already been a 2,000% increase in the number of natural gas companies that have winterized equipment. But as you’ll hear in this episode of Y’all-itics, that isn’t stopping the state’s largest electricity generator from taking its own steps to protect its equipment and Texans.

One came tantalizing close to victory in the same race in 2018. The other was a Democrat, turned Republican and is now a Democrat again. And both have very specific ideas for Texas. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons share a beer with WFAA anchor/reporter Teresa Woodard, after she conducted wide-ranging interviews with Mike Collier and Matthew Dowd. They’re talking Texas’ two biggest problems, running against each other, guns, changing parties and lessons learned. They’ll meet each other in the Democratic primary next spring then one of them will be on the ballot against Dan Patrick next November. Meet them both in this episode.

As the Texas Secretary of State spins up an audit of the 2020 election, it’s important to remember this is a road we’ve been down before. In this episode, the Jasons are joined by SMU professor Matthew Wilson, Ph.D., an expert in politics and elections in America, who explains why this could be our new normal. Questioning election results also happened in 2000, 2004, and 2016. But the most recent decision by the Secretary of State’s office to audit election results in Harris, Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties continues to reverberate across the state. And 2020 was a very successful election in Texas… for Republicans. So, many observers are openly asking why the GOP is, in essence, auditing itself. The Chair of the Texas House Elections Committee, a Republican, says he supports the audit, but only in limited fashion and even he isn’t sure what, if anything, could be revealed by it. The Dallas County Judge, a Democrat, says it’s not a real audit, only Republicans pushing a political narrative to justify making it harder for minorities and young people to vote. You’ll also hear from both in this episode of Y’all-itics.

There are two folks you have not heard from in all the news coverage of the state’s new abortion law; these are the two out-of-staters who are suing a San Antonio abortion doctor. So, the Jasons cracked open the White Pages, pulled out their long-distance calling card and got Oscar Stilley on the phone from Cedarville, Ark. and Felipe Gomez on the line from Chicago. Though, Gomez said, tongue-in-cheek, that it takes a couple ‘yahoos’ from other states to test the Texas law, both men have legal backgrounds and are coming to Texas courts with different motivations. To put these guys in context, the Jasons also called a law professor at South Texas College of Law who explains why SB8, as Texas’ abortion law is known, is almost a sideshow to what’s happening in Mississippi.

The Lincoln Project is going after Governor Greg Abbott. This is the group of former Republicans well known for blistering attacks on President Donald Trump and later, Senator Ted Cruz. And this latest battle is already getting juicy. The Lincoln Project released a new attack ad called “Abbott’s Wall,” criticizing his handling of the pandemic by highlighting how many Texans have died of COVID-19. The organization says the ad was scheduled to air during the Texas Longhorns game Saturday night, but was pulled at the last minute. And it is now openly questioning whether Governor Abbott used his influence to have the ad yanked from the air. In this episode of Y’all-itics, co-founder Rick Wilson tells the Jasons why he thinks Gov. Abbott is now more dangerous than former President Trump, how the state’s new abortion bounty system could spectacularly backfire on Republicans and why the organization will continue attacking the Governor moving forward.

Texas Republicans are lining up to run against Governor Greg Abbott. So, why isn’t there a single Democrat in the race yet? Veteran Texas Democratic consultant Harold Cook hammered out a harsh Tweet about the lack of a candidate in his party. So, the Jasons called him up for this episode. Cook, who worked on President Bill Clinton and Governor Ann Richards’ campaigns in Texas, says ‘can’t beat somebody with nobody.’ Cook also revealed what’s likely happening behind the scenes right now, the list of fellow Democrats that he thinks has the best shot against Abbott next year, and why Beto O’Rourke has a lot to consider on whether he should run.

The Texas bullet train could finally happen sooner than you think. In fact, a vote in Congress this month might determine its future. The CEO of Texas Central, Carlos Aguilar, answered the Jasons call for this episode of Y’all-itics and gave them the lowdown on what’s happening behind the scenes, how much money is needed to finish the project, what a ticket will cost on the bullet train, as well as where...and when...the very first tracks will be laid.

Y’all-itics: August 30, 2021 The deadline for the U.S. to withdraw from Afghanistan is upon us: August 31. Since the rapid collapse of the Afghan government, Americans in that country, Afghans who hold Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) and anyone who helped the U.S. war effort over the last 20-years have been scrambling to leave the country. And as our military action winds down in Afghanistan, it is the dawn of a new battle, a war over paperwork. Many critics of the withdrawal openly question why adequate preparations weren’t made to give hundreds of thousands of people time to get their paperwork together. Now, many are trapped in limbo with their lives on the line. Unfortunately, it looks like they could be stuck in that dangerous situation for quite a while. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by Holly Kuzmich, the Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas who talks about the frantic efforts save some of their own colleagues, all while trying to continue their promise to help empower women across the globe. And Holly Kuzmich predicts there will be plenty of Congressional hearings to investigate what went wrong. Guest: Holly Kuzmich, Bush Institute Executive Director Holly Kuzmich (bushcenter.org)

Will you need a ticket and a Covid status card for concerts? Before they could listen to the music recently, some Texas concertgoers first heard: What’s your vaccination status? With the Delta variant of the coronavirus still ravaging Texas, country music star Jason Isbell took the stage for a mid-August performance at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth in front of a crowd that---on his insistence—was comprised of people who could either show a Covid vaccination card or a recent negative test. The general manager of this institution at the Stockyards got an earful out of this concert…including from state regulators who reminded him that there’s actually a state law in Texas now that prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. Billy Bobs' Marty Travis walks the Jasons through a raucous week backstage, all of it touched off by what was just a one-night thing at this famed honkytonk. But really, this was just the beginning. Even if you aren’t a fan of Jason Isbell or vaccine requirements for entry, have a listen. Because like it has done with everything else, Covid is quickly and drastically altering admissions to live music events—as evidenced by the new requirements just announced for this year’s Austin City Limits music festival.

Are you as confused about the local mask mandates in Texas as we are? Who can order what and when is about as clear as mud at this point. Even the courts can’t seem to agree. So we decided to turn to a constitutional law expert for some clarity. Stephen Vladeck from the University of Texas joins the Jasons once again to help explain in a way only he can. One thing he said that’s crystal clear? This process is messy. And unfortunately, Vladeck says we’re only in for more confusion. And after you listen to this episode of Y’all-itics, you just might rethink how you vote for a Texas Supreme Court Justice. Guest:Stephen I Vladeck | Faculty | Texas Law (utexas.edu)

The resistance is underway in Texas and growing by the day. And more cities, counties and school districts are expected to challenge the Governor’s ban on mask mandates in the coming days. For many parents who’ve already sent their kids back to school – or are about to – the issue is one of life-or-death. In this emergency episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by two Superintendents who find themselves squarely in the middle of this debate. Dr. Stephanie Elizalde leads the Austin ISD, which started mandating masks today in defiance of Governor Greg Abbott. Within hours of that decision, hundreds of parents re-enrolled their kids for in-person learning when students return Tuesday, August 17. And Dr. Elizalde walks you through the thought process and the reaction. The Jasons are also joined by Dr. Brian Woods the Northside ISD Superintendent in San Antonio. They have yet to make a decision on mask requirements there, but they don’t start school until Monday, August 23. For both Superintendents, the issue boils down to local control and having the ability to make the best decisions for their individual communities. And both fully recognize local control was once religion to the GOP, but that these days Republican leadership is telling them what they can and can’t do from Austin. Y'all-itics is sponsored by Octopus Energy. Save $60 on a 12-month plan by using the offer code OCTOPUS60 at octopusenergy.com. Octopus Energy — Better Energy Within Reach Guests: Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Austin ISD Superintendent https://www.austinisd.org Dr. Brian Woods, Northside ISD Superintendent https://www.nisd.net

Passions have already been flaring in Austin. But the temperature may get hotter under the Capitol dome as new Census numbers arrive and the thorny process of divvying up the state's 38 Congressional districts commences. Before he became the senior counsel for the Brennan Center's Democracy Program, Michael Li went to school and worked in Texas. He knows the state well. And he regards Texas as one of the "highest risk states" for what he warns could be the most aggressive gerrymandering in U.S. history in this cycle. Li explains why a heavily partisan redraw of Congressional boundaries is a threat to democracy and undermines the concept that each Texan’s vote matters equally. Republicans have total control in Texas government, which is why Democrats walked out at the end of the regular legislative session and decamped for D.C. throughout the first special session and now into the second special session. Will the Dems stay away from a third legislative overtime to prevent a quorum and grind the redistricting gears to a halt? Li talks about what we can expect as we head into what he calls the "10-year Olympics" in Texas. This time it may look like a cross between a sprint, a marathon and wrestling... possibly with some legislative gymnastics thrown in. Michael Li- Brennan Center’s Democracy Program

Conservatives are lining up to run against incumbent Governor Greg Abbott and incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton. Who has a shot? Does anyone have a shot? Could Abbott or Paxton face a loss? The Jasons called up two Texas Republicans from different sides of the party. Former state Sen. Konni Burton, R-Fort Worth, explains why she thinks Abbott is in political trouble. Former state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, says he thinks Paxton could face a runoff. Sure, the GOP primary is a long way off, but the campaigns are already ramping up and that got the Jasons talking in this episode.

When the first school bells ring across Texas just weeks from now, students, parents, and educators will head back into the pandemic unknown. The Jasons check back in with Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa. He was on Y’all-itics a year ago when there was so much uncertainty heading into a new school term. It feels like that all over again as he readies his mega-district for the start of the ’21-‘22 session. In fact, he’ll preside over three different school start dates this year. His district and others are getting creative and sharing ideas with each other. Critics say there isn’t much guidance coming from the state, except for orders that schools can’t mandate masks or offer a virtual learning option. So, what happens if kids have to quarantine? Flush with federal cash from Covid relief legislation, Dr. Hinojosa says DISD is hiring an army of tutors. The district also plans to self-fund a virtual option if the state doesn’t agree to foot the bill for it. Also joining the Jasons for this episode is Texas PTA President Suzi Kennon, with what the state PTA will be doing to help make a tough year easier and what she’s hearing from parents across the state. Kennon also gets real---as a mom---and shares her concerns for her own child as kids head back to class at a time when the highly transmissible Delta variant of coronavirus is aggressively spreading across Texas, which continues to struggle with a lackluster vaccination rate.

There’s no end in sight to this political standoff. Texas House Democrats remain in D.C. Austin remains at a standstill. The inevitable is likely only delayed. But is there any room for compromise? Will this legislation change how you vote? And what’s up with that case of Miller Lite on the bus with Democrats? Wheeler took off to put his feet in the sand for a few days leaving Whitely on his own to pop the top on a Miller Lite with the youngest member of the Texas legislature, state Rep. James Tallarico. In this episode, state Rep. Craig Goldman, a Fort Worth Republican, also joined Y’all-itics to talk about the lonely days in the legislature and the backchannel conversations that the GOP is having with Democrats in D.C.

In a special legislative session underway right now, Texas Republicans are once trying to change voting laws in this state. And the Supreme Court of the United States just dealt another blow to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That watershed law was pushed through by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, a Texas native, who rightly predicted that by signing it, he was also signing away his party's chance to hold political power in the south. But LBJ made the political sacrifice without regret because of one formative thing that happened to him in college. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons go back in time with Mark Updegrove, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation. Mark shares what he believes LBJ would think and do in response to Republican efforts that some say have weakened one of his signature achievements. Mark also shares what ordinary people should do to have a voice as this state and this country faces a reckoning on voting rights and restrictions. http://www.lbjlibrary.org/page/foundation

On Thursday, Texas lawmakers are returning to the state capital for a special legislative session. Changing voting laws is paramount for Texas’ Republican leaders who are intent on avenging Donald Trump’s defeat. But the bill they consider during the 30-day special session, likely will not be as strict as the one that failed during the regular session. Still, do Democrats have a shot of stopping any of it? Joining the Jasons for this episode is Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and one of the most sourced journalists in Austin. Scott shares insight on Abbott’s primary challenge from the right and explains why the governor is not making the same mistake he did when he called the last special session in 2017.

There’s a new political party in Texas looking to shake things up. But instead of running towards the edges, the Serve America Movement (SAM) has its roots planted firmly in the middle. While SAM already has parties established in four states, Texas could be the linchpin of its overall success. The rest of the country will be closely watching to see if SAM has a fighting chance in a deep red state. But how can it succeed where so many other new parties have failed? What is it offering that would allow it to crash the nation’s longstanding two-party juggernaut? In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons talk to SAM’s founding chairman in Texas Bill King who tells them the party and its supporters are convinced there’s a big chunk of Texans who just “want somebody to do the damn job.” Serve America Movement: https://joinsam.org

Inside the skyline, the transformation has been subtle and taken time but downtown Dallas has a new story to tell. In their first in-person podcast episode in almost a year and a half, the Jasons pile into a booth at the stylish Catbird restaurant and bar in the newly renovated 50-story National building for a conversation with Kourtny Garrett, the president & CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc. In 1996, 200 people lived downtown. Today, it’s home to 12,000. Twenty years ago, downtown Dallas had 40 vacant buildings. Today, there are none. During the pandemic, downtown not only survived but it thrived. No construction projects here were lost, rents are increasing, scooters are coming back and there are four new parks. Kourtny also explains how the city is ‘activating blocks’ to make the city center more walkable.

We use it every day for freeways and foundations, pools and patios. In fact, Texas uses more cement than any other state, says Ed Sullivan, the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Market Intelligence for the Portland Cement Association. But Covid-19 caused cement supply chain disruptions. And then the February winter storm hit, temporarily knocking cement plants offline and doing serious damage to at least one major facility. Now, this crucial ingredient for concrete is in tight supply just as the peak summer construction season gets underway, and Sullivan says Dallas is the tightest market in the country right now. Home builder Michael Turner can back that up. He tells the Jasons that the daily ration he is getting sometimes isn’t enough to pour a complete foundation for just one new home! Sullivan predicts this will “bridle” economic activity as Texas tries to fully rebound from the Covid slowdown. But in this episode of Y’all-itics, this foremost expert in the industry also forecasts when he thinks this important commodity Texas needs so much…will be back in full supply.

On June 15, 2021, the city of Fort Worth will have its first new mayor in 10 years. And even Mattie Parker understands she’s now the youngest Mayor of a major U.S. city (12th largest according to new Census Bureau estimates). In this bonus episode of Y’all-itics, Parker explains why the budget is her first priority as the city emerges from the pandemic flush with federal dollars. Parker also says she’s excited to work with a younger City Council, which has five new members, with the average age of all of them dropping from 60 to 45 after the election. And she fully expects their generation to step up and make a difference in the city. So, expect to see the kids at City Hall. Once you listen, you’ll understand why we mean that literally, not figuratively. Guests: Matie Parker, Fort Worth Mayor-Elect