Y'all-itics

As Y’all-itics prepares to celebrate its one-year anniversary, the Jasons go back to the beginning in an effort to see what a Biden-Harris administration might mean for the black community. In our 3rd episode, we asked the founder and CEO of Black Women’s PAC why politicians ignore black women. Now, one-year and 61 episodes later, Tracy Scott is back, and she says she’s more determined than ever. Black women helped put the Biden-Harris Ticket over-the-top. But now, they’re expecting results. The Jasons are also joined by WFAA Political Producer Berna Dean Steptoe. And both guests say the black community in general, and black women in particular, will not be ignored any more. Editor’s Note: ZIP code 76104 near downtown Fort Worth is an historically Black area where life expectancy is 66.7 years – 12 years below the national average — not 55 years as stated in this episode

Two out of three Latinos voted for Joe Biden last week. But counties along the Texas-Mexico border exposed a growing weakness for Democrats. Biden did not win as many votes there as Hillary Clinton did four years earlier. Just two years ago, Beto O’Rourke had trouble earning support in the Rio Grande Valley. Joining the Jasons this week are political scientists James McCann from Purdue University and Michael Jones-Correa from the University of Pennsylvania discussing the emerging Latino vote and their book Holding Fast: Resilience and Civic Engagement Among Latino Immigrants. Plus, Antonio Arellano, the Interim Executive Director of Jolt Initiative, tells the Jasons where work remains for Democrats and opportunities potentially lie for Republicans.

Now that the dust has mostly settled in Texas, it’s time for the soul-searching. Democrats thought they were in strong position to finally win a statewide office, even possibly taking the Texas House. Not only did that not happen, in most races it wasn’t even close. While they still see progress, party leaders are already trying to map out a new game plan for 2022. At the same time, Republicans also turned out en masse, keeping Texas solidly red. And they think their strong ground game and face-to-face contact worked beautifully. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons perform a post-election autopsy on politics in Texas.

Just like everything else in 2020, the political landscape in Texas has turned upside down. And many national election experts say forget states like Florida and Pennsylvania, the national bellwether this year could actually be Texas. And that’s why the Lone Star State has become a national obsession. But those same expert are also warning everyone to proceed with caution with any predictions before the final numbers are counted because of our “unstable” political world. In this edition of Y’all-itics, the Jasons not only take a 30,000-foot view of the election, but they also break down specific races that could not only have a big impact in Texas, but also across the nation.

The lines have snaked through parking lots, around buildings, and don the block. Texans (and Americans generally) are voting…possibly in numbers never before seen. But participation isn’t just limited to casting ballots. Millions of dollars have been wagered on this presidential contest. Oddschecker.com and PredictIt.org show how much money is being wagered on this election and who bettors are picking. On top of that, companies are capitalizing on an engaged, politicized electorate—creating products with election or campaign branding for citizens who are willing to part with some Washingtons and even Benjamins to show their support for Trump or Biden. More Info https://www.electionvodka.com/ (Election Vodka) Must be 21 to enter https://www.jonessoda.com/ Jones Soda Co. https://www.oddschecker.com/us/insight/specials/politics/20201028-us-presidential-election-odds-$260m-staked-on-trump-vs-biden-as-us-election-becomes-most-wagered-on-event-in-betting-history https://www.predictit.org/markets/13/Prez-Election

Guns are on back-order. Ammo is sold out. What are so many Texans preparing for? This run on guns started during some of the protests that swept the state and the country this summer. But it hasn’t slowed down since and continues to build as we approach the election. A gun store owner and a firearms trainersay what makes this year different is the fact that the surge is being driven by first-time gun buyers. They told the Jasons why ammo is in such short supply, why people who have never owned a gun before are changing their minds and what next week’s election has to do with it all.

You’ve seen their commercials. They are brutal. And effective. If you needed more proof Texas is a battleground state, The Lincoln Project is ready to spend millions of dollars here during the final days of the campaign. Imagine that for a moment. A group of Republicans trying to defeat a Republican incumbent in a deeply red state. And not only that, but The Lincoln Project is also expecting some support from what a co-founder calls “deep MAGA country.” In this episode of Y’all-itics, Mike Madrid talks about their strategy in Texas, whether he thinks there is a permanent split in the Republican party and how they make those commercials so darn fast.

Perhaps nowhere in the country symbolizes voter enthusiasm more than Harris County, Texas. 100,000+ voters in one day for four straight days. Up to 9,000 votes an hour on average. Records there are falling left and right. And the blistering pace shows no sign of letting up. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins. He talks about what might be behind this surge of voters, why lines are moving faster than expected, what happens if there are symptoms at a site. Lessons learned there can even help at your polling location. And if you haven’t cast your ballot yet, listen to this episode while heading to vote!

Many artists say they’re ready to get back to work but can’t without an audience. In many cases, their backup jobs have been eliminated as well. And that’s why some say voters should view the arts not only as a battle for the soul of our nation, but also as an integral part of the economic recovery. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by a two-time Grammy and Tony award winner as well as the man who’s thinking about the arts for the Joe Biden campaign. And after all this time, the Jasons finally get their first “y’all.”

He coins phrases like no one else and has covered politics and elections for 70 years. Native Texan and former network newsman Dan Rather shares concerns about the 2020 election, talks about the serious challenges facing current-day media, and explains his latest passion project: Offering a $10,000 prize for the best idea to improve public education in Texas. Dan Rather is not done. Approaching his 89th birthday later this month, the longtime newsman and former anchor of the CBS Evening News, is still active on TV, radio, social media, and podcasts. He joins the Jasons on the Y’all-itics podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Rather says he is long past missing the anchor chair but admits he does still pine for that hot seat on election nights. He is not in the main chair these days, but he does plan to still be working on the airwaves on the night of November 3rd. Rather talks about what concerns him the most in the lead-up to this historic race. He also talks about regrets from his own broadcasting career and his real worries that constant deadlines are speeding up the news cycle and degrading the quality of reporting at many news outlets these days. Rather also brings his grandson Martin Rather into the conversation. Since 2015, the two have collaborated on the “Rather Prize”: A $10,000 annual award for the best innovative idea to improve public education in the state of Texas. They are accepting submissions now for the next prize, which will be awarded in Spring 2021. So much has changed with education during the pandemic, so this year’s crop of innovative ideas may be more extraordinary than ever before. Like a close election, the contest for this Rather Prize could end up being hotter than a Laredo parking lot in the summer…or perhaps you could say the race for this prize will be as tight as a too-small bathing suit on a too-hot car ride back from the beach. Both of those memorable lines were coined by Rather during ad-lib-a-thons on previous election nights…so yes, the Jasons had to ask how he has come up with all those “Ratherisms” over the years. His answer about that is fascinating. https://ratherprize.org/ https://danratherjournalist.org/about-dan/biography https://twitter.com/danrather https://twitter.com/martinrather?lang=en

It is the political story in Texas right now. And talk about an October surprise: Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton accused of bribery, abuse of office and other potential crimes. And the allegations are coming from fellow Republicans within the AG’s office. In a statement, Paxton called them “rogue employees” and said he will not be resigning. But is the damage already done, if not to the AG, then how about the party? In this edition of Y’all-itics, the Jasons speak to Scott Braddock, the editor of Quorum Report, to take a deep dive into the allegations. And then they talk to Matt Mackowiak and Konni Burton, about whether Paxton – and the party – can survive the serious allegations.

You’ve heard on Y’all-itics recently that the Holy Trinity for Democrats in Texas this election will be winning President, U.S. Senate and flipping the Texas House. On this episode, the Executive Director of the Texas Democratic Party says while all three are realistic, only one is their strategic imperative. Manny Garcia also discusses the numerous election lawsuits still unfolding in courts a mere five weeks from the election. Confused about them? He shares some knowledge. And like many of our other guests, Garcia says Texas is definitely the biggest battleground state in the country. So why should voters be prepared to be annoyed?!?

Wait, what just happened in D.C.? Democrats and Republicans completely swapped sides on a major contentious issue – whether the U.S. Senate should vote on a Supreme Court nominee this close to a presidential election. Four years ago, under Obama, Republicans didn’t want to consider a judicial nominee and Democrats did. Today, under President Trump, it’s exactly the opposite. Hypocrisy? Senator Ted Cruz says it’s just politics. He joins the Jasons for this early release of Y’all-itics. Plus, six weeks away from the election, Cruz also told us that “Texas is a battleground.”

Hard to imagine that both political parties can find any common ground these days but reforming criminal justice reform is shared by Republicans and Democrats. Thirty years ago with rising crime across this state and the country, there was a general sense that offenders should be locked up and the key thrown away. Three strikes, you’re out. Remember that? Today, 30 years later, both parties are working to reform what is seen as a broken criminal justice system – from bail reform to offenders returning to society. Next week, Unlocking Doors, a Texas-based reentry program for ex-offenders, hosts its annual symposium with lawmakers, offenders, and criminal justice experts. On this episode, Christina Melton Crain from Unlocking Doors discusses her legislative wish list and filmmaker Cynthia Salzman Mondell speaks about a documentary she produced with 64-women inmates incarcerated at the Dallas County Jail. The film will be previewed in the virtual symposium. MORE: https://www.unlockingdoors.org/

The chairman of the Texas Republican Party joins the Jasons on this week’s Y’all-itics and he didn’t hold back. The conservative firebrand wants the party to win suburban women and black voters in November and he has a plan to do it. But he also made clear he isn’t happy with how the republican Governor of Texas has handled the state’s coronavirus response calling Greg Abbott’s response heavy-handed.

The Jasons have a candid conversation with Beto O’Rourke as he looks back on his career and ahead at his own political future. Democrats have three main goals in Texas in November and O’Rourke talks about which one is most realistic. Plus, he shares the one thing he stopped doing in the last six months and the one thing he still hasn’t given up. More about the Texas Tribune Festival

The educator. The Author. The Politician. The reporter. They’re all back three months after joining the Jasons for the podcast “My Skin is not a Weapon.” It’s not lost on anyone that the shooting of another black man in police custody frames the conversation… again. While there is a great deal of discouragement and frustration, this panel of African-Americans does think some change, no matter how small, has taken root in the three months since. But in another powerful conversation, they make clear we still have a long way to go.

Republicans formally nominated Donald Trump for a second term as president this week. Traditionally, national political conventions are tasked with two fundamental priorities every four years: nominate a president and vice president and establish a platform – a set of ideas that the party members believe in. But the RNC is skipping the process of creating a platform this year. That’s a mistake says Texas state Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth). “Parties should revolve around principles, not personalities,” Krause said. “It’s always a good exercise to flesh out those principles every four years.”

The race is on now! The Democratic National Convention (2020 virtual edition) is underway, and will be immediately followed next week by the Republican National Convention (also virtual in this pandemic). The Jasons are virtual, too---Dr. Carla Brailey, Vice Chair of the Texas Democratic Party Joins us. She tells Y'all-itics that even though she is a delegate to this year's convention, she's not completely sure what that's even going to look like, since she is joining the important nominating event...by Zoom. Dr. Brailey is excited by Democratic enthusiasm she sees in Texas, and believes Joe Biden and Kamala Harris can do what no Democratis presidential ticket has done in more than 40 years: Win Texas and it's cache of 38 electoral votes. Without giving away all the secrets, Dr. Brailey lays out how Democrats are already on the ground in Texas---working to increase their turnout from 2016 levels, which will be necessary to flip this traditionally safe state for Republicans. Also, Austin Mayor Steve Adler joins us. He doesn't think it will be hard to get the electorate excited without the big nominating hall filled with party faithful and balloons. Adler shares why he thinks going remote might be a good thing for the convention. Biden has been leading Trump by significant margins, but a few polls have tightened in recent days. Adler admits he's nervous about that---and he would've liked to see more Texans in big speaking roles at the get-together. But while some observers have suggested that the Democratic ticket should focus its resources in Democratic strongholds and traditional battleground states Adler is having none of that. Biden has made this a race in Texas and Adler thinks the Democratic ticket needs to double down on what could be the largest 2020 battleground: Texas.

That’s the message one north Texas superintendent would deliver to state leaders. His district returned to class August 4th and they’ve already learned a lot. He says one development shocked him. And after the first week, many teachers had a common concern. In fact, this superintendent says he’s fielding several calls a day from other superintendents across the state of Texas looking for advice before they return to class. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the two Jasons discover what’s working in the Keene ISD… and what needs to change. They also find out why Texas’ largest teachers’ union fears some teachers may go to work, even if they feel sick. Keene ISD Return to School Plan TSTA

That’s exactly what the founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano would tell politicians right now. And Cheryl Jackson says if they came out and saw the problem first hand, it would be the only motivation they’d need to get a deal done to help. As it stands, a federal $600/week unemployment benefit has now expired. So Jackson says a terrible situation is about to get worse. Still, “Action” Jackson, as she’s known, delivers her message with energy… and hope. And if you want to take action yourself, find out how you can in this episode of Y’all-itics. Minnie’s Food Pantry: Minnie’s Wish List:

It may not feel like it, but the election will be here in the blink of an eye. And if you’re a Texan, you should brace yourself for an onslaught of political advertising. The most recent campaign finance reports are out, and they tell quite a story in the Lone Star state, where some political observers wonder if a political realignment is underway. In this week’s episode of Y’all-itics, the two Jasons sit down with Texas Tribune D.C. Bureau Chief Abby Livingston for a quick 20-minute dissection of the fundraising haul for Democrats and whether the green could be helping to turn Texas blue. Texas Tribune Story

Pencils, Pens and chalk? ✅ Binders, school books and backpacks? ✅ Wills in case you die while teaching in class? ✅ This is the reality of preparing for school this year in Texas, where students are just weeks away from returning to class – whether that be physical or virtual. And many teachers are terrified they’ll be exposed to Covid-19. As the two Jasons discovered in this week’s episode of Y’all-itics, that’s leading many of them to think about end-of-life preparation… in addition to school supplies. Alliance AFT

Covid19 cut a major hole in the Texas economy – as businesses operate at a fraction of capacity or close permanently. But the virus has also sparked a huge demand for some products and their companies are struggling to keep up with demand. In this episode of Y'alli-tics, the Jasons talk to small businesses across the state – from a bike shop in Richardson that had to hire on extra help because of the demand for bicycles to a plexiglass distributor in Houston that is now supplying restaurants and businesses across the country with the material to make safe spaces. There’s even a puzzle maker in Wimberley that is now shipping his puzzles around the world as so many people stay inside these days. https://www.acplasticsinc.com/ https://www.bikemart.com/ https://wimberleypuzzlecompany.com/

When the virus first hit in March, the Jasons knocked back a green beer at a popular Dallas pizzeria as the city announced it would cancel the St. Patrick’s Day block party. A lot has changed since then. That pizza joint is still open but has been outfitted with a maze of plexi-glass dividers. Jason and Jason follow up with the owner about the difficulty of adjusting to the challenges posed by the pandemic…including the question this restaurateur had to confront: What do you do when one of your restaurant employees tests positive for Covid-19? The Texas Restaurant Association is asking the governor to implement a survival plan for the industry. On this episode of Y’all-itics, the TRA shares a staggering projection for how many eateries will likely shutter permanently. And they offer some suggestions for how Texans can save their favorite restaurants---including a tip to buy gift cards and wait to use them. The association warns that the pain restaurants are feeling will be borne out in the state’s budget. The huge sums of money that once flowed into state coffers from food and drink sales has been tremendously diminished by the shutdown followed by the slowdown. LINKS: https://www.txrestaurant.org/ https://gapc.co/

This week, Yall-itics makes its first stop all the way up in Philadelphia, PA. The Jasons talk with the man heading up a renowned research team there. The scientists have been modeling how the pandemic will affect different metros across the country. And when they ran the numbers for Harris County recently, they were ‘alarmed’. The potential case-count nearly went off the chart as they took a look out four weeks into the future. The trajectory is definitely going in the wrong direction, but the research team there says recent reopening rollbacks and some simple, but critical changes in our individual behaviors may prevent their worst-case scenario graph from becoming reality. June brought a swell of Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations in Texas, particularly in some of the larger metro areas, like Harris County. From Pennsylvania, Yall-itics makes its way into the heart of the Texas Medical Center, often referred to as the largest complex of medical facilities in the world. One expert there explains why medical professionals are calmer than they were when they first encountered the virus this spring. The headlines from the medical center have been dire lately, but this well-positioned expert says there is still plenty of capacity to take care of new patients. But he warns against complacency, noting how easily this virus can exploit our failure to stay vigilant…saying that we will only be able to keep the economy open by getting better at maintaining safety precautions. Policy Lab Covid-19 mapping Texas Medical Center Bed Capacity

Are Republicans nervous about winning Texas in November? Vice President Mike Pence is coming to Dallas on Sunday. President Trump just visited 10 days ago. Why is the Trump campaign spending time, money and resources in a state that has been a GOP lock for them for decades? Joining the Jasons this week are two of the smartest minds in Texas politics: Abby Livingston, D.C. Bureau Chief for the Texas Tribune, and Vinny Minchillo, Principal at Glass House Strategies. The podcast discusses how big of a flop Trump’s Tulsa rally was, who Biden might pick as a running mate, and why history cannot predict what will happen in November.

In a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the justices ruled 6 to 3 that employers cannot discriminate against LGBTQ employees because of sex. And one of the court’s most conservative justices wrote the ruling. In fact, Justice Neil Gorsuch said, “the answer is clear.” The ruling is important to a great many Texans, who have long been denied this protection. In this edition of “Y’all-itics,” the two Jasons sit down with Stacy Bailey, a Mansfield ISD teacher who was suspended after showing a picture of her partner, the woman who would become her wife, to students in her elementary classroom. And they’re also joined by Katie Hays, the lead evangelist at Galileo Church in Fort Worth – a church with a large LGBTQ community https://www.galileochurch.org/ Katie Hays on WFAA

It’s been two weeks since the death of George Floyd in police custody. And America has witnessed days and days of protests in cities all across the country. So what now? In this week’s episode of Y’all-itics, the two Jasons take an in-depth look at police reform and some of the concrete ideas on the table. Here in Texas, for instance, there is already discussion about “See Something, Say Something” legislation. And law enforcement experts tell the Jasons the incident – and the days that followed – are unlike anything the country has ever seen… and could lead to meaningful reform. Harvard Implicit Bias Test

An educator. An Author. A Politician. A reporter. In this week’s episode of Y’all-itics, the two Jasons are joined by a panel of African-Americans who share their voices and thoughts on what’s happening in their communities following the death of George Floyd while in police custody. From protest to policy, this powerful conversation examines past, present and future as it relates to the African-American experience and what the country needs to do to move past one of the most challenging times in American history.

On Wednesday May 27th, America is scheduled to return to space for the first time in nearly a decade. Astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will fly on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for an extended stay at the International Space Station. And as usual, the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston will play a leading role. As you might guess, it’s not easy to get into space. And it is never 100% safe. In this episode of Y’allitics, the two Jasons have an in-depth conversation with JSC Director Mark Geyer about the mission, acceptable risk and the hard work that got us ready to launch America.

No matter if you own a house or rent an apartment, when property taxes increase, so does your monthly payment. And if you’ve lived in Texas for a few minutes, property taxes almost ALWAYS increase in this state. But during a pandemic? Texans are getting valuations right now from Central Appraisal Districts that show their properties have gone way up in value over the last 12 months. Dallas County said significantly more properties increased in value than decreased. Harris County said it’s already seeing a 47-percent spike in protests – the highest percentage in three decades. Cities and counties are hurting for cash during the coronavirus. Federal aid for them is mired in party politics in D.C. So, who’s going to end up paying? There are ways to reduce what you owe. That’s what the Jasons dive into on this episode of Yallitics. LINKS: Chandler Crouch KHOU Investigation

Texas is reopening. While that very decision is mired in politics, there’s another “P” word that will also play a big role in how the economy spins back up. That second “P” word is “PSYCHOLOGY.” Texans are going to have to feel it’s safe enough to go out before they actually do so. We begin this episode with a psychotherapist in Dallas who tells the Jasons how she arrived at a comfortable point to start re-engaging in society. But the Jasons then went to a Westin hotel in Houston to learn how robots are opening a new front in the virus battle. And these aren’t imports either. We’re talking good old-fashioned Texas robots that are blasting the invisible enemy. Once they were fixtures just in hospitals. Now they’re roaming the rooms of hotel and the halls of the Texas state capitol building. The San Antonio company that makes them says this isn’t the ‘disinfection theater’ you might find in some places where unproven procedures are being carried out just to make people feel safer in the Covid-19 world. That company is now ramping up to try to keep up with all the different businesses who want their own virus-zapping robot. GUESTS: Leigh Richardson, psychotherapist, The Brain Performance Center Archit Sanghvi, VP of Operations Pearl Hospitality Dr. Mark Stibich, co-founded Xenex Disinfection effect of pulsed xenon ultraviolet irradiation on SARS-CoV-2

Laura Dickey, the CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Pit, says that the initial stages of reopening are not at all profitable for businesses. They are simply taking the steps , trying to figure out this new way forward and to demonstrate to potentially leery customers how businesses are going to try to keep them safe. This is sort of a trust-building exercise. It is also an exercise in planning and managing a supply chain, without knowing what demand is really going to look like. Carol Roehrig explains how Covid-19 will totally change how we work. She expects many more people to start working hybrid shifts---some at home, some at the workplace. She says workplaces will be configured differently to minimize face-to-face arrangements. She says this likely means the cubicle will make a big comeback, probably with taller dividers. Planning for the office of the future could mean more cubicles, screens between them, anti-microbial laminate desk tops, fewer conference rooms, better use of space, more distance between employees, and standing meetings in the conference rooms so attendees can maintain distance from each other. Angela Farley, COO at the Dallas Regional Chamber, says a survey from member companies shows they are planning less travel, more work from home flexibility, less attendance at large gatherings, even single-person elevator rides. She also predicts that economically...there is a thought that we might not be back to 'neutral' (basically---where we were before all this) for another two years.

Another 280,000 Texans have filed for unemployment. That makes 1.3 Million Texans who have lost work in a little more than one month. Many are receiving benefits, but problems persist for a lot of Texans who are desperately trying to get through to the Texas Workforce Commission. We are talking with the head of TWC about some of the problems…and possible solutions. We are also finding out from him how the agency will be able to keep handing out payments as its funding dwindles, and what TWC plans to do if another Covid-19 outbreak happens down the road after Texas gets more back to normal. Without paychecks, many Texans have been counting on those IRS emergency relief checks commonly called stimulus checks. But the wait continues for many people. And some say their money is going to the wrong accounts. There is also relief this week, after the federal government approved another $321 Billion dollars for small businesses to keep their staffers on the payroll. More businesses in Texas received those forgivable loans than any other state in the country. But we hear from one business owner who tells us about the problems behind the scenes that have prevented many small employers from having access to that much-needed money. WEBSITE LINKS: https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment DrMarkMazow.com Full interview with TWC Director:

If you could vote from your sofa with a cold pint and a laptop to look up the candidates and issues, would you? That’s the reality in five states right now. And with Covid-19 creating concerns about being out in public, a lot of Texans think it might be safer if they vote from afar. In fact, Texas Democrats had a big legal win last week after a judge ruled that any Texan can now request a mail-in ballot – not just senior citizens and those with a disability. Conservatives are concerned about ballot security and people influencing your vote. But in places like Washington state, vote by mail has worked well for years. In this episode, we get a Texans take on it after she just moved from Seattle to Dallas. The Jasons also heard from the former elections administrator from Denver, Colo. who now runs a national non-profit advocating for voting at home across the country and they got the Secretary of State from Washington state on the line – Kim Wyman – who is one of the few Republicans elected to statewide office on the west coast. She tells the Jasons why it works in Washington. LINKS: https://www.voteathome.org/ https://www.sos.wa.gov/office/kim-wyman.aspx

It looks difficult to pronounce but seems everyone right now knows about hydroxychloroquine. President Trump said it appeared promising in the fight against Covid19. Democrats quickly and correctly pointed out that it is unproven for that use. But forget the politics. What do Texas doctors say? There’s a doctor in Galveston County who has had prescribed this anti-malarial drug for 39 elderly patients who have the coronavirus. What’s the verdict? Did they experience severe side effects? Did it really help those 39 people improve? Turns out, there is one unwelcome side effect to all this. Now, hydroxychloroquine is not readily available at every pharmacy for folks who require daily doses for things like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. When a woman from Facebook questioned one of the Jasons posts about hydroxychloroquine, we called her up on the phone.

In the weekly jobless report, we find out that an additional 314,000 Texans have filed for unemployment after losing their jobs last week. In the past three weeks, more than 800,000 Texans have applied for unemployment. That’s more than in all of 2019. Many have been able to file online for benefits. But for different reasons, some people have to call in to claim unemployment. And we are hearing from desperate Texans who are frustrated by phone lines that have been jammed for weeks. Some have tried hundreds of times each day to get through, to no avail. In this week’s episode, the Texas Workforce Commission announces they are increasing the number of call centers…and next week they will increase the call-in hours to 12 hours, 7 days a week. Also, the TWC explains why some people who were recently denied unemployment benefits should apply again. And the agency gives an update on when out-of-workTexans might finally start seeing the additional $600 per week in federal unemployment benefits. https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services Give us a call ‪(214) 509-8156‬

Joanna Hernandez first poured out her thoughts and emotions to her Instagram followers after a long day at the hospital. She is a traveling nurse and currently working at a south Texas hospital where soon after arriving, she was assigned to the COVID unit. Hernandez speaks candidly about the struggles her patients experience, trying to reassure their worried relatives, and what she did with one elderly woman suffering from severe symptoms. This assignment in the COVID unit has changed her career trajectory, as well. She’s now considering taking a job in New York or New Jersey where the number of infections are the country’s worst.

SYNOPSIS: In the weekly jobless report on April 2nd, Texas unemployment claims jumped by more than 275,000. Last week, the number of Texans who filed for unemployment benefits was 150,000. As extraordinary as those numbers are, they only reflect part of the staggering number of jobs in the state that have been lost in recent weeks as the economy grinds to a halt during the Covid-19 pandemic. Not included in the numbers are all those who have been without jobs for weeks, but who have been unable to file for unemployment compensation because the Texas Workforce Commission website, inundated with requests, has been freezing and crashing. Worse yet, many Texans have complained the website directs them to call the TWC, and phone lines there have been jammed for weeks. We talk to one woman who has been trying to get benefits for herself and her son, since bother of them have lost work. She explains her frustrations navigating the system…and she poses a few questions for the TWC. We ask those questions and many more when we get a spokesman for the agency on the line. He explains how they are trying to ramp up to an overwhelming demand that isn’t expected to abate any time soon. WEBSITE LINKS: Texas Workforce Commission

Two moms in rural Collin County have come up with an ingenious way to protect doctors and their families from getting sick after long shifts at the hospital. Medical staff don’t just need PPEs right now. They also need RVs. Emily Phillips is married to an ER doctor and got worried that her husband could bring home COVID19 since both she and their 8-year-old son suffer from asthma. So, Emily got on Facebook last week and asked if she could borrow an RV to allow her husband to come home – but still stay outside to prevent any possible exposure. Within six days, Emily’s one Facebook request has turned into an entire Facebook Group with a couple thousand members and RV owners across the country lending their motorhomes to doctors they’ve never even met. Emily Phillips and her new friend, Holly Haggard, joined the Jasons in a lively conversation. Also, in the episode, COVID19 blindsided a lot of businesses in our state. But not the grocer, HEB. In January, the popular Texas supermarket chain started making calls to suppliers and retailers in China to see what kind of impact they were experiencing from the coronavirus. Those phone calls paid off. By March, when cases began surfacing in Texas, HEB was ready. It enacted an emergency plan, raised hourly pay for workers and changed store hours to address the conflict. Dan Solomon, a writer for Texas Monthly, called the Jasons from Austin to share some fascinating details from his magazine story of how HEB planned for the pandemic. More Infos: Rvs 4 MDs Inside the Story of How H-E-B Planned for the Pandemic, Texas Monthly

Republican Dallas County Commissioner J.J. Koch speaks to us after tens of thousands of people watched a Facebook video in which he admonished Texans to take Covid-19 more seriously. He also lamented that the governor (from his own party) was ‘leading from behind’. Commissioner Koch also breaks down the number of ventilators available, and how Dallas County will likely be the first in Texas to have a ‘crash’ of cases coming into the healthcare system. Dr. Deborah Birx, who has been helping to head up the national Coronavirus Response Task Force, offers what could be some positive news about the expected peak of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. Texas nurse practitioner Sara Phillips, who has responded to outbreaks around the world, including Ebola and H1N1, says she is disappointed with the federal response to Covid-19. She talks about big missed opportunities to contain the virus, and about how the outbreak is a test of the American psyche, “As Americans…we have a bit of an invincibility complex”. And Glenn Martin, a Tarrant County resident who tested positive for Covid-19, talks about what he has been through, and what treatment has helped him turn the corner in his recovery. His advice, “Stay positive you can do it…you can overcome it if you do get it”.

The economic toll of the Coronavirus is tremendous, and this is just the beginning. Layoffs have already jumped, but Andrew Challenger, Senior VP at outplacement firm Challenger, Christmas, and Gray, says the official numbers are even reflective of what is really happening---that a lot of smaller businesses are cutting jobs, and those losses are big and have yet to be truly tallied. Additionally, Challenger predicts the job losses that will be announced soon will be in much larger numbers. One interesting note, though…this expert says his firm is surprised they didn’t see far more layoffs already from larger employers---they believe large companies have been trying to hold on to workers as long as possible to keep our collective situation from getting far worse. There are some glimmers of hope, though. Challenger says some industries are desperate for workers right now, and that there are some things you can do to try to insulate your job from being cut. Even as we hear about the job losses from this global pandemic, there is one industry that’s surging with demand right now. Ike Brown is president of NFI Industries. It’s a global logistics firm that operates thousands of tractor trailers and millions of square feet of warehouse space and has a large presence in Texas. Brown said not only are warehouses full of things like toilet paper and paper towels that his drivers are delivering to stores right now, but he is also preparing for ships from China to start arriving again at the end of next month.

The coronavirus outbreak is starting to change our daily lives in dramatic ways. The crisis is, of course, a health and humanitarian one first. But the economics of the outbreak could have a tremendous impact on governments, businesses, and many people. We get the perspective on Main Street from a Texas business owner who is missing out on his most profitable day of the year because of coronavirus preparations. We also talk to one of the most plugged-in economists in the country (who herself was a patient in the Swine Flu Pandemic) to get a comprehensive overview of what the Coronavirus pandemic is doing to the economy, what kind of job losses we can expect, what this will mean to Texas, and how involved the government is going to have to be to prop up individual Americans as this situation unfolds. Finally, we hear from a Texas state senator right after he finishes a call with the governor. He explains what’s being done to get protective supplies to health workers, what’s happening with testing, how Texas students will be able to learn (and in many cases eat) if school is cancelled, and what’s being talked about at the state level to offset the costs of the coronavirus response (hint: it could involve even higher property taxes). More Info: Greenville Ave Pizza Company Lowest Greenville Collective Grant Thornton’s Covid-19 section State Senator Nathan Johnson More coronavirus info

Where do old voting machines go to die? Turns out, many are being resurrected in Texas. Harris County, for example, is now planning to purchase 2,000 used eSlate machines that Travis County just retired. Harris County told the Jasons that it’s worth the money for extra voting booths before potentially long lines in November like many voters experienced on Super Tuesday. The 2,000 used machines would be in addition to the 8,000 Harris County already has. But there’s another novel election-related idea under discussion in Texas. It’s something called Ranked Choice Voting. Other states already use it. At the polls, voters select their top two or three candidates and rank them in order of preference. The concept saves money and prevents voter fatigue by eliminating runoff elections. Perhaps no one welcomes it more than state Rep. Anna Eastman in Houston. She has gone through three elections in five months – and has two more to go by November. Eastman answered her phone when the Jasons surprised her with a phone call. But they begin this episode by calling health reporter and world traveler Sonia Azad for an update on the coronavirus in Texas and by laying out the economic and political implications already unfolding.

Huge turnout, long lines, not enough voting machines; Super Tuesday in Texas didn’t quite turnout as planned. Why? The turnout! It’s a good problem to have in a state that is often called a non-voting one. Joining the Jasons for political context on this bonus episode is Deborah Peoples, the chairwoman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, Vinny Minchillo, a principal at Glass House Strategy advertising firm, Alana Rocha of the Texas Tribune and Berna Dean Steptoe, political producer at WFAA in Dallas. Does the large turnout suggest Texas really is in play? We cracked a beer and started around the room for some completely different perspectives.

The Jasons discuss the FACTS surrounding COVID-19 and preparations in Texas. They start their conversation with former WFAA-TV reporter Jonathan Betz, who now lives in Beijing, China and is currently under quarantine. To say Jonathan is feeling isolated is understatement. But he’s still getting his deliveries, which is an interesting part of life in Beijing. The Jasons then visit with Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins who talks about the lessons learned during the Ebola scare in 2014. The Judge says there was no outbreak blueprint prior to Ebola. But now we are ahead of the game because we have plans in place to deal with outbreaks, thanks to the 2014 scare. Transparency is key, the Judge says, in keeping the public calm. He says so far, the state is doing everything it needs to do to protect its citizens. And throughout the podcast, you’ll hear from Dr. Clinton Haley, an infectious disease expert in Dallas, including what he is telling his own family about COVID-19. Links: CDC COVID-19 Texas Health & Human Services COVID-19 North Texas Infectious Diseases Consultants

It costs too much. And it’s too complicated. According to a great many voters in 2020, that is the only way to describe our modern health care system. And this is driving their decision-making at the polls. The Jasons jump straight into the deep end in this episode of Y’all-itics, pouring a pint with the CEO of The Texas Academy of Family Physicians in the Medical District. Tom Banning says we have an amazing “sick care” system in America, but “health care” is broken. And he says a fundamental question that must be answered in is whether we think health care is a right or a commodity. If you’re like a growing number of Texans, you are underinsured. That is, you have insurance, but can’t afford to use it. So, the Jasons also wanted to know if there’s a way for Texas consumers to cut their health care costs without having to wait for the politicians (there is). And a random surprise guest helped to prove this point. More Info: Texas Academy of Family Physicians Trends in Texas Health Care Costs The Commonwealth Fund

The Jasons take a road trip to Austin to pour a pint with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. They chose Shiner, of course. And you have likely never heard the Attorney General like this. Mr. Paxton says he now has less confidence in the criminal justice system. He thinks 3 syllable names win elections. He’s not afraid of the color Purple. And he shares his thoughts whether he thinks the President has broken any laws. Oh yeah… and he’s suing the state of California. Buckle up for the ride. Have a question about Super Tuesday? The candidates? How about an issue? Call (214) 509-8156 Leave us a message and you and your question may appear on a future episode of Y’allitics Link to SCOTUS filing against California… https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22O153/132447/20200210120117146_Texas%20v.%20California%20Motion%20for%20Leave%20to%20File.pdf

The Latino community in Texas has long been described as a sleeping giant, an electorate with the potential to swing our politics and policies. But based on U.S. Census data, that giant is in a deep sleep. A Texas group is trying to forge a new tradition with Latino Voters where coming of age automatically means voting. And they’re targeting 15-year-old girls to make it happen. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons learn more about the Jolt Initiative and why folks like Carmen Ayala think Quinceañeras are the key to unleashing the power (Poder in Spanish) of the Latino vote. WFAA reporter Teresa Woodard also joins the Jasons to add a female perspective and discuss what she learned while exploring the issue. No beer. But plenty of great eats and great discussion. See the original story here The Jolt Initiative Follow Teresa Woodard on twitter