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A weekly look at politics in North Texas and across the state with NBC 5 political reporter Julie Fine and Gromer Jeffers of The Dallas Morning News.

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth


    • Dec 12, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 24m AVG DURATION
    • 89 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Lone Star Politics

    SCOTUS Allows Abortion Suit to Proceed; 2022 Midterm Filing Deadline

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 27:02


    After the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a lawsuit challenging Texas' abortion law to move forward, state House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) joins the show. Then, Republican political consultant Vinny Minchillo previews the 2022 primaries and general election in Texas.

    Texas' New Secretary of State; First Lady on Christmas, COVID-19

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 21:17


    Appointed just over a month ago, Texas' new Secretary of State John Scott discusses elections in the state. Then, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg explains what the infrastructure plan means for North Texas and First Lady Jill Biden on the first family's first Christmas in the White House.

    O'Rourke Explains Why He Decided to Run; DPD Chief Garcia on Dallas Crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2021 19:59


    Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Congressman Beto O'Rourke discusses why he decided to enter the 2022 race and Dallas police Chief Eddie Garcia reflects on his first 10 months on the job and the progress the city has made.

    Allred on Infrastructure Bill; Krause to Run for Attorney General

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2021 24:55


    With President Joe Biden set to sign a large, bipartisan infrastructure bill, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) explains what impact it could have on North Texas and state Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) discusses why he decided to run for attorney general. Plus, aviation reporter Kyle Arnold of The Dallas Morning News on what to expect as the holiday travel season kicks into gear.

    Disappointing Election for Democrats; George P. Bush on Run for Attorney General

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2021 29:48


    After a disappointing night nationwide for Democrats on Election Day, political strategist Matt Angle explains what the party needs to improve on before the midterms. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush discusses why he decided to run for attorney general, and director of the Dallas Public Library Jo Giudice, on how the city acquired an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.

    Supreme Court to Hear Texas Abortion Law; Drew Pearson on Sports and Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2021 26:33


    The United States Supreme Court will hear arguments surrounding Texas' abortion law on Monday. Former Democratic state Senator Wendy Davis and current state Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) discuss the upcoming case. Then, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson explains why he thinks it's a good thing sports and politics intersect.

    Lawsuit Over Texas Redistricting Maps; New Faces on Fort Worth City Council

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2021 22:51


    Less than a week after the Texas legislature's special session on redistricting, there is already a lawsuit challenging the state's new maps. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund Vice President of Litigation Nina Perales explains the suit. Then, Fort Worth City Councilmember Chris Nettles, who was elected in the spring as one of five new council members, explains his different approach as a council member as opposed to an activist.

    Protecting the Power Grid; Redistricting Special Session Wraps Tuesday

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2021 20:55


    The chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission explains what's being done to protect the state's power grid as the weather starts to cool down, Rudy Bush of The Dallas Morning News reviews the Texas Legislature's special session on redistricting, which concludes on Tuesday, and University of Texas government professor Zach Elkins previews the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on the ballot this fall.

    Congressman Responds to Mansfield ISD Shooting; How New SCOTUS Term Impacts Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2021 27:48


    In the days after a school shooting in his district, U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Waxahachie) reflects on the incident at Mansfield ISD's Timberview High School. Then, The Dallas Morning News Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman explains the latest news out of the U.S. Senate and looks ahead to the Supreme Court's fall term.

    DC Democrats Continue Negotiations on Biden's Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2021 24:01


    U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) discusses the latest negotiations in his party surrounding President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan. Then, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson explains the city's ethics reform plan, The Dallas Morning News Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett breaks down Gov. Greg Abbott's poll numbers and Collin County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet on the election audit ordered by the Texas Secretary of State's office.

    How Does Redistricting Impact Texans?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2021 28:58


    As the Texas legislature settles into its third special session of the year, state Sen. Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) discusses how Senate District 10 is being changed in proposed new maps and Michael Li of the Brennan Center for Justice explains how the redistricting process works. Plus, state Rep. Eddie Morales (D-Eagle Pass) on the migrant surge in Del Rio and Dallas attorney Eric Cedillo on what happens next for those removed from the camp.

    Texas Legislature Begins Redistricting Special Session

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2021 23:07


    As the Texas legislature begins its third special session of the year -- this one to address redistricting -- state Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) and state Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) discuss what's to come. Then, The Dallas Morning News Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman on the latest from the nation's capital.

    Legislature Prepares for Special Session on Redistricting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2021 16:45


    In the wake of President Joe Biden's new COVID-19 vaccine plan, McKinney Mayor George Fuller shares what his city needs. Then, The Dallas Morning News' Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett on the upcoming special session, and Julie Fine has the story of a state senator who was in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

    Texas Abortion Bill Becomes Law

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2021 27:07


    One of the authors of Texas' elections and abortion bills, State. Sen Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), discusses the new laws; U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth) on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the new laws in Texas; and attorney David Coale explains where the mask mandates in Texas stand after several court challenges in multiple jurisdictions.

    Afghanistan Withdrawal, House Passes Voting Bill

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2021 22:45


    After an attack at the airport in Kabul, U.S. Rep. Van Taylor (R-Plano), a veteran of the Iraq war, discusses the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Then, state Rep. Carl Sherman (D-DeSoto) and Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) on the elections bill that passed the House last week.

    Quorum Restored in the State House

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2021 26:33


    Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) after some of his colleagues returned to the Capitol, restoring a quorum in the chamber; Congressman Roger Williams (R-Cleburne) on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the infrastructure bill; and Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent Scribner on the ongoing battle over masks in schools.

    The Battle Over Mask Mandates

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 21:48


    Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins explains why he believes the county needs a mask mandate as COVID-19 cases rise, recently-elected U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey lays out his priorities as he prepares to return to Washington, and SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson on what comes next for both parties in the Texas legislature.

    Texas' Second Special Session; Big 12 in the State Senate

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2021 23:17


    State Reps. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) and Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) discuss the second special session of the state legislature called by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R). Plus, Julie and Gromer discuss the University of Texas' decision to leave the Big 12.

    Texas Legislature Special Session; Trump Visits Dallas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2021 26:20


    Texas lawmakers are back in Austin for a special legislative session. State Rep. Justin Holland (R-Rockwall) discusses Gov. Greg Abbott's priorities and UT-Arlington political science professor Rebecca Deen explains why a special session is happening. Then, The Dallas Morning News Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman breaks down former President Donald Trump's CPAC appearance and President Joe Biden's infrastructure strategy.

    Border Back in the Spotlight; Special Session Starts Thursday

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2021 18:31


    Will Hurd, former Congressman from San Antonio, joins Julie to discuss the Texas-Mexico border; The Dallas Morning News Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett previews the special legislative session that starts Thursday; and a one-on-one with First Lady Jill Biden from her stop in Dallas last week.

    Voting Bills at State, Federal Levels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2021 25:43


    An elections bill is expected to be a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott (R) during a special legislative session next month, while federal voting legislation stalled last week. State Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth) and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) join Julie Fine and Gromer Jeffers.

    Texas Democrats Go to Washington; Arlington Mayor Reflects

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2021 29:06


    State Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas), who was one of 16 Texas Democratic lawmakers to go to Washington last week to discuss voting rights, talks about the trip; Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams reflects on his six years in office; and state Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Carrollton), a founding member of the House LGBTQ Caucus looks back at the legislative session and discusses Pride Month.

    Meet Plano's New Mayor, Plus Biden's First Overseas Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2021 22:04


    New Plano Mayor John Mun lays out his vision for the city and the challenges it will face post-pandemic. Plus, The Dallas Morning News' Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman looks at the political implications of foreign trips by President Biden and Vice President Harris.

    Fort Worth Has a New Mayor and a Look Back at the Legislature

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 29:07


    Fort Worth Mayor-Elect Mattie Parker after her runoff win and Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Chris Turner (R-Arlington) on the House Democrats walkout. Plus, Julie Fine and Gromer Jeffers recap the state legislative session.

    Lone Star Politics Extra: Dade Phelan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 8:46


    A day after the 87th Texas Legislature gaveled out, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) looked back at his first 140 days as speaker.

    Texas Legislature and Celebrities in Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2021 27:26


    State Reps. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) and Carl Sherman (D-DeSoto) reflect on the Texas legislative session, which ends Monday. Purdue University professor Kathryn Cramer Brownell, an expert on celebrity and politics, discusses what a Matthew McConaughey run for Texas governor might look like.

    Fort Worth Mayoral Candidates and the Final Days of the Legislature

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2021 26:03


    The candidates in the runoff election for Fort Worth mayor, Mattie Parker and Deborah Peoples, make their cases to voters in a joint interview. Then, The Dallas Morning News Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett discusses the final week of the state legislative session and Dr. John Carlo of Prism Health North Texas explains how we should handle COVID-19 as families make summer plans.

    Liz Cheney Reaction and Late Night Votes in Austin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2021 24:22


    State Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) on the quickened pace in Austin as the clock ticks down on the state legislature. U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Denton) discusses his vote to remove Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming) from GOP House leadership. UT School of Law professor Randy Erben on how bills make their way through the state legislature.

    District 6 Runoff and the Texas Legislature

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2021 26:23


    One of the candidates to fill former Congressman Ron Wright's seat in Texas' 6th Congressional District, state Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Waxahachie), discusses the race, then Rice University political science professor Mark Jones on the series of controversial bills making their way through the state legislature and Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate looks ahead to another term in an office to which he was first elected in 1973.

    May Election Recap; Permitless Carry in Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 25:42


    Many of the biggest races in North Texas are headed to runoff elections, including the special election for Texas' 6th Congressional District. Plus, state Sen. Bob Hall (R-Rockwall) discusses the permitless carry bill in the legislature and The Dallas Morning News' Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman breaks down how newly-released census data impacts Texas.

    Texas Legislature's Final Five Weeks

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2021 30:03


    As the 87th Texas Legislature enters its final five weeks, state Reps. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas), Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) discuss bills still in play. Then, Julie Fine talks to Dr. Anthony Fauci and NBC 5's Ken Kalthoff breaks down the Dallas City Council elections.

    'Bo's Law' and the Fort Worth Mayoral Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2021 25:08


    As the nation's attention again moves to policing, Texas Rep. Carl Sherman (D-DeSoto) and chairman of the Dallas Police Associaton's political action committee Frederick Frazier discuss "Bo's Law" -- named for Botham Jean -- in the state legislature. NBC 5 reporter Scott Gordon breaks down the race to replace Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and president of the Dallas County Medical Society Dr. Beth Kassanoff-Piper addresses the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

    Election Bills, Politics and Baseball

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2021 35:28


    State Sens. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) and Royce West (D-Dallas) discuss an elections bill in the Texas Senate, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan examines his first session in charge and NBC 5 Sports Director Newy Scruggs looks at the intersection of voting rights and baseball.

    O'Rourke, Cruz Weigh in on Immigration; How Infrastructure Bill Would Impact Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 37:00


    Beto O'Rourke and Sen. Ted Cruz discuss the surge of unaccompanied migrant children crossing the border and O'Rourke talks about the 2022 race for Texas governor. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg explains how the Biden administration's infrastructure plan would impact Texas, and The Dallas Morning News' Austin Bureau Chief Bob Garrett on state bills affecting the Texas power grid and voting rights.

    Surge Continues at the Border; All Adult Texans Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2021 27:26


    U.S. Rep. Van Taylor (R-Plano) discusses the surge at the border; Texas Rep. Victoria Neave (D-Dallas) on the package of bills she introduced to help victims of sexual assault and harassment; and NBC 5's Katy Blakey reports what she's learned about the COVID-19 vaccine with all Texans 16 years old and older eligible starting Monday.

    Teens Seeking Asylum Temporarily Housed in Dallas

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2021 30:15


    Former Congressman Will Hurd, who represented a Texas border district for six years, and Dallas immigration attorney Josh Turin explain the over-crowding at the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo discusses how the latest COVID-19 relief package will impact small businesses.

    State Budget, Energy, Police Reform: Bills Filed in Texas Legislature

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2021 23:09


    Texas Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) and The Dallas Morning News Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett discuss key bills filed in the state legislature. Then, Collin County Health Care Services public information officer Darrell Willis on the county's vaccine rollout.

    No More Mask Mandates, COVID-19 Relief Bill and Vaccine Distribution

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 26:59


    The top Democrat in the Texas House, Chris Turner (D-Arlington), responds to Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to lift all statewide COVID-19 mandates, The Dallas Morning News' Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman discusses the relief bill working its way through Congress and Dallas City Council member Casey Thomas explains his role in helping hard-to-reach communities register for the vaccine.

    Lone Star Politics: Feb. 28, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2021 26:30


    State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) and NBC 5 Investigates' Scott Friedman discuss the hearings in Austin about the statewide power outages during the winter storm. Then, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price looks back at her 10 years in office after delivering her final state of the city address.

    Lone Star Politics Extra: Sen. Ted Cruz Interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 11:20


    Days after his trip to Cancun during a winter storm in Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz talked to NBC 5's Julie Fine about the decision to leave town for a day and the future of the state's power grid.

    Lone Star Politics: Feb. 21, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2021 24:21


    State Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth), chair of the House Energy Resources Committee, on hearings in Austin after the massive power grid failure during the winter storm. Plus, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins on how to get COVID-19 vaccines back on track after being interrupted by the winter storm, and fallout continues for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) who traveled to Cancun, Mexico while the state was in the middle of a power and water crisis.

    Lone Star Politics: Feb. 14, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2021 28:19


    Dr. Cameron Webb of the White House COVID-19 Response team discusses large scale vaccine sites in North Texas, SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson breaks down former President Trump's second impeachment trial and Texas Rep. Michelle Beckley (D-Carrollton) explains her alcohol delivery bill.

    Lone Star Politics: Feb. 7, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2021 27:42


    With former President Trump's second impeachment trial set to get underway, U.S. Rep. Van Taylor (R-Plano) joins the show. Then, Plano Mayor Harry Larosiliere reflects on his tenure with just a few months left in his term, and Julie Fine and Gromer Jeffers breakdown Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) State of the State address.

    Lone Star Politics: Jan. 31, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2021 26:50


    U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) discusses former President Trump's second impeachment trial, COVID-19 relief and immigration; state Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) on redistricting; and SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson explains how the U.S. Senate will operate with a 50-50 split between the parties.

    Lone Star Politics: Jan. 24, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2021 26:26


    This week, former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio) joins the show to discuss the future of the Republican party after Donald Trump's presidency. Plus, The Dallas Morning News' Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman on the inauguration and the first week of the Biden administration, and Parker County Emergency Management Coordinator Sean Hughes on the county's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

    Lone Star Politics: Jan. 17, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2021 22:36


    Shortly after being named one of the House impeachment managers, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) joins Julie and Gromer. Plus, hear from Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) and state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas) after the first week of the state's legislative session.

    Lone Star Politics: Jan. 10, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2021 33:07


    Hear from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) just days after the attack at the U.S. Capitol. Plus, state Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) ahead of the 87th Texas Legislature and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins discusses the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

    Lone Star Politics: Dec. 27, 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2020 20:59


    To look back at the biggest political stories of 2020 and look ahead to 2021, Julie Fine and Gromer Jeffers are joined by NBC 5 anchor Brian Curtis and The Dallas Morning News' Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman. Plus, NBC 5's Vince Sims interviews new Dallas police Chief Eddie Garcia.

    Lone Star Politics: Dec. 20, 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2020 23:13


    Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley discusses how his county is handling a surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, The Dallas Morning News' James Barragan previews the next Texas legislative session and UT-Dallas professor Dr. Robert Lowry explains what happens next when Congress opens the nation's electoral votes on Jan. 6.

    Lone Star Politics: Dec. 13, 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2020 32:21


    As Texas gets set to receive its first shipment of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, chief of the Texas Department of Emergency Management Nim Kidd explains how the state is preparing for distribution. Plus, state Rep. John Turner (D-Dallas) on the 2021 legislative session and Denton mayor-elect Gerard Hudspeth on his historic win.

    Lone Star Politics: Dec. 6, 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2020 29:40


    As the North Texas region rolls back opening guidelines after reaching a new benchmark in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Julie Fine and Brian Curtis are joined by Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) and the president of the Dallas County Medical Society, Dr. Mark Casanova.

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