Lone Star Politics

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.