We recap the wild week in Texas politics. Grab a coldie and hang! Learn more about us at ProgressTexas.org.
Both the Trump endorsement of Ken Paxton and the CD 35 Democratic runoff shenanigans this week provide examples of what could eventually happen when toxic candidates end up on the ballot - and how that toxicity can be weaponized across the aisle. Fort Worth attorney and Progress Texas board member Jason Smith is back for a deep dive on gross voting options as the 2026 primary runoff winds down - don't forget to vote, and vote carefully!Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:A Guatemalan woman, denied a critical surgery by her ICE captors, has become the latest symbol of the cruelty of the Trump immigration enforcement machine: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/doctors-say-woman-in-texas-ice-detention-center-urgently-requires-surgery-shes-being-denied/...An ICE arrest in the parking lot of a San Antonio voting location has prompted warnings against immigration enforcement visibility near the polls - an unacceptable combination for the November midterms: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-news/ice-conducts-enforcement-action-at-san-antonio-voting-location-witnesses-say/Officials in Sinton, Texas - near Corpus Christi - are being accused of hoarding water for data centers as the regional water supply drops to a dangerous low: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19052026/corpus-christi-emergency-water-supply-delays/Another endorsement for CD 35 congressional candidate Johnny Garcia - and another condemnation of his antisemitic, conspiracist Democratic runoff opponent Maureen Galindo - comes from the editorial board at the Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/endorsements/article/johnny-garcia-maureen-galindo-antisemitism-texas-22269254.php...Our recent visit with Johnny Garcia: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-282-johnny-garcia-progress-texas-endorsed/id1552998795?i=1000768641904Early voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Donald Trump's endorsement of Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for Senate has sent shockwaves through the GOP elite: https://apnews.com/article/trump-texas-senate-endorsement-paxton-cornyn-adb4c7213fc2d0db0b29d0ab65d49384...Paxton's manipulation of Trump appears to have paid off handsomely: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/19/politics/ken-paxton-donald-trump-endorsement-john-cornyn...Senate Republicans are now deeply concerned about hanging on to their majority: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/oh-boy-republican-senators-recoil-at-trump-endorsement-in-texas-race-worry-it-could-give-dems-the-senate/...Paxton is seen as a liability not only in Texas but nationally, as defending that Senate seat will require a massive investment in what has been considered a safe state for the GOP: https://www.notus.org/campaigns/trump-paxton-endorsement-cornyn-senate-2026-republican-majorityIn CD 35, the Democratic runoff has made national news as candidate Maureen Galindo has spouted wild anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, effectively killing her own credibility: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/house-democratic-texas-candidate-maureen-galindo-antisemitic-comments-rcna346022...Galindo's campaign has also been raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars from "Lead Left PAC", which is suspected of being a conservative funding operation designed to elevate an inferior Democratic candidate for the general election: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/democratic-candidate-pledges-to-convert-ice-jail-into-prison-for-american-zionists-that-will-also-be-castration-processing-center/...The San Antonio Jewish Federation has condemned Galindo's campaign: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/politics-and-elections/house-candidate-maureen-galindo-pledges-to-send-american-zionists-to-internment-camp/Early voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Yes, it's rare for Progress Texas' board to issue an endorsement in a Democratic runoff after early voting has already begun - but the situation in CD 35, situated on the eastern range of the San Antonio area, is a bona fide emergency. Not only is there a strong candidate in lifelong law enforcement professional Johnny Garcia, but his opponent Maureen Galindo - yes, a Democrat - has proven herself a highly flawed option, while Republican money to the tune of almost $1 million has flowed into her campaign. Why would Republicans want Galindo to win this badly? Because they know she can't beat them in November. The state and the nation needs to know about Johnny Garcia and what's at stake in this race - thus, our endorsement, and this chance to get to know him.Learn more about Johnny Garcia and his run for Congress at https://www.votejohnnygarcia.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Our board at Progress Texas has issued a late endorsement for Johnny Garcia, running in the primary runoff in South Texas' CD 35 against Maureen Galindo, whose campaign has been marred by a broad variety of rhetorical missteps: https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/antisemitism-congressional-election-22260523.phpNew polling shows higher favorability ratings for James Talarico than either Senator John Cornyn or Ken Paxton - but the November race against either a toss-up: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/poll-shows-texas-senate-race-toss-up-cornyn-and-paxton-vie-for-gop-nod/287-3e6e6e91-af0b-4f44-9be2-431654e07184Paxton's office continues its bungling of high-profile cases with an extremely light sentence imposed upon an admitted child molester in Waco: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/19/ken-paxton-waco-plea-deal-child-sex-abuse-texas-attorney-general/...While sex offenders are sliding, Paxton is ramping up his attacks on Muslim schools: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-05-18/texas-ag-ken-paxton-sues-texam-university-alleging-illegal-degree-programs-and-deceptive-branding...And piling on with the Trump DOJ with a highly dubious legal action against the Southern Poverty Law Center: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5884347-texas-investigates-splc-funding/Meanwhile the hard-right media - clearly on Team Paxton - are making hay of Cornyn's prior support of Islamic Relief USA, a purely humanitaritan charity, simply on the basis of their Muslim affiliation: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/05/18/report-cornyn-funded-islamic-group-linked-planned-texas-muslim-community/An Austin Chick-Fil-A franchisee - part of a chain known for closing on Sunday's to uphold a Christian religious veneer - is being sued for refusing to honor the religious rights of one of its own managers: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/chick-fil-a-austin-texas-lawsuit-saturday-sabbath/269-e84e7adc-debb-4051-a1d7-a3fca50bb84dEarly voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Time to vote, y'all! Early voting in the 2026 primary runoff is underway as of today (Monday 5/18), and the board at Progress Texas has picked Democrat Kevin Burge as one of our endorsees in this crucial midterm election. We welcome Kevin back for a runoff update - you can also hear our earlier conversation, which presents a deeper dive on his extensive background in government, the military and intelligence sectors at https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-257-dfw-congressional-candidate-and-pt-endorsee-kevin-burge.Learn more about Kevin's campaign at https://www.burgeforcongress.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Early voting in the 2026 primary runoffs has begun, continuing through Friday, and culminating in Election Day on Tuesday May 26th. Progress Texas has made several endorsements in the runoff: https://progresstexas.org/blog/progress-texas-endorsements-may-primary-runoffsGovernor Abbott's push for the Texas Supreme Court to remove Houston Rep. Gene Wu and other State House Democrats from office over the summer quorum break has failed: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/15/texas-supreme-court-gene-wu-greg-abbott-redistricting-map-quorum-break/...Abbott's campaign team, apparently fearing the threat posed by Democratic nominee and State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, has starting digging for dirt - specifically, photos of Hinojosa as a teenager at pool parties in the Valley: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/gov-abbotts-top-strategist-seeks-underage-photos-of-gina-hinojosa-as-he-tries-to-dig-up-dirt/Ken Paxton and the Trump DOJ have succeeded in forcing Texas Children's Hospital in Houston to establish a "detransition" clinic: https://apnews.com/article/genderaffirming-care-minors-texas-hospital-29f0f2d157395cb6a70f53ba29c36b5b...The settlement also requires Texas Children's to fire five "ideologically-motivated" doctors: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/paxton-forces-texas-hospital-to-open-detransition-clinic-as-part-of-settlement-40674995/Early voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Among the important statewide races still in primary runoff mode is the contest for the Democratic nomination to replace the highly toxic and ethically bankrupt Ken Paxton. Of the two candidates remaining - Dallas State Senator Nathan Johnson and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski - only Jaworski has successfully undergone the process of becoming a Progress Texas Certified Progressive. We've been following Joe's extensive and tireless statewide campaign for months, and we're proud to have him back to catch up on the eve of the runoff election.Learn more about Joe Jaworski and his campaign for Texas Attorney General at https://www.jaworskifortexas.com/.We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Through sheer determination, Ken Paxton and the state of Texas overcame a federal court stay of execution and put to death Edward Busby in Huntsville last night - a man that multiple experts agreed was intellectually disabled. Both the Trump SCOTUS and Texas' Republican leadership, in their zeal to achieve our 600th state-sanctioned killing in the modern era, demonstrate the callous indifference regarding human dignity and equal justice of the Republican regime - and also demonstrate why progressives must work even harder for long-overdue change.Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/14/texas-600-execution-edward-busby-death-penalty/Runoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
This week's roundtable discussion was recorded prior to the U.S. Supreme Court's last minute clearing of the execution of Edward Busby, at a moment when we were hopeful that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals staying of his execution, based on finding that he is intellectually disabled, would be honored. Sadly, it was not. Capital punishment is a stain upon civilization, and we explain that position in today's talk.We also discuss the political power of Black NCAA athletes in the South - specifically, those attending colleges in the SEC - and how those young Americans might find themselves agents of needed change at a moment when the rights they have been granted through years of struggle are being curtailed. See the opinion of HBCU sports analyst Steven Gaither:https://hbcugameday.com/2026/05/12/sec-boycott-calls-lane-kiffin-interview-creating-needed-discussions/.We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Despite orders from the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend the scheduled execution of Edward Busby, state officials are still trying to kill him today: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/after-having-his-execution-halted-edward-busby-awaits-supreme-court-ruling/Governor Abbott is attempting a novel legal maneuver claiming that State Rep. Gene Wu's leadership of last summer's quorum break constitutes abdication of his office - he's asking the Texas Supreme Court to thus forcibly remove Wu from office: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/state/article/gene-wu-greg-abbott-lawsuit-22235273.phpTexas Super Bowl viewers led the nation in complaining to the FCC about the "decency" of Bad Bunny's record-breaking halftime show - no indecency or violations were found: https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/texans-filed-most-complaints-bad-bunny-halftime-22257755.phpAn HBCU-specific sports writer argues that Black SEC football players do possess collective political power relevant to the undermining of Black voters in the South via aggressive redistricting allowed by the SCOTUS Callais decision: https://hbcugameday.com/2026/05/12/sec-boycott-calls-lane-kiffin-interview-creating-needed-discussions/Runoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:President Barack Obama joined Democratic nominees James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa yesterday at The Taco Joint in East Austin to fire up progressive voters in Texas: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/article/barack-obama-austin-james-talarico-tacos-22255610.php...Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders has been added to the speakers at this year's Texas Democratic Party Convention in Corpus Christi: https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/local/texas-political-conventions-expected-to-bring-economic-boost-to-corpus-christi-houston/503-df597b38-cba9-4a1f-bbd3-387be68204acThe conservative Ragnar Research Parners find that high-propensity Republican voters in Texas, especially in the suburbs, are abandoning the party in droves: https://x.com/ragnarresearch/status/2053943231818117219?s=20An extensive and damning expose on the Southern Baptist Convention details its years-long resistance to reforming internal policy that allows for the unfettered sexual abuse of its young, vulnerable members: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/quiet-collapse-southern-baptist-convention/Runoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Our board has chosen to endorse former Houston City Council Member and longtime healthcare entrepreneur Dr. Letitia Plummer in her run for Harris County Judge. Dr. Plummer comes from a long line of Houston area civic leaders, and the Progress Texas board believes she is the right choice for the Democratic nomination for this key position of leadership in Texas' most-populous county.Check out our joint live podcast with the Asian Texans For Justice Action Fund from last fall, featuring Dr. Plummer alongside Houston State Rep. and Minority Leader Gene Wu: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/special-live-pod-asian-texans-and-2026-power-shiftLearn more about Dr. Plummer's campaign at https://www.drletitiaplummer.com/.We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Pending a SCOTUS call on intellectual eligibility for execution, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has stayed the Thursday execution of Edward Busby of Tarrant County: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/11/texas-execution-edward-busby-appeal/With the runoff election coming up next week, Senator John Corynyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton have beaten each other to a pulp - and that fight continues to escalate: https://www.statesman.com/news/columns/article/texas-senate-paxton-cornyn-republican-runoff-22249941.php...Cornyn's attacks have devolved into insider niche stuff that most voters will not understand - belying a state of desperation: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/john-cornyn-obscure-campaign-ken-paxton/The two runoff contests for Texas Attorney General portray a much more disparate vision for the office between the parties than between the candidates on either side: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/05/07/551136/texas-attorney-general-candidates-make-their-final-pitches-to-voters-as-primary-runoffs-approach/Runoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The numbers remain in the favor of Democrats to regain control of the U.S. House, despite interference by the Virginia Supreme Court: https://thehill.com/newsletters/morning-report/5872121-democrats-house-control-midterms-trump-iran/A new University of Houston study shows the dissatisfaction with Trump and Republican governing that's likely to be the real factor this fall - in particular regarding Trump's war of adventure in Iran: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/even-republican-houstonians-dont-want-a-ground-war-in-iran/...And regarding ICE's heavy-handed impact on Houston: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/immigration/2026/05/08/551384/ice-houston-residents-survey-uh-police/SBOE-approved Bible-infused Bluebonnet Learning materials will require a full reprint before they're distributed to schools, due to over 4,000 required corrections - all on the taxpayers' dime: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/state-board-of-education-texas-education-agency-bluebonnet-learning-errors-taxpayers/...Religious overrun of public life is only getting started, as the Dan Patrick-led Religious Liberty Commission prepares its "wish list": https://apnews.com/article/trump-religious-liberty-commission-conservative-christians-f61eba23ca5cda88a6df1ac525ef12c5...Progress Texas has endorsed Democrat and State Rep. Vikki Goodwin in her run to face Patrick for Texas Lt. Governor: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-276-catching-up-with-vikki-goodwin/id1552998795?i=1000763844790...Religious leaders in Fort Worth, conversely, are voicing their opposition to the systemic racism evident in the huge number of Black men Tarrant County sends to death row: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/tarrant-county-leaders-protest-death-penalty-40672028/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastRunoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The Progress Texas board has endorsed Congresswoman Julie Johnson in her runoff race for the Democratic nomination for CD 33 due to her dedication to the issues that matter most to us: protecting and building upon Social Security and Medicare, raising the minimum wage while lowering health care costs, beating back the MAGA assault on reproductive freedom, putting a general check on Donald Trump and his whims, and much more. Our Executive Director Kathleen Thompson sat down with Rep. Johnson for a quick catch-up during a Texas Blue Action event at Rodeo Goat in Dallas ahead of early voting in the runoff election, which starts on May 18 and leads up to Election Day on May 26.Learn more about Congresswoman Julie Johnson and her campaign at https://juliejohnson.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:State Rep. Mihela Plesa outlines the advantages that Texas is missing out on due to partisan gerrymandering - and how the Callais decision will make things worse: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/texas-doesn-t-many-real-elections-anymore-22247593.php...The same is happening next door in Louisiana: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/louisiana-shows-what-happens-when-democracy-crumblesPolling data shows that a Ken Paxton runoff win will hurt Republican prospects in Texas down-ballot: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1346681003947329&id=100058163255011&rdid=ZSzRdic9xyIWZpR1#...Paxton's campaign aims are portrayed in a new AG's office press against Texas ISD's to enforce new religious laws: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas/paxton-ten-commandments-prayer-school-investigation-texas-houston/285-61d80ef5-7216-4fdc-acbb-a918c4e6fb98Several Texas summer camps have successfully bypassed a new (and poorly-written) state law requiring fiber optic internet connections at their rural properties: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-youth-camps-fiber-optic-rule-agreement-lawsuit/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastRunoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Today's "funeral" protest at Texas Tech - mourning the demise of that institution's academic reputation at the hands of Chancellor Brandon Creighton - is only the latest chapter in the continuing story of the dismantling of Texas' statewide reputation for our public universities. This election year gives us a chance to begin to undo the damage, but it could take a generation to repair.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:As a protest against the conservative undermining of academic integrity at Texas Tech under new Chancellor Brandon Creighton happens today, officials there are accused of asking faculty to downplay the limitations that have been placed on research: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/06/texas-tech-university-graduate-research-limit-warnings/...Today's "Funeral" for academic freedom at Tech gets underway this morning at 8: https://www.instagram.com/p/DX2ztKDGvEE/?img_index=1SB 4, which would make crossing the border into Texas a state crime enforceable by any law enforcement officer in the state - opening the door to unfettered racial profiling of Latino people - is set to take effect in about a week: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/north-texas-police-prepare-for-sb-4-immigration-law-40671495/Global anti-American sentiment, hostility towards foreign visitors in Texas, and overpriced tickets are threatening to kill the golden goose promised by the FIFA World Cup: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/06/texas-world-cup-tourists-economic-impact/New studies find widespread instances of "political breakups" as Americans choose to exclude people with whom they disagree politically from their lives - and Democrats tend to be the ones who initiate these separations: https://socialecology.uci.edu/news/losing-relationships-over-politics-0We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastRunoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Tomorrow marks an overdue significant student and alumni pushback against the ultra-conservative transformation of Texas Tech under Chancellor Brandon Creighton: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/texas-tech-academic-freedom-funeral-22242520.php...More about the "funeral" at Tech tomorrow: https://www.instagram.com/p/DX2ztKDGvEE/?img_index=1As the runoffs approach, new polling finds a virtual tie between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican race for Senate, with a slight edge for Democratic nominee James Talarico over Paxton: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5863849-paxton-leading-cornyn-poll/...Supporters of Wesley Hunt are tending to back Paxton, by about 20 points: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/05/05/550879/paxton-cornyn-texas-senate-republican-primary-runoff-poll-uh/...Also in the Republican runoff: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, perhaps reading the anti-MAGA tea leaves, has backed incumbent Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright over his mega-MAGA challenger Bo French: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/05/dan-patrick-mayes-middleton-endorsement-texas-attorney-general-chip-roy-2026-gop-runoff/Decades of public policy failure, mostly under Republican legislative dominance, contributed heavily to the conditions that killed 137 people in last July's flooding disaster: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/06/texas-legislature-flood-protection-bills-failed-july-4/...Still, GOP leaders are now advocating to allow Hill Country summer camps to bypass internet communications requirments imposed by lawmakers after that disaster: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/05/texas-summer-camps-internet-floods-regulations/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastRunoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Rule that lets Texans obtain out-of-state abortion pills can continue for now, Supreme Court says. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/01/texas-abortion-mifepristone-federal-ruling-mail-drug/Texas shops can still sell smokeable hemp THC for now, judge rules. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/08/texas-hemp-smokeable-ban-joints-lawsuit/Civil rights groups sue to stop Texas immigration law (ACLU)How the unreported killing of an American by ICE shattered two Texas families. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/04/ruben-ray-martinez-josh-orta-south-padre-ice-shooting-death/Texas leads nation in utility shutoffs as electric bills rise, federal report finds. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/04/texas-electric-bills-utility-shutoffs-lead-nation/Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives' “affordability agenda.” Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/01/texas-greg-casar-congress-bill-utility-costs-affordability-2026-midterms/Democrats Win in Republican Stronghold in Texas. Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-win-republican-stronghold-texas-pearland-11907572We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Republican Brett Ligon, former Montgomery County DA, wins special election for open Texas Senate seat. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/02/texas-senate-district-4-special-election/A Funeral for Texas Tech. SEAT: https://www.studentsengaged.org/impact/funeral-texas-techHow the Voting Rights Act reshaped Texas' electoral maps by empowering voters, candidates of color. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/04/texas-section-2-voting-rights-act-supreme-court-voters-of-color-history/Democratic donor platform ActBlue countersues AG Ken Paxton alleging a politically motivated attack. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/20/ken-paxton-act-blue-democratic-fundraising/Talarico urges Paul Quinn graduates to be ‘cornerstones' for change. Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/talarico-tells-graduates-turn-faith-action-push-22234979.phpRecent "In Progress" episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Wz2xGmBYvCuZ91VnuB5Sv?si=bG9zNV1YSOef1dG7J11gigWe have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:May Day StrongLone Star Labor: Mourn the dead. Fight like hell for the living. Texas AFL-CIO: https://texasaflcio.org/news/lone-star-labor-mourn-dead-fight-hell-livingWhat is May Day? Where San Antonio protests are planned. MySA: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/may-day-protests-san-antonio-22234392.phpJames Broadnax Executed on April 30James Broadnax executed by Texas: Live updates and final words. Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/article/james-broadnax-texas-execution-live-updates-22232220.phpTexas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty: https://tcadp.org/Camp Mystic Will Not Re-OpenCamp Mystic abandons bid to reopen this summer. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/30/texas-camp-mystic-reopen-canceled-2025-flood/Vouchers UpdatePersonal decisions, not politics, drove interest in school vouchers. Here are takeaways from Houston families. Houston Chronicle: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/personal-decisions-drove-interest-school-100000306.htmlWe have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
On April 29, on a party line vote, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Louisiana v. Callais, to strip one of the most consequential protections against discrimination in our elections—Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The ruling enables years of racial inequality to come, further eroding fair representation and the equal rights of Black and brown voters in the South. To hear more about the case and how it relates to Texas, we're joined by an attorney who worked on the Louisiana v. Callais case, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) attorney Victoria Wenger, and also by Texas Civil Rights Project Voting Rights Outreach Coordinator La'Dereka Sylvan. Learn more about the LDF at https://www.naacpldf.org/.Learn more about the Callais case at https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/supreme-court-strikes-down-louisiana-map-and-destroys-key-voting-rights-act-provision/.Learn more about the Texas Civil Rights Project at https://www.txcivilrights.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Monday is Star Wars Day - May the Fourth be with you! Both Communications Director Chris Mosser and Digital Associate Haley Smith are lifelong Star Wars fanatics, and are not about to allow an opportunity to talk Star Wars AND politics go by - and in fact, for those interested in both, the parallels between the galaxy far far away and the history and current political moment right here on Earth are interesting to explore. Executive Director Kathleen "Mon Mothma" Thompson joins to try to keep the nerd factor from fully spiraling out of control.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:SCOTUS Decision Overturns Decades of Voting Rights ProtectionsSupreme Court Callais Decision Overturns Decades of Voting Rights Protections. Progress Texas: https://progresstexas.org/blog/statement-supreme-court-callais-decision-overturns-decades-voting-rights-protections U.S. Supreme Court weakens key pillar of Voting Rights Act, opening the door for Texas to redraw political maps. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/29/us-supreme-court-voting-rights-act-section-2-decision-texas-redistricting-maps/ James Broadnax Execution Scheduled TodayJames Broadnax set for execution today: A look back at the case and new developments. Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/article/james-broadnax-texas-execution-live-updates-22232220.php Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty: https://tcadp.org/Tech Takeover of TexasAustin officials say as many as 5 Waymo robotaxis interfered with ambulances after mass shooting. Austin American-Statesman: https://archive.is/Ga87D#selection-924.0-924.1 Waymo skips Austin meeting after robotaxi blocked ambulance: ‘We answered all questions'.San Antonio Express-News: https://archive.is/29p2k#selection-926.0-926.1 How Data Centers Are Eating Up Rural Texas.Austin Chronicle: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/how-data-centers-are-eating-up-rural-texas/ We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Two “T”s impacting Texas: Talarico and TrumpTalarico leads both Cornyn, Paxton in new poll of Texas' U.S. Senate race. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/28/texas-us-senate-poll-talarico-cornyn-paxton-2026-midterms/"Editing my words': Talarico's Austin pastor says Cornyn is misrepresenting his sermon. Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/article/talarico-pastor-cornyn-sermon-remarks-22229939.phpSome Texas Republicans rally behind Trump's White House ballroom plan. Houston Chronicle: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/white-house-ballroom-texas-funding-22230835.phpTexas Weather WoesTrump's proposed cuts to NOAA draw pushback from key Texas GOP congressman. San Antonio Express-News: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/texas/article/noaa-cuts-trump-brian-babin-22230030.php Giant hail, tornado threat rising across parts of Texas on Tuesday. Here's where. San Antonio Express-News: https://www.expressnews.com/san-antonio-weather/article/hail-texas-severe-storm-cold-front-weather-22230117.phpCorpus Christi delays action on plan to cut water use by 25% if emergency is declared. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/28/texas-corpus-christi-emergency-water-restrictions/Disaster declarations ripple through South Texas amid water crisis. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/28/texas-drought-corpus-christi-water-crisis-towns-declare-emergencies/Two Somber UpdatesPoor preparation doomed Camp Mystic victims, investigator tells Texas lawmakers in harrowing account. Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/27/texas-legislature-flood-investigating-committee-hearing-camp-mystic/Texas parole board denies clemency to James Broadnax two days before scheduled execution. Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/article/james-broadnax-clemency-denied-22228908.phpWe have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:As expected, Supreme Court officially greenlights Texas' gerrymandered congressional map for midterms. Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/as-expected-supreme-court-officially-greenlights-texas-gerrymandered-congressional-map/ Dallas could host a GOP midterm twist as Trump tries a Texas power play. Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/dallas-host-gop-midterm-twist-22223462.phpIf you want mass deportation, Houston can feel demonic. Here's why. | Opinion. Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/houston-mass-deportation-debate-22227921.phpProtesters Call for End to “Inhumane” ICE Detention Centers. Houston Press: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/protesters-call-for-end-to-inhumane-ice-detention-centers/In Big Bend, uncertainty persists around Trump's border wall plans. Houston Chronicle: https://archive.is/r854yTexas Tribune candidate interviewsTexas Tribune: Texas lieutenant governor Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to knowTexas Tribune: Democrats Jaworski and Johnson on Trump battles, legal strategy, and office prioritiesTexas Tribune: Texas Railroad Commission GOP runoff: Who is running and what to knowWe have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Our board has chosen to endorse Austin State Rep. Vikki Goodwin in her run for Texas Lieutenant Governor for many reasons - her years-long commitment to public education, her dedication to reproductive justice, and perhaps most importantly, her near-decade of front-seat experience with the Texas Legislature, which will be important as she takes historic steps to rehabilitate the most powerful office in Austin after over three decades of Republican rule. She's in a runoff against challenger and union organizer Marcos Velez on May 26, just under one month from this podcast's posting.Learn more about Rep. Goodwin and her run for LG at https://www.vikkigoodwin.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:AP News: DC gala shooting suspect aired grievances against Trump in writings to familyDallas Morning News: I was at the table when chaos broke out at White House Correspondents' DinnerTexas Tribune: Austin, Dallas revise police policy allowing more ICE cooperation after Abbott funding cut threatTexas Tribune: Texas police can arrest people suspected of entering country illegally, federal court rulesTexas Tribune: Texas legislators investigating July 4 floods to hold first hearings; My SA: These Texas cities now rank among the worst for air pollution in the USBusiness Insider: Big Tech's AI data centers are pushing the power grid to its limits — and one state is feeling it the most Dallas Morning News: Texas, the nation's energy capital, shuts off the most utility customers, federal report findsAustin American-Statesman: Central Texas braces for near-record heat this week. Could temperatures get to 100?New Republic: Democrats Are Pissed Another One of Their Own Has Died in Congress We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.
Former Progress Texas Advocacy Manager (and forever Progress Texas family member) Reagan Stone returns for a tour of where South Texas meets West Texas, and West meets Far West. In stark contrasts, Texas' US Congressional District 23's sky island mountains and high desert borderlands lead to its opposite dense and urban bounds, El Paso and San Antonio, respectively. Reagan welcomes former public school teacher, child welfare attorney, and now Congressional District 23's Democratic nominee Katy Padilla Stout, entrepreneur and House District 74 State Representative Eddie Morales, and former founding President of Jane's Due Process, sitting Board President of the Texas Civil Rights Project, and incoming Presidio County Commissioner Susan Hays for a discussion of this legendary and storied part of Texas - and the dire threats it now faces from nefarious forces both federal and state.Learn more about Katy Padilla Stout at https://www.katyforcongress.com/.Learn more about State Rep. Eddie Morales at https://www.moralesfortexas.com/.Learn more about Susan Hays at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayslaw/.Learn more about Reagan Stone at https://www.reagan-stone.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Hearst Newspapers is out with reporting on the PACs that spent the most on statewide and legislative racesHouston ChronicleThe House Majority PAC is targeting South Texas seats with $22 million in adsTexas TribuneThe first school voucher applicants are being sent notifications for awards this weekTexas TribuneICE detains Texas residentTexas TribuneEgyptian family released from DilleyTexas TribuneA review of “How Frisco became ground zero for wave of hate against Indian Americans.”Dallas Morning NewsWe have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Two stories this week that seem separate from one another are both examples of Governor Abbott's MAGA machine in Texas' slow and steady erosion of our rights under the Constitution. There's the undermining of a local ordinance in Houston designed to protect Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful detention, and then there's the greenlighting of Ten Commandments posting in Texas classrooms, a clear assault on First Amendment church/state barriers. Both are audacious attacks on YOUR rights - and both are all the more reason to resist.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Amendments to Houston's ICE ordinance put forth by Mayor John Whitmire were voted in yesterday by the Houston City Council - an effective caving to pressure from Governor Greg Abbott: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2026/04/22/549776/ice-houston-police-policy-revised-city-council-whitmire-abbott/...The ordinance was designed to ensure that Houston police follow the Fourth Amendment - and its rescinding encourages those officers to violate it: https://reason.com/2026/04/22/houston-irks-texas-gov-greg-abbott-by-reminding-cops-to-comply-with-the-fourth-amendment/The court decision to allow Texas to force public schools to display the Ten Commandments is a continuation of our state's role as the primary national laboratory for Christian nationalism: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/04/22/549723/christian-nationalism-texas-republican-primary-runoff-paxton-patrick-middleton-talarico/...Biblical doctrine has successully bridged the gap between rhetoric and policy - the very divide supposedly guarded by church/state separation: https://arkvalleyvoice.com/is-texas-fifth-circuit-decision-a-judicial-endorsement-of-christian-nationalism/The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Continuing the redistricting fight started by Donald Trump in Texas and highlighted by quorum-breaking Texas State House Democrats, Virginia voters have approved a redraw of their congressional map that may yield as many as four additional blue seats in the U.S. House: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/us/elections/redistricting-gerrymandering-virginia-takeaways.htmlThere's a big special session of the Houston City Council today, as Mayor John Whitmire proposes language changes to the city's ordinance governing Houston police interactions with ICE that some council members fear may undermine its intent to protect the rights of citizens: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/04/22/whats-changing-mayor-john-whitmire-moves-to-revise-controversial-immigration-policy/...Meanwhile Governor Abbott has been invoking a 19-year-old Venezuelan murder suspect as an example of Houston's failed policies - but, this suspect had no contact with Houston police before he was arrested: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/immigration/article/abbott-immigration-police-ice-policy-22217833.phpCorpus Christi's city council is now considering a mandatory and universal 25% water use cut by as early as this September: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20042026/corpus-christi-projects-september-emergency-water-restrictions/The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
In one of Texas' most rapidly growing and diversifying areas, Evan Hunt brings a rich background of business leadership and military leadership experience to his run against the ultra-MAGA and not-much-else Republican incumbent Keith Self. Everyday folks in northeast D/FW are sick of drama and looking for actual leadership and results - and Evan Hunt tells us how he plans to deliver.Learn more about Evan Hunt and his campaign for Congress at https://www.electevanhunt.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Austin-area Republican Congressman and candidate for attorney general Chip Roy has introduced McCarthy-esque new legislation that would allow political ideology and religion to be used as reasons for deportation, de-naturalization and exclusion of immigrants: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5840389-chip-roy-mamdani-act/...Meanwhile Ken Paxton, still in office for now, has filed a lawsuit against the Democratic and progressive fundraising platform ActBlue, just in time for the midterms: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/20/ken-paxton-act-blue-democratic-fundraising/Corpus Christi is running dry - but Abilene is also in trouble, and once again it's due to big business overrunning the citizenry: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/abilene-is-paying-the-price-for-texasDallas attorney and longtime Democratic politico Domingo Garcia has had his voter registration cancelled, because he's dead - except, he's not: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1409716660904246The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Texas Medical Board has reprimanded the doctors involved in the deaths of Neveah Crain and Porsha Ngumezi, both of whom were denied critical care as their doctors tried to accommodate Texas' ban on abortion: https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/17/health/texas-medical-board-pregnant-women-propublica...Meanwhile a California doctor targeted by a state law against sending abortion medication into Texas has filed his own lawsuit, countering that the law is unconstitutional: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/texas-abortion-drug-bounty-hunter-law-is-unconstitutional-california-doctor-says-2026-04-17/Texas transplant Elon Musk has been summoned to Paris, France, to answer charges that the Grok AI built into X (which we still call Twitter) has been deliberately programmed to crank out child sex and Holocaust denial material: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/elon-musk-grok-x-france-b2960831.htmlEarly voting in the May 2 local elections starts today, including that $845 million bond package in Fort Worth: https://fortworthreport.org/election-central/The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
With the primary defeat of Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw in the Houston area's 2nd Congressional District, and the ascent to the Republican nomination by the much more radically-MAGA State Rep. Steve Toth, a potential blue flip is most definitely in the offing - in a district that the Trump-ordered redistricting of Texas made just a bit less secure for the GOP. Longtime energy sector businessman (and immigrant! He's from Canada) Shaun Finnie has secured the Democratic nomination, and joined us to talk about this rapidly-changing district and how he believes he can win in November.Learn more about Shaun Finnie and his campaign at https://shaunfinnieforcongress.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Governor Greg Abbott has expanded his threat of public safety defunding over local police policies regarding ICE beyond Houston, to Dallas and Austin: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/16/texas-greg-abbott-ice-houston-dallas-austin-ice-immigration/...Abbott has extended his deadline to Wednesday, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire has delayed a vote to repeal the ICE ordinance: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/whitmire-abbott-council-ice-vote-22206835.php...Advocacy leaders across Texas are backing the constitutionality of these policies and encouraging local electeds to hold strong: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/immigration/2026/04/15/549172/houston-police-ice-policy-greg-abbott-mayor-john-whitmire/Michelle Davis at Lone Star Left provides a deep dive into the current complexities on the political left in Texas, and what will need to happen for success in November: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/yet-another-hasan-piker-think-pieceThe Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The strongarming of Houston by Governor Greg Abbott, who is threatening to withdraw $110 million in first responder funding over the city's policy limiting the Houston Police Department's interactions with ICE, is the latest example of state-level politics interfering with the right of Texas cities to run themselves as they see fit. With Abbott running the state government like a Death Star, maybe he shouldn't be surprised to see Texas' major cities slipping through his fingers.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:A major fight has developed between Houston Mayor John Whitmire - who wants to preserve $110 million in state funding by obey Governor Greg Abbott's orders to dump a new city ordinance limiting Houston police coordination with ICE - and members of the Houston City Council, who want Whitmire to fight back: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/houston-city-council-consider-repealing-new-ice-22205556.php...Council Members including Abbie Kamin, Tiffany Thomas and Tarsha Jackson say the constitutional rights of Houstonians are worth fighting for - while Whitmire says legally, it's a lost cause: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/houston-city-council-immigration-ordinance/285-311511a3-25cd-4e10-acba-c2576a1b8149Dallas Republican Party Chair Allen West has quit his post ahead of a no-confidence vote provoked by his decision to return to countywide voting in the upcoming runoff, after the party's call to require precinct voting locations in the March primary led to chaos: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/dallas-county-gop-chair-allen-west-steps-down-amid-voting-controversy/4010885/Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico leads the nation in Q1 fundraising with an eye-popping $27 million haul, mostly from grassroots, individual donations of $100 or less: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/state/article/talarico-announces-27-million-fundraising-first-22207662.phpA judge has decided that Jim Davis, president of UT Austin, will have to face a retaliation lawsuit from a student his administration suspended over a pro-Palestine on-campus protest: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/ut-austin-president-must-face-pro-palestine-protesters-suitThe Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Progress Texas was proud to join our allies at Environment Texas recently for a terrific discussion on clean energy and its intersection with the beautiful, varied and treasured ecologies of our state at the wonderful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in south Austin.In this second of two parts, we present a lawmaker's perspective on the state of clean energy in Texas from Driftwood State Representative Erin Zwiener; a panel discussion on smart siting, stewardship, implementation and industry best practices with Texas Conservation Alliance Executive Director Grahame Jones, National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Campaign Manager Stacy Ortego, American Farmland Trust Texas Smart Solar Specialist Garrett Bader, Apex Clean Energy Manager of State Affairs Laura Merten, and Ørsted North America Head of Government Affairs and Market Strategy Susan Sloan; and concluded by a review of attendee table discussions by Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter Director David Cortez.Learn more about Environment Texas at https://environmentamerica.org/texas/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico unveils his plan to raise taxes on billionaires by eliminating luxury deductions and closing the "carried interest loophole": https://www.sacurrent.com/news/democratic-u-s-senate-hopeful-james-talarico-unveils-plan-to-tax-billionaires/...While Governor Greg Abbott is planning to force through the 2027 legislative session a property tax reform plan that will further undermine public school funding: https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/greg-abbott-property-tax-plan-texas-homeowners-appraisal-caps-school-taxes-gina-hinojosa-election-debate-tax-reform/273-9ccf7fc9-dbc5-4785-97ea-cd5fa9212c85Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, as chair of Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, says that the constitution doesn't guarantee a separation between church and state: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-dan-patrick-no-separation-church-state-constitutionA Turning Point USA-pitched live event in San Antonio, supposedly about female empowerment, is actually about female submission and subjugation: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-news/analysis-erika-kirks-leadership-conference-in-san-antonio-is-a-bastardization-of-feminism/The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Texas Republican electeds are uniformly silent at Donald Trump's shocking self-comparison to Jesus Christ over the weekend - however, as of yesterday, the Texas Democratic Party hasn't said much either: https://www.chron.com/news/article/trump-jesus-pope-texas-22203753.phpWest Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales has announced he's stepping down over multiple sexual harassment accusations - Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell of California is out in similar circumstances, leading to speculation on special elections in both states: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/us/texas-representative-tony-gonzales-resigns.html...Both of the current nominees for that seat would be expected to join a special election for CD 23: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/13/texas-tony-gonzales-resigning-congress-sexual-misconduct-affair-staffer-eric-swalwell/...Let's flash back to 2018, when Governor Abbott called a special election to replace Blake Farenthold less than three months after he quit: https://x.com/jaspscherer/status/2043834809588346897?s=20Dallas Congresswoman Julie Johnson has introduced legislation designed to prevent a replay of voter confusion that played out during the March primary: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-04-14/roughly-30-000-redirected-dallas-county-voters-in-election-mess-leads-to-congressional-talk-on-voter-suppression-julie-johnsonGovernor Abbott is threatening to yank back $110 million in first-responder funding from Houston over that city's ordinance limiting police cooperation with ICE: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/houston-mayor-ice-funding-abbott-22204794.php...Houston City Council Member Abby Kamin notes that in making this move, Governor Abbott is effectively "defunding the police": https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/whitmire-abbott-ice-policy-22204589.phpThe Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Progress Texas was proud to join our allies at Environment Texas recently for a terrific discussion on clean energy and its intersection with the beautiful, varied and treasured ecologies of our state, at the wonderful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in south Austin.In this first of two parts: a welcome statement from Andy Sansom, former Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; an update on the current state of clean energy in Texas from Dr. Michael Webber, Professor and expert in the field at UT Austin; and a panel discussion on the alignment of conservation and energy goals in Texas with Conservation Director of the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter Cyrus Reed, Vice President of the Advanced Power Alliance Judd Messer, Executive Director of the Texas Solar and Storage Association Mark Stover, and Audubon Texas Vice President and Executive Director Lisa Gonzalez. Stay tuned for part 2, coming on Wednesday.Learn more about Environment Texas at https://environmentamerica.org/texas/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Neither of the Republicans running for their party's nomination for Texas attorney general would be better than Ken Paxton - they both, in fact, are looking to accelerate Paxton's right wing crusades: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/13/texas-attorney-general-gop-runoff-overturn-supreme-court-rulings-chip-roy-mayes-middleton/The Texas Committee on House Administration emerged from that Friday meeting with individual fines against each of the Democratic quorum breakers of about $8,000: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2026/04/11/548833/texas-house-democrats-quorum-break-penalties/Embattled West Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales - already on his way out over a sex scandal involving a staffer - has been accused by a second staffer of sexual harassment: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/second-staffer-says-rep-tony-gonzales-sent-sexually-explicit-texts-rcna266969...The Gonzales scandal, and another involving California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, threatens a wider series of competing congressional expulsion moves: https://www.axios.com/2026/04/11/eric-swalwell-expel-tony-gonzales-sexual-misconduct...Meanwhile the San Antonio Express-News reporters who broke the Gonzales scandal are being commended for their journalistic dedication: https://www.cjr.org/laurels-and-darts/tony-gonzales-and-the-patient-work-of-local-news.phpThe defeat of Viktor Orban in Hungary by a "big tent" challenger who mobilized record turnout, notably among younger voters, shows Texas progressives that it IS possible to vote out an established autocratic regime: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/europe/hungary-election-viktor-orban-europe-magyar-b2956377.htmlThe Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The City of Dallas is poised to step into the global spotlight, as the most-watched sporting event on the planet, the FIFA World Cup, arrives in North Texas this summer. At this critical juncture - when the international image of the United States has faced significant challenges and scrutiny due to the recent political climate - and our domestic tourism economy has suffered as a result - Dallas has a chance to seize a unique opportunity to demonstrate to a worried world the true character and values of the American people, at a time when the it is direly needed. Joining our conversation are three exceptional Dallas-based guests who have advocated for making the most of this chance to make a solid impact for Dallas, Texas and the nation at large. Dr. Rick Halperin, director of the SMU Human Rights Program, Dallas author and historian Michael Phillips, and Hadi Jawad, president of Human Rights Dallas, recently authored a compelling op-ed in the Dallas Morning News exploring the profound potential of their beloved town officially becoming a designated “Human Rights City” before the tournament kicks off on June 14. Read their op-ed at https://progresstexas.org/blog/op-ed-fifa-world-cup-dallas-can-become-human-rights-city.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The victims of the Colony Ridge real estate scam have been left out of a $68 million settlement against the developer who ripped them off: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/09/texas-railroad-commision-bo-french-midland-republican-candidates-forum/The Texas House Administration Committee will meet today to decide how to enforce $9,200 personal fines levied against the 2025 Democratic quorum breakers: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/state/article/texas-house-democrats-fines-22195322.phpMAGA wackjob and Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commission Bo French has attacked a GOP women's group in Midland for leaving him out of a candidates forum - an event the group has been trying to invite him to join all year: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/09/texas-railroad-commision-bo-french-midland-republican-candidates-forum/The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The coverage by the Texas Observer, a longstanding and legendary liberal Texas media outlet - of a recent hit piece on Houston State Rep. Gene Wu by the Dallas Express, an upstart, well-funded right wing rag masquerading as a "spin-free" media entity - has us thinkin' about how difficult it has become to tell fact from fiction in the news...and that's before we even start thinkin' about AI. Now, more than ever, it's vital to find, patronize, and support fact-based indie media with high standards of journalistic integrity - without whom, we're all at the mercy of fat cats and MAGA propagandists. Our very democracy now depends on selective and informed media savvy.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:As focus on the conditions inside ICE lockups in Texas has wavered, detainees remain confined in dangerous, unsanitary and inhumane circumstances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tW7WyzvAtg...A celebrated doctor from Venezuela - the 2025 "Resident Of The Year" at UT Health Rio Grande Valley - is himself likely being held in similar conditions after his detention in Sarita on Monday: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/us/texas-doctor-detained-border-patrol-visa-freeze.htmlStudents and Greek life groups have begun teaming with advocacy organizations to support their undocumented colleagues, who are left largely without institutional support under Trump: https://thebarbedwire.com/2026/04/09/undocumented-students-texas/A Dallas Express hit piece on the son of Houston State Rep. Gene Wu highlights the importance of journalistic integrity, and the importance of choosing your news sources carefully: https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-express-smears-state-rep-son-fake-byline/The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
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