We recap the wild week in Texas politics. Grab a coldie and hang! Learn more about us at ProgressTexas.org.
Once thought an unlikely prospect, Democratic nominee for Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa now leads Governor Greg Abbott by four points in a recent poll. National Republicans are panicking, and Texas is one of the former strongholds in which they are now spending massive amounts of money, while most prominent GOP figures, despite his undisputed and bold racism, still support Bo French's candidacy for Railroad Commission. And, despite promises to the contrary, a section of border wall in Far West Texas is now officially listed as "under construction".New York Times on Gina Hinojosa: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/gina-hinojosa-governor-texas.html?smid=nytcore-android-shareNew York Times on polling: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/governor-polls-2026.htmlNPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/18/nx-s1-5971202/trump-super-pac-midterm-spending-republicans-democratsTexas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/18/bo-french-texas-republicans-silence/Marfa Public Radio: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/18/bo-french-texas-republicans-silence/Texas Monthly: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/big-bend-fight-against-border-construction/Join Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! Sponsor and RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestConfirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org
Bigotry and open hatred against South Asians and Muslims has become a common, foundational viewpoint among Texas Republican officeholders and candidates - Bo French's ridiculous and widely-condemned comments about Texas Longhorns fans being the most egregious recent example. We invited Chanda Parbhoo of the SAAVE Texas Education Fund, one of Texas's largest AAPI organizations focused specifically on South Asian civic engagement and outreach, to give us the view from within her community and to explore with us that community's strength, resiliency and contributions to our state.Learn more about the SAAVE Texas Education Fund at https://saavetxeducationfund.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Texas Democrats find themselves in their strongest election position in decades as the Texas GOP collapses under the weight of scandals, high-profile defections and its own bad policy choices. Texas Democrats have largely performed without major missteps - except, of course, that strange award given to musician and notorious abuser Chris Brown, who has punched back at State Rep. Venton Jones for apologizing - while Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett remains silent on the matter.Twitter: https://x.com/JohnCornyn/status/2100366727624434004?s=20Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/17/democrats-texas-james-talarico-november-midterms/USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/texas/2026/09/15/which-republican-leaders-are-backing-talarico-over-ken-paxton/91695266007/Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/chris-brown-dallas-22435291.phpJoin Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! Sponsor and RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestConfirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org
As we all know, Social Security is under attack - and is also likely to be the top issue in D.C. in 2027 - after decades of Republican defunding and dismantling. We were proud to capture a town hall on this all-important topic earlier today at the Dallas County Democratic Party HQ, presented by Social Security Works: a non-profit dedicated to protecting and expanding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. They believe that every American has earned the right to retire with dignity, access quality healthcare, and live free from poverty. Today's headliner was former Governor of Maryland and Former Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Martin O'Malley, who traveled to Texas to promote our earned Social Security benefits, and lifesaving Medicare, and Medicaid.O'Malley was joined by several North Texas congressional candidates:Kevin Burge: U.S. House of Representatives, Texas's 24th Congressional DistrictDan Barrios: U.S. House of Representatives, Texas's 32nd Congressional DistrictChelsey Hockett: U.S. House of Representatives, Texas's 5th Congressional DistrictDanny Minton: U.S. House of Representatives, Texas's 6th Congressional DistrictStick around thru the end for a one-on-one chat with Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson and Governor O'Malley. Their emcee was Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman.Learn more about Social Security Works at https://socialsecurityworks.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
SCOTUS Rejects Trump Mail-in Ballot Order; Texas Railroad Commission Collision; Public Apologies Round the HornAP News: https://apnews.com/article/trump-mail-voting-executive-order-lawsuit-78a4fbeb48d9c5fd27d1c865529fc65fPolitico: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/15/donald-trump-supreme-court-loss-response-01076646Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/texas-railroad-commission-oversight-hearing-22433375.phpCommissioner Wayne Christian tweet: https://x.com/Sarah4Texas/status/2099961546965123164Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/football/article/texas-football-arch-manning-holly-rowe-video-22432320.phpArch Manning Apology: https://x.com/_dannydavis/status/2099923194035531812/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2099923194035531812%7Ctwgr%5E48f1b5f65451c22900ebaf580b797274e33d558f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statesman.com%2Fsports%2Flonghorns%2Ffootball%2Farticle%2Ftexas-football-arch-manning-holly-rowe-video-22432320.phpDallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/music/article/jasmine-crockett-chris-brown-backlash-22430953.phpRep. Venton Jones Apology: https://x.com/VentonJonesTX/status/2099903053956514105/photo/1Other podcasts mentioned:SCOTUS TCRP: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7o11V5faBmqS5Bzqjg4LsZ?si=PE5-mR6BRzWpdj4X9_e1cQTrump/Epstein memorial reading room: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5A7mco5LF0MNMEzxzsvYCZ?si=_KVP2iRqR-mdfpErNdKbxwJoin Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! Sponsor and RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestConfirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org
With conservative culture war architect Karl Rove now turning on GOP Texas Railroad Commission nominee Bo French, we're getting an update on where the line between open racism and more private racism now lies for Texas conservatives. And we do hope that the grownups surrounding Texas Longhorns star QB Arch Manning will have a word with him about whether or not violence against women is a laughing matter.Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/14/bo-french-kal-rove-endorsement-jon-rosenthal/Lone Star Left: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/republicans-pretend-to-be-outragedTexas Observer: https://www.texasobserver.org/not-all-texas-republicans-are-condemning-bo-french/Twitter: https://x.com/ProgressTX/status/2099841032468713653?s=20Join Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! Sponsor and RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Special delivery for our listeners: your Article 1, Section 8 constitutional protections for the United States Postal Service (USPS), and equal right to vote are at risk. Why? Because of a Trump Executive Order threatening ballot-by-mail—and the USPS' ability to protect that constitutional right doing what they do daily: delivering mail. For the second installment of our TCRP joint election protection and education series, TCRP staff Carl Blair and Steffany Aguirre join us to discuss USPS and mail ballots.**Note that since our session for this episode, on Sunday, a new nationwide preliminary injunction prohibiting the USPS from implementing or enforcing their ballot mail Final Rule was handed down in a completely separate case than the ones we discuss in this episode - since this new injunction prohibits both mandatory and voluntary compliance and enforcement on the part of the USPS, states are now legally prohibited from working on compliance, even voluntarily. More to come. Learn more about the Texas Civil Rights Project at https://www.txcivilrights.org/.Learn more about voter protections and procedures in Texas at http://texasvoterprotection.org/ and https://govotetexas.org/.Make a donation to support our ongoing discussion series with the Texas Civil Rights Project at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/tcrpseries.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Through Sunday's episode surrounding racist comments made about non-white Texas Longhorns fans, folks appear to be realizing what we've known for a long time - Bo French, GOP nominee for Texas Railroad Commission, is an admitted, virulent racist - and placing a vote for him in November supports the institutional racism that plagues our state.New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/us/bo-french-racist-post-republicans-texas.html?smid=nytcore-android-sharePolitico: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/13/john-cornyn-bo-french-texas-students-01073901Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/13/bo-french-john-cornyn-republican-texas-railroad-commissioner-ut/Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/texas-republicans-stand-racists-party-22430386.phpJoin Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! Sponsor and RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Racking up over 1.5 million views - overnight - in the first 8 hours of its release, the Jimmy Kimmel interview with James Talarico forced off the air by Donald Trump's FCC is set to far surpass typical network viewership. On this 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Texas Republicans are leaning into anti-Muslim hate as a primary midterm campaign plank - while we recall Trump's lies and grift related to that tragic day. And it looks like the GOP midterm convention was a bummer for many of its attendees, as Grindr fails to function properly under heavy demand in Dallas.The Kimmel/Talarico interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLDE9LrGpNkNBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/jimmy-kimmel-abc-tv-show-wont-air-james-talarico-interview-fcc-threats-rcna596994KERA Dallas: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-09-11/texas-republicans-target-islam-muslims-at-republican-midterm-conventionSan Antonio Current: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/gay-hookup-app-grindr-experiences-dallas-outages-during-republicans-trump-a-palooza/Join Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! Sponsor and RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
As the 25th anniversary of the 2001 9/11 terrorist attacks arrives on Friday, it's a good moment to look back at the rise in irrational bigotry that came in the wake of that horrible day - and to compare it to the dehumanizing rhetoric Republicans have decided is acceptable to use today, in the midst of a 2026 midterm election cycle.We also discuss the dire importance of confirming your voter registration ahead of that critical election, as our very own Tatum Owens has discovered that she's on the infamous Texas "voter suspense" list! She's lived to tell the tale, and does so herein. Check YOUR sitch at GoVoteTexas.org.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The first day of Donald Trump's two-day Dallas "convention" failed by far to fill the American Airlines Center, showing severely lacking interest in all matters Trump in Texas' third-bluest county. New polling shows good reason for GOP panic as Democrat Gina Hinojosa is now in a dead heat with Governor Greg Abbott - largely buoyed by a massive leftward shift among Texas Latinos. And Jimmy Kimmel's yanking of a James Talarico interview shows conclusively that American media is under attack by an authoritarian, conservative government - making YOUR support for fact-based, progressive independent media like Progress Texas all the more crucial.Bobby Pulido on MS Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tsrXkvg7BEFort Worth Star-Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article317189200.htmlLone Star Left: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/a-plague-has-decended-upon-dallasAxios Austin: https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/10/democrats-suburban-texas-austin-turnoutNewsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/greg-abbott-faces-worrying-poll-as-trumps-texas-rnc-begins-12423150Cook Political Report: https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/texas-house/exclusive-new-poll-hispanic-texas-voters-shows-collapse-gops-2024Variety: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-live-james-talarico-youtube-fcc-1236856911/Join Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Our Executive Director Kathleen Thompson took part in a press conference of key Democratic officeholders and nominees who gathered in Dallas as part of ongoing counter-programming to the Donald Trump bootlicking contest that the Republican Party is passing off as a "convention" this week. Sharp commentary herein from Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder (:00), Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (6:31), Houston City Controller Chris Hollins (13:23), Tarrant County Commissioner and Democratic nominee for Tarrant County Judge Alisa Simmons (19:29), Dallas County Democratic Party Chairman Kardal Coleman (25:48), and a Q&A from the assembled press (28:36), including a question from Progress Texas ED Kathleen Thompson (52:40).Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The Trump rally masquerading as a midterm convention beginning today in Dallas is a sure sign that the GOP sees Texas slipping from their stranglehold - while Texas Democrats respond with grocery drives and a rally of their own. And the new documentary on Elon Musk shows the world's first trillionaire and Texas' worst transplant to be a one-man existential threat to global democracy.Houston Chronicle: https://www.chron.com/texas/article/trump-texas-midterm-convention-22423270.phpKERA Dallas: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-09-08/republican-national-convention-dallas-1984-trumpapalooza-midterm-trump-talarico-paxton-democrat-differentWFAA Dallas: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/elections/dallas-protest-republican-rnc-midterm-convention-gop-dallas-city-hall/287-329ac334-9811-4c2c-954f-7b34483bf29bNew York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/movies/elon-musk-film-alex-gibney-venice-film-festival.htmlUSA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2026/09/08/elon-musk-documentary-revelations/91663252007/Join Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The GOP "convention" in Dallas this Wednesday and Thursday will feature no party business - focusing instead on a desperate, gaudy Trump sideshow designed to bolster flagging interest in his brand. Trump's "MAGA Inc." PAC has set a $10 million ad buy across Texas for Ken Paxton, out of similar desperation. Current Paxton ads goofily try to blame James Talarico for policies leading to Chinese landownership in Texas. Ted Cruz racks up a huge private airfare bill while he barnstorms for Paxton (but really for himself). And Beto O'Rourke warns of GOP election meddling both to come, and already underway.Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/dallas-hosts-gop-midterm-convention-heavy-on-trump-22417111.phpTexas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/05/texas-maga-inc-10-million-ad-spend-paxton-trump/Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/ted-cruz-midterms-private-jets-22407804.phpSan Antonio Current: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/politics-and-elections/at-san-antonio-rally-beto-orourke-warns-gop-may-use-intimidation-tactics-to-steal-midterms/Join Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
This is the first episode in a joint elections series with our partners at the Texas Civil Rights Project!With limited legalese, we welcome two of Texas' sharpest voting rights attorneys - Sarah Chen with the TCRP, and Emily French with Common Cause Texas - to break down how SCOTUS has impacted your daily life and this year's election. We discuss how our elections landscape has changed: this year, even as we've celebrated the 250th anniversary of our democratic experiment, we also face major rollbacks of protections for our civil rights - and specifically, the equal right to vote - all with our Supreme Court holding the strings. Learn more about the Texas Civil Rights Project at https://www.txcivilrights.org/.Learn more about Common Cause Texas at https://www.commoncause.org/texas/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The week after Labor Day, in a desperate attempt to shore up their flagging support and fundraising, Donald Trump is bringing his gaudy sideshow to Dallas in the form of a very rare midterm Republican convention. Perfect timing for the Trump/Epstein Memorial Reading Room to arrive in Big D as well - this terrific and meticulously-crafted exhibit highlights the decades-long friendship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and tells the stories of the Epstein survivors who are still denied justice in an active governmental coverup.Learn more and RSVP (it's free!) to see the exhibit in Dallas between September 9 and 11 at https://trumpepsteinreadingroom.com/dallas.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Appointed and un-elected Texas Comptroller Don Huffines wants to double the $1 billion budget for the private school voucher scam. Democratic Railroad Commission nominee Jon Rosenthal details his fact- and strategy-based agenda for overseeing Texas' massive energy sector. Democratic nominee for Governor Gina Hinojosa sees yet another poll placing her in striking distance of a win, while Governor Greg Abbott's reversal on Flock cameras apparently doesn't apply to Texas DPS. Ken Paxton chickens out of a fourth debate against James Talarico, this one offered by CNN. Elon Musk's PAC gives Paxton almost a quarter-million dollars, while his Tesla Cybercabs roll out in Austin - minus steering wheels.Texas Tribune on vouchers: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/03/texas-school-voucher-program-2-billion-expansion-budget-comptroller/Texas Observer: https://www.texasobserver.org/railroad-commission-bo-french-jon-rosenthal/Texas Tribune on Flock cameras: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/04/texas-flock-cameras-dps-network-search-abbott/KXAN Austin: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/third-poll-in-five-weeks-shows-hinojosa-within-point-of-abbott-its-a-real-race/Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/state/article/talarico-paxton-cnn-texas-senate-debate-22414048.phpScripps News: https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/elon-musks-super-pac-starts-spending-to-help-gop-in-midterms-including-texas-ken-paxtonAssociated Press: https://apnews.com/article/tesla-cybercab-austin-elon-musk-driverless-8791add840f4debbc41bcaa9d1e64561Join Progress Texas and BallotReady for another LIVE podcast recording session with Asian Texans For Justice during this year's TribFest in Austin! RSVP:https://act.progresstexas.org/a/atjtribfestThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Michelle Davis is one of our favorite progressive political thinkers, and we're overdue to have her on to talk about the latest dirt - which lately, is the gutting of voting access in Tarrant County, the voter suspense list scare, and why so many people tune out and stay home when it comes votin' time in Texas.Michelle's terrific Lone Star Left newsletter got a recent writeup in the Texas Observer: https://www.texasobserver.org/the-year-for-magical-thinking/Direct to Lone Star Left: https://www.lonestarleft.com/Our latest reel on the voter suspense list: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DczJRr5Epbl/Resources to check your status and everything else for voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
After years of refusing to expand Medicaid coverage to help lower-income Texans get health coverage, Governor Abbott is now demanding Medicaid dollars that the Trump administration is withholding. As more and more Texas cities disconnect their Flock cameras, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn is still big on them. And while Texas GOP officials slash polling locations for the midterm election, the US Postal Service is allegedly preparing to help Donald Trump kneecap mail-in voting.Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/02/texas-hospitals-medicaid-greg-abbott/Fort Worth Star-Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article317080708.htmlAustin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/politics/article/usps-mail-voting-texas-22412931.php?utm_source=redditThe midterm election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
As Tarrant County's Republican-dominated Commissioners Court slashes polling locations for Election Day, that bellwether county becomes the epicenter of the midterm paritisan struggle across Texas. Yet another death happens in the Tarrant County Jail, even as Sheriff Bill Waybourne is lauded with a plaque. And a Tarrant GOP nominee for the State House is being pressure to resign from leading a charter school board over her own racist social media posts.Associated Press: https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/plan-cut-number-polling-sites-major-texas-county-136078582Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/a-deliberate-barrier-texas-battleground-county-cuts-30-of-midterm-voting-locations/KERA Dallas: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-09-01/tarrant-county-residents-rally-to-protest-jail-deaths-days-after-woman-dies-in-custodyFort Worth Star-Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article317080564.htmlThe election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
After a raucous protest delayed their plans weeks back, the GOP-dominated Tarrant County Commissioner's Court is set to vote again this morning at 10 on a plan that still significantly reduces polling locations in minority areas. An impasse between Governor Abbott and RFK Jr. begins costing Texas $27 million per day in federal funding as of today, while our backlogs on SNAP and Medicaid applications have grown by exponential factors. And some clarity on the voter suspense list: being on it doesn't disqualify you from voting, but is cause for concern and immediate action.Fort Worth Star Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article317066909.htmlCommon Dreams: https://www.commondreams.org/news/texas-closing-polling-placesKERA on Tarrant vote: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/08/31/talarico-simmons-speak-against-proposal-to-cut-almost-a-third-of-tarrant-county-voting-sites/Texas Tribune: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/08/31/talarico-simmons-speak-against-proposal-to-cut-almost-a-third-of-tarrant-county-voting-sites/KERA on Medicaid backlog: https://www.keranews.org/health-wellness/2026-09-01/texas-medicaid-snap-food-stamps-applications-backlog-grows-hhsc-data-texans-care-for-childrenVoteBeat: https://www.votebeat.org/texas/2026/08/31/voter-suspense-list-registration-canceled-confirm-address/The election approaches! Confirm your registration and make your voting plan NOW at GoVoteTexas.org. And see a handy ballot customizable to your home address from the Texas Tribune at https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The latest election year reversal on his own policies comes this time from Governor Abbott on Flock cameras - just as we learn that they were quietly funded by our own auto insurance premiums. Abbott's healthcare solutions are also just deregulation - they do nothing to help Texans stay healthy. And a personal health scare over the weekend reminds Chris of why Texas is in drastic need of a change of leadership.Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/28/texas-flock-cameras-auto-insurance-fee-mvcpa-grants/Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/greg-abbott-affordability-22391524.phpThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Big Bend is an iconic National Park - Texas' largest state park, an International Dark Sky Reserve, rich in biodiversity, including a wild and scenic river, plus a cultural borderland thousands of years old. Each of these unique realities is at stake, for a fight Texas doesn't want - and for a wall that this region doesn't need. Billy Bartko joined us with an update on this BIG story. Bartko is the owner of Far Flung Outdoor Center in Terlingua, and a vocal member of the No Big Bend Wall coalition, recording fresh out of a hearing to grant a temporary restraining order on construction in Big Bend. Learn more about the No Big Bend Wall coalition at https://nobigbendwall.org/.Learn more about the Far Flung Outdoor Center at https://bigbendfarflung.com/.Learn more about People Of La Junta Preservation at https://www.peopleoflajunta.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
In gaming the system to allow felony-charged ICE agent Christian Castro to walk free in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has set a precedent that will embolden other federal agents to exceed their authority in the same way. One in 16 registered Texas voters is on the current "voter suspense" list. The redistricting of three South Texas congressional districts is looking likely to backfire on MAGA mapmakers. And a website allows you to see if your car has been searched for in the massive Flock database, while a growing number of Texas cities have taken steps to eliminate Flock cameras from their communities.New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/us/christian-castro-jail-minnesota-texas-ice-agent.html?eafs_enabled=falseReuters: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/ice-agent-freed-texas-jail-defiance-minnesota-extradition-request-2026-08-27/San Antonio Current: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/more-than-1-2-million-texans-voter-registrations-are-suspended/AlterNet: https://www.alternet.org/texas-redistricting-2677786560/Houston Chronicle (Flock search link): https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/flock-cameras-search-yourself-22389073.phpMy SA: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/austin/article/pflugerville-flock-cameras-22404257.phpThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The whole world mourns Dolly Parton, while a great many of us realize for the first time what an immense socio-political impact she had on the world, through her unflappable positivity, her understanding of and support for working class Americans, her belief in science and medicine, her bold backing of the LGBTQ+ community, and so much more. For a person who made major contributions on issues that for most are heavily politicized, Dolly was beloved my almost everyone, regardless of their party or philosophy - and today we explore how she did that, hoping to learn valuable lessons.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Christian Castro, the ICE agent wanted on violent felony charges in Minnesota, is likely to be released from the Cameron County Jail today as the 90-day limit on his detention expires, and Governor Greg Abbott continues to refuse to extradite him. Houston law enforcement officials failed to show at a Houston City Council inquiry into ICE cooperation by their officers. Polling shows a continued souring on Trump and the GOP among Latino communities, especially in South Texas. And the Trump DHS has said Big Bend National Park border infrastructure construction is paused at least through August - which ends on Monday.Associated Press: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/judge-denies-minnesota-bid-to-extradite-ice-officer-from-texas-paving-way-for-his-release-from-custordyThe Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/26/ice-agent-shooting-texas-minnesota-extraditionNew York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/us/ice-christian-castro-extradite-texas-minnesota.html?smid=nytcore-android-sharePolitics Done Right: https://substack.com/home/post/p-212977206Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-lead-the-gop-in-three-texas-districts-trump-won-by-double-digits-12372616Marfa Public Radio: https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-08-25/big-bend-border-construction-pause-will-last-at-least-through-august-cbp-saysThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Dolly Parton leaves us with a prime example of real Southern character - one that embraces the vulnerable and seeks to widen our circles - and she's cited by a judge who has found Texas' drag ban unconstitutional. Greg Abbott has left the residents of CD 23 without a voice in the U.S. Congress for over 130 days - and is now one day away from releasing a fugitive wanted in Minnesota onto the streets of Brownsville. And, Dan Patrick has included a revered Holocaust memoir in his list of "filthy, dirty, vulgar" books. Associated Press: https://www.ksat.com/news/2026/08/26/ice-agent-charged-with-shooting-in-minnesota-could-be-released-from-texas-jail/Houston Chronicle on the incarcerated ICE agent: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/banned-books-schools-dan-patrick-22402659.phpHouston Chronicle on CD 23: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas-take/article/abbott-texans-congress-tony-gonzales-22403054.phpNBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/judge-strikes-texas-ban-drag-shows-tells-people-offended-just-dont-go-rcna594448This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
A four-point plan announced by Ken Paxton to address Texans' concerns over data centers utterly fails to do so. Meanwhile Paxton's net worth is skyrocketing, and experts are unable to explain why. Buc-ee's is expanding, but only into red states. And MAGA types across the country have a new beef with Kacey Musgraves - for daring to support migrant kids whose parents have been deported.USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/texas/2026/08/24/ken-paxton-proposes-data-center-crackdown-amid-texas-senate-campaign/91443617007/Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/ken-paxton-net-worth-22398458.php?utm_source=redditSan Antonio Express-News: https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/bucees-ceo-conservative-states-expansion-locations-22401242.php?utm_source=redditHuffington Post: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kacey-musgraves-immigrant-children-deported-parents-maga_n_6a8c1eb6e4b0eeae412afe19This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Governor Greg Abbott, in his striking pivots into developmental "pauses" on data centers and high-voltage transmission lines, are by definition temporary - and will be lifted quickly should he be re-elected. Ken Paxton has a long record of opposing efforts to prevent animal cruelty, both as AG and as a state representative. And Kid Rock has been promoted by the Dallas Observer from merely the third-biggest douchebag in country music, to the hallowed top slot.Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/24/texas-765-transmissions-lines-data-centers-pauses-delays/Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/greg-abbott-texas-data-centers-backlash-2026-8Axios: https://www.axios.com/2026/08/23/greg-abbott-texas-data-centers-ai-backlashMeidas Touch: https://meidasnews.com/news/ken-paxton-helped-bury-the-records-on-400-tortured-lab-animalsDallas Observer: https://www.dallasobserver.com/opinion/correction-kid-rock-is-the-biggest-douchebag-of-all-time-40706408/This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Michelle Davis, with her Lone Star Left Substack, has a keen eye for drawing sharply-focused concepts out of the muck and mess of Texas politics. In a recent post, she pointed out that three Texas Republican Congressmen - Jake Ellzey, Michael Cloud and John Carter - as members of the House Appropriations Committee, voted to kill border construction exemption for Big Bend National Park that was proposed by Congressman Henry Cuellar - and thus, are directly responsible for the outrageous carving up of the park we've seen in recent days. And from there, for the outraged, it makes perfect sense to get familar with the three Democrats opposing those Republicans on the midterm ballot: respectively, Danny Minton, Tanya Lloyd and Justin Early.Read Michelle's great post at https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-three-texas-republicans-who-voted.Learn more about Justin Early at https://www.votejustinearly.com/.Learn more about Tanya Lloyd at https://www.tanyafortx27.com/.Learn more about Danny Minton at https://www.dannyfortexas.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The Cook Political Report has updated its projections for the 2026 midterms, moving the Talarico/Paxton race to "toss up" from "lean republican", and the Hinojosa/Abbott race from "solid Republican" to "lean Republican". Ken Paxton is expected to receive some desperately-needing funding support from Elon Musk. Republicans are threading a narrative needle on the Big Bend as they attempt to avoid public backlash without crossing Donald Trump. And Republican Texas Railroad Commission nominee Bo French - a notorious anti-Semite - has invoked the century-old "Judeo-Bolshevism" trope in AI-generated images of his Democratic opponent Jon Rosenthal, the only Jewish member of the Texas House.The Hill: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6041660-cook-political-report-texas-iowa-senate-races/San Antonio Current on Cook Report: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/top-political-watcher-declares-the-talarico-paxton-race-a-toss-up/San Antonio Current on Elon Musk: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/elon-musk-expected-to-give-paxton-much-needed-cash-injection/Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/21/texas-big-bend-border-wall-barrier-republicans-paxton-trump/The Forward: https://forward.com/news/724588/ten-commandments-jon-rosenthal/This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Someone check Governor Greg Abbott for whiplash! He's been doing some pretty rad campaign trail 180's lately in response to rapidly changing political headwinds - first, he expects us to believe he's now going to crack down on the billions of dollars in AI data centers he lured to Texas to begin with. And, we're to buy the idea that he would even remotely defy Donald Trump's plans to muck up Big Bend National Park. As a wise Texan once said: Fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me...you can't get fooled again.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Governor Greg Abbott wants more state control over local ISD spending, despite ongoing GOP efforts to defund them to death - while Lt. Governor Dan Patrick threatens schools who refuse to remove books he considers "filthy and dirty" with state takeovers. State water plans, based on historical trends instead of proven climate science, are failing cities like Corpus Christi. And rural Texans, who see GOP trampling of local control as a threat to their private property rights, are starting to sour on the Republicans.Texas Tribune on Dan Patrick: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/19/texas-dan-patrick-obscene-books-school-libraries-penalties/Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/abbott-school-district-audits-22395105.phpTexas Tribune on Corpus Christi: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/19/texas-water-planning-drought-corpus-christi/Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/19/how-data-centers-and-power-lines-could-turn-texas-governors-race-blue-01041065This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Governor Greg Abbott has refused to extradite an ICE agent to Minnesota, where he is wanted on a felony indictment. Harris County is suing the feds over their holding funding hostage over election policy demands. A Republican nominee wants you to ignore the fact that he's a Republican - while the entire GOP just wants to get past the election and get back to their comfy corruption and grift.Houston Chronicle on Minnesota lawsuit: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/harris-county-sues-trump-over-threats-to-local-elections/Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/18/minnesota-sues-abbott-texas-ice-agent-extradition-lawsuit/Houston Press on Harris County lawsuit: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/harris-county-sues-trump-over-threats-to-local-elections/Houston Press on Orlando Sanchez: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/county-judge-hopeful-to-latinos-forget-im-a-republican/New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/us/politics/islamophobia-texas.html?smid=nytcore-android-shareNPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5922546/in-texas-some-asian-immigrants-say-theyre-facing-increased-hostilitiesChristianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/08/texas-should-not-define-religion-down-freedom-worship-dallas-islam/Houston Chronicle on THC: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/thc-marijuana-texas-confusing-legalize-reefer-22394088.phpDallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/article/data-center-abbott-audit-community-impacts-22393458.phpSan Antonio Current: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/faux-pause-why-greg-abbotts-data-center-crackdown-looks-a-lot-like-election-year-theater/This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Join the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Back to school - and backwards thinking - happening right now as students across the state return to school facing new policies and voucher programs in place, the threat or consequences of state takeovers combined with defunded public schools, and a multi-pronged attempt to indoctrinate Texas children into Christian Nationalist, Prager U-infused curriculum.We're joined by guests Cameron Samuels, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT); Zeph Capo, President of the Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT); and Felicia Martin, President & Executive Director of Texas Freedom Network and the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund (TFN) to teach you and every student, teacher, parent, and public education advocate what you can do to protect our public schools and the people who depend on them.Learn more about the Texas American Federation of Teachers at https://www.texasaft.org/.Learn more about Texas Freedom Network and the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund at https://tfn.org.Learn more about Students Engaged in Advancing Texas or SEAT at https://www.studentsengaged.org.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The halt of the destructive federally-contracted demolition of the natural landscape of Big Bend National Park, announced yesterday, is only temporary and not a reason for advocates to stand down. The U.S. Supreme Court may consider SB 10, the state law that requires the posting of the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms. Hood County joins a list of Texas communities unplugging their Flock cameras. And, the committee charged with tracking maternal mortality in Texas plans to skip the years immediately following the clawing back of abortion rights. Gina Hinojosa on MS Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bDmEUepihATexas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/17/texas-big-bend-national-park-border-wall-construction-pause/Common Dreams: https://www.commondreams.org/news/big-bend-border-crossingAssociated Press: https://apnews.com/article/ten-commandments-texas-law-supreme-court-facb4b90c54fba5c1d0b3e63079c8b4bHouston Chronicle on SB 10: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/lawsuit-ten-commandments-texas-schools-22389118.phpHouston Chronicle on Flock cameras: https://www.chron.com/texas/article/flock-cameras-texas-hood-county-22391763.phpHow to locate Flock cameras: https://deflock.org/How to neutralize Flock cameras without damaging them: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Ka3z2wWi/Texas Observer: https://www.texasobserver.org/maternal-mortality-committee-roe-deaths-lawmakers-politics/This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to monthly supporter Laura Kehoe, who upped her monthly contribution! Join Laura and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
South Carolina was officially approved to lead the 2028 presidential primary calendar on Saturday at the DNC 2026 Summer Meeting in Austin. All of Texas seems in uproar over the border construction in the Big Bend region - except for Governor Greg Abbott. The Texas Supreme Court will allow Galveston County Republicans to redraw their local election maps, even though their primaries have already happened. Legacy media is cluing in on the deplorable messaging history of GOP congressional nominee Brandon "The A.K. Guy" Herrera. And Texas Senate GOP nominee Leigh Wambsganss will take part in a live talk in Keller this Thursday morning - local progressives might have questions to ask her.The Hill on DNC: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6028298-dnc-approves-2028-primary-calendar/amp/The Hill on Big Bend: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/6031859-texas-lawmakers-urge-abbott-stop-border-barriers-big-bend/KSAT: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/08/11/ksat-one-on-one-with-gubernatorial-candidate-rep-gina-hinojosa-spans-issues-including-economy-data-centers-energy-p/Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/texas-supreme-court-refuses-to-stop-gop-led-county-from-changing-voting-maps-between-primary-and-november-election/New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/16/us/politics/herrera-trump-republican-texas-house.html?smid=nytcore-android-shareAlterNet: https://www.alternet.org/exposed-nazi/Golden Triangle Rotary: https://goldentrianglerotary.org/Speakers/6494e91b-7987-4b09-bb63-a8b47bd56d20This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Paul Swan! Join Paul and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Serving as mayor of Austin from 2015 to 2023, Progress Texas co-founder Steve Adler indeed sat on a very hot seat - during which he navigated the fastest-growing city in the nation through the beginning of the Trump era, the COVID-19 pandemic, Winter Storm Uri, the George Floyd moment, and lots more. Mayor Adler joins us to talk about that time, and how it reflects upon our current moment, as he prepares to drop a new book about his extraordinary experience in that role on August 25.Learn more about Mayor Steve Adler's new book, Hot Seat, Hot City, here: https://books.google.com/books/about/Hot_Seat_Hot_City.html?id=bJPl0QEACAAJThanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Civitech Present: A Live Podcast With Democratic State LeadersWe captured a live conversation yesterday at beloved Antone's in downtown Austin as the Democratic National Committee sweats through its 2026 DNC Summer Meeting - stand by for a great talk on how today's technology can be harnessed to expand voter participation for 2026 and beyond, with Civitech CEO Jeremy Smith, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain, and Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder, moderated by Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson.This live podcast was made possible by Civitech, Hon. Yasmin Simon, Charles Zeller, John Cotter, Valerie DeBill, Dona Tabrizi, Jill van Voorhis, Hon. Zohaib Qadri, David Weinberg, and Hon. Steve Adler and his new book Hot Seat, Hot City, out August 25.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The 5th Circuit Court Of Appeals has restored SB 1 - the 2021 Texas law that establishes strict registration requirements for mail-in voting registration, and other voting obstacles. The NAACP's Legal Defense Fund and other voting rights and disability advocates are condemning the decision. Meanwhile data about Texas' new private school voucher program - where it can be deciphered through a veil of "transparency theater" - shows that a large number of kids offered vouchers are turning them down, finding it impossible to locate a private school appropriate to their needs that they can afford, even with the voucher.Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/12/texas-mail-ballot-voter-id-application-appeal-ruling/NAACP LDF: https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/ldf-strongly-condemns-texas-appeals-court-ruling-allowing-voter-suppression-law-to-go-back-into-place/Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/article/20-700-texas-students-gave-school-vouchers-22379018.phpSan Antonio Express-News: https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/texas-school-voucher-reporter-lacks-transparency-22385561.phpJoin Progress Texas and Civitech on Friday morning at 11AM at Antone's downtown for a free podcast taping event with Civitech's Jeremy Smith, Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson, Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder, and South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain, who will discuss the ways that today's technology can be harnessed to build a new progressive majority! Details here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/civitechThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Paul Swan! Join Paul and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
On this week's In Progress roundtable, we gather two of our foremost authorities on Far West Texas - former Progress Texas staffer and Alpine City Councilman Reagan Stone, and Dallas attorney and prominent Big Bend defender Bill Holston - for a deep dive on what's happening with the steamrolling of unnecessary and destructive border wall and surveillance construction in one of the most pristine and delicate wilderness areas not only in Texas, but in the entire United States.See Bill's recent op-ed on all of this in the Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/big-bend-construction-border-texas-22382092.phpLearn more about Reagan Stone's work at https://www.reagan-stone.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progess Texas and how you can support us at https://progresstexas.org/.
Ken Paxton's campaign has missed a deadline to accept one of three proposed debates ahead of the midterm election against Democratic nominee James Talarico. Paxton has also been found to have accepted six-figure campaign donations from data center executives and PAC's related to a pending legal opinion from his office related to Hood County. And a popular Fort Worth progressive podcaster just scored major street cred, by being tossed in jail by Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare.Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/state/article/paxton-talarico-debate-22385551.phpKERA Dallas: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/08/11/559188/data-center-industry-contributes-thousands-to-ken-paxton-campaign-texas-attorney-general-james-talarico/Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/elections/article/fort-worth-activist-arrested-cursing-tarrant-22385437.phpJoin Progress Texas and Civitech on Friday morning at 11AM at Antone's downtown for a free podcast taping event with Civitech's Jeremy Smith, Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson, Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder, and South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain, who will discuss the ways that today's technology can be harnessed to build a new progressive majority! Details on the event and links to sponsor (starting at only $250) here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/civitechThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Paul Swan! Join Paul and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Here comes a special live pod from San Antonio last night and the launch rally for Latinas for Gina Hinojosa - a brand new campaign initiative to help elect the first Latina governor in Texas state history, led by the Latino Victory Fund Texas PAC. Great time at the Woodlawn Theater, which we learned is the biggest comedy club in all these United States! In this podcast, the five primary speakers:Luz Elena Chapa (candidate for Bexar County District Attorney): 4:00 Katy Padilla Stout (candidate for Congressional Distric 23): 14:55 Kristian Carranza (candidate for Texas House District 118): 22:00 Katharine Pichardo (President and CEO of Latino Victory Fund): 28:05 Gina Hinojosa (Democratic nominee for Texas Governor): 33:55Learn more about the Latino Victory Fund at https://latinovictory.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Heavy bulldozers are now tearing through ecologically and historically-sensitive parts of Big Bend National Park to build unnecessary border infrastructure, while the opposition of Texans of both parties goes ignored by Donald Trump. And a source of Ken Paxton's mysterious wealth may have been revealed - a cell tower built on the property of a hospital where Paxton was serving as a board member when it was approved.USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/texas/2026/08/11/texas-leaders-sound-alarm-over-bulldozers-at-big-bend/91253419007/The Hill: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/6023292-trump-wall-big-bend-impact/amp/Big Bend Sentinel: https://bigbendsentinel.com/2026/08/11/wall-path-planned-through-porvenir-massacre-site/Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/big-bend-construction-border-texas-22382092.phpWFAA Dallas: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/state/texas-news/big-bend-holds-lifetime-memories-for-dallas-man-who-now-fears-its-future/287-59375273-52b6-4d5c-8884-27cd8ae66dcbNew York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/us/paxton-cell-tower-company-texas-senate.html?smid=nytcore-android-shareJoin Progress Texas and Civitech on Friday morning at 11AM at Antone's downtown for a free podcast taping event with Civitech's Jeremy Smith, Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson, Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder, and South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain, who will discuss the ways that today's technology can be harnessed to build a new progressive majority! Details on the event and links to sponsor (starting at only $250) here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/civitechThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Lynda Brender! Join Lynda and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Over 1 million Texans are on the Texas "suspense list" - meaning, the state is uncertain of their registration details, and they're at risk of being kicked off the voter rolls. Republicans are preparing an unusually hostile legislative agenda aimed at Texas Muslims. And Ken Paxton's tax proposals will benefit only about 10% of taxpayers and exacerbate both inflation and interest rates.Dallas Morning News on voter suspense: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/elections/article/texas-voter-suspense-list-hits-1-2-million-22381876.php?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=nextdoor.com&utm_campaign=nextdoor_newsDallas Morning News on GOP agenda on Islam: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/article/texas-republicans-offer-blueprint-plan-ban-islam-22373511.phpHouston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/evan-mintz-texas-promise-agenda-paxton-callas-22381197.phpJoin us for a great event in San Antonio tonight, as Gina Hinojosa and other Latino Victory-endorsed candidates launch Latinas for Gina, a statewide coalition to elect the first Latina Governor in our state's history: https://www.mobilize.us/ginahinojosafortexasgovernor/event/1000703/Join Progress Texas and Civitech on Friday morning at 11AM at Antone's downtown for a free podcast taping event with Civitech's Jeremy Smith, Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson, Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder, and South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain, who will discuss the ways that today's technology can be harnessed to build a new progressive majority! Details on the event and links to sponsor (starting at only $250) here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/civitechThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Carolyn Frawley! Join Carolyn and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
What kind of leader do you want representing your communities? What are your top issues as a voter? These are just some of the questions that members of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus (TLPC) are asking all around the state on their “People's Hearings” this summer - they're ready to listen in, take those ideas back to our Legislature, and put progressive policies to work. State Reps John Bryant of Dallas and Vince Perez of El Paso join us to talk about this unique opportunity at democratic access in Texas.Learn more about the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus at https://www.texaslpc.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
A new poll done by ReconMR and Texas A&M's Bush School shows strong Democratic performance with James Talarico and Vikki Goodwin up on their GOP opponents and Gina Hinojosa trailing Governor Greg Abbott by a single point. Republican hubris and failure to acknowledge the economic pain of everyday Americans is seen as their potential undoing this fall. Latinos in Harris County - as much or more so than those in South Texas - may hold the key to Democratic fortunes in November. And, as back to school arrives, a group of Houston moms have sued the state over mandatory Christianized curriculum and displays in Texas public schools.Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Fox 7 Austin: https://www.fox7austin.com/election/texas-dan-patrick-vikki-goodwin-lieutenant-governor-poll-july-2026.ampHouston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/talarico-paxton-senate-hinojosa-abbott-poll-22380973.phpKHOU 11 Houston: https://www.khou.com/article/news/politics/talarico-paxton-texas-senate-poll/285-807cd9b4-fc56-429c-9172-f4c0b4a5a7c8The Hill: https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/6012387-texas-florida-republican-warnings/The Latin Times: https://www.latintimes.com/houston-has-2m-latino-voters-most-them-arent-showing-that-could-decide-texas-senate-race-598470Houston Press: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/the-christianization-of-texas-public-schools/Gina Hinojosa's talk on the Voting Rights Act: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JfgCsFf8XoThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Carolyn Frawley! Join Carolyn and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
DFW has been the chaotic center of this week's news, and today's top story is no exception: with conservative-driven culture wars crusading in our county governments. We report on the rise in Islamophobia across county governments, and as touted by top leaders in the Republican Party.Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/08/06/christian-nationalist-influence-on-tarrant-county-government-the-focus-of-upcoming-panel-discussion/Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/article/mckinney-mosque-site-plan-approved-22358308.phpTexas Monthly: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/mckinney-mosque-sharia-gop-message/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=webcta&utm_campaign=tm-free&gift_code=OTkxNTYzOzg4OTMyZDY5LWVlNTgtNGVkYi04ZDI0LTE1MmJhYjg5MjBiMDsyMDI2MDgwNg==Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/frisco-debates-restoring-public-comment-two-22375896.phpDallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/article/texas-republicans-offer-blueprint-plan-ban-islam-22373511.phpDallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/trump-s-dallas-gop-convention-plans-american-22375248.phpThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Carolyn Frawley! Join Carolyn and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
This week we take a look at how the Texas Republican Party, in a full panic over the prospects of the end of 30 years of dominance, will be unlikely to go gentle into that good night. We've already seen aggressive redistricting and drastic attempts to limit voting access. Still in the bag of tricks: direct polling location intimidation by federal troops, legal shenanigans and more. We're joined by Fort Worth attorney and Progress Texas board member Jason Smith, and renowned Texas Democratic political strategist J.D. Gins to discuss what's ahead, what's at stake, what to watch for, and what we can do about it now.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas at https://progresstexas.org/.
Election and education updates today, starting with the top-ballot candidates running for John Cornyn's Senate Seat, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and State Rep. James Talarico each releasing their own economic agenda. Meanwhile, two updates on public and higher education: regarding a voucher program report and new lawsuit against Texas A&M.Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/paxton-s-economic-pitch-combines-family-tax-22371769.phpTexas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/05/texas-senate-james-talarico-economic-agenda-ken-paxton/Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/texas-childrens-detransition-clinic-22376427.phpTexas Tribune: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbol2pnoA3k/?img_index=1Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/james-talarico-ken-paxton-s-biggest-donors-22361827.phpHouston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/private-school-voucher-data-22375469.phpDallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/texas-comptroller-staff-cuts-email-22373718.phpTexas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/04/texas-am-sued-race-gender-restrictions-professors/This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Carolyn Frawley! Join Carolyn and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative 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:Fort Worth Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/08/04/tarrant-county-commissioners-delay-vote-on-polling-sites-for-november-election/Lone Star Left: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/ohare-caves-under-pressure-tablesRep. Vikki Goodwin: https://www.instagram.com/p/DboHhIdKD-n/Marfa Public Radio: https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-08-04/border-project-contractors-arrive-in-big-bend-national-park-as-texas-lawmakers-call-for-a-pauseThis election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we'll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch: huge thanks to new monthly supporter Carolyn Frawley! Join Carolyn and the rest of the Progress Texas family now at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: https://substack.com/@progresstexasProgress Texas is now part of the lineups at KPFT-FM in Houston, Empower House Radio in San Antonio, and KZSM True Community Radio in San Marcos! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
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