Texas Wants to Know

Texas voters will return to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the state's primary election runoffs. Most of the races to watch are on the Republican side. SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson says Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are taking the unusual step of campaigning against incumbents in their own party.

On Saturday, Lubbock voters will head to the polls to decide whether or not to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the city. It's a step a handful of other Texas cities, including Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos have already taken. Mateo Rosiles, a reporter for the Lubbock Avalance-Journal, explains what's in Proposition A and how it could fare on May 4.

According to a new study, Texas is among the worst states in the country in which to own an electric vehicle. In fact, it's the second worst, ahead of only Washington state, says the research team at EV Charger Reviews. The group used six factors to rank states – electric vehicles per charging port, charging ports per square mile, average electricity cost, money saved annually when owning an electric vehicle, EV per service center, and tax credits. Texas landed in the bottom 10 for three of the six, though it did rank 15th in average electricity cost. Earlier this month, Audacy's quarterly conversation focused on the state of the environment. Jeff Gilbert of Audacy's WWJ in Detroit spoke with analysts Stephanie Brinley of S&P Global Mobility and Sam Abuelsamid from Guidehouse Insights about the Motor City's relationship with electric vehicles.

There are over 5,000 species of wildflowers in the Lone Star State. The most iconic one is the bluebonnet. Each spring, Texas explodes into colorful fields that residents love to see. Whether it's taking photos in the fields or stopping by the side of the road to appreciate the scenery, it has become a beloved aspect of Texan culture. So, Texas Wants to Know, how did bluebonnets, and wildflowers in general, become a part of Texas culture?

The Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars have not won a playoff series in the same season since 2003. This year, the Mavericks finished fifth in the Western Conference and will take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, while the Stars won the Western Conference and will play either the Los Angeles Kings or the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 1. Chris Arnold, the Mavericks' game night emcee at the American Airlines Center and a host on 105.3 The Fan, and Gavin Spittle, the brand manager at 105.3 The Fan and the host of the Spits and Suds podcast, joined Texas Wants to Know to explain why this could be the first time in 21 years both teams get out of the first round.

Partnering with EarthX, KRLD will host Audacy Conversations: The State of the Environment to talk more about the environment and offer tips to keep the Earth clean. We spoke with one of our anchors, Austin York who reported a story about the use of solar power and how efficient it can be. How does solar energy fit into the Texas power supply?

In mid-March, Pornhub stopped service in Texas after a dispute the company says infringes on adults' rights to access protected speech. According to the Texas Tribune, the site sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last year “to block enforcement of a 2023 state law that requires websites that host pornography to institute age-verification measures and display health warnings on its pages." So how do the new law, Pornhub, and the First Amendment fit together?

For weeks leading up to Monday's total solar eclipse, North Texans were warned about the traffic on major highways with hundreds of thousands of people projected to descend on Dallas-Fort Worth. But those traffic jams never materialized as the moon moved past the sun and eclipse watchers went on about their days. Did people heed warnings from the Texas Department of Transportation? Did the severe weather in the forecast keep more people at home? Or was it a combination of things? To find out, Texas Wants to Know talked to KRLD's Alan Scaia, who was at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park for an eclipse event, and TxDOT spokesperson Tila Grant.

As many as 1 million people could descend on Texas this weekend to see the total solar eclipse on Monday. Cities along the path of totality, like Del Rio and Hillsboro, will host festivals in an effort to capitalize on the phenomenon, which hasn't happened in Texas since 1878. What will the influx of visitors mean for communities in the path of totality? Dr. Cullum Clark of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative says it could make a big impact, but it will be short-lived, while organizers of the Cosmic Cowboy Eclipse Festival in Hillsboro and the Solar Eclipse Fest in Del Rio say they anticipate a boost to hotels and businesses in their cities. In Bell County, which is in Central Texas, Judge David Blackburn made headlines in February when he preemptively declared a state of emergency. He also joins Texas Wants to Know to explain the decision.

You've probably heard by now, but on April 8, a total solar eclipse will cover a large swath of Texas. This space phenomenon doesn't happen often and there's a reason. We spoke with Leticia Ferrer. She's the host of the podcast Totality Talks and the author of the book Texas Solar Eclipse.

Immigration has always been an issue in politics. However, in recent months Texas has been at a standstill with the federal government for border protection laws and policy. According to The New York Times, since 2021, Texas has sent National Guard troops and state police officers along the Texas and Mexico border. So how much money is this costing Texas?

The back-and-forth over Texas Senate Bill 4 is just the latest in a series of border security disputes between the state and the federal government. This week's episode of Texas Wants to Know digs into who's responsible for what when it comes to the border. UNT Dallas College of Law professor and former U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas Brian Owsley says control of the border is ultimately a federal responsibility. Jeremy Wallace, a political reporter for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, adds that covering the border requires more nuance than we often give it.

Originating in South Texas, the first time Tex-Mex food was brought into Texas was around the 1800s. Since then, many entrepreneurs and chefs have taken the cuisine into the booming restaurant. The traditional Mexican cuisine shapes Texas' culinary heritage, but Mexico is a huge country. There are different foods from different regions. This week, Texas Wants to Know how those varying cuisines impact Tex Mex.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday extended a freeze on Texas' Senate Bill 4. The stay will last until March 18th. During this time, the court will consider whether or not it will allow Texas to enforce the bill, which would make crossing the border illegally a crime.  The first offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, and additional offenses could result in a second-degree felony with a punishment of two to 20 years. Texas wants to know, what's the latest on SB4?

Texans cast their ballots in the primary election on Tuesday night, awarding the state's Republican presidential primary to former President Donald Trump and selecting U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) to oppose U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) in November. But Republican strategist Vinny Minchillo of Glasshouse Strategy explains why the night's big winner was actually Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R).

Crews in the Texas Panhandle are fighting the largest wildfire in state history. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned about 1.1 million acres and as of Monday afternoon was just 15% contained.

Texas is one of 15 states, along with one U.S. territory, that will hold its primary election on Super Tuesday, March 5. Depending on which primary voters decide to cast a ballot in, they'll choose between former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for the Republican presidential nomination, or, in the Democratic primary, form among 10 candidates in the race to oppose U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

It's tax season, everyone's favorite time of the year. U.S. citizens are getting ready to file their taxes, but not everyone has the same process. Those living in Texas have a couple of advantages. Texas is one of nine states in the U.S. that do not have a state income tax. But what does that mean exactly? Texas Wants to Know, what are some tax advantages we should know about.

Texans reported the second-highest number of puppy scams in the nation in 2023. A puppy scam is when someone looking to adopt a puppy online doesn't receive their promised pet after paying for it. According to the Better Business Bureau, Americans lost over $1 million to puppy scams in 2023. So, Texas Wants to Know, why we have so many scams and what's being done to mitigate them.

Texas drivers have become accustomed to seeing highway signs that read "All you need is love and a seatbelt" or "Only Rudolph should drive lit." But earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration announced new guidelines discouraging the use of "punny" messages on those signs. To learn more about the effectiveness of these signs and why the Federal Highway Administration is discouraging them, Texas Wants to Know visited with Dr. Kara Kockelman, the Dewitt Greer Centennial Professor of Transportation Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

Late last year, the NBA approved the sale of a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks to the Sands Corporation, which operates the Las Vegas Sands casino. Casino gambling isn't legal in Texas, but Mark Cuban has expressed support for a resort casino in Dallas. So where does that leave his team and the topic at large?

Since Texas Live opened in 2018, the city of Arlington has jumpstarted the development of its entertainment district. On Tuesday, Loews Hotels opened its second hotel in Arlington with more than 800 rooms and a parking garage. The Loews Hotel brings in a new convention center, and conference rooms, and acts as a resort. So, Texas wants to know, how did Arlington transform from a suburb to the event center of North Texas?

The Starbucks in Highland Park Village is one of the first locations in Texas, arguably the very first. Back in December, The Dallas Morning News reported its lease would not be renewed and would end in to February. With the closing coming soon, what's the impact on Dallas residents? The location helped pioneer a new coffeehouse culture for 30 years. It was a popular space for social gatherings and one of the largest Starbucks in Texas. So, Texas Wants to Know, how have changing consumer habits impacted the Starbucks location in Highland Park Village? 

Arlington's AT&T Stadium will host nine matches during the 2026 World Cup -- but it will not host the final, FIFA announced Sunday. That honor will instead go to New York. The announcement came after weeks of speculation that the home of the Dallas Cowboys would be where the 2026 World Cup champion is crowned. Still, the nine matches are the most of any of the 16 North American host cities and will bring thousands of people to North Texas. Gavin Dawson, one of the hosts of the G-Bag Nation on Audacy's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, explained what having nine matches will mean for North Texans.

Late last year, a medical cannabis company called Texas Original announced the launch of the strongest THC gummy to hit the market in Texas – a 30-milligram product called blueberry lemonade. This week, Texas Wants to Know explores evolving attitudes around cannabis and what consumers should know.

It's an election year, and as deadlines approach, Texas wants to know the impact of early voting on the final results, how it came to be, and of course — the deadlines to register.

Texas has a lot of different landscapes. Those flat, open farmlands take up a good chunk of what makes up the state. But there is a certain animal that's ruining the landscape: feral hogs. According to the Texas Monthly, Texas agriculture suffers millions of dollars in damages alone from the invasion of feral hogs.  The species also reproduces fast. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service estimates that there are around 3-4 million. So what's causing this feral hog invasion, and how do we deal with it?

The TCU women's basketball team made headlines last week after it was forced to cancel two Big 12 conference games due to a lack of healthy players. The Horned Frogs were down to six available scholarship players for games against Kansas State and Iowa State. So, in an unusual twist, the team held open tryouts in the middle of conference play, added four new players, and took on the University of Central Florida on Tuesday night.... and they won. Audio in this episode appears courtesy of TCU Athletics and 88.7 FM KTCU.

Texas' population is projected to grow to 51.5 million by 2070, according to the Texas Water Development Board. While parts of the state are already battling low water levels or aging infrastructure, officials are developing plans to best use water resources.

January is historically the coldest month of the year in North Texas. That has been the case this month, with near-record temperatures in the low teens and wind chills dipping below zero. We spoke with KRLD Chief Meteorologist Dan Brounoff to discuss the patterns leading up to the freezing weather and the pending cold weather on the way.

In 1971, restaurant owner Mariano Martinez had people order frozen margaritas and complain that the drink wasn't consistent. So, Martinez created the first frozen margarita machine. It is now the “official drink” of Dallas and the state of Texas. So Texas wants to know, why was the frozen margarita machine invented here, and how?

Former U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who represented Dallas in the House for 30 years, died on New Year's Eve. This week, a memorial service and funeral were held in Dallas, bringing a visit from President Joe Biden and eliciting video messages from the likes of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Bill Clinton. Gromer Jeffers, a political writer at The Dallas Morning News, and Matthew Wilson, an associate professor of political science at SMU, discuss Johnson's career and legacy.

From technological advances in things we're familiar with, like cameras and license plate readers, to newer developments like drones and artificial intelligence, police departments have more tools than ever with which to operate. North Richland Hills police Chief Mike Young says most of the available tools weren't even a thought when he entered law enforcement nearly 40 years ago. Levelland police Chief Albert Garcia, the president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, explains how departments statewide strike the balance between safety and privacy. And ACLU of Texas staff attorney Savannah Kumar shares concerns that technology will advance faster than lawmakers can keep up with regulating it.

Texas is a large state with a huge population to take care of. With recent moves to provide better healthcare, Texas is said to be the leading state for advancing healthcare and medical education. Recently, ARPA-H, a medical innovation federal agency, has declared Dallas as one of its three national hub spaces for its medical breakthroughs in science and medicine. So, Texas wants to know, what is ARPA-H and what the hub here means for our state and Texans?

Dallas' White Rock Lake gives visitors a chance to experience dozens of species of animals in the middle of a major city. But one species of bird stands out among the rest: the monk parakeet. It's a bright green bird that is originally from South America. Experts say it's unclear how they wound up in North America, and even harder to pinpoint how they got to Texas specifically. Regardless of how they got here, they're here to stay. Learn how they've adapted to cooler temperatures and a new environment in this week's episode of Texas Wants to Know.

Twenty years ago, an iconic venue for North Texas wrestling fans, the Dallas Sportatorium, was torn down. But this month, it's coming back -- on the big screen in the movie Iron Claw.

The population of downtown Dallas has increased by 71% in the last decade, according to Downtown Dallas, Inc. It estimates that 13,000 people live downtown, with 80,000 within a two-mile radius. This week, we take a look at what's driven the rise in residents and what comes next.

After Nov. 22, 1963, Dallas was labeled the "city of hate" for being the place where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. It put the city and its politics under a microscope in a way it hadn't been previously scrutinized. Guests include the curator of the Sixth Floor Museum Stephen Fagin, longtime Dallas Morning News reporter Michael Granberry, and Jack Ruby biographer Danny Fingeroth.

Before he became the host of Face the Nation or moderated presidential debates, Bob Schieffer was a police reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. And an unlikely phone call to the newsroom on Nov. 22, 1963, would have a profound impact on his career. The call Schieffer answered was placed by Marguerite Oswald, the mother of Lee Harvey Oswald. Schieffer ended up driving Marguerite Oswald from Fort Worth to Dallas and spent time with her at the Dallas Police Department. He reflects on that fateful day and how it impacted the country.

Next week marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Texas Wants to Know is revisiting the event to explore how it impacted Dallas. In this episode, we dive into conspiracy theories. Kennedy's assassination was not the only historic event to spark theories, but it seemed to become the most mainstream. So, why did Kennedy's death spark so many conspiracy theories?

As the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy approaches later this month, Texas Wants to Know is taking a look at the event and how it impacted Dallas. In the first episode, we explore how younger generations perceive the event and walk through the challenge of imparting the gravity of it. It also changed how news outlets used television, and by extension, how Americans experienced Nov. 22, 1963.  

The Texas Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night to take the series 4-1 and win the first title in franchise history. Dallas-Fort Worth native, former Rangers pitcher, and host on Audacy's 105.3 The Fan Mike Bacsik breaks down how Texas got there and what it means for fans.