Episodes

  • Who Are You Going to Complain to Now Texas?

    Who Are You Going to Complain to Now Texas?
    Feb 23 2025
    t definitely doesn't have a catchy name: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But our guest this week says, "if you're returning almost $20 billion to ordinary people, you've got to be doing something right". In the past several years, dissatisfied and frustrated Texas consumers have comprised the most---or second most---number of people turning to the CFPB for help taking on 'Big Finance'. But now the agency they counted on is itself in danger under Trump 2.0. UT-Austin Banking, Financial, Commercial and Corporate Law Professor Angela Littwin previously wrote an opinion column about saving the CFPB when its survival was threatened before. She joins us to talk about what its demise would mean for Texans. Guest Angela K. Littwin Charles Sapp Chair in Banking, Financial, Commercial and Corporate Law Professor
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    38 mins
  • Why a Texas School District Spent $1.5 Million on 12 Students

    Why a Texas School District Spent $1.5 Million on 12 Students
    Feb 16 2025
    Many Superintendents in Texas say lawmakers need to spend less time on making sure schools are safe on the outside, and more time on legislation making schools safer on the inside. In fact, they argue a 30-year-old law that’s now 140-pages long is making classrooms more dangerous. And they’re asking lawmakers to give them more leeway on how they discipline students. Wylie ISD Superintendent Dr. David Vinson explains the ask in this episode of Y’all-itics, joining the Jasons inside Wylie High School’s student-run cafeteria, The 544 Café. Guest Dr. David Vinson, Wylie ISD Superintendent
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    30 mins
  • Guns & Drugs: The Cross-Border Blame Game Between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada

    Guns & Drugs: The Cross-Border Blame Game Between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
    Feb 9 2025
    The Trump Administration wants Mexico and Canada to stop the illegal flow of the deadly drug fentanyl into America. But those countries say America has blood on its hands, too, and it must stop the illegal flow of U.S. firearms in the other direction. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons have a pint with WFAA Senior Crime and Justice Reporter Rebecca Lopez to discuss her recent investigation into the U.S. gun smuggling causing havoc and violence in Canada and Mexico and how the countries are working together – and often against each other - to stem the tide. Guest Rebecca Lopez, WFAA Senior Crime and Justice Reporter (link to her investigation: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/investigates/us-firearms-smuggling-fuels-canada-gun-violence-crisis/287-11ebf9ae-6e11-4557-b6c6-f4902d4c016e)
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    38 mins
  • Texas is at Much Greater Risk of Wildfire Than You Might Think

    Texas is at Much Greater Risk of Wildfire Than You Might Think
    Feb 2 2025
    A recent report ranked Texas as the third most dangerous state for wildfires, behind only California and Colorado. Or, as the new deputy director of the Texas A&M Forest Service tells us, there’s some “nook or cranny” in the state that’s always burning. And in this episode of Y’all-itics, Wes Moorehead explains why the risk has grown exponentially in recent years, closing in on our backyards, and why they’re asking lawmakers to tap into the surplus for more planes, people and local preparation. Guest Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Deputy Director
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    40 mins
  • MATT HOUSTON: "Eminent Domain Purgatory"

    MATT HOUSTON: "Eminent Domain Purgatory"
    Jan 26 2025
    From crops to the tap, Texas is running out of water. In northeast Texas, one proposed solution is the Marvin Nichols reservoir. But it’s led to a years-long battle with local landowners and critics say it would crush the east Texas timber industry. Even the state Senator leading Texas’ efforts to tackle the water crisis calls it “eminent domain purgatory.” But the Republican unveils a never before heard solution to the standoff in this episode of Y’all-itics. And the Jasons sit down with WFAA reporter Matt Houston to discuss his ongoing coverage as part of WFAA’s new “Boomtown” franchise. GUESTS Matt Houston, WFAA Reporter State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
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    42 mins
  • Speaker Burrows. Does Anything Change in Texas?

    Speaker Burrows. Does Anything Change in Texas?
    Jan 17 2025
    49 Democrats in the Texas House just helped elect a Republican Speaker, their leader says without any political horse-trading. Seen as a setback to the far right, the result changes the calculus inside the Capitol. In this early release episode of Y’all-itics, the Lieutenant Governor and the new leader of Texas House Democrats explain how, and what it means for Texans. Guests Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, R-Texas State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston
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    27 mins
  • Freshmen Texas Lawmakers Ready to Battle over Abortion, Education... even the Lottery

    Freshmen Texas Lawmakers Ready to Battle over Abortion, Education... even the Lottery
    Jan 12 2025
    They don't even have the keys to their Capitol offices yet, or access to the computer system to file bills. But two incoming Texas Representatives have lofty goals. One is pushing for a total ban on abortion and penalties for women who end their pregnancies. The other aims to strengthen public schools and stop the Republican march toward a private school voucher system. But they both agree that the first battle of picking a new House Speaker is a horse race and that Democrats, long in the minority here, will have outsized influence in choosing a winner. How that goes will impact what does, and doesn't, get done in this once-every-two-years legislative session. GUESTS Representative-elect Brent Money, R-Greenville Representative-elect Aicha Davis, D-DeSoto
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    52 mins
  • Judge Tim O’Hare: Not ‘The Green Eyed Monster’ Some Expected

    Judge Tim O’Hare: Not ‘The Green Eyed Monster’ Some Expected
    Jan 5 2025
    Tim O’Hare, the unapologetic conservative leader of Tarrant County, has cut $58M from the budget without any layoffs during the first half of his term. What’s planned for the next two years? What didn’t he expect about this job? And what do folks get wrong about him? Judge O’Hare is our guest this episode. Guest Judge Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County
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    27 mins