Texas in Focus

On this week's episode, Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini joins the program to discuss her trailblazing career in public service. On January 1, 2024, Senator Zaffirini became the Dean of the Senate, a title reserved for the longest-serving member—she is the first woman Dean in the Texas Senate's history. In the interview, Zaffirini discusses her career, why she feels bittersweet about breaking glass...

On this week's episode, Eddie Garcia, President of the South Texas Amateur Boxing Association (STABA), joins the program to discuss his outlook for local amateur boxing in 2024. Garcia was elected President of STABA in 2023 and previously served four years as Vice President of the organization. In the interview, Garcia discusses his roots in boxing, how judges and referees should respond to critic...

On this week's episode, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards joins the program to discuss her campaign for Congress. Councilwoman Edwards is challenging incumbent Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee for the Democratic nomination in Texas' 18th Congressional District. In the interview, Edwards discusses why she's running, how her race has changed since she announced her candidacy, and the i...

On this week's episode, former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff joins the program to discuss his new book  95 Power Principles: Strategies for Effective Leadership in Local Government . In addition to his two-decade tenure as county judge, Wolff served in the Texas House, the Texas Senate, and as Mayor of San Antonio. In the interview, Wolff discusses how San Antonio has changed during his career,...

On this week's episode, Derrick Fox, President and CEO of the San Antonio Bowl Association, joins the program to discuss the 31st Valero Alamo Bowl. Fox has worked on the Alamo Bowl since its debut game in 1993. In the interview, Fox discusses this year's top-15 showdown between Oklahoma and Arizona, how conference realignment is reshaping the Alamo Bowl, and if San Antonio is a future destination...

On this week's episode, Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, joins the program to discuss AlamoPROMISE. Dr. Flores has led the Alamo Colleges since 2018 and is the first Hispanic chancellor in the district's history. In the interview, Flores discusses Alamo Promise's potential to combat generational poverty, how community colleges fared during the 88th Texas Legislature, and...

On this special edition episode, Trinity University's star quarterback Tucker Horn joins the program to discuss the start of the NCAA Football Division III Playoffs. A fifth-year senior, Horn has led the Tigers to a 9-1 record and is the reigning Southern Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year. In the interview, Horn previews the Tigers' first-round playoff game against Hardin-Simmons,...

On this special edition episode, University of North Texas radio personality Zac Babb joins the program to discuss the state of the UTSA-UNT football rivalry. For nearly a decade, Babb has served in multiple on-air roles for UNT's Athletics Department. In the interview, Babb previews this weekend's installment of the rivalry game and discusses the future of both programs in the American Athletic C...

On this week's episode, freelance journalist Kaley Johnson joins the program to discuss the state of local newsrooms. Over the course of her burgeoning career, Johnson has spent five years at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, including most recently as the Seeking Justice reporter, and served as the Vice President of the Fort Worth News Guild. In the interview, Johnson answers questions about what new...

On this week's episode, State Representative John Bryant (D-Dallas) joins the program to discuss the third special session of the 88th Texas Legislature. Representative Bryant has served as a state legislator, Congressman, and U.S. Ambassador during his multiple decades in public service. In the interview, Rep. Bryant responds to questions about why he re-entered politics, his thoughts on Governor...

On this week's episode, Joe Jaworski joins the program to discuss the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Jaworski is the former mayor of Galveston, Texas, and was a Democratic candidate for Attorney General in 2022. In the interview, Jaworski answers questions about the nature of the accusations against Paxton, why the Texas House impeached Paxton, and what Texans lose by havi...

On this week's episode, Gabe Fleisher, Author of the Wake Up To Politics newsletter, joins the program to discuss the opening days of the presidential primary season. In the interview, Fleisher answers questions about the August GOP debate, the state of President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, and the unconventional history of his newsletter Wake Up To Politics.    Congress returns to a "pretty...

On this week's episode, Dallas lawyer Cassandra Hernandez joins the program to discuss her campaign for Texas House of Representatives. Hernandez is running to replace State Representative Julie Johnson in House District 115. In the interview, Hernandez discusses the state of politics in Texas, her thoughts on the most recent legislative session, and the person that inspired her to run for elected...

On this week's episode, San Antonio City Councilwoman Sukh Kaur joins the program to discuss her agenda for the city. Councilwoman Kaur discusses her recent election victory, solutions for businesses affected by construction on the St. Mary's Strip, and what it means to represent downtown San Antonio during a period of development and revitalization for the region.   The work begins for a brighter...

On this week's double episode, host Matthew Reyna marks the beginning of the 2023 San Antonio Film Festival by hosting a panel discussion with the festival's founder Adam Rocha and South Texas filmmaker Rodrigo Moreno-Fernandez, who directed the short film  Strings .   The second half of this week's episode features an interview with Jack Lee, Assistant News Editor at The Battalion , Texas A&M's i...

On this week's episode, State Representative James Talarico joins the program to discuss the recently concluded special sessions of the Texas Legislature. Representative Talarico discusses reports of atrocities committed by state troopers on the southern border, if Texans can be proud of the work of the Legislature, and what his political future looks like.   He's Deeply Religious and a Democrat....

This week's episode is the second in the summer break series. Maine State Senator Mattie Daughtry joins the program to discuss her efforts to push statewide paid family and medical leave across the legislative finish line. The interview also includes Senator Daughtry's travel recommendations, advice for young people running for office, and a conversation about the state of the culture wars in blue...

This week's episode is the first in the Texas in Focus summer break series. Councilor Victoria Pelletier, who represents Portland, Maine's second district on the city council, is our guest on the program. Councilor Pelletier discusses the most pressing issues facing Portland, the struggles that working-class people face when running for office, and her best recommendations for visitors.   Councilo...

On this week's episode, San Antonio City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez joins the program to discuss the city's opportunities and challenges. Topics mentioned in the interview include the ongoing South Texas heat wave, how to juggle being a young person and an elected official, and Councilman McKee-Rodriguez's priorities for his second term at City Hall.   McKee-Rodriguez speaks his mind regardl...

On this week's episode, State Representative Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) joins the program to discuss the recently concluded regular session of the Texas Legislature. Representative Turner answers questions about the state of local control in Texas, the lack of action on gun violence in the Legislature, and the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.   More about Representative Turner...

In this week's episode, host Matthew Reyna sits down with Ayden Runnels, the new Editor-in-Chief of the North Texas Daily . Runnels describes the opportunities and challenges of running a student newspaper, opines on why pursuing a journalism degree is still worth it, and shares details about their journey to becoming editor-in-chief.   SGA violates bylaws through a lack of budget oversight ( Nort...

In this week's episode, host Matthew Reyna is joined by two great guests. In the first segment, Tristen Wheeler, Interim Director of the University of North Texas Food Pantry, discusses the pantry's efforts to combat campus food insecurity. In the second segment, Chris Mackenzie, Communications Director for the Chamber of Progress, discusses legislation in Texas that his organization believes will...

In this week's episode, host Matthew Reyna joins Texas State Demographer Dr. Lloyd Potter to discuss recent U.S. Census reports that show a rapid population surge in North Texas. Their conversation touches on the factors fueling the growth, how the new residents will affect legislative redistricting, and if the fast pace of population growth is sustainable.   In addition to his role as State Demog...

In this week's episode, host Matthew Reyna previews the upcoming Dallas International Film Festival. James Faust, DIFF's Artistic Director, joins the program to discuss the festival's history, film selection process, and what attendees can expect this year. DIFF 2023 runs from April 28 to May 5 at the Violet Crown Cinema in West Village.   More about the Dallas International Film Festival: https:/...

In this week's episode, The Athletic's Tim Cato joins host Matthew Reyna to discuss the disappointing conclusion to the NBA season for the Dallas Mavericks. Cato, a graduate of UNT's Mayborn School of Journalism, also talks about his favorite moments covering the Mavericks and his best advice for breaking through in the sports journalism industry.   Luka Doncic's frustrations, and the Mavericks' f...