As rural Texas experiences rapid growth, many residents are asking important questions about fire safety, inspections, and large industrial development.

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Palmer, Fire Marshal of Van Zandt County, to walk through how fire prevention actually works at the county level.

We discuss:

• What a fire marshal does day-to-day

• Where their authority comes from in Texas

• How fire codes are adopted and enforced

• What happens in counties without a fire marshal

• Whether these positions “pay for themselves”

• Inspection fees and funding questions

• Fire risks associated with large industrial sites

• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and how those fires are handled

• What small business owners can expect during inspections

This is a public education conversation designed to help rural communities better understand how fire safety systems function before emergencies happen.

Michael and Daniel sit down with water expert Dr. Charles Porter to talk about how water rights work in Texas and what landowners should understand before major development reaches rural areas.

The discussion covers ownership of groundwater, differences between water and mineral rights, shared aquifers, and how large industrial users can affect surrounding communities.

This episode is part of the Know Leon County Podcast.

We sit down with Scott MacLeod, candidate for U.S. Congress in Texas’s 10th Congressional District, to talk about why he’s running and the issues facing the district.

The conversation covers representation for rural communities, infrastructure, energy development, and what constituents expect from Congress.

This episode is part of the Know Leon County Podcast.

We sit down with Jeremy Story, candidate for U.S. Congress in Texas’s 10th Congressional District, to talk about why he’s running and the issues facing the district.

The conversation covers representation for rural communities, infrastructure, energy development, and what constituents expect from Congress.

This episode is part of the Know Leon County Podcast.

We sit down with Rob Altman, candidate for U.S. Congress in Texas’s 10th Congressional District, to talk about why he’s running and the issues facing the district.

Topics include representation for rural communities, infrastructure, energy development, and what constituents expect from Congress.

This episode is part of the Know Leon County Podcast.

Hyperscaler expert Krisha Tracy joins Michael & Daniel to discuss how large data centers secure power and what that process can mean for local communities. Topics include power sourcing, grid reliability, rural siting, transparency, and potential impacts on ranchers and agricultural operations.

Weekly wrap-up covering Commissioners Court rescheduling, resolutions related to the proposed Marquez data center and the 391 Regional Planning Committee, discussion of National Fire Code requirements for industrial projects, letters sent by county officials to state leaders, low meeting turnout, and upcoming interviews with subject matter experts and candidates.

https://www.knowleoncounty.org

Interview with Jessica Karlsruher, congressional candidate for Texas District 10, discussing rural issues, federal policy, and the future of Central Texas.

• Interview with Jessica Karlsruher, candidate for U.S. Congress (TX-10)
• Discussion on rural communities, infrastructure, energy, and federal priorities
• Candidate shares background, values, and campaign focus

In this weekly wrap-up episode of the Know Leon County podcast, we cover the latest developments related to data center proposals, county actions, public records requests, and upcoming meetings — along with a timely discussion about winter storm risk in Texas.

Topics Covered in This Episode

501(c)(4) Update All paperwork for our 501(c)(4) organization has been completed and submitted. We are currently waiting on the IRS for next steps. Once finalized, we’ll be able to open a bank account and provide clear, transparent ways for people to donate. We’ll share details as soon as that process is complete.

Data Center Resolution At the most recent Commissioners Court meeting, a proposed resolution related to data centers, solar projects, and battery energy storage systems was introduced but tabled. We discuss what tabling means, why a revised resolution is expected to return, and why the specific language of that resolution will matter.

Public Information Act (PIA) Request We walk through a response letter received from the County Attorney regarding a Public Information Act request. We explain what the letter does say, what it does not say, and why references to “ongoing or prospective economic development negotiations” are significant — without speculation or accusation.

Tax Posts from County Officials We discuss recent Facebook posts by county officials related to tax rates and public votes. This segment focuses on transparency, public records, and why explaining difficult decisions builds more trust than disputing documented votes.

What’s Next We preview upcoming Commissioners Court meetings (weather-dependent) and share plans for future podcast episodes, including interviews with candidates running for Congress to discuss data centers and related policy issues.

Know Leon County focuses on sharing verified information, public records, and firsthand observations to help residents stay informed about local government actions and major projects affecting Leon County, Texas.

🔗 Website: https://www.knowleoncounty.org

📧 Questions or tips: [email protected]

Know Leon County podcast Episode 3 weekly wrap-up covering the Leon County Commissioners Court meeting and the Jewett town hall. Ann and Daniel join to discuss key takeaways, community concerns, and what residents should watch next regarding the proposed data center and battery storage projects.January 16, 2026 · 1 min · [email protected]

In Episode 3 of the Know Leon County podcast, we’re joined by Ann and Daniel for a weekly wrap-up discussion focused on two major community events:

• The Leon County Commissioners Court meeting held on Monday
• The town hall meeting in Jewett held on Tuesday

Together, we walk through how each meeting unfolded, what stood out, how officials and residents engaged, and what information is most important for people who were unable to attend in person.

This episode is part of an ongoing effort to provide clear, factual updates so residents can stay informed about major projects and local government actions affecting Leon County.

• Commissioners Court meeting recap and key moments
• Observations on tone, responses, and process
• Jewett town hall turnout and community concerns
• Common questions raised by residents
• What to watch for next

Topics Covered