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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
As the Texas Republican Convention continues in Houston, the party's traditionalist wing is showing signs of resistance against the MAGA takeover of the GOP, including former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/06/11/former-gop-official-says-he-won-t-vote-for-paxton-in-ad
...And Senator John Cornyn: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/john-cornyn-interview-trump.html
...And longtime GOP operative and attorney George Hittner: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/1978-governor-primary-paxton-hill-briscoe-hittner-22299741.php
Ryan Seiders, one of the co-founders of YETI, is a co-owner of a huge ranch in the Big Bend that has been cooperating with federal efforts to build border walls in that sensitive region of Texas: https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-06-11/yeti-co-founder-among-owners-of-west-texas-ranch-facilitating-border-wall-construction
We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
When we talk about the basic American right of a trial by a "jury of our peers" - what exactly does that mean? And, do we believe that Karmelo Anthony received such a trial - one he was due by Constitutional right? We discuss.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Leaving out Black jurors undermined the "perceived fairness" of the Karmelo Anthony trial: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/karmelo-anthony-trial-black-jurors-22296375.php
...Anthony's attorneys have moved quickly to appeal - basing their case on "peremptory strikes" of three Black jurors by the state: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-06-10/karmelo-anthony-appeals-collin-county-murder-conviction-austin-metcalf-race-criminal-justice-black-frisco-track-meet-stabbing
...They will likely base their case on the hich they say violates the SCOTUS case Batson v. Kentucky: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/educational-activities/sixth-amendment-activities/batson-v-kentucky-and-jeb-v-alabama/facts-and-case-summary-batson-v-kentucky
The Texas Republican Party Convention is underway in Houston, where party leaders are preaching party unity - just as they've put up their most radical set of nominees ever after a brutal primary: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/11/texas-gop-convention-2026-houston-abbott-burrows-unity/
A proposed ban on border wall construction in the Big Bend region has failed on party lines: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/10/texas-big-bend-national-park-border-wall-ban-house-vote-henry-cuellar/
...The Trump administration has also dispensed with a wide range of environmental regulations related to border security in the Big Bend border region: https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-06-08/trump-administration-will-bypass-environmental-laws-for-border-project-in-big-bend-national-park
We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Who knew that so many of the most dire threats facing Texas lately - both the encroachment of big tech corporate data centers looking to suck up all our water AND power, and the New World screwworm fly, looking to wreak havoc on not only livestock farmers, but pet owners too - run straight through the office of the Texas Agriculture Commissioner? Clayton Tucker is the Democratic nominee for that position, and he's got ideas on how to tackle both of those Texas-sized problems, and lots more.
Learn more about Clayton Tucker and his campaign at https://www.claytontuckertx.com/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
The Karmelo Anthony trial - regardless of the verdict - displays the inequities that are hard-wired into our justice system for the Black community: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/85-years-of-american-justice
...The right-wing agitators outside the building during the trial are only the latest example of escalating racial tension in Frisco and Collin County: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/06/09/texas-city-was-already-struggling-with-racial-divisions-then-came-bitter-murder-trial/
A new AI deepfake ad attacking James Talarico is evidence of the desperation the right wing is experiencing, even this early in the final run to November: https://newrepublic.com/post/211578/maga-group-ai-generated-ad-james-talarico
Republican-dominated rural counties, like Caldwell south of Austin, have been left defenseless against AI data center developers by the very Republicans they have elected to power, who stripped local officials of regulatory control: https://www.texasobserver.org/data-center-boom-rural-gop-local-control/
We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion 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:
Not only are they a burden on our water, power, farmland and peace and quiet - massive AI data centers have become the most expensive area of corporate welfare in Texas, and soon across the country: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/08/texas-data-centers-sales-tax-break-billion-dollars/
...The Dallas, Austin, Houston and Permian Basin areas have become hotbeds for data center development - but that's just the beginning: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/ercot-grid-data-centers-22286592.php
...Early resistance at the county level has thus far been no match for tech company lawyers: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/05/texas-hill-county-moratorium-rescinded-data-centers/
Dan Cogdell, for almost a decade a member of Ken Paxton's legal team, has defected and endorsed James Talarico in his run for Senate: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/08/texas-ken-paxton-impeachment-lawyer-dan-cogdell-james-talarico-endorsement-senate/
...Cogdell has not only served as Paxton's lawyer, he's been a prolific fundraiser for him: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5914758-paxton-talarico-texas-senate-race/
Donald Trump definitely pooped the party for the New York Knicks last night at Madison Square Garden, as the Spurs took Game 3 of the NBA Finals: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/nyregion/knicks-spurs-game-3-trump.html
After years of trashing the politics of the NBA, Donald Trump will attempt to use the stage of Game 3 of the NBA Finals to his own political advantage tonight: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/08/trump-nba-knicks-spurs-finals-madison-square-garden/90403963007/
We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
One might be forgiven for having assumed that Ken Paxton is the most offensive and least-qualified Republican nominee for statewide office in Texas this cycle, and there's certainly a strong arguement for that position. But, definitely in the running for that title is Bo French, the completely unqualified and even more unhinged nominee for Texas Railroad Commission.
Luckily, the Democrats have fielded the direct opposite in the energy sector and oilfield expert - and Houston-area State Representative - Jon Rosenthal, who is by leaps and bounds more qualified for the job, and will be a compelling choice even for Republicans, provided they have even a limited understanding of the importance of the Texas energy industry and the vital role the Texas Railroad Commission plays in its proper management.
Learn more about State Rep. Jon Rosenthal at https://jonrosenthaltx.com/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
There are direct links between Elon Musk's DOGE program-slashing and the beginning new world screwworm outbreak in Texas: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/06/04/screwworm-in-texas-cattle-could-drive-up-beef-prices-after-doge-axed-prevention-efforts/
...The Trump USDA is also holding back on an effective early-response technique, further increasing the odds of a wider outbreak in Texas: https://www.claytontuckertx.com/screwworm?utm_campaign=screwworm_3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cht
The sudden departure of Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson opens the door for significant systemic disruption for the November midterm election: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/08/texas-2026-midterm-new-secretary-of-state-election-officials/
...The timing allows Governor Greg Abbott to appoint a new Secretary of State without Senate confirmation - an official who would have the power to wreak partisan havoc this fall: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1656687958876485
After years of trashing the politics of the NBA, Donald Trump will attempt to use the stage of Game 3 of the NBA Finals to his own political advantage tonight: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/08/trump-nba-knicks-spurs-finals-madison-square-garden/90403963007/
We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The runoff for the Democratic nomination for Harris County Judge was difficult to predict - and Progress Texas endorsee Dr. Letitia Plummer defied a lot of predictions in her win! Now a nominee this November to be the top elected official in a county with a bigger population than half of these United States, Dr. Plummer details her vision for the future of Texas' largest and most diverse urban center.
Learn more about Dr. Letitia Plummer in her prior podcast appearance: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-279-dr-letitia-plummer-candidate-harris-county-judge
Learn how to support Dr. Plummer's campaign at https://www.drletitiaplummer.com/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Dallas' annual Pride parade moves from Fair Park to Downtown Dallas tomorrow - marking a needed elevation of visibility for the LGBTQ+ community at a moment of intense targeting by right-wing elements: https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/dallas-pride-parade-marches-on-for-lgbtq-rights-40681705/
As entertaining as it would have been for progressives, it turns out that CBS News is not planning to replace Anderson Cooper with Joe Rogan: https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/cbs-news-denies-joe-rogan-60-minutes-bari-weiss/
A new indoctrination center focused on the "Objectivism" philosophy of Ayn Rand, planned for the West Campus neighborhood near UT Austin, is the direct antithesis to the creative collaboration that Austin's culture is built from: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/austin-will-soon-have-a-30-million-ayn-rand-indoctrination-center-near-ut-campus/
Unsatisfied with the "Death Star" law that undermines the local governing authority of Texas' large and mostly Democratically-led cities, Republican lawmakers want to give the Texas AG's office the right to fine cities for failing to rewrite their local codes around it: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/04/texas-death-star-bill-update/
Dallas and Houston are both looking to suffer an economic flop with the FIFA World Cup - expensive tickets and hotel rooms and a chilling atmosphere for foreign travelers have led to a severe underperformance of bookings: https://www.newsweek.com/world-cup-host-cities-hotels-tickets-struggling-unsold-12003833
We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
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