Y'all-itics

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

He was the first president ever born in a hospital. With pride, Jimmy Carter recounts how the U.S. military never fired a bullet, dropped a bomb or launched a missile on his watch. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for being the first to broker peace in the Middle East. The late U.S. President Carter represents the end of an era – when a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia could ascend to the most powerful position in the world. Crippling inflation destroyed his chances for re-election in 1980. But Jimmy Carter might be best remembered for what he did after his presidency, rather than his one-term in the White House. In this candid 2014 interview, just after his 90th birthday, Carter put down his toolbox at a Habitat for Humanity worksite in Dallas to have a conversation with Jason Whitely about his life, legacy, and politics.

GUEST:

Former President Jimmy Carter in 2014

In 2025, most Texans will no longer have to have their vehicles inspected. But in a development that surprises exactly no one, Texans will still pay the fee. The state actually sponsored a study that said those inspections were not only highly effective, but should likely be expanded. That study’s author says he’s surprised lawmakers dumped the program, and in this episode of Y’all-itics, he tells the Jasons why. And you’ll notice we said “most” Texans. Find out why drivers in 17 counties are still facing an annual exam.

Guest

Dr. Michael Murphy, University of Texas at Austin

It is the episode you’ve been waiting for, when the Y’all-itics team discusses the best and worst of politics in 2024. Who gets a cheer? Who gets a jeer? And who gets a beer? In this special holiday edition, the Jasons are joined by WFAA political producer Berna Dean Steptoe and Fort Worth Star Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy.

Guests

Berna Dean Steptoe, WFAA Political Producer

Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star Telegram