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January 29, 2025

Texans weigh in on how to spend the state’s $24 billion surplus

By: Laura Rice

If Texans were in charge of the state’s budget, how would they spend the money? A new survey from the Hobby School of Public Affairs sheds light on priorities.

We know many state lawmakers are prioritizing a school voucher effort that would give money for private education directly to families – and the proposal has moved forward in the Senate.

Some Texas business are already feeling indirect impacts of deportation efforts.

And: With Texas attracting more data centers, -what’s being done to ensure the energy grid can handle it?


Episodes

February 25, 2025

Controversies and resignations at the Texas Lottery Commission

An appeals court upholds a decision to remove the judge who pushed the state to improve conditions for foster children. What happens now?A controversial lottery win leads Texas to ban third-party apps selling tickets.A federal court has blocked the SAVE plan, a Biden-era initiative aimed at lowering – and in some cases, erasing – student […]

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February 24, 2025

Major airlines target rule setting standard for disability accommodations

What would be the implications for a Texas constitutional amendment “protecting the right of parents to raise their children”? Blaise Gainey of The Texas newsroom tells us who’s pushing it and the questions surrounding it.Texas-based Southwest and American Airlines are joining with Delta, JetBlue and United to ask a court to overturn a rule requiring […]

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February 21, 2025

What’s in the forecast for Texas’ real estate market?

We’re taking a closer look at what’s been happening at this Texas Legislature on school choice, aka school vouchers – and why there could be an early battle between the House and Senate.Plus, the first in a series of profiles of the people behind the politics at the Legislature, starting with Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez.What’s […]

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February 20, 2025

Lawsuit challenges federal wildlife trapping in Texas

A nearly $5 billion bill filed in the Legislature seeks to provide across-the-board raises for teachers and put more money toward bonuses.Lithium-ion batteries are a major fire threat. Learn why and what consumers can do.Texans love sharing their favorite under-the-radar barbecue spots, but how often do they actually live up to the hype? Texas Monthly […]

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February 19, 2025

Behind Southwest Airlines’ big job cuts

15% of Southwest Airlines’ corporate workforce is out of a job in the Dallas-based company’s first-ever major layoffs.Frigid temperatures across the state and all eyes are on the Texas grid’s ability to handle it. How the grid became what it is today.President Trump has dismantled a couple of boards you’ve probably never heard about. Why […]

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February 18, 2025

Measles outbreak spreads in rural West Texas

A measles outbreak in rural West Texas is rapidly spreading, with 49 cases confirmed. We’ll check in to see how the hospital in that region is responding.The Texas Metropolitan Blueprint is an ambitious five-year plan to help policymakers confront the state’s explosive population growth.Gov. Greg Abbott is warning Texans to prepare for what could be […]

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February 17, 2025

Why Texas’ paid parental leave plan isn’t working

It took a while, but the Texas House now ready to take action on some closely watched legislation. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom gets us up to speed on the week ahead under the pink dome.A new study assesses the severity of water access problems in colonias, unincorporated communities with long-standing infrastructure issues.What happens […]

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February 16, 2025

Texas Extra: Introducing Season 3 of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout

Listen to the first episode of Season 3 The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout.

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