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February 17, 2025

Why Texas’ paid parental leave plan isn’t working

By: David Brown

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 after an ICE raid? Cactus, Texas, still feels the impact.
In 2023, Texas lawmakers touted a business-friendly paid parental leave insurance program – but two years later, few businesses are offering it, and most new parents still can’t afford to take time off.
And: Lights, camera, Texas? How some big stars are teaming up to bring in more movie production.


Episodes

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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February 14, 2025

What a stock exchange boom means for Dallas

After a long wait, the House speaker makes his committee assignments, and some Texas Republicans are none too pleased. We’ll hear the backstory and how it could affect the legislative session going forward.With the New York Stock Exchange moving part of its operations to Dallas and a separate Texas Stock Exchange in the works, North […]

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February 13, 2025

Cracking the mystery of sea turtles’ ‘lost years’

A new survey gives some strong indications what Texans make of the 47th president and what that portends for Texas Sen. John Cornyn’s re-election prospects.Apple and Microsoft have followed Google in renaming the Gulf of Mexico on their maps after a Trump executive order. Tech journalist Omar Gallaga explains what’s behind the change, and whether […]

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February 12, 2025

A sisterhood of nuns is quietly emerging on Texas death row

It’s been four years since the deadly days-long blackout in Texas – and “The Disconnect” podcast is back for a third season, exploring what’s changed and what hasn’t.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been told by the new Trump administration to stop work. How a long-term closure might affect you.An investigation into the death of […]

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