1 00:00:08,540 --> 00:00:09,999 Five years on from the winter storm 2 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:11,779 that caused blackouts across much of 3 00:00:11,780 --> 00:00:13,019 the state of Texas. 4 00:00:13,020 --> 00:00:14,319 What has been done to address the 5 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:16,139 failures of that blackout? 6 00:00:16,140 --> 00:00:18,059 And are we here in Austin ready for 7 00:00:18,060 --> 00:00:19,999 the next big winter test of the 8 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:21,059 power grid? 9 00:00:21,060 --> 00:00:22,979 More about what has and has 10 00:00:22,980 --> 00:00:25,799 not happened since February of 2021. 11 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:27,939 That is coming up on today's show. 12 00:00:27,940 --> 00:00:29,839 The Austin Signal is a production 13 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:31,939 of KUT News, hosted by 14 00:00:31,940 --> 00:00:32,969 Jerry Quijano. 15 00:00:32,970 --> 00:00:34,649 Plus, there is an argument to be 16 00:00:34,650 --> 00:00:35,829 made that the Lieutenant Governor of 17 00:00:35,830 --> 00:00:37,649 Texas is the most 18 00:00:37,650 --> 00:00:39,369 influential elected official in the 19 00:00:39,370 --> 00:00:40,229 state. 20 00:00:40,230 --> 00:00:41,289 Republicans have held the position 21 00:00:41,290 --> 00:00:42,829 for nearly three decades. 22 00:00:42,830 --> 00:00:43,729 We'll hear about the candidates 23 00:00:43,730 --> 00:00:45,749 running to represent Texas Democrats 24 00:00:45,750 --> 00:00:47,749 in this fall's election and 25 00:00:47,750 --> 00:00:49,669 what happens to love when memories 26 00:00:49,670 --> 00:00:51,169 fade away. 27 00:00:51,170 --> 00:00:52,489 Hear how one woman in Pflugerville 28 00:00:52,490 --> 00:00:54,529 is doing her best to keep love alive 29 00:00:54,530 --> 00:00:55,769 through music. 30 00:00:55,770 --> 00:00:58,069 That's coming up next here on Austin 31 00:00:58,070 --> 00:00:59,070 Signal. 32 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:09,399 Howdy out there, you are tuned in 33 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:10,999 to Austin Signal. 34 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:12,879 It is Friday the 13th. 35 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:14,759 I'm Jerry Keechanel. 36 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:16,519 Five years ago, folks here in Austin 37 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,359 got what at first seemed like a 38 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:20,819 nice, fun dusting of snow, 39 00:01:20,820 --> 00:01:22,299 the kind that makes for a winter 40 00:01:22,300 --> 00:01:24,199 wonderland here in Texas. 41 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,139 Here's KUT's Mo's Bouchelle five 42 00:01:26,140 --> 00:01:27,560 years ago last night. 43 00:01:35,090 --> 00:01:36,249 So this is the beginning. 44 00:01:37,770 --> 00:01:39,209 A couple weeks after the big 45 00:01:39,210 --> 00:01:41,089 blackout, I found this video 46 00:01:41,090 --> 00:01:42,229 in my phone. 47 00:01:42,230 --> 00:01:44,129 Well, it might be a historic 48 00:01:44,130 --> 00:01:46,889 winter storm here 49 00:01:46,890 --> 00:01:47,769 in Austin. 50 00:01:47,770 --> 00:01:49,529 It's from the night before the power 51 00:01:49,530 --> 00:01:51,509 went out. When I found it, I didn't 52 00:01:51,510 --> 00:01:53,329 even remember recording it. 53 00:01:53,330 --> 00:01:54,709 Just started down here. 54 00:01:54,710 --> 00:01:56,809 Or exactly who I was recording it 55 00:01:56,810 --> 00:01:58,629 for. I know I was really 56 00:01:58,630 --> 00:02:00,609 excited about the snow. 57 00:02:00,610 --> 00:02:02,189 I love this. 58 00:02:02,190 --> 00:02:04,009 But when I listen back, this 59 00:02:04,010 --> 00:02:05,010 sounds corny. 60 00:02:05,830 --> 00:02:07,669 I get chills because 61 00:02:07,670 --> 00:02:10,329 of this last thing I say right 62 00:02:10,330 --> 00:02:11,809 here. Big question for a lot of 63 00:02:11,810 --> 00:02:14,909 people right now is whether the 64 00:02:14,910 --> 00:02:16,150 electric grid's gonna hold up. 65 00:02:21,660 --> 00:02:23,439 We didn't know then about the coming 66 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:24,799 blackouts that would throw the state 67 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:26,739 into confusion and cause 68 00:02:26,740 --> 00:02:28,459 hundreds of deaths. 69 00:02:28,460 --> 00:02:30,399 On the five-year anniversary of that 70 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:31,839 storm, we're talking with Moe's 71 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:33,259 Bouchelle. Moe has been doing some 72 00:02:33,260 --> 00:02:34,559 special reporting for the Texas 73 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:36,359 newsroom and has served for more 74 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:38,179 than a decade as KUT's energy 75 00:02:38,180 --> 00:02:40,039 and environment correspondent, and 76 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:41,859 he hosts the podcast, The Disconnect 77 00:02:41,860 --> 00:02:43,839 Power, Politics, and the Texas 78 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:44,639 Blackout. 79 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:46,419 Moe, thank you for being with us. 80 00:02:46,420 --> 00:02:47,479 Pleasure, Jerry. 81 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:49,759 Obviously now we've dealt with 82 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:51,699 the repercussions of the storm, 83 00:02:51,700 --> 00:02:53,159 but at the time, how realistic was 84 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:54,759 it that we might experience a 85 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:56,189 blackout of that magnitude? 86 00:02:56,190 --> 00:02:58,129 Nobody expected something that 87 00:02:58,130 --> 00:02:59,389 bad happening. 88 00:02:59,390 --> 00:03:00,969 I think that's fair to say. 89 00:03:00,970 --> 00:03:02,649 There was in fact I think a fair 90 00:03:02,650 --> 00:03:05,238 amount of confidence 91 00:03:05,239 --> 00:03:07,689 in some of the years leading up to 92 00:03:07,690 --> 00:03:09,629 21 that ERCOT had started 93 00:03:09,630 --> 00:03:11,289 to get a handle on some of its cold 94 00:03:11,290 --> 00:03:12,449 weather problems. 95 00:03:12,450 --> 00:03:14,169 And obviously that confidence was 96 00:03:14,170 --> 00:03:15,969 proven to be absolutely unfounded. 97 00:03:15,970 --> 00:03:19,029 But we had a much smaller 98 00:03:19,030 --> 00:03:21,469 kind of state outage, 99 00:03:21,470 --> 00:03:23,649 rolling outage blackout in 2011 100 00:03:23,650 --> 00:03:25,789 that prompted some 101 00:03:25,790 --> 00:03:27,109 people to start thinking about this 102 00:03:27,110 --> 00:03:29,149 and prompted some 103 00:03:29,150 --> 00:03:31,129 kind of suggestions 104 00:03:31,130 --> 00:03:32,979 from federal regulators 105 00:03:32,980 --> 00:03:34,919 as well over how to protect the grid 106 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:36,799 against cold weather. 107 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:38,059 Clearly, those lessons weren't 108 00:03:38,060 --> 00:03:40,019 learned as well as they thought 109 00:03:40,020 --> 00:03:40,799 they were. 110 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,739 So when this massive storm 111 00:03:42,740 --> 00:03:43,860 rolled in, 112 00:03:44,900 --> 00:03:47,639 we were just knocked over. 113 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:49,559 This is covered in the podcast that 114 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:51,839 you did for KUT and KUTX studios, 115 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:52,659 The Disconnect. 116 00:03:52,660 --> 00:03:53,699 I was listening back to the first 117 00:03:53,700 --> 00:03:55,519 episode this morning and you 118 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:57,399 talk about sort of 119 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,199 there being knowledge of what the 120 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,119 problem was, but not as much 121 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,039 being done to address the 122 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:03,979 problem. 123 00:04:03,980 --> 00:04:05,719 Since the storm five years ago, what 124 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:07,539 has been done to winterize the grid 125 00:04:07,540 --> 00:04:08,189 since 126 00:04:08,190 --> 00:04:10,169 I think that the main thing that 127 00:04:10,170 --> 00:04:12,469 everyone points to are standards 128 00:04:12,470 --> 00:04:14,609 for essentially 129 00:04:14,610 --> 00:04:16,429 insulating power plants. 130 00:04:16,430 --> 00:04:18,268 A lot of things went wrong all at 131 00:04:18,269 --> 00:04:20,169 once during that blackout, 132 00:04:20,170 --> 00:04:22,329 but one of those things was that 133 00:04:22,330 --> 00:04:24,249 the gas power plants and other 134 00:04:24,250 --> 00:04:26,349 energy generators too just weren't 135 00:04:26,350 --> 00:04:28,189 prepared for that level of cold and 136 00:04:28,190 --> 00:04:30,089 also the freezing rain, and so 137 00:04:30,090 --> 00:04:32,229 they literally broke down. 138 00:04:32,230 --> 00:04:34,229 After 21, the 139 00:04:34,230 --> 00:04:36,329 state finally created 140 00:04:36,330 --> 00:04:38,389 regulations to prepare power plants 141 00:04:38,390 --> 00:04:39,669 for cold weather. 142 00:04:39,670 --> 00:04:41,409 That alone is like one of the most 143 00:04:41,410 --> 00:04:43,249 demonstrable kind of things that you 144 00:04:43,250 --> 00:04:44,729 can point to and say uh... 145 00:04:44,730 --> 00:04:46,389 We have done this now and so power 146 00:04:46,390 --> 00:04:48,209 plants are supposed to be better 147 00:04:48,210 --> 00:04:49,689 better equipped for for freezing 148 00:04:49,690 --> 00:04:51,689 weather they are inspected to make 149 00:04:51,690 --> 00:04:52,789 sure that they're preparing for 150 00:04:52,790 --> 00:04:54,249 freezing whether that is one thing 151 00:04:54,250 --> 00:04:55,629 you can point to say yes texas has 152 00:04:55,630 --> 00:04:56,509 done this 153 00:04:56,510 --> 00:04:58,089 And in the five years since the 154 00:04:58,090 --> 00:05:00,009 storm, have we seen a real test of 155 00:05:00,010 --> 00:05:01,789 it that would be comparable to what 156 00:05:01,790 --> 00:05:02,769 happened in 2021? 157 00:05:02,770 --> 00:05:04,389 Yeah, I have a story about this just 158 00:05:04,390 --> 00:05:06,249 up on the web today. 159 00:05:06,250 --> 00:05:08,509 We haven't, we've seen big 160 00:05:08,510 --> 00:05:09,969 freezes, we've see big winter 161 00:05:09,970 --> 00:05:11,609 storms. And what we see every time 162 00:05:11,610 --> 00:05:13,369 it happens is everybody gets really 163 00:05:13,370 --> 00:05:15,189 panicked, right? We all worry, I 164 00:05:15,190 --> 00:05:17,169 think understandably after what 165 00:05:17,170 --> 00:05:19,369 people went through in 21. 166 00:05:19,370 --> 00:05:21,569 But when you compare any 167 00:05:21,570 --> 00:05:23,429 of these big storms to the 168 00:05:23,430 --> 00:05:25,309 big winter storm in 21, none 169 00:05:25,310 --> 00:05:26,969 of the big storms we've since then 170 00:05:26,970 --> 00:05:29,029 have come close to the magnitude 171 00:05:29,030 --> 00:05:30,089 of that storm. 172 00:05:30,090 --> 00:05:31,349 And I'm talking in terms of how cold 173 00:05:31,350 --> 00:05:32,829 it got, how long it stayed that 174 00:05:32,830 --> 00:05:34,809 cold, just the massive amounts 175 00:05:34,810 --> 00:05:37,049 of freezing precipitation. 176 00:05:37,050 --> 00:05:38,909 And also importantly for the 177 00:05:38,910 --> 00:05:40,549 power grid, the size. 178 00:05:40,550 --> 00:05:42,649 I mean, this thing covered the 179 00:05:42,650 --> 00:05:44,729 entire state of Texas for 180 00:05:44,730 --> 00:05:46,729 days. That means that the entire 181 00:05:46,730 --> 00:05:48,609 State was trying to 182 00:05:48,610 --> 00:05:50,949 draw power off the grid all 183 00:05:50,950 --> 00:05:52,469 at once. And when that happens, 184 00:05:52,470 --> 00:05:53,889 that's when you have problems on the 185 00:05:53,890 --> 00:05:55,489 energy system because everybody 186 00:05:55,490 --> 00:05:57,529 wants power and well, 187 00:05:57,530 --> 00:05:58,629 hey, what's happening? The power 188 00:05:58,630 --> 00:05:59,509 plants are shutting down. 189 00:05:59,510 --> 00:06:01,369 That was the formula that 190 00:06:01,370 --> 00:06:02,709 led to this disaster. 191 00:06:02,710 --> 00:06:04,029 And as we learn through this 192 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:05,949 disaster, this grid is 193 00:06:05,950 --> 00:06:07,809 uniquely Texan and its connections 194 00:06:07,810 --> 00:06:09,969 and its capabilities. 195 00:06:09,970 --> 00:06:11,509 Is this problem though of the 196 00:06:11,510 --> 00:06:13,289 potential for blackouts, is that 197 00:06:13,290 --> 00:06:14,419 uniquely Texin? 198 00:06:14,420 --> 00:06:16,439 Uh... So you know one thing that i i 199 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:17,619 i find interesting is that there 200 00:06:17,620 --> 00:06:18,759 seems to be a kind of growing 201 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:20,599 anxiety over power grids across the 202 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:21,439 country and uh... 203 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:23,379 In a way texas may have gotten there 204 00:06:23,380 --> 00:06:24,659 first uh... 205 00:06:24,660 --> 00:06:26,359 We are seeing uh... 206 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,659 Increasingly urgent warnings from 207 00:06:28,660 --> 00:06:30,639 that national regulators uh... 208 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:32,179 And and people that watch power 209 00:06:32,180 --> 00:06:34,629 grits saying that that regional 210 00:06:34,630 --> 00:06:36,110 grids are aging, 211 00:06:37,530 --> 00:06:39,549 there is not a lot 212 00:06:39,550 --> 00:06:41,509 of excess capacity 213 00:06:41,510 --> 00:06:43,549 energy that might be drawn on 214 00:06:43,550 --> 00:06:44,869 in an emergency, in a weather 215 00:06:44,870 --> 00:06:46,389 emergency, and there are all these 216 00:06:46,390 --> 00:06:48,609 weaknesses that they have identified 217 00:06:48,610 --> 00:06:50,689 that they recommend 218 00:06:50,690 --> 00:06:51,769 should be fixed. 219 00:06:51,770 --> 00:06:52,829 Here I'm actually thinking 220 00:06:52,830 --> 00:06:54,349 specifically of a recent report out 221 00:06:54,350 --> 00:06:56,069 from the North American Electric 222 00:06:56,070 --> 00:06:57,929 Reliability Corporation saying 223 00:06:57,930 --> 00:06:59,829 that many grids across the 224 00:06:59,830 --> 00:07:01,739 country are at high 225 00:07:01,740 --> 00:07:03,579 of having energy shortages 226 00:07:03,580 --> 00:07:04,960 in extreme events. 227 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,159 And the question is, 228 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:09,569 what do you do about it? 229 00:07:09,570 --> 00:07:11,129 Moza, I mentioned the podcast that 230 00:07:11,130 --> 00:07:12,849 you did for KUT and KUTx, the 231 00:07:12,850 --> 00:07:14,149 disconnect for a listener who might 232 00:07:14,150 --> 00:07:15,109 not be familiar. 233 00:07:15,110 --> 00:07:16,979 What do you cover in that podcast? 234 00:07:16,980 --> 00:07:18,019 I mean, we try to look at 235 00:07:18,020 --> 00:07:20,119 everything, the world of 236 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:21,799 energy systems and power grids is a 237 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:22,819 complicated one. 238 00:07:22,820 --> 00:07:24,519 It's also a very political one, 239 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:26,399 especially in Texas, I think 240 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:27,239 I could say. 241 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,179 And we 242 00:07:29,180 --> 00:07:31,139 tell the history of the Texas grid. 243 00:07:31,140 --> 00:07:32,919 Why do we have our own power grid? 244 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:34,319 Something a lot of people say should 245 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:35,359 be changed. 246 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:37,319 We should link up with other grids. 247 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,659 Why is the grid so 248 00:07:39,660 --> 00:07:41,699 dependent on natural gas here and 249 00:07:41,700 --> 00:07:43,179 has been for much longer than a lot 250 00:07:43,180 --> 00:07:44,519 of the rest of the country? 251 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:46,799 Things like that and so, 252 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:47,739 and much more. 253 00:07:47,740 --> 00:07:49,799 And so we tell that story 254 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,089 to try to explain 255 00:07:52,090 --> 00:07:53,929 how this just this 256 00:07:53,930 --> 00:07:55,809 massive disaster could could 257 00:07:55,810 --> 00:07:56,589 happen. 258 00:07:56,590 --> 00:07:58,469 In many ways, a human cause disaster 259 00:07:58,470 --> 00:08:00,509 could happen in the energy capital 260 00:08:00,510 --> 00:08:02,569 of the country in Texas. 261 00:08:02,570 --> 00:08:04,649 And it's still it still 262 00:08:04,650 --> 00:08:05,929 resonates today because people you 263 00:08:05,930 --> 00:08:07,429 know people like like we said people 264 00:08:07,430 --> 00:08:08,589 still think about this people are 265 00:08:08,590 --> 00:08:10,429 still worried. 266 00:08:10,430 --> 00:08:12,449 And the reality is, 267 00:08:12,450 --> 00:08:14,309 we have not had a storm like that 268 00:08:14,310 --> 00:08:15,129 since. 269 00:08:15,130 --> 00:08:16,209 And so... 270 00:08:16,210 --> 00:08:18,029 Uh, you talk to analysts and 271 00:08:18,030 --> 00:08:19,329 they'll say, you know, some things 272 00:08:19,330 --> 00:08:20,449 have been improved. 273 00:08:20,450 --> 00:08:23,169 Uh, other things have not improved. 274 00:08:23,170 --> 00:08:25,049 There are new challenges and we 275 00:08:25,050 --> 00:08:26,789 won't really know where we stand 276 00:08:26,790 --> 00:08:28,869 until we get another storm of 277 00:08:28,870 --> 00:08:30,609 that magnitude. 278 00:08:30,610 --> 00:08:32,169 And no one wants that to happen. 279 00:08:33,549 --> 00:08:35,229 We have been speaking with Moe's Boo 280 00:08:35,230 --> 00:08:36,569 Shell. He is the host of The 281 00:08:36,570 --> 00:08:38,408 Disconnect. He is KUT's energy 282 00:08:38,409 --> 00:08:39,769 and environment reporter and he has 283 00:08:39,770 --> 00:08:40,989 been doing some special reporting 284 00:08:40,990 --> 00:08:42,529 for the Texas Newsroom. 285 00:08:42,530 --> 00:08:43,709 We're gonna have a link to all of 286 00:08:43,710 --> 00:08:45,589 his reporting in the show notes for 287 00:08:45,590 --> 00:08:46,969 today's podcast and you can find 288 00:08:46,970 --> 00:08:49,189 more at kut.org 289 00:08:49,190 --> 00:08:50,529 slash signal. 290 00:08:50,530 --> 00:08:51,600 Moe, thank you. Thank you, Jerry. 291 00:08:59,410 --> 00:09:01,749 The lieutenant governor of Texas is 292 00:09:01,750 --> 00:09:03,469 arguably the most influential 293 00:09:03,470 --> 00:09:05,569 elected official in the state. 294 00:09:05,570 --> 00:09:07,209 It's also a job that's been held by 295 00:09:07,210 --> 00:09:09,549 Republicans since 1999, 296 00:09:09,550 --> 00:09:11,549 most recently by Dan Patrick, 297 00:09:11,550 --> 00:09:14,149 who's been in the role for 11 years. 298 00:09:14,150 --> 00:09:15,329 But Democrats are hoping to give 299 00:09:15,330 --> 00:09:17,049 Patrick a run for his money this 300 00:09:17,050 --> 00:09:18,149 November. 301 00:09:18,150 --> 00:09:19,829 First though, Texas Dems have to 302 00:09:19,830 --> 00:09:21,329 decide who they're gonna put on the 303 00:09:21,330 --> 00:09:22,789 ballot against him. 304 00:09:22,790 --> 00:09:24,549 Three candidates are vying for the 305 00:09:24,550 --> 00:09:25,989 nomination in the party's primary 306 00:09:25,990 --> 00:09:27,009 next month. 307 00:09:27,010 --> 00:09:28,689 The Texas newsroom's Blaise Ganey 308 00:09:28,690 --> 00:09:30,789 introduces us to them and explains 309 00:09:30,790 --> 00:09:32,809 why the spot is highly sought 310 00:09:32,810 --> 00:09:33,810 after. 311 00:09:34,470 --> 00:09:36,249 In Texas, the lieutenant governor's 312 00:09:36,250 --> 00:09:37,889 job includes presiding over the 313 00:09:37,890 --> 00:09:39,449 state Senate, selecting key 314 00:09:39,450 --> 00:09:41,229 committee leadership roles, even 315 00:09:41,230 --> 00:09:43,129 deciding which bills live or 316 00:09:43,130 --> 00:09:45,329 die. In all, the role here wields 317 00:09:45,330 --> 00:09:47,069 an almost unusual amount of 318 00:09:47,070 --> 00:09:48,889 authority. Brandon Rottinghouse is a 319 00:09:48,890 --> 00:09:50,209 University of Houston political 320 00:09:50,210 --> 00:09:50,889 scientist. 321 00:09:50,890 --> 00:09:52,209 The Texas Lieutenant Governor is one 322 00:09:52,210 --> 00:09:54,089 of the top five most powerful in the 323 00:09:54,090 --> 00:09:54,759 country. 324 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:56,479 And that power has only expanded 325 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:57,819 since Lieutenant Governor Dan 326 00:09:57,820 --> 00:09:59,339 Patrick took office. 327 00:09:59,340 --> 00:10:00,879 Patrick's iron-fisted approach has 328 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:02,019 shaped some of the state's most 329 00:10:02,020 --> 00:10:04,079 contentious recent policy fights, 330 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:06,259 from school vouchers to gambling. 331 00:10:06,260 --> 00:10:08,079 Now, three Democrats are fighting to 332 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:09,879 be the one on the ballot against the 333 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:11,459 incumbent Republican later this 334 00:10:11,460 --> 00:10:13,339 year, software company manager 335 00:10:13,340 --> 00:10:15,399 Courtney Head, Marcos Velez, 336 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:16,859 a labor advocate, and state 337 00:10:16,860 --> 00:10:18,259 representative Vicki Goodwin. 338 00:10:18,260 --> 00:10:20,039 We've had 30 years of Republican 339 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:21,839 leadership, and it's time for 340 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:22,399 change. 341 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:24,439 Since 2019, Goodwins represented 342 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,179 her Austin area district in the 343 00:10:26,180 --> 00:10:28,119 Texas House, where she serves on the 344 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:29,619 Appropriations Committee. 345 00:10:29,620 --> 00:10:31,379 Under Republicans, she says public 346 00:10:31,380 --> 00:10:32,609 schools are suffering. 347 00:10:32,610 --> 00:10:33,929 I want to make sure that we're 348 00:10:33,930 --> 00:10:35,869 funding them appropriately, 349 00:10:35,870 --> 00:10:37,289 that we are not diverting our public 350 00:10:37,290 --> 00:10:39,489 tax dollars to private schools, 351 00:10:39,490 --> 00:10:41,089 that were supporting our teachers, 352 00:10:41,090 --> 00:10:43,069 our students, and a system 353 00:10:43,070 --> 00:10:44,929 that serves over 90% of the 354 00:10:44,930 --> 00:10:45,969 kids in Texas. 355 00:10:45,970 --> 00:10:47,809 She also argues the state's current 356 00:10:47,810 --> 00:10:49,169 leaders aren't listening to the 357 00:10:49,170 --> 00:10:50,869 public, pointing to Dan Patrick's 358 00:10:50,870 --> 00:10:52,749 push last year to ban THC 359 00:10:52,750 --> 00:10:53,179 products. 360 00:10:53,180 --> 00:10:55,099 We had over 600 people come 361 00:10:55,100 --> 00:10:57,239 to the Capitol to testify against 362 00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:59,059 the ban on THC, and you don't 363 00:10:59,060 --> 00:11:00,799 see that very often, you don't those 364 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:01,559 numbers. 365 00:11:01,560 --> 00:11:03,399 Goodwin says she supports fully 366 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:04,599 legalizing marijuana. 367 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:06,739 We ought to treat marijuana, THC, 368 00:11:06,740 --> 00:11:08,179 what have you, the same as we do 369 00:11:08,180 --> 00:11:08,939 alcohol. 370 00:11:08,940 --> 00:11:10,519 That's something she and fellow 371 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:12,939 candidate Marcos Velez agree on. 372 00:11:12,940 --> 00:11:14,679 Velez grew up outside of Houston and 373 00:11:14,680 --> 00:11:16,539 worked in oil refineries, eventually 374 00:11:16,540 --> 00:11:18,839 organizing around workplace safety. 375 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:20,599 He says affordability, especially 376 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:22,239 for young workers, is what pushed 377 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:23,029 him to run for 378 00:11:23,030 --> 00:11:25,049 I look at my son now, 379 00:11:25,050 --> 00:11:26,849 college-educated, he delivers 380 00:11:26,850 --> 00:11:29,129 pizzas, and I'm not knocking my son. 381 00:11:29,130 --> 00:11:31,749 What I'm saying is, even with 382 00:11:31,750 --> 00:11:33,689 $100,000 education, 383 00:11:33,690 --> 00:11:36,449 you can't secure $100k a year job. 384 00:11:36,450 --> 00:11:38,129 Wages haven't kept pace with 385 00:11:38,130 --> 00:11:40,069 productivity in that Texas isn't 386 00:11:40,070 --> 00:11:41,789 prioritizing policies that help 387 00:11:41,790 --> 00:11:43,109 everyday workers. 388 00:11:43,110 --> 00:11:44,909 Besides marijuana, he supports 389 00:11:44,910 --> 00:11:46,129 legalizing gambling. 390 00:11:46,130 --> 00:11:47,369 There's all these different things 391 00:11:47,370 --> 00:11:48,629 that we could legalize, we could 392 00:11:48,630 --> 00:11:50,349 regulate, and we can use the profit 393 00:11:50,350 --> 00:11:52,229 from those things to bring 394 00:11:52,230 --> 00:11:53,729 people's property taxes down. 395 00:11:54,970 --> 00:11:56,889 The high property taxes in Texas is 396 00:11:56,890 --> 00:11:58,749 a goal shared by Democrats and 397 00:11:58,750 --> 00:12:00,709 Republicans, and Dan Patrick has 398 00:12:00,710 --> 00:12:02,269 been a main driver for it at the 399 00:12:02,270 --> 00:12:04,289 Capitol. But despite big swings by 400 00:12:04,290 --> 00:12:05,949 Texas lawmakers, many homeowners 401 00:12:05,950 --> 00:12:07,209 here say it's not enough. 402 00:12:07,210 --> 00:12:09,529 Velez also points to Patrick's 403 00:12:09,530 --> 00:12:10,929 stance against gambling, something 404 00:12:10,930 --> 00:12:11,039 Velez does not agree with. 405 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:12,899 Lez says ignores reality. 406 00:12:23,540 --> 00:12:25,099 The third Democrat in the race, 407 00:12:25,100 --> 00:12:26,159 Courtney Head, is a San 408 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:28,199 Antonio-based software professional. 409 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:29,599 She also supports legalizing 410 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,079 cannabis, plus expanding Medicaid, 411 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:33,719 repealing school vouchers, and 412 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:35,279 investing in high-speed rail. 413 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,699 But all three face a major obstacle, 414 00:12:37,700 --> 00:12:38,579 money. 415 00:12:38,580 --> 00:12:40,399 Patrick reports he has roughly $38 416 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,279 million on hand for his 417 00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:43,579 re-election campaign. 418 00:12:43,580 --> 00:12:45,479 By comparison, Goodwin has about 419 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:47,499 159,000, Velez 420 00:12:47,500 --> 00:12:49,439 around 46,000 and Head 421 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:51,199 just a few hundred dollars. 422 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,039 Which Roddinghouse says will make it 423 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:54,040 tough to compete. 424 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,099 Of the ability to advertise 425 00:12:57,100 --> 00:12:59,159 and to convince people that you 426 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:01,299 have a better policy set than your 427 00:13:01,300 --> 00:13:03,179 opponent, then it's just hard 428 00:13:03,180 --> 00:13:04,779 for them to really understand why 429 00:13:04,780 --> 00:13:06,679 you're running and to know in 430 00:13:06,680 --> 00:13:07,569 fact that you're running 431 00:13:07,570 --> 00:13:09,009 Kendall Scudder, chair of the Texas 432 00:13:09,010 --> 00:13:11,169 Democratic Party, remains optimistic 433 00:13:11,170 --> 00:13:12,749 on the lieutenant governor's race. 434 00:13:12,750 --> 00:13:14,049 Republicans are always going to have 435 00:13:14,050 --> 00:13:14,889 more money than us. 436 00:13:14,890 --> 00:13:16,129 That's just life. 437 00:13:16,130 --> 00:13:17,649 They are the party of the 438 00:13:17,650 --> 00:13:19,249 billionaires and we are the party of 439 00:13:19,250 --> 00:13:19,639 people. 440 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:21,559 In the recent win for Democrats in 441 00:13:21,560 --> 00:13:23,399 Texas Senate District 9 is giving 442 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:24,639 the party hope. 443 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:26,160 In that special election, the 444 00:13:26,161 --> 00:13:27,719 Republican candidate spent $2 445 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:29,479 million more than the Democratic 446 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,419 fictor. Scudder says that shows 447 00:13:31,420 --> 00:13:32,359 two things. 448 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:33,679 Voters aren't happy. 449 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:35,659 And number two, there's a ceiling to 450 00:13:35,660 --> 00:13:35,969 what it. 451 00:13:35,970 --> 00:13:37,459 Packs this money has. 452 00:13:37,460 --> 00:13:39,119 Meanwhile, the incumbent appears 453 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:40,179 unconcerned. 454 00:13:40,180 --> 00:13:41,599 Patrick's already rolling out his 455 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:42,779 plans for the next legislative 456 00:13:42,780 --> 00:13:44,639 session in 2027, which 457 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:46,879 include more property tax cuts. 458 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:48,319 Early voting for the party primaries 459 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,699 in Texas begins February 17th. 460 00:13:50,700 --> 00:13:52,409 I'm Blaise Ganey in Austin. 461 00:13:52,410 --> 00:13:54,249 And we'll have more Austin Signal 462 00:13:54,250 --> 00:13:56,109 for you after this 463 00:13:56,110 --> 00:13:57,110 break. 464 00:14:00,100 --> 00:14:01,979 Happy Friday, this is 465 00:14:01,980 --> 00:14:03,539 Austin Signal. 466 00:14:03,540 --> 00:14:05,499 Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, 467 00:14:05,500 --> 00:14:07,439 so today we've got a love story for 468 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,379 ya. It's about a couple in 469 00:14:09,380 --> 00:14:11,479 Pflugerville, Clyde and Cassandra 470 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:12,459 Loftus. 471 00:14:12,460 --> 00:14:14,339 This is a story about what happens 472 00:14:14,340 --> 00:14:16,319 when memories fade and how 473 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:17,779 to hold on to them. 474 00:14:17,780 --> 00:14:19,859 Here is KUT's Matt Largie. 475 00:14:21,110 --> 00:14:22,709 The story begins with a workplace 476 00:14:22,710 --> 00:14:23,789 romance. 477 00:14:23,790 --> 00:14:24,849 Do you remember the first time that 478 00:14:24,850 --> 00:14:25,850 you met Cassandra? 479 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:29,299 This is Clyde. 480 00:14:29,300 --> 00:14:30,979 Yeah, yeah. 481 00:14:30,980 --> 00:14:32,640 She was walking down. 482 00:14:34,540 --> 00:14:35,860 You came into the office and then. 483 00:14:35,861 --> 00:14:37,769 And then the office, yeah, and 484 00:14:37,770 --> 00:14:38,869 then what? 485 00:14:38,870 --> 00:14:39,870 My brain's gone. 486 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:41,559 This is Cassandra. 487 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,479 Yeah, we just met like 488 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:44,959 co-workers, you know, oh this is 489 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:46,799 Clyde, this is Cass, I... 490 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,419 Cassandra and Clyde eventually 491 00:14:48,420 --> 00:14:49,839 started dating. 492 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:51,579 Cassandra knew he was a keeper. 493 00:14:51,580 --> 00:14:52,159 He was. 494 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,019 Brilliant, very, very smart 495 00:14:54,020 --> 00:14:55,020 man, 496 00:14:56,180 --> 00:14:58,519 and funny, and 497 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:00,459 those beautiful blue eyes, 498 00:15:00,460 --> 00:15:02,519 and his kindness and his 499 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:03,520 generosity. 500 00:15:05,810 --> 00:15:07,949 I got to see all of that and 501 00:15:07,950 --> 00:15:09,219 wanted to have that. 502 00:15:09,220 --> 00:15:11,379 They got married in 2009. 503 00:15:11,380 --> 00:15:13,039 It was a small ceremony. 504 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:14,059 Now, there's something you need to 505 00:15:14,060 --> 00:15:16,339 know. Clyde had been playing guitar 506 00:15:16,340 --> 00:15:18,349 since he was eight years old. 507 00:15:18,350 --> 00:15:20,309 My dad had played guitars 508 00:15:20,310 --> 00:15:22,969 and uncles, 509 00:15:22,970 --> 00:15:25,049 and then I got into really 510 00:15:25,050 --> 00:15:26,929 hard metal and 511 00:15:26,930 --> 00:15:27,699 stuff. 512 00:15:27,700 --> 00:15:29,419 Clyde had always had dreams of being 513 00:15:29,420 --> 00:15:30,299 a rock star. 514 00:15:30,300 --> 00:15:31,679 Brought his guitar with him when he 515 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:32,839 served in the Navy. 516 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:34,699 Started bands with his friends. 517 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:36,489 The music was part of him. 518 00:15:36,490 --> 00:15:38,489 I'm not bragging, but I can play 519 00:15:38,490 --> 00:15:39,490 like hell. 520 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:42,219 So when it came time for Cassandra 521 00:15:42,220 --> 00:15:44,219 and Clyde's first dance, 522 00:15:44,220 --> 00:15:46,119 Clyde had a song, their own 523 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:47,939 original song, written and 524 00:15:47,940 --> 00:15:49,179 performed by Clyde. 525 00:15:51,390 --> 00:15:53,229 Yeah, he had a song recorded 526 00:15:53,230 --> 00:15:54,749 for our first dance and the most 527 00:15:54,750 --> 00:15:56,749 amazing, wonderful thing. 528 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:03,499 So they were married, they made a 529 00:16:03,500 --> 00:16:05,319 life together, and for a few years 530 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:07,139 there things were pretty good. 531 00:16:07,140 --> 00:16:08,679 They had their struggles, but 532 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:09,799 nothing out of the ordinary. 533 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:12,419 We didn't go into this relationship 534 00:16:12,420 --> 00:16:13,979 thinking, you know, everything was 535 00:16:13,980 --> 00:16:16,459 gonna be all beautiful and rainbows. 536 00:16:16,460 --> 00:16:18,679 It'd be nice, but it's not reality. 537 00:16:22,750 --> 00:16:24,589 Around 2018, nine years 538 00:16:24,590 --> 00:16:26,149 into their marriage, Cassandra 539 00:16:26,150 --> 00:16:28,449 started to see changes in Clyde. 540 00:16:28,450 --> 00:16:29,849 She'd tell him something or ask him 541 00:16:29,850 --> 00:16:31,389 to do something and he wouldn't 542 00:16:31,390 --> 00:16:32,409 remember. 543 00:16:32,410 --> 00:16:34,149 She chalked it up to typical husband 544 00:16:34,150 --> 00:16:35,689 not listening to his wife kind of 545 00:16:35,690 --> 00:16:36,109 stuff. 546 00:16:36,110 --> 00:16:38,009 But a co-worker of ours came 547 00:16:38,010 --> 00:16:39,229 up to me and said, yeah, there's 548 00:16:39,230 --> 00:16:40,749 something off about Clyde. 549 00:16:40,750 --> 00:16:42,049 He's forgetting his tasks. 550 00:16:42,050 --> 00:16:44,279 He's getting agitated at people. 551 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,079 And things kept getting worse. 552 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:47,779 I mean, he would come to me at work 553 00:16:47,780 --> 00:16:49,539 and ask me to help him with his 554 00:16:49,540 --> 00:16:49,929 work. 555 00:16:49,930 --> 00:16:51,309 They knew something was wrong, but 556 00:16:51,310 --> 00:16:53,209 not exactly what. 557 00:16:53,210 --> 00:16:54,589 He had to quit his job. 558 00:16:54,590 --> 00:16:56,269 There were doctor's appointments, so 559 00:16:56,270 --> 00:16:58,169 many appointments. 560 00:16:58,170 --> 00:17:00,589 Finally, they got a diagnosis. 561 00:17:00,590 --> 00:17:02,569 It was dementia, specifically 562 00:17:02,570 --> 00:17:03,749 Alzheimer's. 563 00:17:03,750 --> 00:17:06,068 I understand it, 564 00:17:06,069 --> 00:17:08,089 and I'm not mad. 565 00:17:09,109 --> 00:17:10,889 Now, at first it was. 566 00:17:14,130 --> 00:17:16,269 With her and me, 567 00:17:17,690 --> 00:17:18,989 there's nothing, no, there is no 568 00:17:18,990 --> 00:17:19,019 way. 569 00:17:19,020 --> 00:17:21,059 Way to get hurt, you 570 00:17:21,060 --> 00:17:23,139 know. They did clinical trials, 571 00:17:23,140 --> 00:17:25,059 but nothing worked. 572 00:17:25,060 --> 00:17:27,039 Clyde has lost a lot of 573 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:28,839 what made him who he is. 574 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:31,019 His math skills, language skills, 575 00:17:31,020 --> 00:17:32,619 the words just won't come out much 576 00:17:32,620 --> 00:17:33,439 of the time. 577 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:34,440 I'm a kid. 578 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:38,320 I'm a kid. 579 00:17:39,490 --> 00:17:41,269 He even stopped playing music. 580 00:17:41,270 --> 00:17:43,129 It's got to be so hard to be 581 00:17:43,130 --> 00:17:44,989 in his head, 582 00:17:44,990 --> 00:17:47,009 to not be able to just do 583 00:17:47,010 --> 00:17:49,229 what you normally do and be 584 00:17:49,230 --> 00:17:50,649 who you really are. 585 00:17:50,650 --> 00:17:51,789 I mean, he looks at a lot of 586 00:17:51,790 --> 00:17:53,189 pictures of himself and he thinks 587 00:17:53,190 --> 00:17:55,309 about all of the people he has 588 00:17:55,310 --> 00:17:57,029 been, all of men he has be, 589 00:17:58,190 --> 00:18:00,269 and he's just trying to hold on 590 00:18:00,270 --> 00:18:02,109 to who he was, you know, 591 00:18:02,110 --> 00:18:03,469 and it's hard. 592 00:18:03,470 --> 00:18:05,369 But there is a version of Clyde 593 00:18:05,370 --> 00:18:06,249 that hangs on. 594 00:18:06,250 --> 00:18:07,929 Now this is pretty cool. 595 00:18:07,930 --> 00:18:09,769 He shows me into his home studio. 596 00:18:09,770 --> 00:18:11,649 He's so excited to show 597 00:18:11,650 --> 00:18:12,650 me. 598 00:18:13,070 --> 00:18:15,529 It's acoustic and electric. 599 00:18:15,530 --> 00:18:16,649 There are a half dozen guitars 600 00:18:16,650 --> 00:18:18,329 hanging on the walls and on stands. 601 00:18:22,580 --> 00:18:24,439 Four years after he put his music 602 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,160 down, he picked it back up. 603 00:18:31,690 --> 00:18:33,889 I love hearing him play, but it's 604 00:18:33,890 --> 00:18:36,209 kind of bittersweet because I 605 00:18:36,210 --> 00:18:37,909 was there when he was at his peak 606 00:18:37,910 --> 00:18:40,649 and he was so amazing. 607 00:18:40,650 --> 00:18:42,469 So it's hard to see him with 608 00:18:42,470 --> 00:18:44,529 these smaller bits, but he's just so 609 00:18:44,530 --> 00:18:45,570 happy that he's playing. 610 00:18:50,150 --> 00:18:52,069 Watching him play last July, 611 00:18:52,070 --> 00:18:53,569 Clyde is in the zone. 612 00:18:53,570 --> 00:18:55,189 He looks more confident than I've 613 00:18:55,190 --> 00:18:57,169 seen so far, but he also seems 614 00:18:57,170 --> 00:18:58,399 a little unsteady. 615 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:00,499 As you see the changes 616 00:19:00,500 --> 00:19:01,500 in someone's dementia, 617 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:04,639 you are mourning losses 618 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:06,839 of small things every 619 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:08,299 day. 620 00:19:08,300 --> 00:19:10,179 And to see him get up 621 00:19:10,180 --> 00:19:11,879 and say, I'm going in the studio or 622 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:13,999 stay up all night, screaming 623 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,539 those speakers like crazy is 624 00:19:16,540 --> 00:19:18,599 just pure joy. 625 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:20,039 It makes my heart happy. 626 00:19:22,630 --> 00:19:24,229 Clyde says coming back to the guitar 627 00:19:24,230 --> 00:19:26,149 has been therapeutic for him, 628 00:19:26,150 --> 00:19:27,929 but getting started again wasn't 629 00:19:27,930 --> 00:19:28,930 easy. 630 00:19:30,510 --> 00:19:32,409 I don't want to be crude, but 631 00:19:32,410 --> 00:19:34,469 I just said, you know what? 632 00:19:34,470 --> 00:19:35,589 F*** that. 633 00:19:35,590 --> 00:19:36,730 Do it. You can do it. 634 00:19:38,630 --> 00:19:39,670 You know? 635 00:19:47,140 --> 00:19:49,919 If I get bored, 636 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:52,879 I go into that studio and 637 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:54,160 make some noise. 638 00:19:59,880 --> 00:20:01,819 I don't think, I 639 00:20:01,820 --> 00:20:02,820 just let it go. 640 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:06,559 It's in me, you know it is. 641 00:20:25,140 --> 00:20:26,799 It's six months later now. 642 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,419 I come back in January, 2026. 643 00:20:29,420 --> 00:20:31,139 When I get inside, I can tell 644 00:20:31,140 --> 00:20:32,739 instantly that something is 645 00:20:32,740 --> 00:20:33,899 different. 646 00:20:33,900 --> 00:20:35,439 Cassandra seems tired. 647 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:36,440 Clyde is quieter. 648 00:20:37,340 --> 00:20:38,659 Things have gotten worse. 649 00:20:38,660 --> 00:20:40,920 Some days he's almost nonverbal. 650 00:20:42,120 --> 00:20:43,619 Um, somebody else had to tell me 651 00:20:43,620 --> 00:20:45,819 that because your 652 00:20:45,820 --> 00:20:47,639 brain fills in the 653 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:48,999 blanks of the conversation. 654 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,239 I feel like we've been having like 655 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:52,219 amazing intellectual conversations, 656 00:20:52,220 --> 00:20:54,839 but he says one or two words. 657 00:20:54,840 --> 00:20:57,279 Clyde's memory is declining fast. 658 00:20:57,280 --> 00:20:58,759 Sometimes he looks Cassandra right 659 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:00,679 in the face and asks where she 660 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:01,759 is. 661 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:03,519 She tells him she's right there. 662 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:04,909 She's not going anywhere. 663 00:21:04,910 --> 00:21:06,789 He asked me to marry him over and 664 00:21:06,790 --> 00:21:08,169 over and over again and I always say 665 00:21:08,170 --> 00:21:09,170 yes, right babe? 666 00:21:11,210 --> 00:21:12,909 Whenever you ask me to marry you, I 667 00:21:12,910 --> 00:21:13,930 say yes, don't I? 668 00:21:16,170 --> 00:21:17,709 He hardly touches his guitars 669 00:21:17,710 --> 00:21:18,710 anymore. 670 00:21:22,770 --> 00:21:24,789 A while back, Clyde told Cassandra 671 00:21:24,790 --> 00:21:26,149 he wanted them to write a song 672 00:21:26,150 --> 00:21:27,150 together. 673 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:29,419 Clyde just said, hey, let's, we 674 00:21:29,420 --> 00:21:30,679 need to write a love song. 675 00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:32,709 We need to ride our story. 676 00:21:32,710 --> 00:21:34,529 Like a sequel to the song he wrote 677 00:21:34,530 --> 00:21:36,149 for Cassandra for their first dance 678 00:21:36,150 --> 00:21:37,829 as a married couple, but this time 679 00:21:37,830 --> 00:21:39,149 with words. 680 00:21:39,150 --> 00:21:40,969 Clyde would provide the music, 681 00:21:40,970 --> 00:21:42,369 or at least a recording he made 682 00:21:42,370 --> 00:21:44,309 years ago, the music we're hearing 683 00:21:44,310 --> 00:21:45,489 now. 684 00:21:45,490 --> 00:21:47,149 Cassandra would write and sing the 685 00:21:47,150 --> 00:21:48,969 lyrics. She agonized over 686 00:21:48,970 --> 00:21:50,809 the words, wrote a draft and tossed 687 00:21:50,810 --> 00:21:51,589 it out. 688 00:21:51,590 --> 00:21:52,669 It was all wrong. 689 00:21:52,670 --> 00:21:55,769 It was purely just my 690 00:21:55,770 --> 00:21:57,209 grieving. 691 00:21:57,210 --> 00:21:59,089 And then it developed into, 692 00:21:59,090 --> 00:22:00,429 okay, so how did we meet? 693 00:22:00,430 --> 00:22:02,319 How did we build our life together? 694 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:04,239 Three more drafts later, she thinks 695 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:06,219 she's found the words, but then 696 00:22:06,220 --> 00:22:07,839 she's also not sure that it'll ever 697 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:09,219 be finished. 698 00:22:09,220 --> 00:22:10,999 It's called We Are So Lucky. 699 00:22:12,670 --> 00:22:13,670 Were you, were you 700 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:17,879 And I was me and 701 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:20,599 we were so 702 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:21,600 lucky 703 00:22:24,260 --> 00:22:26,099 Does it sound perfect? 704 00:22:26,100 --> 00:22:27,939 No, Cassandra is the first 705 00:22:27,940 --> 00:22:29,139 to admit that. 706 00:22:29,140 --> 00:22:30,819 But that, of course, is not the 707 00:22:30,820 --> 00:22:31,719 point. 708 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:33,639 Like any love story, this love 709 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:35,739 song has its flaws. 710 00:22:35,740 --> 00:22:37,439 The point of a love song is to sound 711 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:39,459 real, to sound like you mean the 712 00:22:39,460 --> 00:22:40,259 words. 713 00:22:40,260 --> 00:22:41,999 But even when the person they're 714 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:43,959 meant for doesn't always recognize 715 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:45,519 you, you still feel it. 716 00:22:48,290 --> 00:22:50,869 Remember us in 717 00:22:50,870 --> 00:22:53,909 your dreams tonight 718 00:22:53,910 --> 00:22:56,689 Remember me 719 00:22:56,690 --> 00:22:58,350 in the morning 720 00:23:01,380 --> 00:23:03,319 We are Cass 721 00:23:03,320 --> 00:23:05,899 and Clyde 722 00:23:05,900 --> 00:23:07,719 And we will be 723 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:09,899 until the end of 724 00:23:09,900 --> 00:23:10,900 time 725 00:23:13,370 --> 00:23:15,429 We are 726 00:23:15,430 --> 00:23:17,950 so lucky 727 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:21,899 We should all be so lucky. 728 00:23:21,900 --> 00:23:22,940 I love you, bubba! 729 00:23:25,950 --> 00:23:27,609 In Pflugerville, I'm Matt Largi. 730 00:23:33,550 --> 00:23:35,389 That is it for this week here 731 00:23:35,390 --> 00:23:36,689 on Austin Signal. 732 00:23:36,690 --> 00:23:38,069 Thank you for spending some time 733 00:23:38,070 --> 00:23:40,009 with us. You can find more from this 734 00:23:40,010 --> 00:23:42,549 week of shows at kut.org 735 00:23:42,550 --> 00:23:44,209 slash signal. 736 00:23:44,210 --> 00:23:45,449 Kristen Cabrera is our managing 737 00:23:45,450 --> 00:23:47,449 producer and Rayna Sevilla is 738 00:23:47,450 --> 00:23:49,209 our technical director. 739 00:23:49,210 --> 00:23:50,489 I'm your host, Jerry Kikano. 740 00:23:50,490 --> 00:23:52,729 We will be back with you on Monday. 741 00:23:52,730 --> 00:23:53,730 Have a lovely weekend.