Progress Texas Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

Texas Suffers Second "100 Year Flood", In About One Year - Daily Dispatch 7/16/26 Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Significant and dangerous flooding has struck Texas, just over a year after a catastrophic flood at about the same time in 2025: https://www.youtube.com/live/2Fj-1_tGtIw

Victor Salgado, the brother of Houston ICE shooting victim Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, has offered new disputes against the agency's account of the incident: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/deadly-ice-shooting/attorney-for-lorenzo-salgados-brother-disputes-ice-account-as-abbott-confirms-texas-rangers-investigation/285-f1bc2f96-fcd4-4009-be57-2f8847387ed1

...Governor Abbott has broken his silence on the shooting, calling it "a tragedy" - the latest in a series of forced reversals for the Governor this election year: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/help-my-governor-has-been-replaced

Donald Trump has declared war on science - and Texas' energy sector has already been impacted: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/oil-gas-energy-research-trump-webber-texas-22345291.php

Attorney General Ken Paxton's threat to sue the Big 12 over Texas Tech's efforts to field a gambling policy violator as their quarterback came 1 day after Tech's oil billionaire Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell gave his campaign almost a quarter-million dollars: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/15/cody-campbell-ken-paxton-donation-brendan-sorsby-texas-tech/

...Paxton is also now the target of a formal complaint by the Collin County Democratic Party, who is calling for his potential voting law violations to be investigated: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/collin-county-dems-file-complaint-over-whether-ken-paxton-violated-texas-election-law/4050210/

Elon Musk's SpaceX stock - forced into millions of retirement accounts by a bending of stock market rules - has now dropped below its IPO price: https://futurism.com/space/spacex-investors-lamenting-money-lost

Austin listeners: you're invited to check out a FREE screening of the documentary film "John Lewis: Good Trouble" on Friday! Info and RSVP: ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/GTLOAUSTIN⁠⁠

This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling. Become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive today, and we’ll thank you with "perks for progress" - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Our good friend Leslie Berry has bumped up her support! Join the family at ⁠⁠https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26⁠⁠.

Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@progresstexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trump To Trot Out Same Old Crap Tomorrow Night, And More - Daily Dispatch 7/15/26 Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning:

Donald Trump will attempt to re-invigorate his years-long conspiracy theories about the 2020 election in his address to the nation on Thursday night: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/15/nx-s1-5894580/trump-elections-primetime-address

...Part of the plan is to release unvetted intelligence documents as evidence of election fraud: https://www.ms.now/news/trump-speech-thursday-election-2020-interference

...He has also been stacking key federal positions with longtime loyal lackeys: https://truthout.org/articles/trump-will-address-supposed-election-interference-claims-in-primetime-speech/

In the wake of the Houston killing by ICE of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo last week, the agency has announced a temporary stoppage of immigration-related traffic stops: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/ice-to-pause-traffic-stops-after-shooting-deaths/

...Houston Mayor John Whitmire and HPD Chief Noe Diaz are calling on the Texas Rangers to conduct an investigation: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/article/mayor-whitmire-texas-rangers-ice-investigation-22345751.php

...Harris County DA Sean Teare has been more proactive, promising charges against the individual ICE agents involved if they are found warranted: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/teare-criminal-charges-ice-agents-lorenzo-salgado/285-7a303f82-ec16-41a4-a4f8-0f24ae51d39a

Austin listeners: you're invited to check out a FREE screening of the documentary film "John Lewis: Good Trouble" on Friday! Info and RSVP: ⁠http://bit.ly/GTLOAUSTIN⁠

This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling, delivered by Texans, for Texans. Join Progress Texas this summer ahead of the midterms, and become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive! With your partnership, we can reach more independents, progressives and young voters, who must be mobilized to win elections. So far, 3 donors have signed up or increased their gifts during our summer drive, and if you join them today, we’ll thank you with perks for progress in the form of union-made merch to match your values - you can choose from our exclusive "Resist" coffee mug, a sweet Progress Texas summer koozie, and a mystery button pack - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Our good friend Leslie Berry has bumped up her support! Join the family at ⁠https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26⁠.

Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@progresstexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Special LIVE Pod: James Talarico From The Texas Democratic Convention Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

We're continuing to dig through the mountain of content we accumulated during the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi, and up next are the full remarks from Friday from Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico.

Rep. Talarico, as you know, has inspired a full panic attack on the American right, whose only counter to his solid, steady, and strong messages of leadership and change have been juvenile name-calling and accusations of (gasp!) vegetarianism. Team Talarico has tripled the fundraising haul of opponent Ken Paxton over the second quarter of the year, and are full steam ahead for November, in the midst of the most exciting midterm election for Texas progressives in recent memory.

Learn more about James Talarico and his run for the Senate at https://jamestalarico.com/.

Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how to support our ongoing work at ⁠https://progresstexas.org/⁠.

Daily Dispatch 7/14/26: CNBC Quality of Life Study Finds Texas In The Toilet, And More Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

An annual quality of life study by CNBC gives Texas an "F" and ranks us the second-worst state in which to live in the U.S.: https://www.chron.com/texas/article/texas-worst-states-2026-22342359.php

...In their business survey, Texas is #4 - proving that economic success does not guarantee a good quality of life for most people: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/democratic-challenger-hinojosa-blames-gov-greg-abbott-for-texas-decline-in-top-states-for-business-list/

...Data centers and their local pollution are a great example of lax business regulation negatively impacting life quality for people who live nearby: https://www.wired.com/story/data-centers-taking-over-texas-pollution-could-be-catastrophic/

With all of that happening, Texas Republicans are working instead on further bans on THC products for next year's legistlative session: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/texas-republicans-going-after-thc-again-40694510/

Austin listeners: you're invited to check out a FREE screening of the documentary film "John Lewis: Good Trouble" on Friday! Info and RSVP: http://bit.ly/GTLOAUSTIN

This election year, you can support the real free press by investing in pro-democracy, pro-justice, pro-gressive storytelling, delivered by Texans, for Texans. Join Progress Texas this summer ahead of the midterms, and become a monthly donor or increase your giving TODAY for our Summer Sustaining Donor Drive! With your partnership, we can reach more independents, progressives and young voters, who must be mobilized to win elections. So far, 3 donors have signed up or increased their gifts during our summer drive, and if you join them today, we’ll thank you with perks for progress in the form of union-made merch to match your values - you can choose from our exclusive "Resist" coffee mug, a sweet Progress Texas summer koozie, and a mystery button pack - plus you'll get a shoutout on the Daily Dispatch! Our good friend Karen Wilkerson was the first to step up, and we're not surprised. Thanks Karen for your ongoing friendship! Join the family at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/summersustainers26.

Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@progresstexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Daily Dispatch 7/13/26: Cornyn Backers Remain Deeply Split On Texas Senate Race, And More Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A Texas Tribune piece on nine Republicans who voted for Senator John Cornyn in the primary finds three swinging to James Talarico, three sticking with Ken Paxton, and three opting for neither: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/13/texas-gop-voters-john-cornyn-ken-paxton-james-talarico-us-senate/

...Meanwhile Latino business owners in Texas who voted for Cornyn are similarly split: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/12/trumps-deportation-drive-tests-gop-gains-in-texas-00993955

The most-Googled definition query in Texas lately is requests to define the word "republic" - possibly connected to the common and incorrect MAGA argument that the U.S. isn't actually a democracy: https://www.chron.com/texas/article/texas-google-definitions-republic-22339143.php

So, was Senator Lindsay Graham gay, or not? Regardless, throughout his career, he did all he could to hurt LGBTQ+ Americans: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DatnULlyM_j/

Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@progresstexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Happy Hour 294: Gina Hinojosa On Her Greg Abbott Corruption Tax Refund Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

Austin State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is the Democratic nominee to replace Governor Greg Abbott, and to bring a screeching halt to the mountain of corporate corruption that has become the hallmark of his administration - starting immediately with $1,500 checks to be sent to every Texas household from the Texas Rainy Day Fund, which has become a repository for the hoarding of billions upon billions of YOUR energy tax dollars. We welcome Progress Texas endorsee Rep. Gina Hinojosa to explain her plan, and to expand on her vision for a brand new day for working Texans.

Learn more about Rep. Hinojosa and her campaign for Governor at https://ginafortexas.com/.

Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 7/10/26: Houston Remembers Lorenzo - And Demands Justice Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

The death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, shot to death on Tuesday in Houston by ICE agents, has formally been declared a homicide: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/07/09/harris-county-medical-examiner-rules-death-of-lorenzo-salgado-araujo-a-homicide/

...Three eyewitnesses, including Salgado Araujo's brother, contradict ICE claims that Lorenzo threatened them with his vehicle: https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/10/us/salgado-araujo-houston-ice-shooting-wwk

...LULAC is warning that ICE is pressuring those witnesses, still in custody, to self-deport: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/salgado-araujo-ice-agent-houston-witnesses-self-deport-b3012531.html

...Harris County Attorney Sean Teare is launching his own investigation - but thus far, federal authorities have not brought in the Texas Rangers, as they have in prior ICE shootings: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/houston-ice-shooting-rangers-22339336.php

...There will be a community vigil for Lorenzo on Saturday evening in south Austin: https://texasaflcio.org/events/austin-community-vigil-lorenzo-salgado-araujo

...There is a GoFundMe effort underway to support the family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-lorenzo-salgado-araujo-52-years-old

Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@progresstexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Progress - Nate Schatzline: Greg Abbott's Election Wrecking Ball Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Widespread speculation spread rapidly upon the announcement of Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson's abrupt and largely unexplained planned departure from her office - weird timing for the state's top election official, just months before a monumental election, right? But, in steps Christian nationalist spokesmodel Nate Schatzline, who has no experience with running elections - but is a complete, wild-eyed election-denying Trump crusader - the perfect disruptor for Texas' big blue cities, at a moment when the GOP's iron grip on the state is finally slipping. We welcome Houston Press reporter April Towery to talk about the possibilities.

Learn more about April and the Houston Press at https://www.houstonpress.com/author/april/.

Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 7/9/26: Demands For Justice And ICE Accountability Spread Across Houston, and More Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Grief, frustration and rising anger are seen across the Houston community in the wake of the ICE killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/08/texas-ice-shooting-victim-son

...A large gathering convened in vigil last night on Houston's Canal Street, where the shooting occurred on Tuesday morning: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/08/texas-houston-ice-shooting-vigil/

Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico has raised over $30 million over the second quarter of 2026, almost all from small-dollar donations averaging under $50 each: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/08/texas-james-talarico-senate-fundraising-second-quarter-30-million/

Over 500 Lubbock residents showed up to a public hearing on data centers on Tuesday night, overwhelmingly opposed to their takeover of the Lubbock region: https://www.chron.com/texas/article/data-centers-lubbock-texas-22337210.php

Also in Lubbock, a group of Texas Tech professors have banded together to sue Chancellor Brandon Creighton and the Texas Tech Board of Regents over their new conservative constraints upon academic content: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2026/07/09/texas-tech-faculty-sue-over-race-gender-rules

...Almost 300 courses at Tech have been severely curtailed and modified to comply with the University's new undercutting of academic freedom: https://www.advocate.com/news/education/texas-tech-curriculum-censorship-lawsuit

Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@progresstexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Daily Dispatch 7/8/26: Another Texan - Lorenzo Salgado Araujo - Dies At The Hands Of ICE, And More Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

In a tragically familiar scenario, another killing by ICE of a Texas motorist - this time Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who had lived in Houston since 1993: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ice-agent-fatally-shoots-mexican-motorist-texas-during-vehicle-stop-agency-says-2026-07-07/

...A large group of Houston elected leaders and advocacy groups are calling for an independent inquiry: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/independent-probe-demanded-in-houstons-fatal-ice-shooting/

...Ordinary Latino citizens - not criminals or gang members - are bearing the brunt of a recent escalation in ICE aggression: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/ice-primarily-targeting-non-criminal-immigrants-in-texas-recent-numbers-show/

Ken Paxton appears to have illegally voted in at least six elections - including the primary and runoff that put him in line for the Senate - as he's still registered at his old address in Collin County, two years after moving out: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/07/ken-paxton-voting-election-law/

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa says she plans to declare an affordability emergency upon becoming Governor, and to send each Texas household a check for $1,500 from the bloated Rainy Day Fund: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-gubernatorial-candidate-gina-hinojosa-proposes-1500-refund-texans

Outgoing Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller joins a growing chorus urging Governor Abbott to declare a special legislative session to stop the explosive growth of data centers across the state: https://www.kcbd.com/2026/07/07/texas-ag-commissioner-miller-urges-governor-abbott-call-special-session-data-center-expansion/

Check out the Substack version of the Daily Dispatch, which delivers each pod to your inbox and frequently includes extra video goodies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@progresstexas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected