Progress Texas Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

Daily Dispatch 1/28/26: A National Wave Of Protest Against ICE Gains Strength, And More Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A federal judge has ordered that five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, grabbed with his father in Minneapolis last week and rushed to a Texas detention lockup, not be deported until his case can be reviewed: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/judge-blocks-transfer-of-5-year-old-liam-ramos-father-from-texas-detention-facility/

...Immigration attorneys in Minnesota are decrying ICE's "conveyor belt" system, designed to swiftly relocate children from that state to Texas faster than the courts can react: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/28/ice-detaining-moving-minnesota-children-to-texas-faster-than-courts-can-respond

...ICE and the Department of Homeland Security appear to have repeatedly and systematically violated the 1997 Flores Settlement: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/22/trump-children-flores-settlement-agreement

...Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers are demanding the release of Leqaa Kordia, who has been held for almost a year at the ICE lockup in Alvarado - she's suspected of having been targeted by ICE for speaking out against the Gaza conflict: https://www.borderreport.com/hot-topics/immigration/texas-lawmakers-demand-release-of-palestinian-woman/

...A young Arlington man whose father has been detained by ICE since October has died - his family now pleads for the father to be allowed to attend his son's funeral: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2026/01/25/disabled-son-of-arlington-man-arrested-by-ice-dies-from-rare-disease/

...A large crowd of angry Houstonians descended upon a Houston City Council meeting on Tuesday night, demanding changes to their city's ICE policies: https://abc13.com/post/houston-city-council-meeting-erupts-calls-end-ice-cooperation/18488930/

...Dallas Congressman Marc Veasey takes to the Dallas Morning News to decry the quiet reinstatement of an ICE prosecutor found to have been running a racist, neo-Nazi Twitter account: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2026/01/26/congressman-white-supremacists-have-no-place-in-our-government/

...D/FW coffee chain White Rhino Coffee has seen several employees quit over the chain's policy of extending a first responder discount to ICE agents: https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/01/27/white-rhino-coffee-employees-quit-over-companys-stance-on-ice-agents

...D/FW religious leaders have convened in opposition to the development of a huge new ICE detention facility in the little town of Hutchins, Texas: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-religious-leaders-speak-against-planned-ice-facility-40637475/

Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KPFT-FM in Houston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and to our Spanish expansion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Happy Hour 252: Dallas And Williamson County Primary Voters Face Election Day Hurdles Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

An important note: this discussion involves the March primary, NOT the ongoing special election runoffs in Houston's CD 18 and Tarrant County's State Senate District 9 - it is specific to the March primary's Election Day on Tuesday March 3, and specific to voters in Dallas and Williamson Counties.

The county Republican Parties of Williamson and Dallas Counties have chosen to eliminate countywide voting sites on Election Day of the primary, Tuesday March 3 - which means that voters in those counties, who have become accustomed to voting with convenience through the final day, may be surprised to learn that they must vote at specific locations geared to their addresses on that last day of voting - a move guaranteed to result in the disenfranchisement of voters who find themselves in the wrong location, and out of time, as the 2026 primary election ends. To talk about how (and why) this has happened, we welcome Dallas Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman, and Williamson County Democratic Party Chair Kim Gilby.

Everything you need to know to be sure your registration is in order and that you're ready to roll in this crucial mid-term election year can be found at https://govotetexas.org/.

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

Daily Dispatch 1/27/26: Trump And MAGA Cower As Public Backlash Against ICE Builds, And More Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Donald Trump, Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz and other MAGA leaders are backtracking on their commitment to the ICE occupation of Minneapolis - but not all are discovering their latent humanity: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/26/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agents-texas-republicans-respond-mccaul-investigation/

...The deliberate mirroring of 1930's Nazi imagery in ICE recruitment and the style of Gregory Bovino is noteworthy as a strategy of assembling a corps of "ideologically hardened" troopers: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/america-ice-fascism-bovino-b2907803.html

...An El Paso judge will hear the petition of the family of a Cuban immigrant who died recently in the Camp East Montana ICE detention facility to keep witnesses to his death from being deported: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/26/cuban-migrant-death-texas-ice-federal-court-geraldo-lunas-campos/88370555007/

...Texas U.S. Reps Jasmine Crockett and Joaquin Castro are set to inspect the South Texas Family Residential Center at Dilley amidst reports of immigrant uprisings and deplorable conditions: https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2026-01-26/castro-calls-for-ice-to-be-dismantled-noem-impeached?_amp=true

Early voting in the CD-18 special election runoff has been extended to Wednesday and Thursday to make up for weather closures earlier this week: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/harris-county-early-voting-district-18-special-election/285-d3191f89-9215-4dd8-b6bb-8eb5a98dc47c

...A similar extension is possible in Tarrant County, but the local Democratic Party there is not pressing for an early voting extension out of distrust of the Republican-dominated Tarrant County Commissioner's Court to fairly count all ballots: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article314462119.html

Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KPFT-FM in Houston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and to our Spanish expansion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Daily Dispatch 1/26/26: Rage Over ICE Killings Builds In Texas And Beyond, And More Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

The horrifying murder of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has lent a sense of dread to the iced-in situation most of Texas is enduring, and has proven that ICE holds zero regard for the safety of either their supposed undocumented targets, or that of the citizens in their midst: https://en.newsner.com/news/body-language-expert-tells-people-pay-very-close-attention-to-man-in-gray-jacket-after-alex-pretti-shooting/

...GOP Texas Congressman Michael McCaul, likely emboldened by his impending retirement, is calling for an investigation of the Pretti killing: https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-republican-alex-pretti-minneapolis-21314647.php

...Horror appears to be developing within the walls of the South Texas Family Residential Center at Dilley, from within which the screams of women and children can be heard: https://x.com/scottbraddock/status/2015772110707106117?s=20

...Immigrant families gathered in protest there over the weekend: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/24/immigration-facility-protest-texas-liam-conejo-ramos/

...A second federal government shutdown is more likely than it was last week as Senate Democrats are motivated to block ICE funding in the DHS bill passed by the House last week with the help of several Democratic defectors, including Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/democrats-call-ice-overhaul-texas-senate-debate-hours-minnesota-shooti-rcna255593

...New YouGov polling shows a rapid deterioration of public support for ICE, even among Republicans: https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/53939-more-americans-support-than-oppose-abolishing-ice-immigration-minneapolis-shooting-poll

...Both Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico addressed the Alex Pretti killing in their remarks during their first debate on Saturday: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-live-pod-the-first-crockett-talarico-debate/id1552998795?i=1000746510088

The freeze has impacted early voting in the SD-9 special election runoff, but most polls are expected to be open as of 10am today: https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/elections.html

...The CD-18 election in Houston has been similarly impacted, and a lawsuit has been filed to allow more time for early voting later this week: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/voting/2026/01/25/541594/early-voting-houston-winter-storm-18th-congressional-district-runoff/

Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KPFT-FM in Houston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and to our Spanish expansion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Special LIVE Pod: Jaworski vs. Johnson Debate For Texas AG Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

As our ongoing series of live debates continues, we present a discussion between the Democratic candidates for Texas Attorney General: Dallas State Senator Nathan Johnson and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski (attorney Tony Box is also running, but declined to participate in this debate). Thanks to the Richardson Area Democrats for organizing and allowing us to participate!

Learn more about RAD at https://rad.vote/.

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

Special LIVE Pod: The First Crockett/Talarico Debate Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

U.S. Senate hopefuls and longtime colleagues Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico met in debate for the first time this afternoon as part of the Texas AFL/CIO's COPE Convention in Georgetown. This pod presents the full debate, largely unedited.

Our thanks to our friends at Texas AFL/CIO for the access today! Learn more about them at https://texasaflcio.org/.

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

In Progress: Texans Bugged By Two Kinds Of Ice - with Michael Lange Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

As the state heads into another winter storm - ready or not - the crew convenes to discuss our state's tendency to panic when the weather gets bad (who can blame us?), this week's latest ugliness perpetrated by ICE and the multiple connections to Texas, Ken Paxton's freewheeling use of AI deepfakes in attacking John Cornyn, and more. Joining us is Houston businessman and Democratic candidate for Texas Comptroller, Michael Lange.

Learn more about Michael Lange and his campaign at https://texansforlange.com/.

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

Daily Dispatch: Winter Ice and Trump's ICE Are Both Bad For Texas, and More Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

The winter storm the state's been preparing for for days has begun affecting the Panhandle region and will drop most of the state below freezing amidst strong rain and snow chances through this weekend, ending on Tuesday: https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2026-01-23/an-arctic-storm-is-expected-to-blanket-the-state-heres-what-texans-can-expect

...Carbon monoxide poisoning was a leading cause of death during Winter Storm Uri in 2021 - it's important to understand the risks: https://patch.com/texas/across-tx/texas-ice-storm-2026-how-do-i-prevent-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-what-are-signs-it-my

While actual ice threatens Texas, two of our Democratic U.S. House members have voted with Republicans to dump another $10 billion (with a b) into ICE funding: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/henry-cuellar-and-vicente-gonzalez

...Texas is also complicit in the shameful snatching by ICE of a 5 year old boy in Minnesota, who is now being interred with his father in Dilley: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/ice-minnesota-texas-liam-ramos-immigration-arrest-21309308.php

A much-relied-upon option on the Texas 988 mental health crisis hotline dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth has been discontinued: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/23/texas-988-crisis-suicide-lgbtq/

Texas Congressman Troy Nehls was the target of a thinly-veiled expletive by former Washington D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, who was injured by January 6 rioters, as Nehls attempted to deflect blame for that day's events away from Donald Trump during a hearing yesterday: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-fanone-fuck-yourself_n_69735f95e4b0a02ab3a0d7a8?ncid=NEWSSTAND0001

Saturday's debate between U.S. Senate Democratic hopefuls James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett in Georgetown is still on: https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2026-01-23/texas-talarico-crockett-debate-senate

..."Jasarico" is being seen by some as an indication of tension between the various coalitions on the Democratic side: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/us/politics/jasmine-crockett-james-talarico-texas-senate-campaign.html

...One New York Times columnist defends the "Las Culturistas" podcasters assertion that Congresswoman Crockett's plan to mobilize inactive voters of color in Texas will not be enough to win in November: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/opinion/jasmine-crockett-texas-win-las-culturistas.html

Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KPFT-FM in Houston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and to our Spanish expansion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Daily Dispatch 1/22/26: A Tone-Deaf Trip For Ted Cruz As Winter Storm Bears Down, And More Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Much of Texas continues preparing for the arrival of a major winter storm: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/21/texas-winter-storm-watch-prepare-ercot-grid/

...Senator Ted Cruz says he'll be back from sunny Laguna Beach before the weather hits, but his air travel schedule continues to betray his lack of concern for what Texans think of him: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/21/ted-cruz-flight-california-texas-storm/88292089007/

...Management at H-E-B discourages panic buying, saying they'll be open and stocked throughout the winter weather event: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/heb-texas-freeze-21307257.php

State Rep. and Senate candidate James Talarico's momentum is being noticed by sitting Democratic Senators: https://www.semafor.com/article/01/20/2026/talarico-makes-rounds-with-democrats-as-senate-primaries-near

...While systemic double standards against female Black candidates rears its head against Talarico's Democratic opponent, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett: https://www.salon.com/2026/01/21/jasmine-crockett-and-the-cost-of-authenticity/

The Fort Worth Star Telegram endorses Democrat Taylor Rehmet in the special election runoff for the State Senate: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/election-recommendations/article314394390.html

Progress Texas will be covering the debate held by the Richardson Area Democrats between Texas Attorney General candidates and Dems Joe Jaworski and State Senator Nathan Johnson! RSVP to join us live: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.mobilize.us/richardsonareademocrats/event/879644/⁠⁠⁠

...And the livestream, starting tonight at 7pm: https://www.youtube.com/live/wO4Cvwzb2ac?si=bT1UICsUgebSFHDi

Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

See the full list of 2026 races and candidates, courtesy of Lone Star Left, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KPFT-FM in Houston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and to our Spanish expansion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Daily Dispatch 1/21/26: Icy Weather Inbound! Prepare Now, And More Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A potentially historic ice storm is headed for Texas this weekend: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/ercot-winter-weather-advisory-texas-power-grid-updates-dfw-forecast-dallas/287-aec36113-1b6d-4076-a77e-c1d82ba9fdbc

...There are key steps that all Texans in the path of the storm should take to prepare right now: https://thekatynews.com/2026/01/20/texas-ice-storm-prep-guide-noaa-national-weather-service/

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has caved to pressure from Republican elected leaders and cancelled negotiations to hold at least a third annual Islamic Games event at Colleyville Heritage High School: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article314386494.html#campaignName=fortworth_breaking_newsletter

The Texas Education Agency has announced plans for a statewide literary canon that includes several biblical excerpts and Bible lessons to be taught to all public school students across the state: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/schools-bible-reading-list-21305750.php

Progress Texas will be covering the debate held by the Richardson Area Democrats between Texas Attorney General candidates and Dems Joe Jaworski and State Senator Nathan Johnson! RSVP to join us live: ⁠⁠https://www.mobilize.us/richardsonareademocrats/event/879644/⁠⁠

Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

See the full list of 2026 races and candidates, courtesy of Lone Star Left, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://store.progresstexas.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KPFT-FM in Houston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and to our Spanish expansion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected