Lone Star Politics

After the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a lawsuit challenging Texas' abortion law to move forward, state House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) joins the show. Then, Republican political consultant Vinny Minchillo previews the 2022 primaries and general election in Texas.

Appointed just over a month ago, Texas' new Secretary of State John Scott discusses elections in the state. Then, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg explains what the infrastructure plan means for North Texas and First Lady Jill Biden on the first family's first Christmas in the White House.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Congressman Beto O'Rourke discusses why he decided to enter the 2022 race and Dallas police Chief Eddie Garcia reflects on his first 10 months on the job and the progress the city has made.

With President Joe Biden set to sign a large, bipartisan infrastructure bill, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) explains what impact it could have on North Texas and state Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) discusses why he decided to run for attorney general. Plus, aviation reporter Kyle Arnold of The Dallas Morning News on what to expect as the holiday travel season kicks into gear.

After a disappointing night nationwide for Democrats on Election Day, political strategist Matt Angle explains what the party needs to improve on before the midterms. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush discusses why he decided to run for attorney general, and director of the Dallas Public Library Jo Giudice, on how the city acquired an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.

The United States Supreme Court will hear arguments surrounding Texas' abortion law on Monday. Former Democratic state Senator Wendy Davis and current state Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) discuss the upcoming case. Then, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson explains why he thinks it's a good thing sports and politics intersect.

Less than a week after the Texas legislature's special session on redistricting, there is already a lawsuit challenging the state's new maps. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund Vice President of Litigation Nina Perales explains the suit. Then, Fort Worth City Councilmember Chris Nettles, who was elected in the spring as one of five new council members, explains his different approach as a council member as opposed to an activist.

The chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission explains what's being done to protect the state's power grid as the weather starts to cool down, Rudy Bush of The Dallas Morning News reviews the Texas Legislature's special session on redistricting, which concludes on Tuesday, and University of Texas government professor Zach Elkins previews the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on the ballot this fall.

In the days after a school shooting in his district, U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Waxahachie) reflects on the incident at Mansfield ISD's Timberview High School. Then, The Dallas Morning News Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman explains the latest news out of the U.S. Senate and looks ahead to the Supreme Court's fall term.

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) discusses the latest negotiations in his party surrounding President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan. Then, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson explains the city's ethics reform plan, The Dallas Morning News Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett breaks down Gov. Greg Abbott's poll numbers and Collin County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet on the election audit ordered by the Texas Secretary of State's office.

As the Texas legislature settles into its third special session of the year, state Sen. Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) discusses how Senate District 10 is being changed in proposed new maps and Michael Li of the Brennan Center for Justice explains how the redistricting process works. Plus, state Rep. Eddie Morales (D-Eagle Pass) on the migrant surge in Del Rio and Dallas attorney Eric Cedillo on what happens next for those removed from the camp.

As the Texas legislature begins its third special session of the year -- this one to address redistricting -- state Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) and state Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) discuss what's to come. Then, The Dallas Morning News Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman on the latest from the nation's capital.

In the wake of President Joe Biden's new COVID-19 vaccine plan, McKinney Mayor George Fuller shares what his city needs. Then, The Dallas Morning News' Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett on the upcoming special session, and Julie Fine has the story of a state senator who was in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

One of the authors of Texas' elections and abortion bills, State. Sen Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), discusses the new laws; U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth) on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the new laws in Texas; and attorney David Coale explains where the mask mandates in Texas stand after several court challenges in multiple jurisdictions.

After an attack at the airport in Kabul, U.S. Rep. Van Taylor (R-Plano), a veteran of the Iraq war, discusses the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Then, state Rep. Carl Sherman (D-DeSoto) and Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) on the elections bill that passed the House last week.

Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) after some of his colleagues returned to the Capitol, restoring a quorum in the chamber; Congressman Roger Williams (R-Cleburne) on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the infrastructure bill; and Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent Scribner on the ongoing battle over masks in schools.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins explains why he believes the county needs a mask mandate as COVID-19 cases rise, recently-elected U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey lays out his priorities as he prepares to return to Washington, and SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson on what comes next for both parties in the Texas legislature.

State Reps. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) and Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) discuss the second special session of the state legislature called by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R). Plus, Julie and Gromer discuss the University of Texas' decision to leave the Big 12.

Texas lawmakers are back in Austin for a special legislative session. State Rep. Justin Holland (R-Rockwall) discusses Gov. Greg Abbott's priorities and UT-Arlington political science professor Rebecca Deen explains why a special session is happening. Then, The Dallas Morning News Washington bureau chief Todd Gillman breaks down former President Donald Trump's CPAC appearance and President Joe Biden's infrastructure strategy.

Will Hurd, former Congressman from San Antonio, joins Julie to discuss the Texas-Mexico border; The Dallas Morning News Austin bureau chief Bob Garrett previews the special legislative session that starts Thursday; and a one-on-one with First Lady Jill Biden from her stop in Dallas last week.