Howdy Texas Take listeners, please enjoy this bonus episode by Lisa Gray and her team at City Cast Houston. This episode was originally published June 6, 2022. Fear not, Scott and Jeremy will be back next week. At 17, Keri Blakinger was a top-level ice skater. But after her skating career fell apart, so did she. She ended up living on the streets shooting and selling heroin. In 2010, she was busted carrying a Tupperware full of it. Now, after two and a half years in prison, she lives in Houston ...
Jul 23, 2022•33 min
As the campaigns and the summer heat up, Gov. Greg Abbott faces accusations of abandoning the people in Uvalde following the worst school shooting in Texas history. Plus, Beto O'Rourke is on the campaign trail in places not particularly hospitable to Democrats. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace, reporting this week from Muleshoe, Texas. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&or...
Jul 22, 2022•50 min
We now have several polls showing a tightening race for governor between Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke. But what the polls say about Texans' attitudes across a host of issues might be more telling than anything. Plus, the mayor of Uvalde insists the state is trying to cover up what really happened during the massacre at Robb Elementary School. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://o...
Jul 08, 2022•58 min
If anyone thought the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v Wade was the last word in the abortion fight, they were very wrong. Texas lawmakers are already plotting ways to try to keep women from traveling to other states to seek abortions. Meantime, a tragedy in San Antonio reignites the immigration and border security debate in Austin and DC. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https:/...
Jul 01, 2022•56 min
Breaking news on Friday as the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and Texas abortion clinics halted services. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn is nearly booed off the stage at the Republican Party of Texas Convention as he pushes through the most significant gun safety legislation in a generation. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsro...
Jun 25, 2022•1 hr 26 min
About a month after the Uvalde massacre, both the cops and politicians are under heavy scrutiny for their indecision and delay in reacting on the day of the shooting as well as a policy response in the halls of power. Join us for another special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Jun 17, 2022•44 min
As politicians with the biggest platforms debate gun policy in Texas and America, the smallest voices can be heard now saying they're afraid to even go back to school following the shooting in Uvalde. Join us for a special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Lea...
Jun 10, 2022•57 min
Day after day, new information emerges about the massacre in Uvalde and much of it completely contradicts what had previously been understood about the rampage. How can we sort that out plus address the issues now raised about gun control and school safety? Join us for another special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=p...
Jun 03, 2022•1 hr
Grief and agony after 19 children and 2 teachers were gunned down in Uvalde, Texas, sending shockwaves around this nation and the world. Gov. Greg Abbott and his challenger Beto O'Rourke came face to face in the aftermath and the debate seems to have shifted, for the moment, away from the usual talking points from both sides. Join us for a special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https:/...
May 26, 2022•53 min
Another electricity grid scare in Texas as the Abbott Administration plays a potentially deadly game of hide-the-ball with energy conservation requests in May. Plus, have the words of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Ted Cruz, and others pushed some young and impressionable people to commit acts of violence against people of color? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchron...
May 20, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Gov. Greg Abbott this week went further than any Texas governor ever has in promoting a school voucher program, potentially upending the state's politics. Plus, the fight over abortion rights is playing out in the race for governor as well as a key South Texas race for Congress. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podca...
May 13, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Abortion rights are front and center once again in Texas as it appears the United States Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade decision. Plus, Sen. Cruz predicts Republicans are going to sweep elections this year in South Texas, when he really means parts of The Valley. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsro...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 1 min
As Gov. Greg Abbott ramps up "border security" spending even more, there are growing questions about the increasing number of military deaths along the Rio Grande. Plus, Rep. Chip Roy calls Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a "communist witch" and a Texas death row inmate's life is spared at the last minute. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&...
Apr 29, 2022•59 min
Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke traded jabs this week in the race for governor over Abbott's shutdown of the Texas-Mexico border. Plus, a right-wing activist in Houston was indicted over an election fraud conspiracy theory and some in the Texas GOP started to ramp up pressure on state leaders to embrace a school voucher program. At least not yet, anyway. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the s...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Gov. Greg Abbott this week announced he'd be busing migrants from the Texas border to Washington, DC. But later his office let us all know it would be on a voluntary basis. Liberals and some conservatives alike blasted it as a "bullshit stunt." Meantime, we're sorry to tell you it's not likely that Beto O'Rourke and Abbott are actually tied in the race for governor. At least not yet, anyway. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political w...
Apr 08, 2022•47 min
After trashing renewable energy during last year's deadly winter storm, Gov. Greg Abbott this week did something of an about face on the value of renewable energy sources in Texas. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn signals Republicans are not done with their fight in opposition to gay marriage. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. More politics coverage from the Houston Chronicle. Support the show: https://offers.hous...
Apr 01, 2022•59 min
Sen. Ted Cruz sought the spotlight during the confirmation hearings for President Biden's pick for the Supreme Court, Judge Katanji Brown Jackson. Plus, we revisit this question: Is Beto O'Rourke too mean this time around in his campaign against Gov. Greg Abbott or is he being just mean enough? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. READ: After being mocked by Ted Cruz during SCOTUS hearing, 'Antiracist Baby'...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Gov. Greg Abbott continues to slam President Joe Biden over the deadly flow of fentanyl across the border even though, as Jeremy notes, both the feds and the state are having some success cracking down on it. Plus the State of Texas goes after families with transgender children as alleged "child abusers" while the state acknowledges horrific child abuse in state-funded facilities. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jerem...
Mar 11, 2022•48 min
The Texas primary is in the books and the GOP candidates for Attorney General are already arguing over which one of them should get a show of love from former President Trump. Meantime one of the Democrats running for Lt. Gov. called on the other to drop out of the race. Why? Plus congressional runoffs may test the strength of progressives in South Texas. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. More Texas poli...
Mar 04, 2022•1 hr
As the clock ticks down to March 1 and early voting wraps up, top Texas Republicans broke with ex-President Trump this week when he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin after he ordered troops to invade Ukraine. Plus three of the GOP candidates for Texas Attorney General faced off in a televised debate as they looked for a chance at a runoff with AG Ken Paxton, who did not join them on stage. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle politi...
Feb 25, 2022•42 min
Just two days before a key deadline, Texas Secretary of State John Scott attempted to clear up confusion about how to apply for a mail-in ballot while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick managed to confuse GOP voters about how to do it. Meanwhile, some listeners wanted to know our thoughts on AOC's comments that Texas will inevitably "turn blue." Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. More Texas politics on HoustonChronicle...
Feb 18, 2022•55 min
Early voting has begun in the election of consequence in Texas: The primary. Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Ag Commissioner Sid Miller all face multiple challengers as they try to win by pushing in all their chips on former President Trump's endorsement. Down ballot races are heating up as well and we've got you covered. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Portions of this episode were ...
Feb 14, 2022•33 min
The latest ice storm in Texas, almost nothing like the one that was so devastating last year, has mostly passed but not without causing a panic across the state and potential political fallout on the campaign trail. Plus, Republicans lash out at Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo after the funeral of a fallen officer. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Former President Trump is slated to return to Houston this weekend as a war rages within the Texas GOP over his endorsement of Gov. Greg Abbott. Plus, Beto O'Rourke sets the tone for in-person campaigning and in-person voting despite lingering concerns about the pandemic. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See ...
Jan 27, 2022•49 min
As he courts GOP primary voters and makes good on promises to contributors, Gov. Greg Abbott has to carefully maintain that he's pro-public education in Texas while pushing more "school choice" initiatives including a "Parental Bill of Rights." Meanwhile, Beto O'Rourke had an impressive fundraising haul and Rep. Dan Crenshaw gets into an argument with a young girl because it's possible he just talks too much. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chr...
Jan 21, 2022•55 min
With the March primary coming up faster than you think, candidates for statewide office are crisscrossing Texas making their pitch to voters. The Republicans and the Democrat trying to oust Gov. Greg Abbott are slamming him on everything from the border to covid. Meantime, the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner emerges as maybe the nastiest race of the moment. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Suppo...
Jan 14, 2022•57 min
2022 in Texas politics starts with GOP politicians going out of their way not to speak too harshly about the January 6th insurrection. That includes Sen. Ted Cruz, who called the attackers "terrorists" until a Fox News host took him to task for it. Plus, the race for governor is heating up with bipartisan attacks against Gov. Greg Abbott. Join the conversation as we start the year with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the...
Jan 07, 2022•58 min
Now that the Supreme Court has let stand a six-week abortion ban in Texas enforced by civil lawsuits, Democratic states want to crack down on guns using a similar scheme while some GOP states want to unleash private lawsuits over "critcal race theory." Plus, Texas' highest criminal court puts an end to Attorney General Ken Paxton's prosecutions of what he calls "voter fraud" cases. Join the conversation as we end the year with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle po...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 1 min
With the filing deadline approaching Monday, this is when the rubber meets the road for anyone who wants to run for office in Texas. Plus, the state is in court with the feds over abortion, redistricting, and more. And Attorney General Ken Paxton is lavished with praise by ex-President Trump. Is that really all it takes to win this GOP primary? Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: htt...
Dec 10, 2021•1 hr 2 min
As Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke ramps up his attacks on Gov. Greg Abbott over the failure of the Texas electricity grid earlier this year, the Republican governor says he can "guarantee the lights will stay on." Plus, the vaccine mandate wars continue in Austin and Washington as Abbott tries desperately to avoid another special session of the Legislature. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Supp...
Dec 03, 2021•38 min
