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Lone Star Deep Dive

Tonya Kleuskens

Welcome to Lone Star Deep Dive! We believe that when we take the time to talk to one another, we often find connections that lead to a better understanding of our communities, our state, our nation -- and ourselves. Join us on a journey to explore the intersection of passion, personality and public policy.

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S2 · E49
October 11 · 48 min
Mark Nair - Democratic Candidate Texas 13th Congressional District
In episode 49, Tonya Kleuskens is talking with Mark Nair the Democratic Candidate for Texas 13th Congressional District. The League of Women Voters has a 106-year commitment to non-partisan voting advocacy in the United States. We educate voters on how to register, where to vote, who is on the ballot and the public policy’s being discussed, supported or challenged in the voting cycle that we are in. We believe that educated voters are the bedrock of our democracy! After discussion with our co-Presidents of the Amarillo LWV, I agreed to only extend invitations to the candidates for our US Congressional District 13, after the deadline for responding to the LWV Amarillo Candidates Forum, that deadline was September 21st. When it became clear that we are not having both candidates for our Forum, I sent an email invitation to both Representative Ronny Jackson and Candidate Mark Nair on September 23rd. Looking ahead to our ability to get these episodes published before early voting begins, I ask that each candidate let us know by September 28th. I also offered two dates for recording, September 29th and 30th. Mark Nair responded quickly reserving September 30th for this episode. When I had not heard from Representative Jackson on September 28th, I called his Amarillo office to verify that they had received the invitation and Daniel passed the information to Evelyn Coleman, who responded to my invitation that day, September 28th at 6:15pm, saying that Representative Jackson was unable to make it happen, because of previous commitments. Both the invitation and responses are provided in Dive Deeper for your review! Out of caution and respect, the email address portion of the emails are intentionally excluded. Representative Jackson has answered the questions asked of both candidates for publishing in the League of Women Voters Amarillo, Voters Guide. Watch for a copy at local libraries, grocery stores and coffee shops, but if you miss their availability, you can read the Voters Guide on Vote411.org, along with candidates’ responses from the additional races on our ballot. Remember Vote411.org Mark Nair is a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, a mentor for the Texas Tech Innovation Hub, a National Science Foundation iCorp mentor, and has an extensive patent portfolio on a variety of innovative technologies. He previously served on the Amarillo City Council. Mark is a co-founder of Giant Atom Inc., Bicycle Guy Studios, MusicGram, and Oasis Microgrids. As president of Redigi, Inc, he built the world’s first used digital marketplace. Mark has taught micro and macroeconomics, app development, and web development at the college level and won the faculty excellence award at Amarillo College in 2020. He has also produced one of the internet’s earliest and largest live-streaming events for Nick Lachey and 98 Degrees, as well as producing innovative digital marketing campaigns for Willie Nelson, Stephen King, and many other well-known artists. He’s worked with Thomas Dolby and Headspace Labs on the design of early polyphonic ringtones; he worked with Nokia in Helsinki on content for their early digital smartphone prototypes; and he collaborated with Phillips Electronics in Eindhoven on smart audio waveform interpretation for digital compression and has worked with Quanta in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen, China to design a new type of e-book reader, based on dynamic LCD light-sensitive displays. Please see Lone Star Deep Dive Episode 49 for more on Mark and additional details about this podcast.
S2 · E48
October 2 · 1 hr 15 min
Election Administrators Shannon Lackey and Christy Benge
In episode 48, Tonya shares a recording of the September LWV of Amarillo Monthly Membership Meeting that took place on Saturday, Sept. 26th. (Hot tip: if you've never attended one of our meetings, PLEASE COME! Standby for the date and speaker!) The topic of this discussion is "Everything You Need to Know about Elections (but Were Afraid to Ask)," and it featured two of the foremost experts on elections: our local county Elections Administrations: Christy Benge (Potter County) & Shannon Lackey (Randall County)*. And there were A LOT OF QUESTIONS! Just a note about the audio on this episode: some of the sound on those questions is a little rough due to sound setup; howver, you will be able to discern the question from the answer -- and THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL. Please listen, please share, and please join us at the upcomign Nonpartisan Candidate Forum on Thurs., October 15th at the Happy State Bank in downtown Amarillo (Vigirl Patterson Auditorium, basement -- on 7th and Taylor). Park in the garage, and enter through the glass doors; volunteers will direct you to the auditorium. ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS: Christy Benge has a long history with city elections. She has been serving as the Potter County Elections Administrator since 2023, replacing Melynn Huntley—but her service to the office dates back to 2013. Prior to that, Christy worked in the Randall County Clerk’s office for four years. She is a native of northeastern Louisiana, but she married a Texan who brought her to Amarillo. She has two grown children and seven grandchildren. Christy loves to serve the voters of the Texas Panhandle, almost as much as she loves diving into a new book. Shannon Lackey is the Randall County Elections Administrator. She was appointed as Randall County’s first Election Administrator in December of 2012, though she began her career in elections in 2006. She was appointed as the Election Manager in the County Clerk’s office and served under two county clerks before the appointment to Elections Administrator. Shannon is a Texas Registered Election Official (TREO) and CERA (Certified Election/Registration Administration). (CERA is the highest National certification that can be achieved in the Election Administration profession.) She currently serves on the Legislative Committee for Texas Association of County Election Officials (TACEO), the Election Education Committee for Texas Association of Counties (TAC), and Shannon has served on the Board of the Texas Association of County Election Officials. *Please see our recent episode with Shannon as well, where we talk about ALL THINGS ELECTION ADMINISTRATION! DIVE DEEPER! Potter County Election Administration Randall County Election Administration LWV Vote411 Texas Texas State Law Library - Voting in Texas Texas Secretary of State
S2 · E47
September 27 · 29 min
Lon Burnam - Voting Rights Advocate
In episode 47, Tonya talks with Lon Burnam about the Tarrant County, Texas proposal to remove 44% of the polling sites in their county, which encompasses the major metro area of Fort Worth. Lon spoke against removing these polling locations at the County Court in August and was arrested when he picked up the microphone to speak. The vote was then postponed to the September 1st County Commission meeting -- which is the exact day that we spoke with Lon! And we have an update: there has since been a decision. After eight hours, Tarrant County voted 2-3 to remove access to 92 polling locations. The Texas Tribune reports, “The approval came after commissioners heard testimony from more than 100 speakers, the majority of whom were opposed to the site cuts during a meeting that lasted over eight hours.” Listen to Lon's story about this propsal and why his opposition stems directly from his dedication to voting access equality for all citizens that are eligible to vote. Lon Burnam is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 90, initially elected in 1996, having served for 18 years. District 90 encompasses downtown Fort Worth, Texas, and surrounding areas. Lon holds an undergraduate degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a graduate degree in municipal and regional planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is also the former executive director of the Dallas Peace Center. Lon has always been a supporting member of the League of Women Voters! He is also a board member for March to the Polls, which was primarily organized to promote voter registration and civic engagement in high schools. DIVE DEEPER! The Texas Tribune Fox 4 News Dallas/Fort Worth Current Election Information Tarrant County Vote 411 LWV Texas
S2 · E45
September 12 · 44 min
Tim Judson - Nuclear Power Deregulation
Vote 411 - Information for registering to vote, candidates for your ballot and more. In episode 45, Tonya talks to Tim Judson, Executive Director of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), about thefour Executive Orders President Trump signed on May 23, 2025, to quadruple U.S. nuclear capacity by 2050 and overhaul the nuclear safety and radiation standard practices. These changes target the linear no-threshold model and the “as low as reasonably achievable” radiation exposure standard, known as the ALARA Principle. Tim Judson, joined NIRS September 2013 as Associate Director, and has served as Executive Director since 2014. Tim leads NIRS’s work on nuclear reactor and climate change issues, and has written a series of reports on nuclear bailouts and sustainable energy. Chair of the Board of Citizens Awareness Network, one of the lead organizations in the successful campaign to close the Vermont Yankee reactor; co-founder of Alliance for a Green Economy in New York. DIVE DEEPER! Companion Slide Presentation Nuclear Information and Resource Services Executive Order 14300
S2 · E46
September 3 · 46 min
Shannon Lackey - Randall County Texas, Election Administrator
In Episode 46, Tonya talks with Randall County Texas Election Administrator, Shannon Lackey, who answers all the big questions about the registration process and the abundance of misinformation showing up in our inboxes and social media. As Tonya has mentioned a lot on this podcast, voting rights and voting education are what the League of Women Voters was organized around and dedicated to for the past 106 years. Remember that you can always find an abundance of voting information at the League's nonpartisan voter info portal, Vote411.org. Find out how to register, check your registration status, learn who will be on your ballot, and access the full Nonpartisan Voters Guide online. So when our local libraries, coffee shops, and grocery stores run out of print copies of the LWV Voters Guides, just know that it's always available online at Vote411.org. Shannon Lackey is the Randall County Elections Administrator. She was appointed as Randall County’s first Election Administrator in December of 2012, though she began her career in elections in 2006. She was appointed as the Election Manager in the County Clerk’s office and served under two county clerks before the appointment to Elections Administrator. Shannon is a Texas Registered Election Official (TREO) and CERA (Certified Election/Registration Administration). (CERA is the highest National certification that can be achieved in the Election Administration profession.) She currently serves on the Legislative Committee for Texas Association of County Election Officials (TACEO), the Election Education Committee for Texas Association of Counties (TAC), and Shannon has served on the Board of the Texas Association of County Election Officials. DIVE DEEPER! Randall County Election Administration LWV Vote411 Texas Texas State Law Library Voting in Texas Texas Secretary of State
S2 · E44
August 29 · 31 min
Melissa Musick Nusssbaum - Eden Bleeding
Vote 411 - Information for registering to vote, candidates for your ballot and more. On Episode 44, we are featuring a beautifully-presented talk by Colorado-based author and columnist, Melissa Musick Nussbaum. It's titled Eden Bleeding: Reflections on a Century of Groundwater Use. Melissa reflects on her family and memories of growing up in Swisher County, Texas, recalling a life when water from the Ogallala Aquifer gushed from the earth. (The original talk was given at the Conference on Community Water in February of 2026. Watch the video with her slideshow of memories from her time growing up, before the resource of water was critically endangered. Melissa Musick Nussbaum is a teacher, author and speaker. She is a regular columnist for the National Catholic Reporter and Celebration. Melissa grew up in Swisher County in the town of Tulia, TX; she has lived for many years in Colorado Springs, CO. DIVE DEEPER! Ogallala Commons (YouTube) Ogallala Common (Website) National Catholic Reporter
S2 · E43
August 21 · 22 min
Dr. Chris Grotegut - The Vision, County Wide Water Supply District
VOTE 411 In episode 43, we listen to Dr. Chris Grotegut from Deaf Smith County, TX, where he recently spoke at the 2026 Community Water Conference, presented by Ogallala Commons. As Chairman of the Hereford Economic Development Corporation, Chris maps out the vision for replenishing community water by establishing a 60,000-acre aquifer replenishment zone. Watch the YouTube video here. We apologize for the places in the audio that cut out a bit. The content of the conversation can be helpful for other communities facing the same water concerns, so we are using the audio that we have. Chris is a first-generation son of German immigrants, now living in Deaf Smith County, TX with his wife and two sons. He and farm manager, Eugenio Porres, have been transitioning an 11,000-acre irrigated farm to native perennial grasslands since 2013. The Grotegut family also owns and operates a veterinary clinic in Hereford, TX. DIVE DEEPER! Hereford Economic Development Corporation City of Hereford High Plains Underground Water Conservation District Drought Monitor
S2 · E42
August 4 · 35 min
Fernando Falomir - Fifth generation rancher - Chihuahua, Mexico
In episode 42, we are listening in on fifth-generation cattle rancher Fernando Falomir from Chihuahua, Mexico; he recently spoke at the 2026 Community Water Conference, presented by Ogallala Commons. On the Falomir Ranch, they have learned to manage their land with an average of four inches of annual rainfall. What Fernando has to say should make the 17-inch annual rainfall in the High Plains feel like a tropical rainforest! You can view Fernando’s video presentation, complete with slides here. Spanish version video here. Fernando Falomir studied biogeochemistry at the University of Colorado and got involved with holistic management in 2004. In 2017, after many years of hard work following regenerative principles, as well as the utilization of animals as the primary tool for land restoration, the family ranch reached a productivity of 40 acres per animal unit. DIVE DEEPER! All of the speakers at the Community Water Conference are listed here. Ogallala Commons Adaptive Grazing: Managing Drought Restoring Ecosystem Function
S2 · E41
July 23 · 35 min
Dr. Robert Mace - Water Policy & Correlative Rights
In Episode 41, Tonya presents the first speaker from the Community Water Conference, organized by Ogallala Commons, earlier this year. Dr. Mace, speaks about Water and Texas Policy. To view the video of Dr. Mace’s presentation, including slides, you can find it here. Dr. Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in water resources and policy. DIVE DEEPER! Ogallala Commons The Meadows Center for Water an the Environment
S2 · E40
June 30 · 1 hr 11 min
From Aquifers to Policy
In Episode 40, Tonya offers a webinar produced by the League of Women Voters of Texas earlier this year. Teri Marsh, Water Advocacy Chair for LWV Texas, hosts "From Aquifers to Policy." More information about our presenters, Natalie Ballew (Groundwater Division Director at the Texas Water Development Board) and Adam Foster [Executive Director of Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, can be found below. Additionally, please scroll down to Dive Deeper for a link to the full video on YouTube, which includes some highly informational slides. Natalie Ballew is the Groundwater Division Director at the Texas Water Development Board, bringing expertise in groundwater resources and policy development. They provide direction and guidance for the TWDB Groundwater Division, which encompasses Groundwater Monitoring, Groundwater Modeling, Brackish Resources Aquifer Characterization System (BRACS), and Groundwater Technical Assistance. Their work supports the collection, interpretation, and provision of accurate information on Texas's groundwater resources to various stakeholders. Adam Foster became the Executive Director of TAGD in February 2024, bringing over 15 years of experience in groundwater science and regulation. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization and serves as the primary point of contact for TAGD members, the Texas Legislature, state agencies, and other organizations on groundwater-related issues. Before joining TAGD, Adam served as the Program Hydrologist for the Water Well Program at the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), where he worked closely with groundwater conservation districts on a wide range of groundwater management and policy matters. Prior to his tenure at TDLR, he was a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Adam holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from Texas State University, where he also earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. DIVE DEEPER! From Aquifers to Policy - Video with slides Explore Texas Water Development Board State Water Planning Planning Group Schedule: Find you region! Region A (Panhandle) Reports Aquifers Map Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District PGCD Rules & Meetings Schedule PGDC helpful links
S2 · E39
June 19 · 48 min
LWV Dallas & Adrian Shelly - AI in Texas
On Episode 39, Tonya is sharing the Dallas League of Women Voters discussion with Adrian Shelly, Director of Public Citizen’s office in Texas. Adrian will lead us through important questions concerning AI Projects Proposed throughout Texas, such as: —What are the Financial, Water and Energy Impacts? —Why are some communities fighting hard against them? —How much nuclear energy is proposed to support AI projects and how would it aﬀect Texans’ air, water, health, and safety? Adrian Shelly is a native Texan from the City of Houston. He is the Director of Public Citizen’s Texas Office. He attended Trinity University in San Antonio, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law. Adrian has worked in Clean Air Act litigation, in the Texas legislature, and as the Executive Director for Air Alliance Houston. While working in Houston, he oversaw passage of diesel truck engine idling ordinances in Houston, Galena Park, and Jacinto City. Adrian joined Public Citizen in 2017 as the Director of the Texas Office. He works on issues including clean energy, public health and environmental enforcement, environmental justice, and ethics reform. At Public Citizen he has celebrated victories including the passage of climate plans in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio and the planned closure of coal plants including the J.K. Spruce plant in San Antonio. Adrian enjoys spending time with his family, reading, playing music, growing food and other plants, and being outdoors. Let’s listen now to “Is AI Right for Texas?” on the Lone Star Deep Dive podcast. Thanks for listening! DIVE DEEPER! YouTube with slides presentation Texas is becoming a Data Center Hot Spot. Sierra Club: Wading into Data Centers. Public Citizen: Policy Solutions for Data Centers LWV: Data Center Gold Rush Bill Gates Notes: ”The turbulent era of AI is here. The choices we make are critical.”
S2 · E38
June 17 · 41 min
John Umphress - Beekeeping in Texas
In Episode 38, John Umphress is back to talk with Tonya about his personal beekeeping and honey production and pollinators in food production. What does this have to do with public policy? Well, Tonya is forever curious about the interests of our guests and the life behind each politically aware and involved person we talk to! John Umphress is a life-long resident of Texas with more than 4 decades of experience in public policy, mostly in the fields of water and energy resources. Prior to his retirement, John spent 14 years at Austin Energy, where he developed the residential energy code for the city of Austin with the goal being design and construction of net zero homes. He is currently a beekeeper running 240 colonies and is building a zero-energy home in Burnet County. DIVE DEEPER! Honey Flow Texas Beekeepers Association Power Plants for Pollinators
S2 · E37
May 27 · 51 min
Michael Ford - Panhandle Taxpayers for Transparency
In Episode 37, Tonya talks with Michael Ford about project Matador and Fermi in the Texas Panhandle, AI Data Centers in general and his organization, Panhandle Taxpayers for Transparency (also known as PT4T). He'll explain their work contesting the case over the proposed 93 gas turbines planned for the project, and why they are following up with a lawsuit against the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Mike Ford is a respected authority in the nuclear industry, bringing over 40 years of extensive experience spanning nuclear fuel cycles, advanced research, and strategic nuclear policy. As the host of The Nuclear Inner Critic podcast, Mike also leads critical discussions emphasizing transparency, accountability, and safety during our nation's resurgence of nuclear power. His insightful commentary provides constructive scrutiny of the crucial developments shaping today's nuclear landscape. Mike’s distinguished public service includes a decade and a half as a governor-appointed official in Texas, notably as Chair of the Texas Radiation Advisory Board and as the inaugural chair of the Texas Interstate Compact Commission for nuclear waste management. Beyond his nuclear expertise, Mike is passionate about civil liberties and constitutional freedoms, co-foundingPRA4Freedom.org, a grassroots initiative advocating for individual rights during COVID. This work tracks with his founding of PT4T more than a decade ago to inform Texas Panhandle residents about matters that affect city budgets and how our local government officials are spending public funds. DIVE DEEPER! Nuclear Inner Critic Podcast Panhandle Taxpayers for Transparency (PT4T) - FaceBook Panhandle Taxpayers for Transparency (PT4T) - Website Legal Support for PT4T - GoFundMe The Rain We Keep
S2 · E36
May 10 · 33 min
Episode 36: Floyd Hartman
In Episode 36, Tonya talks with Floyd Hartman about his life in the Texas Panhandle, including his service to the City of Amarillo and his recent post at The RANGE. He serves as the Principal Investigator for Water Stewardship with The RANGE, "an industry-led innovation in research and development, forging strategic industry and education partnerships, prioritizing workforce development, and ensuring a healthy, secure, and dependable supply of food, fiber, and fuel." Floyd Hartman is a third‑generation, lifelong resident of Randall County. He grew up with a strong farming background that shaped his work ethic and commitment to community. For more than three decades, he has built a career in municipal water supply and public service, including over 25 years in executive leadership roles and service as Interim City Manager for a city of more than 200,000 residents. His work has focused on infrastructure, water resource management, and collaborative governance, along with long-standing involvement in regional and state water planning efforts. Community service has always been central to his life, from church and youth sports to broader civic engagement. Floyd has been married to his wife Terrie for 42 years, and they are proud of their three children and eight grandchildren. He holds a Masters of Public Administration-Government Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education/Business Administration; these degrees, as well as his extended career in public service, is what qualified him highly to work at The RANGE. His service to the community comes from a career of dedication and includes the following: Board Member, Panhandle Water Planning Group (Region A) · 2015–2025 Chairman, Region 1 Upper Red River/Canadian Flood Planning Group · 2020–2023 Member, Panhandle Legislative Advisory Committee on Water Resources · 2025–Present Member, American Water Works Association – Texas Section Member, Texas Water Utilities Association · Since 1995 Retired Volunteer Firefighter, City of Canyon · 1994–2003 DIVE DEEPER! THE RANGE Amarillo Water Utilities Texas A & M University: The Future of Produced Water Recycling Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District Region 1, Canadian-Upper Red Flood Planning Region
S2 · E35
May 3 · 59 min
Episode 35: Laurie Higgins-Kerley
In Episode 35, Tonya invited Laurie Higgins-Kerley onto the podcast to explore how her nonprofits, Dove Creek Equine Rescue and Led by Horses, have become a place where horses and humans heal together — and how anyone experiencing difficulty can find comfort and resilience in equine therapy. Laurie Higgins-Kerley is the Founder and Executive Director of Dove Creek Equine Rescue (DCER), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization she established in 2012 in Canyon, Texas. Inspired by her own profound healing with horses following the loss of her husband in 2008, Laurie built DCER into a thriving rescue and rehabilitation center dedicated to giving horses - who have experienced abuse, neglect, or surrender - a second chance at life. Under her leadership, Dove Creek has grown into a place where horses and humans heal together, each animal’s journey back to health mirroring the resilience and renewal she witnesses every day in the people who come alongside them. In 2017, Laurie earned her Equine-Assisted Coaching certification through the Academy of Coaching with Horses and founded Led By Horses, an equine-assisted coaching program at Dove Creek Equine Rescue. She has since received another certification from the EAL Academy in 2022 focusing on team building and is currently in the Equus Academy certification program with Kelly Wendorf. Drawing on horses’ extraordinary capacity to reflect human emotion and behavior with complete honesty and without judgment, Led By Horses creates transformative experiences for women veterans, first responders, grief groups, and corporate teams. Participants consistently describe breakthroughs in self-awareness, emotional regulation, and authentic leadership - discovering, through relationship with a horse, who they are when the noise of the world falls away. Laurie brings over two decades of experience as a retreat facilitator, holistic healing practitioner, and certified yoga teacher to everything she does. Her work is grounded in earth-based and indigenous wisdom traditions, and she holds a deep belief that healing is not a destination but a living, unfolding relationship, with ourselves, with the natural world, and with the horses who so generously show us the way. She makes her home in Canyon, Texas, with her husband Greg and their dogs and cat- where the high plains sky and the herd at Dove Creek remain her greatest teachers: "Our Vision is to heal the heart of humanity through authentic partnership with horses.” DIVE DEEPER! Dove Creek Equine Rescue
S2 · E34
May 1 · 1 hr 2 min
Is Nuclear Right for Texas
In Episode 34, Tonya joins the League of Women Voters of Dallas for their webinar, "Is Nuclear Right for Texas?," which took place in March 2026. This online event featured two professionals from the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS): Diane D’Arrigo and Tim Judson. They share their research and concerns about leaning on nuclear power as an environmental choice for Texas’ growing power needs. Diane D’Arrigo, Radioactive Waste Project Director, NIRS: Diane's main area of expertise is radioactive waste and radiation issues. In addition, she has considerable international experience. Diane has closely followed so-called “low-level” nuclear waste issues for decades, as well as national and international moves to deregulate nuclear waste that would allow it to be made into everyday household items and be dumped as regular trash. She has been with NIRS since 1986 and has a degree in chemistry and environmental studies and work experience in analytical chemistry and biological research. Tim Judson, Executive Director, NIRS: Tim joined NIRS in September of 2013 as the Associate Director, and he has served as Executive Director since 2014. Tim leads the organization's work on nuclear reactor and climate change issues, and he has written a series of reports on nuclear bailouts and sustainable energy. Tim also serves as chair of the Board of Citizens Awareness Network, one of the lead organizations in the successful campaign to close the Vermont Yankee reactor. He's also co-founder of the Alliance for a Green Economy. DIVE DEEPER! Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) League of Women Voters Dallas
S1 · E37
April 4 · 36 min
Episode 33: Claudia Stravato
In Episode 33, Tonya talks with Claudia Stravato about the Amarillo League of Women Voters study of Maternal Mortality & Morbidity and recent actions that have addressed concerns related to this issue. On February 2nd, The Amarillo Tribune reported on the 2024 Texas Health and Human Services report, quoting Dr. Teresa Baker, Regional Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at TTUHSC: "...in the local service area, 30% of pregnant people suffer from preeclampsia, and as high as 20% suffer from gestational diabetes; locally, seizure disorders and chronic hypertension have higher rates in our area than the rest of the state; overall, 5% to 20% of expectant mothers in our area experience one or more of these factors." Because of these high rates in the area, bringing awareness has become a priority! Claudia Stravato is currently a Political Science Adjunct Instructor of State & Local Government at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, and a former full-time faculty Political Science Instructor of State & Local Government. She earned her Master of Science in Government & Economics, and Bachelor of Science in Government & Economics from West Texas State University. Claudia did her post-grad work in Higher Education at Texas Tech University. In her earlier career, Claudia worked for Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock (Texas Senate). She was also Chief of Staff for Bob Bullock’s campaign for Lieutenant Governor and Campaign Director for State Comptroller of Public Accounts, including having served as Regional Field Manager in the Texas Panhandle. Claudia’s full list of achievements and honors is extensive and extraordinary, and we were honored to speak with this 50+ year League member and local community advocate. DIVE DEEPER! Amarillo Tribune coverage: Local efforts to combat maternal depression, mortality and morbidity. Amarillo Public Health / Women’s Health Clinic: The clinic is dedicated to supporting women’s health through confidential and compassionate care by offering a wide range of services — from cervical cancer screenings and contraception guidance to Medicaid navigation and resources for pregnancy support. The clinic offers services tailored to meet the needs of women in Potter and Randall counties. The Women’s Clinic can connect individuals with many different types of resources. Staff will walk you through a personalized assessment to understand your unique needs and circumstances. From there, the clinic can connect you with the most appropriate in-house services and/or trusted community partners, ensuring you receive the guidance, care, and resources needed. ~ Located at 850 Martin Road (off Amarillo Blvd.), Amarillo, TX, 79107. Ph: 806-378-6329
S1 · E36
March 22 · 54 min
Episode 32: League 101
In Episode 32 we offer a replay of League 101, the monthly public presentation, given by the Amarillo League of Women Voters, February 28, 2026. Kimberly Anderson, current president moderates this informative discussion among 4 Amarillo LWV past presidents. The Co-Presidents before Kimberly are Jenny Inzerillo and Michelle Hoggatt. Preceding Jenny and Michelle is Sonya Letson and preceding Sonya is Claudia Stravato.
S1 · E35
March 7 · 1 hr 17 min
Episode 31: Bryan Hummel
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S1 · E34
February 22 · 44 min
Episode 30: Julie Grimes
In Episode 30, Tonya talks with Julie Grimes, General Manager of Panhandle PBS. Julie tells us about the changes to PBS as a result of the federal funding recission that took place in 2025. They also discuss Panhandle leadership among Texas PBS affiliates and how public television stations are working to protect the unique, quality programing that viewers have enjoyed for more than five decades. Julie Grimes is a Texas-native, public media leader, and former food journalist who currently serves as general manager of Panhandle PBS, where she champions locally-produced storytelling that amplifies the voices and issues of the Texas Panhandle. Before joining Panhandle PBS, she built a national reputation as senior food editor for Southern Living and Cooking Light—work that continues to inform her community-focused projects. Grimes is a frequent voice in statewide conversations about the future of public broadcasting in Texas, advocating for collaboration among stations and sustainable models to keep trusted local journalism and educational content strong.

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