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Y'all-itics

WFAA

Y’all-itics is the unofficial political podcast of Texas. Each week we’ll crack open an ice-cold Texas brew and explore a single hot topic affecting Texans. But this isn’t politics as usual. Y’all-itics doesn’t come from a fancy studio. We’re taking our podcast on the road to get past the soundbites and dive deeper into the issues that matter to y’all. Leave your labels at the door, this is a political podcast for all Texans… even the recent transplants!

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23 episodes
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#481
Friday · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Gina Hinojosa, Jimmy Blacklock, Maggie Ellis, and the Final Push Before Early Voting Begins
In the October 18 episode, Democratic nominee for Governor Gina Hinojosa tells us why she thinks Governor Greg Abbott is “scared” and she addresses some recent Republican attacks on her record. And we highlight the race for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court between Republican Jimmy Blacklock, who is hoping voters elect him to the position after being appointed by the Governor, and Maggie Ellis, who is hoping to become the state’s first ever female Chief Justice.
#480
Friday · 33 min
Cows, Crops & Cloud Computing: The Race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Texans have the opportunity to select the state’s 13th Agriculture Commissioner in the midterm election. And it’s a big job in Texas, from helping farmers and ranchers grow and sell their product, to protecting consumers through safeguards such as pesticide regulation, to administering federal nutrition programs in public schools. But the key issue in this race might just be data centers. In this episode of Y’all-itics, hear from the two main candidates, Democrat Clayton Tucker and Republican Na
#479
October 11 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Nathan Johnson, Barry Wernick, Andy Sommerman, and the Races that are Heating Up Weeks Before the Midterms
In the October 11 episode, Democratic nominee for Attorney General Nathan Johnson explains why he thinks undecided voters will swing the race in his direction and why he’s targeting his opponent in a major, statewide ad blitz. And the two candidates running for Dallas County Commissioner District 2 – Republican Barry Wernick and Democrat Andy Sommerman – discuss their campaigns with a focus on the proposed property tax increase that promises to be top of mind for voters.
#478
October 11 · 43 min
The Decorated Former FBI Agent and His New High-Stakes Mission
It’s a lengthy resume. U.S. Army infantry officer. Section Chief for Counterterrorism. FBI Special Agent in Charge of the D.C. and Dallas Field Offices. Now retired from the FBI, Matthew DeSarno could have picked his job in the private sector. But he chose instead to become a… columnist. DeSarno argues that the rule of law is slowly eroding in our country and it could cause permanent damage, so writing is his new high-stakes mission. As the Jasons learned over a cold one with DeSarno at Union Be
#476
October 4 · 35 min
“10 Ways To Lose An Election”
Republican political consultant Vinny Minchillo, who’s worked on countless campaigns, says there are a million ways to win an election, but losing candidates do ten things. And he’s laid it all out in a new book, essential reading for first time candidates, or voters wanting a peak behind the political curtain. Negative ads. Debates. Endorsements. Fundraising. Polling. In this episode of Y’all-itics, Minchillo discusses how each can impact an election while having a cold one with the Jasons at P
#477
October 2 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Donald Trump, John Wiley Price, Clay Lewis Jenkins, and the President Campaigning for Paxton in Texas
In the October 4 episode, find out what President Donald Trump has to say about Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton one month before the election, and we ask the President whether he regrets endorsing Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn. And in Dallas County, Commissioners are asking residents to raise taxes to fund homelessness efforts. Commissioner John Wiley Price explains his opposition while families are struggling, while County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins will tell you why he thinks the perm
#475
September 28 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Jodey Arrington, Nate Sheets, Paula Blackmon, and the $40 Trillion National Debt
In the September 27 episode, Republican U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington tells us why he’s calling for a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget and why he chose Dallas for a field hearing to discuss the $40 trillion national debt. Republican nominee for Ag Commissioner Nate Sheets explains why he’s not calling for a data center moratorium and how he’d help Texas farmers and ranchers stay in business. And Dallas Council Member Paula Blackmon on the coalition now calling for Dal
#474
September 25 · 46 min
A Huge Election and Close Races. So, Where are the Debates?
Democrat James Talarico is asking Republican Ken Paxton if he’ll commit to a debate in their Senate race if it’s in what Talarico calls Paxton’s “safe space” on FOX News. If that doesn’t happen, for the first time in a quarter century, the U.S. Senate candidates in Texas will not go before Texas voters to explain their policies and defend their positions in a debate. Talarico has repeatedly said yes. Paxton? Not so much. In this episode of Y’all-itics, you’ll learn why debates are going the way
#473
September 20 · 28 min
The $533 Million Texas Factory That "Made Nothing"
The headline is stunning enough: “Fiasco in the Factory: Taxpayers Funded a $533 Million Artillery Plant That Made Nothing”. But the details in the story that follow are even more extraordinary: crashing robotic machines, equipment catching fire, and an artillery shell that was supposed to be smooth coming out shaped like a soft serve ice cream swirl. The Jasons are joined by the ProPublica reporter who broke the blockbuster story on a Mesquite, Texas plant where he says taxpayers got nothing fo
#472
September 18 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Chip Roy, Clayton Tucker, and How AI and Data Centers Are Shaping the Midterms
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Chip Roy, Clayton Tucker, and How AI and Data Centers Are Shaping the Midterms In the September 20 episode, Republican U.S. Representative Chip Roy explains why he thinks government must take a “human first” approach to regulating AI, and why he disagrees with President Trump calling AI safety fears a “hoax.” And Democrat Clayton Tucker tells us why he’s so focused on data centers in his race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, and why one of the first things he’d do
#471
September 14 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: James Talarico, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and what comes after the RNC’s midterm convention in Dallas.
In the September 13 episode, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate James Talarico touts the Republicans supporting his campaign and why he thinks he’s still an underdog despite recent polls. Plus, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the RNC midterm convention was so successful, that both parties will probably replicate it. But will the big GOP gathering move any voters?
#470
September 11 · 32 min
Are you ready for what comes after the GOP convention?
The sprint starts now. Republicans have packed up and left Dallas. Insiders say prepare now for the adpocalypse. Big money is flowing into the U.S. Senate race from outside groups for negative ads. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons examine whether the RNC midterm convention moves any voters, the state of the race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton and why Texans will soon find out what it’s like living inside an advertising tornado. Guest: Matt Angle, Democratic Strategist/Lone St
#469
September 6 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Matt Krause, Kardal Coleman, D’rinda Randall, and Eliminating Voting Sites
In the September 6 episode, Republican Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause explains why he supported reducing the number of voting sites in his county. In the long run, he thinks it will make elections more efficient, even though he doesn't know how much money the drastic cuts will really save. The chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party talks about the protests expected at the GOP midterm convention. And Republican Party of Texas chair D’rinda Randall on why she thinks that convention w
#468
September 4 · 20 min
Texas Lawmakers Gave $630 million to Fight Wildfires, But Another Big Ask is Coming
At least 90,000 acres burned. More than two million gallons of water and half-a-million gallons of fire retardant dropped. The Ross Fire in Jack and Palo Pinto Counties is still going strong nearly two weeks after the human-caused blaze ignited. It comes just as The Texas A&M Forest Service, the state agency behind wildfire response, is in the process of spending $630 million lawmakers provided in 2025 for “game changer” upgrades, including aircraft that will coordinate aerial firefighting, heli
#467
August 28 · 47 min
Two Besties Fight Over One Data Center
This is the data center story you haven't heard. The Town of Westlake is ready to approve a new data center inside its town limit. But it's going to sit 500-feet away from a subdivision in Keller. Shouldn't a town be able to make its own decisions? But what happens to families who invested in a home never expecting a new industrial neighbor? It's presenting a new problem, and one mayor is pleading with the state for guidance. GUEST Teresa Woodard, WFAA Anchor/Senior Reporter
#466
August 23 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Ana Maria Rodriguez Ramos, Jared Patterson, Mike Siegel and the Democratic Socialists in Texas
In the August 23 episode, Democratic state Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez Ramos discusses the new state audit of the Texas Education Agency which revealed a bloated bureaucracy and more managers than state regulations allow. GOP state Rep. Jared Patterson explains why he's creating a bipartisan voting bloc of DFW-area representatives who plan to advocate harder for North Texas. And Austin Council Member Mike Siegel explains why he's a Democratic Socialist, what it stands for and how much he's accompli
#465
August 21 · 23 min
Wait… there are Socialists in Texas?
What does “Democratic Socialist” actually mean — especially in Texas? Austin City Councilman Mike Siegel joins Y’all-itics to explain why he calls higher wages, affordable housing and fighting government surveillance Democratic Socialist policies. We also ask the question many voters still have: How is this different from simply being a Democrat? Guest Mike Siegel, Austin City Councilmember
#464
August 14 · 21 min
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Pat Fallon, Chad West, Bob Krumenaker, and the Bulldozing of Big Bend
In the August 16 episode, Congressman Pat Fallon discusses whether he thinks the Iran war and the economy are risks to Republicans in November and what he thinks will make the difference in the U.S. Senate race. Council Member Chad West tells us why he thinks it’s time for Dallas to catch up to other cities in regulating data centers. And former Big Bend National Park superintendent Bob Krumenaker talks about the growing bipartisan fallout caused by the bulldozing of Big Bend.
#463
August 14 · 41 min
Bulldozing Big Bend
The bulldozing of Big Bend National Park is underway and the bipartisan fallout emerging from the debris piles has been swift and is growing in ferocity. A bipartisan coalition of Texas House members is now calling on the federal government to immediately halt construction of the border barriers. In this episode of Y’all-itics hear from the most recent former Big Bend National Park superintendent who describes the clearing and construction as “an absurd amount of money for a massive amount of de
#462
August 9 · 43 min
“This is T-E-A ISD”: Thousands Start School Under State Control
The Texas Education Agency is inserting itself right into classrooms across the state. If just one school fails for 5 years, the TEA can take over the whole district, installing appointed leaders who can make wholesale changes without being accountable to district voters. It’s happening in 8 districts right now, with more additions possible. To see what the start of the school year looks like under recent state takeover, the Jasons check in on Fort Worth ISD, which one close observer now calls "

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