NEWSMAKER
Inside Texas Politics began with Dallas County District Attorney-elect John Creuzot. His defeat of incumbent Republican District Attorney Faith Johnson was the biggest win in Dallas County during the midterm election. A lot of people expected a close district attorney’s race. However, Democrat Creuzot beat DA Johnson by 20-points – one of the widest margins of the night. Creuzot joined host Jason Whitely and Bud Kennedy, from the Star-Telegram, to discuss what to expect from the county’s top prosecutor.
STATEWIDE
Republican State Representative Dennis Bonnen is presumed to be the next Speaker of the Texas House. Rep. Bonnen, said last week that he has the votes to take the gavel when the legislature reconvenes in January 2019. Ross Ramsey, co-founder and executive editor of the Texas Tribune, joined host Jason Whitely to discuss what to expect when Rep. Bonnen ascends to power.
Ross and Jason also talked about why the Texas State Board of Education changed its mind. The board decided to keep historical figures like Hillary Clinton, Helen Keller and Moses in Texas textbooks, after all.
MY VOICE, MY OPINION
There has been a lot made about the so-called caravan of immigrants on their way to the United States seeking asylum. However, Debbie Georgatos, from 660 AM The Answer, says we should also pay attention to who is helping them along the way in this week’s My Voice, My Opinion.
NEWSMAKER 2
For decades Dallas has struggled with how to bridge the gap between its northern and southern sectors. Dallas is now implementing new strategies to close the economic disparities between the north and south. Mayor Pro Tem Casey Thomas joined host Jason Whitely to discuss why this new plan might finally work.
FLASHPOINT
Just before the midterm elections, President Donald Trump sounded the alarm about the so-called caravan of asylum seekers. He hasn’t said much about it since then. Were the American people duped into political theater? That question sparked this week’s Flashpoint. From the right, Wade Emmert former Dallas County Republican chairman. And from the left, author and producer Katie Sherrod.
ROUNDTABLE
Reporters Roundtable puts the headlines in perspective each week. Ross Ramsey and Bud Kennedy returned along with Berna Dean Steptoe, WFAA’s political producer. Ross, Bud, and Berna Dean discussed whether the Dallas Fort Worth area is losing clout in Austin to Houston. The Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen is from the Houston area, as is Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Governor Greg Abbott was a judge in Houston. The three journalists also gave perspective on the division in the Republican Party over whether a Muslim can be a party officer.
