State of Texas

State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections. It airs at 8:30 a.m. on KXAN, and now you can listen any time!

State of Texas is a news podcast hosted by KXAN News, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

KXAN News hosts State of Texas, a news show with 100 episodes published.

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  State of Texas

  State of Texas - August 14, 2026

  Aug 16, 202621 min

  Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a narrow one-point lead over State Representative James Talarico in the race for U.S. Senate, according to new polling from Emerson College/Nexstar Media. Adam Schwager speaks with Talarico to discuss his strategy heading into the final stretch, while we also examine how both campaigns are framing the race and what the latest numbers reveal about key voting blocs. A complex custody battle involving a baby born through a surrogacy arrangement is raising questions about the future of surrogacy in Texas. Dylan McKim examines the legal dispute, why some families are concerned about potential legislative changes, and how the case intersects with a growing debate among Republican lawmakers over commercial surrogacy. As artificial intelligence systems become more powerful, Congressman Nathaniel Moran is leading a bipartisan effort to require certain large AI models to include mechanisms that allow developers to shut them down or limit their capabilities if they pose public safety or national security risks. We speak one-on-one with Moran to discuss the proposal and the broader debate over regulating rapidly evolving AI technology. Texas lawmakers are being warned that advances in drone technology could create serious risks to public safety and critical infrastructure. Daniel Marin reports on testimony from security experts who say Texas must invest in detection and counter-drone systems to protect everything from border communities to major events and energy facilities. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

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  State of Texas

  State of Texas - August 9, 2026

  Aug 9, 202621 min

  Texas leaders from both parties are weighing how government should respond to the rapid rise of AI. We examine proposals ranging from Congressman Greg Casar's plan to tax large AI companies and fund job training programs, to Republican-backed efforts focused on national security safeguards and oversight of advanced AI systems. Nearly four years after our investigations uncovered significant delays in the Texas Crime Victims Compensation Fund, state officials say reforms are improving performance. Matt Grant examines what has changed, how wait times have improved, and why some victims are still waiting months for reimbursement. Don Huffines has taken over as Texas Comptroller after being appointed by Governor Abbott and is already pledging major changes to the agency. Dylan McKim sits down with Huffines to discuss his plans to focus on property tax relief, government spending oversight, school choice programs, and what taxpayers can expect as he takes over one of the state's most influential financial offices. Governor Abbott is proposing legislation that would open city-owned electric utilities, including Austin Energy and CPS Energy, to retail competition. Supporters say it could lower costs for consumers, while critics warn deregulation could increase expenses and disrupt local government finances. Eric Henrikson breaks down the proposal and its potential impact on Texans. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

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  Episode #14

  State of Texas - August 2, 2026

  Aug 2, 202621 min

  Data Center Incentives - A Texas Senate Finance Committee hearing held July 27 examined the state's sales tax exemptions for data center projects, which could cost the state $3.3 billion in forgone taxes during the 2028-29 budget cycle. Concrete Cancer - Alkali-silica reaction (ASR), also called "concrete cancer," happens when minerals in rocks and sand react with cement, forming a gel that swells as it absorbs water. The state is known nationally as a hot spot for this type of structural defect that costs thousands of dollars to fix. There are now lawsuits and previous legislation attempts to address the problem. Talarico Leads Paxton Among Black Voters, But Voter Turnout Concerns Persist - Since defeating Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico vowed to earn the vote of her supporters in his race against Republican candidate Ken Paxton. Talarico has held town halls in Dallas and Houston for Black voters to listen and question him. On July 22, he acknowledged that he faced some tough questions from the town halls.

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  Episode #13

  State of Texas - July 26, 2026

  Jul 26, 202621 min

  Texas politicians call for guardrails on AI - Candidates for one of Texas' seats in the U.S. Senate called for guardrails on artificial intelligence this week, after OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced an unprecedented breach while testing a new AI model. Push to lower electricity costs, prepare for data centers - The Public Utility Commission of Texas filed a memo to Gov. Greg Abbott that details its plans to protect Texans from rising costs due to data centers. It also, per the governor’s request, detailed ongoing projects and needs from the 2027 legislative session. Texas data centers - Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic Party candidate for Texas Governor, on Wednesday called on Gov. Greg Abbott to immediately halt new data center development in Texas, arguing he should use his executive authority until lawmakers can pass statewide regulations. Last month, the governor proposed eliminating some tax incentives and requiring data centers pay for their own infrastructure, provide their own power generation, reuse water, and reduce electricity costs for Texans. Calls for guardrails on prediction market apps - A new proposal from the Texas Medical Association takes aim at online prediction market platforms and calls on state lawmakers to implement guardrails to protect young users from potentially addictive behavior. Users of these apps can wager money on the potential outcome of future events, including sports and elections. The group also called for restrictions on advertising the apps, such as banning ads near schools and parks, or on social media and gaming platforms. State of Texas revisits ‘TxTag Troubles’ toll bill investigation - Auto-payment issues, double billing, incorrect statements and customer service runaround — those were some of the complaints from users of Texas Department of Transportation toll roads and TxTag. In a From the Vault edition of Inside the Investigation, we take a look at our TxTag Troubles project and where the story could go from here. School district challenges Texas school funding system - Midland ISD, a West Texas school district, is challenging Texas' school finance system. The lawsuit argues the state has too much control over local property taxes. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far reaching effects in Texas.

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  State of Texas

  State of Texas - July 19, 2026

  Jul 19, 202621 min

  This week’s program focuses on the first major test of the flood safety changes put in place after last year’s devastating Hill Country floods. After the tragedy at Camp Mystic, lawmakers and regulators enacted new safety requirements for Texas youth camps. Arezow Doost traveled to Kerr County during this week’s flooding to see how camps responded, what safety measures were in place, and how operators handled another high-water event. Warning sirens installed after last year’s flooding were activated as water began rising in Kerr County. Investigator Matt Grant looks at how the system performed, the role private warning networks also played, and whether lawmakers will need to allocate additional funding to expand coverage in vulnerable areas. State Representative Wes Virdell joins us to discuss the response to this week’s flooding, how it compared to last year’s disaster, and what lawmakers learned from seeing the new systems operate in real-world conditions. We discuss funding challenges, emergency management improvements, and whether more legislation is needed. While the loss of life was far lower than last year’s catastrophe, communities like Uvalde were left dealing with extensive flooding, damaged homes, washed-out roads, and major disruptions. Dylan McKim reports on the challenges residents now face as they begin the long process of cleanup and recovery.

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