Topic: North Texas

North Texas residents navigate complex local governance layers as TJ Gilmore and Andrea Coker unpack the roles and recent tensions between the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and the Regional Transportation Council (RTC). With insights into their distinct responsibilities, board structures, and ongoing legal disputes, this episode sheds light on how regional planning impacts transportation funding and development across the area. 

North Texas faces a critical challenge in supporting working families through accessible, affordable child care, a key factor in economic development and workforce retention. In this episode, TJ Gilmore and Andrea Coker welcome Kara Waddell, President and CEO of Child Care Associates, who shares insights on the current state of child care in North Texas, its impact on families, and how business and government partnerships can help bridge the growing gap.

Randall Bryant, newly elected chair of DART, takes listeners through the challenging months following his appointment, during which multiple cities voted to withdraw from the transit system. He shares insights into the delicate negotiations across governance, funding, and service improvements aimed at uniting 13 diverse cities under a sustainable transit future. Bryant also highlights DART’s historic achievements and the ongoing work to adapt transit solutions to the evolving needs of North Texas communities.

This episode dives into the high-stakes Texas primary elections, spotlighting unprecedented competition and campaign dynamics on both the Democratic and Republican sides. Hosts TJ Gilmore and Andrea Coker unpack key races, fundraising battles, and the shifting political landscape, then pivot to explore North Texas's critical regional logistics infrastructure and its vital role in economic growth and daily life.

Texas primaries are heating up with record candidate lineups and big money battles shaping the political landscape—yet local housing challenges are just as critical. Hosts TJ Gilmore and Andrea Coker break down the latest election dynamics alongside new legislation impacting North Texas housing, from multifamily zoning shifts to affordable housing strategies. Tune in to understand how these intertwined issues will affect your community and the road ahead.

North Texas is growing fast—adding a new resident every three and a half minutes—and the region’s economic momentum depends on a skilled, job-ready workforce. In this episode of Topic: North Texas, hosts TJ Gilmore and Andrea Coker talk with Joe Arnold, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Government Relations at Texas State Technical College (TSTC), about how TSTC is preparing Texans for high-demand technical careers. In the second half of the episode, the conversation shifts to a timely breakdown of recent federal primary filings and the races that could shape North Texas’s representation and influence in Washington and Austin.

Texas faces a critical crossroads as Governor Abbott pushes to overhaul property taxes amid growing demands to fund public safety and infrastructure. Join hosts TJ Gilmore and Andrea Coker as they unpack the complex balance between tax relief, city budgets, and the future of energy and AI infrastructure in North Texas. Tune in to understand how these shifts will shape your community and what’s next for the Lone Star State.

North Texas is a region like no other—home to more than 15 cities, each with over 100,000 people, and a diverse mix of industries and communities. In this episode, TJ Gilmore and Andrea Coker explore the unique challenges and opportunities of regionalism in North Texas, emphasizing the power of a unified voice in state and federal matters, critical legislative issues, and the vital role of cooperation in driving economic and community growth.