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The locally produced program features co-hosts David Martin Davies and Yvette Benavides. The husband and wife team talk directly with policymakers and newsmakers in a lively discussion designed to shed light on issues too often overlooked by other media. About the Hosts David Martin Davies, Texas Public Radio’s news director, is a veteran journalist with almost 20 years experience covering Texas, the border and Mexico. In 2008, he won three regional Murrow Awards for stories that aired on Texas Matters. He was named the 2007 Radio Journalist of the Year by the Houston Press Club and was awarded a 2007 Lone Star Award for his feature reporting. He co-produces "Texas Matters" with Yvette Benavides which was named the Best Radio Talk Show and Best Public Affairs Program by the Houston Press Club. Texas Matters is carried weekly by 10 radio stations in Texas. Davies was also recognized by the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters for his coverage of the U.S.-Mexico border. Davies has filed radio reports for NPR's Morning Edition, APM's Marketplace and BBC's The World. He is also a weekly columnist for the San Antonio Express-News. Yvette Benavides is co-host and co-producer of Texas Matters. She is also an English professor at Our Lady of the Lake University, where she teaches creative writing and Mexican-American literature. Yvette has had her poetry published in journals such as The Americas Review, Texas Observer and Mothering magazine, among others. Her articles have appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and Latina magazine. She is also a regular book critic for the San Antonio Express-News. Benavides has been a frequent contributor for NPR's Latino USA. Comments about the program or inquiries may be directed by e-mail to . Airs: 12:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday and 6:30 a.m. Saturday on KSTX 89.1 FM in San Antonio. Also at 6 a.m. Saturday on KPAC 88.3 FM in San Antonio and KTXI 90.1 FM in the Hill Country. See the stations list (right) for other air times around the state. Program Archive: Show #462, July 3, 2009 Segement 1: It would take you a lifetime to explore all of the sights, scenes and historic points of the Unites States. Author Gary McKechnie only had 4 years to do it so he had to makes some tough choices – he picked the 101 most interesting places in the nation. He’s the author of the book USA 101: A Guide to America's Iconic Places, Events, and Festivals Segment 2: One of the many festivals that’s not covering in the book USA 101 is the International Festival at Round Top. Which is located half way bwtween Austin and Houston. Texas Public Radio’s John Clare has more on the cultural festival. Texas Matters: Round Top Festival from John Clare on Vimeo.
Texas Public Radio’s Nathan Cone brought the band into our studios recently to play some tunes, and talk about how the effort to preserve their recorded past brought them back to the present.
Extended interview with Hector and David Saldaña of the Krayolas:
The Krayolas Perform "Marie Leveau" in the Texas Public Radio Studios: "Marie Laveau" by The Krayolas from KSTX on Vimeo. Download songs from their TPR studio session:
 The Krayolas - "Your Doorway Darlin’"
Photos of The Krayolas in-studio performance:
Show #461, June 26, 2009 Segement 1: Texas is dealing with its annual heat wave we call summer. It’s not uncommon to see the temperature across the state hitting 100 degrees. So we respond by turning on the air conditioners – but that’s takes electric power. ERCOT – the Electric Reliability Council of Texas – says it’s keeping up with demand for now. Dottie Roark is the spokesperson for ERCOT. Segment 2: Is there a crisis of leadership in Texas? Tom Schieffer says there is. He’s now officially running for governor. Texas Matters was able to talk to Tom Schieffer about his vision for Texas and why he’s running for Governor. Segment 3: On Friday June 19 Governor Rick Perry vetoed 37 bills that otherwise would have become law in Texas. State Representative Mike Villarreal – a democrat from San Antonio – joins us to talk about the vetoes. Segment 4: Veronica Hernandez has produced a length documentary about Cenobio Hernandez – her grandfather who composed music while working as a migrant farm worker. Today his music is being rediscovered and lives on through his blood line. To see clips and hear the music go online to www.amanhismusicandhislegacy.com. The documentary will be screened at the San Antonio Film Festival on Sunday – to learn more go to www.safilm.org. Show #460, June 19, 2009 This is a special edition of Texas Matters, produced by KUT Public Radio Austin, we're taking an examination of the 81st Texas legislative session. Hosted by Texas Monthly's Evan Smith, the show takes a look back at the recent session: what happened, what didn't...and where the state stands now that it's over. From the opening Speaker's coup in the House to the session long battle over Voter ID, and all that did and didn't get accomplished in between, we'll break down the key moments and put them all into perspective. Show #459, June 12, 2009 Segment 1: Benny Veliz is an illegal immigrant in the United States. She is fighting to stay in the country and working to promote passage of the Dream Act. Segment 2: When a gun man opened fire at the Washington D.C. Holocaust Museum the shots were heard all the way at the Holocaust Museum in Houston. Ira Perry is the spokesperson for the Houston Holocaust Museum. Segment 3: Joe Murin is the president of Ginnie Mae the “Government National Mortgage Association” To learn more about qualifying for government assistance with a mortgage go online to www.ginniemay.gov. Segment 4: Film restoration expert Robert Harris says a full restoration of The Alamo will take about a year. Segment 5: Cliff Frohlich is the senior research scientist at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics and the author of Texas Earthquakes – published by the University of Texas Press. He’s monitoring the multiple miniature magnitude quakes hitting Cleburne, Texas. Extended Interview on The Alamo Remember the Alamo? Fifty years ago, actor John Wayne and crew set up shop outside of Bracketville, Texas, to film an ambitious re-telling of the epic story of the Battle for Texas Independence. The Alamo was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. It won one award for its impressive sound design. Although there have been subsequent films of the Alamo story, many people still hold John Wayne’s version close to their hearts. One of those persons is Robert Harris, the esteemed film restoration expert whose restorations of Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, and Rear Window were nothing short of revelatory in the way they brought new life to those movies. Harris is turning his attention next to The Alamo. The film, shot in 1959, is in dire need of a full restoration. Harris says a full restoration of The Alamo will take about 10 to 12 months. The effort is being funded through corporate donations only at this time, so if you know someone high up at your place of business that would like to have their company’s name stamped on a piece of Texas movie history, here’s the address to write to: Jacob Burns Film Center All contributions are tax deductible. For further reading, here’s a link to a very informative article from The Digital Bits, penned by Mr. Harris.
Show #458, June 5, 2009 Segment 1: The Texas House and Senate meet only once every two years for 140 days. In that time the lawmakers are asked to craft laws that will solve problems that face Texans or, at the very least, not mess the state up. At the end of the session, Texas Monthly reveals its list of the best and worst legislators. Paul Burka is a senior executive editor, political columnist, and blogger for Texas Monthly magazine. Segment 2: One of the bills that may have been a causality of the fight over voter-ID was the expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP. Anat Kelman Shaw is with the Children’s Defense Fund of Texas. Segment 3: During the 81st legislative session, Representative Leo Berman had to get used to a new role. In previous sessions the conservative Republican from Tyler was a power player, but with a new speaker in charge, Berman fell out of favor and into the back bench. Berman says he was punished during the session and his battery of anti-illegal immigrant bills didn’t get a fair hearing. He is prepping to announce a campaign to seek the Republican nomination for Governor. Others seeking the nomination are incumbent Rick Perry and Senator Kay Bailey Huchinson. Segment 4: Speculation is there will be a special session called this summer for the lawmakers and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples wants eminent domain reform added to the list of issues to tackle. Show #457, May 29, 2009 Segment 1: To the world, Steve Sterquell was the angel from Amarillo. He looked like an American success who ran one of the largest affordable housing foundations in the country. Sterquell’s life recently came to a tragic end and now questions are being raised about his finances and his foundation. Reporter Kevin Welch uncovers the story for the Amarillo Globe-News. Segment 2: The United States is trying to figure out how to fix the nation’s health care system. It’s just gotten too expensive to get sick in America. One of the most expensive places to end up in a hospital or doctor’s office is McAllen, Texas. In addition to being a surgeon, Doctor Atul Gawande is a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine. He went to find out what made medical care so expensive in McAllen. Show #456, May 22, 2009 Segment 1: J.W. Lown won reelection on May 9th to his fourth term as the mayor of San Angelo. The 32-year-old claimed almost 90% of the vote and had a promising career as a politician, but instead he’s opting for love. Lown didn’t show up for his swearing in. Instead he moved to Mexico with his lover. San Angelo is now reeling from the loss of its mayor and feels almost like a jilted mate. Tim Archuleta is the editor of the San Angelo Standard-Times. Segment 2: A cultural icon of the Lone Star State turns 100 this year. Shiner Bock enjoys a large following among beer lovers around the country and its popularity is growing. The Spoetzl Brewery was one of only a few to survive prohibition and now it’s battling a surge of international brands and micro brews to keep its share of the market. Terry Gildea takes us to the small Texas town where it all began and continues today. Read more of Robb Walsh’s articles and blogposts on food and beer at www.robbwalsh.com. Also, checkout Robb’s latest book Sex, Death and Oysters: A Half-Shell Lover's World Tour. Segment 3: The Texas legislature is battling the clock. The lawmakers are seeing many of their bills dying and a few survive the sausage making practice. Harvey Kronberg is watching and reporting on the process on the Quorum Report, an online newsletter dedicated to Texas politics. Segment 4: This Memorial Day weekend, Texans have the chance to save big when they buy green. It’s the energy star sales tax holiday. Matt Valdez is the spokesperson for texasishot.org Show #455, May 15, 2009 Segment 1: Proposed federal climate change legislation could have a high price tag for Texans. The main electric grid operator of Texas released a report that predicts the average Texan's monthly power bill will jump $27 or more in the next four years if a carbon tax is passed by congress. ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, says the cost could be even higher if the price of natural gas goes up significantly. But that’s only a small part of the cost of trying to rein in global warming. Kathleen White is the director of the Center for Natural Resources at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation. White says a the price of a carbon tax for Texas is going to be staggering. Luke Metzger is the director of the green advocacy group, Environment Texas. He supports proposed legislation to impose a carbon tax. Segment 2: Much of Texas is suffering drought conditions, but in the Texas Hill Country the drought is being felt under the ground. There are signs that the Trinity Aquifer is running dangerously low and the hottest driest months of the summer have yet to hit. Forrest Wilder writes about the silent springs for the Texas Observer and he asks, "is it too late to save the Hill Country’s Water?" Segment 3: It’s been nearly two years since Mike Coolbaugh was fatally struck by a foul ball during a minor league baseball game in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a coach with the Texas League Tulsa Drillers and had spent his entire career as a minor league player trying to achieve stardom in the majors. S.L. Price, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, has written a book about Coolbaugh’s career, his family and his untimely death. It’s called Heart of the Game: Life, Death, and Mercy in Minor League America and is published by Harper Collins. Show #454, May 8, 2009 Segment 1: Lubbock is one of the largest cities in the nation that still hasn’t pulled the cork on prohibition. The city of about 200,000 people is dry. On May 9th the voters will decide if it will stay that way or to roll out the barrel and tap it. We’ll hear from both sides of the bubbly issue that’s dividing Lubbock. Melissa Pierce is the chairwoman of Lubbock County Wins, a political action committee pushing for the measure's passage. The group that’s opposed to the ordinance change says making Lubbock wet will fundamentally change the city’s character. Brant O'Hair is co-chairman of the group called “Truth About Alcohol Sales.” Segment 2: Bill White is the Mayor of Houston and has announced he will run for the Senate seat that Kay Bailey Hutchison is vacating. White will remain Mayor until January 2, 2010. We will also interview other candidates for the senate seat as the election approaches. Leading Republican candidates are Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams and former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams. Segment 3: It’s not clear exactly how many monuments there are in Texas dedicated to the fallen of the Civil War, but there are many. Most are for the soldiers who died fighting for the South, but there are memorials that honor the Union warriors as well. Each monument tells a story about how a community first decided to remember the Civil War. Then as society changed and Reconstruction became a forgotten era, the next chapter in the story was how the current culture accepted or rejected these monuments in their midst. Kelly McMichael has written a book on the subject called Sacred Memories: The Civil War Monument Movement in Texas published by the Texas State Historical Association. Show #453, May 1, 2009 Texas is the birthplace of Fritos, chicken-fried steak, the margarita machine, big gulps, fried Twinkies and even more devious delicious dishes. Two radio producers known as the Kitchen Sisters on National Public Radio have explored the hidden kitchens of Texas. Their real names are Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson and, working with KUT Austin, they produced an hour long radio documentary about the love of food in Texas. Now they’ve turned it into a book complete with recipes. We talked to Nikki Silva about her experience finding the hidden kitchens of Texas. Show #452, April 24, 2009 Segment 1: It’s been 30 years since a nuclear waste dump has been built in the United States, but that’s about to change. In January, Waste Control Specialists Texas was issued a low-level waste disposal permit for Andrews County, but because of the economy’s credit freeze, building the West Texas disposal site is on hold. The company is looking for a $75 million dollar loan from an unusual source, the people of Andrews County. Segment 2: The number of homeless veterans continues to rise in the nation. Many programs are in place to help them, but Texas Public Radio’s Terry Gildea reports one in particular is designed to remember the sacrifices these people have made when they pass away, so homeless veterans won’t have to do without a dignified final resting place. Segment 3: When Governor Rick Perry mentioned that Texas has the right to secede from the United States and he could understand why some people would want to do that, he got a lot of national attention. But was it the kind of attention Perry was looking for? Was this a shrewd play by Perry to throw red meat to his conservative base or was this a political blunder? And here’s another option – maybe the eastern establishment media blew this way out of proportion? To get some answers, lets tap our reservoir of political brilliance Harvey Kornberg, editor of the Quorum Report. Segment 4: The economic downturn is hitting us all, but the world of arts and culture seems to be reeling in the recession. Large symphonies across the nation are dealing with budgetary shortfalls. The lagging economy is impacting orchestras all across the country. In Texas, the San Antonio Symphony is laying off administrators and musicians are taking a cut in pay. Jack Fishman is the executive director of the San Antonio Symphony. Show #451, April 17, 2009 Segment 1: April 15th was tax day across the nation and also, for many, it was Tea Day, an opportunity to openly grouse about the burden of paying taxes, the federal stimulus, and other public policies invented in Washington D.C. Tea parties were held in almost every city in Texas, but the biggest was in San Antonio. It’s estimated that crowd exceeded 4,000 at Alamo Plaza where Fox News provocateur Glenn Beck took the stage. One of the organizers of the Alamo Tea Party was Julia Hayden. We spoke to her in the days leading up to the event and she objects to efforts to minimize the protest by calling it Astroturf and corporate sponsored. Segment 2: April 19th is the last day on the job for U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, the federal prosecutor of the Western District of Texas. Sutton drew national attention for his prosecution of two Border Patrol agents who shot at a fleeing drug smuggler and then covered up the event by falsifying reports and destroying evidence. There were multiple calls for his resignation from supporters of the agents and now Sutton says this is the right time for him to move on.
Web Links: MP3 downloads of Athens v. Sparta recorded live in the TPR Studios: Show #450, April 10, 2009 The History of Texas Music Texas is known for its character, flavor and attitude, not just in the people but also in the culture of Texas. There’s an unrivaled state pride and there is such a rich state history. Part of that Texas history, culture and heritage is the music of the state. Texas is where so many music superstars called home — Bob Wills, Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Selena, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson, and more. Texans produce music that reflects their unique culture. Today, the Texas music scene is larger, more dynamic and growing faster than ever. But how did Texas Music develop? Gary Hartman explores the subject in the book The History of Texas Music. Hartman is the founding director of the center for Texas music history at Texas State University in San Marcos. His book is published by Texas A&M Press. Show #449, April 3, 2009 Without the blues, we wouldn’t have rock and roll and jazz. It’s a truly American art form that has its roots in African traditional folk music. In Texas, the blues has its own particular story and transformation. From cotton fields and shotgun shacks through the birth of the recording industry, it's exported around the world and finding new enthusiastic listeners with each generation. In the book Texas Blues: The Rise of a Contemporary Sound, music historian Alan Govenar has compiled a deep rich and comprehensive reference about the blues in Texas. It’s published by Texas A&M University Press. Much of the early music in this program is in the public domain and is available for download below.
Show #448, March 27, 2009 Segment 1: The Texas unemployment rate climbed to 6.5 percent in February. That’s still well below the 8.1 percent national unemployment rate according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Although the state's unemployment rate rose slightly from 6.4 percent in January, it was a big leap from the 4.5 percent in February 2008. The Texas Workforce Commission said "Texans are facing tough economic times now with significant statewide job losses." So where will these now unemployed people turn for help? Will there be enough money for their unemployment checks? Daniel Hamermesh is the Sue Killam Professor in the Foundation of Economics at the University of Texas at Austin. He specializes in social programs particularly unemployment insurance. Segment 2: If you are a reporter working on story about misdeeds at a big mysterious company or inside a government agency, one way to get the scoop is by finding a source. Like Watergate’s Deep Throat, the source can help reporters correct an injustice, save billions of tax dollars or even save lives. But under current Texas law, don’t count on this happening very often because the state is without a shield law for reporters to protect their sources. That could change with a bill that’s working its way through the Texas legislature. Michael Schneider of the Texas Association of Broadcasters is doing his part to push the bill in Austin. Segment 3: Martial arts schools in Texas are used to fighting, but their latest battle isn’t with flying fists of fury or bo staffs. It's with something more powerful – words. Martial arts instructors are challenging the wisdom of a proposed state law. Senate Bill 68 and House Bill 601 would require martial arts academies to become certified as day care centers. Gary Schill is the master of Peak Performance Martial Arts in Austin. He testified that if the bill becomes law, thousands of dojos in Texas will have to close. Segment 4: There hasn’t been a new nuclear waste dump in the US for 30 years – until now. In January, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality granted a permit to Waste Control Specialists in Andrews County, which is in West Texas. In most places in the nation, the local citizens would have said “not in my back yard,” but in Andrews County most people are supportive and welcome the radioactive trash that will be buried there. Reporter Forrest Wilder has been covering the developing story of the Andrews nuclear waste dump for the Texas Observer. Show #447, March 20, 2009 Segment 1: Lydia Camairillo is the vice president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project. She says the whole debate over the voter ID bill in Austin is overly partisan and unnecessary. Segment 2: Grass roots organizations in Texas of every stripe are working to defeat a bill in Austin they say would make getting voter referendums on the ballot next to impossible. The call it the "Anti-petition Bill." Linda Curtis is the director of the group “Independent Texans.” Segment 3: Crowds were bigger than ever at the Austin South By Southwest Film Festival. The movie “MINE” won the audience award for best documentary. The film follows New Orleans residents as they try to reconnect with their lost pets following Hurricane Katrina. Geralyn Pezanoski is the film’s director, and Jesse Pullins is one of the film’s subjects. Also, the comedy “The Overbrook Brothers” premiered this week to a full house at the Alamo Drafthouse on Austin’s Sixth Street. In the movie, two feuding brothers find out they’re both adopted, and embark on a cross-country quest to learn the identity of their birth parents. Texas Public Radio’s Nathan Cone spoke to Austin-based director John Bryant, and the film’s stars, Mark Reeb and Nathan Harlan. More available at SXSW 2009. Show #446, March 13, 2009 Segment 1: Larry Kilgore is seeking the Republican nomination for the Governor of Texas. His main issue is seeking the complete independence of Texas and the establishment of Biblical law in the newly re-minted Republic of Texas. Segment 2: The political fight over building the border fence has transformed the communities along the Rio Grande. They call it the border wall and it’s became a source of tension, anxiety and drama. Attic Rep, a professional theater company in San Antonio, is using improvisation to tell stories about life along the U.S.-Mexico border and the border wall. Texas Public Radio’s Terry Gildea has the story. Segment 3: Austin’s South By Southwest Film Festival will soon be underway. San Antonio-born writer Rebecca Rodriguez makes her debut as a filmmaker at this year’s festival with “The Better Half,” a 15-minute short film about a man that keeps a mysterious pair of mannequin legs in his bedroom. South By Southwest also offers students across the state an opportunity to get their work in front of fans and industry professionals through the Texas High School Shorts programs. Edward Kelly and Brenden Cicoria are seniors at St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, where they both take a digital video course taught by instructor Carol Parker. Their film, “Fresh Fruit” is an animated short starring a pear and an apple. See the film, hear extended interviews and find out more about TPR's coverage of SXSW 2009. Show #445, March 6, 2009 Segment 1: The candidates running for Texas governor aren’t waiting to start slinging the mud. Governor Rick Perry is looking to stay in office by winning a 4th term. But fellow Republican senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson is challenging him and early polls show she is more popular than the governor. To learn more about these developments and more, we turn to Harvey Kronberg editor of the Quorum Report. Segment 2: The Intrepid is an aircraft carrier that sparked the spirits of a nation following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. Now it is the namesake of the world's most technologically advanced rehabilitation center for America's wounded warriors, the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, Texas. Bill White is the president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum & Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. He has written Intrepid: The Epic Story of America's Most Legendary Warship, a book about the historic aircraft carrier which has a foreword written by Senator John McCain. Segment 3: A growing number of families are turning their backyards over to chickens. They are looking to save some money and get healthy food. The Rhode Island Red and Jersey Giants produce fresh eggs and meat… and even companionship. So what does it take to raise chickens and is it really worth it? Jennifer Megyesi says “yes.” She’s written the book The Joy of Keeping Chickens: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Poultry for Fun or Profit published by Skyhorse Publishing. Show #444, February 27, 2009 Segment 1: A report finds that only 4 percent of Texas school districts provide sex education beyond abstinence and many give students inaccurate information. The Texas Freedom Network Education Fund produced the report. It found that Texas receives the most federal abstinence funding in the nation, but the state has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates. Public schools in Texas are not required to offer sex education, an option 2 percent take. Under state law, sex education classes must focus on abstinence and information on birth control methods should emphasize the failure rate. Kathy Miller is the president of the Texas Freedom Network. You can read the report on their website www.tfn.org Segment 2: The East Texas Abstinence Program is the only provider of State and Federally funded abstinence services in seven East Texas counties. The East Texas Abstinence Program officially describes itself as an “abstinence only” program. Tonya Waite is a ETAP counselor. You can find out more about the East Texas Abstinence Program on their website www.teach2wait.com Segment 3: Once upon a time, Texas was a dirt poor state with few prospects for economic growth. Cotton was king and had no rivals. But then there was Spindle Top. That Beaumont gusher changed Texas and the nation. Eventually, there became a new class of Texan – the rich, powerful and ultra conservative. Bryan Burrough has written a book about big four Texas oilmen called The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes. It’s published by Penguin Press. Show #443, February 20, 2009 Segment 1: When President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion federal stimulus package into law, there was $8 billion in the measure set aside for high speed rail projects. Some of that money could be coming to Texas to help kick-start the Texas High Speed Rail project. The project is also called the "Texas T-bone” and it could connect Dallas, San Antonio and Houston with a 150 mile an hour bullet train. Gary Fickes is a Tarrant County commissioner and is the secretary of the Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation. Segment 2: A high speed rail project in Texas is going to end up taking some farm land and that’s a sensitive topic. The state’s agricultural interests were powerful enough to defeat the Trans Texas Corridor and unless they are brought on board with the high speed rail project in the early planning stages, they can do the same to it. Richard Cortese is a farmer and a Bell County commissioner. Segment 3: We have been told that the housing market in Texas has been resilient as other parts of the nation are dealing with a foreclosure crisis. But Texas is now feeling the pinch. There were 96,000 foreclosures statewide in 2008 that number is expected to increase in 2009. David Long is the president of the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation. He says the foreclosure crisis will affect everyone whether you are directly impacted or not. Show #442, February 13, 2009 Segment 1: The state of Texas is preparing for the worst. State officials are working on contingency plans for the potential "collapse" of the government in Mexico. A report prepared for the Pentagon last fall studied potential "threat levels" posed around the world. It found that only Pakistan is in greater danger than Mexico of becoming a "failed state." Texas shares a massive border with Mexico, and any violent turmoil in Mexico would impact Texas. In fact, Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw says it is already happening. Segment 2: Inside of Mexico there is a struggle for power. The drug cartels fight each other and they fight the Mexican government. So far the fight is not political; it’s about money. But what if anti-government forces linked up with the drug cartels and directly challenged President Calderon for control. That’s just one scenario that Stratfor, a private global intelligence agency based in Austin, considers when looking at Mexico. Karen Hooper is a Latin America analyst for the company. Segment 3: If you are looking for an indication that Mexico is in trouble, look for further than the value of the peso.The currency unit for Mexico has lost almost 50 percent of its value in the last six months, and experts predict the peso will continue its slide. This is adding stress to both sides of the Texas-Mexico border, since both sides are dealing with their own effects of the global recession. Rafael Otero is the chair of the business administration department at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Show #441, February 6, 2009 Segment 1: Along with the many brave men and women serving in the armed forces, several thousand dogs are working under the supervision of military officials. They help soldiers on patrol and are trained to sniff out roadside bombs. Texas Public Radio’s Terry Gildea takes us to the place where their journey begins and where they are treated if injured in combat. Segment 2: Feral hogs are a ferocious bunch. These are the descendants of domesticated pigs who have escaped a farm and then created an exploding population in the wilds of Texas. They are, in fact, "hog wild." But these creatures have few fans. They are as mean and destructive as they are plentiful. State Representative Sid Miller, a republican from Stephenville, has authored House Bill 836 which would make it easier to shoot feral hogs from helicopters. Segment 3: The Texas Humane Legislative Network has taken a look at the Feral Hog Helicopter hunting law. They are working to prevent its passage. Skip Trimble is with the Texas Humane Legislative Network. Segment 4: There is another hunt afoot in Texas. This time it’s for the spotted tail earless lizard. But this hunt is to try and save the vanishing critter. And people across the state are being asked to help spot "Spottie." Mike Durran is a zoologist with the Nature Conservancy of Texas. You can find out more about the elusive lizard by going to online at www.nature.org/texas. Segment 5: Known for their oversized mouths and tenacious fight, largemouth bass are what many anglers dream about. The fish are found in waterways all across Texas. In some spots the size of the bass catch lures fishermen from across the nation. The National Geographic Channel has released a new documentary on largemouth bass and the people who are hooked on fishing for it. Monte Burke is featured in the documentary, he’s a writer for Forbesand the author of Sowbelly: The Obsessive Quest for the World Record Largemouth Bass.
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Texas is a big state with a growing, diverse population and as the population grows, the issues and challenges facing its residents multiply. Texas Matters is a locally produced news show that spends half an hour each week looking at the issues, newsmakers and culture of Texas.
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Segment 3: The San Antonio-based band The Krayolas toured the state in the 1970s and 1980s, recording a string of regional hits in the process. But after a time, the band dissolved, and the various members moved on to other projects. Now, with the help of Texas Music legend Augie Myers, after a 20-year hiatus, The Krayolas are back with a new album, 
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Extended interview with Athens v. Sparta
See photos of the Athens v. Sparta session at TPR