Topic: North Texas

How Can North Texas Solve the Childcare Crisis?

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.

Navigating Transit Governance & Funding: Randall Bryant on Fixing DART’s Regional Impact

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.

2026 Primary Season Is Here! How Does North Texas Impact This Year's Elections?

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.

Navigating North Texas Housing Challenges: What New State Bills Mean for Your City

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.

Building Texas’s Workforce: Inside TSTC’s Role in a Booming North Texas

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.