Texas in Focus

Midterm Runoffs in Focus with Michael Karlis

On this week's episode of Texas in Focus, host Matthew Reyna interviews Michael Karlis, a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current. In the lead-up to the Tuesday, May 26 Midterm Runoff Election, Karlis has reported extensively on many of the candidates that will be on the ballot. During the interview, Karlis discusses his recent reporting on controversial congressional candidate Maureen Galindo, what it is like to interview San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, and why young journalists need to learn to be multi-faceted in how they report stories. Intro/Outro Music: TAMAGOTCHI by ghouldeneye (soundcloud.com/ghouldeneye) House candidate Maureen Galindo pledges to send 'American zionists' to internment camp (San Antonio Current): https://www.sacurrent.com/news/politics-and-elections/house-candidate-maureen-galindo-pledges-to-send-american-zionists-to-internment-camp/ [https://www.sacurrent.com/news/politics-and-elections/house-candidate-maureen-galindo-pledges-to-send-american-zionists-to-internment-camp/]

DIFF 2026 Wrap Up in Focus

On this week's episode, host Matthew Reyna reviews the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival. In the first segment, filmmaker Lindsey Barnes joins the program to discuss the world premiere of her new movie, Mantis. In the second segment, documentarian Gene Gallerano talks about the reaction to his new documentary, Thank You For Listening. In the third segment, Matthew interviews Jay Pendarvis, who wrote and directed the short film See You Soon, which streamed twice during the festival. In the final segment, Matthew interviews Ellen Rodnianski, who wrote, directed, and produced American Baby, which won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Texas Feature Film. Intro/Outro Music: TAMAGOTCHI by ghouldeneye (soundcloud.com/ghouldeneye) Mantis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mantis.thefilm [https://www.instagram.com/mantis.thefilm] Thank You For Listening Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thankyouforlisteningfilm [https://www.instagram.com/thankyouforlisteningfilm] See You, Soon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seeyousoon.film [https://www.instagram.com/seeyousoon.film] American Baby Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanbabymovie/ [https://www.instagram.com/americanbabymovie/]

DIFF 2026 in Focus

On this week's episode, host Matthew Reyna previews the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival. In the first segment, filmmakers John H. Cunningham and Ted Haynes join the program to discuss their new movie, Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers. In the second segment, filmmaker Christy Chan previews the Texas premiere of her new short film, Somewhere To Be. In the third segment, Matthew interviews Katie Camosy, who directed the documentary Gaslit, which will make its Texas premiere at the festival. During that interview, Katie answers questions alongside Sharon Wilson, one of the activists profiled in the documentary. In the final two segments, the cast and crew of the feature film Last Shot join the show for an extended interview to discuss their movie, which will make its world premiere at DIFF 2026 on April 23, 2026. Intro/Outro Music: TAMAGOTCHI by ghouldeneye (soundcloud.com/ghouldeneye) Watch Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers, Somewhere To Be, Gaslit, and Last Shot at DIFF: https://diffdallas.org/DIFF [https://diffdallas.org/DIFF]

Bexar County DA's Race in Focus

On this week's episode of Texas in Focus, host Matthew Reyna interviews Jane Davis, who is currently seeking the Democratic nomination to be the next District Attorney of Bexar County. During Bexar County's March Primary Election, Davis secured a spot in the runoff election by earning 18% of the vote in a crowded field that included eight credible candidates. During the interview, Davis discusses her four-decade career as a prosecutor, her priorities for the District Attorney's office if elected, and a recent argument between incumbent DA Joe Gonzales and her opponent in the Democratic primary, Luz Elena Chapa, at a recent candidate forum. Intro/Outro Music: TAMAGOTCHI by ghouldeneye (soundcloud.com/ghouldeneye) In DA runoff, Democratic voters weigh change vs experience (San Antonio Report): https://sanantonioreport.org/bexar-county-district-attorney-may-26-runoff-endorsements/ [https://sanantonioreport.org/bexar-county-district-attorney-may-26-runoff-endorsements/] Bexar County Elections Department: https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department [https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department]

Texas Democrats in Focus with Kendall Scudder

On this episode of Texas in Focus, host Matthew Reyna welcomes Kendall Scudder, the Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, to the program. During the March Primary Election in Texas, Democrats outvoted Republicans for the first time in years, leading some experts to believe they may have the upper hand during the November General Election. Chairman Scudder discusses last month's election results, how influencers are changing the ways that political parties communicate, and previews the 2026 Texas Democratic Convention. Intro/Outro Music: TAMAGOTCHI by ghouldeneye (soundcloud.com/ghouldeneye) Texas Democrats select Kendall Scudder as state party chair (The Texas Tribune): https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/29/texas-democrats-party-chair/ [https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/29/texas-democrats-party-chair/] More information about the Texas Democratic Convention: https://texasdemocraticconvention.com [https://texasdemocraticconvention.com]