Headlights Archives 3: Tessa Petit

Headlights Archives 3: Tessa Petit

Synopsis: In this archive interview, we talk to Tessa Petit of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, which fights on behalf of the estimated 5 million foreign-born residents of the Sunshine State. SHOW NOTES: Florida Immigrant Coalition [https://floridaimmigrant.org/]

Headlights Archives 2: Gwen Frisbie-Fulton

SYNOPSIS: In this archive interview, we talk to North Carolina writer Gwen Frisbie-Fulton about the stories she finds in small towns and rural areas — and what her vision is of "a better South." SHOW NOTES: Working Class Storytelling [https://workingclassstories.substack.com/]

Headlights Archives 1: Kevin Kruse

SYNOPSIS: In this interview from the archives, we talk to Princeton historian Kevin Kruse about the arc of Southern conservative politics since the end of the Civil Rights Movement — and how they're aiming to roll back the gains of the 1960s, and even the 1860s. SHOW NOTES: Campaign Trails [https://campaign-trails.ghost.io/author/kevin/] Kevin Kruse

Ep. 57: Covering Queer Kentucky

SYNOPSIS: All states have queer people, but not all states have a statewide news outlet dedicated to telling their stories. That makes QueerKentucky stand out. The nonprofit LGBTQ newsroom covers state politics and issues, as well as culture and health. This week's conversation is with Executive Director Missy Spears, who talks about trying to reach and reflect queer communities from Louisville to Paducah. Also: Auburn ditches its faculty senate, Georgia tries to turn Democrats "nonpartisan," and North Carolina sees a big health insurance decline. Plus, it's FestivalSouth time in Hattiesburg. SHOW NOTES: QueerKentucky [https://queerkentucky.com/] "Auburn Board Takes Full Curricular Control, Dissolves Faculty Senate" [https://www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/trustees-regents/2026/06/05/auburn-board-takes-curricular-control-dissolves-senate] Inside Higher Ed "District attorney challenges new Georgia law that removes party labels in Atlanta-area elections" [https://apnews.com/article/georgia-district-attorney-elections-nonpartisan-republicans-kemp-9aeed6b014c27ae826533acef95805c6] Associated Press "Lost your ACA coverage in North Carolina? You're not alone" [https://nclocal.org/2026/05/26/affordable-care-act-enrollment-in-north-carolina/] NCLocal "More Texans have signed up for ACA health coverage despite expiring subsidies and falling national enrollment" [https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/13/texas-affordable-care-act-health-insurance-enrollment-record/] Texas Tribune CONTACT: Jesse Mayshark jmayshark@theprogressivesouth.org [jmayshark@theprogressivesouth.org] (865) 214-7764

Ep. 56: Pride in Arkansas

SYNOPSIS: It's another fraught Pride Month in the South, where LGBTQ rights remain under attack from conservative lawmakers. This week we talk to Dolores Wilk of Central Arkansas Pride about their advocacy for the state's queer population, and the importance of visibility — including a Pride celebration right in front of the state Capitol Building. Also: The Supreme Court lets Alabama go back to marginalizing Black voters; the troubled history of a for-profit immigrant detention center in Louisiana; and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger disappoints the state's cannabis industry. Plus, a look at gay Florida playwright Matthew Lopez, and a current production of his work in Jacksonville. SHOW NOTES: Central Arkansas Pride [https://www.arpride.org/] "Norman Jones" [https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/norman-jones-6511/] Encyclopedia of Arkansas "Supreme Court's Alabama redistricting ruling marks brazen reversal of its previous stance" [https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/supreme-courts-alabama-redistricting-ruling-marks-brazen-reversal-of-its-previous-stance/] Democracy Docket "Sanitation, use-of-force transparency lacking at Winnfield ICE facility, inspection finds" [https://lailluminator.com/2026/06/04/repub/winn-ice/] Louisiana Illuminator "Migrants detained at ICE facilities launch hunger strikes to protest conditions" [https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/migrants-detained-ice-facilities-launch-hunger-strikes-protest-conditions] Stateline "My Four Months as a Private Prison Guard" [https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/cca-private-prisons-corrections-corporation-inmates-investigation-bauer/] Shane Bauer, Mother Jones "ICE detention is growing in the South. This state was the first." [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/20/louisiana-ice-detention-immigration-border/84246870007/] USA Today "Record-Setting $7 Million Settlement Caps LaSalle's Legacy at Texarkana Jail" [https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2024/jan/1/record-setting-7-million-settlement-caps-lasalles-legacy-texarkana-jail/] Prison Legal News "Louisiana jury awards more than $40 million to family of man who died in privately-run jail" [https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-lasalle-jail-death-erie-moore-43d8141bf67542c6f2720c4468a7fbf0] Associated Press "Another year, another Va. retail cannabis market veto leaves businesses, the public with few options" [https://virginiamercury.com/2026/06/03/another-year-another-va-retail-cannabis-market-veto-leaves-businesses-the-public-with-few-options/] Virginia Mercury The Legend of Georgia McBride [https://the5anddime.org/s2026/the-legend-of-georgia-mcbride/] The 5 & Dime Theatre Co. CONTACT: Jesse Mayshark jmayshark@theprogressivesouth.org [jmayshark@theprogressivesouth.org] (865) 214-7764