Episode 6: TSA & Texas Infrastructure ft. Ariel Slick

Don and Lawson kick things off with a conversation about the TSA funding disputes rattling travelers across the nation, then welcome Fort Worth author and journalist Ariel Slick for a deep dive into Texas infrastructure, historical floods, and the water crisis quietly building across the Lone Star State.

From the devastating floods of Fort Worth and San Antonio to the funding gaps leaving Central Texas communities at risk, this episode connects the dots between history and what is happening right now. Ariel breaks down the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card and shares a sobering stat: if Texas does nothing, by 2070 nearly 550,000 Texans could have less than 10 percent of the water they need. The time to contact your state representative is today.

⚠️ A Note on Audio Quality We hear you and we are sorry! This episode has some echo issues we are actively working to fix. Better sound is coming.

Thank you for your patience and for riding with us. ☕

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Texas Infrastructure 06:26 Funding and Accountability for Infrastructure Issues 11:37 Awareness of Flood Risk and Infrastructure Funding 17:06 Texas as a Red State and Funding 22:12 Impact of Population Growth on Water Systems 28:00 Texas Infrastructure Rating and Book Release

Key Takeaways Historical floods in Texas have shaped infrastructure and communities in ways still felt today. Funding gaps and lack of public awareness remain the biggest barriers to meaningful change. Population growth across Texas is outpacing the infrastructure built to support it. And if no action is taken, millions of Texans face serious water shortages by 2070.

Resources from Ariel 🔗 Texas Water Development Board State Flood Plan 🔗 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card 🌐 arielslickwrites.com

📸 Instagram: @arielslickwrites

🐦 X/Twitter: @arielslickwrites

About Ariel Slick Ariel Slick is a novelist and journalist from Fort Worth, Texas. Her novels include The Devil Take the Blues, The Royals of Sea and Song, and The Good Harbor Witches mystery series co-written with USA Today Bestselling author Jeri White. Her articles have appeared in Texas Highways, The Texas Observer, Texas Co-op Power, Deep South Magazine, and many others.

Stay Connected with Two Texas Teas 🎙️ All Episodes: https://biosites.com/twotexasteas 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twotexasteas/ 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twotexasteas 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/twotexasteas ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twotexasteas ✍️ Substack: https://substack.com/@twotexasteas 👕 Rep the Brand: https://twotexasteas.myshopify.com

Real talk. Texas brewed. ☕