What happens when a livestock threat once thought eradicated begins moving north toward Texas?

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Dr. Lori Teller, licensed veterinarian and Executive Director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), to discuss the growing concern surrounding New World screwworm, the state of veterinary medicine in Texas, rural veterinarian shortages, telemedicine, and the future of animal health.

Dr. Teller explains how New World screwworm infestations threaten livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans, and why state and federal agencies are working urgently to prevent its spread throughout Texas and the United States.

The conversation covers:

• What New World screwworm is and how it spreads
• Why the threat has returned after decades of containment
• Sterile fly programs and eradication efforts
• The potential impact on Texas agriculture and food production
• How pet owners should respond to suspicious wounds
• State and federal coordination to contain outbreaks
• Rural veterinarian shortages across Texas
• Student debt and workforce challenges in veterinary medicine
• The Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program
• Veterinary telemedicine and its limitations
• Artificial intelligence in veterinary practice
• Priorities for the upcoming Texas legislative session

Dr. Teller also discusses how veterinary medicine extends far beyond dogs and cats, encompassing livestock, wildlife, public health, food safety, and emergency response efforts that are critical to Texas' economy and agricultural sector.

The discussion explores the challenges of attracting veterinarians to rural communities, where shortages can impact ranchers, farmers, and animal owners across large geographic regions.

The episode concludes with a look at how technology, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence are beginning to transform veterinary care while reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong veterinary networks throughout Texas.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Dr. Lori Teller
01:44 — Veterinary specialties and career paths
03:44 — What is New World screwworm?
06:50 — Why screw worm has returned
09:52 — Sterile fly facilities and containment efforts
11:30 — Worst-case scenarios for Texas agriculture
14:00 — State and federal response efforts
16:13 — Current screwworm cases in Texas
17:52 — What pet owners should do
20:15 — Rural veterinarian shortages
24:18 — The Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program
29:16 — Veterinary telemedicine explained
37:58 — Artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine
41:11 — Priorities for the next legislative session
41:48 — Closing thoughts

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How should Texas address rising property taxes, growing concerns about public safety, and the challenges facing the state's criminal justice system?

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with State Representative Mitch Little, who represents Texas House District 65 in southern Denton County, for a wide-ranging discussion on criminal justice policy, government regulation, property tax reform, and the priorities shaping the next legislative session.

Little, an attorney and member of the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, shares insights from recent interim hearings and discusses how lawmakers are evaluating issues ranging from rural attorney shortages and elder fraud to prosecutorial accountability and public safety.

The conversation covers:

• Rural attorney shortages and the concept of “legal deserts”
• Law school debt, workforce incentives, and market-based solutions
• Elder fraud and cryptocurrency kiosk scams targeting seniors
• Regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrency transactions
• Public safety and criminal justice reform priorities
• Rogue district attorneys and prosecutorial accountability
• Governor Abbott’s proposal for a statewide prosecutor
• Judicial discretion, bail policy, and repeat offenders
• Property tax reform and school finance
• Government spending and affordability concerns
• Priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature

Little also explains why he believes many public policy debates should focus on underlying market realities rather than government subsidies, particularly when addressing workforce shortages in rural communities.

The discussion explores broader concerns about law enforcement, prosecutorial discretion, judicial accountability, and the balance between local control and state oversight in Texas’ criminal justice system.

Looking ahead, Little identifies property tax relief as one of the most significant issues facing Texas families and outlines his perspective on how lawmakers can reduce the burden on homeowners while maintaining essential public services.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Rep. Mitch Little
01:50 — Representing Texas House District 65
03:00 — What interim hearings accomplish
06:00 — Rural attorney shortages and legal deserts
08:39 — Law school debt and workforce incentives
12:15 — Are rural legal shortages really a crisis?
14:01 — Comparing attorney and physician shortages
19:20 — Market solutions versus government subsidies
20:24 — Elder fraud and cryptocurrency scams
23:07 — Why crypto kiosks are being scrutinized
25:33 — Should Texas regulate or ban crypto kiosks?
29:13 — Rogue district attorneys and lawlessness concerns
32:42 — Governor Abbott’s statewide prosecutor proposal
34:02 — Elections, appointments, and accountability
37:42 — Property taxes and legislative priorities
39:26 — How Texas could fund property tax relief
41:00 — Final thoughts and where to follow Mitch Little

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What lessons did Texas learn from the tragedy in Uvalde—and how are lawmakers working to prevent a similar failure from happening again?

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with State Representative Don McLaughlin, who represents Texas House District 80 and previously served as mayor of Uvalde during one of the most difficult periods in the city’s history.

McLaughlin discusses House Bill 33, the Uvalde Strong Act, which was passed unanimously during his first legislative session and is designed to improve coordination, training, leadership, and preparedness among law enforcement agencies responding to active shooter situations.

The conversation covers:

• The lessons learned from the Robb Elementary School tragedy
• House Bill 33 and active shooter preparedness reforms
• Law enforcement recruitment and retention challenges
• Mental health support for first responders
• Rogue district attorneys and accountability proposals
• Border security and immigration enforcement concerns
• The New World screwworm threat and Texas agriculture
• Property taxes, water policy, and education reform priorities
• Key issues facing the 90th Texas Legislature

The discussion also explores broader challenges facing Texas law enforcement, including officer shortages, training standards, public support for policing, and ways to improve recruitment while maintaining professional standards.

Looking ahead, McLaughlin shares his perspective on the major issues likely to dominate the next legislative session, including property tax relief, water infrastructure, border security, and public education.

Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the importance of practical solutions, local experience, and ensuring Texas communities have the resources needed to remain safe and prosperous.

00:00 — Intro + Rep. Don McLaughlin joins
01:00 — From businessman to Uvalde mayor
03:11 — House Bill 33 and the Uvalde Strong Act
05:31 — What went wrong during the Robb Elementary response
08:11 — Early implementation of HB 33
10:16 — Mental health support for first responders
11:52 — Updates from recent public safety hearings
13:37 — Measuring success for school safety reforms
14:10 — Law enforcement recruitment and retention challenges
21:19 — Rogue district attorneys and accountability
23:10 — State prosecutor proposal discussion
24:25 — Police hiring standards and recruitment
25:57 — Childcare, support systems, and officer retention
27:45 — Border security and immigration concerns
30:40 — The New World screwworm threat
33:21 — Property taxes, water, and education priorities
35:15 — Looking ahead to the 90th Legislature
35:53 — Closing thoughts

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