Show Notes
How does someone who grew up in California, went to J-school in Illinois, and covered the Florida Legislature end up in Texas? Find out in this episode, where we talk with Renzo Downey, lead writer for The Blast, the Texas Tribune’s newsletter, about what it’s like to cover the Texas Legislature, his love of ‘90s bands, and why you should never burn a source. For more information about The Blast visit https://www.texastribune.org/theblast/. Archived issues of Texas Weekly can be found here: https://texasweekly.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/archive/.
More from Cap Chat Texas
How does a guy from Ohio who grew up dreaming of playing professional baseball become one of Texas’ top political reporters? In this episode of Cap Chat Texas, we visit with Texas Bullpen co-founder Brad Johnson about what it’s like to cover the Texas Legislature, the challenges of starting up a new online publication, and why it's good to not ghost reporters.
In this episode, our guests Don Carleton and Erin Purdy discuss their book Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service, which explores the career and legacy of Texas’s longest-serving lieutenant governor, Bill Hobby. Don and Erin also talk about their work at the Briscoe Center for American History, highlighting its extensive resources, including exhibits, archival papers, oral histories, as well as the Center’s strong emphasis on Texas political history.
In this episode, our guests Don Carleton and Erin Purdy discuss their book Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service, which explores the career and legacy of Texas’s longest-serving lieutenant governor, Bill Hobby. Don and Erin also talk about their work at the Briscoe Center for American History, highlighting its extensive resources, including exhibits, archival papers, oral histories, as well as the Center’s strong emphasis on Texas political history.
Over a career spanning five decades, Lawrence Olsen has done it all - senate messenger, tour guide, agency staffer, journalist, campaign aide, congressional staffer, and lobbyist. In this episode of Cap Chat Texas, Lawrence shares memorable stories from his career including the time he gave a lift to Charley Pride and an unexpected benefit of being a “nepo baby”.
Before co-founding the legislative tracking service US Lege, Laura Carr Davis worked in DC, did advance work for Governor Abbott, lobbied, and headed policy for a state senate office.