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The State Fair of Texas, described as a celebration of all things Texan, is currently running through October 18 at Fair Park in the city of Dallas, where it's been held nearly every year since 1886.

However, while this massive annual state fair is known for being Dallas's signature event, the first official state fair in the state of Texas wasn’t held in Dallas, but rather in the city of Houston, on the north side of Buffalo Bayou.

In this episode, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media's Party Politics, explains why the first state fair was organized in Houston, why the state fair eventually disappeared from the Bayou City, and how Dallas became the home of the state fair we know today.

Also, Rottinghaus speaks with a former journalist and long-time Dallas resident, who's been documenting the story of Fair Park and the State Fair of Texas, to get her perspective on the current challenges facing Fair Park and what's happening to address the problematic parts of its history.

Featured Guest: Myra Moore, president of Restore Fair Park

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Houston is a city that proves that if you dream big enough, reality will eventually catch up.

In this episode, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media's Party Politics, celebrates Houston's 190th birthday (August 30, 2026) by exploring the history of its city seal and what the train at the center of it represents.

Also, we hear him talk with a nationally recognized vexillologist and retired Houston judge, who explains the history and symbolism behind the city of Houston’s flag, why cities even have their own flag, and why some city flags become a part of a person’s cultural identity.

Featured Guest: Charles Spain, Former Justice on the Texas 14th District Court of Appeals and Vexillologist

You can find more Texperts at texperts.org and houstonpublicmedia.org

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Who watches the people wearing the black robes?

Texas has more elected judges than almost any state in the entire United States, and with that much power comes the occasional scandal — From questionable gifts to courtroom outbursts and even judges claiming divine guidance.

In this episode, University of Houston political science professor and Party Politics co-host, Brandon Rottinghaus, dives into how the state of Texas disciplines its judges and how ordinary Texans can keep an eye on them before their bad behavior spirals out of control.

Featured Guest: Justice Ken Wise, Place 7 on the Texas 14th Court of Appeals

You can find more Texperts at texperts.org and houstonpublicmedia.org

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Food trucks can be found everywhere in Texas, and they have, in many ways, become a part of the state's culinary culture. However, for many years, operating one meant navigating a series of local permits, inspections, and fees every time a truck crossed into a new city.

And now, as of July 1, 2026, a new Texas law has taken effect that creates a single statewide health permit for food trucks, replacing the patchwork of city-by-city licensing. While this new law has garnered supporters, who say it will lower costs, critics have argued that it shifts power away from the cities.

In the audio above, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media's Party Politics, explores this new law, what its supporters and critics are saying about it, and hears a Houston-area restaurant owner's own personal journey navigating the previous permitting system for food trucks.

Featured Guest: Jafar Hajjar, owner of Fuzzy's Pizza in Katy.

You can find more Texperts at texperts.org and houstonpublicmedia.org

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The county attorney serves as the county's chief civil lawyer, handling various civil issues, including advising county officials, representing the county in lawsuits, and ensuring local government is following the law.

Additionally, when voting rights are challenged at the local level, it's often the county attorney who defends election officials or helps guide the county's legal response.

In this episode, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media's Party Politics, explains what county attorneys do, which local election officials they work with, and how they defend the county from state overreach.

Featured Guest: Jonathan Fombonne, Harris County Attorney

You can find more Texperts at texperts.org and houstonpublicmedia.org

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Texas's official state flower, the bluebonnet, was first adopted in 1901, and since then, Texans have joyously anticipated wildflower season.

However, even with Texans' undeniable love for Bluebonnets, a legend surrounding the official state flower has long persisted – that it's illegal to pick them. Despite the staying power of this belief, state agencies have continued to clarify that it's not true.

In this episode, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media's Party Politics, explains why picking Bluebonnets isn’t illegal, breaks down the state laws surrounding them, and explores their history and significance to the state of Texas.

Featured Guest: Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

You can find more Texperts at texperts.org and houstonpublicmedia.org

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Texas is known for its legal advertising billboards that many of us have undoubtedly seen while stuck in traffic or driving on the state's highways.

However, contrary to what some may think, given the, at times, humorous nature of these ads, they are subject to very strict rules and regulations about the way lawyers advertise their services and the language they use.

In this episode, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media’s Party Politics, breaks down Texas's laws on legal advertising and what attorneys can and can't say in these billboards.

You can find more Texperts at texperts.org and houstonpublicmedia.org