Lone Star Deep Dive

Tonya Kleuskens

5.0 (1)
POLITICS

Welcome to Lone Star Deep Dive! We believe that when we take the time to talk to one another, we often find connections that lead to a better understanding of our communities, our state, our nation -- and ourselves. Join us on a journey to explore the intersection of passion, personality and public policy.

7H AGO

Episode 30: Julie Grimes

In Episode 30, Tonya talks with Julie Grimes, General Manager of Panhandle PBS. Julie tells us about the changes to PBS as a result of the federal funding recission that took place in 2025. They also discuss Panhandle leadership among Texas PBS affiliates and how public television stations are working to protect the unique, quality programing that viewers have enjoyed for more than five decades. Julie Grimes is a Texas-native, public media leader, and former food journalist who currently serves as general manager of Panhandle PBS, where she champions locally-produced storytelling that amplifies the voices and issues of the Texas Panhandle. Before joining Panhandle PBS, she built a national reputation as senior food editor for Southern Living and Cooking Light—work that continues to inform her community-focused projects. Grimes is a frequent voice in statewide conversations about the future of public broadcasting in Texas, advocating for collaboration among stations and sustainable models to keep trusted local journalism and educational content strong.

44 min
FEB 7

Episode 29: Sheri Friemel

In episode 29 Tonya talks with Sheri Friemel about grief and resources. Tonya and Sheri go deep sharing about their loss of adult children and how they are personally changed from that moment forward, and Sheri shares about her position as Program Manager for the Amarillo LOSS team. Adopted to the Texas Panhandle, a Small Town Farm Girl and mother of three sons, Sheri Friemel graduated from West Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She also has Certifications in Youth Ministry, Theology, Healing and Recovery for Sexual Abuse Survivors, Discovering Spiritual Gifts and Equine Assisted Learning. After teaching and an extensive career in Youth Ministry and Pastoral Leadership and Management, she is now the Program Manager for the Amarillo Area LOSS Team with the City of Amarillo Public Health as well as an Equine Assisted Learning Coach at Dove Creek Equine Rescue. She specializes in Grief, Leadership and Crisis Response. She is honored to come along side others, as they heal, discern and discover a more purposed filled soulful journey.

51 min
JAN 24

Episode 28: Max Dunlap

Are you ready in the face of a disaster? What should you have on hand? In episode 28 Tonya talks with Max Dunlap, Amarillo’s Deputy Director for Emergency Management. He's the Yellow City' go-to professional for information regarding personal preparedness (i.e., what we should do, have and know), as well as management and response in the face of an emergency. Max hails from the small mountain town of Westcliffe, Colorado. While growing up, he split his time between his family’s land and a nearby, large-scale commercial horse ranch; he praises his ranching hometown for instilling in him the true meaning of public service. Since he was a teenager, he knew that he wanted a life in service, especially after feeling the effects of working as a volunteer youth firefighter. Continuing his commitment to service, Max enlisted in the military and later earned his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. He came to the city in 2019 as the entry-level Emergency Management Planner, but he quickly rose to the Deputy Director position in 2020 and then became Director in December 2022. Max brings almost two decades of experience in crisis leadership, disaster response, civic communication, public safety, and compliance to his position. He believes that strong communities are built by engaged individuals, and emergency preparedness works the same way: take care of yourself so that you are in a position to help take care of others. Driven to help foster multi-agency cohesion and bridge gaps through knowledge, Max has dedicated his time at Emergency Management to informing as many residents as possible. When he's off the clock, Max enjoys working in his garden, tinkering on projects, and -- most of all -- spending time with his wife Caitlan and their son, Samuel.

56 min
JAN 10

Episode 27: Tim Ingalls

In Episode 27, Tonya talks with Amarillo's own Timothy Ingalls about land regeneration, holistic range management, his deep family history in the Texas Panhandle, his work with the Tecovas Foundation, and so much more. Tim is fourth-generation owner and manager of the Frying Pan Ranch (Bush-Emeny Properties) in the Texas Panhandle, as well as a philanthropist. He is proud to have been born and raised in Amarillo, and he has spent his life working to make the city more efficient with its resources. Following high school, he spent five years traveling globally. When he returned to the United States, he attended college at Washington University in St. Louis, earning his degree in Economics. He later moved around a bit, trying out different lifestyles and regions -- but the call to home was strong, so he's been in the Yellow City ever since. Tim is an advocate for land rehydration, bike-friendly infrastructure, environmental management for range land, and conservation-minded municipal management. We had a lively discussion about Amarillo, our resources, and how best to protect them.

1h 6m
09/25/2025

Episode 26: John Umphress

In Episode 26, Tonya Kleuskens talks with John Umphress about the 89th Texas Legislature passing HB14, which allows for $350 million to be used to increase nuclear power in Texas. About $120 million of this funding is earmarked for both Texas Tech University and Abilene Christian University (for research on a molten salt reactor). The bill also establishes the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office to oversee this support. John Umphress is a life-long resident of Texas with more than four decades of experience in public policy, mostly in the fields of water and energy resources. Prior to his retirement, John spent 14 years at Austin Energy, where he developed the residential energy code for the city of Austin. His goal for the code was to encourage the design and construction of net-zero energy homes. He is currently an apiarist, or beekeeper, running 240 colonies and building a net-zero home in Burnet County. DIVE DEEPER! Learn more about HB14, including written text and sponsors.

42 min
09/04/2025

Episode 25: Dr. Evgenia Spears

In Episode 25, we continue our updates with Dr. Evgenia Spears, by exploring the changes enacted by the 89th Texas Legislature. Dr. Spears will explain to us about the shift in oversight for produced water and desalination discharge. Evgenia Spears is the Water Program Coordinator at the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter, where she leads advocacy efforts to protect access to clean water resources in Texas. Through grassroots organizing, water education, and legislative advocacy at the Texas capitol, she works to ensure that communities across the state have a voice in shaping a sustainable water future. Having lived in rural Ukraine, suburban Russia, and now in the U.S., Evgenia brings a unique perspective on water management, viewing water not simply as a resource to manage but as a relationship to nurture. Guided by this philosophy, one of the new initiatives Evgenia is leading is the Sierras Club Water for People & the Environment Committee, created to educate Texans about water issues across the state and empower them to become stronger advocates in their communities. Through her leadership, this committee brings together Texans from diverse backgrounds and geographic regions, united by a shared commitment to protecting our water resources. Prior to joining Sierra Club, Evgenia spent several years at Texas A&M University in College Station where she earned a doctorate with a focus on natural resource management, taught undergraduate courses on natural resource policy, served as a watershed coordinator with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and collaborated with Texas A&M and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to develop strategic natural resource planning documents for the state. Outside of her work, Evgenia enjoys being with her family, spending time in nature, and traveling. DIVE DEEPER! Desalination study done by the Texas GLO and TPWD. Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club's action alert and petition to TCEQ to strengthen the surface water quality standards in Texas.

19 min
08/28/2025

Episode 24: Dr. Ken Kramer

Transcript Here In Episode 24 of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, Dr. Ken Kramer explains the water infrastructure funding bill passed by the Texas Legislature, and the November Constitutional Amendment to allow for funding, which will be on our November 2025 ballot. Dr.Kramer is a writer and Texas water policy specialist who currently serves as the “public” representative on the Region H Water Planning Group which conducts water supply planning for the 15-county area that includes Houston. He's also a representative on the stakeholder committees for environmental flows for the Brazos, Trinity, and San Jacinto River Basins, as well as Galveston Bay. In addition, he serves as the treasurer for the Texas Water Foundation board. Dr. Kramer received a BA in History with a minor in Government from Texas Lutheran University in 1969. He was awarded an M.A. in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1971 and then served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. He received his PhD in political science in 1979 from Rice University. For 45 years Dr. Kramer was a volunteer or professional advocate for the Lone Star chapter of the Sierra Club -- an association that began as an elected member of the Chapter Executive Committee as chair of "Legislative" and "Water Resources" committees. He then served for over seven years as the Sierra Club's contract lobbyist in Austin, TX. He became the first Director of the Lone Star Chapter in January 1989 and served in this capacity through July 2012. Upon his retirement as Director, he again became the Chapter’s volunteer water resources chair for over 10 years. Transcript Here

18 min
08/21/2025

Episode 23: Lauren Bick

In Episode 23, we continue our updates with Lauren Bick by exploring the changes enacted by the 89th Texas Legislature. Lauren will explain the changes to Child Welfare intervention and support of older children in Foster Care. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with undergraduate degrees in Public Health and Psychology, Lauren returned to her hometown of San Antonio, TX. Lauren has worked under a judge in the Bexar County Children’s Court Division, conducting research on critical issues impacting foster youth and families in the area, including access to healthcare and housing, support for kinship caregivers, and older youth access to continuing education benefits through the College Bound Docket. Lauren joined the local League soon after returning to San Antonio in September 2024. As the Issue Chair, she has been advocating for policies to address the most pressing challenges of at-risk youth. Having spent much of her academic career working on issues far from home, she found it both refreshing and rewarding to advocate for beneficial change in her own community. To stay engaged with her community and local government, she plans to attend law school in the near future. Lauren reminds us, that the Legue of Women Voters supports only policies that “Promote the well-being, full development, and safety of all children.” DIVE DEEPER! LWVSA June Newsletter Article providing a more complete legislative update on bills impacting children. Bexar County College Bound Docket program supporting older foster youth pursuing continuing education.

14 min

Welcome to Lone Star Deep Dive! We believe that when we take the time to talk to one another, we often find connections that lead to a better understanding of our communities, our state, our nation -- and ourselves. Join us on a journey to explore the intersection of passion, personality and public policy.

Creator

Tonya Kleuskens
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

34
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© League of Women Voters of Amarillo
Show Website

Lone Star Deep Dive