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.

2D AGO

Episode 33: Claudia Stravato

In Episode 33, Tonya talks with Claudia Stravato about the Amarillo League of Women Voters study of Maternal Mortality & Morbidity and recent actions that have addressed concerns related to this issue. On February 2nd, The Amarillo Tribune reported on the 2024 Texas Health and Human Services report, quoting Dr. Teresa Baker, Regional Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at TTUHSC: "...in the local service area, 30% of pregnant people suffer from preeclampsia, and as high as 20% suffer from gestational diabetes; locally, seizure disorders and chronic hypertension have higher rates in our area than the rest of the state; overall, 5% to 20% of expectant mothers in our area experience one or more of these factors." Because of these high rates in the area, bringing awareness has become a priority! Claudia Stravato is currently a Political Science Adjunct Instructor of State & Local Government at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, and a former full-time faculty Political Science Instructor of State & Local Government. She earned her Master of Science in Government & Economics, and Bachelor of Science in Government & Economics from West Texas State University. Claudia did her post-grad work in Higher Education at Texas Tech University. In her earlier career, Claudia worked for Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock (Texas Senate). She was also Chief of Staff for Bob Bullock’s campaign for Lieutenant Governor and Campaign Director for State Comptroller of Public Accounts, including having served as Regional Field Manager in the Texas Panhandle. Claudia’s full list of achievements and honors is extensive and extraordinary, and we were honored to speak with this 50+ year League member and local community advocate. DIVE DEEPER! Amarillo Tribune coverage: Local efforts to combat maternal depression, mortality and morbidity. Amarillo Public Health / Women’s Health Clinic: The clinic is dedicated to supporting women’s health through confidential and compassionate care by offering a wide range of services — from cervical cancer screenings and contraception guidance to Medicaid navigation and resources for pregnancy support. The clinic offers services tailored to meet the needs of women in Potter and Randall counties. The Women’s Clinic can connect individuals with many different types of resources. Staff will walk you through a personalized assessment to understand your unique needs and circumstances. From there, the clinic can connect you with the most appropriate in-house services and/or trusted community partners, ensuring you receive the guidance, care, and resources needed. ~ Located at 850 Martin Road (off Amarillo Blvd.), Amarillo, TX, 79107. Ph: 806-378-6329

37 min
MAR 22

Episode 32: League 101

In Episode 32 we offer a replay of League 101, the monthly public presentation, given by the Amarillo League of Women Voters, February 28, 2026. Kimberly Anderson, current president moderates this informative discussion among 4 Amarillo LWV past presidents. The Co-Presidents before Kimberly are Jenny Inzerillo and Michelle Hoggatt. Preceding Jenny and Michelle is Sonya Letson and preceding Sonya is Claudia Stravato.

55 min
MAR 7

Episode 31: Bryan Hummel

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1h 17m
FEB 22

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

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

37
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© League of Women Voters of Amarillo
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