Plano Podcast Plano Podcast

Thousands turned up in downtown Plano for Hungry for Change, a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Plano, Texas. Hear from organizer Cheryl “Action” Jackson and leaders Cynt Marshall,  Ed Drain and S. Lee Merritt who spoke at the rally. Plus, we talk with a retired Plano cop who was in attendance, and has a unique story of his own. You might remember him as "OP".

Education during the COVID-19 pandemic has gone virtual. It's a new frontier in education for Plano. While COVID-19  has shut down many businesses and nonprofits, the business of educating our young people in Plano and Collin County is still in full operation. We talk to Dr. Neil Matkin, president of Collin College, and Sara Bonser, superintendent of Plano ISD. They share how they're forging the path ahead. Plus, a word Jana Hancock, director of guidance and family services at Plano ISD.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is in Plano, Texas. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has turned life upside-down in Plano and around the world. Where can we get testing? Why isn’t the city telling us where COVID-19 positive patients have worked and shopped? When will this be over? We went looking for answers at the city, county and state level, talking to Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, Collin County Administrator Bill Bilyeu and State Representative Jeff Leach.  Plus, we found a few silver linings — ingenious ways that area residents, businesses and nonprofits are coping during the crisis and helping others — including a platform called Get Shift Done that will help fill understaffed volunteer shifts at nonprofits with furloughed restaurant and service industry employees. Hear from Sejal Desai of the Communities Foundation of Texas about how to get involved.

Plano hometown hero and Super Bowl Champ Rex Burkhead is gearing up for the 4th Annual Team Jack Trifecta, a fundraiser for pediatric brain cancer that takes place in Plano in March 21, 2020. Rex checked in with us again for an update - and this time, he brought his mom, Robyn Burkhead who’s a champ in her own right. Hear their amazing story.

It's that time of year when we show some love! Allow us introduce you to our Plano Podcast Valentine, the Rev. Isiah Joshua, a beloved pastor and Plano community leader. Hear how he's helped Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church grow by leaps and bounds and why worshipers drive for hours just to hear him preach. Plus, he shares his hopes  and dreams for the city of Plano.

We can’t let Officer Parker - "OP" - retire this month, after 34 years with Plano PD, without making a splash.  He’s become a beloved Plano character and was one of our favorite podcast interviewees ever. We've pumped up our February 2017 Valentine to OP episode with previously unreleased excerpts as our tribute to this very special man. Hear for yourself why Officer Arthur G. Parker means so much to the community of Plano.