Headlights: Voices From the Progressive South

Martin King Luther Jr. Day arrives this year in the midst of an ongoing assault on his legacy and the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement at both the national and — in the South — state levels. So this week we spend a little time listening to MLK the man, the leader, the strategist, the philosopher and preacher, who articulated a clear vision for moral and political progress in the United States and across the globe. His work was much broader, and his goals more specific, than the small portions of the “I Have a Dream” speech that gets trotted out every year. Here are some extended excerpts from him, from across his career.

Also: It’s January, which means many of our state legislatures are back in session. We check in on an aggressive package of immigration enforcement bills in Tennessee, questions about school vouchers in Alabama, and electoral politics coloring things in the Georgia State Assembly. Plus: a memoriam for Claudette Colvin, who became a civil rights pioneer as a teenager and died last week.

(Photo: Wes Candela Photography, CC 4.0)

Show Notes:

“Rediscovering Lost Values” MLK (1954)  Audio  Transcript
“The Birth of a New Nation” MLK (1957) Audio Transcript 
KCTA Interview w/MLK (1959) 
The “I Have a Dream” Speech MLK (1963) Audio Transcript
“Eulogy for the Martyred Children” MLK (1963) Audio & Transcript
“Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech” MLK (1964) Audio & Transcript
“Beyond Vietnam — A Time to Break the Silence” MLK (1967) Audio  Transcript
“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” MLK (1968) Audio Transcript
“Immigration policy fights expected to take center stage as Tennessee Legislature reconvenes” Tennessee Lookout
“Tennessee GOP wants to track K-12 student immigration status” Chalkbeat Tennessee
“Busy first day set to kick off 2026 legislative session in Georgia” Georgia Recorder
“Georgia Democrats unveil bills designed to rein in federal immigration agents” Georgia Recorder
“Alabama Legislature 2026 preview: Let’s get this over with” Alabama Reflector
“Judge temporarily blocks Alabama rule saying voucher students can’t play sports for a year” Associated Press
“Civil rights activist Claudette Colvin dies at 86”
The 19th
“Before Rosa Parks, There Was Claudette Colvin” NPR

Democracy is hard. As John Adams said, “It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.” It’s even harder when governments are corrupted by money and partisan chicanery. Which is why the nonprofit group Democracy North Carolina has been fighting for truly representative government in the state for more than 30 years. Jesse talks with Marques Thompson, the group’s Organizing Director, about the work of organizing, advocating and educating voters on issues including redistricting, ballot access, and the outsize role of corporate interests. He also talked about the impact the recent wave of immigration enforcement across North Carolina could have on this year’s elections.

Also: Why Texas A&M is censoring Plato, Tennessee opts out of federal funding for summer food assistance for low-income children, and Louisiana gives up on redistricting this year. And a look at a new exhibition that celebrates the music of Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Show Notes:

Louisiana will use challenged congressional map after Supreme Court declines to expedite ruling

DeSantis calls April special legislative session on Florida congressional redistricting – POLITICO

Gov. Bill Lee declines to secure millions in federal funds to feed Tennessee kids during summer

How a secret recording of a gender identity lecture upended Texas A&M

Texas A&M restrictions on race, gender could affect 200 courses

martin-peterson

Texas A&M Bans Plato (further updates) – Daily Nous

Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising – Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The political map of the South is full of interesting questions in 2026, some of which will be answered at the ballot box. In this preview of the new year, Jesse looks at some of the highest-profile races and the contenders facing off in them: Contests for governor and senator in Texas, a fascinating rematch in Alabama, a test of Georgia’s purple-state status, and a high-stakes Democratic primary in Tennessee. Plus: As Carnival season kicks off, we check in on the home of the nation’s first Mardi Gras celebration.

Show Notes:

“Texas Democrats fill every state and federal race on 2026 ballot, a first for either party” The Texas Tribune

Texas Democrats fill every state and federal race on 2026 ballot, a first for either party

“Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa joins Democratic race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott” The Texas Tribune

Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa joins Democratic race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott

“Texas AG Ken Paxton officially enters Senate race against incumbent John Cornyn, Rep. Wesley Hunt” KUT News

https://www.kut.org/politics/2025-11-12/paxton-cornyn-senate-election-texas-congress

“Jasmine Crockett explains stance on Israel and Gaza amid ‘coordinated attack’ on social media” The Grio

Jasmine Crockett explains stance on Israel and Gaza amid ‘coordinated attack’ on social media

“State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt announces run for comptroller, dropping congressional bid” The Texas Tribune

State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt announces run for comptroller, dropping congressional bid

“Raffensperger, who rejected Trump’s false election claims, is running for governor” Axios

https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/09/17/raffensperger-running-for-georgia-governor-trump-election-claims

“Trump endorses Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for Georgia governor” Politico

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/11/trump-burt-jones-georgia-governor-00504647

“Memphis state Rep. Justin Pearson to challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen in 2026 Democratic primary” Tennessee Lookout

https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/08/memphis-state-rep-justin-pearson-to-challenge-u-s-rep-steve-cohen-in-2026-democratic

“Mardi Gras in Mobile” Visit Mobile

​​https://www.mobile.org/events/mardi-gras/

2025 has been a tumultuous and difficult year across the United States, and certainly here in the South. In a year-end episode, Jesse looks back at some of the major issues we’ve covered on Headlights, from immigration enforcement to redistricting battles to labor rights and electoral contests — with help from a selection of voices we’ve heard here. Join us for a quick look back, and a look ahead to 2026. (Photo: SEIU union members protest outside an ICE immigrant detention facility in Basile, La., in July 2025.)

Show Notes:

Headlights Ep. 14: Florida’s War on Immigrants

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-14-floridas-war-on-immigrants

Headlights Ep. 21: Guns and Sanctuary in the South

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-21-guns-and-sanctuary-in-the-south

Headlights Ep. 11: ICE in the Louisiana Heat

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-11-ice-in-the-louisiana-heat

Headlights Ep. 3: A Union Veteran

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-3-a-union-veteran

Headlights Ep. 25: The Heart of Texas

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep25-the-heart-of-texas

Headlights Ep. 27: Looking for Progress in Texas

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-27-looking-for-progress-in-texas

Headlights Ep. 33: ‘Can’t Win’ in North Carolina

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-33-cant-win-in-north-carolina

Headlights Ep. 8: Watering the Roots

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-8-watering-the-roots

Headlights Ep. 29: Signs at the Ballot Box

https://sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-29-signs-at-the-ballot-box

What do you do if you have to run for office in a district that was drawn so that your political party can’t possibly win it? That was the situation Kate Compton Barr faced in a North Carolina state Senate race in 2024. Her solution: radical honesty. She told voters she couldn’t win, and instead talked to them about the damage that rigged maps do to democracy. Then she and some partners launched the Can’t Win Victory Fund, a political action committee dedicated to recruiting other candidates to do the same — all of it focused not on flipping districts but on redrawing the underlying maps, to allow for actual representative government. Jesse talked to her about that, and about her current political run for Congress — as a Republican.

Also: the ongoing conservative makeover of public education in the South. Florida loses track of thousands of K-12 voucher students; the University of Alabama shuts down magazines for Black and female students; and the University of Texas at Austin comes under the sway of the state’s far-right leadership.

And as Hanukkah begins, a look at one of the oldest and most important synagogues in the country — Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, founded in Charleston, S.C., in 1749.

Show Notes:

Can’t Win Victory Fund

https://www.cantwinvictoryfund.com

Fair Map Fight Club

https://www.fairmapfightclub.org

“University of Alabama alumni organize fundraiser for suspended student magazines” Alabama Reflector

https://alabamareflector.com/2025/12/09/university-of-alabama-alumni-organize-fundraiser-for-suspended-student-magazines

1956 Magazine

Home

Alice Magazine

Editor-in-Chief’s Statement on the Suspension of Alice

Florida audit of voucher programs

https://flauditor.gov/pages/pdf_files/2026-046.pdf

“How Florida lost track of 30,000 students, a ‘cautionary tale’ for vouchers” Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/12/08/florida-school-vouchers-audit

“The Conservative Overhaul of the University of Texas Is Underway” The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/us/university-of-texas-republicans-academic-freedom-faculty.html?unlocked_article_code=1.708.iyvL.sYRuY8HBbq9_&smid=url-share

“Texas Republicans are redefining higher ed. It’s creating confusion about free speech on campuses.” The Texas Tribune

Texas Republicans are redefining higher ed. It’s creating confusion about free speech on campuses.

“What a Democrat’s victory in the Miami mayoral election may mean for Trump” Associated Press

https://apnews.com/article/trump-eileen-higgins-miami-mayorelect-democrat-81f0bb99d6195b1d3f5d7f9efd09a334

“Democrat flips northeast Georgia state House seat, pulling off special election upset” Georgia Recorder

https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/12/09/democrat-flips-northeast-georgia-state-house-seat-pulling-off-special-election-upset

History of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

History

All eyes were on Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District last week, where Republicans held onto what has been a safe GOP seat in a special election — but Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn cut the Republican margin of victory from 22 points in 2024 to under 9 points. The swing got the attention of political observers in both parties, who mostly agreed that it could spell bad news for Republicans in the 2026 midterms.

We talk with Tennessee-based political writer and strategist Corbin Trent about what progressive candidates can learn from Behn’s campaign, which focused on affordability and access to health care. We also look at an interesting election in Roswell, Georgia, an affluent suburb of Atlanta where a Democratic mayoral candidate ousted the Republican incumbent.

Plus: a tribute to the late Steve Cropper, whose tasty, funky guitar riffs helped power Stax Records — and all of Southern soul music.

Show Notes:

“GOP Frets ‘Dangerous’ Result in Tennessee” Politico

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/02/tennessee-election-republican-midterms-fallout-00674124

“Super PACs have now spent $7 million in Middle TN U.S. House special election with a week to go” Tennessee Lookout

https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/super-pacs-have-now-spent-7-million-in-middle-tn-u-s-house-special-election-with-a-week-to-go

“Republican Ousted by Democrat in Georgia” Newsweek

https://www.newsweek.com/roswell-mayoral-election-georgia-results-11146935

“Time Is Tight (Live 1970)” Booker T. and the M.G.’s

Jim Hightower has seen Texas politics from the ground up for more than half a century. From editing the progressive Texas Observer to serving as the state’s unlikely Commissioner of Agriculture to writing syndicated columns and books, he has been both a participant and a savvy and often funny observer. And he’s still at it! (Photo: Jesse meeting with Jim Hightower at Austin Beer Garden.)

Jesse sat down with him at an Austin brewpub for a wide-ranging conversation about the Lone Star State’s political past, present and future, the Democratic Party’s corporate money problems, and why “populism” — a word and idea Hightower has long embraced — has circled back into the political mainstream. 

Also: A series of court orders across the South throw roadblocks (however temporary) in MAGA’s political path. And a look at why the South was slow to adopt the Yankee idea of Thanksgiving.

Show Notes:

JimHightower.com

Home

“Court order striking down Texas redistricting map upends plans for candidates across the state” The Texas Tribune

Court order striking down Texas redistricting map upends plans for candidates across the state

“Judge temporarily blocks National Guard deployment in Memphis” Tennessee Lookout

https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/judge-temporarily-blocks-national-guard-deployment-in-memphis

“Florida judge temporarily blocks transfer of downtown Miami land for Trump’s presidential library” Associated Press

https://apnews.com/article/trump-presidential-library-lawsuit-3b0caabee97baeed57913b8256e927ac

“Appellate Court rejects Florida attorney general’s request in Trump library case” Miami Herald

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article312903190.html

“For Decades, Southern States Considered Thanksgiving an Act of Northern Aggression” Atlas Obscura

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/thanksgiving-pumpkin-pie-culture-war

Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/transcript_for_abraham_lincoln_thanksgiving_proclamation_1863.pdf

“How Thanksgiving, the ‘Yankee Abolitionist Holiday,’ Won Over the South” Serious Eats

https://www.seriouseats.com/history-southern-thanksgiving

Wilderness and untamed landscapes loom large in the South’s sense of itself. Southern history and folklore are full of tales of mountains and rivers, swamps and bayous. A new magazine called Southlands aims to explore the Southern outdoors, both literally and literarily. This week Jesse talks to Southlands publisher Boyce Upholt about our relationship to our natural surroundings — and about a new book Upholt has also written, about the history and destiny of the Mississippi River.

Also: a look at public employees across the South who are fighting back in court after being fired or punished for comments about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. And we check in on the First Voices Festival, a celebration of indigenous culture in Atlanta.

Show Notes:

Southlands

https://southlandsmag.com

‘The Great River’ Boyce Upholt

https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393867879

Lawsuit against the University of Tennessee by Professor Tamar Shirinian

https://compassknox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1.pdf

“Former Auburn University instructor sues school, says she was fired over Charlie Kirk post” Alabama Reflector

https://alabamareflector.com/2025/10/17/former-auburn-university-instructor-sues-school-says-she-was-fired-over-charlie-kirk-post

“Spartanburg County teacher’s assistant claims wrongful termination over Charlie Kirk social media post” WYFF News

https://www.wyff4.com/article/charlie-kirk-facebook-post-firing-lawsuit-south-carolina/68005173

“Firing over Charlie Kirk post was unconstitutional, former Clemson professor claims in lawsuit” South Carolina Daily Gazette

https://scdailygazette.com/2025/10/03/firing-over-charlie-kirk-post-was-unconstitutional-former-clemson-professor-claims-in-lawsuit

“Florida college employee fired after social media post about Charlie Kirk assassination files lawsuit” CBS News

https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/eastern-florida-state-college-charlie-kirk-assassination-comments-lawsuit

“Former MTSU dean, fired for social media posts about Kirk, sues school” The Tennessean

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2025/11/07/former-mtsu-dean-laura-sosh-lightsy-fired-for-charlie-kirk-social-media-posts-sues-school/87146962007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116748p003750c003750d00—-v116748d118728&gca-ft=154&gca-ds=sophi

“Judge temporarily restrains university from firing professor for post about Charlie Kirk” South Dakota Searchlight

https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/09/24/professor-draws-a-crowd-to-court-while-asking-for-reinstatement-after-kirk-post-spurs-suspension

First Voices Festival

https://www.7stages.org/shows/first-voices-festival-2025/

Democratic candidates romped in Virginia last week, and scored some significant wins in Mississippi and Georgia as well. What does that mean to politics in the rest of the South? It’s complicated! That’s why we asked Tennessee state Rep. Gloria Johnson, one of the “Tennessee Three,” to join us for some analysis and thoughts about the results.

She tells us why she thinks the pushback against conservative dominance in the South is real — and what it can learn not only from Virginia, Mississippi and Georgia, but also from Zohran Mamdani’s win in New York City. Plus: her thoughts on President Donald Trump’s pardon of convicted felon and former Tennessee state House Speaker Glen Casada.

In our arts and culture segment, we forward — from afar — to the 8th annual Beignet Fest this weekend in New Orleans. We’re wondering what exactly Crawfish Etouffee beignet fries are.

Show Notes:

“Blue wave rebuilds the House” Virginia Mercury

https://virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/blue-wave-rebuilds-the-house-democrats-soar-to-at-least-64-seats-in-virginia

“Democrats end GOP two-thirds supermajority in Mississippi Senate. What does that mean?” Mississippi Today

https://mississippitoday.org/2025/11/05/democrats-end-gop-two-thirds-supermajority-in-mississippi-senate-what-does-that-mean

“Democrats flip two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission” Georgia Recorder

https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/11/04/democrat-alicia-johnson-appears-to-defeat-longtime-georgia-utility-regulator

Beignet Fest

https://beignetfest.com/

What does it take to run an effective progressive political campaign in the South? This week, Jesse talks to political consultant Eva Posner of Evinco Strategies, who specializes in exactly that. She focuses on candidates from working-class and marginalized communities, and also helps train campaign managers and staffers — helping to build progressive political infrastructure in places that often lack it.

Also: As wrangling continues over SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown, we look at the importance of the food stamp program in the South, where one-third of its lower-income beneficiaries live. Virginia and Louisiana have put forward plans to cover any gaps for their residents at least through November. But Texas and Florida, whose residents together receive about $1.1 billion a month in SNAP funding, have no plans at all.

Plus: A look at the 1924 exhibition in Jacksonville, Fla., that helped introduce Modern art to the South.

Show Notes:

Evinco Strategies

https://www.evincostrategies.com

“SNAP: Key Statistics and Research” U.S. Department of Agriculture

https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research

SNAP benefits by state 

https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-benefits-8.pdf

“The loss of SNAP benefits could have ripple effects across the economy” Marketplace

https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/10/28/the-loss-of-snap-benefits-could-have-ripple-effects-across-the-economy

“The Armory South” MOCA Jacksonville

https://mocajacksonville.unf.edu/exhibitions/permanent-collection/armory-south.html

What are the prospects for progress in Texas? Who better to ask than Progress Texas? This week Jesse talks to Chris Mosser, a veteran broadcaster who reports for the nonprofit media platform. They talk Lone Star politics, including this year’s redistricting fight and names to watch in next year’s elections.

Also: how Florida sugar barons are capitalizing on their relationship with Trump; an Alabama school for LGBTQ students has to revise its mission to keep its charter; and a Texas school district locks its libraries.

In the arts and culture segment, we look at the origins and spread of Trunk or Treating — coming to a church parking lot near you!

Show Notes:

Progress Texas

https://progresstexas.org

“Meet The Florida Sugar Barons Worth $4 Billion And Getting Sweet Deals From Donald Trump” Forbes Magazine

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2025/10/16/fanjul-family-sugar-barons-worth-4-billion-donald-trump-coca-cola

“​​Coca-Cola’s Trump-approved soda begins to roll out in the United States” CNN

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/21/food/coca-cola-cane-sugar-launch

“America’s Addiction to Big Sugar Leaves a Bitter Aftertaste” The Heritage Foundation

https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/americas-addiction-big-sugar-leaves-bitter-aftertaste

Magic City Acceptance Academy

https://www.magiccityacceptanceacademy.org

“Magic City Acceptance Academy secures renewal from Alabama Public Charter School Commission” Alabama Reflector

https://alabamareflector.com/2025/10/16/magic-city-acceptance-academy-secures-renewal-from-alabama-public-charter-school-commission

Alabama Public Charter School Commission Meeting, 10/15/25

“Magic City Acceptance Academy and the cost of state-sanctioned bigotry” Alabama Reflector

https://alabamareflector.com/2025/10/20/magic-city-acceptance-academy-and-the-cost-of-state-sanctioned-bigotry

“A Texas District Has Just Banned Students from Secondary School Libraries” BookRiot

“New Braunfels ISD libraries to reopen Monday, 81 books flagged for further review” KSAT-TV

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/10/24/new-braunfels-isd-libraries-to-reopen-monday-81-books-flagged-for-further-review

“What to know about trunk-or-treating, a trick-or-treating alternative” National Public Radio

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1209559780/what-is-trunk-or-treat-halloween

A new report shines light on gun deaths in Tennessee. It shows that the state has high levels of both gun homicides and suicides — and they have risen as conservative legislators have rolled back gun safety laws. We dig into the data with its lead researcher, Beth Joslin Roth, and state Senator Heidi Campbell.

Also: Mississippi this year declared a public health emergency as its infant mortality rate hit its highest level in a decade. It has the worst infant mortality in the country, but many other Southern states aren’t much better. Health care advocates say it will only get worse if subsidies for coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplace vanishes next year — which is one of the sticking points in the federal government shutdown.

And we pay tribute to the great soul singer D’Angelo, and look at how his roots in Richmond, Virginia, shaped his music.

Show Notes:

Tennessee Under the Gun

https://tnunderthegun.wixsite.com/tn-under-the-gun

“Southern Lawmakers Say Infant Mortality Rates Could Worsen with Health Care Cuts” NOTUS

https://www.notus.org/health-science/southern-lawmakers-infant-mortality-rates-health-care-cuts

“Stats of the States: Infant Mortality” CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/infant-mortality.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/infant_mortality_rates/infant_mortality.htm

“4.8 Million People Will Lose Coverage in 2026 If Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire” Urban Institute and the Commonwealth Fund

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/4.8-Million-People-Will-Lose-Coverage-in-2026-If-Enhanced-Premium-Tax-Credits-Expire.pdf

“MSDH Declares Public Health Emergency on Infant Mortality” Mississippi State Department of Health

https://msdh.ms.gov/page/23,30305,341.html

“The Legendary Ingramettes” Richmond Folk Festival

https://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/2024-folklife-performances/2024/8/12/the-legendary-ingramettes

“D’Angelo Brought Virginia’s Soul to the World” Justin Tinsley, Andscape