Southlake

NBC News

About

Southlake, Texas, seems to have it all: stately homes, intense civic pride, and above all, terrific schools. So when a video surfaced in 2018 showing Southlake high school students chanting the N-word—and when Black residents came forward to share stories of racist harassment and bullying—the school board vowed to make changes. But the unveiling of the Cultural Competence Action Plan set off a backlash that’s consumed Southlake, fueled by a growing national crusade against critical race theory. Hosted by NBC News national reporter Mike Hixenbaugh (host of the hit podcast Do No Harm) and NBC News correspondent Antonia Hylton, Southlake tells the story of how one idyllic city became the test case for a new political strategy with national repercussions.

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38 episodes

They Came for the Schools

In an exclusive audio excerpt from Chapter 1 of “They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms,” author Mike Hixenbaugh uncovers Southlake’s history, demonstrating how policies meant to protect the town from outside development a half-century ago helped plant the seeds for conflicts over diversity, equity and inclusion—conflicts that are now tearing apart suburbs across the nation. For more details and to purchase the book, on sale May 14, 2024, follow this link: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/they-came-for-the-schools-mike-hixenbaugh?variant=41284682088482

40m
May 14
Special preview of Into America presents: Uncounted Millions

On Into America presents: Uncounted Millions: The Power of Reparations, award-winning MSNBC correspondent Trymaine Lee dives into one of today’s most pressing debates: reparations.  Months ago, Trymaine discovered the little-known story of Gabriel Coakley and it blew his mind. In the midst of the Civil War, Coakley was among a handful of Black people who found a way to get compensated for slavery by the US government. On Uncounted Millions, Trymaine talks to Coakley’s descendants about how reparations forever changed their family’s trajectory. And as more cities and states consider the issue at a policy level, he imagines how reparations might shape the whole of Black America.   Listen to this special preview now. And follow the show: https://link.chtbl.com/iapum_fdlw

6m
Feb 15
Grapevine - Ep. 6: A Final Lesson

Grapevine goes to the polls in a contentious school board election driven by the fight over the role of religion and LGBTQ inclusion in public schools. As the dust settles, Ren reflects on the impact of her mother’s allegations. And, after months of feeling as if she’s had to erase herself, Em Ramser reclaims her voice.

49m
Nov 27, 2023
Grapevine - Ep. 5: Open The Floodgates

Evangelical activists open a new front in their campaign to impose their version of biblical morality in public schools — at the Texas statehouse. While legislators debate bills requiring the Ten Commandments and banning mention of gender identity in classrooms, three nonbinary students share the trauma they’ve endured at Grapevine High. Meanwhile, a coalition of progressive parents and disillusioned conservatives pledge to retake control of their school system.

44m
Nov 27, 2023
Grapevine - Ep. 4: A Raging Fire

Weston Brown, 28, sees a video of his homeschooling mother calling for dozens of books on sexuality and gender to be banned from public schools in another Texas school district. To counter her political activism, Weston publicly shares his story of growing up gay in a fundamentalist Christian family. Feeling pressured by parents and school officials, Em Ramser removes LGBTQ symbols from her classroom and no longer recognizes the teacher she’s become.

43m
Nov 27, 2023
Grapevine - Ep. 3: A Harvest Is Coming

Amid a growing anti-trans backlash, Ren devises a plan to get out of Texas — and away from her mother. In Grapevine, Sharla’s claim that teacher Em Ramser “infected” her child with lies about gender triggers online attacks, leading Ramser to consider leaving the profession.

47m
Nov 27, 2023
Grapevine - Ep. 2: The Seven Mountains

Conservatives are gaining power in Grapevine, fueled by a once-fringe movement that calls on evangelicals to control the seven key “mountains” of American society — including education. A cellphone company with a Christian nationalist agenda heeds that call and sets its sights on winning school board seats in Grapevine, following an example set a year earlier in the neighboring city of Southlake. CORRECTION (Oct. 4, 2023, 08:40 p.m. ET): A previous version of this episode misstated the amount of money Patriot Mobile Action spent in school board elections in North Texas in spring 2022. It was nearly $500,000, not $600,000.  

44m
Nov 27, 2023
Grapevine - Ep. 1: The Girl And The English Teacher

A mother named Sharla publicly accuses a high school teacher in Grapevine, Texas, of using a graphic novel called “The Prince and the Dressmaker” to convince her child to change genders. Reporters Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton set out to investigate the allegation. Sharla’s child, Ren, and Ren’s English teacher, Em Ramser, tell them a different story.

43m
Nov 27, 2023
Special Excerpt of Grapevine

The team behind Southlake is back with the story of a neighboring north Texas school district, where a parent has accused a teacher of convincing her child to change genders. Hosts Antonia Hylton and Mike Hixenbaugh show how these types of allegations against teachers are tied to a national movement to impose conservative Christian morality in public schools. This is a special excerpt of episode 3 of Grapevine, a new six-part podcast series from NBC News Studios. To hear the show, follow now: https://link.chtbl.com/grapevine_alw_

11m
Oct 18, 2023
Special Preview of Grapevine

Two years after conservative activists in Southlake, Texas, turned critical race theory into a right-wing rallying cry, the political fight has shifted. Now, the team behind the Peabody Award-winning podcast Southlake tells the story of one family broken apart in the midst of a new anti-LGBTQ culture war, and the high school English teacher caught in the middle. This is a special preview of episode 1 of Grapevine, a new six-part podcast series from NBC News Studios. To listen to the first two episodes, follow now: https://link.chtbl.com/grapevine_alw_

20m
Oct 04, 2023
From the Southlake team – Introducing Grapevine

Two years after conservative activists in Southlake, Texas, turned critical race theory into a right-wing rallying cry, the political fight has shifted. Now, the team behind the Peabody Award-winning podcast Southlake tells the story of one family broken apart in the midst of a new anti-LGBTQ culture war, and the high school English teacher caught in the middle. Listen to a special preview of Grapevine, a new six-part podcast series from NBC News Studios, and follow now to get the first two episodes on Wednesday, October 4: https://link.chtbl.com/grapevine_fdlw

3m
Sep 27, 2023
BONUS: Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News

As a bonus for listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of “Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News,” a new original podcast series from MSNBC. In each episode, Rachel Maddow and co-host Isaac-Davy Aronson seek a deeper understanding of a story in today's headlines by asking: Has anything like this ever happened before? Would knowing that help us grapple with what’s happening now… and what might happen next? Listen to the first episode now and follow the series: https://link.chtbl.com/rmpdn_fdlw

5m
Jun 12, 2023
An all-new season of ‘Dateline Missing in America’

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for Season 2 of . The chart-topping podcast series is back with a brand-new season and brand-new cases.    Are you the key to solving a mystery? Correspondents Josh Mankiewicz, Andrea Canning and Keith Morrison report on perplexing missing person cases brought to Dateline’s attention by our social media followers. Each episode focuses on one person’s story, as told by those left behind. Listen carefully to the details, descriptions and clues offered by family, friends and investigators. Something you hear might jog a memory that could help authorities crack a case.   You can listen to the first two episodes of  season 2 here: https://link.chtbl.com/mias2_fdlw

1m
May 30, 2023
Special Preview: New episode of Tiffany Dover Is Dead* Podcast

As a preview for Southlake listeners, here’s a sneak peek from a special new episode of , an NBC News podcast about misinformation and conspiracy theories. Nine months after the series ended without landing an on-the-record interview with its subject, Tiffany Dover speaks out for the first time. In this clip, she shares her side of the story and why we haven’t heard from her until now. Follow the podcast to listen to this episode or catch up on the whole story: https://link.chtbl.com/ttdisbe_fd

6m
Apr 10, 2023
Introducing: The Girl in the Blue Mustang

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for The Girl in the Blue Mustang, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Keith Morrison.  When 18-year-old Michelle O’Keefe is found murdered in her shiny new blue Mustang in a California park and ride, investigators encounter a confusing crime scene and a witness who seems to know too much. In Dateline’s latest original podcast series, Keith Morrison takes us to the High Desert outside Los Angeles for a story featuring twists, turns and a sharp-eyed Dateline viewer who steers the case in an entirely new direction. Get the first two episodes for free on Tuesday, March 14, or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to episodes 1 and 2 now.   Listen to the first 2 episodes now for free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free: https://link.chtbl.com/tgitbm_fdlw

1m
Mar 14, 2023
Introducing Letters from Sing Sing

As a bonus for Southlake listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of Letters from Sing Sing, a new original podcast from NBC News Studios. Letters from Sing Sing tells the story of a man convicted of murder, his fight for justice, and how the letters he sent NBC News producer Dan Slepian sparked a 20-year investigation that changed both of their lives. Listen to the first two episodes now: https://link.chtbl.com/lfss_fdlw

1m
Feb 20, 2023
Introducing: Murder & Magnolias

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for Murder & Magnolias, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Keith Morrison.   The story starts with a picture-perfect couple in the land of Spanish moss and sweet magnolias. But when a hit man targets one of them, a plot driven by betrayal and murderous intent unfolds.  Listen to the first 2 episodes now for free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free: https://link.chtbl.com/mm_lwfd

2m
Nov 15, 2022
Special Preview: “The Revolution with Steve Kornacki”

Steve Kornacki gives a special preview of his new podcast, “The Revolution with Steve Kornacki.” In this six-part original series, Kornacki steps back from the Big Board to tell the origin story of the 1994 Republican “revolution,” the midterm election when the GOP took the House majority for the first time in four decades. Listen to all six episodes now and follow the series: https://link.chtbl.com/trwsk_fdlw

4m
Oct 31, 2022
Special preview: “Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra”

Rachel Maddow gives a special preview of her new podcast, “Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra.” In this eight-part original series, Rachel tells an all-but-forgotten true story of American extremism getting supercharged, connecting the dots between sitting members of Congress aiding and abetting a plot to overthrow the government and the lengths they would go to in order to cover their tracks. Listen to the first two episodes now and follow the series: https://link.chtbl.com/rmpu_fdlw

4m
Oct 10, 2022
Introducing: Internal Affairs

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer of Internal Affairs, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline.     A sudden moment of terror launches a frantic search for a costumed killer. Reported by Josh Mankiewicz, Internal Affairs is a story about bad choices, a fatal attraction and people who proudly wore badges at work -- while living lies at home.    Listen to the first 2 episodes now, or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts to get early access to new episodes: https://link.chtbl.com/ia_fdlw

2m
Sep 20, 2022
Presenting Into America: The Power of the Black Vote

With this year’s midterms more critical than ever, MSNBC correspondent Trymaine Lee is taking his podcast, Into America, to some of the country’s most prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities in a special series “Into America: The Power of the Black Vote” to learn how the next generation of Black thinkers and doers are harnessing the power of Democracy to shape America’s future. Listen a preview of the first episode: “Taking Back the Classroom.” And head over to the Into America feed to follow and download the full series. https://link.chtbl.com/ia_tpotbvfd

8m
Sep 16, 2022
Introducing Dateline: Missing in America

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer of Dateline: Missing in America, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline.  Are you the key to solving a mystery? In this podcast, correspondents Josh Mankiewicz and Andrea Canning report on perplexing missing person cases brought to Dateline’s attention by our social media followers. Each episode will focus on one person’s story, as told by those left behind. Listen carefully to the details, descriptions and clues offered by family, friends and investigators. Something you hear might jog a memory that could help authorities crack a case.  Follow Dateline: Missing in America and listen now: https://link.chtbl.com/mia_fdtw

1m
Jul 26, 2022
Introducing: The Seduction

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing a special preview of The Seduction, a new podcast from Dateline NBC and Keith Morrison.   It’s a twisted love story that unspools like a film noir, where lust and obsession lead to murder and a classic double cross. This original series takes us into the troubled mind of a young man, and the cold heart of a woman who needed her husband dead. If only she could find someone “man enough” to do the deed...   Follow The Seduction and listen now: https://link.chtbl.com/ts_fdlw

3m
Jun 14, 2022
Special Preview – Born to Rule: When Charles is King

We’re sharing a sneak peak of Born to Rule: When Charles is King, a new original podcast from TODAY which asks (and answers) the burning questions about Prince Charles and what he might be like as King. Listen to the first two episodes and follow now: https://link.chtbl.com/BTR_LW

3m
May 30, 2022
Introducing In Their Court

As a bonus for Southlake listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of In Their Court, a new podcast series from NBC News and NBC Sports about the impact of Title IX in women’s basketball and beyond. Follow now and listen to the first two episodes: https://link.chtbl.com/itc_feeddrops

3m
May 09, 2022
Introducing Tiffany Dover Is Dead*

As a bonus for Southlake listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of Truthers: Tiffany Dover Is Dead*, a new original podcast from NBC News about misinformation and conspiracy theories. Follow now to get the first two episodes on Monday, April 18: https://link.chtbl.com/ttdis_feeddrop

2m
Apr 11, 2022
Books and Backlash

 The fight over diversity in Southlake’s Carroll Independent School District is back in the headlines and has a new focus — books. Teachers are worried about a new Texas law that limits instruction on contentious topics, and one of them secretly records a meeting in which a Carroll administrator offers an unexpected piece of advice: If teachers share books about the Holocaust with students, the administrator says, then they should also offer books on “opposing perspectives.” Teachers are incredulous, and the recording sets off an international backlash. In this special bonus episode, we speak with a former librarian at Carroll Senior High School, who retired early instead of continuing to navigate the battle over books, as well as a 12-year-old student whose mother pulled him out of the district after he faced severe bullying over his sexuality. And we have new details on what could be a game-changing development in Southlake: a federal civil rights investigation into students’ complaints of discrimination. If you or someone in your life is in distress, you can always call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The toll-free number, 800-273-8255, connects you to a certified crisis center nearby. For more resources, click here https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

37m
Mar 06, 2022
Check out Into America: Take a Look, it’s in a (Banned) Book

Jerry Craft wrote based on his life as a Black man in America. Then it got banned. On this bonus episode of , we’re bringing you a preview of ‘Take a Look, it’s in a (Banned) Book,’ a recent episode of the MSNBC original podcast . Host Trymaine Lee speaks with Craft, and nine-year-old reader Nola Lee, about what happens when books get pulled from the shelves. You can listen to the full episode here https://link.chtbl.com/intoamerica_takealook.    

7m
Jan 31, 2022
Mike Hixenbaugh previews a new podcast

In this special preview, Mike Hixenbaugh tells you why you can’t miss MSNBC’s newest podcast, “American Radical.” In this five-part original series, host Ayman Mohyeldin explores the story of Rosanne Boyland, a woman from his own hometown who became a foot soldier in one of the most dangerous movements in America. Listen to the first episode and follow or subscribe to the series: https://link.chtbl.com/americanradical_feed

2m
Dec 06, 2021
Introducing: The Thing About Helen & Olga

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing a special preview of The Thing About Helen & Olga, a new podcast from Dateline NBC and Keith Morrison.  Helen and Olga are kindly old ladies who open their hearts and wallets to down-and-out men in Los Angeles. In a city named for angels, the two women seem heaven-sent. After one of the men is killed by a hit-and-run driver -- and then another suffers the same fate -- investigators uncover a horrifying and twisted plot that stuns even the most seasoned detectives. Listen to all six episodes of The Thing About Helen & Olga now: https://link.chtbl.com/helenolga_feed

3m
Nov 16, 2021