In this episode of Hobby Talks, Professor Chris Bronk speaks with Evan Mintz, editor of opinion and community engagement at the Houston Chronicle. They discuss the newspaper’s editorial board coverage of key local and state races, the issues shaping the region and the changing political landscape. Mintz also shares his perspective on voter turnout and sentiment, the state of politics and what the election results could signal for future governance and policy priorities.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, Hobby School Dean Jim Granato sits down with Alejandra Salinas, the newest at-large member of the Houston City Council. They discuss how her early advocacy, from organizing a high school walkout to speaking at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and serving as president of the College Democrats of America, shaped her belief in using her voice to serve others. Salinas shares what inspired her to run for public office, her vision for City Hall, strategies for making local government more accessible, and advice for students pursuing public service careers. She also discusses working collaboratively with various stakeholders, using data to guide policy, and addressing Houston’s most pressing challenges. Salinas won a special election in December 2025. She is the first LGBTQ+ Latina elected to serve on the Houston City Council. In addition to her work in public office, Salinas is an attorney and a partner at Susman Godfrey.

In this episode of Hobby Talks, Associate Professor Chris Bronk speaks with Evan Mintz, editor of opinion and community engagement at the Houston Chronicle. Their conversation explores the role of the newspaper’s editorial board in shaping civic discourse amid an evolving media landscape and an increasingly polarized world. They also discuss how opinion pages differ from news coverage, the endorsement process, the region’s most pressing issues, and the challenges of misinformation and disinformation.