Something interesting happened on Monday night’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert — or rather, something interesting didn’t happen.
Texas State Representative James Talarico, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, was booked as a guest.
He taped the interview. And then CBS lawyers stepped in.
“He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert told his audience, drawing a cascade of boos. Then, in classic Colbert fashion, he added: “I was told in some uncertain terms that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this — let’s talk about this.”
CBS offered a more clinical explanation in a statement: the broadcast could trigger the FCC‘s equal-time rule, which would require giving comparable airtime to other candidates in the race — specifically Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Talarico’s chief rival in the March 3 Democratic Senate primary. Rather than navigate that requirement, The Late Show opted to post the interview as a YouTube exclusive.
The equal-time rationale isn’t entirely implausible. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr — a staunch Trump ally — had recently signaled that talk shows, long exempt from equal-time provisions, should no longer assume that protection applies. ABC’s The View was already under FCC investigation after Talarico appeared there. CBS, whose parent company Paramount Skydance is seeking regulatory approval for a major merger, had every financial incentive to play it safe.
But here’s where the story gets delicious: the attempt to suppress Talarico’s national moment spectacularly backfired. The YouTube interview racked up over 2 million views within a day (5 million by this morning)— an audience that almost certainly dwarfs what a typical Late Show broadcast would have delivered.
I just listened to the James Talarico interview. Never would’ve heard it otherwise without the FCC chaos. These were his very last words:
— Lauren (@cabsav456) February 18, 2026
“They want us talking about furries and bathrooms so we don’t realize that they are picking our pockets, that they are closing our schools,…
Talarico wasted no time framing it perfectly: “This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.” He claimed Trump’s FCC was “worried we’re about to flip Texas.”
This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) February 17, 2026
His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert.
Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas. pic.twitter.com/BCev5jZbKc
That line — audacious as it sounds — is worth taking seriously. Talarico is a 35-year-old progressive from Round Rock with a gift for plain-spoken messaging and an ability to make deep-blue arguments land in complicated districts. He’s been on The View, now virtually on The Late Show, generating the kind of earned media that money can’t buy. Early voting in Texas kicked off the day after the Colbert controversy broke — timing that couldn’t have been scripted better.
(Episode from February 17, 2026)
On the Republican side, the Senate primary pits incumbent Sen. John Cornyn against Attorney General Ken Paxton, the twice-impeached firebrand who nearly lost his job to a Republican-led Senate and still faces a cloud of ethical controversies. If Paxton wins, he heads into a general election carrying significant baggage — at precisely the moment Democrats have a candidate with genuine crossover appeal and a suddenly very high national profile.
Trump trying to take James Talarico off CBS shows they see him as the real threat.
— Winter (@LeftyWinter) February 17, 2026
The GOP is trying to get Jasmine Crockett to win the primary. It's pretty clear who they really fear.
(Episode from February 17, 2026)
Should Texas Republicans be worried? The honest answer: not yet — but more than they’d like to admit. Democrats haven’t won a statewide race in Texas since 1994. The structural advantages remain firmly with the GOP. But Talarico’s rise reflects something real: a Democratic bench in Texas that is younger, sharper, and more media-savvy than the party has fielded in years.
The Trump administration’s clumsy effort to keep Talarico off television didn’t silence him. It introduced him to millions of people who’d never heard his name.
BREAKING: Our campaign raised $2.5 million in 24 hours after the FCC banned our Colbert interview. pic.twitter.com/g6v4gzGAhS
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) February 18, 2026
Sometimes the best campaign ad is the one your opponents accidentally make for you.
James Talarico is having quite a moment in Texas after the Colbert interview – and according to Google Trends, Texans are now searching his name at a very high rate just in time for early voting. pic.twitter.com/gGnDjx5xUM
— Logan Phillips (@LoganR2WH) February 17, 2026
So who’s afraid of James Talarico? Based on this week’s evidence — maybe more people than they’re willing to say out loud.
Austin ISD says it has been released from state oversight of its special education services.
AISD has been under TEA oversight since approving the plan in late 2023.
At an early voting news conference Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talked about recent school walkouts and ways the state may take action against schools, districts and educators.
A rollover crash overnight on I-35 in South Austin caused multiple injuries.
(Time of incident was 4:00 a.m. CST…timestamp shown is PST)
Details on a shooting early Tuesday in Manor have been released.
A repo man was just shot at in Manor while repossessing an SUV. Video shows a man chase the vehicle and then open fire. Police say the SUV was hit by a bullet. The man in the red shirt was taken into custody. Repo man was not hurt. @fox7austin pic.twitter.com/d7w0W1KLMc
— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) February 17, 2026
bullet hole in the rim pic.twitter.com/5dPfYjXLHF
— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) February 17, 2026
Austin police are searching for a robbery suspect.
Authorities have released details on Saturday morning’s discovery of two bodies in a home in South Austin. It appears to have been a murder-suicide.
A Kyle man received 65 years in prison after being found guilty on an assault charge stemming from a violent attack he made on his girlfriend in front of their children, (Austin American-Statesman)
Fayette County authorities apprehended a stolen vehicle Tuesday after a pursuit that started in Austin.
Officials are hoping to write the final chapter in the long-running saga when prosecutors ask a judge on Thursday to declare the men innocent in the 1991 case.
A Travis County grand jury declined to bring charges against a former Manor school district police officer for a 2024 use of force incident involving a juvenile, according to a Tuesday news release from the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. (Austin American-Statesman)
A new substation has gone online in North Austin.
Months after Austin leaders ended the city’s use of automated license plate readers, The Texas Department of Safety has installed several of the cameras along state-owned Austin roadways.
Iconic rocker Bruce Springsteen announced a new tour yesterday and Austin is one of its stops.
The Boss and company will perform at Moody Center on Sunday, April 26.
PODCAST
Early voting is officially underway for the Democratic and Republican primaries and Austin voters are weighing in on some high-profile races in Texas. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to discuss the latest primary developments, including a new voter tipline aimed at protecting “the voting process,” and why The Late Show with Stephen Colbert pulled an interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico. Plus, the team dives into the buzz on MML Hospitality’s newest get and why a highway flyover is going viral.
WEATHER
TUESDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST, AUSTIN, TEXAS
A major wildfire outbreak is currently unfolding in the Texas Panhandle, driven by high winds and extremely dry conditions. Several large fires are burning with low to zero containment, prompting mandatory and voluntary evacuations in multiple counties.
A 90-acre wildfire in Polk County is still not under control.
Tuesday marked the first day of early voting for the March 3 Texas primary.
Senator John Cornyn held a rally yesterday as early voting began.
Police report filed against @JohnCornyn Campaign Staffer who put out alleged illegal doxing post against Congressman Wesley Hunt. The congressman was on the show today to discuss the incident: https://t.co/2eZdpsjstY https://t.co/mcZCQQ6t72
— The Chris Salcedo Show (@CSalcedoShow) February 17, 2026
#TXPol: The #TXSen primary has become the second most expensive Senate primary on record, with $98.2M in total ad spending and reservations.
— AdImpact Politics (@AdImpact_Pol) February 17, 2026
🔴Republican ad support:
John Cornyn: $58.9M
Wesley Hunt: $10.8M
Anti-Hunt: $3.9M
Anti-Cornyn: $3.6M
Ken Paxton: $2.3M
🔵Democratic ad… pic.twitter.com/PBF10QJ6xY
With Attorney General Ken Paxton running for U.S. Senate, four others are looking to replace him. Last night, they debated.
FULL DEBATE IN ITS ENTIRETY
The San Antonio Express-News has pulled its endorsement of Rep. Tony Gonzales after it was revealed he engaged in a romantic relationship with an aide who died last year by setting herself on fire outside her Uvalde home, according to a text message and people close to the aide and her family. (San Antonio Express-News)
NEW: I sued TP Link for allowing the CCP to access Americans' devices in the first of several lawsuits being filed this week against China-aligned companies. pic.twitter.com/T5UMimwfQf
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 17, 2026
PODCAST
A violent fugitive wanted in Indianapolis was captured at a San Antonio motel.
Texas is now the first state to end its reliance on the American Bar Association for law school approval, which could allow graduates of non-ABA-accredited schools to become licensed lawyers in the state.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is alerting the public to cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in wild birds in the state. (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
Texas health officials have confirmed six measles cases in the Hill Country, including one in Boerne, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. (Texas Public Radio)
(Episode from February 17, 2026)
In this week’s episode, Matthew talks with Robert Moore, CEO of El Paso Matters, about the federal government briefly pausing air travel into El Paso. What does it say about the federal government, border security and the lives of El Pasoans?
(Episode from February 17, 2026)
Texas school districts with failing schools are outsourcing the management, meaning big changes for students.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Junior guard/forward Dailyn Swain registered a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis added 17 points and 10 boards to pace Texas (17-9, 8-5 SEC) to an 88-85 win over LSU (14-12, 2-11 SEC) on Tuesday evening in Moody Center. This marked UT’s fifth consecutive league win, marking the first time since late in the 2019-20 season that the Longhorns have recorded five consecutive regular-season conference victories. (Texas Longhorns)
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
In other action last night, the Texas Tech Red Raiders were stunned by Arizona State.
THEY'RE COURT STORMING IN TEMPE ‼️
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 18, 2026
ARIZONA STATE STUNS NO. 13 TEXAS TECH 💥 pic.twitter.com/vNr3qm1tI3
Maurice Odum scored 23 points, Massamba Diop added 14 and Arizona State held on for a 72-67 upset over No. 13 Texas Tech, which lost star forward JT Toppin to an injury in the second half Tuesday night.
The Red Raiders — who were coming off a 78-75 overtime win at then-No. 1 Arizona — had a three-game winning streak snapped. (Associated Press)
ON THE SCHEDULE TONIGHT
COLLEGE BASEBALL: No. 3 Texas scored a dozen unanswered tallies across the final three innings, mounting a 14-4 run-rule victory over Lamar at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday night.
With the result, the Longhorns (4-0) earned a run-rule win for the second time in their first four games. (Texas Longhorns)
Up next, Texas turns its attention to Michigan State on Friday. The three-game set begins at 6:30 p.m.
High above Austin.
