The Lead Live Podcast: Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 Episode

Kerr County is set to receive a significant boost to its infrastructure after securing a $14.7 million grant for “middle mile” broadband expansion, according to a recent broadcast summary of The Lead Live. The funding was one of several key local developments highlighted on the Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, episode of the show hosted by Louis Amestoy.

The Upper Guadalupe River Authority also approved engineering contracts to begin work on a new flood warning system for the area. Additionally, the Kerrville Public Utility Board and its ratepayers are expected to save between $8 million and $28 million on power plant engine purchases following a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding tariffs.

In local politics, Amestoy and the panel noted reports of aggressive behavior and harassment from special interest groups, such as Liberty in Action, outside the Hill Country Youth Event Center as early voting drew to a close.

On the financial front, panelist Andrew Gay reported the stock market was down over 638 points that morning amid trade and monetary policy uncertainty. Gay addressed concerns about an “AI bubble,” explaining that major technology companies, unlike those in the 2000-2001 dot-com era, maintain strong balance sheets and sufficient cash for capital expenditures. He also highlighted Walmart’s transition into a major tech competitor, noting its e-commerce platform growth from $10 billion to $150 billion over the past decade.

In international news, correspondent Renick Smith discussed Middle Eastern geopolitics, stating that Iran appears to be employing a strategy of “playing for time” to deflect international pressure following recent threats of force from the Trump administration. The panel also covered the aftermath of the killing of Mexican drug cartel leader “El Mencho,” which triggered a wave of violence, roadblocks, and shelter-in-place orders in popular tourist areas like Puerto Vallarta.

Other topics included a community river cleanup that resulted in the planting of 2,000 new trees and a discussion about adding residential living spaces above retail areas in downtown Kerrville, particularly near Peterson Plaza, inspired by the mixed-use development at San Antonio’s Pearl. The show concluded with a lighthearted segment on conspiracy theories, including flat earth and the idea that “birds aren’t real.”