SportsDay Rangers, Episode 18: The one with David Murphy

Autonomous trucking companies have been strategically relocating their headquarters to Texas to test driverless long-haul trucks across the region. State lawmakers have recently signaled they’re paying more attention to the flock of driverless trucks that increasingly traverse Texas roadways — and changes are coming. In other news, the senior pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church has announced a temporary leave of absence after a medical diagnosis, according to a news release Sunday from the church. Frederick Douglas Haynes III has served at the church in Dallas for over 40 years; the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 40-37 in overtime after Brandon Aubrey booted a 64-yarder to force OT and a 46-yarder to win it; and Scottie Scheffler closed with a 5-under 67 to win the Procore Championship for his sixth PGA Tour victory of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John and Evan introduce us to the Legend of Michael Helman and continue to fumble for words on the Rangers rebound. David Murphy drops by to help them out, explaining how he came up with “The Little Rascals” description of the team, what he’s liked about watching them, his initial bitterness about analytics and how he’s transitioned into broadcasting. Finally, John explains how he manipulated an MLB record for a Ranger and the guys remember 9/11 with the team in San Francisco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lab-grown meat is now banned in Texas. So what's the deal and why? The Dallas Morning News food team discusses that intersection of dining and politics, along with recent restaurant openings and moves. They also talk about the new "straight to jail" social media trend in which folks share their absolute must-orders at iconic restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday sparked an outpouring of shock, fear and mourning from local religious leaders. Leading Christian, Jewish and Muslim voices grieved and condemned the murder of the 31-year-old activist. In other news, Irving-based subprime auto lender and dealer Tricolor Holdings filed for bankruptcy Tuesday and plans to liquidate its assets, according to court filings. The case comes after allegations of “significant fraud.” Also, a motel manager was attacked and decapitated by an employee following an argument Wednesday. And UT Southwestern scientist Steven McKnight won the 2025 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hemp-based THC products such as gummies and drinks infused with the cannabis compound will be restricted to adults age 21 and older while state alcohol regulators study how to further regulate the burgeoning industry, under an executive order issued Wednesday by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. In other news,Texas lawmakers offered an outpouring of prayers and condemnation after learning that popular conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been killed at an event in Utah; a former Texas Christian University student filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the school, arguing its sexual assault policies do not protect students from rape and seeking $100 million in compensatory and punitive damages; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit riders will feel service cuts aimed at saving the agency $24 million per year early next year. Approved by the transit agency’s board Tuesday, the changes include frequency reductions on many buses, weekend peak frequency changes from 15 to 20 minutes on light rail and the discontinuation of seven low-performing routes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and Joe Hoyt discuss [00:13] the Cowboys’ near-miss against the Eagles, the elite play of Dak Prescott and what difference Micah Parsons would have made if Jerry Jones hadn’t sent him to Green Bay. They also look at the shifting landscape at the top of the NFC and Parsons’ role in shaping that. [24:50] Evan shares his thoughts on what the Rangers’ reserves have done to spark a late surge into contention and gives us a rundown on who’s coming back and when, as well as what it’ll mean for the spark plugs. [41:36] Kevin breaks down the big Texas A&M-Notre Dame game this week as well as the state’s other big college stories. But he can’t make sense of Steve Sarkisian’s comment in response to a question about Arch Manning.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Efforts to open Dallas’ first H-E-B store are drawing… opposition. A move to rezone the property to pave the way for the popular store is turning into a familiar zoning fight between neighbors who would like to see the grocery store and those who worry the new development will increase flooding and traffic on the already congested roads. In other news, sprawling across nearly 27 square miles, DFW International Airport is one of the largest in the world. It is serviced by 34 airlines that provide nonstop flights to more than 250 destinations, including domestic and international. That includes the newest, Royal Jordanian Air, which announced at the beginning of September it would start flying to Jordan’s capital, Amman, next May; Eddie García is taking a five-figure pay cut to return to North Texas and head Fort Worth’s police force; and Plano leaders voted unanimously Monday to raise the city’s tax rate for the first time in 16 years, anticipating increased costs amid slowing growth and adopting a nearly $800 million budget. The city’s tax rate has held steady at 41.76 cents per $100 of assessed property valuations for three years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Constitutional law expert and antitrust lawyer Rob Walters speaks about different contexts and perspectives in law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Citing safety concerns and dedicated school days, the State Fair of Texas will not offer free admission to high school students this season. One free ticket will still be offered to pre-K through eighth grade students and all teachers within a 100-mile radius of Fair Park. In other news, OSHA called Union Pacific a “serial violator” of the Federal Railroad Safety Act, citing 20 past violations.  A Texas railroad engineer was awarded more than $300,000 in back wages, damages and attorney’s fees after a federal investigation found Union Pacific unlawfully fired him. Also, Grocery Connect, a program started by Bonton Farms partnering with Kroger in late 2023, is expanding its pickup locations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Climate Prediction Center, a branch of the weather service, is currently forecasting below-average precipitation chances for the middle of the month. The end of September currently has average rainfall chances, giving little insight into just how many days of rain North Texans can expect. In other news, for the first time in 16 years, Plano leaders could soon raise the city’s property tax rate, citing slowing growth and the higher costs of maintaining its infrastructure and quality of life;  the Texas M&A landscape continues to defy economic headwinds in what has proven to be an uneven deal environment. The third quarter kicked off with a handful of transactions valued at a billion dollars or more, including a few involving notable brands headquartered in North Texas; and Powerball players in Missouri and Texas won the nearly $1.8 billion jackpot on Saturday, overcoming astronomical odds to end the lottery game’s three-month drought without a big winner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices