Ep. 3: False Start
As the trial date arrives, friends and family gather outside the courthouse in protest of the arrest of the Prairieland defendants and the ongoing criminal proceedings. But a lawyer’s shirt turns the proceedings upside down. Plus, we hear from some of the Prairieland defendants themselves.
How Clayton Tucker prepares to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture
Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is promising an education overhaul, but what will that mean for state takeovers of failing school districts? We’ll talk with Michael Hardy who’s been looking into this for Texas Monthly.
Also, with the political winds changing in Texas, some cities are changing policies on police cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Plus, a conversation with Clayton Tucker, Texas’ newly elected agriculture commissioner.
And some reflections on what is a very special day in a state with more veterans than any other.
Why Texas Republican voters broke with their party
After a historic Election Day last week, more history is set to be made in the Texas House of Representatives: Senfronia Thompson says she has the votes to become the first woman and first Black Texas House speaker.
Texas Republicans’ loss of statewide power has prompted questions about fractures within a party that had dominated state politics for decades.
The Trump administration’s tariff-free beef imports haven’t lowered prices much.
And: UT international affairs expert Michael Mosser with where all this political change leaves U.S. foreign policy.
Nathan Johnson lays out his plans as Texas attorney general
Promising bipartisanship, Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa talks transitions and first steps for her administration.
As she promised when she spoke with us before election day, Hinojosa is already taking steps to bring about change in Texas education. What does she plan to do, and what might limit the reach of her plans? We’ll take a closer look.
Also, a conversation with the new attorney general-elect of Texas: Nathan Johnson on how the powerful office long led by Ken Paxton will change under his leadership.
Plus, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune, a ruling in a closely watched case over access to a popular fishing spot and more.
How Texas’ Democratic sweep could change the state’s political identity
A bolt from the blue: Many Texans are still trying to absorb the implications of the midterms, but now a clearer picture is forming of what happened. It appears turnout made a big difference — not in terms of raw numbers, but where those Democratic gains happened.
The Democrat who’s promising to take the politics out of the Attorney General’s office: We’ll hear more about what to expect from incoming AG Nathan Johnson.
Also, remember the Republican midterm redistricting? It was a push that seems to have backfired.
And New York Times Houston-based bureau chief J. David Goodman joins us to talk about what this political earthquake means for the way Texans and others view Texas.
How Texas Democrats scored historic wins across the state
For more than three decades, Republicans ruled Texas politics. This morning, that era is over.
Historic gains for Texas Democrats — a political earthquake has shaken the Lone Star State, sending shockwaves across the country: a new governor, a new U.S. senator, and a dramatic shift in the balance of political power.
How did it happen? What does it mean for Texas — and for the nation? And is this the beginning of a whole new political era? A short-term reaction to an unpopular presidency? Or something else altogether?
On the day after an historic election, we’re taking stock of a Texas transformed.
Texas hemp shops turn frustration into political action
The race for a U.S. Senate seat from Texas is the most talked-about ballot contest, but how much real-world impact can the winner actually have?
Other stories on this day before the midterms: A much less talked-about contest for the keeper of the state’s accounts is also soon to be decided. Why have schools have become a major issue in the race for state comptroller?
Anyone else getting political text messages? David Martin Davies reports on the massive pre-Election Day message push.
Political upset in Texas’ hemp industry: Why much of their anger is directed at one politician in particular.
Plus, the annual kickoff of the Austin Film Festival.
How Texas earned its place in horror movie history
On this last day of early voting, one thing is for certain: Texas will have a new attorney general. We’ll have a look at who’s in the running and why it matters so much.
Also, a closer look at the person who’s transformed that office: What brought Ken Paxton to the place he is today — as the GOP candidate for a hotly contested and closely watched U.S. Senate seat.
Also, who is keeping an eye on the state’s new billion-dollar private school voucher program — and how?
Plus, the week in politics and how Texas became a prominent place in horror films: The movies, the people who made them and more.
Remembering labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta
Could control of the Lone Star State come down to turnout in smaller Texas cities? A look at dueling rallies in Lubbock and what they add up to.
Other stories we’re tracking: One of the most powerful offices in Texas is up for grabs yet seemingly far from the media spotlight. What’s at stake in the contest for Texas Land Commissioner and why it matters so much.
Nearly 2 million Texas voters land on the so-called suspense list. We’ll break the suspense over what that actually means.
Also, remembering labor leader and activist Dolores Huerta and her impact here in the Lone Star State.
And the strange, unsettling worlds of filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders form a union
With just a week to go before Election Day, a look at how the governor’s race will make history no matter who wins.
Also, how the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders got a raise and formed a new union.
And is there a conservative takeover of the University of Texas at Austin? A Texas Monthly article digs in.
Plus, a conversation with author E. R. Bills on the new investigative book, “Devil of Devils: Unspeakable Crimes in Southwest Texas.”
And a Japanese tearoom turns 100 in San Antonio.
Mysterious transgender mailers prompt criminal investigation in West Texas
An attempt to empower LGBTQ+ students or a bid to agitate Texas voters ahead of election day? A Republican district attorney in West Texas has opened a criminal investigation into pamphlets received by households across the state purporting to be from a transgender rights group.
Also, a reporter uses Friday night lights to try and get a glimpse into potential changes in Texas politics.
From radio announcer to one of the most powerful figures in Texas politics: The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey looks at the trajectory of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
And UT’s Michael Mosser on a conspicuous Texas link to the war in Ukraine.
Gina Hinojosa makes her case for Texas governor
On the eve of the midterms, Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa is running neck and neck with incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in many polls. Hinojosa joins us on today’s show to make her case.
Also, a closer look Vikki Goodwin, the Democrat giving Dan Patrick a run for his money in the lieutenant governor’s race.
Plus, a rising star on the conservative side: What’s fueling the buzz around Congressman Brandon Gill?
Will your next Mac be made in Texas? The Standard’s Shelly Brisbin with more.
And one of the oldest buildings in Dallas, once threatened with a teardown, is soon to be back at work as a courthouse.
Texas women bring homegrown horror to ‘Beneath the Bluebonnets’
Record voter registration numbers point to what appear to be new records set in early voting. What do they tell us about the midterms in Texas?
Also, Meta blocks an Instagram account for a No Kings protest, stoking fears of online political shenanigans — or worse — from a major social media company. Omar Gallaga joins us with what’s known and what’s not.
The Standard’s Michael Marks on another sort of Cutoff: A favorite East Texas fishing spot now literally cut off to visitors. He’ll bring us the latest on a court fight by locals trying to regain access.
And in time for spooky season, tales of terror by Texas women writers. Editor Carmen Gray on “Beneath the Bluebonnets.”
Latino horror anthology explores fears carried across generations
The border is secure, but there’s a border emergency. Why the difference between two GOP narratives? We’ll have a closer look.
The first in-person votes are being cast in the Texas midterms today as early voting kicks off. The Standard’s Michael Marks joins us with a look at the race for agriculture commissioner, and how one of the most talked-about issues has little to do with farm policy and more to do with eligibility.
Also: Beyond the horse race in the most closely watched contest on the Texas ballot. What are the issues driving voters to pick between Ken Paxton and James Talarico?
Just in time for the spookiest of seasons: A collection of horror stories from leading Latino voices in the genre is out now. Editor Cynthia Pelayo joins us to talk about “Something Followed Us Home.”
Big Bend border wall worker camps raise concerns in West Texas
A border wall cutting through Big Bend is on hold, but something connected to the wall still has many locals unsettled.
This week saw a debate between candidates hoping to represent what is geographically the biggest congressional district in Texas, and the stakes for both parties are high. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies tells us more.
Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.
Plus, the Texas Beachcomber on a big win for a special place south of the border.
Who has the best breakfast taco? The RGV? San Antonio? Texas Monthly’s taco editor sparks a Texas-sized argument.
And after a big loss for the formerly No. 1 Longhorns, what now?
What a Democratic governor could mean for Texas
The last time a Democrat served as Texas governor was decades ago. Is that about to change?
For years, politics-watchers have all but dismissed the prospect of a Democrat being elected governor in deep-red Texas. But polls suggest the closest gubernatorial race in recent memory between incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott and challenger Gina Hinojosa. Two veteran political analysts consider the potential implications of a political earthquake.
San Antonio files suit against the feds over a planned immigration detention center.
Also: Can you bully an AI chatbot? Tech expert Omar Gallaga sheds light on an ongoing debate.
Plus, Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn on the future of a Bryan smokehouse more than a century old.
New UT poll shows unusually tight statewide races
A new poll from the Texas Politics Project suggests the Republican winning streak in the Lone Star State faces its toughest test yet.
It’s cotton picking season in Texas. Scientists studying wild cotton and its ancestral origins hope older genetic traits could eventually strengthen the varieties farmers plant today.
And: One of the most durable sayings about Texas pride gets a reality check from commentator WF Strong.
How Corpus Christi’s desalination push landed it in hot water
New details from a deposition more than a decade old shed light on how Ken Paxton has amassed his wealth. Could they rattle the tight Texas U.S. Senate race?A new military push for AI, and an outsized role for Texas. Why some say the process is moving too fast.San Antonio’s Fiesta will look different in 2027, with its longtime Night in Old San Antonio canceled. What’s changing and what could come next.Corpus Christi set out to become drought-proof with ambitious seawater desalination plans that city leaders promoted as a path toward a reliable water supply. But despite pledges from industry, years later the city is out $50 million and in worse shape, water-wise, than ever before.
Are Texas Democrats really poised for statewide wins?
With less than two weeks to go before the first in-person early votes are cast in the midterms in Texas, great expectations are rising among Democrats here and nationwide with polls and pundits alike predicting big gains. We’ll break down the what, where and why.
So stressed or frustrated you just want to scream? Welcome to the club: The Dallas Yell Club. We’ll hear what that’s all about.
Also, the massive pecan grove soon to transform into Texas’ newest state park.
And a new encyclopedia that may, or may not, help settle that next argument over barbecue. Jess Pryles joins the Standard to talk “Prime Cuts.”
What to expect as the Supreme Court reconvenes
The first Monday in October means the U.S. Supreme Court is back to work. We’ll have an early look at the docket, what Texans should watch for and more.
A red-hot congressional race in a huge district — a contest between YouTube gun rights supporter Brandon Herrerra and child rights advocate Katy Padilla Stout — is drawing a lot of attention. We’ll explore why the race for the 23rd is so contentious.
Also, a look at what’s been called the Life of the Mother Act — a measure intended to clarify when doctors can legally perform abortions in Texas.
Plus, a call to clamp down on oil theft and why it’s become such a problem in West Texas.