David Brown

Texas Standard: October 25, 2016

By all accounts, a record setting first day of early voting. Some motivated by fears of funny business at the ballot box. How well founded? We’ll explore. Also a few things possibly overlooked in the conversation about a Texas based telecom giant taking over Time Warner: such as what if AT&T gets into the journalism business? Plus, a construction boom in north Texas. Workers needed, for sure, but the real shortage some say are managers. What’s being done to deal with the shortage. And at one of the nation’s top centers for drug abuse data, a discovery: when it comes to the drug war, the numbers don’t add up. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 24, 2016

Your child is cured! A blistering report shows how Texas kids needing special education are getting turned away by state policies. Plus, what’s it gonna be Texas, Clinton or Trump? As polls across Texas open for early voting, what you need to be carrying…and what you need to leave back home. Also why is Texas a so-called red state, anyway? We’ll explore. And when it comes to the polls, there is a silent majority in Texas…one that can be proven by doing the math. When it comes to flexing their political muscle, what’s holding them back? All those stories and we’re just getting started, no matter where you are, it’s Texas Standard time:

Texas Standard: October 21, 2016

Amid talk of rigged US elections, Russia generously offers election monitors to Texas, we’ll follow the story. Also early voting begins next week, and judging by your messages to us: Texans have a lot of questions about the nuts and bolts. We’ll break out the tool kit, and check in again with our resident panel of still undecided voters. Also, on November 22nd 1963, at one of the most historic sites in Texas, nothing happened. Or so it might seem to travelers at Love Field. The mystery behind a missing monument. Plus the week in Texas politics, the talk of Texas and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 20, 2016

Three keys to last night’s debate: Hombre, Nasty, and I’ll keep you in suspense—unlocking the rhetoric today on the Texas Standard.

If the first wave was Texas shifting from rural to urban, what’s next? Some point to what’s happening in our host city today. We’re in Waco, where the Magnolia effect is impossible to ignore. We’ll explain.

Speaking of transformations: how a destructive greenhouse gas could become a useful source of energy.

Yesterday’s futurists promised us videophones. Though the future is now, our digital savant tells us you ain’t seen nothin’ yet…

We’re just getting started—live and Statewide from Waco, no matter where you are- it’s Texas Standard time…

Texas Standard: October 19, 2016

A third and final presidential debate tonight poses an important question: do we really need to go through with this? We’ll debate it. Also Texas has more people in immigration detention centers than any other state, but who’s covering the tab? And call the doctor, but careful there: Texas rules on telemedicine are among the toughest. Today, a check up on showdown between state regulators and a fast growing industry. Also, despite a certain lack of name recognition, a native texan gets tapped for the rock and roll hall of fame shortlist. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 18, 2016

The US promised retaliation against Russian hacking. Is the wired war now underway? We’ll consider the implications of all out cyber warfare. Also The Clinton campaign buys media time in deep red Texas. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they think the state is in play. We’ll take a closer look at the ad, and the strategy. And a matter of choice or false choices? Lawmakers relaunch a long running debate over a voucher-like plan for schools. And after raising expectations of impending expansion, the Big 12 punts –sticking with the 10 teams currently in the conference. So what was that public pageant all about, anyway? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 17, 2016

He calls it a big beautiful wall, running along the 2 thousand mile length of the US southern border. But could it really be built? We’ll explore. Plus thanks President Obama, but no thanks: we’ll hear why a federal inmate in Texas is turning down a white house commutation of his sentence. Also, naming rights, and some say wrongs. As a public school in Houston accepts a multimillion dollar grant and a new name: that of the donor. And a 25 million dollar homecoming for Texas Monthly: what the sale of an iconic magazine says about the state of the industry , and the state of Texas itself. All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 14, 2016

A blessing for Balmorhea? Not exactly…but it is an unlikely partnership and a potential model for fracking in Texas. We’ll explore. Also it’s hard enough to say who and who isn’t a real Texan…but what makes an American? We’ll explore an underlying question in our election season of discontent. Also honor flights for American heroes…but why so few women warriors on board? That’s changing with a takeoff from Texas. And remember San Angeles the fictional megalopolis from film? According to a demographers writing for Forbes: fasten your seat belts, Texas America’s next megalopolis is in the making as we speak…all that and then some today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 13, 2016

A bonafide job engine, lifting the rest of the nation from recession, boosters have dubbed it the Texas miracle. But now miracle whiplash? A long running case that’s come to symbolize the strength of Texas ethics laws, or the lack thereof, could well reach a climax today. We’ll have the backstory. Also why a Texas superintendent says his students have been denied 5 years of education and why he’s blaming state education officials. Plus- taking note of the warnings? Samsung may have given up on their combustible phone, but its hardest core fans appear willing to down with the chip. We’ll hear why. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 12, 2016

If a federal agent shoots across the US border killing a 15 year old, can he be sued for a civil rights violation? The Supreme Court is on the case, we’ll explore. Also shame on you: could those three little words turn things around when it comes to low voter turnout in Texas? A new study suggests the answer is yes. Plus, we’ll check in with our still undecided voters to see what if anything might have moved the needle as we fast approach e-day. Also, many more Texans, a whole lot more noise. Now hear this: new technology aims to to silence the mass of complaints. Can you hear us now? Turn it up, cause it’s Texas Standard time:

Texas Standard: October 11, 2016

The law says police must report officer involved shootings. So why are hundreds of police involved shootings missing from records? We’ll explore. Also, trust the polls? Want another measure for how the presidential race is going? Why some are looking to the peso as a proxy. Plus on this final day of voter registration in Texas: is there not a better way? Also, The Feds order Texas to remove caps on special ed services ..unless they can show no kids are losing out. Now a Texas lawmaker wants to go a step further. We’ll hear the plan. And the recent passing of a Texas music legend…a new book explores what we’ve lost. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 10, 2016

On the weekend of apparent armageddon for the GOP, howls of outrage, but any change in Texas support for Donald Trump? We’ll explore. Also our roundtable of editors from some of the cities in Texas that don’t often get heard in the national conversation. And with mere hours to go before the voter registration deadline, a reality check. Just how close is it?. And we say there’s never been a political season like this one, but perhaps that shows just how short memories can be…especially if you lived in Texas a couple of decades ago…we’ll have a refresher, if that’s the right word. Also, are they predators, or credit repair services? What’s in a name for payday lenders? More than you might think. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 7, 2016

It’s being described as the biggest ever voter fraud investigation in Texas. And in what may be the unlikeliest of counties, we’ll explore. Also paddling against the stream: as a majority of states turn away from corporal punishment in public schools, why new research in Texas could lead to a rethink here as well. Plus why industrial development in Southwest Texas is setting off a political dustup over dust. Also Texas teams up with an unlikely ally to target modern day slavery, allegedly online. Plus our weekly round of the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more, today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 6, 2016

Did he really say that about women and Mexicans? Why is it even a question? The history of the big lie and how it works. Also as hurricane Matthew bears down on the east coast, how well prepared are we to weather a storm of such scale? A Texas lawmaker tells us after years of debate, there may actually be action for a coastal barrier. Also development in Texas’ biggest cities now squeezing out something else; parking. We’ll explore the implications. Plus a mystery involving guns, a landing strip, a training camp and a famous Texas lawman. Investigators at the pentagon trying to put the pieces together. All that and more today on the Standard:

Texas Standard: October 5, 2016

It is being called the largest humanitarian event since the earthquake of 2010. A hurricane strikes Haiti, we’ll explore the implications. Also are police tracking who attends gun shows? A report that cops are making lists of license plate numbers triggers alarm bells over civil liberties. Plus to be undecided in Texas: with voting in the presidential race just a month away, what could tip the balance? And remembering the biggest state in the continental US as it used to be: which is to say, much bigger. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 4, 2016

Amid the spectacle of 2016, little serious policy discussion. Or is there room for serious debate? We’ll explore. Also lost in the drone of nasty exchanges over Trump’s taxes and Clinton’s stamina, one of the most serious humanitarian and foreign policy challenges since the Cold War, unfolding right now, yet all but ignored in the US. A top Texas analyst tells us it’s time to start paying attention. Plus: come and take it…with reservations. The people of Gonzales love their iconic flag, but have misgivings over how its being used. And isn’t it rich? Police and school districts on lockdown over clowns. Making sense of the sightings. All that and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 3, 2016

Across Texas, people are talking about taxes, and not necessarily those of a certain presidential candidate. We’ll explore the details. Also the face of immigration is changing, literally. Detentions along the southern border show an unexpected rise in the numbers of people neither from Mexico or Central America. We’ll hear who they are, and what’s driving the change. Also, you’ve heard of working yourself to death? That became all too real for a for a Texas twenty something, who’s now urging other go-getters to check their ambitions. Plus: is a key piece of safety equipment a threat to high school football? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: September 30, 2016

A Texas Democrat has a plan for next years ninth grade curriculum: a class on how to behave when stopped by police, we’ll explore. Also peace by plebiscite: what an historic vote this weekend could mean for Columbia and for Texas. Also disappearing dance halls: why communities are trying to get the few remaining back on their feet. And the untold story of an onboard emergency moments before man first landed on the moon. Today, we’ll remember the man at mission control who made a crucial call that changed history. Plus the week in politics and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: September 29, 2016

The Saudi’s cry uncle. And the markets predicting a big boost in oil prices. A green light for drilling in Texas again? We’ll explore. Plus teenagers turning hitmen? How border cartels are recruiting school kids. Also With Texans transfixed on the drama of election season, some say a quiet movement is picking up steam which could have a much more profound impact that the vote in November is there a constitutional convention in our future? And its 4 in the morning and you’ve gotta have barbecue. In all of Texas, there’s only one joint that serving up 24/7. We’ll smoke it out. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 28, 2016

For those frustrated by the two party choices, there is another way. That’s the message independents are pushing but who’s buying? Plus the stereotypes of drug runners? May need to rethink that. A new report suggests a profound shift in the drug business, from Texas’ southern border to its northern. We’ll hear how and why. Also the air force is losing 750 fighter pilots each year…and the economy’s making it hard to fill cockpits. Now a warning of a looming crisis in the air. A state antiquities landmark is set to become a parking lot. And why that might not be as awful as it sounds. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: