David Brown

Texas Standard: March 8, 2016

Fire at a petroleum plant: an explosion? No one’s quite sure, but what we do know it was operating illegally. Business as usual? That’s today on the Texas Standard.

Coming up, California has the big one…so does Texas—only ours is less likely to be a quake than a storm. We’ll hear about the research and what if anything’s being done to protect Texas.

Also marijuana in the spotlight…wait a minute..those look like L-E-D’s…a new industry sprouts.

And filmmaker Richard Linklater joins us in the studio to talk about his new film, a sequel to a pop culture classic…don’t touch that dial, it’s Texas Standard time.

Remember when there were 9 on stage plus a kiddy table debate? Some say its now down to two. And one’s from you know where. Riddle me this: why does a candidate who’s offended so many south of the border have so much apparent support in the borderlands? Because there’s more to the story. We’ll check in with Laredo. Also when it comes to cars, the highest insurance rates are also in the poorest places in Texas. We’ll do the math. And why are millions of Texas tax dollars being spent on juggling balls, custom coffee mugs and other tchotchkes? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 4, 2016

In a messy political season a war of words dominates the front pages–as a war in real life simmers half a world away. The cost for Texas, today on the Texas Standard.

It’s being called a watershed moment in the American conservative movement—as a top gathering of conservatives embraces a gay rights group.

Crosses on cop cars in Texas: how does that square with, you know, the constitution?

Also, tips for Texas musicians, how do you get your music played on the radio, anyway?

Plus, the week in politics and much more – no matter where you are, it’s Texas Standard time.

Texas Standard: March 3, 2016

Lots of finger pointing as Donald Trump stampedes toward the GOP convention- but in 2016, does the buck stop with the press? That’s today on the Texas Standard.

He’s been called a bigger catch than Pablo Escobar. And now the cartel chief known as El Chapo wants to hand himself in to US authorities. What’s behind his change of heart?

Also, it started as an in-state rivalry—but its become a whole lot bigger, and uglier. It’s the Texas taco war of 2016.

And nearly 6 years after the BP oil disaster…a corner finally turned?

Texas Standard: March 2, 2016

In the electoral wrecking ball of 2016, the Texas establishment emerges largely unscathed. But there’s more than meets the eye–we’ll explore. Happy Texas Independence Day! We’ll break apart the winners and losers all across the state, and what the outcomes tells us about who we are and where we’re headed politically. Also it could be one of the most significant abortion cases in years—a case from Texas–gets an audience before the 8 justices of the supreme court. In a post Scalia era…what happens if there’s a draw? Those stories and so much more, it’s a busy news day on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 1, 2016

In parts of the Lone Star State record turnout expected for a contest to pick a president and perhaps shake up a system. We’ll check in with reporters across the state as Texans go to the polls, and get a proper explanation of what’s actually at stake in the crown jewel of Super Tuesday. Also, which politicians are on the rocks? All of them? At least at one north Texas bar… Plus the official witness on Texas’s death row and his public change of heart. And is it really getting harder to find a doctor in Texas? Those stories and lots more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 29, 2016

It has the potential to be a landmark case before the nation’s highest court a test of Texas abortions restrictions. Also- a wave of immigrants at the Texas border…who don’t get turned away. But instead, get a welcome to stay as long as they want. We’ll hear what’s happening and why. Gimme a B, gimme an r gimme a U-T-A-L–what does that spell? A Texas sized smackdown in the business of cheerleading uniforms. And why do normally sane Texans lose it behind the wheel? Road rage re-examined. Those stories and lots more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 26, 2016

Americans, they say, are turned off by political nastiness. So everyone watched last night expecting nuance? The politics of spectacle on today’s Texas Standard.

After the dust up in Houston last night, who’s paying attention to what’s at stake here for the democrats? We’ll hear how the Sanders and Clinton camps are taking two separate paths to Super Tuesday.

Also, Wall Street is buzzing right now over the rebound of an old line Texas retailer. But in the 21st century, does Penney’s make sense?

And, over the deep dark skies of West Texas researchers discover a new planet. And no it does not orbit around Austin.

Texas Standard: February 25, 2016

Lights, cameras, how much action? The stakes are high in Houston tonight for what could be a decisive televised showdown. Plus as campus carry laws get set to take effect, It’s becoming international news: Texas college professors told to avoid sensitive topics in the classroom? We’ll hear what’s behind the headline. And in that Texas town where almost every official was arrested on corruption charges, if you need help—who ya gonna call? We’ll do the dialing. Plus blue notes for Texas’ multibillion dollar music industry– the search for a new composition. All those stories and much more, today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 24, 2016

It was an allegation that torpedoed the political career of Texas’ longest serving governor. And now -all charges dropped. Allegations of abuse of power hung over former Governor Rick Perry’s presidential bid. Today Texas highest criminal court tossed the final felony charge. We’ll explore the implications. Also…a ship pulls into a harbor today between Texas and Louisiana—an historic moment for energy? The start of a boondoggle, or both? And Texas going batty in the winter…how the weather’s changing more than just moods.
all that and more on the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: February 23, 2016

Washington and Moscow say no more shooting to give peace a chance. A fix for Syria, or more like the fix is in? Also what’s in a name? An election seen by some as a test for whether Spanish surnames are penalized at the polls. Also for medical emergencies there’s 9-1-1… but who’re you gonna call when the lights go off and the food runs out? Some new number’s trickling in…And a scathing court order to rebuild Texas foster care… that no one seems to be talking about. all that and more, Check your watches, it’s Texas Standard time:

Texas Standard: February 22, 2016

The end of an era in Texas and National politics? Wither what was once referred to as the Bush dynasty? Also universities want to get tough on campus sexual violence but are they looking for scapegoats in order to polish their images? A pair of closely watched Texas cases. Plus, you heard of laissez-faire economics: but when it comes to falling oil prices, they’re making us lazy. Fair? We’ll discuss. And what if you could dip your spoon into ice cream and tell if it might not make you feel well? Ring any Bells Texas? All of that and more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 19, 2016

We’re pretty familiar these days with the standard political party views on immigration but how have they evolved over the decades? We’ll explore. Also a state-led effort to prevent the need for foster care in some cases… we’ll take a look. Plus- are you snacking right now? How adult eating habits may be linked to some childhood experiences. Recognizing an uncomfortable piece of the past… that’s the struggle right now in one North Texas community. And… Friday means the Typewriter Rodeo and a look back at the week that was in Texas politics. It’s all ahead on today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 18, 2016

Imagine getting a message at work saying you’re at risk for diabetes… How some employers are tracking worker health data. We’ll explore… Also Texas Senator Ted Cruz continues to battle it out on the campaign trail with one Donald J. Trump… we’ll unpack the heated race. Plus… We all know Texas is highly dependent on the struggling oil and gas industry… or is it? A new report from the Dallas fed. What’s the deal with 3D printers? We ask our tech expert.
And… what’s that? Ahhh… BBQ… today we’re talking links. All that and a whole lot more… on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 17, 2016

The fallout continues over what’s being called a racist incident on the Texas A&M campus. A Texas Senator calling the college students involved: gang members. Also, private prisons in Texas now could be licensed as a type of child care facility. We’ll unpack the details. Plus does an uptick in sales at brick and mortar bookstores indicate a turnaround in the trend toward e-books? And we’ll introduce you to a Texas author whose profile is about to rise. And we’ll hear why East Texas is the only place he’s interested in calling home. That and more… on today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 16, 2016

Brake lights for miles- But is building more lanes on highways making things worse? We’ll explore. Also taking a bite out of crime… or at least the way we treat some criminal evidence. Plus… how some invasive plants are making it tough for border patrol agents to do their jobs. And we’ll check in on a case that was at the center of the cops lives matter movement… but is now fraught with scandal. That and more in today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 15, 2016

So Texas, anything important happen over the weekend? Only what could be a tech tonic shift in politics and the constitution. How the passing of Antonin Scalia affects some of the most profound issues facing the nation, including three big cases from Texas. Also a south Texas boom town gone bust: how an entire city imploded with the drop in the price of oil. And the Texas woman who some say is singlehandedly fixing what’s wrong in country music. Calling things like she sees it. All that and more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 12, 2016

What if you planned a sex expo and the city turned off the lights? The ties that might bind Dallas…constitutionally speaking… Order in the court, and by order I mean where’s that suit, son? A Houston judge and the tirade that has the Justice Department steaming. Also The doctor, the druggist, and the Texas law that’s supposed to stop kickbacks between the two. How big a problem is it, really? And the larger than life Texas politician Texans may have forgotten too soon…and why that might be a bad thing for good government. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 11, 2016

The Supreme Court sides with Ken Paxton- what does the ruling really mean efforts to get Texas to clean the air? We’ll explore. Also a journalist is killed in Mexico. The government suggests it’s her own fault. The blame game and the ongoing drug war. And the new American divide luxury cities—versus Texas…we’ll explain. Also how does the saying go? With friends like these who needs…Facebook? Our digital savant explores who his real friends are. And the lingering culture of Johnny football—what’s really going on at Texas A&M?
All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 10, 2016

Within its boundaries, its big red. But in the Presidential race, it may be all about the blues. The lone star factor in 2016, we’ll explore. Also when it comes to the latino vote in Texas in 2016, which party benefits most? Are you sure about that? Plus, cookie wars. why some might not be buying what girl scouts are selling this year. Also an experiment in children’s health care: take two of these and Skype me in the morning. And before there was Facebook, the place small town texans would gather. Hint: you might find a blizzard there. Those stories and much more on todays Texas Standard: