Dueling ballot challenges in Tarrant County: Why longtime Texas politics-watchers say they’ve never seen anything like it.
A look at a teacher’s alleged sexual misconduct and a new state law that could wind up costing a local school district millions. We’ll dive into whether other school districts could be on the hook as more victims seek accountability.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga explains a controversy over explicit images generated by X’s AI tool, Grok.
And a check-in on where Texas is at amid preparations for the FIFA World Cup.
Minneapolis ICE shooting prompts protests in Texas
The killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week sparked protests around the nation this weekend. We’ll look at what happened here in Texas.
The state of Texas has handed over voter registration rolls to the Trump administration Justice Department. Why Texas Democrats and some experts fear that could have violated federal law and exposed confidential information about Texas voters.
For some women behind bars in Nueces County, a financial education effort is underway that proponents hope will be life changing.
Also, why one commentator says the Houston Texans – not the Dallas Cowboys – are now America’s team.
What to know as flu season ramps up in Texas
Concerns about the flu are making headlines in many places across the country. Where do we stand in Texas?
Our conversation with the state’s epidemiologist to hear how concerned Texans need to be as flu season ramps up.
Also, more and more Texas parents are crying foul over the rising cost of their kids playing in youth sports leagues. It’s not just about uniforms and equipment, either.
And Netflix: not just for the sofa anymore. How the company’s making a move to brick and mortar.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.
Uvalde school shooting trial is underway
Over three years later, the first criminal trial over the police response to the Uvalde school shooting is underway. We’ll have a live report with the latest in the trial of one of the first police officers to arrive at the scene of the deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary.
With a big meeting set at the White House on Friday, we’ll review the stakes for Texas’ oil industry after the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
We’ll hear why a Texas teachers union is suing the Texas Education Agency over social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Plus, social media’s struggles to keep a lid on AI deepfakes.
Venezuela’s future and what it means for Texas oil
A historic U.S. military operation has extracted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from the country. What are the implications, both for Texas and the U.S.? University of Texas global affairs expert Jeremi Suri weighs in on this weekend’s events, including the legality of the Venezuela operation and whether it was about narcoterrorism, oil, or something more.
Speaking of oil, we’ll look at the implications for Texas as a global hub of the petroleum industry.
Plus, the future of oil and gas in the Rio Grande Valley, the rediscovery of a key piece of the state’s colonial history, and a Texas DJ who left a mark on American blues.
Encore presentation: A special broadcast from San Antonio
As we celebrated 10 years of the Texas Standard in 2025, our yearlong tour of the state recently took us to our partners at Texas Public Radio, based in San Antonio.
Though its many landmarks bring in the tourists, new residents are rushing in, too – putting pressure on resources like energy and water.
We explored those growing pains but also sampled the tastes and sounds that make San Antonio special.
The top news of the year and looking ahead to 2026
As we wrap up 2025, we’re reflecting on some of the most important news moments of the past year, including what happened with new proposals aplenty passed during the biennial state legislative session.
We’ll also drill down on some original investigative reporting of the year with the Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy and look at how 2026 is teed up for Texas through a political lens.
What to know if Affordable Care Act subsidies expire
There may be no personal income tax in Texas, but property tax? That’s another thing. And perhaps, the next big thing in Texas politics. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with more on what’s emerging as a new theme in Texas politics for 2026: Property taxes.
4 million Texans signed up for health plans from the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and all are expected to be paying more for their premiums in the new year if subsidies are allowed to expire.
And look back at some of the big stories in TV and film in Texas as we close out the year.
Stories to warm your heart this Christmas
Just a few weeks ago, the editors and producers of the Texas Standard made out their lists and checked them twice, picking out stories from the past year that filled them with a certain sense of uplift – something that can at times seem so elusive.
In the spirit of the season, we’re sharing some of these feel-good stories with you on a special Christmas Day edition of the Texas Standard.
Our favorite stories from the Texas Standard and Texas Newsroom
How will you remember 2025? This hour we’re listening back to some of our favorite stories of the year from reporters with the Texas Standard and Texas Newsroom.
Remember the author of “Holes,” who made a sharp turn in 2025? Or when it was blazing hot outside and the swimming pool became too irresistible to say no to? What about the rise and rise of Labubus?
All this and more on a special holiday edition of the Texas Standard.
The best of the Texas Standard and Texas Newsroom in 2025
This holiday season, we’ve been listening back to some of the most compelling reporting by our in-house journalists here at the Texas Standard, as well as a team of public media reporters statewide known as The Texas Newsroom.
From an effort to help more adults complete a high school education, to a mystery Bible in Boerne, to the long-awaited launch of a new college football team in the Rio Grande Valley, you’re in for a treat on this special edition of the Texas Standard.
Dallas’ Longhorn Ballroom marks 75 years
Politicians can raise a lot of money running for election. But what happens to it when the campaign trail ends? Elected officials in Texas have a loophole to help them spend the money they raise on campaigns after they retire.
How many concert venues have made it 75 years? We’ll take a tour of Dallas’ historic Longhorn Ballroom.
All that plus the latest political headlines, SpaceX going public, and the Typewriter Rodeo.
Tiny Texas town’s library could be adult education template
Houston, Fort Worth… Now three more Texas school districts are expected to be taken over by state education officials. Where, why and what comes next?
The son of Texas A&M’s campus rabbi is among those critically injured in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.
Mexican citizens who routinely cross into the U.S. at Texas’ southern border to donate plasma may be taking advantage of an immigration loophole.
And our own Sarah Asch tells us why a library in a tiny Texas town may be a template for preserving adult education programs nationwide.
Tamales in Texas: A holiday debate with deep roots
Millions of student loan borrowers are bracing themselves for big changes. We’ll have details on the end of the so-called SAVE program and why experts worry millions of student loan borrowers may be forced into default.
As some Texas cities cut funding for homeless services, a look at one approach from nonprofits: giving cash directly to people who need it.
With Netflix in the news this week, tech expert Omar Gallaga notes some users are already spotting a change in how they stream the service at home as mobile casting is discontinued.
Plus, the great tamale debate: Corn husk or banana leaf? Sweet or savory?
Trans students push back as university policies shift
Political musical chairs is underway in Texas on deadline day for candidates to file for the midterm elections. We’ll explore where we stand and what it means today.
Mandatory course reviews and changes to policies at universities have faculty warning of dire threats to academic freedom, especially when it comes to teaching hot-button topics – like transgender identity. Kaye Knoll with that story.
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds… What about snacking on cottonseeds? The A&M researcher betting on making them edible.
Also, this week in Texas music history looks at Austin’s jaded teens who get turned on to the new sounds of the ’60s as The 13th Floor Elevators take the stage.
Why a Texas Democrat was pardoned by Trump
Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar from Texas faced charges of conspiracy, bribery and money laundering. Why did the president just pardon him? We’ll dive in today.
Texas becomes the first state to buy bitcoin. Why, and what it adds up to in a larger context.
Imagine distilling your entire year into a snapshot – like a top 10 list. Spotify may have popularized the year-end personal recap craze, but they’re not the only game in town. Holiday wrapping and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard.
What’s next after Supreme Court restores Texas’ congressional map?
The eyes of many Texans are on the U.S. Supreme Court – with new redistricting maps hanging in the balance. The Texas Tribune’s Eleanor Klibanoff joins us with an update on a legal back and forth that could affect which maps Texas uses for the 2026 election season.
Another Texas Republican, U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, says he won’t seek reelection to Congress. That makes him the sixth GOP lawmaker to step back from elected office as we approach a new election season. What’s behind these departures?
Also, a common refrain from Texas restaurants this holiday season: “Cash please, not credit.”
Encore presentation: Houston’s rise to become a global city
We’re bringing you a special rebroadcast from the studios of our partners at Houston Public Media, the November destination in our yearlong waltz across Texas marking 10 years on the air.
Today, we’ll explore Houston’s rise to become the nation’s newest global city.
Also, a mission to tell the true story of the first female astronauts, the Houston Chronicle with a new list of the top Houston restaurants, a take on Texas zydeco, and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Encore presentation: From State Fair to stock exchange, a special broadcast from Dallas
From the oldest radio station in Texas, in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, site of the State Fair of Texas, it’s Texas Standard Time.
As we continue to celebrate our 10th birthday this year, the Texas Standard tour bus in October pulled into the historic home of WRR, temporary home to our partners KERA North Texas.
We’ll explore the economic boom across North Texas, hear voices from the fair, learn about a new sports classic set to kick off at the Cotton Bowl and much more.
It’s a special edition of the Texas Standard, live from Fair Park in Dallas.
Encore presentation: Dr Pepper, mammoths and more – all about Waco
As we continue our yearlong 10th birthday celebration, we’re sharing a special rebroadcast of our July show before a live studio audience at a place that’s been called the “Athens of Texas” – Waco, itself celebrating 25 years of public radio from our partners at KWBU.
We’ll be sampling some of the sights, sounds and tastes of this historic Central Texas city.
After all, when you’re the birthplace of Dr Pepper, home to a national monument marking an epic concentration of mammoths, and with a growing population and national profile, there’s a whole lotta Waco to explore.