Where there’s smoke there’s, a lack of oversight? Calls for greater accountability in the aftermath of fires in the nation’s petrochemical capitol. Plus, a year and a half after the deadly mass shooting at Sutherland Springs a new chapter opens for the church and the community, we’ll take a look. Also, the difficulty of getting closure after the death of a loved one. Why it may be taking longer here in Texas. And at what price Whataburger? 6 billion dollars? The iconic Texas brand explores a possible sale. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 17, 2019
Even after evidence of Russian attempts to hack U.S. politics, campaigns for 2020 are turning down cybersecurity help. Is that a smart move? We’ll take a look. Also, a new immigration reform plan. Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News tells us why Democrats say its dead on arrival. Plus, skyrocketing insulin prices? For a Texas congressman this one’s personal. Joaquin Castro tells us what he’s planning to do about it. And U.S. military veterans, more and more of them denied U.S. citizenship. We’ll hear what’s happening. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 16, 2019
Are church officials hiding information related to sex abuse claims? We’ll look at how police are explaining a raid of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Also, diplomatic families sent home, energy companies battening down the hatches, amid reports of contingency plans for a possible military confrontation with Iran. A long time White House adviser helps us understand what’s happening. Plus, a modern day home on the range? Why Midland has become a magnet for millennials. And top tips for movie searching in the age of multiple streaming services. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 15, 2019
A potential challenge to Rowe vs. Wade by Alabama lawmakers as a federal appeals court hears a Texas case that could sharply curb abortion access, we’ll have the latest. Also thousands of fish, crabs and other sea life wash up dead along Galveston bay. Oystering there is closed until further notice. A clampdown on seafood safety on the Texas gulf after a chemical spill, we’ll have details. And the return of the so-called education degree in Texas. Plus, has Texas removed more Confederate monuments than any other state? A politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 14, 2019
A bill killed by the LGBTQ caucus in the Texas House is revived in the senate. A battle in the culture wars? We’ll have the latest. Plus with the final day of this legislative session fast approaching, The Texas Senate appears to be fast tracking a religious liberty bill opponents say amounts to a license to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. We’ll have details. And, the helium shortage and Texas’ oversized role in it. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 10, 2019
It’s a new rule designed to answer concerns about sex abuse in the Catholic church, although some victims say it’s nowhere near enough. We’ll have the latest. And do you remember acid rain? Problems in the Permian with a new warning from a national environmental group says recent reports by the energy industry itself indicate dangerous and illegal amounts of sulphur dioxide in west Texas, we’ll take a look. And so so-called good samaritans at the border with Mexico arrested. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 9, 2019
A showdown between congress and the executive branch over the Mueller report. Many calling it a constitutional crisis. But is it, really? In the fight over control of the Mueller report, it may come down to the courts to decide whether the executive branch can justifiably assert executive privilege and stop congress from getting an unredacted copy. We’ll explore what’s at stake for the separation of powers. Also, a new report spots a growing trend: the upwardly mobile mexican migrant, we’ll take a look. And the budget premium smartphone: an oxymoron? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 8, 2019
Austin’s the largest city in the U.S. without a public defenders office, but that may be about to change. We’ll look at why the push and what it means. Also, we’ll meet the Texas doctor developing replacement internal organs using 3d printers. And delays for trucks trying to cross the border, the U.S. and Texas in particular stand to pay a high price. And is Austin the first city in the south with a paid sick leave policy? A politifact check that could get contentious and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 7, 2019
Is a cut in property tax worth the hike in sales tax? A would be swap gets more scrutiny as an important vote looms on the horizon, we’ll do the numbers. Also, what would be a major expansion of the Texas medical marijuana program gets a big boost in the Texas House. And over on the Senate side, lawmakers take action on school finance fixes, we’ll have details. Also, the emergence of a video sparks calls to reopen the investigation into the arrest and death of Sandra Bland. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 6, 2019
And the results are in from cities across Texas. Is there a message voters are sending on the eve of a major national election season? We’ll explore. Also, the White House and Democrats in congress agree on infrastructure needs, at a price tag of 2 trillion dollars. Crazy money you say? If the sky’s the limit, what does Texas need most? And the effort to arm more marshals at Texas public schools, but some minority students say it makes them feel less safe, not more. Plus the Texan making maps for hoops and transforming the game of basketball. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 3, 2019
Should Texas political mapmaking be placed back under federal oversight? We’ll have the latest in a high stakes battle over race and redistricting. Also, it is one of the nation’s most notorious strips for prostitution. Now a controversy over Houston’s plan to clean up what’s known as “the track”. And a byproduct of energy extraction, now treated as waste, soon to be turned into fuel for more energy extraction. A virtuous cycle? Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 2, 2019
Reading, writing, and a rush to judgement? Some Texas lawmakers seem somewhat unsettled by a school finance bill racing to the floor of the Senate, we’ll have details. Also, the white puts in a multi billion dollar request for emergency border funds. This time, it’s not about a wall but humanitarian relief. Some in congress are unconvinced. Also the future of ugly food, why your next pet might be virtual, and actor and filmmaker Edward James Olmos is in the studio. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 30, 2019
To be or not to be a Senate candidate. Democrats puzzled why an expected challenge to John Cornyn is slow to materialize, we’ll have the latest. Plus, amid what appears to be growing support for gun control efforts in other parts of the U.S., the nation’s biggest gun rights group takes aim against itself? A leadership struggle at the NRA poses one of the most serious threats to the organization in years. And a Texas senator moves to stop publishing the final words of prisoners facing the death sentence. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 29, 2019
The state of Texas to to pay half a million in legal fees and rescind its plan to check the citizenship of registered voters, we’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re watching: how what’s happening in the Texas oilfield resembles a certain superhero-filled hollywood blockbuster. Also, the part of Texas’ death row seldom heard about on the news. Plus Abilene rediscovering a chapter of its history many would like to forget. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 26, 2019
It was a perp walk with the TV cameras rolling as the mayor of Edinburg and his wife were led to court in handcuffs. An attorney general’s investigation into allegations of election fraud result in charges for the top official in Edinburg as city officials say they’re standing by their mayor, we’ll have the latest. Also, sea turtle season returns as researchers declare a long term effort to learn more about the critters. Plus, understanding the hype over the new Avengers movie, the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 25, 2019
A 3 year old found alone at the border, his name and a phone number written on his shoes. An anomaly? Hardly. This instance turning a spotlight on a tragedy more common than many might imagine. So reports Manny Fernandez of the New York Times, and we’ll talk with him. Also, the Texas based Boy Scouts of America facing growing allegations of sexual abuse, we’ll have the latest. Plus, Texas leads the nation in traffic deaths, so what do lawmakers plan to do about it? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 24, 2019
A Texas democrat enters the race for U.S. senate, facing a 3 term incumbent with a massive war chest. Veteran M.J. Hegar throws her hat into the ring for the Senate seat held by John Cornyn. What are her chances and what does it mean for another much talked about potential challenger? Also, the Dallas D.A. getting pushback from the governor and others over plans not to prosecute some petty thefts. The D.A. says its criminalizing poverty. And one giant leap for legalized hemp in the Lone Star State. All those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 24, 2019
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex. But what about sexual orientation? We’ll take a closer look at the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a trio of cases with the potential of expanding gay lesbian and transgender rights. Also, 3 scientists being fired amid espionage fears at Houston’s prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. And we’ve been hearing about Central American migrants at the border: a surprising number waiting in Ciudad Juárez are coming in from Cuba. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 22, 2019
T-minus 35 days and counting as the Texas Legislature approaches the end of the regular session. Will we be going into overtime? A closer look today on the Standard.
From property tax and school finance reform to child welfare and the environment -a whole lot of unfinished business and just five weeks to get it all done. We’ll have an update.
New numbers on Texas agriculture. What do they add up to? A shifting landscape in rural Texas, for starters–we’ll have more.
Also, the brand that planted the Texas flag in high tech history is breaking new ground and adding hundreds of jobs. All those stories and more as the Texas Standard gets started.
Texas Standard: April 19, 2019
Reaction to the Mueller report from across Texas and from across the political spectrum. So what happens next? We’ll talk with legal scholar Steve Vladek. Plus beyond the legal and political implications, one aspect not getting much attention: how the U.S. was attacked by Russian military units. NPR’s Pam Fessler joins us with details of how a voting system was breached. Also a pattern of Black and Latino suicides and what’s being done. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: