A Texas democrat in the race for president faces disappointing numbers and new calls to reconsider his political objective. That story coming up today on the Texas Standard. Disorder in the court? A commission set to reconsider whether Texas judges should have to run for office or whether partisan races undermine the independence of the Texas bench. Also amid boom times for oil, a warning of a petrochemical bust just five years away, and why Texas needs to take that into account right now. All that and a whole lot more on the national news show of Texas:
Texas Standard: July 16, 2019
Not another presidential tweet or campaign jab, but a change in the federal register that could lead to a profound change at the southern border. The new rules could effectively stop asylum claims at the border with Mexico, and it is certain to get a challenge in court. We’ll take a closer look. Also, teachers were promised pay raises. But who gets what, and why? Some disappointed by the calculus are promising political payback. And a slowdown in oil country, layoffs coming? Quite the opposite. Those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 15, 2019
Threatened immigration raids in Houston and elsewhere fizzle. Lots of political sound and fury, ultimately signifying what? We’ll take a closer look. Also, after outrage over conditions at border patrol detention centers, the Vice President comes to Texas. What did he see that democrats didn’t, or vice versa? And the Texas city that bet big on cryptocurrency loses its wager. How much was the loss, and what might it say about cities chasing growth? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 27, 2019
The Supreme Court issues rulings on gerrymandering and a citizenship question on the census. Details plus the impact for the Lone Star State, today on the Texas Standard.
In addition to breaking news from the nation’s highest court, analysis of the first of two democratic presidential debates this week. The two Texans in last night’s nationally broadcast event. Beto O’Rourke and Julian Castro: at least one appears to have gotten serious traction.
Plus, a former Speaker of the House jumps back into the political ring, the return of Joe Straus and more.
Texas Standard: June 26, 2019
Another fight over state versus local control. This time the battle line is drawn over homelessness, sleeping in public spaces and soliciting.
The city of Austin loosens laws some say criminalize homelessness, the Governor promises to override. A closer look coming up.
Also, as enforcement operations at the border tighten, more migrants turn to more treacherous places to try to pass through.
Plus, a Texas senators claim that the Lone Star State is one of the most heavily affected by drug trafficking. True? A Politifact check and more.
Texas Standard: June 25, 2019
The President’s deal with Mexico inflated, critics said. But the New York Times among those now crediting Mr.Trump with a change at the border. The White House threat to increase tariffs with Mexico. Did the gambit work? We’ll take a closer look. Also, a conservative firebrand says goodbye to the Texas legislature. Does it say something more about a changing of the guard in Texas politics? Plus, from oil giant to energy superpower: the story of renewables coming of age in the Lone Star State. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 21, 2019
A mass migration from California to Texas. Is it all about the Benjamins? Or could it say something about the future of the U.S.? Two visions for the future of America, and according to the Economist Magazine, one is better suited for the future, we’ll hear why. Also, is Texas big enough for a second vet school? The Governor says yes, approving 17 million to green light a challenger to Texas A&M. We’ll hear from the new dean. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 20, 2019
The reddest of red states? No more! Texas’ senior Senator John Cornyn ponders his reelection prospects and issues a warning to the GOP. Abby Livingston of the Texas Tribune on her conversation with the Senate’s 2nd highest ranking Republican and what it means for Texas politics. Also, summers here, but so is a teacher shortage in West Texas. So what happens come September? And Facebook bets on a Bitcoin competitor, should you? Tech expert Omar Gallaga weighs in. That and whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 19, 2019
The President launches his re-election bid. How strong is his support in Texas? Who do Texas Democrats favor in 2020? A new UT-Texas Tribune poll offers an updated snapshot of where Texans stand on a variety of political matters as we head into the next election cycle. We’ll break down the findings. Also some claim that the cycle of boom and bust in oil country is a relic of the past. Is it? We’ll take a closer look. And claims about high maternal mortality rates in Texas: The governor says they’re lying. But what does Politifact say? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 18, 2019
The President promises millions to be deported starting next week as he gets set to launch his reelection campaign. The pledge comes amid record numbers of apprehensions at the border and as he prepares for his first big campaign rally of the 2020 election cycle. Empty politics, or the launch of a major new enforcement action? We’ll explore. Also- the best lawmakers in Texas, and the worst too. In the aftermath of the 86th Legislative session Texas Monthly issues its long awaited biennial rankings. Plus the rest of what’s what this Tuesday and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 14, 2019
The prelude to war with Iran? Concerns about attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf region, and what this could add up to on the home front.
A long scary slide for a famous Texas-based waterpark company- now a rescue of sorts may be in the works for Schlitterbahn. We’ll hear details.
Where the rubber meets the road in the West Texas oil boom: tires tires everywhere, raising the risk for disaster.
Also, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: June 12, 2019
Ruffled feathers: the so called Chick-fil-A bill signed into law, which some say guarantees religious liberty, others say licenses discrimination. The implications today on the Texas Standard.
Eat it or pitch it? The FDA in a new push to get food companies to standardize expiration dates. Also, you’ve heard about boom times in the Permian Basin. But how do West Texans balance the benefits with an explosion in trash. Plus, remembering Lonesome Dove screenwriter Bill Wittliff.
Texas Standard: June 11, 2019
With Twitter flourishes and media fanfare the Governor signs new legislation declaring Texas Republicans the party of results. Why that could be fear talking. Today on the Texas Standard.
With Texas Democrats promising a record setting turnout in the 2020 election cycle, Governor Abbott’s pulling out the stops to pitch GOP unity over ideological purity.
Also, two years since the controversial Trans-Pecos pipeline went into service. Now many more projects in the pipeline- we’ll hear what’s at stake.
And, not just Central Americans but an increasing number of central Africans crossing the southern border.
Texas Standard: June 10, 2019
Mayors selected by voters into two of Texas’ largest cities. Who they are, and what the outcomes say about the state of the Lone Star State. More on this weekends mayoral runoffs in San Antonio and Dallas.
A Fort Worth family fighting a federal law that sets adoption priorities for Native American children. The family says it’s racial discrimination, tribes say its not about race.
Also, sexual assault evidence kits gathering dust in police evidence closets for decades. Why that’s about to change.
Plus, the possible return of Wendy Davis and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: June 6, 2019
Citing a crisis, border officials say they will cut off funding for anything not directly necessary for the protection of life and safety in U.S. shelters. Officials tell the operators of resettlement shelters to end English classes, recreation programs and other services because there isn’t the money to pay for it. We’ll take a closer look. Also, concerns about suicide among farmers and a new effort to reach out across rural Texas. Plus, what voting data tells us about just how far to the right and left our own lawmakers really are. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 5, 2019
U.S. tariffs set to kick in next week against our neighbors south of the border, and warnings this could get ugly on the homefront. As President Trump vows to launch tariffs against Mexico starting next week, economists warn another trade war could be a disaster for the U.S…with Texas hardest hit. We’ll take a closer look. Also, the licensing board for Texas plumbers is about to get flushed. But Governor Abbott’s promising to fix what’s become a major flap. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 4, 2019
Policing the police? A Texas Democrat running for president wants to make police accountability a theme in 2020, we’ll have details. Also, they went abroad to spread the gospel. Now an investigation finds a legacy of abuse by Southern Baptist missionaries, we’ll take a look. And new rankings for public schools across the Lone Star State, one part of Texas continues to shine. But a surprising downturn for some larger districts…we’ll have a closer look. Also, what didn’t happen in the just concluded 86th legislature? All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 30, 2019
The latest front in the culture wars? A game of political chicken, sandwiches? We’ll look at the backstory behind the conservative cry to save Chick-fil-a. AT&T is one of the biggest and best known brands in the world, but it ain’t your parents Ma Bell anymore. How the Dallas based phone company is morphing into a digital media giant. And a wake up call to save older buildings across the Lone Star State. Plus how Texas got its name: there may be more to the story than you think. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 29, 2019
If another Harvey sized storm hit the Texas coast, could the state’s economy weather the hit ? A warning to Texas officials about the need to do something to protect the Galveston bay before the next so called 500 year storm event, we’ll take a look. Also a plan to get teachers to transfer to low performing schools, how’s it going? Plus how is it that a small texas town of 400 people is bankrolling projects statewide? We’ll explore. And has Texas government debt really risen 40 percent in 5 years? Politifact checks the numbers and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 28, 2019
The 86th session of the Texas legislature is history, but is it one for the history books? We’ll take a look at the highs and lows, the winners and losers and more on a special edition of the Texas Standard. At a time of bitterness and division in national politics, a funny thing happened on the way to the Texas legislature in January: the three most powerful figures in Texas politics resolved to get things done without playing to the political extremes. From property tax and school finance reform, mental health care and beyond…we’ll look at who won who lost and how it affects all of us on our special edition of the Standard: