David Brown

Texas Standard: December 18, 2017

The GOP says it has enough votes in the Senate to pass its tax bill. The reason? What might be called a last minute Santa clause…The story today on the Texas Standard.

When Katrina made landfall in 2005–more than a thousand guns disappeared in the chaos, reappearing in crimes years later. But after Harvey, the story was different…the results of an investigation by the Texas Standard and the Houston Chronicle.
Also, what’ll it take to bring tourism back to the coastal bend.

And the occupation with the highest rate of suicide? It’s probably not what you think. We’ll hear about a crisis down on the farm –and what can be done…All that and much more today on the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: December 15, 2017

The UN and Amnesty International among the groups warning of a new move to green light the militarization of Mexico, we’ll have the latest. Also, NASA celebrating the discovery of a new planet in a solar system that looks not entirely unlike our own. But it’s how the discovery was made that’s a breakthrough unto itself, we’ll hear why. And on a fateful November day in Dallas, 1963, a secret service agent threw himself on top of the first lady to shield her from bullets. And for years blamed himself for the death of a president. Today, that agent, Clint Hill, joins us. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 14, 2017

With new allegations of of an abusive office culture laced with sexually demeaning language, a Texas congressman says he’s calling it quits. The US congressman from Corpus Christi: Blake Farenthold pulls the plug on his re-election bid, but says he plans to serve the remainder of his term. The tipping point? We’ll explore. Also, in many offices, sexual harassment training is a requirement. But is it making a difference? And 7 universities from three gulf coast states, including who know where, teaming for a first of it’s kind institute for hurricane research. Also, an an unlikely mecca for espresso aficionados. Is that why they say Amarillo by morning? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 8, 2017

A group committed to boosting prospects for democratic women calls on the resignations of two prominent state senate democrats. In a season of sexual harassment scandals, new allegations against state senators Boris Miles and Carlos Uresti are the talk of the Texas capitol city. Both men deny the charges. We’ll hear from the person who reported the story, as well as a fellow state senator calling for reform of how sexual harassment cases are handled. And a legal scholar who says the implications go directly to a larger cultural problem at the capitol. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 7, 2017

Should a gun license be treated like a drivers license? So one could carry anywhere in the US? The house green lights a landmark gun bill, we’ll have the latest. Also, he may not be a seasoned politician, but politics has long been part of his life. The son of a former governor becomes the second democrat in as many days to announce a challenge to Texas Governor Abbott. And a warning for parents using portable electronics as pacifiers: the digital playland’s not nearly as safe as some would have you believe. Plus a major Texas newspaper calls on Texas lawmakers to shutdown the government to force the issue of funding post hurricane Harvey. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 6, 2017

No democrat has been elected to statewide office since 1994. But the state’s first openly Gay Hispanic Sheriff says she’s ready to be Governor. It had been rumored that Dallas county sheriff Lupe Valdez was mulling a bid to challenge Governor Greg Abbott, but now that the shoe has dropped. Do Democrats have a serious contender? We’ll explore. Also, a Texas police department takes aim at the Grinch offering an alternative to leaving holiday parcels on the front porch. And it started in Chicago, got revived in Austin, and has gone global: the story of the real life roller derby queens. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 5, 2017

Lawmakers thought they’d fixed the voter ID question in Texas. Today, the state defends the new law in federal court, we’ll have the latest. Also, when hurricane Harvey made landfall, Rockport took it on the chin. As people talk about rebuilding in other parts of Texas, the question for Rockport is far more stark: can it survive? With its tax base disappearing, the mayor’s literally counting the days until coffers hit zero. Plus: four juvenile justice groups call for the state to close its youth lockups. The response from the top? You might be surprised. And a surprising study on racism south of the border. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 4, 2017

The US Supreme court refuses to hear a Texas case on employer benefits for same sex couples. But what does this mean? We’ll have the latest. Plus, with rising murder rates in cities across Texas, we’re seeing the return of so called gun buyback programs. So how is it that high-powered arms of the law are winding up on the streets of Texas cities? Alain Stephens with the result of our year long investigation: Blowback. Also, why, after more than 2 weeks, are federal investigators still in the dark over what actually happened in the death of an on duty border patrol agent, and the wounding of his partner? Plus the last republicans and the next Texas speaker of the house. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 1, 2017

The last man standing from the class of ’84 says goodbye to congress. Is this a start to a sea change in Texas Politics? We’ll have the latest. Also, a bill to authorize the army and navy to take over law enforcement south of the border. An essential step to stop the cartels or a militarization of security in Mexico? We’ll explore. The children’s health insurance program set to shut down for the first time in Texas, why letters may be going out at the first of next week. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 30, 2017

A one way ticket back to Texas for Rex Tillerson? A new report details plans for a major cabinet shakeup by year’s end, we’ll have the latest. Also, she was a 25 year old school teacher, a former beauty queen, found dead in April of 1960. Her case: never solved. More than a half century later, a media circus descends on McAllen as opening arguments get underway in the murder trial against a former priest, the last person to see her alive. Also, a case of failure to launch? Why’s progress been so slow at the much ballyhooed SpaceX Texas launch site? And what’s in a name? A whole lot more than most, if the name is maverick. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 29, 2017

Midterms aren’t usually the most exciting elections, but there’s a whole lotta shakin goin on: political turnover our top story today. Also, more than 30 quakes this year in and around Pecos, more than all recorded there in the past ten years put together. We’ll ask why. Plus, the university of Texas, landing soon in New Mexico? Or maybe Texas A&M? Details of the forthcoming battle for Los Alamos and whether there’s a Rick Perry factor. And as the hurricane season draws to a close, voices from a storm more than a hundred years ago that forever changed the Lone Star State. That and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 28, 2017

A republican led race to wrap up a rare rewrite of the nations tax laws hits stumbling blocks in the senate. We’ll hear what provisions are causing problems on the hill and what the cuts could add up to in the political near term. Also, fears growing among many Texas businesses as NAFTA negotiators prepare for round six. And you’ve heard of sanctuary cities? Now hear this: some cities are asking for their police to be deputized into immigration enforcement. And the case that could be the biggest of the century for privacy rights, and why it matters for anyone with a smartphone. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 27, 2017

2018: the year of the underdog? With two weeks left for filing in next years elections, why it may turn into the year of the under card. Also- the emergency within an emergency. As Harvey’s rains hammered Houston, a chemical plant fire created the potential for an explosive catastrophe. What a new report says about disaster preparation in one of the world’s petrochemical capitals. Also the keystone pipeline once again takes center stage after an oil spill. And pushing back against the bullies. A north Texas mosque trying to help young muslims. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 22, 2017

Hundreds of thousands of Texas homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. But getting a total cost estimate of all that? It’s complicated, we’ll have the latest. It perhaps comes as no surprise. But new details reveal just how tied Texas is to Mexican drug cartels and corrupt officials. Plus- many a doorstep will be flooded with Amazon packages this holiday season. A closer look at how those boxes got there. And fighting traffic this holiday weekend? The “rude” maneuver that’s actually helping to move things along faster. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 21, 2017

The Governor offers $20,000 for information about an attack on border agents. But questions remain–was it really an attack? The story today on the Texas Standard.

What we know, and don’t know about the death of a US border agent near Van Horn.

Also, a John Doe, kicked out of the University of Texas for sexual assault–reinstated—at least for now. We’ll ask why.

For the second time in a row, a Mexican-American studies text is rejected by state officials…no ethnic studies classes? Not exactly. we’ll hear more…

Home for the holidays? Not in parts of southeast Texas–Harvey’s homeless three months on….
Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard

Texas Standard: November 20, 2017

As millions of Texans hit the highways for the start of holiday season, new signs that the bell may be tolling for toll roads. But with costs and complaints and traffic all up, are we nearing a tipping point when it comes to Texas’ free market philosophy for transportation? We’ll explore. And in a small Texas town turned upside down by a church shooting, Thanksgiving arrives early. Also, the homeless often get more attention this time of year, now the spotlight turns to what some say are laws that keep people homeless. And with miles of pipeline connecting oilfields to Corpus Christi, a plan to pipe something back west, and maybe around the world, too. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 17, 2017

It was introduced two weeks ago, and without a single hearing, it’s passed the house. Tax reform of some form seems likely, but at what cost?
The president’s plan for rebuilding America’s infrastructure: price tag? 1 trillion dollars. But who’s gonna pay for it? One expert says the answer should be obvious: China. And Texas could be at the center of it, we’ll hear why. Also, first do no harm, goes the maxim of medicine. But are med school costs hurting the profession itself? Why more prospective doctors are turning to Texas. And surviving a historic storm and emerging world champions, heroic enough for ya? The folks behind Superman and Batman come to Houston to talk superheroes. Those stories plus the week in politics and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 16, 2017

In the wake of Sutherland Springs, should congregants be allowed to carry firearms? Hundreds respond to a Texas church security summit, we’ll have the latest. Also, at Texas prisons its being described as a mass exodus of guards. We’ll hear how bad it is and what’s behind it. File under sign of the times: what do you call it when someone lies by, telling the truth? Why a word with roots in the 16th century is making a comeback in 2017. Plus attention investors: want some partisanship to go with that portfolio? A new way the industry’s blending business and politics. And it’s happened to us all: we’ve run out of Velveeta and Rotel. In queso emergency, the homesick Texan’s got you covered. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 15, 2017

A death at a college campus: now Texas State joins the ranks of universities nationwide putting greek life on hold, perhaps for good? We’ll have the latest. Also, 26 people were killed by the shooter at Sutherland Springs, but there’s something in those numbers that goes beyond the horror of mass shootings and it appears firmly grounded in the debate over abortion, we’ll hear how and why. And after outrages over the improper use of police force, many Texas cities embraced body cameras. But not all as readily as others, a report card. And do you know who’s listening to your cell phone call? Could it be the Texas military? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 14, 2017

How many reports of sexual harassment have been filed against Texas house and Senate members? The number might surprise you. As Texas’ US senators pull their endorsement of Alabama republican senate candidate Roy Moore, new allegations emerge that hit much closer to home. Alexa Ura of the Texas Tribune on what their team is finding about sexual harassment and assault under the so-called pink dome. Also, compounding pharmacies across Texas coming under federal scrutiny for dispensing deadly cocktails laced with kickbacks and charged to taxpayers, we’ll explore. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: