Today marks the start of early voting across Texas, but for what? Never fear, we’ll have real world explanations of what’s up for grabs at the polls. Grab a pencil and a small piece of paper and play along as we decide how we’re gonna cast our ballots in the constitutional contests now officially underway. Also, Texas may be one of the top states for executions, but it also leads in exonerations. The price the state is paying for wrongful convictions. And the most powerful super computer at any university in the US is in Texas is about to become one of the nation’s fastest too. So why are they planning for its replacement already? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard :
Texas Standard: October 20, 2017
Until now, president Trump’s wall has been more of a symbol than anything else: now something far more concrete emerges at the border, we’ll have details. Also, cities across Texas racing to annex land before December 1st. What’s pushing the land rush, and the pushback from homeowners: it’s starting to get ugly. And sleepless over Seattle, anyone? The bids for Amazon’s second headquarters are in and some in Seattle say the losers in this contest could turn out to be the real winners, we’ll explore. And do you really need a car anymore? A Texas team does the math and shows why more Texans may want to reconsider. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 19, 2017
Are republican politicians in Texas paying a price for the scandals surrounding their party leader? We’ll measure the Trump effect. Plus, almost one year away from midterms, a new poll on political attitudes in Texas and the impact of the oval office occupant. And a Mexican governor arrested south of the border, and why the US wants him in the states. Also medical professionals in the military say post traumatic stress is hard to treat. But that may be about to change, we’ll have the latest. And the election is one thing: but is Moscow messin with Texas secession? It appears the answer is da, ya’ll. All those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 18, 2017
16 people killed in a hot air balloon crash outside of Lockhart last year: the cause? In part, investigators say a missing in action FAA, we’ll have the latest. Also, it’s being described as what could be the biggest payout since the VW emissions scandal, and the lawyers are circling. How the government could be on the hook post Harvey. Plus a University of Texas seismology team shakes things up, flipping the switch on the biggest earthquake monitoring network in the nation. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 17, 2017
When he arrived in Texas 3 years ago, many cheered the return of the american held captive. But a new chapter in that story begins. What’s next for Bowe Bergdahl now that he’s pleaded guilty to charges in connection with his own disappearance, we’ll explore. Also: officials in Houston taking a hard second look at defending against another Harvey, we’ll have details. And the remittance marketplace with Mexico: multibillion dollar business. Could an app shake it up the way Uber has with taxis? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 16, 2017
Once the bete noire of Texas Republicans, the EPA is in regulatory rollback mode. What does this mean for Texans? We’ll explore. Also, sometimes what regulations won’t do, economics will: as folks living near two coal fired power plants are discovering. The small town of Rockdale reckons with its future. And while another, in far west Texas, continues to transform into something few locals would have ever expected: Marfa, reconsidered. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 13, 2017
After repeated demands by democrats, a Texas lawmaker unveils articles of impeachment against President Trump. Now what? We’ll have the latest. Also, an army task force returns to Texas from Puerto Rico. We’ll hear what they encountered, and why the need for help isn’t likely to end any time soon. Plus, once it was hailed as a super principal for helping save a troubled school now she’s on suspension. A controversy that’s stunned the Houston community. And after a long fight to win UNESCO recognition for the Alamo, the president announces plans to pull out of the UN’s cultural wing, we’ll have the implications. Plus the week in politics with the Texas tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 12, 2017
As Congress gets ready to approve hurricane aid money, governor Abbot sends a message to the Texas delegation: get a spine! We’ll hear why the governors so angry over the hurricane relief package set to a vote in the house. Plus, why lots of folks in hard hit Victoria are feeling left high and dry by relief efforts so far. And a win for opponents of solitary confinement in Texas and why some say it doesn’t go far enough. Plus outside a rural Texas town perhaps best known for kolaches: the first legal cannabis dispensary in the Lone Star state… not quite like those in California. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 11, 2017
Published reports say the US set to decertify the nuclear agreement with Iran. Deal or no deal? And what’s the big deal for Texans? We’ll explore. Also, the question a lot of folks in lubbock and way beyond are asking right now: how could a student get a gun into a Texas Tech police facility? A specialist in law enforcement says that may be the wrong question. Plus despite Republican efforts, it lives: But sign up less than a month away, what should Texans expect? And will the Houston Rockets ever be the sort of team that’ll be talked about like the Lakers or the Celtics? The new owner says that’s the plan. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 6, 2017
They are the best numbers in more than 15 years but the worst in 20. The new job reports take a hit from hurricanes, we’ll have the latest. Plus, more legal concerns for Ken Paxton? A Texas prosecutor says she’s investigating whether bribery charges are warranted. We’ll have details plus reaction from the attorney general. And Denton couldn’t keep it’s fracking ban in place, but Scotland’s giving it a go. Lessons from the fracking conversation they’re having across the pond. Also: Galveston oh Galveston, the man who immortalized the Texas island city in song returns to where it all began, a lifelong partnership with Glen Campbell. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 5, 2017
It oversees tens of thousands of state employees, many with side jobs to make ends meet. But at the top: a different story. Health and Human Services has 11 administrations now making over 200 thousand dollars a year. 10 years ago, there were none. The agency says that’s not a fair comparison, we’ll talk with the Dallas News reporter who’s been doing the numbers. Also, several Houston schools on the do or die list this year: improve performance or get shut down, then along came Hurricane Harvey. The challenge faced by both schools and kids aiming for better grades. And you’ve heard about underground workers.. Why so little about the consumers? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 4, 2017
The state’s had a drought plan for years, now a first for water management in Texas: a statewide flood plan. What Texas is doing to prevent widespread damage from future floods and what’s needed to deal with the next one. Also, the sexual abuse of farm workers: a seemingly intractable problem? How workers came up with a plan and sold it to some of the biggest names in the American marketplace and now could be a model. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 3, 2017
As the search continues for an explanation, a motive, some reason, we turn to San Angelo to hear a survivor’s story. Plus what makes one mass shooting incident an act of terrorism and another seemingly similar incident not? And do such labels matter? We’ll explore what’s behind the debate. And a grapefruit grabbed off a tree by the side of a south Texas road: is that really stealing? Texas growers getting serious about citrus theft. And first Whole Foods sells to Amazon, now this? Why one of the biggest brands in the beverage biz is betting big on Mexican fizz. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 2, 2017
Trying to make sense of a massacre, as medical crews and police work the worst mass shooting in history, offers of support from Texas, we’ll have the latest. Also, the hired hands helping to rebuild Houston: why some say those workers most at risk, are also the most vulnerable. And with a new movie named for the city set for release and the sunset of a major HGTV show, Waco wonders about its future, we’ll stop in. And who was born in 1959 and is celebrating her 15th at long last? We’ll look at whether quinceañera Barbie has what it takes to break out in a demanding marketplace. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 29, 2017
New York, Chicago, parts of Florida known for large Puerto Rican communities. My, after Maria, it’s looking like destination Texas. We’ll have the story. Also, a conversation with the head of Texas Task Force One, one of the first rescue groups to arrive in Puerto Rico. Plus, that phone in your hand? Chances are, it’s also a radio. An emergency communication device even if a cell tower’s down. So why don’t all phone companies turn on the chip? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 28, 2017
They say it’ll help balance the budget, grow the economy, create more jobs, but what does it add up to for Texas? We’ll explore. Also after this week’s highly watched senate race in Alabama, what’s the take away for Texas? We’ll hear how that election could have shockwaves for the lone star state, and for one top congressman in particular. Plus Homeland Security will start gathering social media information for all immigrants, an effort sparked by the 2015 San Bernardino attack. But what’s the government looking for and does it make sense for security? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 27, 2017
A decades old backlog of evidence gathered after sexual assaults and the Houston lawsuit that could shake things up, we’ll have the story. Plus our question of the day: can a former punk rocker from El Paso stage a Texas sized political upset? The ballad of Beto vs. Ted, and the battle for the US senate. Also, a harvey-sized hit to Texas hospitality? Why there’s no room at the inns. And a little known defense department program has been discovered at a major Texas installation: what is the mission of Starbase Kelly? And why is everyone so small? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 26, 2017
Travis County’s Sheriff does a 180 after a ruling on Senate Bill 4. All ICE Detainers will be honored, but it’s not so simple. The status quo ante, the way things were before SB4. Is that what the court wants Texas to return to? We’ll try to sort out an opinion that’s left considerable confusion over the short term implementation of Texas’ so-called sanctuary cities bill. Also, remember the Texas Miracle? A piece in the New York times asks the question, Texas, you still feelin miraculous? And harvey sparks global interest in the concept of sponge cities. Like the suburbs, only extra absorbent. All that and a whole lot more on the national news show of Texas, the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 25, 2017
Could Ted Cruz sink the latest republican attempt at Obamacare repeal? Yes. Will he? That’s now the question, we’ll explore. Also, what really happened that caused fires to break out at a chemical plant during Harvey. We’ll hear what environmental regulators are looking into one month later. Plus Pulitzer Prize winning reporter and native Houstonian David Farenthold sent shock waves thru campaign 2016 with his stories on Donald Trump. And what impact has the Trump era had on Texas politics? What Farenthold says might surprise you. Our conversation coming up. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 22, 2017
After Trump, after a special session, after Harvey—where does Texas go from here? From the biggest annual political event in the Lone Star State, this is the Texas Standard.
With the federal government in the hands of republicans, what kind of mark is Texas making on American politics right now?
This is the place to ask such questions: tonight’s the kickoff of the Texas Tribune festival–a weekend in the Texas capitol city devoted to all things Lone Star politics.
From what to do about interminable commutes to the role of Texas cities in climate change —and we assume, of course you can name the governor? We’ll try a little “on the street” test. We’ve got miles and miles to cover, we’re at Tribfest today on the Standard.