Who are the best and who are the worst legislators in the 2017 session? It’s the list that’s got Texans talking on this Wednesday, we’ll hear why. Also the new bill outlawing so-called sanctuary cities doesn’t take effect until the fall, which leaves cities and counties exactly where when it comes to who do detain and for how long? We’ll hear about some hard lessons being learned by detainees and those doing the detaining. Also, if more and more nanny’s are watching out for Texas kids, who’s watching over the nannies? Those stories and a lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 20, 2017
The Russians declare a de facto US no fly zone east of the euphrates. Are we seeing the Berlinization of Syria? We’ll explore. Also the US supreme court agrees to consider a Wisconsin case on redistricting. What’s that mean for Texas? Depending on the outcome, more than you might think. And SB4: with what detractors call the show me your papers provision doesn’t take effect till September. But reports say its already having an effect in the workplace. We’ll hear where and how much. And new numbers everywhere–but what do these polls really tell us about Texas attitudes on hot button issues? Are they accurate? Does that matter? Those stories and a lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 19, 2017
What looks like the first major storm of the hurricane season building up off the coast of the lone star state. We’ll have an eye on the sky. Also as professional storm watchers keep an eye on the gulf, a coastal Texas city struggles with keeping its head about water during normal downpours. In need of a hero, Galveston turns to the sand sucker. Plus, artificial caps on kids getting special education services. An investigative story sparked outrage and calls for reform, but how’s that goin? And after years as the top settlement state for refugee families, barriers often remain. How volunteers are trying to remove language as one of them. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 16, 2017
Amazon’s virtual retail revolution just got a whole lot more real: a 14 Billion dollar purchase of Texas based Whole Foods, we’ll have the latest. Also is there anything more American than baseball? As congress explores bipartisan huddles, its an inter-party rivalry causing sparks. The latest move: the governor’s veto of scores of just passed bills. We’ll look at what was left on the cutting room floor plus a look at what’s about to become Texas law in our roundup of the week in politics. Plus in light of news that election season hackers struck 39 states and tried to crack databases in Dallas, what can be done to better defend election systems? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 15, 2017
A border democrat meets President Trump in a one on one over dinner. Any questions? Congressman Vicente Gonzales joins us. Also a Texas GOP congressman calls for colleagues and everyday Americans to reset the tone control after yesterday’s shooting in Virginia. We’ll explore why that seems so hard to do. And a southern food writer calls out the lone star state for the tyranny of its brisket. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 14, 2017
A still developing story out of northern Virginia where a gunman opens fire on members of congress and aides. Congressman Steve Scalise, the majority whip from Louisiana hit in the early morning gun attack, we’ll have the latest. Also, an aide to Texas congressman Roger Williams hit, a developing story we’re following this hour. So is it foliage versus fascism? How did trees get caught up in Texas politics? We’ll check out the roots. And the DPS cuts back hours at drivers license centers. The blowback over long lines forces a 180. We’ll hear from a Houston Senator none too amused by the back and forth. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 13, 2017
Spectacle versus substance, episode 2: the attorney general speaks. But after Comey, what are Texans expecting to hear? We’ll explore. Also the governor signs off on a budget, but not all of it. 120 million in cuts by veto pen…we’ll find out what’s left and what isn’t. Plus when a law enforcement officer gets suited up for work, a new report says in some big Texas cities, a major piece of police equipment is getting left behind. We’ll explain. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 12, 2017
An election upset in one of the biggest cities in Texas. We’ll meet the newly elected mayor of San Antonio: Ron Nirenberg. Also, a major decision in a case involving the legality of detaining undocumented immigrants. And it comes from the judge who’ll be hearing a challenge to the so called show me your papers bill. We’ll have details. Also for the first time the FDA takes steps to remove an approved prescription drug from pharmacy shelves. We’ll hear what it is and why. And do you know the way to west Texas? Do you know where it officially begins? We’re goin on a road trip on today’s edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 9, 2017
Obstruction of Justice? Vindication for the President? What did Texans hear in yesterday’s testimony on Capitol Hill? We’ll be listening. Also, on the eve of voting in 3 tight mayoral races, low turnout means all three could be decided by a relative handful of ballots. Will your vote make the difference? We’re checking in with reporters across the state. Plus, obscured by the avalanche of news yesterday, what appears to be a breakthrough treatment for all kinds of cancers, we’ll hear about it. And he’s launched a space company, a solar energy business, a car company and more. But after years of trying, there’s one nut Elon Musk can’t quite crack…and Texans may be paying the price. We’ll explore. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 8, 2017
Comey over everything. Texans glued to their radios and TVs as the former FBI director appears before senate investigators. We’ll take a look at reaction and more. Also, in the style of William Travis, a Texas mayor makes not-so-tongue in cheek plea, a call for people of good will to come to the defense of his city. Is he serious? You bet. And it’s all because of a new state law. We’ll hear about it. Also Harris county opening the jailhouse doors for scores of inmates–by court order. The county files an emergency appeal to the supreme court. We’ll have the latest. Also, the shopping habits of millennials drive a revolution in retail. It’s not just where and what they’re buying…but what they aren’t. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 7, 2017
Pink dome deja vu: Governor Abbott calls Texas lawmakers back to the city he loves to rail against. We’ll explore going in to legislative overtime. Also, after signing a bill banning texting and driving, governor Abbott pledges to go an extra mile, and some local governments won’t like it. Plus the return of the bathroom bill and a thousand dollar raise for Texas teachers? We’ll set the stage for the just announced special session. And 12 thousand new jobs in just six months. Why surprising new numbers in Texas oil and gas may not add up to what you think it does. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 6, 2017
Are Facebook and Twitter innocent channels for communication, or participants who profit from terrorist propaganda and planning? We’ll explore. Plus, after last weekend’s attacks in London, the UK turns up the heat on social media platforms. We’ll look at the implications with a leading Texas scholar. Plus, how much of the legislature can you miss and still call your self a Texas legislator? What appears to be a test of that question, and the Texas Democrat at the center of the storm. It seems to be a no-brainer: a museum of Texas Music History. Yet plans for such a place fell flat at the capitol. Why? We’ll find out. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 5, 2017
After another terrorist attack in Britain, middle eastern nations take dramatic steps to cut off Qatar. How closely are the two connected? We’ll explore. Also last year, he tried to distance himself from Donald trump. This weekend, he was elected head of the Texas GOP. His message may raise eyebrows among democrats. We’ll meet him. Plus file under unfinished business: lawmakers leave austin without renewing state aid for some 300 school districts across Texas. What happens in the fall? We’ll talk to a superintendent caught in the crunch. And as the Golden State Warriors take another game in the finals, a question: what’s a coach worth anyway? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 25, 2017
Education savings accounts, opponents called em vouchers in disguise. Did that fight just scuttle school finance reform statewide? We’ll explore. Also the numbers are in: what does a new census report tell us about the shape of the Lone Star State? Plus there’s a law aimed at getting guns out of the hands of spousal abusers. So why are so few firearms actually taken away? A group of Texas law school students went looking for answers. We’ll hear what they found. And a rite of passage: passing into history. Why the summer job is in jeopardy. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 24, 2017
If John Cornyn says it’s dead on arrival, what’s the prospect for President Trump’s budget? That may not be the point, we’ll explore. Also, dramatic slashes in government programs so deep even republicans are balking along with democrats. Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee says it’s a betrayal of Trump’s own constituents. And the end of telecommuting? One of corporate america’s top proponents does a full 180, we’ll hear why.
Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 23, 2017
The Manchester bomb attack sparks reaction across Texas; a former top national security adviser explores the implications. Also they’re calling it an emergency issue. With just a few days left in the legislative session, why are the governor, Lt. Governor, and the attorney General demanding lawmakers take up the issue of voter ID? Plus in a Texas city with one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the country, thousands line up for what’s billed as the largest youth job fair in Texas history. And is Lockhart still king of the cue? A major shakeup on Texas Monthly’s closely watched list of the best barbecue in Texas. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 22, 2017
Public money for private education; thought the plan was dead? School savings accounts become an 11th hour battleground, we’ll have the latest. Plus: plunger proof? The so-called Bathroom Bill back on a fast track to become Texas law, we’ll explore. And storms are on track for parts of Texas this week, but when it comes to tornados we’re safer than we might. We’ll hear from a researcher who developed the system. And she was literally the poster girl of the 70’s. Who knew she was a remarkable artist in her own right? Reconsidering Farrah Fawcett. All that and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 17, 2017
What did he know and when did he know it? That’s so 1973. Today’s question: did president Trump attempt to obstruct justice? We’ll explore. Also: it’s been two years since the biker shootout in Waco, more than a hundred 70 arrested and charged, but not a single opening argument yet. What’s the explanation? We’ll take a look. And a laptop ban said to be in the works for travelers coming to the US from Europe. Does a laptop ban make sense? Also teen pregnancies hit a record low nationwide, but not here. Why Texas is bucking the trend. Also police chiefs claim there’s less crime in so-called sanctuary cities. But is that a fact? All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 16, 2017
Spy satellite photos made public plus a disturbing allegation against Syria that raises the specter of war crimes, we’ll explore. Plus reporting on the border has always been a challenge, but now it’s deadlier than ever, and some fear a shadow of silence spreading over Mexico. We’ll explain. Also Texas set to become the first state to test a new policy permitting states to withhold funds from groups like Planned Parenthood. And police seizures of personal assets: cars, money, you name it, without proving any underlying crime. A new push in Texas to end what critics call highway robbery. And how do you lose 46 million dollars? A newspaper helps Texas’ biggest city find lost money. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 12, 2017
D-day at the Texas lege: as lawmakers hit deadlines, hundreds of bills fall by the wayside. We’ll explore what made it and what didn’t. Also Washington’s asking federal immigration judges to leave detention centers in South Texas. The reason might surprise you. Plus, no sanctuary cities in Texas? Try telling that to the mayor of El Cenizo, the first Texas city to challenge the new sanctuary city ban. And we’re number one! In wage theft? Efforts to crack down on crooked employers yield uneven results. Plus a unique ephemeral film archive gets ready for its closeup. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard: