It’s not just an America thing, y’all: we’ll explore the fallout from the Comey affair and the price to be paid beyond our borders. Also crunch time hits the Texas capitol along with an avalanche of unfinished business. An update from Mike Ward of the Houston Chronicle. And now hear this, because your phone just might have: how millions of apps installed on smartphones could be eavesdropping on you right now. Plus does getting a college degree really matter? A new survey from Rice University says a growing number of white Americans say no. And when is a detention facility a childcare center? When the Texas legislature says it is? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 10, 2017
Nixonian or something else? Texans and their political leaders come to terms with an historic move by the White House, we’ll explore. Also more on the surprise firing of the FBI director, reaction from across Texas and what comes next. Plus, new medical facilities sprouting like weeds across Texas, but are they really good for Texas’ health? We’ll hear the controversy. And a law in force since the mid sixties, one which has been largely ignored by cities across the lone star state for decades.Although now, some are speaking a different language. We’ll explain. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 9, 2017
Mere hours after the governor signed it into law, his attorney general sues a Texas county over the sanctuary cities bill, we’ll explore. Also: they say robots will eventually take your job. For one Texas town, that day could be around the corner. We’ll have more. Plus billions on the table and less than three weeks to decide how the state spends it. The hangups in the budget negotiations at the capitol. And speaking of billions, Sinclair Broadcast just made public its plans to buy another major broadcast company. What will it mean for TV watchers here in Texas? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 8, 2017
A weekend of voting and ballot counting across Texas: from El Paso to San Antonio to Pasadena: we’ll explore the outcomes and the implications. Also if you’re spending more than you’re bringing in and you’ve been smart enough to plan for a rainy day, you might tap that savings to get thru the storm. But as Texas lawmakers argue over whether to do just that, listeners are asking us where did those unspent billions come from in the first place? We’ll take a look. Plus HEB and Kroger: under German attack? And who says the spirit of bipartisanship has disappeared? Evidence to the contrary, and a texan in the top ten of aisle crossers. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 5, 2017
Repeal and replace? Republicans are halfway there. Next stop the Senate. Who’ll pay the price, literally and politically? Plus in a state notorious for its use of the death penalty, a convicted killer is removed from death row. We’ll hear why, and what it means for capital punishment in Texas and beyond. Also fidgety kids? Some experts are recommending little hand held gadgets called spinners to help with focus. But some teachers say its a fad that’s gone too far. We’ll hear more. And you remember Waylon and Willie, right? Now Waylon’s better half breaks her silence: Jesse Colter on life as a musical outlaw. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 4, 2017
Show me your papers: Governor abbott set to sign into law a measure requiring Texas police to enforce federal immigration law, we’ll explore. Also murder charges mulled for the North Texas police officer who fired the shots killing 15 year old Jordan Edwards. Some wonder why it seems so few officers suspected of such crime ever wind up doing time. We’ll explore. Plus one of Texas’ best known investors buys one of the world’s best known social media platforms. But does Mark Cuban really want Twitter, or something smarter? All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 3, 2017
Southwest says no more overbooking. But what about everyone else? Public outrage becomes political baggage for the airlines, we’ll have the story. Also some legal experts call it one for the ages: a federal court in Texas issues a ruling that could tilt the scales for the poor accused of low-level crimes. So why haven’t you heard about it? You will today. Plus, something dangerous in the water? Concerns mount in a Texas city known round the world for its fixer uppers. And a bill to crackdown on cyberbullying: why suicide prevention groups are raising red flags. And can you live stream an open public hearing in Texas? You sure about that? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 2, 2017
A stabbing incident at the flagship campus of the university of Texas: and an unexpected source helping to break the news, we’ll have the backstory. Plus the eyes of Texas are upon Pasadena? Why a local election east of Houston may have implications across the lone star state. Also, if you’re a non citizen putting your life on the line in service to the US, the law puts you on a fast track to citizenship, but now there’s a roadblock. We’ll hear what’s happening and what isn’t. Also: he was a young man building a website in his Texas bedroom who became a billionaire and then one of the most wanted men in all of America. We’ll hear the story of the search for the Dread Pirate Roberts. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 1, 2017
Trees pitched across pastures, trucks tossed about like like toys, and more than 5 thousand homes in the path of monster twisters. We’ll explore the tornadoes of North Texas. Also: reading, writing and reform? Though the courts have called for a transformation in how Texas pays for public schools, the state share continues to shrink. What’s happening and why?
And it’s supposed to level the playing field for women in higher ed, but now more and more men are using Title Nine to defend themselves from allegations of sexual violence. We’ll hear how and why. Plus massive FBI raids in Laredo leave a long string of questions: what are they looking for? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 28, 2017
Berkeley, Auburn—what about Texas colleges and universities? Should unpopular even offensive speech be protected on campus? The proposal today on the Texas Standard
How do you fix a broken political map? Here’s a hint, it’ll take more than tape. What’s at stake as a court takes up minority voting power in Texas.
Are the democrats on Capitol Hill really looking for a government shutdown? a rejoinder to the other side of the aisle from a prominent Texas congressman.
Where’s our flying cars? In two years, Uber promises they’ll be all over Dallas.
And buckle up for what basketball fans are calling the I-10 series.
All that plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: April 27, 2017
After a long night at the capitol, looks like a statewide ban on so-called sanctuary cities is all but a done deal. What happens next? That’s today on the Texas Standard.
There’s more than a government shutdown to worry about: a prominent Texas lawmaker says what really on the line in the budget impasse: military readiness.
Are people who cross illegally into the US really criminals? In Del Rio, at least, the answer is an overwhelming yes. We’ll hear why the Attorney General wants to make it a model for the rest of the country, and meet the judge at the center of it all.
After streaming a live murder and several acts of criminal violence…can Facebook save face?
Plus, a finding that upends decades of science about how we wound up in North America.
Texas Standard: April 26, 2017
If a picture’s worth a thousand words, what’s the value of a word? How the future for thousands could turn on a single definition: the story today on the Texas Standard.
Texas lawmakers begin what could be a marathon debate over forcing Texas towns and cities to enforce federal immigration laws. We’ll have the latest.
When you wish upon a staar—dreams of fewer standardized tests for Texas school kids may soon come true. We’ll get the backstory.
Victim or a villain? A business owner accused of harboring workers illegally finds himself at the center of growing debate across Texas.
And El Paso–said to be the safest city in the country. Is that a fact?
Texas Standard: April 25, 2017
Feeling the sting: Texas officials worry about the return of a major health threat, and why those most at risk aren’t paying attention…The story today on the Texas Standard.
If you build it they will—sue? NPR’s John Burnett tells us how a 40 year old treaty could be a brick wall for the wall…
People used to worry about high school dropout rates–these days it’s more and more middle schoolers. What’s being done to reverse a troubling trend in Texas.
Want a cut in your property taxes? The Dallas Morning News watchdog says don’t wait for politicians, join the protest. We’ll hear about his plan–and the pushback.
Plus, think of it as Formula One with a distinctly Texan accent: later this hour we’re off to the lawnmower races.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, the Texas Standard is on the air.
Texas Standard: April 24, 2017
A possible government shutdown, the fate of the border wall, what could make the week busier? How about renegotiating NAFTA? The story today on the Texas Standard.
It’s not just Donald Trump who’s ready for a NAFTA redo: we’ll talk with the Mexican Economic Minister who says he think’s it needs a revamp, too…and soon.
Also, when a bill becomes law and you don’t like it, blame it on the author…unless, the author didn’t really write it. Who did? We’ll lift the curtain on the ghost writers lurking near the Texas capitol.
And a Texas Democrat warns of massive voter fraud —this time, he says, warnings need to be taken seriously.
Those stories and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: April 21, 2017
Police shootings caught on smartphones grab the headlines…but what about other deaths in custody? The results of a new investigation today on the Texas Standard.
The State of Texas wants its drugs back. The FDA says: not gonna happen. A looming showdown over a deadly cocktail.
State law that says kids need to ‘click it’ en route to school—so why are the buckles missing on most Texas school buses? We’ve got the backstory, fasten your seatbelts.
An American auto factory seized in oil-rich Venezuela. For Texas companies there: get out now, or does it pay to stay?
Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more.
Texas Standard: April 20, 2017
Texas is number 1- for reports of improper teacher student relationships- and the numbers continue to rise. Why and what can be done today on the Texas Standard.
An alternative to the much debated senate bathroom bill does not require people to use the bathroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate. We’ll hear why that’s not a “fix’ for many bathroom bill opponents.
A power plant that diverts carbon before it gets into the air. Sounds great–but how’s that working out?
We love our smartphones and such, but is there such a thing as too much tech?
And the only Spanish speaking mosque in the US…and what it says about America’s most diverse city. You bet it’s in Texas.
Texas Standard: April 19, 2017
An upset or not so much? As political pundits argue over the the significance of Georgia’s special election, is there fallout closer to home? The story today on the Texas Standard.
The president calls for tightening H1B visas: how that might affect the state with the most H1B applicants outside California- you know the one.
Federal law prohibits employers from engaging in age discrimination against people 40 and older. But does it protect older job applicants? A Houston Chronicle columnist says it shouldn’t- and boomers need to get out of the way. We’ll hear the reasoning.
Plus, if you wait in line to testify at the capitol, is it first come first to speak? Or something else?
Texas Standard: April 18, 2017
What do Texans believe to be the number one issue facing the state and the nation? Some eyebrow raising findings in a new statewide survey, we’ll explore. Plus, one little word at the center of a new debate over evolution vs. creationism in Texas classrooms, we’ll explain. And apocalypse now? The great brick and mortar retail implosion has been predicted for more than a decade. Why analysts think the moment has arrived. And what’ll it take for a new commitment to space exploration? A new documentary shoots for the moon. Also truancy no longer a criminal offense in Texas, but now new charges for chronic class skippers. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 13, 2017
For decades, Texas has had hate crimes laws on the books, but of hundreds of reports in the past 5 years, only 8 convictions? We’ll explore. Also one of the top financial services companies in Texas does the math and decides to boost its minimum wage. What it means for Texas and perhaps for you personally. And his break with his former employer at the White House made headlines. Now commentator Matthew Dowd making the case for a better way than politics as we know it. Our conversation. Plus, can you find the oldest library in Texas on a map? Yeah, neither could google. But we found someone who can and will. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas standard:
Texas Standard: April 12, 2017
He was one of the most prominent voices spearheading a conservative revolution. Now he faces challenges from all sides. A conversation with Ted Cruz. Also a rare patch of unspoiled land meets massive metropolitan growth. The coming battle over Jones State Forest and what it could mean for all Texans. Plus a lawsuit to nullify the treaty of Hidalgo: are Mexican politicians serious? We’ll explore. And a cold war attack that you seldom read about in Texas history books: the forgotten invasion of Lampasas. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: