David Brown

What to expect as polar vortex hits Texas

We have the latest on what’s shaping up to be the first real winter storm of 2025 in Texas – and we’ll also turn to energy and what the winter weather adds up to for consumers and the industry.

Houston mayor John Whitmire marks one year in office. How’s it going so far?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2024, Texas gained over half a million new residents, more than any other state.

Iconic Austin venue Antone’s celebrates 50 years of Texas blues. Co-owner Will Bridges and booker Zach Ernst reflect on its legacy and what’s next.

Ted Cruz to chair powerful Senate committee

The FBI now says it believes the suspect in the New Year’s attack in New Orleans acted alone. We’ll have an update on the latest.

Ted Cruz is poised to take over leadership of the powerful Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

As of Jan. 1, works published in 1929 and sound recordings from 1924 have entered the public domain. The Standard’s Shelly Brisbin shares some notable highlights of what’s now freely accessible.

And: Opposition mounts against an LNG export terminal along the Texas Gulf Coast.

What we know about Texas ties to deadly attack in New Orleans

The FBI has identified the suspect in a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans as Texas resident Shamsud-Din Jabbar. We’ll have the latest on the rampage that left 15 people dead.

Ahead of next week’s national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, a look at his impact on the Lone Star State.

What steps should lawmakers prioritize in the upcoming legislative session to address the state’s water crisis?

And: Scientists have identified a new bee species found only in Texas and Oklahoma.

A look ahead at the 89th legislative session

As the 89th session of the Texas Legislature looms, here’s a preview of some of the marquee issues that will likely hold the focus of lawmakers.

Our top music stories for the year

Queue up some jams for your New Year’s Eve party with this roundup of some of our favorite music segments from 2024, featuring Beyoncé, the Jesus Lizard, Bayonne and more.

A year of travel across Texas

Every corner of Texas holds a certain kind of unique magic. We’re hitting the road, exploring hidden history and checking out plans for some new trails.

Through the years, countless Texans have made history, though some are far less remembered or memorialized. We’re bringing some of those stories to light today, from the far reaches of space exploration to the farmworkers who fought for change with the Texas Farm Workers Union.

Some of our favorite stories of the year

We asked our team of journalists at the Standard to reflect on some of their favorite stories of the past 12 months. Today we remember efforts to save animals during the big Panhandle fire, a Texas runner heading to his final marathon, prospects for a WNBA franchise in a city that’s long gone without a pro team, and much more.

The best of The Texas Newsroom

We’re taking a look back at some of our favorite stories of the year from our public radio reporting partners across the state, including:

A Dallas ISD program that’s getting more Black and Latino men into classrooms.

Mobile health clinics rolling out to provide vital medical services as the state loses rural hospitals.

And: A visit to the traditional Mexican rodeo in San Antonio.

Inside the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum

At least five bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature so far to require Texas voters to show proof of citizenship. A look at the implications.

How education could take center stage in the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session.

Attorney General Ken Paxton files a motion to prevent testimony at the Capitol from death row inmate Robert Roberson.

And: Kristen Cabrera visits the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum for the Texas Museum Map project.

After its buyout, has Whataburger lost its spice?

There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus.

How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism.

And: Whataburger has long been celebrated as a Texas fast food icon, but after its sale to a Chicago-based company, many claim it just isn’t what it used to be. Omar Gallaga explains.

YouTube cleaning sensation AuriKatariina heads to Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit claiming a New York doctor illegally prescribed abortion pills to a Texas resident.

A state plan to provide incentives for affordable housing: A Houston Chronicle investigation finds little affordable housing being built – and taxpayers holding the bag.

Two Texas families take legal action against an AI chatbot, alleging it served up sexual and self-harming content to kids.

Finnish cleaning star AuriKatariina, with 3.4 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views, is on the hunt for Texas’ dirtiest house to clean.

And: The New York Times sparks a controversy over the use of “y’all.” Texas Monthly would like a word.

A special broadcast from Abilene

Today we come to you from one of Texas’ once great railroad towns – and though the trains aren’t so much a central part of life here anymore, something else has happened that’s been bringing people, prosperity and a sense of renewal back to Abilene.

An AI-focused facility could transform the Big Country region.

Ahead of the 2025, legislative session, Stamford Mayor James Decker shares insights on what’s needed for small-town Texas.

And: Wylie ISD is enacting a strict no-phone policy to reduce distractions.

Big Bend seeks artists to capture park’s rugged beauty

Last night’s chill has many Texans asking how the state’s power grid is looking for the winter. How much has changed since the freeze and blackouts of February 2021? Mose Buchele of KUT News has been keeping tabs.
The Texas legislative session hasn’t even started, yet more than one representative claims to be the de facto speaker-elect of the House. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with the latest.
Calling all creatives: Big Bend National Park is accepting applications for its artist-in-residence program.
And: What’s in your mug? Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast, has winter tips for cozy sips.

What exactly does the Texas House speaker do?

Dade Phelan is out, and a bruising battle for speaker of the Texas House is set to begin – unless it’s already over? Over the weekend, GOP members backed David Cook, but Dustin Burrows claimed he had enough votes to override the caucus. What does a House speaker do, anyway?
In a stunning turn of events, a coalition of Syrian rebels has overthrown Bashar al-Assad’s regime, ending decades of dictatorship. A top Texas-based expert weighs in.
Has Texas oil toppled Saudi control of the markets?
And: Medical treatments for trans minors are banned under state law; why some trans adults say they’re affected, too.

House Speaker Dade Phelan bows out of leadership reelection bid

Facing a challenge from fellow Republicans, Dade Phelan says he’s dropping his bid for re-election as Texas House speaker.
Texas has some of the most expensive insurance in the nation, forcing homeowners to pay more for less coverage.
Desert bighorn sheep return to the Franklin Mountains of El Paso, a major milestone in restoring the species.
While the area around the UT Austin Tower buzzes with activity, a quieter sanctuary to the north – the Turtle Pond – offers a break from the hustle. The Texas Standard’s Laura Rice takes us to this peaceful pocket and explores how it’s evolving amid campus changes.

Texas’ ghost towns spotlight rural population shifts

Martial law has now been lifted in South Korea – Texas’ fourth-largest trading partner – but the effects may not be as short-lived. A top Texas expert tells us why.
Ongoing casualties in what was long touted as the war on drugs: Kevin Krause of The Dallas Morning News analyzed a decade of meth sentencing data in North Texas.
Texas is known for its ghost towns, spotlighting shifting population dynamics.
With nearly half of Texas counties lacking maternity care services, rural mothers face daunting hurdles.
And: China has announced a ban on exporting certain rare minerals to the U.S., a move likely to disrupt tech manufacturing and deepen tensions.

How might proposed tariffs on Mexico impact Texas?

Texas does more business with Mexico than any other nation, and with 25% tariff threats now on the table from President-elect Trump, what should we expect? We’ll take a closer look.
The Texas Public Utility Commission issues a report on CenterPoint Energy’s much-criticized response to Hurricane Beryl.
Squaring economic data points with how voters felt going into this year’s election.
An educational oasis for some students is out of reach for others. A warning about community college deserts.

Some of our favorite books of 2024

Over the course of the year we talk with dozens of authors – some stars in the making, others well-known names among Texas readers – and today we’re sharing a selection of great reads in 2024.
Plus: Just in time for Black Friday, booksellers share their top books for holiday gifts.

Stories we’re thankful for this year

This Thanksgiving, we’re reflecting on some of the stories we’ve been grateful to share over the past few months:
– A Texas-based freelance visual journalist reflecting on winning a prestigious prize
– A Uganda-born musician who calls Texas home and is taking the U.S. by storm
– A comedian landing on many best-of lists, now reconnecting with his Texas home
And much more on a special Thanksgiving edition of the Texas Standard.