A bonafide job engine, lifting the rest of the nation from recession, boosters have dubbed it the Texas miracle. But now miracle whiplash? A long running case that’s come to symbolize the strength of Texas ethics laws, or the lack thereof, could well reach a climax today. We’ll have the backstory. Also why a Texas superintendent says his students have been denied 5 years of education and why he’s blaming state education officials. Plus- taking note of the warnings? Samsung may have given up on their combustible phone, but its hardest core fans appear willing to down with the chip. We’ll hear why. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 12, 2016
If a federal agent shoots across the US border killing a 15 year old, can he be sued for a civil rights violation? The Supreme Court is on the case, we’ll explore. Also shame on you: could those three little words turn things around when it comes to low voter turnout in Texas? A new study suggests the answer is yes. Plus, we’ll check in with our still undecided voters to see what if anything might have moved the needle as we fast approach e-day. Also, many more Texans, a whole lot more noise. Now hear this: new technology aims to to silence the mass of complaints. Can you hear us now? Turn it up, cause it’s Texas Standard time:
Texas Standard: October 11, 2016
The law says police must report officer involved shootings. So why are hundreds of police involved shootings missing from records? We’ll explore. Also, trust the polls? Want another measure for how the presidential race is going? Why some are looking to the peso as a proxy. Plus on this final day of voter registration in Texas: is there not a better way? Also, The Feds order Texas to remove caps on special ed services ..unless they can show no kids are losing out. Now a Texas lawmaker wants to go a step further. We’ll hear the plan. And the recent passing of a Texas music legend…a new book explores what we’ve lost. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 10, 2016
On the weekend of apparent armageddon for the GOP, howls of outrage, but any change in Texas support for Donald Trump? We’ll explore. Also our roundtable of editors from some of the cities in Texas that don’t often get heard in the national conversation. And with mere hours to go before the voter registration deadline, a reality check. Just how close is it?. And we say there’s never been a political season like this one, but perhaps that shows just how short memories can be…especially if you lived in Texas a couple of decades ago…we’ll have a refresher, if that’s the right word. Also, are they predators, or credit repair services? What’s in a name for payday lenders? More than you might think. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 7, 2016
It’s being described as the biggest ever voter fraud investigation in Texas. And in what may be the unlikeliest of counties, we’ll explore. Also paddling against the stream: as a majority of states turn away from corporal punishment in public schools, why new research in Texas could lead to a rethink here as well. Plus why industrial development in Southwest Texas is setting off a political dustup over dust. Also Texas teams up with an unlikely ally to target modern day slavery, allegedly online. Plus our weekly round of the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 6, 2016
Did he really say that about women and Mexicans? Why is it even a question? The history of the big lie and how it works. Also as hurricane Matthew bears down on the east coast, how well prepared are we to weather a storm of such scale? A Texas lawmaker tells us after years of debate, there may actually be action for a coastal barrier. Also development in Texas’ biggest cities now squeezing out something else; parking. We’ll explore the implications. Plus a mystery involving guns, a landing strip, a training camp and a famous Texas lawman. Investigators at the pentagon trying to put the pieces together. All that and more today on the Standard:
Texas Standard: October 5, 2016
It is being called the largest humanitarian event since the earthquake of 2010. A hurricane strikes Haiti, we’ll explore the implications. Also are police tracking who attends gun shows? A report that cops are making lists of license plate numbers triggers alarm bells over civil liberties. Plus to be undecided in Texas: with voting in the presidential race just a month away, what could tip the balance? And remembering the biggest state in the continental US as it used to be: which is to say, much bigger. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 4, 2016
Amid the spectacle of 2016, little serious policy discussion. Or is there room for serious debate? We’ll explore. Also lost in the drone of nasty exchanges over Trump’s taxes and Clinton’s stamina, one of the most serious humanitarian and foreign policy challenges since the Cold War, unfolding right now, yet all but ignored in the US. A top Texas analyst tells us it’s time to start paying attention. Plus: come and take it…with reservations. The people of Gonzales love their iconic flag, but have misgivings over how its being used. And isn’t it rich? Police and school districts on lockdown over clowns. Making sense of the sightings. All that and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 3, 2016
Across Texas, people are talking about taxes, and not necessarily those of a certain presidential candidate. We’ll explore the details. Also the face of immigration is changing, literally. Detentions along the southern border show an unexpected rise in the numbers of people neither from Mexico or Central America. We’ll hear who they are, and what’s driving the change. Also, you’ve heard of working yourself to death? That became all too real for a for a Texas twenty something, who’s now urging other go-getters to check their ambitions. Plus: is a key piece of safety equipment a threat to high school football? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 30, 2016
A Texas Democrat has a plan for next years ninth grade curriculum: a class on how to behave when stopped by police, we’ll explore. Also peace by plebiscite: what an historic vote this weekend could mean for Columbia and for Texas. Also disappearing dance halls: why communities are trying to get the few remaining back on their feet. And the untold story of an onboard emergency moments before man first landed on the moon. Today, we’ll remember the man at mission control who made a crucial call that changed history. Plus the week in politics and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 29, 2016
The Saudi’s cry uncle. And the markets predicting a big boost in oil prices. A green light for drilling in Texas again? We’ll explore. Plus teenagers turning hitmen? How border cartels are recruiting school kids. Also With Texans transfixed on the drama of election season, some say a quiet movement is picking up steam which could have a much more profound impact that the vote in November is there a constitutional convention in our future? And its 4 in the morning and you’ve gotta have barbecue. In all of Texas, there’s only one joint that serving up 24/7. We’ll smoke it out. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 28, 2016
For those frustrated by the two party choices, there is another way. That’s the message independents are pushing but who’s buying? Plus the stereotypes of drug runners? May need to rethink that. A new report suggests a profound shift in the drug business, from Texas’ southern border to its northern. We’ll hear how and why. Also the air force is losing 750 fighter pilots each year…and the economy’s making it hard to fill cockpits. Now a warning of a looming crisis in the air. A state antiquities landmark is set to become a parking lot. And why that might not be as awful as it sounds. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 27, 2016
There appears to be a consensus winner, but did the needle move? Voices seldom heard on the morning after an historic debate. Plus, if you could ask any question this election season, what would it be? More than a thousand public radio listeners have weighed in, and today, we’ll hear the top five which public radio stations across Texas will try to answer in the run up to election day. Plus the making of a power couple, the Clintons were hardly the first. And with costs on the rise and students loans in the news, is higher ed still considered the value investment it once was? The envelope please: results of a new survey are in. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 26, 2016
With a key moment in American politics hours away- why what voters see in the debate might not be what the press sees. The story today on the Texas Standard.
After refusing to endorse the Republican nominee at the convention Ted Cruz jumps on to the Trump train. But does Cruz think Trump’s fit to be president? That’s another question. We’ll hear how he answered it.
Also, we’ve heard about drowning in student debt, what does that mean in real life? A case study from North Texas…
And Rhett Miller of the Old 97’s offers a humble alternative to the Texas state song. Lawmakers are you listening? All those stories and much more.
Texas Standard: September 23, 2016
Signals from space telegraph warnings for Texas about the source of those earthquakes we’ve been worried about. We’ll explore. Also when doctors can’t offer infants life saving technology because its too expensive: what then? A Doctor at Rice has been working on solutions, and she’s just been awarded a MacArthur genius grant for her efforts: we’ll meet her. And when in Rome, do as the Romans. When in college do you dare go with the Greek system? Hazing rituals back in the spotlight. Plus: it’s a beloved symbol in the Lone Star State, and yet its getting bulldozed out of Texas, almost literally. Can anyone save the Houston Toad? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 22, 2016
A police shooting: do you release the video or not? What two different policies may tell us about what we should do moving forward. Plus Governor Abbot says security first, as he plans to pull Texas from the federal refugee program. But there’s no indication it’ll stop a single refugee from resettling in Texas. Much ado about what exactly? We’ll explore. And the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat: ESPN decides that the wide world of sports includes e-games. But who’s watching? And prosecutors across Texas dropping thousands of drug charges but why? The Texas legislature. Those stories and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 21, 2016
in Houston, 65 percent of the city is within a mile of a toxic emitter. The impact’s not just environmental, but economic, we’ll explore. Also something has to change long term after the Sandra Bland case, at least that’s what some Texas lawmakers are talking about this week…but how, and how much? Plus there are shelters across the state for survivors of domestic violence—now comes an expansion to fill what may not be an obvious gap…a gender gap. And a claim made right on this broadcast: that Texas has lost more law enforcement officers in the line of duty than any other state in the nation. Is that true? We’ll do the numbers. All that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 20, 2016
First there was the arrest. Then the jailhouse death. Global outrage over the incident. Now comes the Sandra Bland Act. What it could mean, today on the Texas Standard.
As the nation focuses its attention on threats from abroad, law enforcement launches a multipronged crackdown on a made in Texas terror group with entirely different goals. And one of the leaders talks to NPR’s John Burnett. We’ll hear the backstory.
Also, the controversy over fracking moves offshore as environmentalists spar with industry over what’s happening in the Gulf of Mexico.
And Texas athletes taking a knee for Kapernick: how the NFL player’s protest is spreading among highschoolers.
Texas Standard: September 19, 2016
After nixing the Obama administration’s transgender bathroom directive, the battleground shifts to doctors and hospitals. Today on the Texas Standard.
Car 54 where are you? Perhaps by the side of the road. Why Houston police crusiers are struggling to stay in the fight.
But what happens when the road itself stalls out? The story of a big gamble on a superfast superhighway, and why it hasn’t paid off as promised.
Also, some say it’s the devil in disguise, as telemarketing in Texas embraces the “pay for pray” model.
Plus, tomorrow’s news today. Our waltz across Texas for the top stories for the week ahead.
Texas Standard: September 15, 2016
Remember that Washington Post poll that put Clinton ahead by one in Texas? New numbers suggest that may not be too far off the mark. More on the Texas Lyceum poll, with a new snapshot of Texas voters as we enter the home stretch. Also, in the wake of a report that the state’s limiting access to special education programs, there’s this: plans for cuts in a state program that helps kids with developmental issues. Plus, a doctors shortage in Texas and an aging cohort of baby boomers. Now what? Experts say its time to get creative. We’ll hear one prescription. And the future of law enforcement: robocops? May be more real than you think. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard: