Texas public radio stations teamed up to tell the story of what happened after the July 4, 2025, floods — then deadly storms hit again. A conversation on how “After the Flood” updated its coverage.
After years of being legal, possessing products containing Delta-8 is about to be a felony in Texas. We’ll have a look at how we got to this point.
A state sales tax break for data centers may be costing the state billions. We’ll go over the debate in the Legislature over whether it should stay in place.
Plus, the chilling effect of a Texas law regulating drag performances. Our multimedia journalist tracked the impact in Laredo.
And if we told you railroad vine was blooming in Texas, where would you guess those flowers were popping up? We’ll tell you about these blooms that thrive in intense heat and direct sun.
That, plus a wrap of the week in Texas politics and more.
A peek inside a Texas wolf sanctuary
A new poll has James Talarico up five points over Ken Paxton in the race for U.S. Senate. We’ll have a look at how money and scandal could factor in.
Texas shifted a lot of foster care responsibilities to third party contractors about a decade ago — but now, many have closed their doors. We’ll find out what we can learn from a key example.
There’s a civil war of sorts going on at a Houston megachurch. We’ll share a look at what a recent ruling means for a congregation’s right to control church business.
No matter where you are, data centers are one of the hottest topics in Texas right now. But what exactly are they? We’ll dig in.
And we’ll take you to a Texas sanctuary for wolves and wolf dogs — and dispel some myths.
Texas foster care rulings strengthen parental rights
Policies in Texas over when children should be removed from their parents are shifting. What do experts say about the changes?
Ken Paxton just lost a step in the first major case against an alleged violator of Texas’ abortion ban. We’ll dig into what the ruling may indicate about the law.
There have long been talks about connecting parts of Texas by rail, but a route between Austin and San Antonio is unlikely to happen anytime soon. We’ll explore why.
Oil prices are down but gas prices aren’t likely to fall as quickly. A look at the factors at play behind the pump.
Plus, why it matters that father figures are involved in reading programs.
New book recounts fishermen’s Gulf of Mexico survival story
President Trump is trying to renegotiate trade agreements with our nearest neighbors —again. Why is Canada so upset?
Much has been made over the political leanings of the Texas Rio Grande Valley. How are things looking for Senate candidates James Talarico and Ken Paxton in the run-up to November?
An iconic LGBT night spot is facing a shutdown threat — so what happened to the San Antonio mayor’s promises to help keep it open?
Plus, we’ll introduce you to a Kerrville couple rebuilding once again after a second year of extreme flooding.
And bestselling author Michael J. Tougias recalls a harrowing true story set in the Texas gulf with his new book “In Deep Water.”
Flooding risks trigger disaster declarations for parts of state
More wet weather for portions of Texas’ flash flood alley: A look at the forecast and warning systems put in place since last year’s deadly storms.
Cities across Texas have responded to the issue of homelessness in a variety of ways. Is it worth considering a broader approach?
People in Texas have been working to send relief to earthquake-devastated Venezuela, but some have questions about how they can be sure the help is getting where it needs to be.
Ocelot kittens are hands-down adorable, but zoo officials in Texas are celebrating the birth of two for reasons beyond showing them off.
And journalist Pamela Colloff tells us about unraveling a Texas Gulf Coast man’s life of deceit for her new book, ‘Catch the Devil.’
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org
Exploring Juneteenth and the history and culture of Black Texans
It’s been a celebration for more than 160 years — but only a federal holiday for a few. We’re recognizing Juneteenth on today’s Texas Standard.
North Texan Opal Lee is known as the grandmother of Juneteenth for her efforts to get the holiday recognized on a national level. We’ll delve more into the history, as well as other stories about Juneteenth celebrations.
And we’ll revisit conversations that explore Black Texan history and modern-day experience: a National Park Service site in Texas that served as a refuge for enslaved people seeking freedom in Mexico, the joy of a Black Rodeo in the 1970, and the ongoing role of the Black-owned bookstore.
Rural Texas pushes back on data centers
Weather off the Texas Gulf Coast has the potential to bring a lot of rain. We’ll dig into what it might mean for water-hungry cities around the state.
We’ve talked a lot about the number of data centers coming to Texas, especially outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Now, a closer look at the legal bind some rural counties are getting into as they try to slow the growth.
A lawsuit led by Texas could have huge implications for people with disabilities. A look at what everyone needs to know about the case.
A conversation with Joey Santore of the YouTube channel Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t about his new book, “Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants in the Age of Human Disturbance.”
Tim Kerr is an icon of Texas punk and the skater scene. Even now, the co-founder of legendary Austin punk band the Big Boys never stops pushing his art. He joins us for a conversation.
And the World Cup is in Texas — along with the so-called Orange Army. We’ll tag along.
Another small peach crop frustrates Hill Country growers
New World screwworm is affecting a part of South Texas currently vacant a member of Congress. Some say that should spur a quick special election.
UT researchers believe they’ve figured out who has been scrambling GPS signals across huge swaths of Europe in recent years. We’ll find out about their discovery and what it might mean.
The World Cup means lots of fans descending upon Texas cities. Environmental scientists will be studying their impact in real-time.
A new film invites all Texans to participate in the ecological recovery of the Guadalupe River after devastating flooding. Filmmaker Ben Masters joins us to talk about “Hope for the Guadalupe.”
And it may be a bit harder to get your hands on a Fredericksburg peach this year. Why that may be a growing trend.
Rural Texas counties say data centers are arriving faster than regulations
What control do county officials have when a data center wants to move in? A look at an investigation from the Texas Tribune.
The ballots are set for the midterm election in November, but at least one big thing is changing: Texas’ top elections leader, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, is stepping down.
What do the results from the primaries and primary runoffs tell us about how Texas Republicans are aligning with President Trump?
We’ve been digging into how Texas is reshaping the way the justice system responds to mental illness. Today, we step back and ask and even broader question: How do we view mental illness?
Plus, a beloved small-town Texas bakery just off the highway is reopening.
Ken Paxton’s Senate runoff win reshapes Texas GOP landscape
Ken Paxton handily beat longtime incumbent John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for Senate. So, what’s that mean come November?
We’re also unpacking big primary runoff races from across the state on both sides of the aisle. What do the results tell us about what Texas voters are prioritizing?
And did you vote in the primary runoffs? Congratulations, you may have added time to your life. The link between voting and living longer.
The Trump administration just changed the way people should apply for green cards. They’re now supposed to leave the U.S. to do so. We’ll unpack the impacts.
Plus, Mark Duplass and his wife Katie Aselton made a new movie about a married couple. We get a little personal in our conversation about “Magic Hour.”
What now after Trump backs Paxton in Senate race?
The big endorsement is in. So, what does it mean for Texas’s U.S. Senate race that President Trump chose to back Attorney General Ken Paxton?
You may have heard El Niño is coming — and not just a regular, but a super version. What does that mean for Texas weather and hurricane risks?
Texas has updated its program for drivers with communication differences, like those with autism or who are hard of hearing. We’ll cover what you need to know about the changes.
Plus, we’ll profile an animal shelter program with an outsized impact on the trainers working to help dogs ease their way into forever homes.
Pulitzer-winning writer reflects on loss and survival in the Central Texas floods
Former President Barack Obama made a surprise stop in Texas. We’ll dig more into what his appearance might mean for Democrats heading into the midterms.
The number of students in Texas public schools dropped by tens of thousands at the beginning of this school year. We’ll look into why.
Plus, another Texas-based company is also now making Texas its legal home. What we can make of this growing trend.
Texas Monthly Senior Editor Aaron Parsley’s young nephew was killed in the devastating July 4th flooding. His essay about his family’s experiences just won a Pulitzer Prize. We’ll speak with him.
And getting ready for the World Cup in Houston means taking really good care of some grass.
Paxton faces fundraising squeeze in tight Senate race
Some of Ken Paxton’s usual big backers have not pitched in yet for his U.S. Senate race. What does that tell us about the runoff election?
Houston ISD is trying something new next school year, launching so-called AI-focused schools. What’s that mean exactly?
The business of craft brewing was growing for years, but now they’re shutting down faster than they’re opening. A look at the shift.
We’ll also look at how Texas is working towards getting mental health patients out of the criminal justice cycle.
And though gas prices are high, it’s still often cheaper than flying. We’ll take a look at some Texas road trip recommendations.
Texas camps race to meet new safety rules
Camp Mystic withdrew its application to operate this summer, but dozens of other Texas camps are still trying to get state approval to open.
Corpus Christi’s water crisis could soon mean people have to make big cuts in water usage — but there’s concern leadership isn’t prepared for the mounting emergency.
A Texan in the Trump administration is facing an ethics complaint. Why Agriculture Commissioner Brooke Rollins is on the defense.
Abilene is trying to increase access to emergency care to a spread-out West Texas population. We’ll look at what they’ve learned.
Plus, checking in on a new program for future space engineers and a new cafe offering opportunity in North Texas.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.
How the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling could impact Texas
The Voting Rights Act is losing more teeth. We’ll look at what a Supreme Court ruling means for redistricting.
Also, another Supreme Court case is examining when and how police can use cell phone data. We’ll check in with our tech expert about what’s at stake.
China is making brand-new cars for cheap. It’s hard to get them in the U.S., but not impossible — just ask folks in El Paso. So, will more folks be driving them soon?
You’ve probably heard by now that FIFA World Cup games are coming to Texas. It’s expected to be huge for the sport, but how much will host cities like Dallas and Houston really benefit?
And we’re getting the dish on some taco hot takes, like is birria overrated?
South Texas water crisis spreads beyond Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi has been careening towards a water emergency, but it’s not the only city along the Gulf with water woes.
Another court battle over hemp, this time what stores can sell during a longer legal tie-up is at stake.
The United Arab Emirates is leaving the world’s most powerful oil cartel. We’ll look at what that may mean for OPEC and the prices we pay.
New rules for autonomous vehicles are now in effect in Texas, but some experts want to see more.
And commentator W.F. Strong has a story about a man who wanted to build a business in Texas and ended up with a global brand.
Texas Extra: Filmmaker David Lowery on Dallas, Anne Hathaway and the best Texas film
Writer/director/editor/producer David Lowery talks more about the creative relationship that inspired “Mother Mary” and his need to be so hands on with his work in this extended interview. He also opened up more about making movies in Dallas again and on what he thinks is the best Texas film.
ERCOT forecast raises new questions about Texas power demand
A judge has ordered the release of a family held in a South Texas detention center for 10 months. We’ll have a look at the case and what’s next.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is leading a Religious Liberty Commission for President Trump. Patrick’s recent comments denying a separation between church and state could tell us more about the group’s forthcoming policy recommendations.
With gas prices still high, there are calls on both sides of the aisle to suspend the gas tax. What would that save you, and what would we lose?
Plus, it’s Earth Day. We’ll explore some of the challenges of extreme weather and the ways people across Texas are trying to make an impact.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Texas Extra: Writer David Streitfeld on ‘Lonesome Dove’ and why Larry McMurtry loved and hated Texas
David Streitfeld wrote the new biography “Western Star” about his friend Larry McMurty. In this extended interview, you’ll hear more about “Lonesome Dove,” McMurtry’s reaction to the television miniseries and whether McMurtry himself was more of an Augustus McCrae or a Woodrow Call. Streitfeld also talked about what he hopes readers will get out of his new book.
Why the Spurs owe San Antonio millions after failed MLS bid
Texas Republican Tony Gonzales has begun the process of resigning amid accusations tied to sexual misconduct. What’s next for Texas’ 23rd congressional district?
There’s an annual ritual going on right now on parts of the Texas Gulf Coast. Why conservationists are celebrating the unusual display of the Attwater’s prairie-chicken.
The San Antonio Spurs are headed into the NBA playoffs, but its parent company is facing a challenge. Why Bexar County says it’s owed millions.
The Trump administration had a plan to help farmers hire foreign workers, but many say the idea to lower wages under the visa program is not the way.
Plus, we’ll introduce you to new novelist Rebecca Bendheim, and we’ll explore a bit of lesser-known Texas history.