We’re going into another academic year that will be impacted by the pandemic. What we know now about how it’s affected student progress. Also, the DACA program can no longer accept new applicants based on a Texas judge’s ruling. So what’s that mean going forward? And the pandemic’s impact on employment has meant some gains for Americans with disabilities. What employers can learn. Also the pandemic’s partly responsible for Texas’ frenzied housing market. But will the bubble burst? We’ll ask an expert. We’ll also remember a dark day in Texas history, 55 years ago. And we’ll wrap up our Friday with the top news from this week in Texas politics. All of that today on the Texas Standard:
We
Our personal choices often have impacts beyond our personal lives. How do we find balance and how has a pandemic heightened all of this? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: July 29, 2021
Almost all of Texas is red on a CDC map tracking high COVID-19 transmission rates. One of the state’s top infectious disease expert breaks down mask guidance and what we should be considering as kids prepare to go back to school. The potential spread of the virus is also behind the governor’s new executive order. It’s aimed at migrants but it’s broad in scope and is raising some serious concerns. Plus one of the biggest companies in the gaming industry is getting called out by its own employees for its destructive workplace culture. And a pair of remembrances today – a musician with a beard that you probably know and an activist who shunned the limelight that you ought to know. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Living The… Pants?
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our lives — including our nightmares. Now that some sectors of the world continue to open up, many are finding the details of those nightmares are shifting. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo Poem.
The Rainiest July
The final totals aren’t yet in but, for many Texans, this July has certainly felt a lot wetter than usual. In some cases and in some areas, the weather has been quite severe. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Unfortunate Discovery
For some people, it’s snakes. For others, it’s spiders. In Texas, we have both — in large sizes and quantities. Consider the tarantula. Yes, it’s harmless. But try telling that to some! That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Mixtape
This Typewriter Rodeo poem harkens back to a time when putting together a collection of songs took a lot of work — and was really something special.
Summer Trips
Fewer pandemic restrictions on travel mean more Texans are hitting the roads or the skies this summer. Whether it’s a trip to see family or to get away from them — this Typewriter Rodeo poem suggests it’s a different way to rediscover ourselves and one another.
Texas Standard: June 23, 2021
Health experts are closely watching the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. We’ll unpack the risk and the concern about further variants. Also, Texas Governor Greg Abbott latest moves are looking to some like a concerted effort ahead of the 2024 presidential race. The view from outside of Texas. And as America continues to re-examine monuments and building names honoring leaders in the Confederacy. Some everyday people are also reexamining their family histories. Plus we’ll fact-check a claim about how much border wall was built under the Trump Administration. And we’ll explore the impact of the pandemic on the therapists who’ve been walking us through the past year. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 22, 2021
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has multiple legal challenges and now multiple challengers for his seat within his party. We’ll take a look at who. Also, Texas college sports bring in big money. What’s an unanimous Supreme Court decision yesterday mean for athlete compensation? And Texas has lost more rural hospitals recently than any other state. So what’s that mean in an emergency? Plus dozens of Texas prisoners set for release or parole have died behind bars in the past year or so. A new study gets behind delays. And one Texas prison is cleared out to hold migrants. We’ll examine what issues might arise. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 21, 2021
The Texas Governor has followed through on a threat to veto funding for the state legislature. We’ll look at what’s next and what else fell to the pen. Also, when Governor Greg Abbott signed the so-called “constitutional carry” law at the Alamo he also signed another. Some say it is meant to change the role of states when it comes to gun laws. And we’ll also reexamine Governor Abbott’s border wall proposal and delve deep into the story of one migrant teen. Plus, redrawing political maps is an important process. But how can you really get involved? Turns out there are some tools for that. And Austin FC had its first home game over the weekend. But what’s it mean for another soccer-hungry city nearby? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 18, 2021
For the third time the Supreme Court struck down a challenge to overturn the Affordable Care Act. So is the fight over? We’ll explore. Also, Governor Greg Abbott has until Sunday to veto items from the legislative session. A look at how much power the Governor holds in that process. And the results are in for some statewide standardized tests. What they tell us about how the pandemic may have affected learning. Plus, for the first time this weekend’s Juneteenth celebrations are part of a federal holiday. The story behind a new mural in Galveston and a challenge to confront the country’s history. And we’ll have a special nod to Father’s Day. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Pandemic Pets
Many of our furry friends have gotten rather used to lifestyles that involve more time at hope and, often, more time with them. Now that schools, business, and social venues are further opening, they’re making adjustments too.
Texas Standard: June 17, 2021
The freedom day celebration that began in Texas gets national attention. Juneteenth is poised to become a federal holiday, we’ll have details. Also, the Supreme Court has voted down Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Challenge to Obamacare. We’re watching reaction unfold. And Texas Democrats met with Vice President Harris. How she wants them to help her on a mission focused on voting access. Plus will Governor Abbott veto funding for lawmakers and others based on his assessment of the just complete legislative session. And some advice from our tech expert before you book a summer vacation rental. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 16, 2021
Governor Greg Abbott says he wants to build a border wall. We’ll take a look at how he intends to pay for it and who is coming to visit. Plus, methane and other emissions are a risk around gas wells. In Arlington, many of these wells sit relatively close to homes and businesses…namely, daycares. We’ll have more. Also ranking members of the Texas House of Representatives from most conservative to most liberal reveals some interesting insights. We’ll explain. And we’ll fact-check a claim about Austin’s murder rate. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 11, 2021
Governor Abbott wants Texas to build more border wall and says state police can intervene with crossers. We’ll take a closer look. Also, Beto O’Rourke has long been rumored as a potential challenger to Abbott. But what do the numbers say about his chances after losing two other races? Plus a Bexar County Sheriff’s officer used a taser on a 16 year-old in a migrant shelter. What the incident might reveal about the system. And what consumers need to know about Apple’s renewed efforts on privacy. Also, how theatre programs survived the pandemic and are moving forward now and a whole lot more on todays Texas Standard:
Ex-Urbs
Tremendous population growth in Texas and a fiery hot housing market have many people feeling a bit overwhelmed. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: June 10, 2021
The Democrats have voter engagement strategies lined up ahead of the 2022 elections. But do they have a candidate for the top of the ticket? We’ll take a look. Also, Governor Greg Abbott has banned private businesses from requiring so-called “vaccine passports”. But can he do that? And what can businesses do? We’ll explore. And Texans rely heavily on groundwater resources. Would President Biden’s infrastructure plan really address concerns about its sustainability? Plus, you may by now have heard about Amazon Sidewalk. But what do you do about it? We ask our go-to tech expert. And prices are up on a whole lot of things. What’s behind the increase and is it permanent? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 9, 2021
Democrats and Republicans agree the U.S. needs to figure out immigration. But what exactly does that mean and how do we get there? We’ll explore. Also, gun policy at the Texas legislature. We’ll look at what passed and what didn’t. And what’s in the bills Governor Abbott just signed to address problems with the electric grid? Plus one view from Texas about the ongoing coronavirus crisis in India. And we’ll take a look at what researchers call the seven threads of Texas. Where do you fit into the fabric of the state? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 8, 2021
More than 40-thousand Texas immigrants have Temporary Protected Status. A unanimous Supreme Court ruling affects some of them, we’ll have details. Also, in the first legislative session since mass shootings in El Paso and Odessa. We look at what lawmakers did on the issue of guns. And houses across Texas are flying off the real estate market sometimes more than $100k above asking. What’s the perspective from real estate agents? And what’s the Internet infrastructure look like to serve Texans moving further from the city centers? Plus, a new book challenges the myth behind one of Texas’ most prominent symbols. The argument that we should forget the Alamo. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard: