The weather is cooler — a little bit. The decorations are going up and football season is in full swing. But what are the other tell-tale signs of a Texas autumn? That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Why, Jerry?
With new census numbers finally available, lawmakers are drawing new maps for political representation. It’s no surprise that those with the pen seem inclined to make the lines in favor of themselves or their interests. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Social media can be an escape — a place to share wins and cat photos. It can also be a place where bullying runs rampant, misinformation is spread, and anxieties are stoked. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Climate Change
The visible evidence of climate change and the studies about its dire long-term impacts can be overwhelming. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: September 13, 2021
Making good on a threat: Texas is suing over school mask mandates. We’ll take a look at what we know about a lawsuit against six Texas school districts. Also tropical storm Nicholas is headed towards the Texas Gulf Coast. We’ll discuss what the state and coastal cities are doing now and the implications as oil production is still offline from Hurricane Ida in Louisiana. And twenty years ago today… a disaster along the South Texas Coast. Remembering the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse. Plus the Republican Party and Texas are practically synonymous in current politics but things have changed over the decades. A look back today on the Texas Standard:
Getting Older
Though its effects can feel less than glamorous at times, getting older is a privilege. That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem. The idea came to us via listener request in honor of a father who turned 70 this year.
The Best Therapy
How many times have begun a sentence with “it’s been a tough year” — or year and a half…? For some folks, the saving grace has been an animal friend — or a few of them. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The COVID Coaster
The so-called “waves” of the COVID-19 pandemic look similar to the ride of a roller coaster — but it’s not a ride anyone is enjoying. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Pups
From the pandemic to the winter freeze to the political divisions and societal reckonings, it’s been a challenging period on so many fronts. The inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo is the promise that something can grow from what looks long past hope.
How To Words Now
Navigating the pandemic has been hard all along. But, now, life circumstances are calling some of us to in-person socialization for the first time in a long time. Masks and social distance — and outdoor gathers are still the safest. But what even to say in small talk anymore? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: August 11, 2021
ICU bed capacity is slim to none in most parts of the state. What that means on a practical level and why adding more beds isn’t really the solution. And as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the state, the messages about the protection of getting vaccinated and wearing masks continue. But do we need to change what we’re saying or how we’re saying it? And how safe is it to go to a concert right now? Musicians and venues weigh the risks. Plus we’ll take a closer look the infrastructure bill in Washington and how much money could come to Texas. And we’ll examine national identity and sports as we talk with a Texan who competed at the Olympics under the Puerto Rican flag. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 10, 2021
As the Delta variant continues to infect Texans and strain hospitals, more schools are defying the Governor’s orders and mandating masks. The Austin Independent School District joins Dallas and likely Houston in mandating masks. We’ll talk to AISD’s Superintendent about how the district came to this decision and what challenges may lie ahead. We’ll also check-in with our doctor on call about what decisions parents are weighing as they consider whether to send students to in-person learning. Plus the Texas Legislature is back in session again. And this time it looks like they may soon have enough lawmakers in attendance to do business. What that means as Democrats still try to fight a bill over how Texans can vote. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
What Sport Do You Play?
The 2020 Olympics (taking place in 2021) have, as usual, been filled with stories of challenge, triumph, disappointment. Kari Anne Holt has been watching it all. And that was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: July 30, 2021
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.