This season of being thankful, some of us are thinking about being thankful for each moment and our ability to enjoy that moment, to savor it. Texas Standard listener Lynzy requested this poem about ridding herself of the products and systems that get in the way of her ability to be present.
Texas Standard: November 9, 2021
More lawsuits pour in as officials continue to investigate how a concert crowd turned deadly, we’ll have the latest. Also, Texas is worse off now than a year ago. At least that’s one takeaway from the latest University of Texas / Texas Tribune Poll… We’ll have a look deeper into the data. Also a celebration of Jewish religion and culture on screen, even as the community has faced recent attacks. The mission of the Austin Jewish Film Festival. Plus we’ll explore a new book that highlights some underrepresented voices in the historic record on civil rights. And a tiny Texas town adjusts to unprecedented growth and explores how it might maintain what’s made it unique. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Riding A Bike
This Typewriter Rodeo poem came by request from Texas Standard listener Pete Ramirez. His request was for a poem dedicated to “the love and joy of riding a bike.”
Homecoming Mums
From the Red River to the Rio Grande — it’s a Texas high school tradition that’s… *grown over the years. This Typewriter Rodeo poem came by request from Texas Standard listener Linda Newman. She observed homecoming mums used to be real and about the size of a grapefruit. Now, she says they’re artificial and bigger than a football!
What Is It?
Noticing, appreciating, musing in, the small things around us. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: October 21, 2021
As the fight over Texas redistricting moves from the legislature to the courts, lawmakers and hopefuls are readjusting their political plans. Today on the Texas Standard.
A San Antonio non profit is drawing some unwelcome attention for its recent move into housing migrants. We’ll explore.
And as more bitcoin mining moves into Texas, what’s being done to make sure the energy gobbling industry doesn’t over tap the state’s power grid?
The longest-running indigenous radio program in Texas celebrates all native culture. We’ll highlight the story.
And there are some newcomers in the top 5 in the latest Texas Monthly list of the best BBQ. Why they stood out. That and more.
Texas Standard: October 20, 2021
The third and perhaps final special session of the 87th Legislative is over. So who won and lost? An analysis going beyond the party players- today on the Standard. There’s been a lot of concern among Democrats about weakening numbers in the Rio Grande Valley. But there’s another argument that it might not matter so much in the end when it comes to election results. And there’s some evidence that not taking full advantage of redistricting power has weakened Democratic power across the country. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, staff vaccination rates at Texas nursing homes are not moving up much despite a looming federal mandate. That’s a Texas Standard special report. Plus, we’ll get up close with the mighty peregrine falcon.
Seasonal Décor
Some folks mark the seasons by changing out the wreath on the front door or pulling out different colored lights or other decorations. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Autumn In Texas
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: