President-elect Donald Trump has tapped a Texan for a top spot in his upcoming administration. What John Ratcliffe might do as head of the CIA.
Louisiana’s legal battle over putting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms could impact similar efforts here in Texas.
Did you pick up gardening during the pandemic? Some did with the help of tech company AeroGarden – which is now going under.
What can you learn about place if you spend 24 hours there? A new podcast tries to answer that question in Austin.
And: The logistics of a plan to construct a long-distance trail crossing Texas from east to west.
How Republicans broke a losing streak in South Texas
The words “historic election” have been far overused, but they’re worth considering when examining results out of Starr County. A look at a political shift in South Texas.
Texas’ oil and gas regulators requested an emergency influx of $100 million dollars in state money to address oil well blowouts and contamination. What’s happening in the oilfield?
Even during election time, you probably don’t give a lot of thought to the office of the Justice of the Peace. Why it matters – especially right now in Harris County.
Microsoft Windows users could soon face some consequences if they haven’t updated their software in a while. Our tech expert has tips on what steps to take now.
Plus, there was a plan to bring an exiled Napoleon to Texas. And no, it didn’t happen. Our W.F. Strong has been looking into this strange bit of history.
Talking with a real-life Texas Willy Wonka
Reporters have now identified a Texas woman experts say died because of the state’s restrictive abortion ban.
As early voting continues across Texas, we’ll check in with some LGBTQ+ voters about what’s on their minds as they head to the polls.
Also, some of the people removed in Gov. Greg Abbott’s voter roll purges were eligible voters.
Apple’s latest product announcement wasn’t one big event, but a whole series of smaller launches. How consumers and markets are reacting.
And it’s Halloween! We’ve got both tricks and treats in store, plus a story from our insect expert that isn’t for the queasy – but also a sweet one out of East Texas.
Texas Extra: A documentary on the Texas Farm Workers Union
The story of the TFWU is one of epic strikes and marches, but also one that occasionally brushes up against controversy. But what this documentary ultimately aims to do is simply share a story few Texans know from history.
Marijuana is on the ballot in two more Texas cities
Areas around Austin, San Antonio and North Texas set records for the first day of early voting this week. But the story was different in El Paso.
A Democrat won a state House seat in Collin County last election cycle – but Republicans think they can flip it back.
What it means that decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana possession is on the ballot in more Texas cities.
A look at the impact of the ongoing IV fluid shortage on Texas hospitals.
And: We’ll ask whether it matters than an elected official in Harris County hasn’t clocked into work in about four years.
‘Austin City Limits’ celebrates 50 years on PBS
The execution of Robert Roberson, scheduled for tonight, has been subject to appeal upon appeal. Now, a surprise subpoena from a House subcommittee has left his fate uncertain.
Why a commissioners court race could be an indicator of future politics in Tarrant County.
Persistent dry weather means wildfire risk is high – and the governor has declared a disaster declaration for nearly 150 counties across the state amid the increased threat. What you should do now to reduce risk.
How AI-driven phishing scams are targeting Gmail users.
And: Celebrating 50 years of the music TV program “Austin City Limits.”
Officials renew push for Texas-Mexico rail project
What to do with the waste generated by nuclear power plants? The Supreme Court will review a plan to store it in West Texas.
The latest financial reports are in for campaign fundraising throughout the state, and Republicans are focusing heavily on South Texas.
Meta is doubling down on efforts to appeal to Gen-Z and recently reached out to young influencers at an event in Austin called “Facebook IRL.”
The late Texas singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith is the subject of a new book. We’ll talk with author Brian T. Atkinson about her legacy and what he learned about her while writing.
And: Politicians on both sides of the border are advocating for a train connecting Austin with Monterrey, Mexico. What needs to happen for the plan to move forward.
Some convicted felons can actually vote from prison in Texas. Here’s why.
A reservoir first proposed in 1968 to provide water to the DFW area has failed to move forward for decades. Why a small group of landowners say all Texans should care.
Many state prison inmates in Texas, including people on death row, are eligible to vote and may not know it. The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy shares the details.
Texas is starting its own Wall Street of sorts, the Texas Stock Exchange, and there are big names and big money involved. But how exactly is that going to work?
And: Regional Mexican music is making waves throughout Texas.
Texas Extra: It’s Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in ‘America First’
UT-Austin historian H.W. Brands is known for taking a very personal approach to history. This is an extended interview about his latest book, America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War.
New exhibit showcases never-before-seen Freddy Fender artifacts
Schools and public libraries are often the focus of book bans. But what can we learn from a list of books prohibited in state prisons?
We’re celebrating the contributions of Hispanic Texans, including one who credits a librarian for helping him rise to became a leader in academia.
The infamous nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island could come back online to support a big tech company’s artificial intelligence operations.
And: The hometown of Freddy Fender will soon honor the trailblazing Tejano musician in a first-of-its-kind exhibit at the San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum.
Texas Extra: Remembering DJ Steve Crosno
The El Paso radio and TV disc jockey made a lasting impact on the city’s music scene and contributed to the mixing of cultures that still makes far west Texas so special. This is an extended interview about an effort to document Crosno’s impact before his death in 2006.
Ultramarathoner prepares for run across Texas
Americans are pretty evenly divided on the issue of gun rights versus regulated ownership. How might it show up at the polls?
The number of migrants trying to cross the border with Mexico into the U.S. is down quite a bit. A look at why.
We’ll also introduce you to an endurance runner preparing to make his way from El Paso to Galveston. His goal is to draw attention to a cause.
The first spacewalk involving private citizens instead of astronauts is in the books. How we got here and what’s ahead.
Plus, recalling the journey to erect the Tejano Monument at the state capitol.
And why Texas lawmakers are working across the aisle to reverse a death penalty case.
Texas Extra: The Poll Party
Barely half of Texas voting age population turned out for the 2020 presidential election. And the story is worse for young voters. We wondered, what can we do about that? So the Texas Standard joined forces with our home music station, KUTX, and the UT Austin student station, KVRX, for what we called a poll party. The focus was issues important to young voters. But we think there’s something here you might find interesting no matter your age.
Plastic piles up as advanced recycling program in Houston struggles to get off the ground
Jefferson County, Texas, may not feel the brunt of Hurricane Francine but has prepared for any possible changes in the storm’s path.
Will last night’s presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump move the needle at all?
Campus libraries across Cy-Fair ISD are open only part of the time this year after trustees cut librarian positions in half.
An investigation into so-called “advanced recycling” in Houston reveals that hundreds of thousands of pounds of plastic waste have been piling up since 2022.
And: Elvis Presley wasn’t a Texan – but he owed the state a lot.
Texas Extra: Paralympian Ryan Medrano extended interview
Medrano earned a silver medal in a 100-meter race after this interview with Texas Standard. The “Survivor” alum is competing in two more events.
The state is facing a middle-class housing crunch
Housing availability is too low across Texas – and the cost to buy a home is just too high. We’ll have the details of a new report that shows the middle class feeling the brunt of the housing crunch.
Seniors were some of the hardest hit during the power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. What’s being done to protect them before the next storm?
FEMA applications for damage caused by Beryl have far outpaced any other recent storm in Harris County, even Hurricane Harvey.
What we know about how CEOs are using artificial intelligence to make high-level executive decisions – and when humans should step in and override AI’s choices.
And: UT and Oklahoma are now in the SEC. If you don’t really get why that matters, we’ll have the cliff’s notes as college football season kicks off.
Lawmakers slam Texas Lottery for aiding jackpot scheme, prompting policy change
A new policy blocks transgender Texans from changing the sex on their driver’s licenses, unless it’s to fix a clerical error.
The game is up on a Texas lottery loophole that allowed some to buy up tickets en masse, guaranteeing a win. But the door could still be open for abuse.
A new poll on presidential politics in Texas shows Vice President Kamala Harris cutting into former President Donald Trump’s lead.
Midland officials have pushed to figure out how to address a multimillion-dollar deficit in the city’s firefighter pension, but recently efforts to stabilize the fund have slowed.
Plus: Are you in the market for a fitness tracker or a laptop for your kid? We’re talking to the experts and have some tips you should consider for adding them to your cart.
Setbacks stall two big energy projects in the Rio Grande Valley
A Houston housing program designed to increase affordability isn’t helping the lowest earners. Is it a failure – or is it more complicated than that?
Two liquified natural gas projects set to be built in the port of Brownsville are on hold after a court ruling. What that means for the plans long-term.
The safe return of two astronauts aboard the International Space Station remains a top priority for NASA.
We’ll introduce you to a pair of Dallasites working to preserve Black histories in a changing neighborhood, the Tenth Street district.
And: What to do when you need a physical copy of something and just don’t have a printer.
Federal COVID dollars for schools go away as Texas districts struggle
Texas educators are preparing for the start of a new school year as billions of dollars in federal support expires.
Houston ISD is preparing to go to taxpayers with a bond proposal – but the idea is not without controversy.
Wastewater from fracking is spewing out of abandoned wells. What we’ve learned from a new study that confirms what many living around the oil patch have long expected.
Plus: The new movie “Sing Sing” is a very different take on the prison film. A conversation with Texas-based producer Monique Walton and director Greg Kwedar.
Texas Extra: How do we define a museum?
Texas Standard kicked off a new project in August: The Texas Museum Map. To begin, we decided to get answers to some challenging questions about museums. This Texas Extra is an extended version of that interview with Kenneth Hafertepe, a fellow with the Texas State Historical Association and chair of the Department of Museum Studies at Baylor.