Laura Rice

Texas Standard: July 11, 2019

The latest disturbance in the Gulf seems to be on track to hit Louisiana. But the next one could head this way. We’ll take a look at how Houston’s prepared since Harvey. Plus, a new school being built in the Texas Hill Country is billed as the most water efficient in the state. How it’s doing that and whether the model can be replicated. And strife in the tech industry. We’ll take a look at how planned Amazon protests are just one example of a potential shake-up. Also, we’ll look at teen curfews. Why some cities are reconsidering laws that punish minors for being out late or on a school day. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 10, 2019

The Trump Administration’s so-called Remain in Mexico program expands to include Laredo. We’ll take a closer look at the impact. Also at the border, Texas National Guard troops are being deployed to help. But what are they doing exactly? We’ll explore. And remembering Ross Perot: the legacy of the self-made Texas billionaire. Plus, a Hemp rush. Texas farmers are scrambling to plant the crop, but there are hurdles to clear first. And helping students with dyslexia. The new path forward for kids in Texas schools. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 9, 2019

A new court ruling on the so-called “broken” Texas foster care system and efforts to fix it. We’ll take a look at where things stand now. Plus, the U.S. withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal, and Iran is now violating it. Where that leaves allies and what’s next. And poking holes in the “Texas Miracle”: a new picture of how the state’s recession resistance didn’t benefit the whole state. Plus, drag racing returns to a Texas border town reviving a cultural past time and just something fun to do. We’ll take you to the track. And we’ll check in on the latest drama over the citizenship question on the U.S. census. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 8, 2019

Texas continues to lead a fight against the Affordable Care Act. We’ll take a look at where things stand now and where a win could leave the state. Plus, battleground 2020… or maybe not. Is Texas really up for grabs as Democrats try to make their mark in Austin and Washington? We’ll explore. And going to the moon: A Texas researcher’s invention tapped to make a trip. Why he says the experience is bringing him full circle. Plus a book about the me too movement that will make you laugh, and reviewers say that’s a good thing. That and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Armadillo Poem

A Texas road trip often isn’t without at least one sighting of these mileposts of sorts. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: July 3, 2019

Homelessness has been a hot topic in Texas cities lately. Two of the state’s largest metros have taken different approaches, with different results. We’ll explore. Also, in another of Texas’s largest cities, an increase in domestic violence and a mission to make the city safer for women. Plus, the invasive search for new energy sources. And how even the “green” ones are impacting West Texas. Plus, Black Pumas… you may not have heard of this Austin band yet, but chances are you could soon. We’ll introduce you to their psychedelic sound. And we run some of last week’s Democratic debate claims through the Texas Truth-O-Meter. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 2, 2019

Congresswoman Escobar talks with us a day after touring detention facilities and finding out she was the target of comments on a secret Facebook group. That secret Facebook group reportedly made up of at least some current and former Border Patrol agents. The content, at times disturbing. We’ll have more. Plus, it looks like a deadline to print the U.S. census was missed. Why it matters and what’s next. And have you been to a Texas State Park lately? Many are overcrowded and in disrepair. Why Texans will soon have a chance to fix that. And celebrating the anniversary of a woman’s right to vote with the recognition that the reality of that right was uneven. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 1, 2019

Texas lawmakers passed a bill making it harder for their emails to go public. Why that could impact what we know about why district lines are drawn today on the Texas Standard.

The Supreme Court made a decision about the citizenship question on the US census. But there’s still an outstanding legal challenge. We’ll explain.
Plus, oil is abundant in Texas. One historian says it’s intertwined with religion in the state, namely Christianity.
And why cows might help in the fight against HIV or breast cancer.

Those stories- news from the World Cup, the NBA, and more…

Texas Standard: June 28, 2019

Round two of the first Democratic Presidential debates is in the books. So what did we learn and how do the Texans stack up? Today on the Texas Standard.
So you want a raise, or you want a new job? How can you actually do that. We’ll talk with a psychologist who says it’s as simple as using your brain. Is it really?
The system of state-run in-patient psychiatric hospitals across Texas is way overdue for some updates. There’s money to do it, but what’s being done and is it enough?
Plus, we’ll take a look at two competing bills in Washington aimed at bringing some relief to the border.

Theatre In The Park

Summer theatre, despite the heat, is a tradition in many parts of Texas. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: June 24, 2019

Up to 1000 more Texas National Guard troops could soon deploy to the border. But will they be effective? We’ll take a closer look. Also, rebuilding smaller after Harvey. For some it might not be a choice. We’ll explore. Plus, thanks to the Permian Oil boom the U.S. is in a different position as tensions with Iran escalate. But does it really make a difference? We’ll take a closer look. And we’ll hear from the former Ambassador to the Dominican Republic about problems on the Island, and whether you should delay your trip. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Falling

Summer storms can be quick and devastating. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: June 17, 2019

Okay, now the legislative session is really over. The veto deadline has passed. What did and didn’t make it off Governor Greg Abbott’s desk? We’ll explore. Also, a dead zone is headed to the Gulf Coast. And it could be one of the biggest on record. How it happens and why it looks so bad. Plus, stuttering is common but you might be surprised how little is known about it. An effort to fix that and educate us all. Also access to healthcare can be difficult for all Texans living in rural parts of the state. So what if you have to go specifically to a VA hospital or clinic? all of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Bag Help

Sometimes you get a bagger at the grocery store who seems to read your mind and put things exactly where you want them. Sometimes you don’t. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Take This Dog For A Walk

It’s hot. Texas hot. But Fido doesn’t seem to care. That’s the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: June 3, 2019

The legislative session is out, and now the real politicking can begin. That’s right, the 2020 Elections are not so far away, we’ll have more. And did you hear Texas is now home to the country’s largest trading hub? A trip to Laredo to look at the challenges to keeping that title. Plus, an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that made history: an explosion, a failed blowout preventer, millions of gallons spilled. But we’re not talking about the Deepwater Horizon. And most of us take our immune systems for granted, until we feel it fails us in some way. A closer look. And why Texas Football fans should care about the Oklahoma drill and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 31, 2019

A 5% tariff on all Mexican imports. What could President Trump’s latest effort to curb immigration do to the Texas economy? We’ll have the latest. Also, it’s a disturbing fact fairly well-known in East Texas, the area has a higher-than-average suicide rate. But what do we know about why? We’ll take a look. Plus, Texas school children got a boost from the latest legislative session. But did that focus take away from efforts to help kids in foster care? We’ll explore. And a Texas farmer is trying something new that’s actually very old. We’ll look at why. And Friday means the Typewriter Rodeo and wrap of the week in Texas Politics. That and more today on the Texas Standard:

The Game Is Over

This Typewriter Rodeo poem is for all the ‘Game Of Thrones’ fans who just don’t know what they’re going to do with themselves on Sunday nights now that the show has concluded.

A Catalog Of Collections

Have you ever looked at a list of animal group names? Animal scientists clearly had so much fun coming up with them! That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: May 13, 2019

Tick tock… the clock is winding down on the Texas Legislative session. But there’s a lot left to be done. We’ll have the latest on what affects you from under the dome. Also, the big business of toy guns. So realistic, police can’t tell the difference. And that’s had deadly consequences. And if you take the back roads through rural parts of Texas, you’ll see towns dotted with dance halls. Many have been shuttered or lost to time, but there’s a renewed effort to get them swinging again. Plus, efforts to highlight and reframe the story of the Alamo keep bumping up against other important parts of Texas history. We’ll have the latest on that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: