Some students in Texas are taking the state’s standardized tests. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Pollen!
It’s that time of year when just breathing can be challenging in Texas. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: April 26, 2018
Another Trump Administration official in the hot seat today after a slew of bad press. One who’s avoided negative attention? Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, we’ll explore. Also, the largest school district in Texas in turmoil? No permanent leader at the top and facing a potential state takeover. What’s going on with Houston ISD? Plus, you upgrade your TV or your phone but what do you do with the old stuff? Recommendations from our resident tech expert. And what the devil is devil sauce? We’ll take a little jaunt through BBQ history. We’ll also explore the history of a Texas town often overshadowed by the likes of the Alamo and a whole lot more on today’s Texas Standard:
Grackles Be Stealin’
Those loud, black birds are infamous across Texas — and they were the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: April 17, 2018
The Commander is Chief wields a lot of power over U-S military action, but where do those powers begin and end? We’ll explore. Also, it’s been almost 10 years since Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston. But the city still hasn’t rebuilt much of the housing many depend on. And it’s been exactly 5 years since a fire and explosion at a Central Texas fertilizer plant killed 15 people and destroyed a large part of a small city. What’s been done to prevent another catastrophe like West, Texas? Also, Pulitzer prize-winning author Lawrence Wright’s new book hits shelves today. “God Save Texas” is all about the state he calls home, including what he describes as AM and FM Texas. Plus we’ll hear the argument for why it seems Texas lawmakers could have been drunk when writing the liquor laws. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Distracting Springtime Roads
In Texas, it’s that time of year when everything is blooming and it’s pretty hard to drive right by without stopping. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Break Room Etiquette
You can see the box of pizza or donuts in the break room. The scent draws you to it and you open it with anticipation — only to find crumbs and a dirty butter knife. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Forgot Your Password?
Maybe you’re the type who has one password for every account. But, if you’re like us, you have a few that you alternate between — and remembering which one goes to which account can be maddening. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Afterlife of Antiques
Antique stores dot the Texas landscape – often taking over old gas stations or restaurants – and filled past the brim with the belongings of yesteryear. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Tea
When you ask for “tea” when ordering in Texas, people make assumptions about what exactly you mean. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
What If Phones, But Too Much?
When’s the last time you were without your phone? It seems they’re always with us. In fact, maybe you’re reading Typewriter Rodeo on your phone…right now.
The Reality Behind My Social Media Posts
We all have friends who seem to have the perfect life — at least on social media. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: February 27, 2018
Turnout looks up at the polls and some political rallies draw big crowds. But what does excitement about the primaries really mean for election results? We’ll explore. Also, there’s been a lot said about more women running for office and more minorities. Today a look at what veterans could bring to the race. Plus federal legislation on sex trafficking is getting some pushback from technology companies. Why they’re concerned about culpability. And another delay on DACA: It’s continued protection from deportation for those enrolled in the program but also continued uncertainty. What all the back and forth could be doing to their health. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 26, 2018
The headlines are disturbing. In the wake of a Florida school shooting there have been threats in Texarkana, Houston and more. Unpacking the apparent uptick on today’s Texas Standard.
Linemen from the Texas Panhandle deal with conditions they never encountered in the high plains in efforts to restore power in Puerto Rico. We’ll hear from one of them.
Plus,Central Texas bats have changed their migratory patterns ever so slightly. We’ll try to get at why.
A Mexican college could soon join the NCAA. What’s in it for teams on both sides of the border.
And, understanding the Supreme Court’s ruling on DACA.
Texas Standard: February 23, 2018
A death sentence commuted to life in prison. We’ll talk with the Texas dad who fought to keep the state from executing his son. Today on the Texas Standard.
The firearm industry is in the news these days for possible restrictions on what can be sold. We’ll take a closer look at the business itself.
A Texas State Senator found guilty on 11 felony charges. What happens next?
Country singer Lee Ann Womack has a different sound from her “I Hope You Dance” days. We talk with her about how Texas helped shape her new album.
Plus… it’s Friday- that means another custom poem written for us on a vintage typewriter… and a wrap of the big stories this week in Texas politics.
Primaries
It’s primary season here in Texas. The Lone Star State has among the lowest voter turnout rates in the country – so here’s a poem for those of you who are heading to the polls.
Texas Standard: February 21, 2018
Some momentum behind tightened accountability for firearm background checks. The top Texas Republican who now seems to be at least partially on board. Also, early voting is underway. The first choice those heading to the polls will have to make is which party’s primary to vote in. Why crossover voting isn’t all that common. Plus, Texas coastal cities still cleaning up from Hurricane Harvey are also looking ahead to mitigating the damage of the next storm. Why folks in Corpus Christi are concerned. And it’s been 25 years since the siege at a Branch Davidian complex outside of Waco. What law enforcement learned from that deadly encounter. Plus a profile of a man known as “the Galveston Giant.” Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 20, 2018
86 cents of every dollar donated to state-level campaigns in Texas went to Republicans. We’ll do the numbers. And it’s here: early voting is underway for the Texas primaries. We’ll explore the rules behind where you can cast a ballot and why. And a city on the Texas coast is making plans to become the first new cruise ship port-of-call in about half a century. We’ll talk with the mayor leading the effort. Plus, a big U-S company is changing the way they do healthcare and it’s turning some heads. It may surprise you which company it is. And we’ll also hear from the filmmakers behind a new movie about an event that thrust one Texas city into the national spotlight a few decades ago. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Generations
Cliches notwithstanding, not every old person is wise and kind, nor is every young one thoughtless or callow. Personality and brains, or lack of them, often stick around throughout one’s life. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: February 16, 2018
Texas educators carry the dual burden of comforting students after yet another school shooting, and coming up with prevention plans. We’ll hear from some of them. Also, sales are flat or even falling in the motorcycle industry. We’ll break down why. And the Houston Astrodome will live on. After years of back and forth a real plan for it’s future, a look at the optimism and skepticism. Also, a new building on the University of Texas campus opens up to the public this weekend. We’ll take you inside what’s not a classroom or an athletic facility but a one-of-it’s-kind art masterpiece. The story behind it. And it’s Friday! That means the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap up of the big stories this week in Texas Politics. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: