The border remains the top issue in national politics, but in Texas it’s also a local issue. We’ll hear from a state representative on the latest in her district. Plus, Texas is once again one of the deadliest states for law enforcement officers. We’ll break down the numbers including a disturbing trend involving firearm deaths. And if one Texas lawmaker has his way the severance tax could get a bit of a makeover in the next legislative session. What it is and why you should care. Also, the Texan believed to be the country’s oldest man has died at 112. We’ll take a look back at his life. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
New Year’s Eve
How do you celebrate? Or do you? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: December 27 2018
Hundreds of asylum seekers released in El Paso with little warning, straining resources and highlighting big issues at the border. We’ll talk with Bob Moore in El Paso about the latest. Also, race and criminal justice: we’ll take look at just how different America’s prison population is from the population at large and why. Plus a Texas lawmaker tells us why he’s fighting for the expansion of medical marijuana. And did you unwrap a new gadget for Christmas or Hanukkah? Our tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us what to do with the old one. Also, the calls for civility in politics and online have come from every corner. But some say it’s not enough. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Family During The Holidays
It’s the time of the year when families get together across the miles, across the generations, and across the political spectrum. For better or for worse, that was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Cone
We think they’re good for our pups, protecting them from their own urges to lick or scratch. But plastic cones are far less fun – and let’s face it, they’re confusing – for those pooches who have to don them after a visit to the vet.
Vintage Cameras
Instagram and iPhones have made everyone a photographer. But some folks, and one Texas Standard listener in particular, get more pleasure out of the old ways of taking photos. This Typewriter Rodeo poem is for Rick.
Texas Standard: December 5, 2018
National day of mourning. We’ll remember a president but also ask: how much pomp and circumstance is appropriate? We’ll take a look. Also, Texas voters re-elected Attorney General Ken Paxton last month. So what’s the latest with the criminal accusations against him? We’ll check in. And for most of us black holes in the universe are a mystery. Even for the experts there’s a lot that they don’t know. But they’re getting closer to answers. Plus fiddle music is part of the fabric of Texas culture, but what kind of fiddle music comes to mind for you? It may be different than your neighbor’s. And a fact-check flagged by Facebook. Did it show up in your newsfeed? All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Still. SNEEZING
For many folks around Texas, allergies are a year-round problem. This Typewriter Rodeo poem is for them.
A Radio Dream
The intimacy of the medium of radio was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Weather In Texas In The Fall
The sweater you wore to work has you sweating by the end of the day. Next morning, you’re looking for a winter coat behind the tank tops in your closet. Yep, it’s November in the Lone Star State.
Getting Out
The Texas Standard asks listeners for poetry requests. This one is for Jess.
The Leaf Blowers
Some trees in Texas never really lose their leaves — but others are shedding dramatically right now. The inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem came from what some neighbors may do with those leaves.
No Mask? … No Mask!
Don your face paint, costumes and masks for Halloween, but don’t forget that it’s not always movie monsters or villains that are the scariest ghouls to haunt our waking days. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Running
The Typewriter Rodeo takes requests — and this one came from a Texas Standard listener training for a marathon.
I’m An Autumn
In some places, fall means colorful leaves, warm jackets or even a coat of frost on pumpkins in the patch. In Texas, it means we get to turn of the air conditioning?
Addiction Recovery
This Typewriter Rodeo poem came about as a request by Texas Standard listener Vicki.
Texas Standard: October 3, 2018
Before an important NATO meeting, the Texan representing the U.S. fires off a startling threat to take out Russian missiles. And GOP leaders vow a vote on Kavanaugh by the week’s end, but where do senators stand right now? Also, Politifact does a double take on a claim in the U.S. senate race concerning police force and what’s called a modern day Jim Crow. Plus, the slaughter of pelicans along a stretch of South Texas highway: state officials have a theory on what’s causing the massive bird kill, but will the fix fly? Those stories and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Midterms
As newscasters and other political junkies are fond of pointing out, only a few weeks remain until November’s midterm elections. And fewer reamin until the deadline to register to vote. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: September 26, 2018
The Texas Attorney General is now getting involved in a court fight over whether Texas school children should be required to say the pledge of allegiance, we’ll explore the implications. Also, should toothless inmates in Texas be provided dentures? Right now, many are not. We’ll take a look at the policy some say needs to change. And something that may be in your garage or shed right now could be contributing to the decline in the bee population. We’ll take a look. Plus, speaking of bees, we’ll get the goods on honey. What is it exactly? We’ll hear from our insect expert. Plus, tracking especially high rates of asthma in Dallas. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 25, 2018
Proposed changes to legal immigration here in the U.S. that would especially affect the poor. We’ll take a look at the possible impacts. Plus, President Trump has signed the largest VA budget ever. What the money is going towards and where it’s coming from. And we’ll head to Sonora, Texas where unprecedented flooding has damaged hundreds of homes. Also we’ll hear how Texas waterways when not causing the damage like in that city, can provide access to parts of the state that are otherwise off-limits. Plus why Mexico’s new president-elect could change the messaging on birth control, and why Laredo city officials have found themselves in a tough position when it comes to next steps for a border wall. All those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: