Laura Rice

Texas Standard: December 19, 2017

Internal dysfunction at the Texas agency that manages state buildings. How it’s affecting what tax dollars pay for? On today’s Texas Standard.

You’ve heard it before, but could 2018 be the year for Texas Democrats? We’ll hear one argument.

Austin wants a soccer team. But the city is still kicking around ideas about where to put a stadium.

Plus, remember anthrax? The mail attacks made it a household name across the country, but it’s long been an issue in some parts of Texas.

And- is so-called clean coal really a viable solution to long-term energy plans? What one reporter found in the Lone Star State.

All that and more on today’s Texas Standard.

Chanukah in Texas

Chanukah — however you choose to spell it — began this week. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

We used to consume TV shows once a week, one episode at a time. Today, we expect a full season to drop all at once. And we might binge them all in one weekend, just to get to the cliffhanger. That’s the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Fare Thee Well, Fixer Upper

The first episode of the final season of “Fixer Upper” aired Nov. 28. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Music

Texas Standard put together a special program on Texas music in collaboration with Texas Monthly. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Weather

You turn on the heat, then the air conditioner, then the heat again. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Ode to Buzzards

Seeing a circling buzzard near the roadway is usually a pretty good indication that something has died nearby. It’s also likely the scavenging bird will take care of what’s left of that roadkill critter. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Political Bumper Stickers

Pundits may argue about whether political bumper stickers have any impact on the way people vote. But you would probably agree that seeing those stickers – well, some stickers – on a car in front of you can provoke strong feelings. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Rustler’s Rhapsody

You don’t want to break the law in West Texas. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Wind

Alternative energy sources were the inspiration of this poem. Along with what you might call alternative alternative energy sources.

Older Than I’ve Ever Been

Time can be cruel, and depressing, even. But it offers so many metaphors. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem

Medieval Festivals

Many weekends in Texas, revelers with a penchant for a certain time in history can find a place to celebrate. That was the inspiration for this poem.

What Everybody Thinks

Many of us live in bubbles of like-minded folks. Our friends think the way we do, whether it’s about politics, social issues or the best place to live. And we like it that way. And everyone else? They’re just wrong. That’s the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.