Spring weather in Texas can mean damaging hail. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo on the Texas Standard.
Statewide Ban
The Texas legislature is considering a statewide ban on texting while driving. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo poem for the Texas Standard.
St. Patrick’s Day
Grab your green beer and your friends to enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day-inspired poem by the Typewriter Rodeo.
Waiting for Spring
There comes a time of the year when spring just can’t come fast enough. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo.
Haunted House
Some people believe in ghosts, others stand their ground and say they don’t exist. And some don’t quite believe in ghosts – but cautiously respect them when the lights go out at night. No matter what kind of (non)believer you are, we can all agree that spooky clowns are worse.
Capital Bar Conversations
Work at the Texas State Capitol building can get contentious. Partisan disputes and back-hallway wheeling and dealing can leave one feeling a little exhausted at the end of the day — or whenever the lege wraps up. Sometimes what you need is a visit to the bar down the street.
My Bicycle is My Horse
Many folks assume all Texans ride horses – and sure, some of us do. But a special kind of horse, the two-wheeled breed, is much more common on the streets around here.
Texas Standard: February 10, 2017
A proposal to fix the state’s broken foster care system that could get more adults involved in the temporary care for kids in need. We’ll hear why the idea is personal for one Texas lawmaker. Plus gas prices could go up a lot under a proposal from a Texan in Washington. Not so good for drivers but how about the oil and gas industry? We’ll explore. And love thy neighbor. How a fire at an Islamic Community Center in Central Texas actually sparked new friendships. Plus how a song about a little boy in South Texas connects two generations of a legendary music family. And a reminder to never to read the comments from the Typewriter Rodeo. That and more on this Friday edition of the Texas Standard:
Never Read The Comments!
It’s never been easier to share opinions – political or trivial – with the public. Sometimes those opinions inspire productive, civil conversations, and other times…well, it’s just safer to adhere to the motto of the internet.
Ode to the Break Room Donut
Tupperware with leftovers, salads from around the corner, candy from the vending machine – office food can get boring. Some of us try to eat healthy, waking up an extra half hour early to prepare a midday meal, others go for the multi-snack approach. And every now and then, a magical thing happens in the breakroom: someone brings donuts.
Texas Standard: January 30, 2017
Executive orders. Immigrants, refugees even green card holders in limbo. Attorneys scrambling, some praising the moves, others protesting. We’ll explore the outcry. The scene at some Texas airports as people gather in reaction to President Trump’s order on who can come into the United States. Plus foreign relations. What do the orders mean for diplomacy efforts and American families overseas? We’ll check in with a former ambassador. And teaching skepticism. Is it just a waste of classroom time to present alternatives to evolution? And state of the state. A look at the role Texas Governor Greg Abbott might play in the current legislative session. All that and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Cedar Fever
We knew it was coming. The endless waves of pollen, the sleepless nights, wasted days. We call it cedar fever even though it’s really the juniper’s fault. No matter what you name it, it’ll stop you in your tracks. Can you pass the tissues?
Transition
Inauguration Day is here, and that means change. We don’t know what’s next – but we rarely ever do. Whether you cheered or not, tomorrow is a new day, with new problems, new ideas, and new ways to be a part of your community.
Threatening To Leave The Country
When elections don’t go your way, you might be tempted to seek out a change of scenery, perhaps a change of citizenship. But it’s important to remember that you are what makes this country so special. So put down your visa application and look around – this can still be your home.
Fake News
Did you hear the latest? Did you see that Tweet? They’re talking about it on cable news. We’re all getting a free car tomorrow!
Oh wait, maybe not.
So Long, 2016
Well, the year is finally coming to a close, and it’s time to celebrate a new trip around the sun. There were bad times, and… good times…?
But 2016 is over and that’s all there is to say.
Texas Standard: December 30, 2016
The number of U-S police officers who died in the line of duty at a five-year high. Texas by far lost the most. How that’s affecting those still serving. Also, a price surge, long lines and shortages: the gas crisis going on just south of the border. And extending our quality of life with the help of robots. How artificial intelligence can help the aging. And a look back at Texas’s role in the civil rights movement and what community organizers can learn from it. Plus, sweet or unsweet? It’s a question Texans are used to, we’ll explore the history. And how an NBA rookie broke barriers with the Houston Rockets this week. Those stories and a whole lot more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 29, 2016
Corruption on the border. We all know it’s there, but are you aware just how much it’s happening on this side of the Rio Grande? Also Texas lawmakers will spend a lot of time talking about education funding in the next few months. School districts and tax payers will want to pay attention. And some environmentalists worry renewables won’t get the same attention under Trump. The conservative case for solar. Also: Dilley, Texas is known these days for its family detention center. How it’s shaped the south Texas city. If Texas were made up of just 100 people, can you guess how many would live east of I-35? Plus, a look back at the top tech stories of 2016 and more on todays Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 28, 2016
Social media is getting the blame for a rash of fights at malls across the country, including Texas. How’s that possible? We’ll ask on today’s Texas Standard. Also, predicting the global dynamics of 2017. What’s next for the European Union? For oil? For the U.S. under Trump? Plus the business of space travel in Midland, and turning a greenhouse gas into a commodity. And book recommendations for each month of the year, chock full of lessons tailor-made for Texans. Also how the desegregation of Texas sports is connected to the Harlem Globetrotters and so much more, its Texas Standard time!:
Texas Standard: December 27, 2016
Another Texan could be headed to Washington. Why it looks like the next Secretary of Agriculture could be from the Lone Star State. Plus there may be more locally-acquired Zika cases in Texas than have been reported so far. What we’re learning about the spread of the virus. And tis the season for returning gifts. Why taking items back is more common than ever. And it used to take a quarter to call someone who cares… but do you even know what it costs to use a payphone anymore? A look at one place in Texas where their use is as strong as ever. Plus the long and forgotten history of the Texas Mutualista… and why West Texas is getting kind of a bad wrap from Hollywood… that and more on today’s Texas Standard: