Experts estimate that between 15 and 20 percent of the general population has dyslexia in some form. Reading and writing are different experiences for those with the language-based learning disability – and we learn more about it all the time.
I-35
Highways are supposed to let us get around local traffic, across town or to the next big city quickly. But anyone who has lived in Texas for more than a week knows that there’s one exception to the rule: Interstate 35. Locals who live along the highway itself avoid it on their daily commutes. Long-distance travelers will drive an extra two hours on backroads just to ensure they won’t have to use it. But sometimes you just have to, sometimes there’s no choice, sometimes you sigh and say, “Let’s try I-35.”
Your School Librarian
Whether you need to read a book for school or for book club, you can likely find it online as an ebook, audiobook, or have the real book shipped in a matter of hours. But before you head straight to the internet, remember that there’s a magic place you can look first. A place with people who would love to help you find what you need – all without relying on a wifi connection.
Music Festivals
Today, thousands of fans from all over will pile into Austin’s Zilker Park for the first weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. And while the locals love to hate the event, deep down, we’re proud to host one of the best events for music lovers. We’ll still complain about traffic, though.
Third Party Candidates
Many voters are asking each other, Republican or Democrat? Clinton or Trump? But they aren’t the only options, no matter what the talking heads say. This year, more people are considering the often-overlooked third party candidates and asking themselves, is this the election where I break the cycle?
Back in My Day
It’s 2016 – we’ve got waterproof supercomputers in our pockets, an artifical intelligence assistant and buttons we can press to have toilet paper delivered. News gets to our screens faster than we can read it. We can watch an event across the world from the comfort of our couches in real-time. But it wasn’t always like this. Things used to be simple.
Texas Standard: September 16, 2016
A temporary ceasefire… it sounds like good news for Syria… but not everyone’s happy with the deal. We’ll explain on today’s Texas Standard.
How much do we really need to know about the health of the people running for the nation’s highest office? And how much do they have to tell us?
A start up before there were start ups. A look at how one early computer company took Houston- and the world by storm.
Ok, we get it… Pluto isn’t a planet… but wait… some scientists say that it is? We’ll have the details.
And… it’s Friday on the Texas Standard… that means Typewriter Rodeo and wrapping up another eventful week in Texas politics.
Undecided Voters
With 59 days left to the 2016 Presidential Election, most people have had their decision made for several months. But there are hold-outs – some are still researching issues and exploring their options. This poem is for the ones who dare to wait.
Texas Standard: September 5, 2016
The earth shook this weekend rattling people out of bed all across the midwest. Why Texas oil producers are likely watching Oklahoma’s response. Plus thousands of pieces of criminal evidence destroyed: now the Texas law enforcement office involved is under investigation itself. And do you know what you need to take with you to the poll this November election? Do you really? We’ll ID the facts. Plus two Texas cities are leading the national charge against ending youth homelessness. We’ll have the details. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Waiting-For-Autumn Blues
While many Texans firmly believe seasons do not exist in our great state, we all look forward to the few weeks of cool weather in the fall. It’s the perfect time for cardigans, sweaters, and a cup of hot chocolate. The hard part is waiting for the blissful respite from the heat.
Texas Standard: September 2, 2016
He became a national figure after the deadly attack on police in July, but now the Dallas Police Chief is stepping down. Our conversation with the city’s mayor, we’ll explore. Also It’s been hard to track shootings involving police, but it’s recently gotten a little easier in Texas, we’ll explain. Plus Labor Day boaters beware: a marine menace could try to put a damper on your holiday fun. And relatively small pieces of hardware could cause big problems on offshore oil rigs, and the issue could extend on land. And embracing the data. Why some say we should let go of privacy concerns and enjoy all the tracking technology does.
Texas Standard: September 1, 2016
Immigration is the topic front and center in the Trump campaign right now. How are Hispanic Texans reacting? We’ll hear one perspective. Plus technology can really ruin your day sometimes, but it can not only make our lives easier but save our lives. We’ll talk Tech. Also The mantra of Texas BBQ has always been low and slow. But what happens when you cheat that method and still get great taste? And did it seem rainier than usual this August? That’s an understatement, we’ll take a look at one of the impacts. And how a late 90s heart-throb is moving into new roles, and embracing life as a new Texan. That and a whole lot more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 31, 2016
Texas police shootings: we’ll explore what we know about how often cops fire their weapons and what the consequences are. Plus more Central American kids making their way to Texas to escape atrocities. We’ll introduce you to some who are arriving legally. And bustling this time of year but otherwise vacant parking lots and under-used buildings. A look at what could be ahead for the Texas State fairgrounds. Plus what understanding the cause of death of one of our early human ancestors tells us about her life. And is campus carry really keeping people away from Texas public universities? Those stories and more on todays Texas Standard:
Table That Thought
Everyone has their own way of relaxing and gaining perspective: meditating, listening to music, or sitting in a favorite chair with a cup of tea. Sometimes you just need to sit and ponder life’s questions and forget about the daily routine. Today’s poem is for all of us who need to stop and think, tables included.
The Race Has Gotten Ugly
We’ve been hearing from presidential hopefuls for nearly three years now. It’s 2016, and here we are counting down to the general election. Tensions are high and lines have been drawn. The one thing we can all agree on: things are getting ugly.
What Your Car Brand Says About You
When you meet someone new you often take note of what they’re wearing, their hairstyle, and the kind of taco they order. But if you’re lucky enough to get a peek at what kind of car they left in the parking lot, you can learn a whole lot more about them.
Texas Caves
Texas has everything: beaches, mountains, forests, and even caves. Whether you prefer Natural Bridge Caverns, Longhorn Cavern, or Enchanted Rock Cave, they’re all great ways to beat the summer heat – if you can brave small spaces, of course.
Warriors of the Court
Typewriter Rodeo’s David Fruchter was inspired by the intrepid young women of high school volleyball for this week’s poem.
Mandals
It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s the height of summer across the state. That means wardrobes are making a transformation, but today’s poem suggests you might want to spend extra time pondering your footwear before you head into the office on Monday.
Texas Standard: July 20, 2016
He’s the nominee. The role Republicans from Texans played to secure Donald Trump’s presidential nomination, we’ll explore. Also plans for a new South Texas family detention center are moving forward, without the support of many in the community. We’ll explain. And police officers in Dallas were targeted and killed, even though that department had fewer cases of officer-involved shootings than others. We’ll take a look at the facts. And one of the most sought-after advice columnists in Texas is revealing his true identity: we’ll introduce you to “The Texanist.” And what you can and can’t do legally speaking when it comes to getting Pokemon hunters out of your yard. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: