This new series explores how sexual assaults are investigated and prosecuted in Central Texas and why many of these crimes go unpunished. KUT’s Nadia Hamdan has frank conversations with victims, survivors, detectives, prosecutors, lawyers and others as she explores the reasons for the provability gap in sexual assault cases.
Assault
Texas Standard: February 11, 2019
Four days and counting: with a new deadline looming in a shutdown showdown over the border wall, the president arrives in El Paso. We’ll take a look at what this means. Also, a week after Texas Catholic Diocese release lists of what the church calls credibly accused clergy, a new investigation by the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express News reports on an abuse of faith in the southern Baptist denomination. We’ll talk with the reporters. Also, an attempt to protect a spot in Texas with one of the most pristine skies on the planet. All those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
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: October 4, 2017
The state’s had a drought plan for years, now a first for water management in Texas: a statewide flood plan. What Texas is doing to prevent widespread damage from future floods and what’s needed to deal with the next one. Also, the sexual abuse of farm workers: a seemingly intractable problem? How workers came up with a plan and sold it to some of the biggest names in the American marketplace and now could be a model. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 24, 2017
Harvey threatens the coast of Texas with storm surges and catastrophic flooding. It could bring torrential downpours further inland. A state of emergency preemptively declared in 30 Texas counties, we’ll explore. Plus, an explosive new book investigates the sexual assault scandal at Baylor university. We’ll hear from one of the authors. And it’s move-in week at colleges across Texas: a look at tech to make life easier for freshmen. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 2, 2017
A stabbing incident at the flagship campus of the university of Texas: and an unexpected source helping to break the news, we’ll have the backstory. Plus the eyes of Texas are upon Pasadena? Why a local election east of Houston may have implications across the lone star state. Also, if you’re a non citizen putting your life on the line in service to the US, the law puts you on a fast track to citizenship, but now there’s a roadblock. We’ll hear what’s happening and what isn’t. Also: he was a young man building a website in his Texas bedroom who became a billionaire and then one of the most wanted men in all of America. We’ll hear the story of the search for the Dread Pirate Roberts. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 1, 2017
Trees pitched across pastures, trucks tossed about like like toys, and more than 5 thousand homes in the path of monster twisters. We’ll explore the tornadoes of North Texas. Also: reading, writing and reform? Though the courts have called for a transformation in how Texas pays for public schools, the state share continues to shrink. What’s happening and why?
And it’s supposed to level the playing field for women in higher ed, but now more and more men are using Title Nine to defend themselves from allegations of sexual violence. We’ll hear how and why. Plus massive FBI raids in Laredo leave a long string of questions: what are they looking for? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 24, 2017
A vote on health care? Or something else? As republican leaders scramble for votes, what does it mean to be a republican? We’ll explore. Also, 15 percent of UT Austin women have been victims of rape according to the accidentally released details of a landmark study. We’ll hear about the survey and how the numbers got out. And prayer rooms in public schools: does Texas have a problem with that? Why a side of soy sauce might come with that next southwestern dish. James Brown with a dash of Jimi Hendrix? How Black Joe Louis is messing with Texas music is a very good way. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 14, 2017
An assault. Evidence gathered and then nothing. Now a grassroots effort to get a backlog of thousands rape kits analyzed, we’ll explore. Also whose info is it anyway? What’s behind a spike in the number of denials for open record requests in Texas. And machines that do the work of humans, and sometimes look like us too. As high tech talk in Texas turns to robots, a danger the conversation’s on autopilot. Plus help wanted: thousands of border and immigration officials. But if the idea’s to boost security, why are there plans to cut vetting of new recruits? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 23, 2017
It used to be the wall, now a new nightmare for Mexico city: where to put thousands of deportees and refugees, we’ll explore. Plus not one, not two, but five new bills aimed at countering campus sexual assault including one that could lead to criminal sanctions against college professors and administrators. And cranes and construction projects crown the skylines of Texas cities. Why a white house order might make half-finished projects permanent fixtures. And help! I’ve fallen and I can get tech. How the digital age is coming to the aid of older Texans. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 9, 2017
It’s as old as the republic itself. Now two Texas lawmakers a republican and a democrat want to end what some call policing for profit. Also deadly fertilizer plant explosion put the tiny Texas town of west on the national map, and chemical safety back in the spotlight. Now some fear a rollback in efforts to prevent another incident like the one in west. And the Big 12 wants answers from Baylor…and millions of dollars now at stake. We’ll tell you why. Plus to many they are the invisibles… but who are the homeless in Texas? One city finds answers by looking to its past. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 22, 2016
The end of an era in Texas and National politics? Wither what was once referred to as the Bush dynasty? Also universities want to get tough on campus sexual violence but are they looking for scapegoats in order to polish their images? A pair of closely watched Texas cases. Plus, you heard of laissez-faire economics: but when it comes to falling oil prices, they’re making us lazy. Fair? We’ll discuss. And what if you could dip your spoon into ice cream and tell if it might not make you feel well? Ring any Bells Texas? All of that and more on todays Texas Standard: