We asked our team of journalists at the Standard to reflect on some of their favorite stories of the past 12 months. Today we remember efforts to save animals during the big Panhandle fire, a Texas runner heading to his final marathon, prospects for a WNBA franchise in a city that’s long gone without a pro team, and much more.
basketball
Reflecting on the Aggie bonfire tragedy, 25 years later
The Texas State Board of Education could soon approve a curriculum that includes Bible stories and doesn’t spend as much time on slavery.
It’s been 25 years since one of the darkest moments in Texas A&M history. Reflecting on the impact of the Aggie bonfire collapse.
Families in America today can look a lot different than what’s long been considered “normal.” The podcast “Refamulating“ explores why it’s important to re-think family.
A Black-owned bookstore in North Texas is closing one chapter, but its owner says even after very challenging times, the story isn’t over.
Plus: Why Faith Family Academy, a dominant team in girls basketball, won’t be allowed in the state playoffs.
Texas Extra: ‘There’s Always This Year’ goes beyond the bounds of basketball
Hanif Abdurraqib’s latest book centers the sport, but from there spins meditations on mortality and “making it.”
Exploring the difficulties of rural reproductive care in West Texas
Texas leads the nation in executions again, and Harris County sentences more people to die than any other county in the U.S. A new report examines dozens of death penalty cases there.
A new podcast from Marfa Public Radio looks at the challenge of accessing reproductive care in the Big Bend region.
The season started out with great expectations, but now the San Antonio Spurs have lost a record 18 games in a row. What’s gone wrong, and can it be fixed?
Plus, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune’s Ayan Mittra.
What’s behind the massive oil spill in the Gulf?
An oil spill in the Gulf is considered to be among the worst in U.S. history. After two weeks, why is it getting so little attention?
We’ll hear about an unintended impediment to the growth of electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S.
After a political fight over a school voucher-like program, salary bumps for Texas teachers are off the table. Why some teachers say they’re OK with that.
Also: What’s behind Mark Cuban’s sale of the Dallas Mavericks, and what could it mean?
San Antonio Spurs’ No. 1 draft pick could be a game-changer
A bill would provide $10 billion in low-interest loans that would benefit the oil and gas industry, in the name of beefing up the power grid; there are a lot of questions over the push for those loans, aimed at preventing statewide blackouts.
Almost one year after the worst school shooting in Texas history, state lawmakers are running out of time in this legislative session to make changes to gun laws.
In San Antonio, the silver and black are back as Spurs fans get lit up over a No. 1 draft pick.
Also, actress Christina Vidal on a new streaming series, “Primo” about coming of age in the Alamo City.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 17, 2023
Central Texas top stories for May 17, 2023. NBA number one pick goes to the Spurs. ACL tickets drop. Options for Austin Energy customers with life threatening situations.
What a banking slowdown in Texas means for the economy
The relationship between U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Dallas billionaire Harlan Crow is under scrutiny after a ProPublica investigation reporting that Thomas accepted lavish vacations and more from the GOP donor.
The Texas House has passed a sweeping budget that reveals a lot about support for some key issues including school vouchers, gun-related crimes and more.
And the Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana with what a new survey of bankers tells us about the state of Texas’ economy.
Breaking down the saga at the Dallas Zoo
School vouchers, now styled as school choice, are back before state lawmakers. They have been rejected in the past, but will this year be different? Senate Bill 8 would provide Texas parents with an education account, taxpayer money that could be used to send students to private school. And the bill has special features designed to win over traditionally reluctant rural Republicans.
The Houston Independent School district braces for the implications of a state takeover.
Jamie Landers of the Dallas Morning News has put together a fuller picture of what happened with a string of crimes at the Dallas Zoo.
And seven Texas teams are spicing up March Madness on the men’s side.
Texas Standard: April 4, 2022
The Biden administration is set to end a Trump era policy aimed at keeping migrants out of the US due to pandemic concerns. Also, what’s the difference between Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke? According to a new survey of potential Texas voters: about 2 points; the research director of the Texas Lyceum Poll on the Governor Abbott’s slim lead. And Richard Linklater on his new film celebrating growing up in Texas during the space age. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 14, 2022
The awful images of war and civilians caught and killed in the crossfire. As concerns about war crimes mount, what are the options? A Texas-based specialist in international law on the potential for war crimes trials over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We’ll explore the question what is a war crime and how would allegations be prosecuted? Also, what exactly is gender affirming care? A Texas board certified Pediatrician explains. And a celebration for the winningest coach in NBA history. Plus a look at who’s who from Texas in the March Madness brackets and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 1, 2022
This year’s first test of the state’s power grid; what to do to prepare for wintry weather on the way. Also, the Texas politician who apparently has his eyes on a 2024 presidential bid…if Donald Trump isn’t running, that is. Plus, what to look for in the upcoming primaries. These stories and more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 24, 2021
Everyone over 16 in Texas will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine come Monday, but will there be enough doses to go around? Also, a new chapter begins in the fight against COVID-19 in Texas. We’ll have the latest on the push to get everyone over 16 vaccinated in Texas as soon as possible, and what if anything is being done to protect vulnerable populations. Plus a bill in the Texas legislature that could shut down an iconic Texas swimming hole sparks protests in the Texas capitol city. And branding Madness. Why is the march madness label reserved for men, but off limits to women as the college basketball playoffs move forward? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 16, 2021
Emergency efforts at restoring power continue across Texas as millions try to make do without electricity during an historic winter storm. The whole state of Texas affected by power outages, but not equally. Questions mount over the state’s electricity grid management, as much of Texas hunkers down for a second round of frozen precipitation and low digit temperatures. We’ll have the latest. Also, understanding the latest controversy over the national anthem at sports events. And voices of hope, faith and endurance in danger of being lost to history, an effort to rescue priceless Black gospel recordings. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 6, 2020
The Governor moves forward with a phased in re-opening as Coronavirus cases spike in West Texas. We’ll have the latest on new rules and growing concerns. Also, strike forces are moving in to curb outbreaks at meat packing plants in Texas. And how do deaths due to COVID-19 in Texas rank against other leading causes? A Politifact check of that. Plus, Donald Trump and Joe Biden tied in Texas? An intriguing picture of the presidential contest in in Texas. Gromer Jeffers of the Dallas Morning News explains. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 2, 2019
21 dead in a shootout south of the border involving Mexican forces and drug cartels. Drug related violence or terrorism at the Texas border? What’s in a name? Although president Trump has threatened to designate Mexico’s drug cartels terrorist organizations, people in Mexico view the violence through a more complicated lens, according to a new survey…We’ll have the latest. Also, the outline of the AR-15: a form factor in the debate over gun control, now facing another test before the supreme court. And the Texas ranch sisterhood. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 8, 2019
U.S. Soldiers coming home, but what are they leaving behind? We’ll have a closer look at the decision to get U.S. troops out of northern Syria and why that matters. Also, China calls foul: how Houston found itself at the center of an international incident over Hong Kong. And word from Corpus Christi that the Selena festival is being cancelled in her hometown. Plus the first Latina to create produce write and star in her own sitcom tells her story of coming of age in the Rio Grande Valley, she calls it her mixtape memoir. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 8, 2019
A surprise resignation by the head of Homeland Security and the impact amid rising numbers of people crossing the southern border. Also a top immigration official temporarily takes over the post of a department founded to fight terrorism after 9/11, we’ll have more. And as the president postpones a promised border shutdown, anxiety persists at the border. And the Lone Star State may be famous for its Friday night lights, but maybe we should be celebrating prowess in another sport right now. Plus the story of the woman behind a political dynasty and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 18, 2019
A construction on what at the border? As the wall gets the lion’s share of attention, a new facility for asylum seekers is going up. We’ll have details. Also, we often bemoan the growing political divide. But is it possible we were just born this way? A new book by a San Antonio based researcher makes claims about a biological basis for our political inclinations. And a Dallas sports legend who’s done more from globalizing basketball. Plus a presidential pop quiz for Texans. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Long Distance Fan
Do you sometimes feel like a strawberry in a sea of burnt orange? Or a golden nugget in a crowd of blue and silver? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.