Is there a Speaker in the House? Texas lawmakers rally around a replacement for Joe Straus and introduce a raft of new potential laws. More than 400 bills already proposed to kick off the 2019 legislative session, we’ll hear about the big ones. Also, Helen Keller and Hillary Clinton out of the classroom? Proposed new standards for Texas public school history classes. And Historian H.W. Brands on why the generation after the founding fathers matters today. And remembering Stan Lee: the passing of a hero maker hits home for a Texas writer. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: September 25, 2018
Proposed changes to legal immigration here in the U.S. that would especially affect the poor. We’ll take a look at the possible impacts. Plus, President Trump has signed the largest VA budget ever. What the money is going towards and where it’s coming from. And we’ll head to Sonora, Texas where unprecedented flooding has damaged hundreds of homes. Also we’ll hear how Texas waterways when not causing the damage like in that city, can provide access to parts of the state that are otherwise off-limits. Plus why Mexico’s new president-elect could change the messaging on birth control, and why Laredo city officials have found themselves in a tough position when it comes to next steps for a border wall. All those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 28, 2018
After NAFTA, now what? The president says a new trade deal with Mexico doesn’t need Canada along for the ride. What does it mean for Texas? We’ll take a look. Also, for only the second time ever, Texas politicians assemble to drum up support from the state’s disability community. Who’s saying what and do prospective voters like what they’re hearing? And Beto and Ted’s excellent adventure: why a filmmaker is turing a midterm Battle Royale into a motion picture. And starving in the Texas suburbs: hidden hunger and the effort to address it. Plus prehistoric insects buggin the Lone Star State? Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 28, 2017
A republican led race to wrap up a rare rewrite of the nations tax laws hits stumbling blocks in the senate. We’ll hear what provisions are causing problems on the hill and what the cuts could add up to in the political near term. Also, fears growing among many Texas businesses as NAFTA negotiators prepare for round six. And you’ve heard of sanctuary cities? Now hear this: some cities are asking for their police to be deputized into immigration enforcement. And the case that could be the biggest of the century for privacy rights, and why it matters for anyone with a smartphone. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 3, 2017
The Texan who heads the House Science Committee: and who opposes arguments on climate change, won’t be going back to Washington. Lamar Smith’s announcement not to seek reelection comes as his colleagues take the wraps off a new tax reform plan- one that democrats call a giveaway to the rich, and the republicans claim will benefit the middle class. So what does it mean for Texas? We’re asking questions. Also, a new I-35 rivalry between teams that aren’t even in their respective cities. Confused? So are a lot of soccer fans. We’ll explain. Plus: a preview of the Texas Book Festival, the week that was in Texas Politics and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 19, 2017
Looking for bipartisanship? Look in the direction of the Pentagon. Lawmakers take a big step toward a massive boost for the US military, we’ll have the latest. Also, President Trump makes his first foray into the UN club he once made fun of. What’s his message, and what does it tell us about the relevance of the United Nations? And quick: name the last president who really delivered on his campaign promises. A Texas scholar says modern presidents are doomed to failure because of what the office has become, we’ll explore. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 26, 2017
A new transgender ban for the US Military? A presidential proclamation on social media this morning sparks a scramble for answers, we’ll explore. Also, the mayor of Corpus Christi tells us he’s got a question for the man he voted to be governor: why the assault on cities? We’ll talk to mayor Joe mcComb as he and more than a dozen of his mayoral colleagues from across the state get ready to meet with Governor Abbott. Plus, file under not fake news: is Snopes, the original fact checking site of the world wide web, in danger of going dark? And what do Texas cities sound like? Our commentator on the greatest songs about Texas towns and a whole lot more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 19, 2017
What looks like the first major storm of the hurricane season building up off the coast of the lone star state. We’ll have an eye on the sky. Also as professional storm watchers keep an eye on the gulf, a coastal Texas city struggles with keeping its head about water during normal downpours. In need of a hero, Galveston turns to the sand sucker. Plus, artificial caps on kids getting special education services. An investigative story sparked outrage and calls for reform, but how’s that goin? And after years as the top settlement state for refugee families, barriers often remain. How volunteers are trying to remove language as one of them. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 31, 2017
Lawmakers have left the building. But what did they accomplish in the 85th Legislative session when it comes to criminal justice? We’ll take a look. Also, a soldier commits a crime on a battlefield, maybe even murder, but should we re-think how we hold someone in a combat situation accountable? At least one Texas lawmaker thinks so. And business is booming. Texas seeing the strongest manufacturing numbers in years. We’ll look at why. Plus some Spanish words our commentator says ought to be included in the vocabulary of every Texan. And a visit to a Texas spring with spiritual significance, and why it’s receded. Those stories and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 22, 2017
Public money for private education; thought the plan was dead? School savings accounts become an 11th hour battleground, we’ll have the latest. Plus: plunger proof? The so-called Bathroom Bill back on a fast track to become Texas law, we’ll explore. And storms are on track for parts of Texas this week, but when it comes to tornados we’re safer than we might. We’ll hear from a researcher who developed the system. And she was literally the poster girl of the 70’s. Who knew she was a remarkable artist in her own right? Reconsidering Farrah Fawcett. All that and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 18, 2017
Special prosecutor. While the country is abuzz over an investigation in Washington a case involving a lawmaker in Texas is also moving forward, we’ll explore. Plus there are still almost two weeks left in the Texas Legislative Session but talks of the double-S word: “Special Session”, are looking serious. We’ll tell you why. And one big issue before lawmakers has been changes to the Texas Foster Care System. Where those proposals stand now, it’s part of our ongoing exploration of the system’s challenges. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 9, 2017
Mere hours after the governor signed it into law, his attorney general sues a Texas county over the sanctuary cities bill, we’ll explore. Also: they say robots will eventually take your job. For one Texas town, that day could be around the corner. We’ll have more. Plus billions on the table and less than three weeks to decide how the state spends it. The hangups in the budget negotiations at the capitol. And speaking of billions, Sinclair Broadcast just made public its plans to buy another major broadcast company. What will it mean for TV watchers here in Texas? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 4, 2017
Show me your papers: Governor abbott set to sign into law a measure requiring Texas police to enforce federal immigration law, we’ll explore. Also murder charges mulled for the North Texas police officer who fired the shots killing 15 year old Jordan Edwards. Some wonder why it seems so few officers suspected of such crime ever wind up doing time. We’ll explore. Plus one of Texas’ best known investors buys one of the world’s best known social media platforms. But does Mark Cuban really want Twitter, or something smarter? All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 12, 2017
He was one of the most prominent voices spearheading a conservative revolution. Now he faces challenges from all sides. A conversation with Ted Cruz. Also a rare patch of unspoiled land meets massive metropolitan growth. The coming battle over Jones State Forest and what it could mean for all Texans. Plus a lawsuit to nullify the treaty of Hidalgo: are Mexican politicians serious? We’ll explore. And a cold war attack that you seldom read about in Texas history books: the forgotten invasion of Lampasas. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 29, 2017
The dismantling of the clean power plan, a catastrophe? A former Obama Administration official says it’s the right thing to do, we’ll explore. Also the US supreme court takes a step that could have a profound impact on who Texas sends to death row. Plus public colleges and universities across Texas bracing for what looks like a perfect storm: a money pinch from all sides: so now what? And the new map being rolled out in schools across the nation, could you find Texas on it? Plus are you hungry for some mudbugs? Believe it or not, there’s app for that, and it’s proving more successful than it’s creators’ wildest dreams. Those stories and so much 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 22, 2017
Is this the end of what’s been known as Obamacare? The Texas delegation split as a vote comes down to the wire. Plus, they say no one’s above the law, but is the FBI above politics? Not if history is any indicator. Why James Comey’s command performance at the capitol this week may be seen as part of a larger pattern. And an unexpected partnership between a pipeline and police as both sides celebrate a payoff. Plus a bill with a distinctly Texan accent and our commentator reckons there are some words we Texans use more than they do anywhere else…think of any? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 15, 2017
Two Texas lawmakers may have discovered a cure for what ails our political process. The catch: someone’s gotta pay for the gas. Also all across the US the numbers grow to nearly 500 so-called sanctuary cities and jurisdictions. That number may be about to shrink: lawmakers hear from everyday Texans on a bill to draw the line in TX, we’ll explain. And at the rodeo, more than just fun and games: leather chairs and wheeler dealers–we’ll peek behind the curtain at the big show in Houston. Plus can a single citizen make a difference in politics? A texan puts that question to the test. Those stories and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 13, 2017
Did Texas Republicans draw up districts intentionally to dilute minority voting strength? A federal court says yes: now what? It used to be known as the spinach capitol of the world. These days, it’s famous as the city where nearly every top official was charged with corruption. Crystal City: one year later. Also: it’s part of the lure of Texas: affordable homes. Maybe not so much anymore? A new warning from the Dallas Fed. Plus the top ten places for bibliophiles? A Texas road map for readers…all that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 8, 2017
A new criminal charge: failure to cooperate with federal immigration officials. Upping the stakes in a so called sanctuary city bill, we’ll have the latest. Also the immigration and travel order now being litigated in the 9th circuit: the proverbial tip of the iceberg? NPR’s John Burnett joins us to explore whether we’re witnessing something more tectonic when it comes to immigration policy. Plus: a trainload of lawsuits, off the rails as the forces behind a high speed bullet train decide to play nice. We’ll hear what they have in mind. And our commentator pens a love letter to a rural Texas town and the possible tall tale behind its name. That and so much more today on the Texas Standard: