From Dalhart to Dumas, San Antonio to San Angelo, Houston, Tyler, Marfa, College Station and all across the lone star nation no matter where you are, it’s Texas Standard time. Governor Abbott used to take delight in filing lawsuits against the Obama administration, so why’s Texas suing the Trump administration? You may be surprised by the answer. Also, the capitol city has a plan to mandate paid sick leave for businesses within city limits. That’s sparked a legal battle with businesses owners and the state, we’ll explore. And imagine 10 years with tap water so poisonous, you won’t dare drink it or bathe in it. A south Texas town fights back. Plus a 200 percent increase in heroin snagged at the border? a fact check and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Border
Texas Standard: April 23, 2018
The state’s political maps: will they need to be re-drawn? The stakes are high in a case to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, we’ll have the latest. Also in Texas there’s a lot of love for Southwest. But today, lots of frustrated travelers as the Dallas based airline grounds nearly a hundred planes for engine inspections. We’ll hear what inspectors are looking for. And the nation’s biggest psychiatric ward also happens to be a county jail. How did the criminal justice system become the biggest provider of services to the mentally ill? We’ll explore. And a new wave of National Guard troops arrive at the border. How’s this playing out down in the Valley? We’ll take you there. Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 5, 2018
President Trump orders troops to the border. Governor abbot says he welcomes the move, but what about residents on the front lines? We’ll explore. Also, the clock is ticking on a new NAFTA deal: with just days to go, where do things stand? We’ll find out. Plus farmers and ranchers get a reprieve from EPA rules. But not everyone’s breathing easier, notably environmental groups concerned about air quality. And despite huge advances in high tech, why is it no one’s come up with a cure for the common conference call? The digital savant checks in. Plus our weekend trip trip, and planning a family camping trip at one of Texas’ military bases? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 26, 2018
More than a billion dollars green lighted for a physical barrier on the Texas border. The start of the new wall or something else? We’ll take a closer look. Also, after traveling the world in support of the Trump administration and fighting with his boss, what’s Rex Tillerson’s next move? Why Tillerson may be on the short list to head up the state’s flagship universities. And is west Texas literally losing ground? What’s behind a certain sinking feeling. Also the student anti-gun marches across the lone star state, and the pushback too. Plus, notes for the president’s big meeting with North Korea from a Texas scholar. Those stores and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 28, 2018
We begin by talking about national election security. Also, the long awaited tracker of hurricane Harvey spending is out: we’ll tell you more. Plus towns near the Texas/Louisiana border flooded before and after Harvey. learn about their recovery efforts. Plus, Election information “compromised” by Russian hackers? In Texas? We’ll take a look. And watch out! The light rail is coming! A program aimed at preventing crashes. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 29, 2018
A vote to censure a prominent Texas lawmaker on his way out of office. What the move says about the state of the state’s GOP. Also, the disaster relief bill that would send tens of billions of dollars to Harvey devastated parts of Texas is still on hold in Washington. Why some of the state’s farmers may be contributing to the delay. And it’s been exactly 100 years since an event in Texas history that you probably don’t remember reading about in school. Why we should remember the Porvenir massacre. Plus, how re-thinking our message about the flu could do more to keep people healthy. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 20, 2017
What’s most important to Texas? Harvey relief? A deal for DACA? What about just keeping the government going through the holidays? Deadlines and decisions on the Standard.
In a moment we’ll talk with editors in three Texas cities to hear what Texans are telling them about what D.C. needs to get done by this weekend. And why.
Remember how schoolteacehrs used to pin a note to your shirt so parents would get the message? The state’s just done that to hundreds of students. The message: you’ve been hacked.
Plus the Texan who taught the Beatles how to blow it. Delbert McClinton on the real story on that intro to Love Me Do. All that and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: December 14, 2017
With new allegations of of an abusive office culture laced with sexually demeaning language, a Texas congressman says he’s calling it quits. The US congressman from Corpus Christi: Blake Farenthold pulls the plug on his re-election bid, but says he plans to serve the remainder of his term. The tipping point? We’ll explore. Also, in many offices, sexual harassment training is a requirement. But is it making a difference? And 7 universities from three gulf coast states, including who know where, teaming for a first of it’s kind institute for hurricane research. Also, an an unlikely mecca for espresso aficionados. Is that why they say Amarillo by morning? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 11, 2017
Should Texas child protective services be forced to recruit more foster care families? A federal case nears a climax, we’ll have the latest. Also, a south Texas lawmaker calls for hearings on Russian meddling in Mexico’s elections? US Congressman Henry Cuellar tells us why he’s concerned, and why Texans should take note. Plus, net neutrality reconsidered: as the FCC approaches what could be a landmark vote, we’ll explore the practical implications of the proposed change. And retired teachers leaving a state health care system in droves, and agents stand down for an emotional family reunion at the border near el paso. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 20, 2017
Until now, president Trump’s wall has been more of a symbol than anything else: now something far more concrete emerges at the border, we’ll have details. Also, cities across Texas racing to annex land before December 1st. What’s pushing the land rush, and the pushback from homeowners: it’s starting to get ugly. And sleepless over Seattle, anyone? The bids for Amazon’s second headquarters are in and some in Seattle say the losers in this contest could turn out to be the real winners, we’ll explore. And do you really need a car anymore? A Texas team does the math and shows why more Texans may want to reconsider. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 4, 2017
Another border security proposal. And it one, drafted by a Texan. We’ve got the details. Also, near San Antonio, they tried to create a small Texas city, with none of the big city taxes. Plus, a possible, private solution to bringing back troops from Afghanistan. And how Hippie Hollow became only clothing-optional public park in Texas. All that and more, today Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 2, 2017
The Affirmative Action pendulum could swing yet again. What a new document suggests about plans inside the DOJ. It wasn’t long ago the Supreme Court sided with the University of Texas’ use of affirmative action. A new administration could bring back the debate. Plus, President Trump’s proposed Border Wall may be coming sooner than expected to Texas. And, Just when you thought fried food couldn’t get any crazier, Texas brings you: the tamale donut, and a crawfish lollipop. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 14, 2017
A Texas GOP congressman isn’t pulling punches: the Russians he says, are actively interfering with… fracking? We’ll have the latest. Also Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has had a lot to say at rolling back property taxes, but not so much about what those taxes cover: education. But on the eve of the special session he’s changing his tune, offering bonuses to teachers, money for schools and help to retirees, we’ll hear why. And its been a long time since military base closures made headlines, but Texas, brace yourself. A coming fight that could be a matter of survival for some Texas towns. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 27, 2017
A White House warning on Syria raises hackles in Moscow and eyebrows around the world. What’s behind last night’s announcement? We’ll explore. Also, drowned out by some of the bigger stories from the supreme court this week, a decision not to decide a case involving a high profile shooting at the border. We’ll loop back for a closer look. And a new law in Texas establishes a ‘right to try’ controversial stem cell treatments, but some worry it could be a green light for modern day snake oil salesmen. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 17, 2017
What did he know and when did he know it? That’s so 1973. Today’s question: did president Trump attempt to obstruct justice? We’ll explore. Also: it’s been two years since the biker shootout in Waco, more than a hundred 70 arrested and charged, but not a single opening argument yet. What’s the explanation? We’ll take a look. And a laptop ban said to be in the works for travelers coming to the US from Europe. Does a laptop ban make sense? Also teen pregnancies hit a record low nationwide, but not here. Why Texas is bucking the trend. Also police chiefs claim there’s less crime in so-called sanctuary cities. But is that a fact? All those stories and much 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 26, 2017
If a picture’s worth a thousand words, what’s the value of a word? How the future for thousands could turn on a single definition: the story today on the Texas Standard.
Texas lawmakers begin what could be a marathon debate over forcing Texas towns and cities to enforce federal immigration laws. We’ll have the latest.
When you wish upon a staar—dreams of fewer standardized tests for Texas school kids may soon come true. We’ll get the backstory.
Victim or a villain? A business owner accused of harboring workers illegally finds himself at the center of growing debate across Texas.
And El Paso–said to be the safest city in the country. Is that a fact?
Texas Standard: April 6, 2017
Marathon: more than a city in west Texas, a description of a drama unfolding at the capitol right now. Also the number of people apprehended at the border hits a 17 year low. History says they’re supposed to be on the rise. What’s up? Some answers from the front lines. And as fears escalate over deportation in Spanish speaking communities, some Texas businesses try adaptation: the new rules of engagement with customers. Also a spike in disability claims in rural America has researchers asking how ya gonna keep em down on the farm, or the ranch. And if internet companies are gonna share your info, what can you do to keep it to yourself? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
The Secret Ingredient Live: Food and Trump’s Border Wall
The Lorano Long Conference brought many great thinkers and activists to the campus of The University of Texas in February to talk about, “New Perspectives on the Contemporary Food System in Latin America.” The Secret Ingredient Podcast’s Raj Patel, Tom Philpott and Rebecca McInroy took that opportunity to talk with Dr. Alexis Racelis from the department of Agroecology and Urban Ecology, Natural Resources Management at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Farmer Lois Kim about how the proposed expansion of the border wall under Trump may affect communities and food production along the border.
Texas Standard: March 20, 2017
The flood most of Texas forgot. A city almost wiped off the map where are they now? We’ll return to Deweyville and check in. Also we’ve been warned there’d be less money and cutbacks in the state budget. But what if a lack of money really wasn’t the problem? The executive editor of the Texas tribune says its not…he’ll explain. Also the Texas governor leading a push for a new Constitutional Convention. But listeners wonder if it’s for real and what it would mean. We’ll look for answers. And what did they say was the hardest part? The waiting game becomes the latest big oil play. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard