The eyes of Texas are on Washington this hour and a federal shutdown looms, non essential services stopped. We’ll explore what that means for Texas. Plus, Governor Abbott’s kicked off his reelection campaign with a promise on property taxes. With more than a few challenging him for his seat, what can a governor really do? We’ll explore. And the wintry mix that shutdown several of Texas’ biggest cities, one of the weeks biggest stories, but how’s it been playing out down on the farm? There may be a bit of good news, for some Texas farmers and ranchers, we’ll hear why. And one of the most popular smartphone apps in the country right now, not available in Texas? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Budget
Texas Standard: September 11, 2017
Hurricane directly affected roughly one in three in Texas, but for kids in the state’s troubled foster care system, special concerns, we’ll have the story. Also- Houston and its environs are especially car dependent. So what happens to what may be half a million cars flooded by Harvey? We’ll find out. Plus the gasoline shortages are disappearing. How long till prices return to pre harvey levels? and why one fossil fuel was spared by the hurricane. And a new survey reveals what many have long suspected about where the big bucks go in high school salaries. We’ll explore who gets em and why. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 10, 2017
North Korea’s threat to fire as many as four missiles at a U-S territory, has many Americans on edge. We put Kim Jong Un’s words in perspective, today on the Standard. Also state lawmakers vote to undo a law they just passed in the spring. Why Republicans are calling a law to crackdown on mail-in ballot fraud a “well-intentioned mistake.” And self-driving cars sound like a dream for many commuters. How the new technology would change several aspects of life in Texas cities. Plus summer’s over for most Texas school children, but imagine going to school year-round? It’s a reality for kids at one elementary in San Antonio. And finding the perfect boots and barbecue – We tap into a little Texas culture to give you some guidance. Turn up your dial, it’s Texas Standard time:
Texas Standard: June 16, 2017
Amazon’s virtual retail revolution just got a whole lot more real: a 14 Billion dollar purchase of Texas based Whole Foods, we’ll have the latest. Also is there anything more American than baseball? As congress explores bipartisan huddles, its an inter-party rivalry causing sparks. The latest move: the governor’s veto of scores of just passed bills. We’ll look at what was left on the cutting room floor plus a look at what’s about to become Texas law in our roundup of the week in politics. Plus in light of news that election season hackers struck 39 states and tried to crack databases in Dallas, what can be done to better defend election systems? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 29, 2017
Just hours left until the end of the Texas Legislative session. We’ll explore what passed, what failed and what’s still up in the air. Also, they say “follow the money”, so we’ll take a close look at the budget that will guide the state for the next two years. Plus former Texas nurse convicted of killing at least one baby is set to go free… the somewhat unusual effort to prevent that. And remembering the final battle in the American Civil War, you might not know it took place right here in Texas. Plus we’re getting Texans to tell us about their boots. Those stories and more today on the the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 24, 2017
If John Cornyn says it’s dead on arrival, what’s the prospect for President Trump’s budget? That may not be the point, we’ll explore. Also, dramatic slashes in government programs so deep even republicans are balking along with democrats. Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee says it’s a betrayal of Trump’s own constituents. And the end of telecommuting? One of corporate america’s top proponents does a full 180, we’ll hear why.
Those stories and a whole lot 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: April 10, 2017
In an arm wrestling match between Dan Patrick and Joe Strauss who wins? Wanna bet 218 billion on it? What looks like a power shift. From bathroom choice to school choice, a string of defeats for high profile bills raises a question at the capitol: who’s really in charge here? R.G. Ratcliffe of Texas Monthly with an assessment. Plus reports of crime down, way down in parts of Houston. So why does the police chief in the nation’s most diverse city say that’s bad news? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
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:
Texas Standard: April 5, 2017
Has the freedom caucus outlived its usefulness? Congressman Ted Poe on why he walked away and what that means for conservatives in Texas. Also, out of control: after hundreds of arrests and even deaths during spring break, South Padre demand a shift in the island’s image as the teenage party capitol. And from ranchers to rock stars, how the resurgence of chain stitched western wear could be a Texas sized boon for business. Also a warning to gephyrophobes about the scariest bridge in all of you know where. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 23, 2017
Is the Texas Senate cooking the books? Harsh words from the House speaker promise a budget battle royal. What’s at stake? We’ll explore. Plus a global refugee crisis, with local impact? A summit of sorts in North Texas on what to do about the displaced. And the next battlefront for religious liberty could be the state’s foster care system. We’ll hear why. Also potholes for a ride hailing juggernaut: how an industry leader became a high tech poster child for what not to do. And a Texas trilogy: pickles, onions and white bread. How’d that happen anyway? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Numbers
A lot of us can listen to a newscast or a lecture about, global warming or the federal budget, and hear numbers in the trillions mentioned and think we know what is being discussed. We might even come out with a sense that we learned something about said numbers.
Yet, as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, it is really very difficult for the average human being to conceive of what numbers really mean, or how they might affect our lives. But there is hope.
Texas Standard: February 27, 2017
Feeling the pinch? Texas lawmakers blame lower oil and gas revenue. But for the real explanation, you may have to drill deeper, we’ll explore. Plus homeschoolers and public school advocates form an unlikely partnership: the target? Stopping the latest effort on school choice. We’ll hear why. And sweat dirt and drilling equipment: the stuff fortunes have been built on since spindle top. But new wildcatters are getting their hands dirty without getting their hands dirty. We’ll explain. And as states ease up on marijuana, a new directive from the feds to crack down on recreational use of pot. What happens next? All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 13, 2017
Texas on ICE: for weeks they were unconfirmed reports, now evidence of immigration sweeps across Texas and 10 other states, we’ll have the latest. Also: mind the gap. Who’s gonna fill the hole between two competing spending plans, for Texas and what does it mean in real terms? And a price bubble in the middle of the Texas desert, set to pop? Plus how do you write about a war when the final chapter is far from over? Veterans of the War on Terror offer a rare insiders view. And a sweeping investigation of the state of human trafficking in the lone star state. All that and much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 18, 2017
The price of disagreement in Texas: it comes to 5 point 3 billion dollars. But what does the chasm between the house and senate add up to? We’ll explore. Also with the nation getting set for an inauguration, hundreds of thousands of women prepare to go marching on Washington. But to what effect? We’ll explore the power of a mode of protest. And Venezuela scraps old paper for new. Hardly a solution to hyperinflation, but might it cause more problems than it solves? Also a teen pregnancy video contest, not another MTV reality show, but an exercise to address a real world challenge facing Texas. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 10, 2016
As lawmakers return to the Texas capitol today, a loud warning from a top state official: money’s tight. What that means for everyday Texans. Plus, yesterday we were at the border. Today we’re looking at another aspect of potential change to Texas in a new political era: a fight over so-called sanctuary cities. Also lights, camera, and cash? Why plans are in the works to shut off incentives for Texas filmmakers. And he’s been called the first social media president. Now some Texas researchers have been given the white house ok to explore what that really means for modern politics. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: