18 billion in pandemic aid for Texas schools, a huge amount of money. So why has less than a third been spent? We’ll explore. Also with back to school just around the corner, many districts struggling to find and retain teachers. Will promises of a four day workweek do the trick? We’ll hear what educators and parents make of that approach. And five years after Hurricane Harvey, what researchers are finding out about a less obvious impact: the exposure to chemicals. Plus thousands of miles of new roads in Texas displacing hundreds of homes and businesses, but repeated findings of no environmental impact. A red flag? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Chemical
Texas Standard: July 27, 2021
For the first time a federal agency is issuing Coronavirus vaccination mandates to employees. Are more such mandates coming to Texas? We’ll have more on what some are calling a growing consensus over vaccine mandates as the Delta Variant of COVID-19 spreads rapidly across Texas and the nation. Also, a Texas-based expert weighs in on growing casualties and uncertainty as U.S. forces withdraw from what’s been called America’s longest war. And a game changer: why a decision by the University of Texas to leave one college football conference for another is big news for more than just sports fans. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 30, 2020
The Iowa caucuses may be just around the corner, but Joe Biden’s setting his sights on Texas. We’ll talk with the former Vice President. Also, people in one part of Houston desperate for answers to their questions about a cluster of cancer cases, we’ll have the latest. And fully autonomous cars? Not quite there, but self driving semis? Coming soon to a highway near you. Plus why a liquor once derided by some in Texas as desert moonshine has been making waves in Washington. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 27, 2020
As The impeachment trial resumes, how closely are Texas women listening? We’ll take a closer look at an important demographic in this election year. Other stories we’re tracking: Scores of Houston families on the long road to rebuilding after a massive explosion late last week: we’ll hear the latest. Also the Trump administration issues new orders to deal with so-called birth tourism. We’ll have the what and why. Plus after a seven year studio silence, a groundbreaking singer songwriter reemerges. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 4, 2019
Kamala out, Julián blames the media. The lone Texan still running for president on coverage of people of color. After Harris’ decision to suspend her candidacy in the race for the White House, we’ll have more of what fellow democratic presidential contender Julián Castro calls a double standard in the presidential race. Also, wildfires caused by downed power lines: a thing of the past? A team at Texas A&M comes up with technology that could be a game changer. Plus, a Politifact check on Latina wages and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 3, 2019
Just two weeks after the petrochemical disaster in Deer Park, another chemical fire at a plant outside of Houston: this one deadly. We’ll have the latest. Plus: 9 dead, 20 injured, nearly 200 arrested and 4 years later, all cases dismissed yesterday without a single conviction. What happened after the Waco biker shootout? And what are the lessons? Plus, a warning about a quarter of Texas’ dams, we’ll take a look. And they call it the Rio Grande Valley, but where are the mountains? Our commentator W.F. Strong on an etymological mystery and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 19, 2019
As smoke from a chemical fire fouls the air over Houston, officials insist it’s not toxic. We’ll look at what we’re learning 3 days into a massive petrochemical blaze. Also, John Cornyn may have felt a sense of relief when Beto O’Rourke decided to run for president, but he may yet need that multimillion dollar warchest. Carlos Sanchez of Texas monthly reports on what could well be another battle royale for a U.S. senate seat. And shops selling CBD oil in Texas, is that legal? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 12, 2017
Theres gotta be a better way: a top official in Houston says the whole region needs to rethink flood preparation to adjust to a new normal, we’ll have the story. Also: what’s in the water? Residents of Harvey hit Texas want to return to their homes and many have, but experts are concerned about high levels of toxic chemicals still standing in the water. We’ll explore what residents know and don’t know about the dangers. And after the controversy over a pro football player taking a knee in protest during the national anthem, the head of the National Basketball Association is encouraging its players to speak out on special issues. Why the difference in approach? We’ll talk to a former NFL coach. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 29, 2017
Across sodden southeast Texas, as the rain keeps fall, rescues continue and shelters begin to overfill. We’ll have comprehensive coverage. Also, as evacuees flow into shelters in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, second-guessing grows over Houston’s decision not to issue evacuation orders. And in northwest Houston, a reverend providing shelter for others finds himself in deep water. As reservoir banks rise, now what? Also, gas shortages begin to take hold further inland, some, from the area where Harvey first made landfall, are returning home. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 16, 2017
A tweak to a plan to ban sanctuary cities statewide: one that could make a big difference at the side of the road, we’ll explore. Also jammed 911 lines blamed for two deaths in Dallas: is a cellphone glitch gumming up the whole emergency system? And a regulation aimed at preventing another west, suddenly headed south. What this means for efforts to safeguard chemical plants and the people who live near them. Also a crime problem so bad the city’s police chief says you can’t arrest your way out of this one. We’ll hear the backstory. And the latest effort to curb fake news: is that a robot editing your Facebook feed? All of that and lots 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: October 8th, 2015
Two firefighters hospitalized in an explosion of chemicals at an East Texas plant. What does it say about the culture of safety? Plus, a historic mass release of federal prison inmates has some south Texas sheriffs on edge. Also, remember when VW urged us to think small? Our commentator suggests some big thinking might be in order when it comes to business ethics. And Galloping for the exit doors…a prominent pollster calls it quits when it comes to covering the presidential horserace… Those stories and the top three tech trends for the next year and more. Its Texas Standard time: