For those with a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish, traveling Texas becomes more interesting because the Spanish names of places reveal, or hint at, their histories. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has some examples.
Cities
Texas Standard: August 3, 2018
Pope Francis says the Catholic church no longer supports the death penalty in any case. Will that influence policy here in Texas? We’ll take a look. Also, immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. have different odds of having those requests granted depending on where they’re asking. We’ll explain. Plus, one of the most dangerous places to work is a place where people go to get help. How Texas researchers want to make hospitals safer. And Texas used to be covered by water and there’s ancient shark teeth under your feet to prove it. Also we’ll find answers to questions surrounding the namesake of one of the state’s largest cities. Do you know whom Dallas is named for? Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 30, 2017
As a judge in San Antonio mulls the legality of a Texas sanctuary law, lawmakers in Washington take action on the federal level, we’ll have the latest. Plus Texas senator Ted Cruz said no to his fellow senate republicans. Now, he’s floating what he calls a compromise on health care. What’s the big idea, we’ll hear about it. Also cuts proposed for Amtrak, coming to a station near you?
And the battle over Keystone XL may not be over yet. This time the roadblocks not protesters but businesses. Those stories and a whole lot 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 3, 2017
The president takes aim at a decades-old law preventing tax exempt churches from engaging in politics. But there’s more to the story – we’ll explore. Plus: After hours of public testimony, a controversial bill banning sanctuary cities moves on to the full senate. We’ll have the latest. Also: The wall’s not up yet, but another barrier’s already rising, hitting Texas border cities: the surging dollar versus the peso. We’ll have the view from main street. And new life for an old idea: Teachers are telling students to learn what ever they want. All those stories and more, on today’s 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:
Texas Standard: July 29, 2016
A front row seat to history? We can do better than that. Dallas sheriff Lupe Valdez on the view from the podium. Plus disorder in the court? A federal challenge to the way Texas picks its top judges. And the aging population of the lone star state are Texas towns and cities ready? Plus, in some state facilities, levels of lead as bad at Flint Michigan: what’s being done and what isn’t. Also 50 years after the Texas tower shooting, what’s changed when it comes to guns? Plus the week in Texas politics and much more, today on the Texas Standard: