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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: July 10, 2017

A new map for the future of Texas? Perhaps several as a federal court begins hearing arguments over redistricting, we’ll explain. Also with many Texas cities complaining about a loss of local control, an idea is floated: secession from the state. We’ll explore. And the abrupt and unexpected resignation at the top of the agency that regulates alcohol in Texas. We’ll hear the story behind it, and what it means. 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 12, 2017

D-day at the Texas lege: as lawmakers hit deadlines, hundreds of bills fall by the wayside. We’ll explore what made it and what didn’t. Also Washington’s asking federal immigration judges to leave detention centers in South Texas. The reason might surprise you. Plus, no sanctuary cities in Texas? Try telling that to the mayor of El Cenizo, the first Texas city to challenge the new sanctuary city ban. And we’re number one! In wage theft? Efforts to crack down on crooked employers yield uneven results. Plus a unique ephemeral film archive gets ready for its closeup. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

12th & Chicon: Austin’s Affordability Crisis

Dr. Eric Tang is an associate professor at the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis at UT-Austin. After analyzing that data a few years back, Tang wanted to look more closely at why African-Americans were leaving Austin – specifically, East Austin. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton spoke to Tang about this new research for our On My Block series.

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:

12th & Chicon: Hot Street, Cold Street

East 11th seems to be the picture of urban renewal in Austin. Since the city launched its revitalization effort in 1999, the street has made significant progress toward becoming a visitor destination. Residential, retail and office development is booming. Just a few blocks away on East 12th, things are a lot quieter.

The How, Where and Why of Valentine, Texas

In Texas, we have a lot of towns with cool names. There is actually a town named Cool. And Cut and Shoot. And Valentine. Yes, Valentine. How cool is that? Especially if it’s February.

The story goes that a railroad crew, in 1882, had finished laying the tracks to the point where a water and fuel depot would be needed. It was Valentine’s Day. So they named the depot Valentine. It also was the name of one of their superiors, so the name has dual origins. Valentine, to give you coordinates, is halfway between L.A. and New Orleans, almost exactly 1000 miles from each. Or, if you want something local, halfway between Marfa and Van Horn. Deep in the Heart of West Texas.

Valentine never got very big. It says 217 on the city limits sign, but the mayor there, Jesus Calderon (who goes by Chuy), says that it is likely about 180 these days. Chuy has been mayor there for 40 years, likely a record of some kind for mayoral longevity in Texas. In addition to being mayor, he taught in the Valentine Independent School District for over decades and even worked part-time for many years as the local Fed Ex delivery man. Nobody knows Valentine like Chuy. He says there is no gas station, no ATM, and no crime.

The school, K-12, has about 40 students. Some years they only graduate five or six from high school. One year, not too long ago, they graduated two. Think about that. If you’re the poorer student of the two, you are simultaneously in the bottom 50 percent of your class and the salutatorian. Lisa Morton, who grew up there and is managing editor of the Van Horn Advocate, says that her sister graduated alone. I said that must have been a lonely event and she said, “Oh, no, the whole town came out to celebrate her big day.” Gotta love small towns.

Well, the town isn’t so small that it doesn’t have a post office. And in February they are busier than Santa’s elves on Christmas Eve. This time of year they receive thousands of cards to be re-mailed bearing the Valentine postage stamp. The cards come from all over the U.S. and as many as 30 foreign countries. One year they sent one to the White House, to Chelsea Clinton. Each year there is a design contest at the school and the winner has their “love logo” chosen as that year’s stamp. Imagine that. You can send your Valentine a Valentine from Valentine. Can’t get much more romantic than that!

Unless you take your Valentine to Valentine on the 14th. Chuy says they have a big party each year, underwritten by Big Bend Brewing Company from nearby Alpine. Last year, Jerry Jeff Walker played. Two years ago, Joe Ely was there playing his famous song, Saint Valentine. This year, Little Joe y La Familia will headline the event. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday, there was pressure to move it to the weekend, but Mahala Guevara, vice president of Big Bend Brewing, explains in the official brochure: “West Texas was never known for convenience; to enjoy the best the region has to offer, you have to be willing to work for it. And your hard work will be rewarded with great Texas music… “

Gotta love it. A work ethic embedded in leisure. A very Texas concept.

Big Bend Brewing is even brewing a special ale for the event called Total Commitment. On the back of this limited edition brew it says, in part, “The owner of this…came all the way to Valentine, Texas, on a Tuesday night…what Total Commitment do you have to make.” At 14.2 percent proof, it is appropriately named. Makes my eyes a little misty thinking about it.

The most romantic Texas couple I know is Coach Taylor and his wife Tami, from Friday Night Lights. They are fictional, but they’re also authentically romantic. I could see them taking an impromptu road trip to Valentine for Valentine’s – just 200 miles from Dillon.

Coach Taylor always told his team: “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” It’s good advice for football. Probably good advice for love, too.

W.F. Strong is a Fulbright Scholar and professor of Culture and Communication at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. At Public Radio 88 FM in Harlingen, Texas, he’s the resident expert on Texas literature, Texas legends, Blue Bell ice cream, Whataburger (with cheese) and mesquite smoked brisket.

Texas Standard: February 7, 2017

The so called bathroom bill purports to head off potential predators, but a new report suggests a more clear and present danger. The story today. Plus a nasty battle over so called sanctuary policies shows more than one way to raise public money…we’ll hear how protesters are trying to take matters into their own hands. Also New York, Chicago, LA, san Antonio—whats the most dangerous city to walk, and why might that change? Plus bucking the bust: not all unemployed oil hands left Midland when things hit bottom. And now, for those who stuck it out, things are looking up. We’ll hear what’s happened. And do you have a bad connection? For a lot of rural Texans the fix is jumping on the bus. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 27, 2017

Sanctuary cities versus Washington: when it comes to the Constitution, who trumps who? We’ll explore. Also it’s not just President Trump, Governor Abbott has issued a deadline to a county sheriff: back off your sanctuary plans, or I’ll pull funding and maybe your job to boot. Can he really do that? Plus the rise in emergency rooms- as new urgent care centers sprout across Texas, one woman offers her own experience as a warning. And we’ve heard the political promise, more American jobs. Are you ready for that interview? 5 tips, so your body language won’t blow it. Plus the week in politics and much more…turn it up y’all, its Texas Standard time:

12th & Chicon: Charlie’s Playhouse

Charlie’s Playhouse was a blues club entertaining the predominantly black neighborhood in east Austin when it opened in the late 1950s. Within a decade the audience integration was pushing the regulars out, and in 1971 Charlie’s closed. The community is working so history doesn’t repeat itself, on the same block.

Texas Demonyms: Dallasites, Victorians, and Everything In-Between

A demonym describes the inhabitants of a place. With so many cities and counties in Texas, it’s hard to keep track of who is what from where. Word scholar W.F. Strong has a helpful list to keep you on track.

For places ending in “s”, add “-ites”

Dallas – Dallasites
Dumas – Dumasites

For places ending in “on,” add “-ian”

Houston – Houstonians
Denton – Dentonians
Sinton – Sintonians

For places ending in “o,” add “-an”

El Paso – El Pasoans
San Angelo – San Angeloans
Amarillo – Amarilloans

For places ending in “i,” add “-an”

Corpus Christi – Corpus Christians
Bucareli – Bucarelians
Miami – Miamians

For places ending in “y,” drop the “y” and add “-ian” or “-an”

Bay City – Bay Citians
Wimberley – Wimberleans
Albany – Albanians

For places ending in consonant or silent “e,” add “-er” or “-ite”

Edinburg – Edinburgers
Rosenberg – Rosenbergers
Fredericksburg – Fredericksburgers
Alpine – Alpine or Alpinites
Commerce – Commerceites or Commercians
Comfort – Comforters

For places ending in “polis,” change “polis” to “-politans”

Montopolis – Montopolitans

For places ending in “a,” add “ns”

Odessa – Odessans
Riviera – Rivierans
Victoria – Victorians

A few unusual demonyms to keep in mind:

Alice – Alicians
Naples – Neoplitans
Liverpool – Liverpudlians
Oxford – Oxonians
Leander – Leanderthals
Martin – Martinites or Martians
Palestine – Palestinians
Marfa – Marfans or Marfalites
Moscow – Muscovites
London – Londoners
Refugio – Refurians
Falfurrias – Falfurrians or Falfurrianos
Mission – Missionaries or Missionites
Paris – Parisians
San Antonio – San Antonians

W.F. Strong is a Fulbright Scholar and professor of Culture and Communication at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. At Public Radio 88 FM in Harlingen, Texas, he’s the resident expert on Texas literature, Texas legends, Blue Bell ice cream, Whataburger (with cheese) and mesquite smoked brisket.

Is Austin Still Keeping It Weird?

“Keep Austin Weird.” The phrase is printed on T-shirts, bumper stickers, posters; it’s part of Austin’s national reputation. But, it seems that for every pocket of weird, there’s a new corporate chain from California moving in.

Best Town Names in Texas

Everyone knows the familiar Texas city names: Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso. But if you look closer, you’ll find that our state has more than a few interesting points on the map. That was the inspiration for Typewriter Rodeo’s Sean Petrie as he wrote this week’s poem.

Suburban Sprawl

There’s one thing that Texans can always depend on: cities getting bigger, faster. That was the inspiration for Typewriter Rodeo’s Jodi Egerton as she wrote this week’s poem.

Texas Standard: November 5, 2015

Is Dallas a sanctuary city? Governor Abbott is threatening to withhold funding from local law enforcement unless they cooperate with the feds. A Texas company that designs caskets has a patent for a unique creation, we’ll explore. We’re also talking high tech cardboard goggles for virtual reality – seriously. And, burrito lovers might want to tune in, E. Coli is on the agenda. Those stories and much more on todays Texas Standard:

KUT Weekend – March 21, 2014

Why Texas farmers are planting more and more cotton. How much does citizen input REALLY matter for city projects? And three grisly murders at Lake Waco 30 years ago continue to raise questions. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend.