Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, sparred in their only debate last night. We’re taking a look at some of the highlights and takeaways.
Our exploration of the intersection of religion and politics in Texas takes us to a Black church outside Sulphur Springs.
Why part of the story in the fight for Texas farmworkers and Latino civil rights is left out of the schoolbooks and what it could mean to change that.
And: Gov. Greg Abbott has touted that Texas removed over 1 million ineligible voters this election cycle, including more than 6,500 noncitizens – but an investigation found these numbers were overstated.
civil rights
Mark H. Morial (Ep. 41, 2024)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Mark H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization, about the Urban Leagues, latest Annual Report on the State of Black America, and about the league’s social and economic agenda.
The Late Dick Gregory, pt. 2 (Ep. 36, 2024)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents the conclusion to his tribute to the late comedian, actor, activist and social critic, Dick Gregory, who died in August 2017, after a legendary career that spanned seven decades and gained him worldwide fame.
The Late Dick Gregory, pt. 1 (Ep. 35, 2024)
On this week’s episode of In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents part one of a tribute to the late Dick Gregory, the legendary entertainer, Civil Rights activist, author and wellness advocate whose career spanned seven decades. Gregory died in August 2017 at the age of 84.
The Honorable John R. Lewis, pt.2 (Ep. 32, 2024)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents Part Two of a tribute to the late John R. Lewis, Civil Rights icon, advocate for social justice and equality, and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District from 1987 until his death in 1987.
How Mexico supplanted China as the nation’s top trade partner
A shooting at one of the most famous megachurches in Texas, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, leaves one dead and a child in critical condition. We’ll have the latest.
For most of the past few decades, the title of “top trading partner to the U.S.” has belonged to China – but the U.S. Census Bureau reports that last year, the United States’ biggest trading partner was Mexico.
Civil rights groups have filed a federal complaint against Bonham ISD alleging disciplinary discrimination against Black and disabled students.
The latest on a mysterious listeria outbreak.
And Russian propagandists twisting the narrative over border standoff between the Biden administration and Gov. Greg Abbott.
The challenges facing Texas food banks as hunger rises
At least three members of Congress from North Texas have decided not to run for re-election. Is it a broader signal for Texas politics? Alexandra Samuels of Texas Monthly has more.
One man and thousands of open records requests: A push for government accountability? Or something else?
Texas veterinarians are keeping a close eye on the spread of a deadly respiratory illness affecting dogs. We’ll learn more about what to look for.
And Texas food pantries say they’re serving more families than ever.
Tammie Lang Campbell (Ep. 50, 2023)
On this week’s In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Tammi Lang Campbell, founder and Executive Director of The Honey Brown Hope Foundation, a nationally recognized, award-winning 501 (C)3 non-profit that supports civil rights and diversity, and which has advocated and supported the case for justice and freedom for Texas prison inmate Darius Elam.
Judson W. Robinson III (Ep. 45, 2023)
On this edition of In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents an address by Judson W. Robinson III, President and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League, at the 2023 National Urban League Conference in Houston, Texas, which brought together leaders from the business, government and social advocacy sectors this past July.
Marc H. Morial (Ep. 44, 2023)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents an address by and a conversation with Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of The National Urban League at the historic Civil Rights organization’s National Conference, held this summer in Houston, Texas.
Indigenous chefs take center stage at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion
Almost a year after the Uvalde school shooting, a new investigation by the Texas Tribune reveals it was the type of weapon used, an AR-15, that prompted officers to back off from the room where the shooter was holed up. Reporter Zach Despart joins us to explain.
A closer look at bills in the Legislature focused on hot-button social issues, including what’s being taught in public schools.
And at Willie Nelson’s annual food fun and music shindig in Luck, Texas, there’s something extra special on the menu: The Standard’s Kristen Cabrera has more on the Indigenous food on the table.
How are Texas ranchers dealing with a hay shortage?
Two prominent scholars weigh in on what Texans should be listening for in tonight’s State of the Union address.
School vouchers or something quite similar promise to play a big role in the Texas legislative session now underway.
After a drought and ice storms, many Texas ranchers are facing a hay shortage and are fighting rising prices and scrambling for alternatives.
And a case from Texas 20 years ago that had ripple effects nationwide: our conversation with Wesley Phelps, the author of “Before Lawrence v. Texas: The Making of a Queer Social Movement.”
Why Texas and the U.S. need larger apartments
Is there a Speaker in the House? Texas’ role in the drama over who will lead the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. No state sends more republicans to Congress than Texas, but those republicans are at loggerheads over who to pick as House speaker, and it’s brought Congress to a standstill before the next session’s even underway. Sean Theriault of UT Austin explains what’s happening and why. Also new travel restrictions as a Covid outbreak spreads in China. How concerned should Texans be, and will the restrictions really help? And W.F. Strong looks back on an historic sunken treasure discovery and more today on the Texas Standard:
Unpacking the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown
Millions of dollars in tax incentives for renewable energy are now in limbo with a decision from the Texas Supreme Court. A flood of applications for millions of dollars in tax breaks overwhelmed the system before a New Years deadline. We look at what happens to all those unprocessed applications now that the state Supreme Court has said it won’t force the state to process them. Also how many voters in Harris country were prevented from casting a ballot due to problems at the polls? A new report that leaves many critical questions unanswered. And why warning signs were ignored before the chaos of Southwest Airline’s big holiday meltdown. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 1, 2022
With accusations of war profiteering, President Biden threatens a windfall tax on oil companies, we’ll have details. Plus after Uvalde, how much is the issue of gun safety moving Texas voters as we approach election day? We’ll take a closer look. Also, local propositions that could have major ripple effects: a focus on efforts to spend more on housing for teachers. And from Corpus Christi, a civil rights lawsuit over plans for a desalination plant. Plus more on a traditional Mexican celebration that’s a big part of the fabric of life in Texas…marking Dia de los Muertos and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 7, 2022
A major turning point for marijuana laws or more political smoke and mirrors? A sweeping pardon for federal marijuana possession convictions announced by president Biden. Though federal and state marijuana laws remain in place, what are the implications in Texas? And what else should Texans be looking for? We’ll explore with a top expert on drug policy at Rice University. Also Facebook’s gone Meta. Twitter may be going to Musk. Who’s the new king of social media and why does it matter? Also the week that was in Texas politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 4, 2022
A former warden at a private immigration detention center and his brother accused in connection with a shooting of migrants in the west Texas borderlands. We’ll have more. Also the passing of a once powerful force in Texas politics: the complicated story of Ramiro Ramsey Muniz. Plus an award winning writer turns to ghost stories just in time for you know what. And horny toads, horned frogs, call em what you will… the efforts underway in San Antonio to protect a beloved Texas symbol. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 29, 2022
The push among some republicans for Greg Abbott to declare an invasion at the southern border with Mexico. We’ll have the latest. Also, Texas #1 again: this time for toxic waste in water. Details of a new environmental report. Plus long COVID-19 has made so many Texans so sick, they can’t return to work. We take a closer look at the impact. And staying private online and why the usual changes to your settings may not be enough. Also one of the new stars of the Netflix series ‘Fate: The Winx Saga’ is a Texan in a role demanded by fans. We’ll talk with actor Paulina Chavez. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 26, 2022
The House Committee Report on the school shooting in Uvalde and what may be conspicuous omissions. Jim Henson of the Texas Politics Projects says a closer inspection of the House report on Uvalde may be revealing about the intersection between the investigation and politics as usual. We’ll hear more. Also what’s behind a low-key review of votes from 2020 in Tarrant County? And the Feds open a civil rights investigation into Houston’s response to complaints about illegal dumping. Plus will abortion restrictions translate into more young Texans turning out at the polls this November? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 14, 2022
A crack in the governor’s crackdown on inspections of commercial border traffic. But the supply chain likely to remain tangled. We’ll have details. Also three top staffers for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo indicted in a contract award scandal. Why and what it might mean for a politician considered to be a rising star among Texas democrats. And a Texas university told it cannot charge out of state students more for tuition than undocumented students. What the decision could mean for colleges and universities statewide. Plus a case 75 years ago that shook the separate but equal status quo in Texas and beyond. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: