civil rights

A history of the Texas Civil Rights Project

Remember the Democratic walkout this summer over Texas redistricting? Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit accusing Beto O’Rourke of bribery and other charges for supporting the walkout continues – but O’Rourke appears to have the upper hand.

Recovery funds are finally on the way for many in Houston who suffered damage during Hurricane Beryl and last year’s derecho. But the need for assistance continues to outweigh available resources.

For decades, the Texas Civil Rights Project has been a force in battles for voter rights, disability access and racial and economic justice. We’ll hear from founder Jim Harrington, who’s released a new book tracing the organization’s history.

A new episode of the “Tacos of Texas” podcast delves into tequila’s deeper meaning, including personal connections and heritage.

Marc Morial (Ep. 41, 2025)

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents an interview with Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and exerpts from Morial’s address at the opening session of this year’s National Urban League Conference as he delivered a call to action in response to current threats to civil rights, democracy and economic equity.

Marc Morial, pt. 2 (Ep. 28, 2025)

On this week’s In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents the conclusion of remarks made by National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial at the 2024 Annual National Urban League Conference, outlining the Conference’s work in the areas of civil rights, urban advocacy, and elevating standards of living for African Americans.

Marc Morial, pt. 1 (Ep. 27, 2025)

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents part one of a discussion with National Urban League president and CEO Marc Morial about the National Urban League’s Fair Budget Coalition, a new alliance of civil rights leaders, economic justice advocates, and policy experts demanding a responsible federal budget based on fairness and equal opportunity.

Fact-checking Texas voter roll claims

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.

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. 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.

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: