Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has multiple legal challenges and now multiple challengers for his seat within his party. We’ll take a look at who. Also, Texas college sports bring in big money. What’s an unanimous Supreme Court decision yesterday mean for athlete compensation? And Texas has lost more rural hospitals recently than any other state. So what’s that mean in an emergency? Plus dozens of Texas prisoners set for release or parole have died behind bars in the past year or so. A new study gets behind delays. And one Texas prison is cleared out to hold migrants. We’ll examine what issues might arise. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
COVID-19
Pandemic Pets
Many of our furry friends have gotten rather used to lifestyles that involve more time at hope and, often, more time with them. Now that schools, business, and social venues are further opening, they’re making adjustments too.
Texas Standard: June 17, 2021
The freedom day celebration that began in Texas gets national attention. Juneteenth is poised to become a federal holiday, we’ll have details. Also, the Supreme Court has voted down Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Challenge to Obamacare. We’re watching reaction unfold. And Texas Democrats met with Vice President Harris. How she wants them to help her on a mission focused on voting access. Plus will Governor Abbott veto funding for lawmakers and others based on his assessment of the just complete legislative session. And some advice from our tech expert before you book a summer vacation rental. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 16, 2021
Governor Greg Abbott says he wants to build a border wall. We’ll take a look at how he intends to pay for it and who is coming to visit. Plus, methane and other emissions are a risk around gas wells. In Arlington, many of these wells sit relatively close to homes and businesses…namely, daycares. We’ll have more. Also ranking members of the Texas House of Representatives from most conservative to most liberal reveals some interesting insights. We’ll explain. And we’ll fact-check a claim about Austin’s murder rate. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
For the Fans
In this episode its all about the fans! You’ll hear about how they coped when there were no live shows and how they feel now that things are opening back up.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
Hady Mawajdeh. : Hady produced a great podcast called “Gun Play.” You can listen here.
Joanna Castillo
Jonathan Weldon
Jen Leduc
Lulu Bryant
Check out Andrew Weber’s piece on venues not yet receiving federal relief
Let us know your thoughts! Take the Pause/Play Survey!
Listen to songs from this episode of Pause/Play
Texas Standard: June 14, 2021
A mass shooting in Austin Saturday leaves one dead, 13 others wounded and drawing more attention to the issue of gun violence. Nathan Bernier of KUT Austin with more on a shooting that has shaken the Texas Capitol city. Also, a Texas CDC? A plan for UT’s Health Science Center to serve as a hub for fighting future pandemics. And free tuition, a high quality education, and a job after graduation… a push for members of congress to do more to promote the service academies to young Black and Latino students. Also, oil prices hit new pandemic era highs. Why greener energy may be part of the reason. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 11, 2021
Governor Abbott wants Texas to build more border wall and says state police can intervene with crossers. We’ll take a closer look. Also, Beto O’Rourke has long been rumored as a potential challenger to Abbott. But what do the numbers say about his chances after losing two other races? Plus a Bexar County Sheriff’s officer used a taser on a 16 year-old in a migrant shelter. What the incident might reveal about the system. And what consumers need to know about Apple’s renewed efforts on privacy. Also, how theatre programs survived the pandemic and are moving forward now and a whole lot more on todays Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 10, 2021
The Democrats have voter engagement strategies lined up ahead of the 2022 elections. But do they have a candidate for the top of the ticket? We’ll take a look. Also, Governor Greg Abbott has banned private businesses from requiring so-called “vaccine passports”. But can he do that? And what can businesses do? We’ll explore. And Texans rely heavily on groundwater resources. Would President Biden’s infrastructure plan really address concerns about its sustainability? Plus, you may by now have heard about Amazon Sidewalk. But what do you do about it? We ask our go-to tech expert. And prices are up on a whole lot of things. What’s behind the increase and is it permanent? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 9, 2021
Democrats and Republicans agree the U.S. needs to figure out immigration. But what exactly does that mean and how do we get there? We’ll explore. Also, gun policy at the Texas legislature. We’ll look at what passed and what didn’t. And what’s in the bills Governor Abbott just signed to address problems with the electric grid? Plus one view from Texas about the ongoing coronavirus crisis in India. And we’ll take a look at what researchers call the seven threads of Texas. Where do you fit into the fabric of the state? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 7, 2021
Wins in Texas for the GOP this weekend, but also some party turmoil. Who’s in charge? We’ll take a closer look. Also, we’ve been living with COVID-19 for a long, hard while now. But we’re continuing to learn about it. What some Texas researchers say the virus does to hide in your body. And a big international business deal in Houston has some scratching their heads and could pose some risks for those living in the area. We’ll explore. Plus, we’ll take a look at a San Antonio business and the hard lessons its learned during the pandemic. And what exactly is critical race theory and how will recent moves affect what’s taught in Texas classrooms? We’ll hear from an educator. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Dr. Aaron Horne, MD. (Ep. 27, 2021)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. discusses the factors resulting in the disproportionate numbers of African Americans with heart disease, and current efforts to overcome those disparities with Dr. Aaron Horne, MD., and interventional cardiologist and heart care specialist in North Richland Hill, Texas.
Texas Standard: June 4, 2021
It is being described as one of the most important elections in Mexico’s history and the implications for Texas could be enormous. We’ll have more on the stakes for Texas as voters go to the polls this weekend in Mexico. Also, a major energy pipeline as a target for hackers? Foreseeable. But why was a slaughterhouse hit by a cyberattack, and what are the lessons for Texas? We’ll take a closer look. Plus the lone Black freshman representative in the Texas House on lessons learned from the just concluded session, and what comes next. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Re-Socializing
Opening up, going out, meeting up. Many of us haven’t used those phrases or experienced those situations much before now. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: June 2, 2021
The walkout at the capitol over voting restrictions sparks one kind of response from the governor, but a different tone from the GOP House speaker. As governor Abbott threatens to withhold legislative pay over the house’s failure to pass a restrictive voting bill, the GOP speaker of the House defends the democratic walkout that scuttled the bill. Also in parts of Texas hardest hit by COVID-19, vaccination rates now surpass those of the rest of the state. We’ll hear why. And the real death toll from the winter freeze and power outages, a new report claims a massive undercount.Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Traffic – The Return!
As pandemic restrictions lesson and many feel safer traveling and gathering at homes, schools, and workplaces we’re also seeing the return of something familiar: traffic. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: May 28, 2021
There’s been many memorable Legislative sessions in Texas. This one promises to go down in the history books, too.
An observer with the quorum report calls the session “a buffet of red meat”
Jumping off to COVID-19 news: no one is rushing to get vaccinated anymore. How can the state of Texas motivate people to get the shot?
Also the US Energy Secretary is visiting Texas and she made a stop at the Texas Standard.
And, could a complete re-framing of Israeli-Palestinian relations finally lead to a solution in the region?
It’s a a new mindset with a Texas perspective.
All that and more.
Texas Standard: May 27, 2021
What an investigation shows about a “shock and awe” exercise that was meant to take place in El Paso on election day. We’ll learn more about the forces behind this exercise and about the reporter who uncovered it. Also, money is tight for the country, for the state, for families. And federal unemployment benefits will end for Texans in a matter of days. We’ll look at the implications. And as the climate changes, researchers learn from Houston and from some of its strategies. Plus Manufacturing is alive and well in Texas. We’ll take a quick look at the tech companies that are building here. And we’ll honor the men and women who have died in service to the country. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 25, 2021
Redistricting: it’s a complicated process that doesn’t seem all that exciting to most folks. But its ramifications are huge. We’ll take a look at the details. Also, it’s been exactly a year since the murder of George Floyd. What it revealed about the country. And what Texas lawmakers have just done in the wake of huge protests and calls to “defund” the police. We’ll break it down. Plus what an analysis shows about who a Texas voting bill would affect the most. And music venues are among the businesses opening up as the risks of the pandemic lesson. But are all musicians ready to play? That and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 24, 2021
Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston. We’ll look at why it’s not getting any federal money for flood mitigation managed by the Texas General Land Office. Also, Texas uses gas taxes to help to maintain and build new roads. So how does it make up the loss in revenue from more people driving electric vehicles? Some say the potential answer sends the wrong message. Plus, PTAs in wealthy parts of one Texas school district have actually been paying staff salaries. Why the practice is ending and what could replace it. And there’s been a lot of back and forth about how the capital city makes room for people experiencing homelessness. Austin voters said one thing, now state lawmakers may add another. Where things stand now. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 21, 2021
Days after marking zero COVID-19 deaths, Texas hits a grim milestone. How will the state prioritize federal funding for pandemic relief? Also, state lawmakers get closer to passing the state’s two-year budget. We ask how schools will fare. Plus why opponents to Texas’ restrictive new abortion law may have trouble challenging it. And fewer people are being sentenced to death across the country, but a new report shows there may not be adequate defense for those facing life-in-prison sentences. And what the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum reveals about Texas then and now. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: