Crop

Why many Texas cotton farmers are planting less this year

After a disastrous season for cotton production, could Texas lose its crown as top producer? Three Texans on the front lines talk about why some fear 2023 could be a tipping point.

The head of the University of Texas System Board of Regents puts a pause on new diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

With student debt forgiveness plans on hold, what are the implications for those struggling most to get out from under it?

Also tech expert Omar Gallaga on the rising price of social media verification and whether it pays to buy into the changes.

Farmland

Texas is both rural and urban. Culturally rich and agriculturally rich. This Typewriter Rodeo poem celebrates farms and gardens of all shapes and sizes. It came by request from Texas Standard listener Finnegan.

Texas Standard: July 8, 2022

The Texas Department of Juvenile Justice says it won’t accept new offenders in state facilities because of a staffing shortage. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: the reversal of Roe and what it could mean for the midterms in Texas. Also red States, blue states, and a new report on the economic differential growing as people move from one to the other. Plus how Texas corn farmers are trying to weather the extended drought. And a conversation with native South Texan Cristela Alonzo about her new Netflix standup special. Also the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 18, 2021

Among Texas democrats, few potential challengers to the incumbent have his name recognition. But will it be enough? We’ll have all the details on O’Rourke Vs Abbott. Also, as retailers and consumers gear up for high shopping season, a supply chain bottleneck at Texas’ biggest ports of entry. The view from Houston. And millions earmarked for Texas’ aging water infrastructure…just a drop in the bucket? Also, Commentator Peniel Joseph on expected exonerations in the murder of Malcolm X, opening new questions about race and the criminal justice system. Plus the Texas-based ballet soloist turned social media sensation. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

The Thieves of Delight

The last crops of the season are being plucked from gardens across Texas — at least if human gardeners can get to them before the other creatures! That’s the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: October 31, 2017

You know about the looting as Harvey struck Texas? You sure about that? We’ll explore why the numbers and the narrative don’t match. Also, With Joe Straus not returning as house speaker, social conservatives in the Texas GOP are cheering, but some politics watchers out west wonder if that’s not premature. Why some think a race in the panhandle could reverberate across Texas. And veterans from the fighting in Afghanistan blame military open burn pits for health care issues, but their options for seeking relief are closing. Also, a fix for hackable voting systems developed in Texas and why it may never be deployed. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 10, 2017

Federal law enforcement created a new term that’s stirring up controversy: “Black Identity Extremists”. We’ll explore what’s really behind the FBI’s latest report. Plus, one crop in the Texas hit hard by rain: pumpkins. Some patches lost up to half the harvest, but this farmer still hopes you get your pick. And south of the panhandle pumpkin patch, lithium ion batteries in Lubbock. Elon Musk says he can rebuild Puerto Rico’s power grid using a technique tested in Texas. We’ll find out how. And, could tech speed up the commute across the South Texas border? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 2, 2017

A stabbing incident at the flagship campus of the university of Texas: and an unexpected source helping to break the news, we’ll have the backstory. Plus the eyes of Texas are upon Pasadena? Why a local election east of Houston may have implications across the lone star state. Also, if you’re a non citizen putting your life on the line in service to the US, the law puts you on a fast track to citizenship, but now there’s a roadblock. We’ll hear what’s happening and what isn’t. Also: he was a young man building a website in his Texas bedroom who became a billionaire and then one of the most wanted men in all of America. We’ll hear the story of the search for the Dread Pirate Roberts. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard: