Dan Patrick

Remembering iconic Texas actress Shelley Duvall

Five days after Hurricane Beryl’s landfall, more than 800,000 Texans are still without power as frustrations and questions rise along with the heat – and officials say half a million people may not get power back until next week.
Thirty-five percent of Texas students scored zero on the writing portion of STAAR test, raising big questions about the jump in low scores as computers take over the grading process.
Remembering Fort Worth native Shelley Duvall, who made a big mark on Hollywood and left it all for the Hill Country.
Also: the week in politics with The Texas Tribune and poetry from the Typewriter Rodeo.

The Texas State Aquarium balances marine conservation and hurricane challenges

The Texas State Aquarium has a spot right on the edge of the Corpus Christi Bay – and storms in recent years have provided lessons that staff put in place for Hurricane Beryl.

There’s tons of evidence that most extreme weather hits communities of color the hardest. As Texas recovers from Beryl, what’s being done to address that?

A new court system in Texas designed just for business matters opens in September with judges appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

And: Cameras in your earbuds and health data tracked in a ring? We’ll check in on the latest in wearable technology.

A report from Eagle Pass after a weekend of immigration protest

A bipartisan bill to address border security: one that mandates that President Biden shut down the border. David Martin Davies with more on the Senate bill on immigration and border security and an update on border protests over the weekend.

What appears to be the first human brain chip implant by Elon Musk’s Neuralink is raising concerns about safety, consent, and transparency. We’ll hear from a medical ethicist who’s been studying the implications.

In El Paso, a new exhibit that highlights a surprising relationship between humans and ducks.

And the thousandth PolitiFact check of Donald Trump – what the numbers say.

Exploring SpaceX’s potential land swap with Texas

The Texas Supreme Court hears arguments in a case challenging a law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for trans minors.

John Whitmire, Houston’s new mayor, campaigned to be “tough-but-smart on crime.” Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider takes a look at some of Whitmire’s plans for law enforcement.

SpaceX wants to give the state 477 acres of land near a national wildlife refuge in exchange for 43 acres from Boca Chica State Park, near its launch site – but the plan is drawing local pushback.

And: West Texas A&M University plans a new institute to advocate what the school’s president calls “Panhandle values.” Critics fear it’s a push to spread conservative values across the university.

What Texans can expect this winter, weather-wise

Winter weather can be challenging for some Texans. Here’s how to prepare.
A lot of people say the best place to talk to kids about violence at home is at school. But there’s a law getting in the way of that here in Texas.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has a lot of power to issue permits across the state. So what do we make of two recent judicial decisions overruling some of those?

Waco is positioning itself to be the next big hub for competitive rowing.

And Texas Monthly has come out with its annual Bum Steer awards – who’s on the list and why.

The science on why it’s fun to be scared

Recriminations over donations and demands for a high-level resignation: What’s behind the latest political fight between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan?

The Senate green-lights a voucher-like plan to provide public money for private school tuition. Matthew Watkins of the Texas Tribune joins us with more on the week in politics.

How to safely view Saturday’s annular eclipse over Texas.

Ken Burns returns with a new PBS series on the American Buffalo.

And: On Friday the 13th in this spookiest month, why so many folks love to get scared.

Part 4: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 4 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 4 is the dismissal from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and final analysis.

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar, Texas Standard reporter Michael Marks, and UT-Arlington political science professor Mark Hand.

Part 3: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 3 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 3 begins with analysis and then turns to the closing arguments from House impeachment managers Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville) and Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano.)

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, and Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar.

Part 2: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 2 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 2 is the closing arguments from Paxton’s defense lawyers Tony Buzbee and Dan Cogdell.

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, University of Texas School of Law lecturer Mike Golden, and Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar.

Part 1: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 1 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 1 includes opening analysis, an explanation of procedure, the reading of the articles of impeachment, and the first part of closing arguments by House impeachment manager Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville).

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, University of Texas School of Law lecturer Mike Golden, and Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar.

Part 5: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 5 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.