Could what critics call Florida’s “don’t say gay” law be coming to Texas? The Texas Lt. Governor says it’s a top priority. Also, the end on an historic union lockout dubbed the “Battle of Beaumont”; what it says about organized labor in Texas. And, a collection of artifacts sheds new light on one of Texas’ most celebrated musicians. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Dan Patrick
Texas Standard: March 28, 2022
Major property damage and evacuations as wildfires spread across parts of Central Texas. We’ll discuss the ongoing dangers amid efforts to fights the blazes. Other stories we’re tracking: As the war in Ukraine drags into its second month, the push to get more Texas oil to global markets, and why that’s easier said than done. Also the impact of the war on the global food situation. Plus a new chapter for libraries? A survey of universities finds a push for what are libraries of the future. We’ll hear what they might look like. And a new documentary on the life and times of one of Texas’ most astute and ascorbic political observers. You likely know her name. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 21, 2022
The governor’s race gets most of the attention, but who really holds the reigns of power in Texas politics? A closer look at how Dan Patrick is leveraging the role of Lt. Governor. Also, changes to sex education standards in Texas schools; why some say the changes don’t go far enough. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 30, 2021
In 2018, he came within fewer than 5 points of picking off Dan Patrick in the race for Lt. Governor. Today, he talks about giving it another go. Our conversation with Democrat Mike Collier, and how he hopes to distinguish himself as a candidate following yesterday’s big announcement from another democratic contender for Texas’ number two post. Also, the politics of geography: what Texas’ tilt to the cities means for redistricting in vast parts of rural west Texas. And how abortion providers in neighboring states are dealing with a rush of patients from Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 29, 2021
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick faces a new challenger from a former George W. Bush aide, running as a democrat. Matthew Dowd may be best known in recent years as a TV news analyst, but now he’s entering the race for Texas Lt. Governor. Though there’s still no democrat at the top of the ticket. We’ll have more. Also, Governor Greg Abbots policy of catching and jailing migrants at the border with Mexico dealt a blow by a state judge. We’ll hear why. And our own Jill Ament with the latest in a legislative move to restrict which sports teams transgender student athletes play on. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 1, 2021
A new abortion law takes effect in Texas. Not only does it effectively prohibit abortions after five or six weeks, it deputizes private citizens to enforce it. We’ll hear about the implications. Also a look at some of the less well known provisions taking effect as Texas law today ranging from homelessness to the Star Spangled Banner. Plus Boca Chica we have a problem… friction between SpaceX and the folks who live near the south Texas launch site. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 17, 2021
Much work still left to do before the gavel falls on the Texas legislative session. Reporters from the Houston Chronicle and the Dallas Morning News weigh in on what’s been done and what’s left to do in the final two weeks of the legislative session. Also millions of dollars to help stop evictions in Houston. Why aren’t all landlords taking the cash? And despite changes in policies under the new administration, transgender migrants stuck on the other side of the border. And something big brewing in Pennsylvania…now brewing in Texas, too? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 21, 2019
A major rule change for migrant families in detention just announced which some say could mean families held in detention indefinitely. We’ll have details. Other stories were tracking, a new spring in the step of Texas Democrats. A closer look at a possible shift in the political psychology of the Lone Star State. Also, water borne toxins blamed for the deaths of 4 dogs in the Austin area, but the same algae blooms linked to those deaths can be found across Texas. Practical tips on keeping pets safe and cool around the water. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 22, 2019
When a suspect dies in police custody in Texas, what’s the public’s right to get answers? Critics call it the dead suspect loophole. We’ll take a closer look. Also coming up this hour, a military uprising in Venezuela. Four officials are kidnapped before troops loyal to the president put it down. A coup in the works? What might it mean for the region, and for Texas? And as some kids from Marfa get their school projects ready for a literal launchpad, a Texas researcher takes a lead position in crafting a roadmap for the next decade of space research. We’ll meet him and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 9, 2019
No emergency declaration yet. After the president makes an oval office pitch for his border wall, what if anything has changed? We’ll take a closer look. Also, on the morning after the presidential address on the border wall, the states’ top three officials try to send a message to Texans: they’re a united front when it comes to education. We’ll have a live report. Meanwhile the government shutdown continues into day 19. We’ll look at how it’s hitting home for Texans already hit by Hurricane Harvey. And the search for life as we don’t know it: two Texas researchers helping NASA rethink some cosmic questions. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 15, 2018
With just under two months til primary voters go to the polls in Texas, the US supreme court wants to weigh in on the state’s election maps. We’ll explore what that means. Also, after a bitter legislative session in 2017, an unlikely coalition of republicans and democrats are going after the Lt. Governor, and there are signs that his allies are worried. We’ll hear the backstory. And Gen Xers worried about retirement: how much does it take to retire in Texas? Also, Sex and the single cow? More like single sex cows at the center of new legal battles. And a Texas musician retools a rock classic, and it smells like Teen Sprite. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 8, 2017
A meeting months in the making – with just about a week left for lawmaking in the special session, Speaker Straus and Lt. Gov. Patrick have a face-to-face. We’ll have the details. Plus, after last month’s deadly discovery in San Antonio of migrants smuggled inside a tractor-trailer, Texas is all the talk at the largest truck stop in the nation. And they can detect bombs and bed bugs. What a shortage of specially-trained canines mean for safety here in Texas and worldwide. And some “milk people” in the Lone Star State are none too pleased with President Trump’s comments about immigrants not working for local dairy farmers. We explore their concerns. Turn it up, it’s Texas Standard time:
Texas Standard: August 2, 2017
The Affirmative Action pendulum could swing yet again. What a new document suggests about plans inside the DOJ. It wasn’t long ago the Supreme Court sided with the University of Texas’ use of affirmative action. A new administration could bring back the debate. Plus, President Trump’s proposed Border Wall may be coming sooner than expected to Texas. And, Just when you thought fried food couldn’t get any crazier, Texas brings you: the tamale donut, and a crawfish lollipop. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 10, 2017
In an arm wrestling match between Dan Patrick and Joe Strauss who wins? Wanna bet 218 billion on it? What looks like a power shift. From bathroom choice to school choice, a string of defeats for high profile bills raises a question at the capitol: who’s really in charge here? R.G. Ratcliffe of Texas Monthly with an assessment. Plus reports of crime down, way down in parts of Houston. So why does the police chief in the nation’s most diverse city say that’s bad news? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 30, 2016
Not since 2008 has OPEC cut oil production. But now, it appears, it’s happening. And it’s raising prices and moods across Texas, we’ll have the latest. Also two chambers, two republican leaders, two very different ways of doing business, and two very different agendas. What’s the divide between lieutenant governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Strauss means for the rest of us. And what do phrases like extraordinary rendition have to do with a women’s privacy bill- or even the alt-right? What’s in the labels we use and whether they’re really worth fighting over. And do bag bans really make people sick? Politifact weighs in and much more today on the Standard:
Texas Standard: February 2, 2016
File under Trumped: Did the army of Texans in Iowa put Ted Cruz over top? The Lt. Governor joins us from Des Moines. Also the spread of the Zika virus now an international emergency and more cases discovered in Texas. 5 things you need to know now. And is technology turning Texas police officers into debt collectors? Plus some call it a more realistic approach to faith. Others call it a death cult. It is the fastest growing religion in North America: big in Mexico and going mainstream in Texas. Those stories and lots more on todays Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 3, 2015
Red hot rhetoric, violence against those who wear the badge- Texas Lt Governor Dan Patrick calls on a show of respect for law enforcement and a shift of focus for the media…and he’s passionate about it as your about to hear. Also, just how anonymous are you really whenever you’re online? Did an editorial in a Texas paper land a critic on the Governor’s ‘list’? And en route to Mars, researchers study eyes– high in the skies above Texas…try saying that three times fast. All of that today on the Texas Standard: