Death Penalty

Exploring the difficulties of rural reproductive care in West Texas

Texas leads the nation in executions again, and Harris County sentences more people to die than any other county in the U.S. A new report examines dozens of death penalty cases there.

A new podcast from Marfa Public Radio looks at the challenge of accessing reproductive care in the Big Bend region.

The season started out with great expectations, but now the San Antonio Spurs have lost a record 18 games in a row. What’s gone wrong, and can it be fixed?

Plus, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune’s Ayan Mittra.

Will Texas ban the death penalty for people with severe mental illness?

Thirty million people now call Texas home, but new numbers tell a story of uneven growth across the Lone Star State. Which areas are gaining and which are slipping as the Texas population continues to grow?

The Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana has details on a push to outlaw the death penalty for those with severe mental illness

The rising cost of living in Texas is hitting tacos, too. But what’s with a $5 difference just five blocks away? Likely more than meets the mouth, says taco journalist Mando Rayo.

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and the Typewriter Rodeo.

Texas Standard: April 29, 2022

As Willie celebrates birthday number 89, Texas cities contemplate decriminalization of something the singer’s known to be especially fond of. We’ll have the latest. Also the military’s hard line on COVID-19 vaccinations, and why some soldiers say it could make it harder for other religious accommodations. And with war in Ukraine and a push for alternatives to Russian oil, why are Texas pump jacks so silent? Texas Monthly’s Russell Gold reports they won’t be much longer. Also the push for big change at Big Bend to help deal with rising crowds. And the week that was in Texas Politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 25, 2022

The Supreme Court rules in a case involving death row inmates and the involvement of spiritual advisors at executions. We’ll look at the implications. Other stories were tracking: after a court ordered stay, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton appeals to the Texas supreme court to permit child abuse investigations into parents who help their transgender kids access gender-affirming care. Also, with the expiration of pandemic bans on evictions, something somewhat unexpected happening in some courtrooms. We’ll hear the backstory. Plus the week in Texas politics and the search for the ultimate roller coaster. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 10, 2021

Executions in Texas have halted while courts resolve whether Texas prisoners can have a spiritual advisor touch them as they’re being put to death. We’ll have the latest on the arguments in D.C. Plus, what went wrong at AstroWorld? A crowd safety expert gives us his thoughts on avoiding future catastrophes. And a steel house on the staked plains. It could be yours, for the right price. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 6, 2019

The system that’s normally entangled in scandal has a couple of highlights to report. We’ll talk about Texas foster care. Also, what happens when the University Interscholastic League tweaks its guidelines? We look at three major implications. And what Texas is willing to do when it comes to vaping and e-cigarettes, we’ll tell you more. Plus, it looks like the stuff of action films: buried walls that come out to shield a building from floods! That’s happening in Houston. And a new LGBTQ task force, the week in politics, and poetry for the soul. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 12, 2019

The Texas connection in the impeachment inquiry. How two figures from the Lone Star State factor into tomorrow’s hearings on Capitol Hill. We’ll have the latest. Also, is the doctor shortage a phony crisis? A new Texas medical survey points to some big cracks in the conventional wisdom. Also, Bock wars break out in Shiner, Texas. We’ll hear about the three billboards fermenting anger among some locals. And what Ted Cruz and Kim Kardashian have in common, and what that could mean for the fate of a death row inmate. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 10, 2019

It’s a new rule designed to answer concerns about sex abuse in the Catholic church, although some victims say it’s nowhere near enough. We’ll have the latest. And do you remember acid rain? Problems in the Permian with a new warning from a national environmental group says recent reports by the energy industry itself indicate dangerous and illegal amounts of sulphur dioxide in west Texas, we’ll take a look. And so so-called good samaritans at the border with Mexico arrested. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 24, 2019

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex. But what about sexual orientation? We’ll take a closer look at the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a trio of cases with the potential of expanding gay lesbian and transgender rights. Also, 3 scientists being fired amid espionage fears at Houston’s prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. And we’ve been hearing about Central American migrants at the border: a surprising number waiting in Ciudad Juárez are coming in from Cuba. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 15, 2019

The nation’s first execution of 2019 is set for today. But it won’t happen. The Texas court of criminal appeals orders a second look at bite mark evidence used in a murder trial, we’ll have more. Also, the political committee behind the upset victory of democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a new objective: to topple a veteran congressman from Texas who’s a fellow democrat. We’ll hear why. Plus, is the shutdown saving the government money? An expert does the math and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 3, 2018

He wasn’t born in Texas but it became a big part of his identity. We’ll remember 41st President George Herbert Walker Bush today on the Texas Standard. Also, airport security officials have recently found a record number of firearms in carry-on luggage. We’ll take a look at the trend. And oil prices are up a little after a huge drop. What a high-five between two world leaders tells us about what could be next for the industry. Plus an investigation reveals what the State of Texas was trying to keep secret: where it gets execution drugs. All those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 15, 2018

Nebraska uses opioids to execute a condemned killer. We’ll take a look at what this might mean in America’s most active death penalty state. Also, a deadly bridge collapse in Italy and a stark reminder about infrastructure warnings closer to home. What’s being done? What’s the state of overpasses in Texas? You might be surprised by the answer. And much of rural Texas may be a book desert, but relief may be coming soon. Plus no fiery hail or frogs from the sky but crickets landing in biblical proportions in East Texas? We’ll hear what’s happening and why. And where’s Kinky? The return of the Texas offender and sometime gubernatorial candidate. Those stories and a whole lot more on today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 3, 2018

Pope Francis says the Catholic church no longer supports the death penalty in any case. Will that influence policy here in Texas? We’ll take a look. Also, immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. have different odds of having those requests granted depending on where they’re asking. We’ll explain. Plus, one of the most dangerous places to work is a place where people go to get help. How Texas researchers want to make hospitals safer. And Texas used to be covered by water and there’s ancient shark teeth under your feet to prove it. Also we’ll find answers to questions surrounding the namesake of one of the state’s largest cities. Do you know whom Dallas is named for? Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 18, 2018

The Homeland Security chief tweets that the U.S. does not have a policy of separating families at the border: is that fact or fiction? Over the weekend, outrage grows over the so-called zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration, a drama playing out across south Texas. We’ll talk with the Houston Chronicle’s immigration reporter to hear what she’s learned about how families are separated and what is and isn’t done to get them back together. Also an unusual death penalty appeal: not a plea to spare a life, but for a different method of killing, we’ll explore. Plus: does your teenager know what he or she needs to when it comes to Texas law? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 4, 2018

After sexual abuse and other scandals, the agency that oversees juvenile justice in Texas puts out a plan for a major overhaul. But will it be enough? We’ll have details. Also, the highest court in in the state takes a step that effectively forces Texas to reveal something it doesn’t want to: the name of the company that supplies its execution drug. Why the fight, and why isn’t the court buying Texas’s explanation for keeping silent? And after pushback from physicians, the state’s largest health insurer says it will now delay plans to second guess emergency room visits. Plus after countless failed attempts to deal with feral hogs, yet another plan, inspired by bacon. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 5, 2018

President Trump orders troops to the border. Governor abbot says he welcomes the move, but what about residents on the front lines? We’ll explore. Also, the clock is ticking on a new NAFTA deal: with just days to go, where do things stand? We’ll find out. Plus farmers and ranchers get a reprieve from EPA rules. But not everyone’s breathing easier, notably environmental groups concerned about air quality. And despite huge advances in high tech, why is it no one’s come up with a cure for the common conference call? The digital savant checks in. Plus our weekend trip trip, and planning a family camping trip at one of Texas’ military bases? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 22, 2018

A surprise in Texas election year politics: one of the state’s biggest unions turns its back on the democrat hoping to unseat Ted Cruz, we’ll have the latest. Also, he’s supposed to be second in command in the Lone Star state and yet some believe when it comes to power, the number two is number 1. A pre-primary primmer on the powers on the Lt. Governor. And prices of Texas crude, hitting new levels not seen since the market fallout of 2014. Time to sell the gas-guzzler? Plus after losing most of his family to a shooter, a father asks the state for clemency for the convicted killer…his own son. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 21, 2017

Police shootings caught on smartphones grab the headlines…but what about other deaths in custody? The results of a new investigation today on the Texas Standard.

The State of Texas wants its drugs back. The FDA says: not gonna happen. A looming showdown over a deadly cocktail.

State law that says kids need to ‘click it’ en route to school—so why are the buckles missing on most Texas school buses? We’ve got the backstory, fasten your seatbelts.

An American auto factory seized in oil-rich Venezuela. For Texas companies there: get out now, or does it pay to stay?

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more.

Texas Standard: March 29, 2017

The dismantling of the clean power plan, a catastrophe? A former Obama Administration official says it’s the right thing to do, we’ll explore. Also the US supreme court takes a step that could have a profound impact on who Texas sends to death row. Plus public colleges and universities across Texas bracing for what looks like a perfect storm: a money pinch from all sides: so now what? And the new map being rolled out in schools across the nation, could you find Texas on it? Plus are you hungry for some mudbugs? Believe it or not, there’s app for that, and it’s proving more successful than it’s creators’ wildest dreams. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 26, 2017

Taking the 10th: once a favorite of the Tea Party movement, now embraced by supporters of sanctuary cities? We’ll explore. Also once dubbed the death penalty capitol, Texas also leads the nation in exonerations. What that means for the future of capitol punishment. And a so-called good samaritan with a gun intervenes in a San Antonio Mall robbery. With more than a million Texans licensed to carry, what are the rules of engagement? And what’s in your wallet? With the rise of the smartphone, the Statesman’s digital guru asks, what’s a wallet? Plus the Battle of Dime Box, Texas…our expert says its the pits. Check your watches, its Texas Standard time: