Department of Education

What layoffs at special education office could mean for Texas schools

The Trump administration has reportedly slashed jobs at a federal office responsible for overseeing special education. What might that mean here in Texas?
A new school in Uvalde offers a place for learning apart from the building desecrated by a mass shooting – but remembrance is built into the design.
The craft brewing bubble has burst. A look at the continued challenges facing those still open.
There’s a rare jellyfish being spotted in the Texas Gulf. What you need to know about the pink meanie.
Plus, a collection of essays from Stephen Harrigan. Our conversation with the author on his new book, “An Anchor in the Sea of Time.”

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

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Houston archaeologists uncover tomb of ancient Maya ruler

The Trump administration releases billions of dollars in education grants it previously withheld. What it means as students head back to school.

How the U.S. military is responding to a new kind of warfare that uses small, inexpensive drones.

The story of a Cuban man who raised a family in Texas and spent years working for a school district near Abilene – and now is locked up in an ICE detention center.

A high school student’s plan to help schools coping with a shortage of mental health counselors.

And: A Houston husband-and-wife team of archaeologists have discovered the tomb of the ruler of the ancient Mayan city of Caracol, now in present-day Belize.

A Texas company says it’s brought the dire wolf back from extinction

How shutting down the Department of Education will affect the rights of students with disabilities.
Dallas-based company Colossal Biosciences says it’s successfully created three genetically engineered wolf pups resembling the long-extinct dire wolf.
How the state makes it hard for journalists to track the deaths of abused and neglected children.
Military veterans helped elect President Trump. Now many are protesting his administration’s deep government cuts.
And: As state agencies implement return-to-office mandates, workers report cramped conditions, insufficient parking and more.

KUT Morning Newscast for March 24, 2025: An Austinite is suing the US Department of Education for removing access to income-driven repayment plans.

Central Texas top stories for March 24, 2025. An Austinite is suing the U.S. Department of Education for removing access to income-driven repayment plans. Employees at the Travis County Public Defender’s Office will go before Commissioners this week to ask for higher pay, better benefits and more staffing. Voting rights advocates are celebrating a federal judge’s ruling to strike down Texas’ ID requirements for mail ballot voting. Austin FC jumped to second place in the Western Conference standings after beating San Diego FC 2-1. The Texas Women’s basketball team plays Illinois today at 1:00 p.m. for the chance to advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament

Rediscovering Texas farm worker history through photos

President Trump signs an order effectively dismantling the education department. What does it add up to for education in Texas?

The Las Vegas Sands Corp. folds, for now, on its push for a resort casino in Irving. We’ll hear why and what it says about the industry’s attempts to cash in on Texas.

Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

Plus, a new cookbook challenges the notion that you’ve got to have meat for traditional Mexican dishes.

And after our series on the Texas Farm Workers Union, a listener comes forward with photos – adding faces to an almost forgotten story.