An Arizona republican senator opens up on Donald Trump: I will not be complicit. Does it change the political calculus in the reddest of red states? Arizona does have something of a history of republican mavericks, but with Senator Jeff Flake drawing a line in the sand over decency, could it resonate with Republican politicians close to home? Or more accurately, republican Texans at large? We’ll ask the man who wrote on Texas politics. Plus a federal court green lights an abortion for an undocumented teenager detained in Texas, we’ll have the latest. And the tragic story from Texas making front page news in India. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Donald Trump
Texas Standard: October 16, 2017
Once the bete noire of Texas Republicans, the EPA is in regulatory rollback mode. What does this mean for Texans? We’ll explore. Also, sometimes what regulations won’t do, economics will: as folks living near two coal fired power plants are discovering. The small town of Rockdale reckons with its future. And while another, in far west Texas, continues to transform into something few locals would have ever expected: Marfa, reconsidered. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 13, 2017
After repeated demands by democrats, a Texas lawmaker unveils articles of impeachment against President Trump. Now what? We’ll have the latest. Also, an army task force returns to Texas from Puerto Rico. We’ll hear what they encountered, and why the need for help isn’t likely to end any time soon. Plus, once it was hailed as a super principal for helping save a troubled school now she’s on suspension. A controversy that’s stunned the Houston community. And after a long fight to win UNESCO recognition for the Alamo, the president announces plans to pull out of the UN’s cultural wing, we’ll have the implications. Plus the week in politics with the Texas tribune and a whole lot 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: September 28, 2017
They say it’ll help balance the budget, grow the economy, create more jobs, but what does it add up to for Texas? We’ll explore. Also after this week’s highly watched senate race in Alabama, what’s the take away for Texas? We’ll hear how that election could have shockwaves for the lone star state, and for one top congressman in particular. Plus Homeland Security will start gathering social media information for all immigrants, an effort sparked by the 2015 San Bernardino attack. But what’s the government looking for and does it make sense for security? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 19, 2017
Looking for bipartisanship? Look in the direction of the Pentagon. Lawmakers take a big step toward a massive boost for the US military, we’ll have the latest. Also, President Trump makes his first foray into the UN club he once made fun of. What’s his message, and what does it tell us about the relevance of the United Nations? And quick: name the last president who really delivered on his campaign promises. A Texas scholar says modern presidents are doomed to failure because of what the office has become, we’ll explore. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 23, 2017
President Trump says he doesn’t think NAFTA can be saved and he’s calling for a shutdown of the federal government if that’s what it takes to fund the border wall, we’ll explore. Also we’ll apply a Texas filter to the president’s remarks in Phoenix, Arizona. Plus, why a federal judge has stopped Houston from banning large encampments of people experiencing homelessness. And how giant retailers like Walmart and Target are trying to compete with Amazon. Also-
Houston to Dallas in 30 minutes? Hyperloop technology might make it possible. We’ll hear from Texans competing this weekend to make it a reality. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 16, 2017
The president weighs in on Charlottesville and the pundits weigh in on the president, but where are the voices of Texans? Just ahead, four Texans with 4 different experiences, sound off on the president’s stunning press conference. Has anything changed on the day after? Also a federal court says Texas must redraw two congressional districts, but the political implications could be felt statewide, we’ll explain. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 27, 2017
And on the eighth day the Texas senate took some time off. After passing 18 bills in one week, what happens next? We’ll explore. Plus he took an oath to serve his country. She is now wondering if she’ll be forced to leave the military. A conversation with an Air Force Staff Sergeant based in Texas bracing for a bitter transition after yesterday’s Presidential tweets on who can serve. Also, too early to talk about 2020? A veteran analyst sees a three way race already forming. Plus discovering the hidden tacos of Texas and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 15, 2017
A border democrat meets President Trump in a one on one over dinner. Any questions? Congressman Vicente Gonzales joins us. Also a Texas GOP congressman calls for colleagues and everyday Americans to reset the tone control after yesterday’s shooting in Virginia. We’ll explore why that seems so hard to do. And a southern food writer calls out the lone star state for the tyranny of its brisket. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 17, 2017
What did he know and when did he know it? That’s so 1973. Today’s question: did president Trump attempt to obstruct justice? We’ll explore. Also: it’s been two years since the biker shootout in Waco, more than a hundred 70 arrested and charged, but not a single opening argument yet. What’s the explanation? We’ll take a look. And a laptop ban said to be in the works for travelers coming to the US from Europe. Does a laptop ban make sense? Also teen pregnancies hit a record low nationwide, but not here. Why Texas is bucking the trend. Also police chiefs claim there’s less crime in so-called sanctuary cities. But is that a fact? All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 4, 2017
A high school tradition, just boys being boys? Police say it was sexual assault and now the Texas Rangers are asking questions. We’ll explore the details. Also in the movies, when Mr. Smith went to Washington he used a Senate rule and it made him hero. As real-life Senators prepare to revoke the filibuster, what’s the real history? And baggage fees, extra charges for window seats, but you’ll never guess what’s really padding airlines bottom lines these days. Here’s a hint: it may be padding your wallet too. Also as umpires shout play ball across the country, a reminder of a league of our own. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
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: March 21, 2017
Were they targeting the Texas capitol after all? Sworn testimony claims immigration officials wanted retribution, we’ll explore. Also after grilling the FBI director on Russian ties to Donald Trump, congressman Joaquin Castro tells us whether he sees evidence of collusion. Also …She might be the youngest unofficial lobbyist in Texas: her mission: convincing lawmakers to change a law she believes, sends innocent people to death row. We’ll hear her story. And this month’s reading recommendation from the editor in chief of Kirkus: a book the author doesn’t doesn’t want you to love. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 1, 2017
In politics, style doesn’t normally trump substance. Does a change in tone portend a change in policy and if so how? We’ll explore. Also two Texas congressmen, one a democrat, the other a republican, tell us what they heard and what they didn’t in the president’s maiden address to Congress. Plus, the re-making of a president the old fashioned way: we’ll chat with the man who made a reconsideration of LBJ his personal mission. Also: look: up in the sky. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 15, 2017
President Trump calls it nonsense but the New York Times says Trump’s aides and close associates were in constant contact with Russian intelligence, before the election. Also day 27 of the Trump administration. We’ll break down the latest developments with a Texan who served on the National Security Council. Plus, a group of former US Ambassadors to Mexico ask the president to change his tone with our neighbor to the south. The foster care system is dysfunctional but what’s it’s like inside the system? We’ll hear from a young person who lived through it. And the forgotten african-american cowboys of Texas, saddle up, it’s Texas standard time:
Texas Standard: January 31, 2017
One of the most important announcements yet, with potential implications for generations. We’ll explore the short list for the Supreme Court. Plus a fire destroys a mosque in Victoria and another burns down an Islamic center in central Texas. Unconnected events? We’ll hear what officials are saying, and not saying. And Texas two step? Texas lawmakers detail a proposal to use public money for private school tuition. Also a plan to cap property taxes, but do the numbers add up? Plus motherhood, musicianship and memories of Mineral Wells. A conversation with the current queen of americana: Amanda shires. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 20, 2017
The 45th president of the United States promises big changes right away, with immigration high on the list, we’ll explore. Also, though many of the new president’s proposals remain rather ambiguous when it comes to detail, we do know how Mr.Trump plans to move forward with what he calls extreme vetting, we’ll break it down. And another big change expected early on: repeal of the affordable care act. Not so fast- we’ll hear why experts think this won’t be as simple a matter as Republicans might wish. And what kind of hat is that? A run on pink yarn points to legacy of craftivism, as women descend on Washington for protest. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 19, 2017
Rick Perry in the hot seat today as new questions swirl over whether he really understood what job he was nominated to do. A degree in animal husbandry is not a prerequisite for energy secretary, but will his resume as Texas’ longest serving chief executive convince the senate Rick Perry’s the right person for the job? Also, a promise from the president elect: to undo scores of Obama era orders with a few well placed strokes of the pen. What’s really on the chopping block, and what isn’t? And a cartoon controversy gets serious: who’ should really get credit as the birthplace of Popeye? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 18, 2017
The price of disagreement in Texas: it comes to 5 point 3 billion dollars. But what does the chasm between the house and senate add up to? We’ll explore. Also with the nation getting set for an inauguration, hundreds of thousands of women prepare to go marching on Washington. But to what effect? We’ll explore the power of a mode of protest. And Venezuela scraps old paper for new. Hardly a solution to hyperinflation, but might it cause more problems than it solves? Also a teen pregnancy video contest, not another MTV reality show, but an exercise to address a real world challenge facing Texas. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard: