The House January 6th panel wraps up evidentiary hearings. Did they move the needle for Texans prior to a big election? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: a big cost of living increase for social security recipients, the biggest in 4 decades. What does it mean for Texas and the long term future of the program? Also the organizer of the first Amazon workers union on the state of labor. And a look at a the complicated legacy of Cesar Chavez. A champion of labor, and a tough campaigner against illegal immigration. Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Donald Trump
Being Blackballed in 2022
In this week’s edition of The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius kick off the conversation with a reflection on what it means to be “blackballed” and if it truly continues to exist in the current industry climate.
The fellas move on to a debate about whether or not Cardi B is overrated compared to Nicki Minaj, especially in terms of collaborating with fellow female artists.
On Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn about some unexpected writing credits, the anniversaries of Loud Records, Def Jam South, and beef at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion puts a spin on the discourse between DJ Akademiks, LL Cool J, and others about how much credit hip-hop pioneers deserve in light of not warning new generations about the perils of the industry.
Finally on Confucius Reads the News, get a recap of the latest headlines on Kanye West, Harry Styles, N.O.R.E., and Donald Trump.
Who Killed R&B?
Confucius and Fresh talk about the importance of hip-hop podcasts. Then they discuss Diddy and Mary J Blige’s recent conversation about who killed R&B.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about who invented turntable scratching, who wrote P. Diddy’s “Let’s Get It,” how Jay-Z and Kanye prevented “Watch the Throne” from leaking before it was released, and more.
After seeing Kid Cudi’s Esquire cover where he’s wearing only a sock, Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that just because your favorite artist does something outrageous, doesn’t mean it’s cool or artistic.
Confucius talks about Kid Cudi’s remarks about Kanye in his Esquire article, Donald Trump’s difficulties finding lawyers, Timbaland & Swizz Beats’ lawsuit against Triller, their partner in Verzuz, and more.
Texas Standard: August 17, 2022
An historic defeat for a prominent GOP politician who dared to push back against Donald Trump. Does Liz Cheney’s defeat in Wyoming mark a more profound realignment of the GOP? And what does that mean for Texas? Brandon Rottinghaus of the University of Houston with more. Plus mayors in New York and D.C. are pushing back against Texas sending busloads of migrants to their cities. And a rise in mental health issues among students and how schools in places like Lubbock are trying to trying to help. Also flood control going green in areas once inundated by Hurricane Harvey. And a Politifact check about arming the IRS. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 10, 2022
There’s more fallout from the FBI’s raid at the home of former president Donald Trump. What are Texas republicans saying? We’ll explore. Plus having a baby in west Texas is getting more dangerous. We’ll take a look at maternal care west of the Pecos. All that plus our weekly fact check, the latest headlines, and Tom Landry. Today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 2, 2022
7 years in prison: a Texan gets the longest sentence handed down so far in the prosecution of January 6th riots at the capitol. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: a once in a decade rewrite of the state’s public school curriculum gets underway amid debates over how race and LGBTQ issues are addressed in the classroom. Also the planned demolition of Uvalde’s Robb Elementary school, and how the city plans to honor its namesake. Plus extreme heat and the disparate impact on communities in one of Texas’ largest cities. And the story of a Texas radio show that picked up where the progressive newspapers of the 60’s and 70’s left off. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 13, 2022
At the hearings on the January 6th insurrection, the spotlight turns to the some potentially key figures from Texas. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: an 85 billion dollar ten year transportation plan for Texas. What it includes and what it leaves out as the state tries to deal with a growing population. And with that growing population, a boom in new home construction. But why so many delays in finishing projects? Plus water levels low on many Texas rivers and questions about whether businesses catering to river recreation will sink or swim. And the Mexican activists fielding calls from Texans seeking abortions. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 10, 2022
What new revelations from a nationally broadcast congressional hearing on the January 6th capitol insurrection. We’ll have more on the primetime hearings and their potential impact. Also, the effect of child abuse investigations of Texas families providing gender affirming care to their trans kids. Now three more families suing the state. Lauren McGaughy of the Dallas Morning News with the latest. And the Texas Tribune gets an exclusive extended interview with the school police chief at the center of criticism over his handling of the Uvalde school shooting. We’ll hear some of the key takeaways. And record high housing prices, signs of a bubble? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 7, 2022
As hospitals struggle to deal with rising COVID-19 caseloads amid an Omicron surge, what about long term care facilities in TX? We’ll have the latest. Also, almost 20% of Dallas firefighters are out sick with COVID-19. We’ll look at how the city’s trying to deal with staffing shortages. And Governor Abbott taking bipartisan heat over suicides, and low morale among National Guard troops at the border. We’ll hear more. Plus a Texas expert on communication and rhetoric revisits President Biden’s speech marking the one year anniversary of the capitol insurrection. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 6, 2022
Texans reflect on the anniversary of an event that many fear has called into question the future of American democracy itself. On the one year anniversary of the capitol insurrection, President Biden warns of the ongoing dangers to our democracy. Today, a conversation with representative Collin Allred of Dallas who was on the floor of the House that day and says the threat, rather than fading into history, remains. Also a reckoning for the role of Texans in that attack of January 6th 2021. Plus the Texas primaries as an acid test for Trump and the Republicans. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 13, 2021
The Texas secretary of state asks for detailed information on the 2020 presidential election from 4 Texas counties. Why? We’ll have more on whats described as phase two of a controversial audit of voting in Texas in the November 2020 elections. Also the national guard’s involvement in an ongoing border mission, and new concerns about soldier deaths, car crashes and other issues. And Texas grapefruit growers grow concerned over the future of their industry with a lifting of rules on imports. Plus an artist committing the tastes of her Texas community to canvas. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 24, 2021
Deportations from Del Rio Texas are the focal point in one of the highest profile diplomatic resignations in modern memory. We’ll have more on a scathing departing salvo from the president’s special envoy to Haiti, lambasting the Biden administration’s handling of a migration crisis at the border. Also, November 2020 election results from four Texas counties to be audited. That news coming just hours after former President Donald Trump demands a statewide election audit. And the San Antonio resident at the center of what human rights watchers call a sham trial and an unjust prison sentence. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 16, 2021
A self inflicted wound? A former Ambassador to Afghanistan on the fall of Kabul and the end of what’s been called the longest war. Also, a tough year for the Texas governor. But going into an election year, many political writers say he seems unstoppable. We’ll talk with a top writer at Politico. And the redistricting battle in Texas and its repercussions way beyond the state border line. Also remembering a singer songwriter who left a little bit of small town Texas wherever her songs were heard. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 29, 2021
How much wall can a governor buy with $600,000 in donations? Our conversation ahead of the Abbott Trump border visit. Also, we’ll talk about topics involving the children of the state, the workers who care for our kids when they’re little, and the test scores kids get when they’re big. We now know how much those scores dropped after 2 years of school interruptions. And did you know your electricity could be disconnected starting today if your bill is unpaid? It’s rough but moratoriums are over. Plus how big tech may get restrained by Congress. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 11, 2021
The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump is underway. So what have we learned and will any of it affect the chances of a conviction? We’ll explore. Also, the COVID-19 vaccine could put an end to this pandemic in the way we’ve been living it so far, but only if people get the vaccine. We’ll explore some challenges. And Mexico doesn’t get the credit it deserves when it comes to the way it’s shaped the global economy. That’s the premise behind a new book. What we could stand to learn about our neighbor to the south. And the growing backlog of unsolved murders in Texas and what it tells us about policing in the state. Plus we’ll take a break and nerd out a bit about gaming graphics. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 9, 2021
An historic trial in the senate as the second impeachment of Donald Trump gets underway. We’ll look at the mechanics of the process and Texas’ role. Also, he was a newspaper columnist who became well known in North Texas politics and eventually- a U.S. congressman. More on the passing of Ron Wright and what comes next. And thousands of dollars for a single COVID-19 test? Lawmakers being asked to look into charges at freestanding ERs. We’ll also hear from a woman who made it her mission to deliver free fruits and veggies to communities with fewer healthy options. During this pandemic, her deliveries now more crucial than ever. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Was Lil Wayne Right?
This week on The Breaks:
- Hosts Confucius and Fresh discuss former President Trump’s pardon of Lil Wanye, and ask whether the rapper was right to support Trump during the election.
- Both hosts talk how Lil’ Flip might fare if he did a Verzuz with T.I.
- Confucius and Fresh interview Austin based producer and DJ Mason Flynt about the closing of Music Lab and his thoughts on how to improve Austin’s hip-hop scene.
- In this week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop facts the hosts talk about the beef between Cash Money and No Limit, the issue that Nas had with Biggie and more.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Texas Standard: January 20, 2021
The beginning of a new chapter and a new era. With change coming to Washington, what are the implications closer to home? On this presidential inauguration day, what are the priorities for the 46th chief executive of the united states and what do they add up to for Texas? Coming up, we’ll hear from Texas experts, scholars and reporters on subjects ranging from what to expect when it comes to changes to environmental policy, immigration and asylum, the economy including the trillion dollar student loan debt crisis, dealing with the ongoing pandemic, and much more on a special edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 19, 2021
Sorting through legislative priorities: what legislators will pass but probably shouldn’t and what they won’t pass but probably should. The good the bad and the ugly…the good? It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood but with Mr. Rogers gone, a woman in the Texas Hill Country and her dog are filling those shoes. And speaking of the neighborhood, a new neighbor plans a move to Texas. It’s the National Rifle Association and its Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Also the ugly evolution of fascism, plus the challenges of COVID-19 continue, but Dallas is looking for a more equitable distribution of vaccines. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 14, 2021
In a long list of unprecedented events theres another one. For the first time two of the three highest offices in the land will be lead by women. Women make better leaders in a time of crisis, so says the Harvard Business Review. We’ll tell you why. Plus, how are teachers taking current events and turning them into teachable moments? And how Texas Tech companies are pulling their dollars away from politicians. Plus, what’s going on with the COVID-19 vaccine? Stay tuned, it’s Texas Standard time: