It promises to be a new year like few others, if any in Texas history. What’s on the docket as state lawmakers get back to work at the capitol? This much seems certain: it’ll be a legislative session like few others in modern Texas history. From budget shortfalls, to an ongoing fight against a COVID-19 and political redistricting, much is at stake in the 87th lege. Coming up, we’ll talk to the person who’s been doing the numbers about where we stand financially. Also, the possibility of whether changes in drug laws in other states will spark change in Texas. And transparency of government during a pandemic. These stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
economy
Texas Standard: December 29, 2020
As many anticipate the start of the New Year, many Texas public school officials fear what the stroke of midnight might mean for them. A hold harmless guarantee for Texas public schools expected to expire on December 31st. For districts facing a drop off in attendance, will there be enough money to maintain operations? Also, racial disparities in the pandemic spark a rethink of who’s most at risk to COVID-19. We’ll also look at concerns about social isolation and seasonal affective disorder. And with the launch of a U.S. Space Force, plans to find a home for the U.S. space command. Could it be landing in Texas? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Guacamole Chalupa With Beans, Please
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a widespread economic impact. Many small businesses have had to close their doors. This Typewriter Rodeo poem remembers one.
Texas Standard: December 1, 2020
A downturn in travel. Layoffs in the energy industry, struggling small businesses, what’s it all add up to? Comptroller Glenn Hegar delivers some grim news about the Texas budget to lawmakers. But there’s a bit of a surprise, too: the news is not as bad as some feared. We’ll talk with him. Also, the after effects of COVID-19: could they linger even after the pandemic has passed? What known and isn’t about longer term health effects. And decades after they took off from Texas bases during WWII, the women with silver wings get overdue recognition…their story and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 11, 2020
A prescription for Coronavirus relief? Congress hasn’t come up with it, and there’s a major political price that could be paid in Texas, too. Less than two months till election day and the message from constituents: we need relief from the economic effects of the pandemic. Politicians on both sides of the aisle say they get it, so where’s the relief package? We’ll explore. Also what’s in a name: the push to identify heatwaves as we do hurricanes. And American gothic reimagined in a Texas of today. The week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 9, 2020
As many Texans struggle to make ends meet in a pandemic, politicians debate what sort of relief to offer. We’ll talk with Senator John Cornyn. Also, among the biggest cities in the US, residents of Houston appear to be facing the toughest challenges when it comes to personal finance and health. We’ll have details from a new survey by NPR and Harvard. Plus the politics of medicine amid a pandemic, how college campuses are trying to curb the spread amid rising COVID-19 numbers, the Fed changes its position on curbing inflation, what that might mean from most everyday folks and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 5, 2020
After first asking for an extension to complete the census count, a sudden u-turn. The impact on Texas could last for a decade or more, we’ll have details. Also, more women are unemployed now than at any time since the late 1940’s, and women of color are among the hardest hit. What some are calling America’s first female recession, and what’s behind it. And residents along the gulf coast finding more effective ways to deal with an active hurricane season amid a pandemic. Plus a claim that 1 in 3 texans can’t access health insurance. A Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 21, 2020
A sweeping stay at home order in Hidalgo county to stop the spread of COVID-19. But Governor Abbott says there’s no enforcement mechanism. In the Rio Grande Valley, doctors say resources are so limited they’re at the point of making difficult treatment choices. We’ll talk to the health authority in Starr county. Also, a state prison inmate surrounded by fellow inmates testing positive for COVID-19 is approved for parole but dies before his release. As his daughter grieves, she’s also demanding changes to the system. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 29, 2020
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds an important decision in a case concerning access to abortions, closely watched in the Lone Star State. We’ll have the latest. Also, amid a pandemic, the start of early voting statewide in primary runoff elections. What’s been called a dry run for November. And a second look at a string of police shootings in Houston that predate the killing of George Floyd, and what they could mean for the future of police transparency. Plus Texas researchers develop a sensor to distinguish between symptoms of the flu and COVID-19. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 24, 2020
The U.S. city on track to be the hardest hit by COVID-19? A dire warning from one of the nation’s top infectious disease experts. We need to proceed to red alert: so says Dr.Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine who warns face masks may not be enough to prevent the Houston region from rivaling what we’re seeing now in Brazil. Also a downturn like no other: what job losses in the oil industry may tell us about the future of the Texas economy. Plus a broader forecast from Texas economist Angelos Angelou and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 23, 2020
Return to closing businesses is a last resort in Texas, so declares Governor Abbott even as he expresses concern about what he calls an unacceptable increase in COVID-19 cases, we’ll have the latest. Also some rapidly spreading face masks myths debunked, and the latest in the mystery disappearance of a Fort Hood soldier who’d complained about sexual harassment. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 25, 2020
With the unofficial start of summer in Texas, a re-evaluation of what we’ve endured and what’s ahead. We’ll take a look at the state of the fight against COVID-19. Texas based vaccine expert Dr.Peter Hotez gets us up to speed on the impact of the relaxation of stay at home guidelines in Texas. Also, why many daycares, now authorized to reopen, may not make it despite economic recovery efforts. And an update on the Coronavirus story unfolding just south of the border, and a rediscovered history of women and the high court. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 18, 2020
Are Texans ready to return to the gym? As another weight is lifted from COVID-19 lockdown orders, how’s this next phase gonna work out? We’ll have the latest. Also, a Texas Supreme Court order barring evictions is no more as of this Monday. But local governments are stepping in to provide protections to some, we’ll have details. And pets can can offer important companionship to the elderly unable to leave home right now, but expenses can give many seniors pause. Now a group of Texans trying to fill the gap. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 15, 2020
Record spikes in Coronavirus cases as Governor Abbott sets plans to further relax state rules on reopening. We’ll take a look at what’s behind the numbers and more. Also, remember when oil prices went into negative territory? All signs point to that happening again. We’ll hear why and what it really signals. And the future of higher education is what, exactly? Colleges and universities scramble to figure out the best way forward for the fall. Also high school graduation at the local drive in, your best best for live music this weekend and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 13, 2020
What next? A new report says it’s time to think big about a post-pandemic Lone Star State. We’ll look at a just released roadmap for a more inclusive, resilient Texas. Former state senator Kirk Watson of the University of Houston and Steven Pedigo of UT unveil a joint nine point proposal for a stronger Texas after COVID-19. Also dangers in the fields of the valley where essential workers labor unprotected. And can you run a railroad with no tracks? An implausible sounding question with major implications for the Texas Bullet Train. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 11, 2020
Under Governor’s orders, restrictions on businesses lift bit by bit. But can Texas really be a little bit open for business? Reporters from across the state on how and whether the incremental reopening is taking hold. Also floating storage facilities start crowding parts of the Gulf Coast offshore, we’ll hear why. And the first graduates of the new medical school in the RGV ender a brave new world. Plus something’s going missing in Texas. Namely the difference between certain vowels. The latest Texan Translation and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 1, 2020
A may day like few others in recent memory as the Lone Star State begins a slow reopen. Texans get back to work, or perhaps, not. We’ll have the latest. Also, its May 1st: due day for millions of renters. Dallas and Austin among cities offering relief. We’ll look at why Texas’ biggest city hasn’t joined them. And the Texas Attorney General weighs in on property rights, in Colorado? Why? And the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune, the Typewriter Rodeo and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 28, 2020
Stay at home has done its job, but it’s getting to be time to get back to work, says Governor Abbott. We’ll take a look at the blueprint for the incremental re-opening of Texas. Plus the role of testing and contact tracing. Also, how a city that brands itself the wedding capital of the world hopes to outlast the wedding bell blues brought on by COVID-19 concerns. And from bluebonnets to blue light, screen time in Texas under quarantine. Is too much still considered too much? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 21, 2020
A gradual reopening in Texas. The governor promises it’ll be science based, but some have questions because of relative low levels of testing. We’ll have the latest. Also, how low can you go? What about prices plummeting to negative territory? Understanding the implications of a historic crash in one of the states staple industries. And fears of an economic impact that could rival the great depression. In Texas, street scenes echoing images form the 1930’s as thousands of families wait in line for hours to get food handouts, testing the resources of food banks. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 20, 2020
Texas becomes one of the first states making moves toward a post COVID-19 lockdown. Too fast, too soon? Governor abbott, flanked by other top officials announces schools will remain closed in Texas, but a task force is working on getting back to business as usual. We’ll discuss what happens next with House speaker Dennis Bonnen. Also, the Texas engineers ramping up to help offset a shortage of hospital ventilators. And a book by a Texan who survived a pandemic 100 years ago that resonates today. All that and more today on the Texas Standard: