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:
economy
Texas Standard: April 14, 2020
Governor Abbott puts millions of dollars into play to help small companies amid growing pressure from some to declare Texas reopened for business. Glimmers of hope with lots of red flags. That’s how the governor’s characterizing the fight against the Coronavirus. but is there a plan for getting back to normal? We’ll explore. Plus an international artery connecting Texas to the world, but in a time of COVID-19, dividing Texans themselves. And the push for vote by mail in this year’s presidential election. Could Texas pull it off? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 9, 2020
It’s too early to know how deep or wide, but we’re almost certainly in a recession. New jobless claims today underscore the gut punch to the economy. The Comptroller Glenn Hegar recalculates the impact of COVID-19 and its impact on our bottom line. Also, tech expert Omar Gallaga on getting and keeping your internet access during a time of heavy use. And speaking of: hot tip for movie streaming. An almost forgotten Texas film that inspired a certain festival called Sundance. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 24, 2020
The state’s top financial officer tells lawmakers to brace for impact. Our conversation with Comptroller Glenn Hager. With more shelter in place orders kicking in, the state’s Comptroller says he’s seeing a major hit to Texas coffers as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. But how big a hit and what can be done? We’ll explore. Plus museums statewide try to deal with a drop off in foot traffic, virtually. And is it possible a sticker could help stop the spread of pathogens? West Texas researchers see quite a market. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 9, 2020
SXSW’s cancellation may be just the tip of the iceberg. The warning from economists: the world’s 10th largest economy should brace for impact, we’ll have the latest. Also, a discovery in Dallas county brings demands for a Super Tuesday recount. And a new state law designates all common spaces on public universities as public forums for free speech. Critics blame the new law for campus violence, we’ll have details. Plus acts of dissent south of the border over the weekend as millions of women declare a feminist spring. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 26, 2020
In a city with a reputation as laid back, anger over homelessness is beginning to boil over. The emotions behind a recall push in Austin, we’ll have details. Also, did anything change as the result of last nights presidential debate? Bernie Sanders’ status as front runner putting some top Texas democrats into panic mode. We’ll hear from Abby Livingston of the Texas Tribune. Plus a race in south Texas that highlights the high anxiety among some democrats. And is the economy strong, or are the stories Trumped-up? How you answer that question may affect the vote in 2020. All of those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 12, 2019
Blocked at the border: a judge in El Paso puts the brakes again on part of the president’s border wall project, although parts of the wall are still going up. We’ll have more on the latest legal challenge to the president’s effort to fulfill his campaign promise of a border wall from the Gulf to the Pacific. Also, a battle in the Texas Capitol City over changes to the code may be the shape of things to come for the rest of Texas, we’ll hear why. And 2019, a good year for cyber security? Our tech expert Omar Gallaga gets us up to speed and more today on the Texas Standard:
Trailer: Season 3–The Green New Deal
Season 3 of The Secret Ingredient will focus on The Green New Deal (GND). Listen this season as Raj Patel, Tom Philpott and Rebecca McInroy discuss the future of agriculture, climate change, economic inequality and what it will take to create The Green New Deal in an effort to save the planet!
Texas Standard: August 6, 2019
UT, Killeen, Santa Fe, Fort Hood, Sutherland Springs, and now El Paso. We’ll look at what we have learned with this shooting. Will there be a special session? Would lawmakers ever seriously consider restrictions to gun ownership? We’ll look for clues in Texas’ legislative history. Plus, as El Paso is in mourning, the school year starts on Monday. How is the school district preparing? We’ll take a look. And we’ll hear reflections from an El Paso native
and from the city’s First Lady. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 29, 2019
The state of Texas to to pay half a million in legal fees and rescind its plan to check the citizenship of registered voters, we’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re watching: how what’s happening in the Texas oilfield resembles a certain superhero-filled hollywood blockbuster. Also, the part of Texas’ death row seldom heard about on the news. Plus Abilene rediscovering a chapter of its history many would like to forget. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 15, 2019
Second shutdown apparently averted, but the focus remains on the border as the fight over a wall looks set to shift to a new venue, we’ll have the latest. Also, a property tax cut that could carry a high price tag for Texans. And honk your horn if you’re behind on your car payments…what a record number of auto loan delinquencies tells us about the health of our economy. Plus 10 oscar nods for the movie Roma: why the spotlight comes at a crucial moment for Mexico. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 6, 2019
The State of the State and the State of the Union: after speeches by Governor Abbott and President Trump, what happens next? Governor Abbott issues what he calls emergency items for Texas lawmakers and President Trump calls for unity but presses for a hard line on the border, we’ll take a closer look. Also a maquiladora walkout ends with a surprise victory for labor, and a democrat seeking the White House says paychecks aren’t keeping up with inflation: a Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 29, 2019
The Texas voter fraud claim: 95 thousand registered voters may be non-citizens. But does the citizenship check violate federal law? We’ll take a look. Also, in Texas few things are more sacred than property rights, until they’re pitted against oil and gas interests. How a planned pipeline through the hill country could prove a test of Texas values. And more venture capital money flowing into the Lone Star State, reaching levels not seen since the dot com heyday. Happy days are here again? Why you might want to hold off on the party hats. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Sunk Cost
When we invest a lot into something, be it a relationship, job, or even a used car, it can be tough to cut your losses and start anew. So why are we so prone to sticking with it rather than moving on?
In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss sunk cost.
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: January 10, 2019
Here’s the good news Texas: an 8% bigger budget. But the state’s top money cruncher has a warning. Even as economic growth means more money for Texas coffers, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar’s raising a yellow flag for state lawmakers, we’ll hear why. Also, President Trump Takes his border wall fight to south Texas today, but will it make a difference? We’ll take a look. And on a lighter note: Done with your resolutions for 2019? Clay Smith and the team at Kirkus reviews weigh in on some trends at the bookstore they’d like to see disappear in the New Year. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 2, 2018
More jobs than workers to fill them? That’s the message today in the new employment numbers. What does it all add up to for Texas? And where’s the party? The tea party, that is. As democrats appear to be turning out in record numbers on this last day of early voting, what happened to the activist movement on the other side of the political ledger? Plus, a year after Sutherland Springs, survivors are in an uphill legal battle against the Air Force. Also, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more. It’s the Friday edition of the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: July 16, 2018
Testimony gets underway today in a challenge to Texas’ fetal burial law: a law that some believe is really designed to undermine abortion providers, we’ll have details. Also, half the kids under the age of five separated from their families under the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance plan have now been reunite. But with a court-ordered deadline to complete reunifications fast approaching, we’ll take you to El Paso where people are trying to put families back together. And the toll of tariffs on Texas businesses. Plus attracting businesses and creating Texas jobs: how well do incentives really work? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 2, 2018
The biggest change in Mexico’s government since the end of single party rule. A populist from the left who could affect Texas big time. President elect Lopez Obrador has pledged to make Mexico great again, or something very much like it. Possibly renationalizing the oil industry after major new investment from Texas energy companies. What price the Mex-Tex flip-flop? And when good cops find their departments getting bad press, there’s a surprising impact. New research from the University of Texas suggests empathetic officers become worse at their jobs. We’ll hear the how and why. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 1, 2018
Governor Abbots plan to fight gun violence includes a proposal from a Texas Democrat. Could a Red Flag Law stop a school shooter? We’ll explore. And gimme a T for Texas, T for tariffs too. How new White House duties on imports could help or hurt matters in our own backyard. Plus, hello hurricane season! Are we better prepared than we were this time last year? Three Harvey survivors look back on their experiences and lessons learned from last years storm. Also the story of the Abilene High football team that went all the way to state and on to Hollywood. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: