The Biden Administration recommends booster shots for many vaccinated Americans. We’ll take a look at who’ll get them first, why they’re needed and more of what we know about the latest push on the federal front to fight the spread of the Delta variant. Also, what Governor Abbott has made the center of his own pandemic strategy, and why. And a lawsuit that challenges what hospital employers can and can’t mandate. Plus, in our Tech Segment, Omar Gallaga on what the T-Mobile hack may mean for you. And a state lawmaker pushing for changes in virtual learning statewide. All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: August 18, 2021
As the Governor announces he has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, his ban on mask mandates remains in place. We’ll have the latest. Also, as one school system in west Texas hits the pause button on classes as the Delta variant spreads, what about others confined to smaller spaces for hours at a time potentially exposed to the delta variant? We’ll hear about growing concerns for nursing homes and long term care facilities for older Texans. Plus as the longest war draws to an end in Afghanistan, for many Afghans, a new life may be just beginning in Texas. Resettlement plans, the challenges ahead and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 13, 2021
Texas by the numbers: new census details for the Lone Star State kick off a new round of redistricting with major political implications. 5 of the 10 fast growing municipalities in the country are in Texas, according to the new census numbers, and Texas stands to pick up two more seats in Washington as a result of all the growth. We’ll do the numbers and discuss what that means for the state’s political maps. Also the pickup truck capitol of the world, poised to become ground zero for building the electric pickups of the future? And the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 12, 2021
As some Texas Democratic lawmakers make their way back to Texas are there signs that the special session quorum break may be breaking up? How much longer can Texas democrats hold out? Also what some are calling a constitutional crisis looming over the budget. And with the rapid spread of the Delta Covid variant and back to school pressures, what we know and what we don’t know about the spread among kids. And more listener parents weigh in on what they plan to do about the return to school. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 4, 2021
Back to school? How’s that going to work with Texas now a top state for the spread of a new COVID variant. That and more on today’s Texas Standard.
Rates of COVID infection are back up near pandemic highs in Texas and younger and unvaccinated people appear to be more vulnerable to the Delta variant. And schools are scrambling to get ready. We’ll talk with reporters in Dallas and El Paso and get the latest.
Also, Governor Abbott’s executive order restricting the transportation of migrants is dealt a blow by a federal judge. And what is it that makes Texas gymnast Simone Biles the greatest of all time. Those stories and more.
Texas Standard: July 30, 2021
We’re going into another academic year that will be impacted by the pandemic. What we know now about how it’s affected student progress. Also, the DACA program can no longer accept new applicants based on a Texas judge’s ruling. So what’s that mean going forward? And the pandemic’s impact on employment has meant some gains for Americans with disabilities. What employers can learn. Also the pandemic’s partly responsible for Texas’ frenzied housing market. But will the bubble burst? We’ll ask an expert. We’ll also remember a dark day in Texas history, 55 years ago. And we’ll wrap up our Friday with the top news from this week in Texas politics. All of that today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 28, 2021
New CDC guidelines on masks in schools this fall. Now one of Texas’ biggest teachers groups is sounding an alarm. The Texas state teachers association calling on Governor Abbott to drop his order against mask mandates as school districts prepare for a return to the classrooms and the Delta COVID-19 variant drives up cases and hospitalizations statewide. We’ll have the latest. Also the relationship between vaccination rates, media literacy, and what can be done to improve both. And an auspicious anniversary for the state’s top law enforcement official. A Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 5, 2021
We know a special legislative session starts this week. What we don’t know is what’s on the agenda. This week we’ll talk to Republican and Democratic strategists about the special session. Up first- the Democrats. Also, one in every four COVID-19 infections are from the aggressive delta variant. We asked health experts for their recommendations. And Texas based Exxon-Mobil is in the hot seat after revelations from a secret recording, we’ll tell you more. And how the student athletes of today will be able to do what students athletes of the past could never do – profit from their name and likeness. Those stories and 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: June 23, 2021
Health experts are closely watching the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. We’ll unpack the risk and the concern about further variants. Also, Texas Governor Greg Abbott latest moves are looking to some like a concerted effort ahead of the 2024 presidential race. The view from outside of Texas. And as America continues to re-examine monuments and building names honoring leaders in the Confederacy. Some everyday people are also reexamining their family histories. Plus we’ll fact-check a claim about how much border wall was built under the Trump Administration. And we’ll explore the impact of the pandemic on the therapists who’ve been walking us through the past year. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 18, 2021
For the third time the Supreme Court struck down a challenge to overturn the Affordable Care Act. So is the fight over? We’ll explore. Also, Governor Greg Abbott has until Sunday to veto items from the legislative session. A look at how much power the Governor holds in that process. And the results are in for some statewide standardized tests. What they tell us about how the pandemic may have affected learning. Plus, for the first time this weekend’s Juneteenth celebrations are part of a federal holiday. The story behind a new mural in Galveston and a challenge to confront the country’s history. And we’ll have a special nod to Father’s Day. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 7, 2021
Wins in Texas for the GOP this weekend, but also some party turmoil. Who’s in charge? We’ll take a closer look. Also, we’ve been living with COVID-19 for a long, hard while now. But we’re continuing to learn about it. What some Texas researchers say the virus does to hide in your body. And a big international business deal in Houston has some scratching their heads and could pose some risks for those living in the area. We’ll explore. Plus, we’ll take a look at a San Antonio business and the hard lessons its learned during the pandemic. And what exactly is critical race theory and how will recent moves affect what’s taught in Texas classrooms? We’ll hear from an educator. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 24, 2021
Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston. We’ll look at why it’s not getting any federal money for flood mitigation managed by the Texas General Land Office. Also, Texas uses gas taxes to help to maintain and build new roads. So how does it make up the loss in revenue from more people driving electric vehicles? Some say the potential answer sends the wrong message. Plus, PTAs in wealthy parts of one Texas school district have actually been paying staff salaries. Why the practice is ending and what could replace it. And there’s been a lot of back and forth about how the capital city makes room for people experiencing homelessness. Austin voters said one thing, now state lawmakers may add another. Where things stand now. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 18, 2021
The Supreme Court to hear a challenge to Roe vs Wade in a case from Mississippi. How that decision may affect efforts to change abortion laws in Texas. Also, Governor Greg Abbott calls for an early end to federal unemployment relief extended during the pandemic fight. And if it claims to be “beyond meat” on the package, is it breaking Texas law? It might be under a proposal under consideration by Texas lawmakers. Also the difficulty removing so-called bad apples from Texas policing. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 11, 2021
Greg Abbott has a challenger in 2022 Gubernatorial race. And no, his name’s not O’Rourke or McConaughey. A former state senator and prominent north Texas businessman running for Governor to the right of Greg Abbott. We’ll talk about Don Huffines’ bid for the top spot in Texas government. Also the latest in our project tracking vaccinations across the Lone Star State, the texan reaching out to the reluctant. And last falls Texas school re-openings blamed for more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 800 deaths. What are the lessons from the data, and what about this fall? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 6, 2021
A bill that would restrict abortions and likely prompt a test of Roe vs. Wade is now on the fast track in the Texas legislature. Andrea Zelinsky of Texas monthly joins us with details of a fetal heartbeat bill picking up momentum in the Texas legislature. Also Lauren McGaughy of the Dallas Morning News with more hot water for the state’s attorney general. Plus a drop in people seeking vaccinations in west Texas. What comes next? We’ll explore. And a central Texas mother and her daughter on their options should a new bill pass defining gender affirming treatments as child abuse. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 30, 2021
Where’d the 11 billion go? Now there’s a plan for federal pandemic aid money for Texas public schools. Emily Donaldson of the Dallas Morning News education lab on how badly needed federal aid will be distributed to Texas public schools. Also it’s election day tomorrow and one of the most talked about ballot measures in the state will be decided in Lubbock. How that city found itself at the center of the debate over abortion restrictions. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 29, 2021
From guns to immigration, green jobs and more, an historic speech by President Biden with big implications for Texas and the nation. Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News with more on the President’s speech to congress. Also a supreme court case on how far public schools can go in trying to control off-campus speech by students. And the outgoing mayor of Fort Worth on policing, the pandemic, and changes to the city she’s governed for the past decade. Plus upsetting the Apple cart: facebook pushing back big time over a new feature on iPhones. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 13, 2021
Growing concerns among Texas education experts over how to measure the impact of the pandemic on learning. Big questions over what standardized testing tells us about education during the pandemic and just how much may be missing from the data. Also, what will college campuses in Texas look like in the fall? We’ll hear about the picture coming into focus. And planning a move to someplace less crowded? If it’s in Texas, you may want to double check the laws for landowners first. And the undiscovered musician joining the ranks of Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 5, 2021
2 trillion for infrastructure. The big push from the Biden administration. But what might those big plans mean for the Lone Star State? We’ll have details. Plus, going to a concert? Baseball game? Getting on a plane? You may need a passport for that. The push for and the controversy over so-called vaccination passports. Also Dr.Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes on more of your COVID-19 questions. And new lockdowns in other parts of the world and the ripple effects on Texas and the energy business. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: