A Texas police officer convicted of murder in the shooting death of a black teenager leaving a party in a Dallas suburb. Is this a turning point? Police across the Lone Star State have embraced body cameras for greater transparency, but its rare for footage to be decisive in a case alleging unwarranted use of police power. Yesterday’s murder verdict was an exception. We’ll hear why and what it could mean going forward. And a noisy goodbye from the person overseeing federal efforts to curb abuses and excesses in student loans. He claims the Trump administration is unraveling protections for students. Plus the case for taking Wednesday’s off on this hump day edition of the Texas Standard:
El Paso
Texas Standard: June 25, 2018
Are Texas election maps racially gerrymandered, designed to dilute minority vote? It’s a case that’s been 7 years in the making: a challenge to Texas’ redistricting maps claiming that when those lines were drawn, the intent was racially discriminatory, Unconstitutional. A lower court agreed with the plaintiffs, but today the US supreme court overturned that ruling in all but one district. What does this decision really mean? Who’s affected? And what does this mean for the midterms if anything?
That’s just our top story on this Monday, but we’ve got a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 16, 2018
Now more than 300 federal agents join police in the Texas capitol city to get to the bottom of a mystery over package bombs left on front stoops. Three bombs, two dead and a whole lot of questions, we’ll explore. We’ll hear about the first fatality, a talented 17 year old en route to UNT’s celebrated music program. Also, water scarcity in El Paso at the heart of a case before the supreme court. And in east Texas, the explosion that occurred 81 years ago this weekend. An event so traumatic people didn’t talk about it for generations. Now they’re trying to make sure the victims aren’t forgotten. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 11, 2017
Should Texas child protective services be forced to recruit more foster care families? A federal case nears a climax, we’ll have the latest. Also, a south Texas lawmaker calls for hearings on Russian meddling in Mexico’s elections? US Congressman Henry Cuellar tells us why he’s concerned, and why Texans should take note. Plus, net neutrality reconsidered: as the FCC approaches what could be a landmark vote, we’ll explore the practical implications of the proposed change. And retired teachers leaving a state health care system in droves, and agents stand down for an emotional family reunion at the border near el paso. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 18, 2017
16 people killed in a hot air balloon crash outside of Lockhart last year: the cause? In part, investigators say a missing in action FAA, we’ll have the latest. Also, it’s being described as what could be the biggest payout since the VW emissions scandal, and the lawyers are circling. How the government could be on the hook post Harvey. Plus a University of Texas seismology team shakes things up, flipping the switch on the biggest earthquake monitoring network in the nation. Those stories and so much 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 25, 2017
Could Ted Cruz sink the latest republican attempt at Obamacare repeal? Yes. Will he? That’s now the question, we’ll explore. Also, what really happened that caused fires to break out at a chemical plant during Harvey. We’ll hear what environmental regulators are looking into one month later. Plus Pulitzer Prize winning reporter and native Houstonian David Farenthold sent shock waves thru campaign 2016 with his stories on Donald Trump. And what impact has the Trump era had on Texas politics? What Farenthold says might surprise you. Our conversation coming up. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 9, 2017
Should women be required to buy separate insurance for abortions? The Texas lawmakers behind the emotional debate explain their positions. Also the ballot measure never said anything about ‘sports.’ That’s the argument attorneys for a historic El Paso neighborhood are making to fight a proposed activity center. And crude exports from the the Permian Basin are injecting new life into the port of Corpus Christi whose economy took a hit during the energy downturn. Also the misuse and addiction of opioids kill as many as one hundred Americans every day. The new task force in San Antonio to combat the crisis. And a team at Texas A&M is working to keep the lights on across the state. A look at the vulnerability of the power grid. That’s all ahead on The Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 21, 2017
Who are the best and who are the worst legislators in the 2017 session? It’s the list that’s got Texans talking on this Wednesday, we’ll hear why. Also the new bill outlawing so-called sanctuary cities doesn’t take effect until the fall, which leaves cities and counties exactly where when it comes to who do detain and for how long? We’ll hear about some hard lessons being learned by detainees and those doing the detaining. Also, if more and more nanny’s are watching out for Texas kids, who’s watching over the nannies? Those stories and a lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 4, 2017
Show me your papers: Governor abbott set to sign into law a measure requiring Texas police to enforce federal immigration law, we’ll explore. Also murder charges mulled for the North Texas police officer who fired the shots killing 15 year old Jordan Edwards. Some wonder why it seems so few officers suspected of such crime ever wind up doing time. We’ll explore. Plus one of Texas’ best known investors buys one of the world’s best known social media platforms. But does Mark Cuban really want Twitter, or something smarter? All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 26, 2017
Taking the 10th: once a favorite of the Tea Party movement, now embraced by supporters of sanctuary cities? We’ll explore. Also once dubbed the death penalty capitol, Texas also leads the nation in exonerations. What that means for the future of capitol punishment. And a so-called good samaritan with a gun intervenes in a San Antonio Mall robbery. With more than a million Texans licensed to carry, what are the rules of engagement? And what’s in your wallet? With the rise of the smartphone, the Statesman’s digital guru asks, what’s a wallet? Plus the Battle of Dime Box, Texas…our expert says its the pits. Check your watches, its Texas Standard time:
Texas Standard: October 12, 2016
If a federal agent shoots across the US border killing a 15 year old, can he be sued for a civil rights violation? The Supreme Court is on the case, we’ll explore. Also shame on you: could those three little words turn things around when it comes to low voter turnout in Texas? A new study suggests the answer is yes. Plus, we’ll check in with our still undecided voters to see what if anything might have moved the needle as we fast approach e-day. Also, many more Texans, a whole lot more noise. Now hear this: new technology aims to to silence the mass of complaints. Can you hear us now? Turn it up, cause it’s Texas Standard time:
Texas Standard: October 6, 2016
Did he really say that about women and Mexicans? Why is it even a question? The history of the big lie and how it works. Also as hurricane Matthew bears down on the east coast, how well prepared are we to weather a storm of such scale? A Texas lawmaker tells us after years of debate, there may actually be action for a coastal barrier. Also development in Texas’ biggest cities now squeezing out something else; parking. We’ll explore the implications. Plus a mystery involving guns, a landing strip, a training camp and a famous Texas lawman. Investigators at the pentagon trying to put the pieces together. All that and more today on the Standard:
Texas Standard: July 21, 2016
Texas laws are getting tossed out in court. First, the Supreme Court rejected the state’s abortion restrictions, now the 5th Circuit says no to voter ID rules, we’ll explore. Plus is requiring photo ID at the polls another undue burden? We’ll talk about what you should put in your wallet before heading out to vote November 2nd. Plus, what happens when Barbecue gets TOO hot? Also, Ergonomic technology, and earning dollars to spend Pesos in Juarez. Those stories and much more coming up today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 1, 2016
If you’re in Texas without documentation, you may have some trouble. Unless — you’re on the streets of El Paso? What’s the big I.D.? That’s today on the Texas Standard.
Batten down the hatches and get outta Dodge…for many coastal Texans that’s the plan if the big one comes. But is that good enough?
A huge humanitarian crisis unfolding south of us- and it could hit close to home.
The city with the widest freeway in the world has a giant preserve which may help reduce flooding. So what’s with the plans to pave over it?
And Wendy Davis says Texas has no equal pay laws. Is that a fact?
Texas Standard: April 28, 2016
Educators do the perp walk in El Paso. 5 indicted on federal charges, some wonder what took em so long. The back story today on the Texas Standard. Also if you’re in Texas illegally, your legal options are limited…one thing that is possible however: adoption. A state policy raising eyebrows and interest. And amid a growing bipartisan pushback over the rising cost of college, some unconventional wisdom as Texas gets in front of competency based education. Also- virtual reality or virtually useless? Some say the new gadgets could boost job safety, we’ll try it out. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 13, 2016
What could have been done to save the life of Sandra Bland? Nine months on, an independent commission releases its findings. We’ll explore. Also the state reverses a conviction…you’re free to go, but are you free? The complicated state of exonerations. Plus, t minus two days? Not exactly. A tax break this year you may not remember and few more practical considerations you should bear in mind before tax day. Also, when it comes to Texas, who’s representin? A reality show raises questions about lone stars on the Texas stage, and whether the state has lost the plot. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 16, 2015
The Sandra Bland case drew national attention to suicide in Texas jails. Now, an attempt to curb self-inflicted deaths behind bars. Also, a Korean exodus from Los Angeles to the Lone star state, well tell you what’s behind it. Plus, Thousands of pages of top secret documents from the Vietnam era go public at the LBJ library. Plus the man who may know more about Texas than even you do. His mission, 95 parks in one year. His story, and much more today on the Texas Standard.