After days of resisting calls from local leaders, governor Abbott imposes fines for those who refuse to use facial coverings in public, saying it’s a necessary step to avoid a return to another lockdown as virus cases set new records in Texas. We’ll have the latest. Also, a first person story of becoming a U.S. citizen in a period of pandemic. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Election
Texas Standard: July 2, 2020
As new COVID-19 cases continue to set record highs in Texas, another statistic isn’t tracking the trend. Why are COVID-19 death rates in Texas moving lower? We’ll have the latest. Also, Texas teachers getting prepared for the first statewide public school elective on African American studies. How the past and present come together in the curriculum. And just how difficult is the process for obtaining a mail in ballot in Texas? Our own Shelly Brisbin puts it to the test. Those stories and 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: May 27, 2020
Is it too dangerous to vote in person? New safety guidelines for election season and how they’re connected to the fight over mail in ballots in Texas. Also, how a pandemic is an unseen player in congressional races statewide. And an innovative program in Bexar county to help tens of thousands furloughed and fired, with payments plus retraining. Plus apprehensions at the border, the lowest ever? A Politifact check plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 22, 2020
Potter County in the Texas Panhandle is seeing more than its share of Coronavirus cases, at least population-wise. We’ll get a look on the ground. Also, what’s voting going to look like in Texas come November? Turns out folks have very strong opinions about this. We’ll hear from some. And we’ll hear again from our go-to doctor for questions about the Coronavirus. One question for today? The risk of sending kids back to childcare. We’ll explore. And if your thumb has become a little greener during this pandemic, you’re not alone not now, and not historically. Those stories and more on today’s 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 8, 2020
New data in one of the most closely watched political contests in an ongoing Texas election season, we’ll have the latest. Also, honoring Moms in the biggest border city in Texas. Why this year is doubly special. And dealing with a deadly and highly contagious virus, not the one you’re thinking of, that’s affecting other mammalian populations in Texas. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 24, 2020
Are you ready to get back to normal? Attitudes in Texans on a planned return to business as usual or something closer to it. A new UT Texas Tribune poll on how Texans are feeling about efforts to curb the impact of the Coronavirus. Also, how the school lockdown is playing out on the other side of students’ laptops. And the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 23, 2020
According to an African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child. But what if the village is under lockdown? We’ll take a look at the challenge facing new Texas parents during COVID-19. Also, academics have long talked about the digital divide, but in a pandemic it’s having practical implications for millions of Texas students. And you’ve got questions about COVID-19, Dr. Fred Campbell of UT health San Antonio joins us again with some answers. Also, getting back to the office, or not. Our go to tech guy Omar Gallaga on how the workplace may never be the same again. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 11, 2020
How ready is Texas when it comes to the spread of the coronavirus? We’ll talk with the state representative leading a hearing on that question. Also, when it comes to Coronavirus preparedness, how much does the high number of uninsured Texans complicate matters? We’ll explore. And voting delays in Texas last week last week. Was Hillary Clinton right in laying the blame where she did? We’ll have a Politifact Check. Plus the school district shutdown that at the last moment, didn’t happen. We’ll hear why, what happens next plus a lot 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: March 6, 2020
A plan to restore the faith of Harris county Voters on their election system can’t come fast enough, we’ll have details. Plus we’ll tell you everything we know about the Coronavirus and how to prepare. And if you’re struggling to find housing in Texas, you’re not alone. Apparently we are short by about half a million homes. And, now that the waters of election day have mostly settled, we provide some analysis. Those stories and a lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 4, 2020
Joe Biden may have won the popular vote in Texas, but it wasn’t a bust for Bernie Sanders. What are the top Takeaways from Super Tuesday in the Lone Star State? Texans Matthew Dowd of ABC news, Karen Tumulty of the Washington post and Victoria de Francisco Soto of the LBJ school among the experts helping us decode the many messages from the ballot box. Plus Bloomberg’s big bet on Texas goes bust, debunking some dubious coronavirus claims and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 3, 2020
It’s Super Tuesday in Texas. We’re connecting with reporters statewide to get a sense of how things are going at the ballot boxes. And just as the field of democrats challenging president Trump has dramatically fallen, so too will the number of challengers in a key senate race and many other contests statewide. And by the way, what if you voted early and your candidate dropped out? Also, 5 things to watch for tonight as the tallies roll in. And chaos over COVID-19 in San Antonio, where the mayor’s made an emergency declaration. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 2, 2020
Despite big spending by the candidates in Texas including rally’s, robo calls and door to door canvassing, many Texas democrats say they’re still not sure who’ll they’ll vote for tomorrow. We’ll hear how they’re doing the political math. Plus, fear fueling a major price drop in a clash between the Texas energy industry and the coronavirus. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 28, 2020
As Texas barrels toward Super Tuesday, democratic presidential candidates are scouring the state for delegates. We’ll hear how Elizabeth Warren says she plans to deal with some of the top issues facing Texas. Also another sort of battleground in the Lone Star State as parties scramble to get newcomers registered. Plus the week in Texas politics and much more today on the Texas Standard:
What Is The History Behind Polling Locations In Grocery Stores In Austin?
Voting should be easy, right? Well, can it get any easier than going to your local supermarket?
KUT’s Jimmy Maas has the history behind what’s become an election season tradition in Austin.
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: February 20, 2020
Did Mike’s appearance move the needle in Texas? If so, which direction? We’ll asses the debate as we barrel toward Super Tuesday. Other stories we’re tracking: how reactions to the coronavirus have created what doctors are calling an infodemic thanks to social media. Omar Gallaga on viral takes about a medical crisis. Plus, Amarillo by morning? Not if by that you mean a break in a big time labor deadlock there. Plus- why some flights out of Brownsville have asylum attorneys alarmed. Those stories and a lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 13, 2020
After almost two years, an inspector’s report on safety makes a hard landing at the offices of the FAA and Dallas based Southwest airlines. We’ll explore. Also, we’ll look at how a Texas senator seems to be leading a new trend of politicians getting into podcasting and in a big way. Plus, Texas is a major player in the streaming wars. But who’s winning? And who isn’t? We’ll take a look. And a death in the musical family of Willie Nelson. Biographer Joe Nick Patoski on the passing of Paul English. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: