Landowners in southeast Texas say they should be able to sue the state over their flooded property, and the U.S. Supreme Court agrees. People in Winnie, Texas, say their land only started to flood after the state rebuilt part of nearby Interstate 10. Now, they can seek compensation for the damages.
Live music seems more expensive, but are musicians getting paid more? Not really. We’ll talk to someone trying to change that.
And the attorney general crusades against a media outlet on behalf of Elon Musk.
Elon Musk
A report from Eagle Pass after a weekend of immigration protest
A bipartisan bill to address border security: one that mandates that President Biden shut down the border. David Martin Davies with more on the Senate bill on immigration and border security and an update on border protests over the weekend.
What appears to be the first human brain chip implant by Elon Musk’s Neuralink is raising concerns about safety, consent, and transparency. We’ll hear from a medical ethicist who’s been studying the implications.
In El Paso, a new exhibit that highlights a surprising relationship between humans and ducks.
And the thousandth PolitiFact check of Donald Trump – what the numbers say.
A look ahead to the new year in Texas, from politics to entertainment
Two experts weigh in on the Texas political landscape and the stakes as we head into a major general election year amid growing rifts among Texas Republicans. Could the new year mark a tipping point for Texas Democrats?
Tech expert Omar Gallaga and the Standard’s own Shelly Brisbin look at what’s buzzing on the technology front.
Plus: coming attractions at the theater and some of the most anticipated book releases of 2024.
SpaceX satellite debris could fall from the sky and kill people, FAA report says
Where do we stand with education in the special legislative session? With Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas House at a deadlock over school vouchers.
The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that by 2035, one person could be injured or killed by falling SpaceX Starlink debris every two years.
As the World Series gets underway tonight in Arlington; North Texans share what their hometown Texas Rangers mean to them — and why they’ve never lost faith.
Also: the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.
After environmentally destructive launch, will regulators let SpaceX blast off again?
A new law barring transition care for transgender youth has been temporarily blocked by a Texas judge, but it may take effect anyway Sept. 1. We’ll have the latest – plus how doctors are trying to prepare.
Officials were left in disbelief over the scale and scope of environmental damage after the failed test of a SpaceX starship in South Texas earlier this year, according to a new report.
A new book sheds light on the seldom-told tale of conscientious objectors who nonetheless went to the front lines in Vietnam.
Wendy Day Has Good Advice You Can Use
Confucius and Fresh talk to Wendy Day — who helped discover Eminem and helped Cash Money land an unprecedented $30 million dollar deal with Universal Music Group — about the realities of the music industry, and how independent artists should approach their careers.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first hip-hop website to have push notifications, what blogsite first debuted the Weeknd’s music, the origin of Okay Player, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Pusha T does not deserve to be on Billboard’s Top 50 Rappers of all time.
Confucius talks about Elon Musk’s views on aliens, the rumors about a serial killer in Austin, Ron DeSantis’s trip to Washington, and more on Confucius Reads the News.
Astronaut Christina Koch on NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission
Tensions are growing in Austin over the use of DPS officers to augment local police.
Facing resistance to a plan similar to school vouchers, an alteration getting attention at the state Capitol is focused on students with disabilities. Talia Richman of the Dallas Morning News Education Lab has more.
NASA’s plans to return to the moon: We’ll talk with Christina Koch, one of the astronauts assigned to the upcoming Artemis 2 mission.
And on this 4/20, a closer look at the complicated relationship between country music and Willie Nelson’s favorite way to kick back.
There’s a growing push to recycle fracking wastewater in Texas
As temperatures fall, a humanitarian crisis in El Paso deepens as there is a scramble to find shelter for thousands of migrants. Now Texas National Guard troops have been called in to maintain order at the scene. We’ll have the latest on a tenuous situation along the border. Plus, what to do with all the water used in fracking. Recycle it, maybe? We’ll hear why the idea is catching on now. And we’ve got one-on-one interview with a broadway star who’s got south Texas roots. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Nas, Clickbait, and Relevance
The fellas start with a two-parter inspired by 21 Savage’s recent comments on Nas; how much of it is embedded in clickbait culture and past that, what really is relevance in hip-hop?
Hip-Hop Facts covers a ton of chance connections: From Babyface, Whitney Houston, and Dr. Dre to Nas and DJ Envy, DJ Toomp and T.I. and yes, even Jay-Z and Gorillaz.
Kendrick fans may disagree with the Unpopular Opinion, but according to Fresh himself, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers basically came and went. Listen to all that plus reactions to the latest headlines from Donald Trump, Atlanta, Nancy Pelosi, Elon Musk, and more.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 18, 2022
Central Texas top stories for November 18, 2022. Austin ISD interim superintendent applications. Bastrop County wastewater request. Freedom of speech at UT. Texas maternal mortality report. APD intoxicated driver policy.
Rest in Power, Takeoff
In this relatively somber episode of The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius reflect on the untimely passing of Migos co-founder Takeoff. But a bigger, two-part discussion lies behind all the fond memories. What does this mean for the longevity of hip-hop artists and why are white people so quick to scapegoat the genre when tragedy strikes?
Hip Hop Facts fills you in on plenty of Migos trivia plus Paul Mooney’s role on In Living Color.
Just in time for Election Day, Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion pleads rappers to stay directly out of partisan politics…lookin’ at you, Killer Mike.
Lastly, Confucius Reads the News about Elon Musk’s Twitter changes, Drake & 21 Savage’s new collaboration, and the latest punches from Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice Roberts.
Cappin’ for Unhinged Creatives
Kanye West has made more than his fair share of outrageous headlines this past week, leading Confucius and Fresh to wonder…why continue to cap for unhinged creatives past their point of no return?
And when it comes to the current generation of younger rappers who seemingly can’t dress themselves, is it generational taste, or just objectively gaudy?
Hip-Hop Facts features tidbits on DJ Premier, Lil Jon, and Frank Ocean plus anecdotes on 8 Mile, Men in Black, and more.
Fresh’s latest Unpopular Opinion makes it clear: put Nicki Minaj alongside her rapper peers instead of atop the pop pedestal.
Finally, Confucius Reads the News on Steve Bannon’s prison sentence, Nick Cannon’s latest kid, Elon Musk’s Twitter purchase, and Rihanna’s new single.
For the Love of Money
Inspired by Akademiks comments about certain rappers’ behavior at Michael Rubin’s white party, Confucius and Fresh discuss hip-hop’s fascination with billionaires and crime lords. Then they talk about whether today’s rap lyrics are more dangerous than they were in the past.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the beef between Cypress Hill and Ice Cube, whose flow Method Man copied on Biggie’s “The What,” how Disney tried to sign Dr. Dre, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Tupac was a great writer, but not the best rapper.
Confucius talks about the death of James Caan, inflation and its impact on Kool-Aid, Twitter suing Elon Musk, and more.
Texas Standard: July 14, 2022
After confusing accounts over law enforcements response to the school shooting in Uvalde, the surveillance camera footage appears to offer clarity, but there’s been pushback over its publication.Tony Plohetski of the Austin American Statesman and KVUE joins us with more. And a new poll shows democratic challengers in the top 3 statewide races in Texas closing the gap on republican incumbents as election day approaches, just 5 points separating Governor Abbott and Beto O’Rourke. We’ll have the latest numbers plus much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 9, 2022
In the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting, wrenching testimony on Capitol Hill and questions about what comes next to protect school kids. We’ll have the latest. Also, what if anything Texas lawmakers might do to tighten gun regulations. And the fight for political control in South Texas this fall. But among democrats, fireworks and calls for recounts already in two close congressional runoff races. Also a new report on childcare deserts. And behind the scenes for primetime hearings on the January 6th insurrection. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Mo’Nique vs DL
Confucius and Fresh discuss the recent conflict between Mo’Nique and DL Hughley and talk about the golden age of streetball and the AND1 mixtapes.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about Black Music Month, the time Will Smith hit Anthony Mackie, Big K.R.I.T.’s baseball connection, Fat Joe’s start in hip-hop, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that not everyone is cut out to be a creative entrepreneur.
And Confucius talks about Canada’s freeze on handgun sales, Elon Musk’s email telling people to be in the office 40 hours a week or else, the baby formula shortage, and the final decisions in the Amber Heard / Johnny Depp case.
Texas Standard: April 28, 2022
Governor’s Abbott’s border security mission known as Operation Lone Star, what has it accomplished? We’ll do a check of the claims being made. Other stories were tracking, federal scrutiny on Galveston county after a redistricting plan eliminating the county’s only majority-minority district. Also, is Twitter ‘Texas-bound’ after its purchase by Elon Musk? We’ll ask tech expert Omar Gallaga. And its Green Ghost, not Gringo…So says an unlikely feature film star, better known in Texas as a car salesman than a big screen superhero. The story of Green Ghost and the Masters of the Stone plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Tales of Jay-Z
Confucius and Fresh talk about how important Hot 97’s Summer Jam was to the culture in the pre-internet era, and discuss whether the West Coast has fully gotten its due as a rap coast.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about the first hip-hop record to go diamond, how Big KRIT’s “Glass House” came to be recorded in Austin, who Atlanta rapper Baby Tate’s mother is, and more!
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Chicago is not getting its due for the amount of influence that the city has had on the culture.
In Confucius Reads the News Confucius talks about Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter, Greg Abbott’s decision to bus migrants to Washington D.C., Patrick Beverly’s celebration at winning the 7th spot in the playoffs, and more.
Texas Standard: February 22, 2022
He’s been called Trump’s favorite cowboy; why Sid Miller’s attempt to hang on to his job as Texas Agriculture Commissioner is drawing a lot of national attention. And, a longtime democratic congressman in South Texas faces a repeat challenge from the left–a former intern. Also, why biorefineries could be the next big thing in Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 3, 2022
With schools statewide returning to classes and Omicron cases rising, many Texans are asking: now what? Some answers from a doctor today on the Texas Standard.
Other stories we’re tracking- the US Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments this week over Biden Administration vaccination mandates. We’ll have the latest. Also, the 5th Circuit is set to hear arguments in another challenge to SB8- the state’s new abortion restrictions.
Earthquakes spark an order from state officials affecting fracking in the Midland area.
And, you’ve seen the bumper sticker “Don’t California my Texas”? Why some in South Texas are now saying don’t “Austin-ify our Brownsville”. Those stories and more.