Quorum restored and the special session back in action, Texas lawmakers take steps on border security including funding for a wall. Though Donald Trump’s border wall plans may have fizzled, Governor Abbott’s pressing forward with his own call for a Texas version. Bob Garrett of the Dallas Morning News with more. Also as classes return online, students encountering some system errors. We’ll hear about the challenges. And a podcast about racial tensions in a Texas suburb as a microcosm of America. The story behind the series Southlake and much more today on the Texas Standard:
energy
Texas Standard: August 23, 2021
As more Texas students return to school more are finding confusion and chaos over mask orders. So where do we stand? We’ll have more on the confusion. Also, the start of an in depth look at some of the new laws set to take effect in Texas next month. Today, a look at restrictions aimed at curbing the teaching of critical race theory. And the return of a quorum in the Texas House. With the stalemate broken in the second special session, what comes next? Also a new program at Texas A&M to encourage farming sustainability with the help of bugs. Those stories and 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: August 9, 2021
With the Delta COVID variant spreading and a gubernatorial mask mandate in place what are local officials to do? Some say mandate masks anyway. More today on the Texas Standard. A battle over mask mandates and why the issue could end up in court. Also, what parents are thinking about a return to school. Vaccine mandates at the federal level, why enforcing them is proving to be a challenge. The great bitcoin migration from China and why many miners are coming to Texas to dig for virtual gold.
And growing up in the Lone Star State–two authors look for a common thread that binds some of the best known figures of modern Texas history. Those stories and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: July 26, 2021
As a new variant of COVID-19 takes hold in Texas, we’re learning about one of the deadliest places to be in Texas after the pandemic hit. After the pandemic first gripped Texas, veterans homes overseen by George P. Bush suffered fatality rates of 25% or more, well above the statewide average for nursing homes. We’ll talk to one of the investigative reporters behind these new findings. Also, the Governor’s bid for re-election: two challengers so far, but how much of a contest is it shaping up to be? And an effort to turn back time at Fort Stocktons Comanche Springs plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 23, 2021
After the winter outages, Texans have been demanding a rethink of the Texas electricity market. Is it finally coming? Weathering criticism for its handling of winter outages, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, announces a redesign of the electricity market. We’ll explore the planned changes and what they add up to. Also, is Mexico breaking the free trade agreement with its Mexico-first oil policy? A bipartisan group of Texans asks President Biden to intervene. And endangered sea turtles on the Texas coast, now facing a new threat. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 22, 2021
Sounding new alarms over COVID-19… As state health experts warn of new cases, are the warnings enough? Experts see the COVID-19 data in Texas pointing an ominous direction, and though warnings for masking and vaccination continue, concerns mount over whether that will be sufficient to head off another dangerous spike in the pandemic. Today, our conversation with the Texas’ chief epidemiologist. Also the fight over COVID-19 disinformation. And after years of calls for changes, medicaid is being expanded to help new moms in Texas. The implications of that change plus much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 21, 2021
The special session walkout: a stalemate? Or could this add up to a new political math in Texas longer term? A new group of younger Texas democrats willing to sharpen their message and their elbows, see the walkout as energizing the base and perhaps changing the political mix longer term. But are they right? We’ll explore. Also, Texans going for the gold in Japan…though the cloud of COVID-19 hangs over the Olympics, a view from a Texan in Tokyo covering the games. And in a Texas city known for its distinctive sound, a distinctive new installation aimed at the ears. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 20, 2021
Increasing concerns among doctors and other frontline health workers in Texas as COVID-19 cases rise once again. In some places in Texas, the COVID-19 risk level has again returned to historic highs as the Covid Delta variant takes hold. We’ll talk with two Texas health experts about what the trends are signaling. Also the FDA’s approval of an Alzheimer’s drug, and why some doctors are refusing to prescribe the drug, and lawmakers are asking questions. And an historic liftoff in west Texas. Plus the end of an era for Texas’ oldest licensed radio station? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 14, 2021
A quorum busting escape from Texas by Democrats in the state House and Senate, and the effects go beyond voting laws. As Texas Democratic lawmakers abandon the statehouse to put the brakes on controversial changes to state voting laws, other bills remain in limbo. We’ll take a closer look at what’s been left hanging. Also, a new law set to take effect that would ban abortions after six weeks and allow individuals to sue anyone who assisted a woman in getting an abortion. A new study examines the likely effects. Those stories plus a Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 12, 2021
Hundreds of Texans descend on the capitol for marathon weekend hearings on measures to overhaul Texas voting system. Republican lawmakers in Texas are poised to pass what many democrats consider to be bills aimed at voter suppression. We’ll have the latest. Also Amarillo once a bright spot in the fight to get Texans vaccinated against COVID-19 now near the bottom of the list among metros. What happened? And what comes next? And as a child, she was inspired by someone who looked like her on the TV show Star Trek. Now, she’s the new director of the Johnson Space Center. Her story and much 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: July 1, 2021
Big news today from the U.S. Supreme Court. The case is out of Arizona but it will have big implications for Texans, we’ll explore. Plus an enormously energy-hungry industry is hoping to move to Texas. But our grid, as we found out in February, is not stable! We’ll learn more about cryptocurrency mining. And it’s been years since hurricane Harvey all but devastated Houston and it will still take some more years before some residents can move back home. Plus in a world with expiring car warranties, credit card scams and other attacks, the number one consumer complaint in the U.S. is for robocalls! What to do about them and ways to protect yourself. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 24, 2021
Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to Texas. Her visit to the border aims to quiet weeks of criticism. We’ll have one view from El Paso. Plus one billion dollars in Hurricane Harvey relief funding disproportionately went to communities further inland. An investigation. And COVID-19 disproportionately devastated Texas border communities. But the same wasn’t true in neighboring New Mexico. Why? And we’ll also check in on Houston’s Fifth Ward and an ongoing fight to address what’s been identified as a cancer cluster. Also if you have one of those smart thermostats you might want to double-check your settings. What some users are seeing happen as demand for energy goes up. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 15, 2021
A new warning from ERCOT urging Texans to conserve electricity. How prepared is the power grid for a long hot summer? After last winter’s deadly power outages, politicians promised changes to beef up the grid. But this weeks warning sends an ominous message about readiness as temps climb into the triple digits. We’ll have the latest. Plus, Houston’s plan to battle climate change with the help of solar panels. We’ll hear how that effort is going. And farmers say it’s not just sour grapes, but a serious concern over herbicides. Plus what’s being billed as the first scholarly book on the history of Juneteenth. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 14, 2021
A mass shooting in Austin Saturday leaves one dead, 13 others wounded and drawing more attention to the issue of gun violence. Nathan Bernier of KUT Austin with more on a shooting that has shaken the Texas Capitol city. Also, a Texas CDC? A plan for UT’s Health Science Center to serve as a hub for fighting future pandemics. And free tuition, a high quality education, and a job after graduation… a push for members of congress to do more to promote the service academies to young Black and Latino students. Also, oil prices hit new pandemic era highs. Why greener energy may be part of the reason. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 9, 2021
Democrats and Republicans agree the U.S. needs to figure out immigration. But what exactly does that mean and how do we get there? We’ll explore. Also, gun policy at the Texas legislature. We’ll look at what passed and what didn’t. And what’s in the bills Governor Abbott just signed to address problems with the electric grid? Plus one view from Texas about the ongoing coronavirus crisis in India. And we’ll take a look at what researchers call the seven threads of Texas. Where do you fit into the fabric of the state? Those stories 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: June 3, 2021
Lawmakers promised fixes to prevent a recurrence of the statewide power outages of last winter. How much really got done? We’ll explore what really was accomplished amid politician’s promises to prevent more statewide blackouts and to fix the Texas power grid. Also, a look at some of the more closely watches bills that didn’t make it thru the legislation in the regular session. And Galveston oh Galveston: the city took a big hit when the cruise ships stopped coming to port due to COVID-19. Now, plans for their return. And the start of hurricane season. A forecast for Texas and much today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 28, 2021
There’s been many memorable Legislative sessions in Texas. This one promises to go down in the history books, too.
An observer with the quorum report calls the session “a buffet of red meat”
Jumping off to COVID-19 news: no one is rushing to get vaccinated anymore. How can the state of Texas motivate people to get the shot?
Also the US Energy Secretary is visiting Texas and she made a stop at the Texas Standard.
And, could a complete re-framing of Israeli-Palestinian relations finally lead to a solution in the region?
It’s a a new mindset with a Texas perspective.
All that and more.