This is not a test. As Texas responds to a pandemic, health officials struggle to find ways to deal with a lag in Coronavirus testing, we’ll have the latest. Plus in major cities across the Lone Star State, city streets, schools and universities and office buildings getting empty. Events from rodeos to concerts and games all cancelled or in the process of. So what comes next? Our conversation with the top official of the most populous county in Texas, judge Lina Hidalgo…Plus the politics of quarantine and much more today on the Texas Standard:
energy
Texas Standard: March 10, 2020
Ted Cruz has done it. Others in Texas are being urged to do it too. What does it mean to self-quarantine? And what are best practices? We’ll have answers. Also, a big time downturn in Texas oil country: how low could prices go, and at what point might widespread layoffs ripple across the Lone Star State? And Fort worth schools trying to bounce back from a hack, we’ll explain. Plus, is the use of CBD products protected by federal law? A case out of San Antonio raising questions about CBD, drug tests, and reasonable accommodation by employers. Those stories and a whole lot 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 19, 2020
Democrats duke it out over who’s best to battle John Cornyn: Bob Garrett of the Dallas Morning News will join us with the takeaways from debate night. Plus, the one presidential candidate striking fear in the hearts of some Texas democratic politicos. Here’s a hint: he’s a democrat. Also, using federal gun laws to help battle domestic violence. Plus a new report on widespread flaring in west Texas: how bad is it, and will it lead to tightening regulations? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 14, 2020
A case of the novel coronavirus confirmed in San Antonio. Though the patient is quarantined, how do officials fight the spread of fear? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: is one of the most beloved and pristine corners of our state endangered by energy development? The conversation underway in Big Bend country. And the U.S. border patrol in the media spotlight. Are recent policies or the agency’s past more to blame? A new report suggests the latter. Plus the week that was in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 6, 2020
The impeachment drama is over… Or is it really? And where does it leave us? We’ll take a look at the implications of the Senate vote for Texas. Plus, a pair of markers erected in Rio Grande City. What they say about an historic workers strike that left a deep impression on the Texas landscape. Plus- how a robot could help save the Gulf of Mexico from the rapidly reproducing Lionfish. And our go-to tech guy on the return of “gaming” the low-tech way. Plus why lots of Texans won’t stop talking about a certain halftime show. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 28, 2020
As the Trump administration begins to wrap up its defense, is the Bolton book looking like a tipping point in the impeachment saga? We’ll take a closer look. Also, a Texas A&M constitutional scholar weighs in on what happens next in the senate trial of Donald J Trump. And A plan to reboot space exploration gets kicked to the sidewalk. A step forward for Boeing, but some say a giant leap backward for U.S. space exploration. Plus the ongoing issue of migrant family separation few are talking about. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 27, 2020
As The impeachment trial resumes, how closely are Texas women listening? We’ll take a closer look at an important demographic in this election year. Other stories we’re tracking: Scores of Houston families on the long road to rebuilding after a massive explosion late last week: we’ll hear the latest. Also the Trump administration issues new orders to deal with so-called birth tourism. We’ll have the what and why. Plus after a seven year studio silence, a groundbreaking singer songwriter reemerges. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 20, 2020
The star of the show or a bit player? What’s likely to be a major role for a former heard of Baylor university in the upcoming impeachment trial, we’ll have details. Also, the proliferation of so called sanctuary cities for the unborn across Texas. And temperatures plummet across Texas… are natural gas bills skyrocket? Not so much! What’s keeping the cap on heating. Plus, Texas public colleges and universities getting graded on how well they help first generation, low income students. Who makes the grade and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 13, 2020
After an executive order from the Trump administration, Texas becomes the first state to opt out of future refugee resettlement. We’ll have the latest. Also, a New York billionaire tours Texas by bus trying to make inroads in his presidential campaign. For Michael Bloomberg, the stakes are high. And a disturbing affair in the world of romance novels. Plus the biography of a Texan who fought his way out of tough times and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 26, 2019
The most powerful factor in the Texas economy? Energy. This hour, we’ll explore how changes out west are affecting the entire landscape of the Lone Star State. They used to call it the fracking boom. New technologies that made it possible to extract more oil and gas from the ground. Texas’ Permian Basin has become the most productive patch of petroleum development in the U.S. leading some to suggest the endless cycle of boom and bust may be over. What happens in west Texas affects us all, so what’s next? That’s our focus in Untapped: a Special Edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 9, 2019
The Texas General Land Office has a question for many towns and cities: after Harvey, how would you spend 4 billion dollars? The mayor of Rockport weighs in today on the Texas Standard. Also, the eyes of many Texans on the impeachment drama on Capitol Hill. Not all Texas lawmakers singing the same tune on that score, we’ll have details. And the headlines say in the Permian Basin the pumpjacks are pumpin and all’s well for oil wells. But a closer look finds subtle signs of a downturn. Also the potential return of a Texas political dynasty? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 25, 2019
2020 doesn’t seem so far away anymore. As Election time nears, we’ll take a look at Texas’ political landscape and priorities. Also, breaking down the effects of a rollback of rule changes put in place to prevent another deadly explosion like the one in West, Texas. Plus, appropriate for this week, what do we have to be thankful for in the energy industry? At least from one perspective. And we’ll introduce you to an odd couple: an avid hunter and a vegan. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 22, 2019
The public part of the House impeachment inquiry is over. Did it have an impact? A former White House adviser says yes, in ways that may not be obvious, we’ll explore. Plus: 2020. It’s closer than you think, especially if you’re in the business of running an election. How much more secure are systems now, with less than a year to go before presidential balloting? Also, over objections of native americans, environmentalists and others, three new natural gas export facilities get the green light…What will it mean for texas and the economy? All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 6, 2019
The tally from election day 2019 in Texas: we’ll try to read between the numbers to see what message Texas voters were sending. Where do we stand with new constitutional amendments and a major mayoral race in Houston.. We’ll get caught up. Plus, what a new survey reveals about Texas attitudes on immigration and climate change as we head toward that next election cycle. And how to keep college students from leaving their Texas hometowns for good. Plus a weekly Politifact check and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 4, 2019
Julian stays in, but Beto says bye bye: a shakeup among democrats in the race for the White House. We’ll look at why and what it adds up to. Also, Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune with more on a Texas departure from the presidential race. And two Texas republicans weigh in on the GOP’s Texas sized problem heading into 2020. Plus oil prices falling, can Texas retain its crown as energy king? A new energy mix may help it do just that. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 21, 2019
House speaker Dennis Bonnen could be leaving sooner than anyone expected, so says Texas tribune co-founder Ross Ramsey. We’ll have details. Other stories we’re following: a backlog at a major DPS crime lab. The problem: worker turnover. Also, money going up in smoke? What to do about a surplus of natural gas. And is Texas more southern or western? Scholar H.W. Brands invites readers to rethink what they know of the latter, in his epic history of the American west. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 16, 2019
The Tale of the Tape: what the secret recording of a meeting at the Capitol means for a once highly celebrated Speaker of the Texas House. We’ll take a look at the fallout. Other stories we’re tracking, what last night’s presidential debate means for the two Texans who were, at last check, still in the running. Plus, luxury brand Louis Vuitton is putting down roots in a Texas farm town. Pourquoi? President Trump plans to stop by this week, and we’ll take a closer look. And why Texas has a thing for Halloween…or as our commentator notes, maybe it’s the other way around. All of that and so much more on the National News Show of Texas:
Texas Standard: October 7, 2019
Election day draws near, perhaps nearer than most Texans think. We’ll take a closer look at what Texas voters are being asked to decide this November. Also, it’s a Texas border more dangerous than the one that gets the lion’s share of attention. How a boom in the Permian has made for perilous times along the line with New Mexico. And missing notes rediscovered: a long forgotten manuscript recounting the story of how the blues came to Texas, revived after decades in limbo. Also the effort to clamp down on the dangerous storage of firearms. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Wit And Wisdom From T. Boone Pickens
By W.F. Strong
Even before I knew much about T. Boone Pickens, I loved his name. Has there ever been a better name for an oil man than T. Boone Pickens? It’s just right as rain. And the man behind the name was so perfect for it that it disproved Shakespeare’s claim that any other name would work as well. I loved to hear him talk because his Southwestern dialect so perfectly underscored and certified his folk wisdom and humor. He was a chairman of the board with true blue-collar cred. The title of his last book showed he was beautifully grounded in both worlds: “The First Billion is the Hardest.”
Boone, as many called him, was an Oklahoman and a Texan. When asked which he was, he said, “both.” He straddled both states like a giant derrick – raised in both, drilled in both – and both benefited from the hundreds of millions he gave through his philanthropy, from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, to UT Southwestern Medical Center, and to Oklahoma State University, among others.
Boone Pickens would have certainly died a multi-billionaire had he not given away the majority of his fortune, and he loved giving it away. He said, “Giving away money wasn’t as fun as making it, but it was a close second.”
When he died, he left behind a poignant letter for his social media followers. It contains his humor, his wisdom and inspiring advice for life. I’ll share some of it. He said:
If you are reading this, I have passed on from this world — not as big a deal for you as it was for me.
In my final months, I came to the sad reality that my life really did have a fourth quarter and the clock really would run out on me. I took the time to convey some thoughts that reflect back on my rich and full life.
I was able to amass 1.9 million Linkedin followers. On Twitter, more than 145,000 (thanks, Drake). This is my goodbye to each of you.
You can find more of T. Boone Pickens’ parting words on his web site.
I’ll end with Boone’s most famous bit of advice, not included in his letter:
“Every day you should work eight hours and sleep eight hours. Make sure they’re not the same eight hours.” Now let’s do what Boone would do – get on back to work.