A new court ruling on the so-called “broken” Texas foster care system and efforts to fix it. We’ll take a look at where things stand now. Plus, the U.S. withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal, and Iran is now violating it. Where that leaves allies and what’s next. And poking holes in the “Texas Miracle”: a new picture of how the state’s recession resistance didn’t benefit the whole state. Plus, drag racing returns to a Texas border town reviving a cultural past time and just something fun to do. We’ll take you to the track. And we’ll check in on the latest drama over the citizenship question on the U.S. census. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
energy
Texas Standard: July 3, 2019
Homelessness has been a hot topic in Texas cities lately. Two of the state’s largest metros have taken different approaches, with different results. We’ll explore. Also, in another of Texas’s largest cities, an increase in domestic violence and a mission to make the city safer for women. Plus, the invasive search for new energy sources. And how even the “green” ones are impacting West Texas. Plus, Black Pumas… you may not have heard of this Austin band yet, but chances are you could soon. We’ll introduce you to their psychedelic sound. And we run some of last week’s Democratic debate claims through the Texas Truth-O-Meter. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 24, 2019
Up to 1000 more Texas National Guard troops could soon deploy to the border. But will they be effective? We’ll take a closer look. Also, rebuilding smaller after Harvey. For some it might not be a choice. We’ll explore. Plus, thanks to the Permian Oil boom the U.S. is in a different position as tensions with Iran escalate. But does it really make a difference? We’ll take a closer look. And we’ll hear from the former Ambassador to the Dominican Republic about problems on the Island, and whether you should delay your trip. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 20, 2019
The reddest of red states? No more! Texas’ senior Senator John Cornyn ponders his reelection prospects and issues a warning to the GOP. Abby Livingston of the Texas Tribune on her conversation with the Senate’s 2nd highest ranking Republican and what it means for Texas politics. Also, summers here, but so is a teacher shortage in West Texas. So what happens come September? And Facebook bets on a Bitcoin competitor, should you? Tech expert Omar Gallaga weighs in. That and whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 19, 2019
The President launches his re-election bid. How strong is his support in Texas? Who do Texas Democrats favor in 2020? A new UT-Texas Tribune poll offers an updated snapshot of where Texans stand on a variety of political matters as we head into the next election cycle. We’ll break down the findings. Also some claim that the cycle of boom and bust in oil country is a relic of the past. Is it? We’ll take a closer look. And claims about high maternal mortality rates in Texas: The governor says they’re lying. But what does Politifact say? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 3, 2019
The legislative session is out, and now the real politicking can begin. That’s right, the 2020 Elections are not so far away, we’ll have more. And did you hear Texas is now home to the country’s largest trading hub? A trip to Laredo to look at the challenges to keeping that title. Plus, an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that made history: an explosion, a failed blowout preventer, millions of gallons spilled. But we’re not talking about the Deepwater Horizon. And most of us take our immune systems for granted, until we feel it fails us in some way. A closer look. And why Texas Football fans should care about the Oklahoma drill and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 16, 2019
Are church officials hiding information related to sex abuse claims? We’ll look at how police are explaining a raid of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Also, diplomatic families sent home, energy companies battening down the hatches, amid reports of contingency plans for a possible military confrontation with Iran. A long time White House adviser helps us understand what’s happening. Plus, a modern day home on the range? Why Midland has become a magnet for millennials. And top tips for movie searching in the age of multiple streaming services. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 15, 2019
A potential challenge to Rowe vs. Wade by Alabama lawmakers as a federal appeals court hears a Texas case that could sharply curb abortion access, we’ll have the latest. Also thousands of fish, crabs and other sea life wash up dead along Galveston bay. Oystering there is closed until further notice. A clampdown on seafood safety on the Texas gulf after a chemical spill, we’ll have details. And the return of the so-called education degree in Texas. Plus, has Texas removed more Confederate monuments than any other state? A politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 13, 2019
Tick tock… the clock is winding down on the Texas Legislative session. But there’s a lot left to be done. We’ll have the latest on what affects you from under the dome. Also, the big business of toy guns. So realistic, police can’t tell the difference. And that’s had deadly consequences. And if you take the back roads through rural parts of Texas, you’ll see towns dotted with dance halls. Many have been shuttered or lost to time, but there’s a renewed effort to get them swinging again. Plus, efforts to highlight and reframe the story of the Alamo keep bumping up against other important parts of Texas history. We’ll have the latest on that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 3, 2019
Should Texas political mapmaking be placed back under federal oversight? We’ll have the latest in a high stakes battle over race and redistricting. Also, it is one of the nation’s most notorious strips for prostitution. Now a controversy over Houston’s plan to clean up what’s known as “the track”. And a byproduct of energy extraction, now treated as waste, soon to be turned into fuel for more energy extraction. A virtuous cycle? Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 30, 2019
To be or not to be a Senate candidate. Democrats puzzled why an expected challenge to John Cornyn is slow to materialize, we’ll have the latest. Plus, amid what appears to be growing support for gun control efforts in other parts of the U.S., the nation’s biggest gun rights group takes aim against itself? A leadership struggle at the NRA poses one of the most serious threats to the organization in years. And a Texas senator moves to stop publishing the final words of prisoners facing the death sentence. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 29, 2019
The state of Texas to to pay half a million in legal fees and rescind its plan to check the citizenship of registered voters, we’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re watching: how what’s happening in the Texas oilfield resembles a certain superhero-filled hollywood blockbuster. Also, the part of Texas’ death row seldom heard about on the news. Plus Abilene rediscovering a chapter of its history many would like to forget. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 16, 2019
The images captured the world: Notre Dame on fire. Yellow smoke billowing, the spire falling. We’ll have the view from Texas. Also, could a voting error land you in jail? The Texas Senate just passed a bill to increase the penalties of so-called voter fraud. We’ll explore. And more states are allowing certain teachers and staff to carry guns in schools, but there’s no federal standard to govern the trend. Plus, off the coast of Texas: old oil rigs actually contributing to the environment, and what’s causing ship wreckage that’s been around for more than a century to disappear now. All those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 15, 2019
Texas is now flaring off enough natural gas to power all of households in the Lone Star State. Can anything be done to harness the energy? We’ll take a look. Also, the Texas legislature is stuck: once again stalled on some key issues. Time to prepare for a special session, Ross Ramsey doesn’t seem too worried. We’ll ask with the co-founder of the Texas Tribune why not. And after several decades, the University of North Texas solves the case of the missing Hobbit… first edition, that is. Plus the battle of San Jacinto that wasn’t, at least not this year. That and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 11, 2019
When was the last time you heard three top Texas Republicans call for a tax increase statewide? There’s more to the story, of course, and we’ve got it. Also, Texas may be tops in wind power, but the oil and gas industry not content taking a backseat. Asher Price of the Austin American Statesman on the pushback. And the latest social media platform to grab young people’s attention: why’s it Tic Tok’s time in the spotlight? Digital savant Omar Gallaga checks in. And the teacher in Lubbock making conversations about mental health an everyday thing for her students. All those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 2, 2019
The price of a would-be border shutdown? We’ll do the numbers and talk with the mayor of one of Texas’ biggest border cities, Laredo. Plus, 2020: it’s not just about counting votes, but counting heads, too. We’ll look at what’s at stake for Texas in the upcoming census. Also, after previous fits and starts, prospects get real for for full day pre-k covered by the state, we’ll have the latest. And San Antonio goes all in on a plan to let outside organizations run their schools. Also, a fiddle playing son pays tribute to his father and his role in shaping Texas music. All of those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 25, 2019
No collusion, no exoneration. The Mueller report promised to get us closer to the truth, what’s the reaction in an increasingly polarized Texas? We’ll discuss the implications of the Mueller report and reaction here in the Lone star State, a place increasingly seen as turning to a purplish hue. Also, gas prices on the rise: a seasonal blip, or a long term price hike? And pushback against the woman picked as sole finalist to become the next president of UTEP. And Marfa, the city that never sleeps? Why locals are on edge and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 12, 2019
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is removing all diplomatic staff from Venezuela, where he calls the situation “deteriorating.” He tells us why. Also, Houston making headlines for not being chosen to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The city pay issue that may be at the center of that choice. Plus, some college-level Black Studies programs are celebrating 50 years, how they’ve changed. And several countries are grounding planes like the one in a deadly weekend crash. But not the U.S. We’ll look at why. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 11, 2019
Political lightning round: capitalist or socialist? High profile Democrats get a grilling in an unlikely venue as SXSW gets political. Democratic luminaries shining bright this weekend at what many think of as a music and film festival. We’ll hear who was making news and what it means for election season 2020. Also, an infectious disease specialist says San Francisco is beating HIV, why not Houston or other southern cities? Plus the $7,000 film: director Robert Rodriguez gets back to his DIY roots with a scrappy new release about a budding filmmaker. All of those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 12, 2019
In the west Texas town of El Paso, a political duel over immigration between a president and a popular Texan who might want to be one. We’ll have analysis of the rallies in El Paso as president Trump launches his re-election campaign, and Beto O’Rourke gauges whether to launch a White House run of his own. Also, a judge taps the brakes on the Texas bullet train. We’ll hear how and what it means for plans to link Houston and Dallas by high speed rail. And what a Dollar Store invasion of rural and poorer communities in Texas might really cost. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: