A new outbreak in Texas of a fast spreading parasitic disease. How bad is it and where’s it coming from? We’ll hear about the search for answers. Also, critics are calling it the treason trip. A group of Republicans from Capitol Hill spending their Independence Day break in Moscow meeting with Russian officials to discuss what exactly? And why does the trip appear shrouded in secrecy? And Elon Musk built a battery the size of a football field to supply solar power to south Australia. Now there’s a plan for something similar in west Texas. We’ll look at whether it could be enough to spark an energy revolution and why packing the court has returned to our political dialogue. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
energy
Texas Standard: July 4, 2018
Two years after Fisher vs. University of Texas, the Trump administration urges colleges to drop consideration of race in admissions, we’ll look at the implications. Also, how a debate over water flowing from Georgia to Florida is trickling into Texas. And 20 years ago this summer, a Texan trying to save his job not only struck paydirt, his little well would change the world, we’ll hear how and why. And a modern day dinosaur from Texas who took over TV screens around the world. Fire up the grill and grab a lawn chair, the Texas Standard is back on the air:
Texas Standard: July 2, 2018
The biggest change in Mexico’s government since the end of single party rule. A populist from the left who could affect Texas big time. President elect Lopez Obrador has pledged to make Mexico great again, or something very much like it. Possibly renationalizing the oil industry after major new investment from Texas energy companies. What price the Mex-Tex flip-flop? And when good cops find their departments getting bad press, there’s a surprising impact. New research from the University of Texas suggests empathetic officers become worse at their jobs. We’ll hear the how and why. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 27, 2018
A court order: the government has 30 days to reunite families separated at the border…and it appears some big changes are already happening, we’ll have the latest. Also, a surprise upset win by a socialist candidate over a high ranking congressman in New York’s primaries last night is reverberating across the country. What about right here in our own back yard? Ed Espinosa of Progress Texas on the future of Texas Democrats. Also, we’re number 2? Not for long. What’s happening in west Texas right now is set to make the U.S. the top oil producer in the world, perhaps sooner than anyone thinks. And getting kids to engage in art by harnessing their brainwaves…just another day at summer camp? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 26, 2018
Critics call it the tent city at Tornillo, now set to be dismantled. Is it a sign of a policy change or strictly a business decision? We’ll explore. Also, you’ll get your kids back if you sign this paper to deport yourself. That’s the claim being made by some detainees and their attorneys at a detention center south of Houston. The Texas Tribune got the story, we’ll talk with one of the reporters. And a win for Texas before the Supreme Court and what it means for future legal claims over race discrimination. Also the populist, nationalist, politically incorrect candidate polls say is set to win Mexico’s election: and how he could change fortunes in Texas. All that and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 18, 2018
The Homeland Security chief tweets that the U.S. does not have a policy of separating families at the border: is that fact or fiction? Over the weekend, outrage grows over the so-called zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration, a drama playing out across south Texas. We’ll talk with the Houston Chronicle’s immigration reporter to hear what she’s learned about how families are separated and what is and isn’t done to get them back together. Also an unusual death penalty appeal: not a plea to spare a life, but for a different method of killing, we’ll explore. Plus: does your teenager know what he or she needs to when it comes to Texas law? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 4, 2018
After sexual abuse and other scandals, the agency that oversees juvenile justice in Texas puts out a plan for a major overhaul. But will it be enough? We’ll have details. Also, the highest court in in the state takes a step that effectively forces Texas to reveal something it doesn’t want to: the name of the company that supplies its execution drug. Why the fight, and why isn’t the court buying Texas’s explanation for keeping silent? And after pushback from physicians, the state’s largest health insurer says it will now delay plans to second guess emergency room visits. Plus after countless failed attempts to deal with feral hogs, yet another plan, inspired by bacon. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 21, 2018
A Texas GOP lawmaker says the governor should call a special session on gun violence. Has Santa Fe become a turning point in Texas? Governor Abbot has long opposed gun control, but after Friday’s massacre at Santa Fe high school south of Houston, the governor now he says he wants to lead a discussion on how to stop school shootings. Will gun control be on the table? Two Texas lawmakers, one a Democrat and the other a Republican weigh in. Also, veterans going hungry at unusually high rates. What’s being done and what isn’t. And comedian Mo Amer on being proudly Texan, proudly Muslim, and sharing a first class plane trip with Eric Trump. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 16, 2018
Did the maker of Oxycontin engage in deceptive marketing in Texas? The Lone Star State joins a lawsuit over who fueled the opioid crisis. “We must make those who have caused the opioid crisis feel the pain that they have inflicted on our community”- so says attorney general Ken Paxton announcing the lawsuit against Purdue Pharma. Some Democrats complain the move comes rather late and in a re-election year to boot. We’ll have more. Also Austin’s controversial move to force private businesses to provide paid sick leave may be going viral. And the term illegal alien: many find it offensive, the Texas DPS chief says it’s just a term of law: a Politifact check and more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 15, 2018
the US Supreme Court’s decision on sports betting: what are the odds things will change in the Lone Star State? We’ll explore. Also, what’s the best and worst price for gasoline you’ve seen? Tweet us @TexasStandard because this hour we’re exploring the rise to $3 bucks per gallon, and how that could affect us way beyond the pumps. Also, more and more states moving away from hypnosis as a tool in law enforcement. Some officials calling it junk science, though in Texas, in can be a matter of life and death. Lauren McGauhey of the Dallas Morning News explains. And the attempt to hear what your ears can-not. A new idea to combat killer twisters before they strike. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 9, 2018
The go it alone strategy: as North Korea returns three American hostages, a new test for Trumpian diplomacy, we’ll explore. Also, it’s being touted as an historic deal between inmates and the Texas prison system over air conditioning. What could be a lifesaver nationwide. And more cracked windows and more plane diversions: should there be age limits on commercial aircraft? We’ll explore. Also, Senator Ted Cruz’s Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke says there’s never been a connection between the border and terrorism. A Politifact check on that claim. And losing the plot: officials try to identify who owns a mystery cemetery. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 27, 2018
Can the Governor force a disgraced ex Congressman to compensate taxpayers for the costs of a special election to replace him? We’ll explore your questions. Also, the National Rifle Association is coming to Dallas for its national convention next week. A writer for the Dallas Morning News says its coming full circle in a sense, since two texans turned it into the group it is today. We’ll hear how and why. Plus, an idea to get more future teachers to turn their sights to rural Texas. And an unlikely pick from an unlikely place: football’s Cinderella story from San Antonio. Also, the man convicted of murder who’s helping the wrongly accused get of jail. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 16, 2018
With US missiles striking Syria over the weekend, the calculus changes for Texas’ biggest export. What does the conflict mean for the lone star state? We’ll explore. Also, a 92 year old Texas political matriarch said to be surrounded by family after an announcement that she’s now declining medical treatment. More on the former first lady Barbara Bush. Also, as the number of seniors in Texas skyrockets, a shortage of physicians to care for them. What’s next? We’ll explore. And will Democrats win the US house of representatives? NY times columnist Frank Bruni says “ask Texas”. We’ll ask Mr. Bruni just what he sees. And a second chance to see long lost moving images from the Lone Star State… the you tube of Texas? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 4, 2018
April 4th 1968: a date that changed America. 50 years on, how do texans remember the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.? Two weeks before, a choir from Prairie View A&M performed before Martin Luther King at the Lorraine Motel where King was assassinated. 50 years later, we talk with the leader of that choir and his brother who led a reenactment of the event in Memphis. Also, the only African American owned bank in all of Texas expands to Atlanta. We’ll hear about the history of the bank and why they’re moving beyond Texas borders. And a ruling in a challenge to Texas motor voter laws. Those stories and so much more today at the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 2, 2018
Familiar words you may have forgotten: DACA, tweets and border wall. We’ll hash them out today. The president says DACA is dead, but what do lawmakers have to say? We’ll explore. And the mysterious death of Rogelio Martinez and the sheriff who claimed there was no crime. And if the country is soon to be divided by EPA standards, which camp will Texas be in? Also, it’s small, non-descriptive and endangered. The captivating story of the Texas Hornshell Mussel. Plus the state’s favorite dog and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 13, 2018
The Texan in charge of US diplomacy, isn’t anymore. After traveling the world, secretary of state Rex Tillerson is coming home, we’ll explore. Also, exploding parcels in the Texas capitol city. Police are trying to connect the dots, warning Austinites not to touch boxes left at front doors. And in Dallas explosions of another sort, these connected to gas mains. Lots of folks in big D asking questions, but not getting many answers. And what was the cause of the civil war? And how is it taught in Texas schools? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 6, 2018
Worst deal ever! That’s what candidate Trump called NAFTA. Now putting steel tariffs on the table, could Trump tilt the scales? We’ll explore. Also, it’s primary day in Texas, we’ll have the latest. And are today’s doctors dinosaurs? The head of the new UT medical school in Austin says they’re definitely an endangered species, we’ll hear why. And when companies breaking ties with the NRA and taking stands in the culture wars, smart business? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 19, 2018
The University of Texas and the Texas Tribune team up to tell us which politicians are ahead on the polls, we’ll have the latest. Also, is OPEC bringing in more members to better control oil prices? We’ll Explore the role of Historically Black Colleges and speak to the film-maker. Plus comfort food has a whole other meaning to families in poverty, we tell you why. And the art of Arturo Torres is putting Garland on the map, we’ll explain. Also, it’s president’s Day! And early voting starts tomorrow, be sure to Wear your red white and blue all week! Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 22, 2018
A surprise in Texas election year politics: one of the state’s biggest unions turns its back on the democrat hoping to unseat Ted Cruz, we’ll have the latest. Also, he’s supposed to be second in command in the Lone Star state and yet some believe when it comes to power, the number two is number 1. A pre-primary primmer on the powers on the Lt. Governor. And prices of Texas crude, hitting new levels not seen since the market fallout of 2014. Time to sell the gas-guzzler? Plus after losing most of his family to a shooter, a father asks the state for clemency for the convicted killer…his own son. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 9, 2018
It’s a 12 billion dollar solution that could prevent many more billions of dollars in damage. So why can’t Texas put up a hurricane barrier? We’ll explore. Also, the frontrunners in Mexico’s upcoming presidential election have already emerged. How the many Mexican voters living in Texas could effect the outcome. Plus, Texas is taking steps to re-think and re-design state mental health facilities, we’ll have the details. And the views from outer space are quite literally out of this world. But many astronauts have vision trouble in zero gravity. Texas researchers are on the job. Also a 5 to nil vote shut down a plan proposed by U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry. We’ll take a look at why and what’s next. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: