A court says the foster care system in Texas is failing many vulnerable children. Why that’s especially true for trans kids.
A practically forgotten burial ground for Indigenous people in West Texas now has a proper memorial.
How a shortage of shipyard workers is contributing to delays for the Navy.
We’ll talk to author Jonny Garza Villa, whose new book “Canto Contigo” features a love story set to mariachi music.
Also: Why do so many bluebonnets pop up next to Texas highways?
Foster
Why Will Hurd didn’t make the cut for the first Republican presidential debate
The Feds push back in court over Gov. Greg Abbott’s deployment of buoys in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass.
The City of Dallas has received $1.5 million in federal dollars for a major cleanup of contaminated sites. But will it be enough?
Researchers in El Paso are trying to tap another source of potential alternate energy, inspired by the prickly pear cactus.
There are growing concerns about challenges faced by deaf kids in the Texas foster care system.
Plus, San Antonio native Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post shares the latest on tonight’s GOP primary debate – and why former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd of Texas won’t be there.
Texas Standard: October 28, 2021
Hundreds of kids in Texas’ Child Protective system sleeping on office floors. Will a new panel find a way to fix the problem? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: an effort by a state lawmaker and candidate for Attorney General to inventory books about race and sexuality in Texas schools. And Texas jails pushed to the brink by the pandemic. Also, an effort to build a better house with a 3D printer, Texas could be home to the biggest development of its kind. And a seasonal ritual comes to Williamson county, a firsthand view from its inaugural fair and rodeo. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
The Best Therapy
How many times have begun a sentence with “it’s been a tough year” — or year and a half…? For some folks, the saving grace has been an animal friend — or a few of them. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
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:
Who Is The Man In Southwest Austin Who Fostered Over 100 Babies With His Wife?
For the next episode in our Hi, Who Are You? series, KUT’s Nadia Hamdan introduces us to Burrell W. Lankford.
Texas Standard: May 27, 2019
It’s a day to remember: those who gave their lives in service of the nation. But it’s also the end of the 86th legislative session. We will look at the state’s budget and what’s in it. Plus, a bill in Congress that stalled and it has money for Harvey recovery, what’s next? And how could 5G interfere with predicting the next Harvey? We’ll explore. And we’ll take a look at how restorative justice could restore more than individual lives and revive neighborhoods. And the little computer program that could… COBOL has been dismissed but is still going strong. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 13, 2019
The biggest college admissions scandal ever? With a Texas coach one of 50 charged over corruption in college admissions, what’s fair versus what’s legal? Why the federal probe of wealthy parents securing spots at elite colleges and universities for their own kids may or may not bring reforms in higher ed. Also, were pilots warnings about the safety of the Boeing 737 Max ignored by authorities? The Dallas Morning News makes some stunning discoveries. We’ll talk to one of their investigators. Plus why a new album by Houston’s own Solange matters way beyond the music itself. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 6, 2019
The State of the State and the State of the Union: after speeches by Governor Abbott and President Trump, what happens next? Governor Abbott issues what he calls emergency items for Texas lawmakers and President Trump calls for unity but presses for a hard line on the border, we’ll take a closer look. Also a maquiladora walkout ends with a surprise victory for labor, and a democrat seeking the White House says paychecks aren’t keeping up with inflation: a Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 4, 2019
A delayed State of the Union finally happens tomorrow, but what of the State of the State? We’ll take a look at what rumblings in the legislature may tell us. Also, no money from Congress for the wall? No problem, say 350 thousand online donors who’ve raised 20 million dollars for private construction. And they’ve been scoping out south Texas for their privately funded wall as well. And naturalized citizens sue over the Texas voter citizenship review. Also, the undocumented? They’re not always who you think they are. Some were born in the U.S.A. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 1, 2018
A Foster care system so dangerous to kids, its been ruled unconstitutional. Should the Feds be permitted to order a fix for Texas? We’ll have the latest. Also, after parkland everyone seems to have an opinion on whether there should be tighter controls on guns. But some Texans with a personal stake in the matter say they don’t have a seat at the table, and they’re demanding a hearing. We’ll hear why. Also, Sprint and T-Mobile want to get married. If anyone has reasons why these two should not be wed, it might be Texas-based AT&T who’s fighting its own anti-trust battle at the moment. We’ll hear why that might matter to you. Plus a surprise endorsement in the Governor’s race and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 1, 2018
From a crisis in Teacher Retirement to the never ending Twin Peaks saga, a massacre in south Texas and a hurricane named Harvey. This hour, its all things reconsidered as we look back in the rearview at the top stories in Texas in 2017. From a historic storm that literally and figuratively forever altered the landscape of the lone star state, to the hometown heroes whose hollywood ending brought smiles to Harvey hit Houston. There there was something called the bathroom bill, remember that? A surprise resignation among the top three most powerful Texas lawmakers and much more…your picks for top Texas news in 2017:
Texas Standard: December 11, 2017
Should Texas child protective services be forced to recruit more foster care families? A federal case nears a climax, we’ll have the latest. Also, a south Texas lawmaker calls for hearings on Russian meddling in Mexico’s elections? US Congressman Henry Cuellar tells us why he’s concerned, and why Texans should take note. Plus, net neutrality reconsidered: as the FCC approaches what could be a landmark vote, we’ll explore the practical implications of the proposed change. And retired teachers leaving a state health care system in droves, and agents stand down for an emotional family reunion at the border near el paso. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 11, 2017
Hurricane directly affected roughly one in three in Texas, but for kids in the state’s troubled foster care system, special concerns, we’ll have the story. Also- Houston and its environs are especially car dependent. So what happens to what may be half a million cars flooded by Harvey? We’ll find out. Plus the gasoline shortages are disappearing. How long till prices return to pre harvey levels? and why one fossil fuel was spared by the hurricane. And a new survey reveals what many have long suspected about where the big bucks go in high school salaries. We’ll explore who gets em and why. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 5, 2017
North Korea has launched a rocket that can reach the United States. It’s a game changer, says a top Texas expert on national security, we’ll have the latest. Also, if you’re a retired teacher living in Texas, stay healthy, because the other option is about to get a whole lot more expensive. Troubling holes in a statewide safety net. And the comments that rocked college station: 5 years after an A&M professors remarks about race and violence, the dust is far from settled. We’ll hear the what and why. And a Grammy winning troubadour on leaving Texas in the rear view mirror and the close ties that bind him to home. You might second the emotion…all those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 18, 2017
Special prosecutor. While the country is abuzz over an investigation in Washington a case involving a lawmaker in Texas is also moving forward, we’ll explore. Plus there are still almost two weeks left in the Texas Legislative Session but talks of the double-S word: “Special Session”, are looking serious. We’ll tell you why. And one big issue before lawmakers has been changes to the Texas Foster Care System. Where those proposals stand now, it’s part of our ongoing exploration of the system’s challenges. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 2, 2017
A stabbing incident at the flagship campus of the university of Texas: and an unexpected source helping to break the news, we’ll have the backstory. Plus the eyes of Texas are upon Pasadena? Why a local election east of Houston may have implications across the lone star state. Also, if you’re a non citizen putting your life on the line in service to the US, the law puts you on a fast track to citizenship, but now there’s a roadblock. We’ll hear what’s happening and what isn’t. Also: he was a young man building a website in his Texas bedroom who became a billionaire and then one of the most wanted men in all of America. We’ll hear the story of the search for the Dread Pirate Roberts. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 23, 2017
Is the Texas Senate cooking the books? Harsh words from the House speaker promise a budget battle royal. What’s at stake? We’ll explore. Plus a global refugee crisis, with local impact? A summit of sorts in North Texas on what to do about the displaced. And the next battlefront for religious liberty could be the state’s foster care system. We’ll hear why. Also potholes for a ride hailing juggernaut: how an industry leader became a high tech poster child for what not to do. And a Texas trilogy: pickles, onions and white bread. How’d that happen anyway? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 9, 2017
Illegal crossings on the southwest border down 40 percent in one month! The trump administration says, “You’re welcome” but can they take the credit? Also the tax man calculating the value of homes across Texas right now. We’ll tell you about a political effort to cap how much your property taxes can be raised and why its freaking out some cities and counties. Plus everyone loves to trash the Texas foster care system, but what about the good apples? Foster parents making big sacrifices to help someone else’s children.Also, refugees in public schools and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 15, 2017
President Trump calls it nonsense but the New York Times says Trump’s aides and close associates were in constant contact with Russian intelligence, before the election. Also day 27 of the Trump administration. We’ll break down the latest developments with a Texan who served on the National Security Council. Plus, a group of former US Ambassadors to Mexico ask the president to change his tone with our neighbor to the south. The foster care system is dysfunctional but what’s it’s like inside the system? We’ll hear from a young person who lived through it. And the forgotten african-american cowboys of Texas, saddle up, it’s Texas standard time: