Texas’ law against censoring political speech on social media is not in force for now, but that could change. Also: Truckers like to say they keep America rolling, but more are leaving the profession than ever – and it could have major ripple effects for everyone. Plus: A generation gap in high-tech, and a major difference in how sweeping layoffs are being felt. And: A Texas nonprofit founded to support voting restrictions tried to build a hospital in Ukraine; it has not gone as planned, and now red flags are going up.
Goods
Texas Standard: April 15, 2021
The governor claims we should be very close to herd immunity. What does the chair of the Texas vaccine allocation panel have to say? About 25 percent of Texans now reported to be vaccinated… far from what public health experts have estimated is needed for herd immunity. We’ll hear more. Also a turning point in what’s been called the eternal war and why some have lingering concerns about plans to get the U.S. out of Afghanistan by 9/11. And in a state that leads the nation in fatal crashes involving large trucks, a bill rolling thru the state house that would make it harder for people to sue trucking companies. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 2, 2021
It was billed as a State of the State address. But a closer reading might reveal the not-to-subtle start of a new campaign season in Texas. We’ll break down governor Greg Abbott’s 5 emergency items. Also the latest on bottlenecks in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the Lone Star State. And rural Texas, disconnected? A state lawmaker warns funding cuts could cut off internet and phone service for many sparsely populated parts of Texas. Plus a new opening for transmigrantes and how that could create new opportunities and new dangers at the border. Those stories and more today on the Texas standard: