Gregg Abbott

Austin ISD approves plan to close 10 schools

The Austin Independent School District has passed a plan that will close 10 schools as it works to reduce a multimillion-dollar budget deficit and empty seats at many campuses. We talk more about the plan, the vote — which came after weeks of community meetings and protests — and what happens next.

State officials recently released a heavily redacted stash of communications between Gov. Greg Abbott and Elon Musk. How public information is becoming a little less public.

Lots of folks are heading for roadways and airports this holiday season. What’s it like to spend 24 hours in Austin’s airport?

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:

Texas Standard: April 1, 2020

The governor issues new orders on social distancing. Just don’t call em shelter in place. We’ll take a closer look at the packaging of a statewide pandemic response. And religious gathers now considered essential in the Lone Star State. Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune with more on the Governor’s latest guidelines. Also rapid turnaround deportations. How the Coronavirus crisis has changed the rules at the U.S. Mexico border. And stay at home-schooling tips from homeschooling veterans. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 14, 2020

Texas offers one of the biggest delegate prizes in all the U.S. Are the democrats in this years presidential contest taking Texas seriously? We’ll take a closer look at how far the candidates are going to win over Texas voters, and what’s at stake. Also, as candidates focus their energies on places like Iowa, should Texas consider taking a stand as the state with the first primary? Plus a state historic site reopens after devastating tornadoes: a return to the Caddo Mounds plus a whole lots 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: 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: October 1, 2018

A deal between the U.S. Mexico and Canada goes down to the wire with agreement reached at the eleventh hour, and yet it’s NAFTA no more. What used to be called the North American Free Trade Agreement has a new name and some new rules. We’ll walk thru the changes in what’s now being called the USMCA. Also, did you catch the Texas gubernatorial debate Friday night? Don’t worry, we’ve gotcha covered. And two years after a new law and protests over the concealed carry of firearms on Texas college campuses, what’s happened and what hasn’t? We’ll take a look at that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 16, 2017

Amazon’s virtual retail revolution just got a whole lot more real: a 14 Billion dollar purchase of Texas based Whole Foods, we’ll have the latest. Also is there anything more American than baseball? As congress explores bipartisan huddles, its an inter-party rivalry causing sparks. The latest move: the governor’s veto of scores of just passed bills. We’ll look at what was left on the cutting room floor plus a look at what’s about to become Texas law in our roundup of the week in politics. Plus in light of news that election season hackers struck 39 states and tried to crack databases in Dallas, what can be done to better defend election systems? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 11, 2016

What El Chapo’s arrest means for US Mexico relations and why the heck was he hanging out in the jungle with Sean Penn? How did Hollywood manage to get shorty when law enforcement on both sides of the border said they couldn’t? Texas Governor Greg Abbott wants to rewrite the US Constitution, sort of… why the leading republican governor wants to school Washington and where will his ideas take us? How building better buildings could bring big bucks for Texas. And the world reacts to news that David Bowie has died. Those stories and much more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 2, 2015

Governor Abbot tries to convince a not-quite Capitalist Cuba that Texas would made a good business partner. The Sandra Bland case put suicides in Texas Jails on the radar- but with scores of suicides in recent years, where were the alarm bells before? Also- a ban on big gulps? Maybe a bridge too far. But billionaires in New York and Texas are pushing what they think is a better idea…are voters gonna buy it? A democratic politician described as not having a prayer…and why she thinks that could her win. All of those stories and more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 27, 2015

To BBQ or not to BBQ is that the question? How the new report on meat and carcinogens might actually change public policy. Also- sanctuary city policies will not be tolerated in Texas says Governor Greg Abbot in a letter to Dallas County’s sheriff…we’ll hear about the implications. Plus- losing bets on big oil- it’s not just the energy companies that have taken a hit, but everyday investors who say they were mislead. That story and it’s not just your imagination…the political ads that are following you. All those stories and more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 7, 2015

Rick Perry said it was impossible but his successor disagrees. A dramatic 180 on the issue of ending rape in Texas prisons. Plus, only days after an explosion which sent four to the hospital at an east Texas chemical plant, the company says its returning to business as usual despite a safety investigation that’s far from finished… we’ll have details. Also what do you call a chicken crossing a road…in Bastrop it’s poultry in motion, stopping cars, waking the neighbors and sparking national headlines. And Texas has never had a world series parade…this year, we’ve got two shots at it…that and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 22, 2015

After protests and hunger strikes freedom for scores of south Texas detainees…congressman Joaquin Castro joins us. $300 million in spending cuts…with the stroke of the governor’s pen. We’ll hear what got dropped over the weekend, and what it means for the bigger picture. Using well water in the Barnett shale could be hazardous to your heath…that according to one of the most comprehensive groundwater studies in US history. We’ll have details. You can do anything if you really try. Really? We’ll hear from a Texan who went all in to learn how to dunk a basketball.