heat

A man died working on the Tesla Gigafactory. The company didn’t tell officials.

A car crash in Brownsville: 8 dead, 10 injured. An accident or was it intentional?

One day before a vote to expel a Texas house representative, a resignation. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom on the state lawmaker accused of an inappropriate relationship with an intern.

Questions about the heat death of a worker helping to build Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory and whether reporting rules are being followed.

And a Texas based Go-Go, Head Over Heels about her new role with a stage production. Our conversation with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Kathy Valentine.

Why many Texas cotton farmers are planting less this year

After a disastrous season for cotton production, could Texas lose its crown as top producer? Three Texans on the front lines talk about why some fear 2023 could be a tipping point.

The head of the University of Texas System Board of Regents puts a pause on new diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

With student debt forgiveness plans on hold, what are the implications for those struggling most to get out from under it?

Also tech expert Omar Gallaga on the rising price of social media verification and whether it pays to buy into the changes.

What do Texans think about expanding legal gambling?

As Texas senators hold hearings on a new budget, they may get an earful from everyday Texans. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom shares his look at the week ahead in the Texas Legislature, and how you can weigh in on the budget.

Reducing property taxes is likely to be a big part of the discussion, but some say it’s high time to consider legalizing cannabis sales to offset property tax cuts.

Major casino companies are betting big on Texas. How do voters feel about that?

Also the King of Tacos, Mando Rayo, takes us on a tour of the Taco Mile.

The latest on Texas’ winter freeze

As temperatures plummet with a major cold front bearing down on the lone star state, down into the teens in many parts, we continue to monitor conditions across Texas. Eric Berge of Houston’s Space City Weather joins us with an overview, the dangers ahead, and when we can expect to thaw out from this last big chill of 2022. Also a rethink of ways to address the mental health crisis. And the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. These stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 14, 2022

The House January 6th panel wraps up evidentiary hearings. Did they move the needle for Texans prior to a big election? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: a big cost of living increase for social security recipients, the biggest in 4 decades. What does it mean for Texas and the long term future of the program? Also the organizer of the first Amazon workers union on the state of labor. And a look at a the complicated legacy of Cesar Chavez. A champion of labor, and a tough campaigner against illegal immigration. Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

It’s Finally Under 100 Degrees

There’s nothing unusual about long, hot Texas summers — except that this year’s severe drought has made this one feel particularly long and hot. Indeed, we did break some heat records across the state. But, wait, what’s that? Rain? A breeze? That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: August 18, 2022

With Texas’ new abortion trigger law set to take effect a week from today, what’s the history of abortion regulation in Texas? We’ll take a look. Other stories we’re tracking: as Texas students return to the classroom, how security has become a central issue this fall. Also home security becomes TV show fodder as the ubiquitous Ring camera gets ready for its closeup. And the rust belt, the Bible belt, now another belt added to the U.S. map and Texas is part of it: what the new heat belt tells us about who’s feeling the greatest effects of rising temperatures. And a later than usual peach season for some. We’ll hear why and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Ode to Summer

The season doesn’t technically change for another month, but the start of the school year starts to make a shift towards fall. It’s been a hot, dry summer in Texas and many are ready to move on. But, before we do, this Typewriter Rodeo poem highlights a few things we’ll miss.

Texas Standard: August 4, 2022

On the witness stand, Alex Jones admits the Sandy Hook shooting was 100% real as a defamation trial against him goes to the jury. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: a big win for supporters of abortion rights in Kansas sends up red flags for republicans and boosts hopes for democrats. Clues about how the issue could play out here in Texas? We’ll take a look. Plus a rare bipartisan bill to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Could it also boost Texas’ hopes of becoming a bigger high tech hub? And what a Dallas music writer calls Beyonce’s new album: a love letter to Queer Black music. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 2, 2022

7 years in prison: a Texan gets the longest sentence handed down so far in the prosecution of January 6th riots at the capitol. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: a once in a decade rewrite of the state’s public school curriculum gets underway amid debates over how race and LGBTQ issues are addressed in the classroom. Also the planned demolition of Uvalde’s Robb Elementary school, and how the city plans to honor its namesake. Plus extreme heat and the disparate impact on communities in one of Texas’ largest cities. And the story of a Texas radio show that picked up where the progressive newspapers of the 60’s and 70’s left off. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 1, 2022

Water crisis. That’s the label communities on the border are giving the current conditions as reservoirs are drying up. But it’s not just on the border that water is a concern. We’ll talk with an expert about the current state of groundwater across Texas and the long-term forecast. Plus a shot in the arm for a Liquid Natural Gas facility in Brownsville. What a big contract means for its future. And in Uvalde the community still in the early days of recovery is trying to access the financial help promised, but doing that is easier said than done. And we’ll remember an Austin radio icon beloved by throng and truly one of a kind. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 29, 2022

An offer for a prisoner exchange with Russia to secure the return of Texan and basketball star Brittney Griner. Prisoner swaps are usually negotiated in secret before a deal is reached, but the announcement of what the U.S. calls a substantial offer to secure Griner’s release has raised hopes, and some eyebrows as well. Former White House national security expert William Inboden takes a closer look. Also what’s being done, and what isn’t, when it comes to soaring temperatures in Texas prisons, most of which lack air conditioning. And got a new phone or some other device? The settings you need to change pronto. Those stories and a lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 26, 2022

The House Committee Report on the school shooting in Uvalde and what may be conspicuous omissions. Jim Henson of the Texas Politics Projects says a closer inspection of the House report on Uvalde may be revealing about the intersection between the investigation and politics as usual. We’ll hear more. Also what’s behind a low-key review of votes from 2020 in Tarrant County? And the Feds open a civil rights investigation into Houston’s response to complaints about illegal dumping. Plus will abortion restrictions translate into more young Texans turning out at the polls this November? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 25, 2022

An immigration decision from the supreme court with a big impact on Texas…though it might not be the last word on the matter. We’ll have more on the decision. Also, how extreme heat is affecting migrants trying to get around border checkpoints on foot and what’s being done for their safety. And why gas prices in Texas are going down. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 21, 2022

Thousands of acres across Texas ablaze as firefighters struggle to save lives and property amid record breaking heat and drought conditions. We’ll have the latest. Other stories were covering, a new study finds a generation of Texas kids affected by pandemic lockdowns and social isolation. What experts are saying about the mental health impact on adolescents. Also the latest on Texan basketball star Britney Griner, now being held in Russia. What the Biden administration is doing to secure her release and where her trial on drug charges stands right now. Plus what horticulture experts say Texans should do to weather the heatwave and much more today on the Texas Standard:

KUT Morning Newscast for July 19, 2022

Central Texas top stories for July 19, 2022. Record high temps today for Central Texas. Austin ends partnership with Front Steps, the nonprofit that manages the downtown shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Teacher vacancies are up across the state. Solar roofing company building a facility in Georgetown. Addressing light pollution in Texas.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 18, 2022

Central Texas afternoon headlines for July 18, 2022. Another heat advisory for Central Texas. Austin ISD proposes two new bonds, will have open board meetings. COVID infections are increasing again. Monkeypox cases, while just a few, are spreading. New MetroRail station next to soccer stadium in north Austin. Gas prices falling to under $4 a gallon.

Texas Standard: July 18, 2022

Systemic failures and poor decision-making cited in a damning report on the Uvalde school shooting. More on the Texas House committee’s 77 page report released this weekend. Also, Texas Democrats gather in Dallas; what’s the game plan for November? And more on record-setting heat expected all week in the Lone Star State. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 11, 2022

How hot is it? Hot enough for ERCOT to ask the state to dial back its power use at temperatures climb back into the triple digits. We’ll have the latest. Also a recent pipe burst in Odessa left the city’s hundred thousand plus residents without water for days. Now comes a warning for lots of small to midsized cities about a ticking time bomb of aging pipes and underground stressors. We’ll hear more. Also a new effort aimed at tracking drug overdoses, most of which go non-reported. And a comeback for the Guadalupe bass. And Texas versus Volkswagen: how the carmakers novel defense could put millions of dollars at stake. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 6, 2022

Texans trying to stay cool this summer could get pretty steamed once they see their power bills. What’s behind rising electricity costs? We’ll take a look. Other stories we’re tracking: the defense department offering assistance to military families wanting to leave states with laws seen as anti LGBTQ, but many face barriers. Carson Frame of Texas Public radio with more. And despite the collapse in crypto markets, crypto mining continues to grow in Texas, now some miners using flared gas to power their operations. And a big win for proponents of the Texas high speed rail project, but the company behind it may be somewhat off the rails. The backstory and much more today on the Texas Standard: