Employees of Child Protective Services quitting over the state’s policy to investigate families providing gender affirming care to transgender teens. Reports say the agency charged with protecting children in Texas is on the brink of collapse, we’ll hear more. Also, a small voyage for a boat, a giant leap for the long leaky Battleship Texas. We’ll have more on plans to save an historic ship. And two of the most prominent pop stars in the world, both hailing from Texas, both deciding to remove an offensive word from their lyrics. One critic says it elevates the conversation about ableism. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Housing
Texas Standard: August 30, 2022
As a debate grows over whether or not the US is in a recession, where does Texas stand, and where’s the state’s economy headed? After the economic downturn of 2008, many people pointed to the resiliency of the Lone Star State as the Texas Miracle. But the current economic picture has many wondering about the toll on Texas and what it means going forward. We’ll talk with an economist at the Dallas Fed. Also after the Dobbs decision, why some LGBTQ couples across Texas are making plans to defend same sex marriage. And it survived two wars but will it survive a move tomorrow through the Houston ship channel? The future of the Battleship Texas. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 25, 2022
Are billions in school debt owed by Texans about to be written off the books? We’ll look at what President Biden’s announcement adds up to for Texans. Other stories we’re tracking: buying out of flood prone property: what it could mean for a region ravaged by Hurricane Harvey 5 years ago. Also after this weeks rains in North Texas, how the struggle’s just beginning for some families. And as housing prices skyrocket across Texas and many parts of the nation, military allowances not keeping up. And is the University of Texas about to pass Harvard as the country’s wealthiest university?Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 23, 2022
Deadly, destructive downpours across large parts of Texas. What’s the damage and what comes next? A disaster declaration in Dallas county amid widespread flash flooding, hundreds of car rescues and flooded homes. The governor puts the state emergency operations center on standby and plans to visit the hard hit DFW area today. Plus in the aftermath of Uvalde, how police in school districts have been preparing for back to school. And the push to help kids in rural Texas in need of mental health care. Also the debut of a novelist already being hailed as Texas’ Faulkner. And the Black family at the heart of the narrative. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 22, 2022
After the recent Supreme Court ruling proponents of abortion rights and same sex marriage protections are turning to Congress. But is there enough support? We’ll take a look. Also Texas teens across the board are dealing with increased mental health challenges since the start of the pandemic. But for trans teens finding the right mental health care support can be an extra hurdle. And first responders face high risk on the job. But when some Texas firefighters, officers and EMS workers have filed workers compensation claims they’ve found roadblock upon roadblock. Plus it’s not just home sale prices that are through the roof in Texas, it’s also rent. So can you negotiate with your landlord? And the study of Harry Styles. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 13, 2022
At the hearings on the January 6th insurrection, the spotlight turns to the some potentially key figures from Texas. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: an 85 billion dollar ten year transportation plan for Texas. What it includes and what it leaves out as the state tries to deal with a growing population. And with that growing population, a boom in new home construction. But why so many delays in finishing projects? Plus water levels low on many Texas rivers and questions about whether businesses catering to river recreation will sink or swim. And the Mexican activists fielding calls from Texans seeking abortions. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 10, 2022
What new revelations from a nationally broadcast congressional hearing on the January 6th capitol insurrection. We’ll have more on the primetime hearings and their potential impact. Also, the effect of child abuse investigations of Texas families providing gender affirming care to their trans kids. Now three more families suing the state. Lauren McGaughy of the Dallas Morning News with the latest. And the Texas Tribune gets an exclusive extended interview with the school police chief at the center of criticism over his handling of the Uvalde school shooting. We’ll hear some of the key takeaways. And record high housing prices, signs of a bubble? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 18, 2022
Let em roll: Texas’ governor lifts his recently announced state inspections on commercial traffic at the border. What impact did Abbott’s beefed up border inspection protocol really have on immigration and the economy? Molly Smith of El Paso Matters with more. Also, as consumer prices rise at rates not seen since the early 1980s, what some in South Texas are doing to try to make ends meet. And he’s best known from Netflix’ Queer Eye, but in his role as a Texas based author, Jonathan Van Ness hopes that sharing his own story will help others embrace life’s complications. Our conversation and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 25, 2022
The Supreme Court rules in a case involving death row inmates and the involvement of spiritual advisors at executions. We’ll look at the implications. Other stories were tracking: after a court ordered stay, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton appeals to the Texas supreme court to permit child abuse investigations into parents who help their transgender kids access gender-affirming care. Also, with the expiration of pandemic bans on evictions, something somewhat unexpected happening in some courtrooms. We’ll hear the backstory. Plus the week in Texas politics and the search for the ultimate roller coaster. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 17, 2022
Looking back at the winter storm of last February and why one year later disparities in the death toll persist; Mose Buschele, of KUT Austin, has more on that story. Also, efforts to secure federal recognition for Texas’ emancipation trail. And, the state’s legal challenge to the company formerly known as Facebook. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 28, 2022
How did a British foreign National on a security watch list obtain the gun used in the North Texas synagogue attack? The FBI says it has arrested the person who supplied the gun used by the hostage taker in the attack on a Colleyville synagogue two weeks ago. But many questions remain. We’ll have the latest. Also- a federal judge puts the brakes on planned strike by BNSF Railway workers. We’ll look at the implications and what comes next. And as more Texans seek COVID-19 tests, more scammers crop up taking money and personal information. A San Antonio health official on how to spot COVID-19 test scams. Plus the week in politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 27, 2022
With news of Stephen Breyer’s retirement, a Texas legal scholar offers an inside look at who might be on President Biden’s short list for the supreme court. Also, a new commodity for Texas farmers and ranchers that could help save the world; why so few are currently buying in. Plus, Omar Gallaga with some choice words about the Wordle craze. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 25, 2022
As the U.S. places troops on high alert, Texans continue to track developments in Ukraine and whether there are yet ways to stop a war. Texas-based geopolitical scholar Jeremi Suri joins us to talk about whether there’s still a diplomatic option as tensions rise over Ukraine. Meanwhile, The standard’s Jill Ament reports how Ukrainian Americans here in Texas are congregating in solidarity. Also, Texas among the top states for eviction filings, even as unspent dollars or pandemic rent relief go back to Washington unspent. Plus when you turn off location tracking, is Google still following you? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 21, 2022
What, exactly, does Governor Abbott’s newly unveiled “Parental Bill of Rights” really mean for Texas public schools? Also, many renters in Hays county brace themselves as federal dollars for a covid rent relief program disappear. Those stories, the week in politics, and more today on the Texas Standard:
Bonus! Gina Chavez and Joe Greenwald at ACL Music Festival
Miles Bloxson speaks to Latin Grammy nominee Gina Chavez and artist manager Joe Greenwald at Austin City Limits Music Festival back in October of 2021. They talk about navigating the pandemic and issues facing the Austin music scene.
How some Austin musicians are finding housing help with HOME
In the latest episode, you’ll learn about Austin Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers or HOME. This Austin organization helps older musicians with housing and living expenses.
You’ll hear from Marcia Ball and Rosie Flores.
How Austin’s housing market helped build the music scene, and how it could destroy it
In the latest episode of Pause/Play, we’re looking at how the housing market helped build Austin’s music scene, and how it could be the thing that destroys it. You’ll hear from Austin artists about how the housing market has changed for them over the years and why some of them have decided to leave. You’ll also learn about the connection between cheap housing and thriving music scenes, musician incomes, and Austin’s housing market from experts Nicky Rowling, Michael Seman, and Audrey McGlinchy.
In this episode you’ll hear from:
Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel
Robert A. Kraft
Laura Mendoza from Cosmic Chaos
Gina Chavez
Chinasa Broxton
Listen to the documentary “Back Home to the Armadillo”
Texas Standard: December 2, 2021
Reading between the lines of questioning in one of the most potentially consequential abortion cases since Roe vs. Wade. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: how the Texas Capitol city appears to be on track to become the least affordable city in the country after California. We’ll talk with the New York Times reporter who wrote about those findings. Also small Texas towns, big problems with cybersecurity. Omar Gallaga on what they’re doing to try to manage the threat. And the fruitcake fraud of Corsicana, now the subject of a documentary film, we’ll talk with the director and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 19, 2021
More than 20 Texas representatives say they won’t be seeking re-election next year. The latest to announce, one of the most senior members of the house. Our conversation with Garnet Coleman of Houston on why after 30 years, he’s stepping aside. Plus from natural disasters to COVID-19, Army and Air National Guard troops have been on the front lines. Now signs of strain in the ranks of the guard. We’ll have the latest. Also a more complicated history of Thanksgiving than the story so often retold and how to talk about it with kids. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 15, 2021
A serious candidate is running for Texas governor as a democrat, and chances are you know his name. Coming up, our conversation with Beto O’Rourke about his plan to challenge Greg Abbott in 2022. Also, as president Biden signs a bill for bridges roads and broadband, how Texas’ biggest city plans to move the money around…if they get it. Plus after setting new records for skyrocketing prices, has the Texas real estate bubble burst? Yes, but there’s more. Also teaching black history to white people. A Texas professor and author with decades of firsthand experience. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard: