Half of Houstonians rent their homes but the city hasn’t passed protections against eviction in this current economic situation. We’ll take a closer look. Plus- to play ball or not. The field of college sports is starting to look very different as we near the start of seasons. And another uncertain future? American agriculture. Actually, the future looks certainly dire unless there are some changes. Then there’s school reopening. We’ll hear from a former U.S. Secretary of Education about why we have to try and how to do it safer. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Houston
Texas Standard: August 5, 2020
After first asking for an extension to complete the census count, a sudden u-turn. The impact on Texas could last for a decade or more, we’ll have details. Also, more women are unemployed now than at any time since the late 1940’s, and women of color are among the hardest hit. What some are calling America’s first female recession, and what’s behind it. And residents along the gulf coast finding more effective ways to deal with an active hurricane season amid a pandemic. Plus a claim that 1 in 3 texans can’t access health insurance. A Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 4, 2020
New numbers on COVID-19 testing in Texas tell us what, exactly? An investigative report by the Houston Chronicle says many Coronavirus test results are not included in official counts trying to chart the spread of COVID-19. We’ll hear why not and what it means for efforts to stem the spread of the virus. Also, El Paso students reflect on the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern U.S. history, one year on. And newsman Dan Rather on a plan to improve education. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 23, 2020
According to published reports, the Rio Grande Valley may have the worst rate of COVID-19 hospitalization in the country. We’ll talk with the mayor of Harlingen today. Also, food banks across the Lone Star State brace for increased demand in August. We’ll hear why. Plus more on the abrupt shutdown of the Chinese consulate in Houston as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure with espionage claims. And the app from a China based company that some lawmakers are trying to ban. Tech expert Omar Gallaga with details. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 22, 2020
The state’s largest school district has plans to start the year online and could extend that a little more. Houston ISD’s interim superintendent joins us to talk about the weight of planning this school year. We’ll also hear from teachers who are frankly afraid for themselves and their families, but also love being in the classroom. And a Texas law expert joins us to parse out exactly what’s going on with federal agents arresting people in Portland. Plus a harrowing story about COVID-19 and Texas ICE detention centers. That and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 14, 2020
New York City: once considered the national epicenter in the fight against COVID-19, now health experts fear a Texas city has taken its place. Hospitals in Houston struggling to deal with the pandemic on a scale similar to that of New York City in late spring. Our conversation with New York Times reporter Dr.Sherri Fink. Also, a warning from climatologists about a coming drought that could reshape Texas for the long term. And getting schooled by Selena: a Texas University launches a first of its kind course. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 9, 2020
Calling it a clear and present danger to Texas’ biggest city, the mayor of Houston cancels the upcoming Texas Republican Convention, we’ll have details. Also, as metro areas sound alarms over the rise of Coronavirus cases, few counties have been as hard hit as one in a remote part of northeast Texas: the view from Titus county. Also in a state that likes to toot its horn as number one, new numbers from the census are nothing to brag about. Why Texas ranks near the bottom in an important census year metric, and what that could add up to. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 3, 2020
After days of resisting calls from local leaders, governor Abbott imposes fines for those who refuse to use facial coverings in public, saying it’s a necessary step to avoid a return to another lockdown as virus cases set new records in Texas. We’ll have the latest. Also, a first person story of becoming a U.S. citizen in a period of pandemic. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 29, 2020
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds an important decision in a case concerning access to abortions, closely watched in the Lone Star State. We’ll have the latest. Also, amid a pandemic, the start of early voting statewide in primary runoff elections. What’s been called a dry run for November. And a second look at a string of police shootings in Houston that predate the killing of George Floyd, and what they could mean for the future of police transparency. Plus Texas researchers develop a sensor to distinguish between symptoms of the flu and COVID-19. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 15, 2020
A spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas raising concerns, we’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: troops that refused to deploy to cities during demonstrations over the killing of George Floyd now face possible discipline. Also the tweet from Texas that sparked a national conversation about life as a person of color in higher ed’s ivory tower. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 11, 2020
Amid calls for defunding and dismantling police departments nationwide, Texas cities take up proposals for reexamining spending on law enforcement. A tale of two cities, both under pressure to change the calculus when it comes to policing and reform in the name of racial justice. We’ll hear from reporters in Houston and Austin. Also, museums across Texas struggling to reopen after a pandemic lockdown. And love in the time of COVID-19, Tech expert Omar Gallaga on how virtual matchups may outlive the virus. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 4, 2020
A Texas police chief’s tactic for defusing tensions between demonstrators and police: join the march. As demonstrators continue protests over police tactics, Houston’s police chief talks why he’s joining demonstrators in the streets, and what he’s hearing from protesters. Also whether curfews are working to curb violence in San Antonio. Plus, despite a need for more contact tracing to combat COVID-19, why Texas is declining to use a smartphone solution. And listener questions on COVID-19 and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 3, 2020
Though a more peaceful evening across Texas, voices continue to rise over police force against African Americans and people of color. Amid days of demonstrations over policing, a former Texas mayor and one-time presidential candidate decides it’s time for a full throated endorsement of Joe Biden. Our conversation with Julian Castro on what was, for him, a tipping point. Also, the return of the Brown Berets to El Paso. And an attempt to get back to normal at Texas A&M. We’ll talk with the system’s chancellor and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 28, 2020
The Texas Supreme Court rules fear of contracting Coronavirus is not a disability under election law. We’ll have more on the decision in the vote-by mail controversy and why it may not prove to be the final word on the subject. Also as institutions of higher ed struggle over how to move forward, we talk to the presidents of two historically black colleges about how best to help the communities they serve, especially hard hit by COVID-19. Plus Dr. Fred Campbell takes more listener questions about the Coronavirus and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 27, 2020
Is it too dangerous to vote in person? New safety guidelines for election season and how they’re connected to the fight over mail in ballots in Texas. Also, how a pandemic is an unseen player in congressional races statewide. And an innovative program in Bexar county to help tens of thousands furloughed and fired, with payments plus retraining. Plus apprehensions at the border, the lowest ever? A Politifact check plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 30, 2020
60 state lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, call on the Governor to explain a lack of transparency concerning apparent hotspots statewide. The letter to Governor Abbott cites Coronavirus outbreaks at long term care facilities for the elderly and the lack of information on what’s being done to protect residents and staffers. We’ll talk to the representative who drafted the letter. Also, a federal class action lawsuit that claims thousands are being denied relief checks because they’re married to immigrants without social security numbers. And Dr. Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes on more listener questions about COVID-19 and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 8, 2020
If you’re a nonessential worker and you’re out for a drive, what happens if you get pulled over? The realities of police work during a pandemic. Today, our conversation with the chief of police of the Texas Capitol City on enforcement of stay at home orders, and how police are dialing back some of what they do to keep officers safe.. Also state parks and historic sites now shuttered. We’ll hear from the head of Texas Parks and Wildlife. Plus the boom in urban bear hunts: teddy bears that is. Some practical tips for first time hunters and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 10, 2020
Ted Cruz has done it. Others in Texas are being urged to do it too. What does it mean to self-quarantine? And what are best practices? We’ll have answers. Also, a big time downturn in Texas oil country: how low could prices go, and at what point might widespread layoffs ripple across the Lone Star State? And Fort worth schools trying to bounce back from a hack, we’ll explain. Plus, is the use of CBD products protected by federal law? A case out of San Antonio raising questions about CBD, drug tests, and reasonable accommodation by employers. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 5, 2020
More than two million Texans showed up to vote, but some of them had to wait for hours to cast a ballot. Voter suppression or mismanagement? We’ll explore. Plus now primary results are in, how useful were the polls leading up to the election? We’ll hear from one of the pollster at the University of Texas. Also, the growing number of Democrats who say Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders needs to pick a woman as a running mate, we’ll explore. And Coronavirus fears harming business from Houston’s Chinatown to Austin’s SXSW. And what’s it like to be a U.S. soldier deployed to the U.S. border with Mexico? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 27, 2020
Democrats in the presidential race sticking around the Lone Star State to do something here they haven’t in recent election cycles: campaign. We’ll have some tips. Lots of change in Texas since the last time democratic presidential candidates fought door to door for delegates. We’ll have a primer on what not to take for granted, from our own Joy Diaz. Also, high tech to help schools track kids. And you’ve heard the expression what a difference a day makes? Saturday will mark one small leap for us all…how and why and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: