The start of the 2021 Texas legislative session, minus some lawmakers who plan to skip what they call as a super-spreader event. Also, as the governor announces several new hubs for the distribution of covid vaccines, others worry about Texas’ role as a hub for vaccine misinformation. Plus Dr. Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes on more of your questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine in Texas. And disorder in the court: as case go unresolved due to the pandemic. And fights over water: an ongoing part of the Texas story, but could the final chapter be forthcoming thanks to new research? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Human Trafficking
Texas Standard: December 2, 2020
With Texas reporting new record high numbers of Coronavirus cases, a warning from Washington that more needs to be done, we’ll have details. Also, as the fight against COVID-19 continues, setbacks reported in the war against human trafficking in Texas. Plus high hopes versus realistic expectations: with change at the White House, what Texas immigrant rights advocates think they’ll see when it comes to changes on the ground. And rarely has a nation been so well served by a people so ill treated. Now the postal service set to celebrate the Japanese American soldiers who saved thousands of Texans in WWII. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 25, 2020
The Supreme Court says it won’t intervene in a high profile Texas death row appeal. But that might not be their last word on the case of Rodney Reed, we’ll have details. Also after El Paso, Midland Odessa, Sutherland Springs and Santa Fe high, are attitudes about gun control shaping up to be a factor in the Texas vote this year? We’ll take a closer look. Plus a death by feral hog: why a Texas community is second-guessing the official account. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 23, 2019
The Supreme Court appears to take DACA off the table in shutdown negotiations, but where does that leave thousands of DACA recipients in Texas? We’ll explore. Also in the Texas Standard newsroom, another Supreme Court order we’re assessing: the impact of the reinstatement of the Trump administration’s so-called transgender military ban. We’ll take a look at the impact of those seeking to serve. And police, veterans, cancer research, political action committees have formed around lots of worthy causes. But where’s the money going? A look at so called scam pacs and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 3, 2019
The calendars have switched over to 2019 and that means some new Texas laws are or will soon go into effect. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Also, Mexico’s new president is making the entire border with the U.S. into a special zone to encourage would-be migrants to stay put. We’ll ask one expert whether the plan will work. Plus, jobs these days often involve sitting at a desk and getting food is as easy as pushing a button… How our hunter-gatherer bodies aren’t adapting. And have you ever seen an albino cockroach? It may not be what you think. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 13, 2018
Is there a Speaker in the House? Texas lawmakers rally around a replacement for Joe Straus and introduce a raft of new potential laws. More than 400 bills already proposed to kick off the 2019 legislative session, we’ll hear about the big ones. Also, Helen Keller and Hillary Clinton out of the classroom? Proposed new standards for Texas public school history classes. And Historian H.W. Brands on why the generation after the founding fathers matters today. And remembering Stan Lee: the passing of a hero maker hits home for a Texas writer. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 8, 2018
Lost in large part in the immediate aftermath of the midterms: do you really know what’s changed in the Texas legislature? We’ll get you up to speed. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick may have held on to his partisan supermajority, but he may have a tougher fight over issues of social conservatism. Two state lawmakers, a Democrat and a Republican offer a reality check. Also, a gut check when it comes to probiotics. They’re all the rage, promising better digestion and better health, but a Texas researcher raises serious new questions. And did Texas shut down the world biggest marketplace for human trafficking? A politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 27, 2018
Turnout looks up at the polls and some political rallies draw big crowds. But what does excitement about the primaries really mean for election results? We’ll explore. Also, there’s been a lot said about more women running for office and more minorities. Today a look at what veterans could bring to the race. Plus federal legislation on sex trafficking is getting some pushback from technology companies. Why they’re concerned about culpability. And another delay on DACA: It’s continued protection from deportation for those enrolled in the program but also continued uncertainty. What all the back and forth could be doing to their health. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 27, 2017
2018: the year of the underdog? With two weeks left for filing in next years elections, why it may turn into the year of the under card. Also- the emergency within an emergency. As Harvey’s rains hammered Houston, a chemical plant fire created the potential for an explosive catastrophe. What a new report says about disaster preparation in one of the world’s petrochemical capitals. Also the keystone pipeline once again takes center stage after an oil spill. And pushing back against the bullies. A north Texas mosque trying to help young muslims. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 27, 2017
A deadly discovery in South Texas with echoes of the past: why is Texas at the epicenter of the human smuggling crisis? We’ll have the story. Also the terms are used almost interchangeably: human trafficking and human smuggling. We’ll look at what the difference is, and why it matters in the wake of 10 deaths in the back of a tractor trailer. Plus a sad sign of of an oil rebound? Experts point to a boom in methamphetamine use in the oil fields of west Texas. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 25, 2017
From sea to shining sea, or something else? The White House order goes out today to build that wall. Also, Governor abbott issues a threat to a central Texas sheriff over her sanctuary city plan: if she doesn’t back down, we’ll remove her from office, we’ll have more. Also, more than 300 thousand in bondage in Texas. The first hard numbers on what’s been called modern day slavery. Plus, something special in the air? Fight attendants at a major Texas based airline say their uniforms are making them sick. And a new focus for space researchers: what’s happening to astronauts’ eyesight? All that and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 9, 2016
Texas is a hotbed for human trafficking but there may be something that makes it unique: the cantina connection. We’ll explore. Also more questions than answers in the aftermath of a school shooting in west Texas. What we know and what it means for life in a normally tranquil small desert town. And lessons from the disaster that struck the coast of Texas this time 8 years ago. Also, swapping woodwinds and strings from picket signs: a celebrated symphony goes on strike and high schools soon may blow the whistle on Friday night kickoffs. Plus the week in Texas politics and we’re just getting started. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 15, 2015
Less than 5 years after epic fires in Bastrop County, emergency crews return to the scene to battle another disaster. Also, what’s the proper income for a city official in a tiny south Texas town of 7000? Does more than 200 thousand dollars sound about right? He says the city’s getting a deal. We’ll meet him. Modern day slavery -how do popular perceptions match what Texas police are seeing? And a Texas man gets life in prison for his role in the dark web…but how does one prove guilt or innocense in an era of online anonymity? All of that and more on todays Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 1, 2015
Crisis at the border, an influx of families, human trafficking—sound familiar? Connecting the borders of Mexico and Europe…another battle of the titans Houston versus Dallas—only this time the competitions not better food or prettiest building…its the future for kids. Also of some 600 plus new laws kicking in today, we’ll try to scope out the top 5 which might have the biggest impact.