It may be April first, but the President’s team is doubling down: the threat to close the southern border is quite serious. Mexico is Texas’s top trading partner, and concerns are growing over the possibility and the viability of a border shutdown. Also, the border agent who had a secret: he too, was an undocumented immigrant. And Houston, we have liftoff: a race for space-related books on the 50th anniversary of the 1st moon landing. Plus researchers trying to save Texas bats: a danger of doing more harm than good? All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Kirkus Review
Texas Standard: February 18, 2019
A construction on what at the border? As the wall gets the lion’s share of attention, a new facility for asylum seekers is going up. We’ll have details. Also, we often bemoan the growing political divide. But is it possible we were just born this way? A new book by a San Antonio based researcher makes claims about a biological basis for our political inclinations. And a Dallas sports legend who’s done more from globalizing basketball. Plus a presidential pop quiz for Texans. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 22, 2018
Kids are taught of how they traveled across the sea to escape persecution: what of those making pilgrimages to safety in modern times? We’re reconsidering what many describe as a global refugee crisis. But is it truly a crisis? And just how overwhelming does it have to be? From the UN High Commission for Refugees, to groups here in Texas working directly to help resettled the displaced, to the reasons for the persistent role of religion and faith, refugees are our focus – today on a special Thanksgiving edition of the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: September 27, 2018
A new phase in the fight over the Kavanaugh nomination gets underway, raising questions of what due process means in the Me Too era. The latest on the confirmation of President Trump’s high court nominee and placing the proceedings in a different sort of historical context. Also, the 5G revolution: experts tell us it will change our lives. But as local officials look at regulation, the Feds now say hands off. Tech guru Omar Gallaga with what’s at stake. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 3, 2018
As Texans headed out for the long holiday weekend, a surprise ruling in a Texas courtroom over a Texas challenge to DACA. DACA is the Obama era program protecting young immigrants brought here illegally from being deported. Now a judge in Texas, considered sympathetic to the state’s claims to stop DACA, refuses to pull the plug. Why does Attorney general Ken Paxton think he’s closer to victory? We’ll find out. Also, labor day signals the final sprint in the race to election day. We’ll size up the top races across Texas. And a resurgence of unions? In the Lone Star State? The numbers say yes. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 27, 2018
After fears yesterday of a broader downturn following Facebook’s steep stock drop, a stunning new number on the state of the economy. 4.1%: that’s how fast the economy grew in the second quarter. We’ll look at what the numbers add up to in this time of tariffs and talk of trade wars. Also, Nicaragua reported to be in a state of siege, the people at the mercy of paramilitaries. We’ll take a look at what’s happening there and could it mean a new wave of asylum seekers. Plus, the hype around 5G: why all eyes are on Houston for what could be a disrupter for the cable industry. Plus the week that was in Texas politics and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 4, 2018
After sexual abuse and other scandals, the agency that oversees juvenile justice in Texas puts out a plan for a major overhaul. But will it be enough? We’ll have details. Also, the highest court in in the state takes a step that effectively forces Texas to reveal something it doesn’t want to: the name of the company that supplies its execution drug. Why the fight, and why isn’t the court buying Texas’s explanation for keeping silent? And after pushback from physicians, the state’s largest health insurer says it will now delay plans to second guess emergency room visits. Plus after countless failed attempts to deal with feral hogs, yet another plan, inspired by bacon. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 23, 2018
Lupe Valdez is the Democratic gubernatorial nominee. We’ll take a look at what she faces as she sets her sights towards the November Election, and Greg Abbott. Plus, we’ll break down the runoff results and hear from the political experts about which races surprised them and which could be clues to what could happen next Election Day. We’ll also look at the conversation from the Governor’s first roundtable on how to prevent school shootings like the one that devastated Santa Fe. And we’ll fact-check some of the claims that came out in the wake of the shooting. Also, drought conditions in Texas are causing some ranchers to take dire measures. We’ll talk to one. Those stories and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 1, 2018
A Foster care system so dangerous to kids, its been ruled unconstitutional. Should the Feds be permitted to order a fix for Texas? We’ll have the latest. Also, after parkland everyone seems to have an opinion on whether there should be tighter controls on guns. But some Texans with a personal stake in the matter say they don’t have a seat at the table, and they’re demanding a hearing. We’ll hear why. Also, Sprint and T-Mobile want to get married. If anyone has reasons why these two should not be wed, it might be Texas-based AT&T who’s fighting its own anti-trust battle at the moment. We’ll hear why that might matter to you. Plus a surprise endorsement in the Governor’s race and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 28, 2018
A controversial change already facing a legal challenge: how might Texas be affected by a new citizenship question in the next US census? We’ll explore. Also, five months after a massacre in Sutherland Springs, church officials announce new plans to rebuild, we’ll hear the latest. And what if you could compare the earnings potential of one college degree against another? Despite a federal ban on collecting such data, Texas’ flagship university is doing the numbers, we’ll explore the implications. And it was James Dean’s final film, and a larger than life commentary on Texas as a microcosm of America. The editor of Kirkus Review calls a new book the definitive account of the movie ‘Giant’. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 8, 2018
The Texas primaries are just around the corner. We’ll follow the money to find out which big organizations are funding candidates so far. Also the numbers are devastating and they seem to be growing. What’s behind an uptick in child abuse deaths in Texas? And a central Texas university is mired in debate about racism involving the student body president. We’ll have the story. Plus as the state’s first medical cannabis oil dispensary opens we’ll talk with a doctor about why even those eligible for a CBD oil prescription might have a hard time getting one. And a new book about an odyssey in the Texas Hill Country is getting a lot of praise and complimentary comparisons. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 17, 2017
When he arrived in Texas 3 years ago, many cheered the return of the american held captive. But a new chapter in that story begins. What’s next for Bowe Bergdahl now that he’s pleaded guilty to charges in connection with his own disappearance, we’ll explore. Also: officials in Houston taking a hard second look at defending against another Harvey, we’ll have details. And the remittance marketplace with Mexico: multibillion dollar business. Could an app shake it up the way Uber has with taxis? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 18, 2017
According to the US census bureau the American middle class is back, but what about in Texas? We’ll have a check in across the lone star state. Also: SB4, the wall, a boost in deportations. Taken together, is this having an impact on health? And the offer for aid that that some Harvey victims regret having taken. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 1, 2016
Inaccurate signs, incorrect information. Reports of problems at the polls balloon as to concerns about the impact on voting, we’ll explore. Also: what would Dan do? Amid the campaign chaos, the longtime voice of the CBS evening news warns our focus should be shifting to what happens after election day. Plus more than just a hobby: the new owner of the Texas Monthly tells us change is on the horizon for an iconic brand. And we’ve heard a lot about payday lending and some churches have heard enough. Now some communities of faith are taking action. And what shape is Texas in? That of a swimming pool? Or maybe it’s the other way around? We take the plunge today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 6, 2016
Wags have wondered when Texas politics might finally turn purple. Fresh signs we might be closing in on grape season, we’ll have the details. Plus talk about guns on campus but is anyone listening anymore? Plus health officials say many early deaths in Texas are preventable, or would be if not for a major missing link: the data. What needs to be done to fill in the blanks. And the president tries to reassure pacific leaders on a controversial trade deal, but how reassured do you feel? Plus summer, the joke’s on you: now’s the season for serious readers. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 28, 2016
The decision’s come down, but now what? As Texas abortion rights advocates celebrate opponents recalibrate. We’ll explore. Also though crime remains down in general, in Texas cities and across the us, what some are calling a nearly unprecedented wave of homicides. We’ll explore why. Plus an invitation to the rest of the nation: West Texas wants your nuclear waste? We’ll hear what’s up…and why it might not be a solution for the ages. And not just preaching to the choir, how messages from the pulpit may be changing foster care. And just how long should a baseball stadium last? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 14, 2016
It has been described as an unspeakable act, but how we’re speaking about it may say a lot about who we are as a people. We’ll explore. Also would you give up your rights for an insurance discount? So reads the headline in the Dallas Morning news…we’ll hear about a provocative proposal for a state with the third highest home insurance rates in the nation. Plus, 3 things to watch for as Texas democrats convene this week in San Antonio. And Hamlet for Hispanic Boys? A new book puts a Shakespearean Classic in a distinctly Texan setting. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 24, 2016
He once investigated a presidential sex scandal. Today Ken Starr, now a president himself, in the spotlight over how Baylor handled sex crimes. We’ll explore. Also arguments in one of the biggest voting rights battles in recent years. We’ll have details. Also Had enough of the TSA? Longer than ever lines and now a high profile shakeup suggest a major change just in time for summer. And speaking of—three top tips for summer reading, hand picked by the editor of Kirkus reviews. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 23, 2016
Washington and Moscow say no more shooting to give peace a chance. A fix for Syria, or more like the fix is in? Also what’s in a name? An election seen by some as a test for whether Spanish surnames are penalized at the polls. Also for medical emergencies there’s 9-1-1… but who’re you gonna call when the lights go off and the food runs out? Some new number’s trickling in…And a scathing court order to rebuild Texas foster care… that no one seems to be talking about. all that and more, Check your watches, it’s Texas Standard time: