When you can’t make lamb, goat or beef head barbacoa in a pozo, you go to your favorite barbacoa taqueros y taqueras. From Sunday morning traditions to more modern takes on barbacoa, we’re taking a deep dive into barbacoa in Central Texas. We’ll first spend some time with La Santa Barbacha, where they put more of a modern take on barbacoa for those everyday eaters. Then we’ll drive out on a Sunday morning to La Pulga, or as some of you might know it, the 812 Outdoor Market and get it by the pound. Guests include Rosa, Daniela, Uriel, and Doña Landaverde from La Santa Barbacha and Don Miguel Moreno of La Santa Rosa.
Mando Rayo
Texas voting restrictions challenged in court
The trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton continues, but not for long. We’ll have details on the latest testimony from the Senate floor.
State senators could start deliberations in Paxton’s impeachment trial as soon as Thursday.
Texas voting laws go on trial in San Antonio. We’ll have details about a case challenging state bans on 24-hour polls and drive-thru voting.
All that, and how to keep your trees fungus-free, the best bean and cheese taco in Texas, and the latest headlines from across the state. It’s coming up today on the Texas Standard.
Meet Latino James Beard honorees: How this national recognition impacts Latino chefs and makers
Latinos are gaining more seats at the table at the James Beard Foundation Awards! Get to know some of the past and current winners, nominees, and semifinalists from across Texas: 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist Mariela Camacho of Comadre Panadería, 2023 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó, and 2022 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Iliana de la Vega of El Naranjo. Learn from their perseverance, their beginnings, and how they got the attention of this prestigious national foundation.
Mexican Hands: Exploring recipes that were developed by our honored matriarchs, mothers, abuelas, tías and hermanas
In this episode, we discuss how we can honor the matriarchs of nuestras familias. The kind that with their bare hands can flip tortillas over a blazing comal, work and pound masa for tortillas and tamales, and make salsas with their Mexican Hands. Get to know the stories behind the dishes and recipes that are near and dear to our hearts. Guests include Diana Valera from Tamale House East in Austin and Ellen Riojas Clark, Ph.D., Professor Emerita at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Bean and Cheese Battle Royale
You voted and we put the finalists to the challenge! In this episode, we taste the best bean and cheese tacos in San Antonio, Texas. Which bean and cheese combo will be crowned the winner of this Bean & Cheese Battle Royal? Why is this breakfast taco a staple and part of San Antonio’s food culture? Guests include Stephanie Guerra from Puro Pinche, Nydia Huizar and Richard Diaz from BarbacoApparel, and Jaime Macias from Jaime’s Place.
Why the film and TV strikes are at an awful time for Texas
A change in leadership in the embattled Texas foster care system is bringing with it some optimism.
Texas doesn’t have enough space in psychiatric hospitals, so some people are staying in jails instead. We’ll explore their legal limbo.
A new investigation from the Dallas Morning News explores the history and impact of excessive use of police force in Dallas.
The film strikes in Hollywood are having more than just ripple effects here in Texas – why the timing was especially bad for the state.
And it’s Friday, so that means the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap of the week in Texas politics.
Taco Tuesdays in School Cafeterias: Exploring culturally relevant foods in elementary schools
Grab a lunch tray and join us at the cafeteria as we explore Mexican food served in elementary schools. We talk to Austin Independent School District’s Executive Chef Diane Grodek about the food served in schools, cafeteria worker Ofelia Diaz and get honest feedback from kids eating tacos and tamales over lunch at McBee Elementary School in Austin.
Trailer: Tacos of Texas Season Tres
Let’s talk tacos with Mando Rayo, Taco Journalist and the co-creator of United Tacos of America TV Show & Tacos of Texas book and PBS digital series.
As an avid taco ambassador, food explorer and street ethnographer, Mando has traveled across the U.S. to uncover the tastiest tacos, from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to L.A. and New Orleans to New York City. And we’re keeping the conversation front and center through the Tacos of Texas Podcast Season Tres (3).
Keeping it true to our Taco Journalist roots, we’ll talk to Texas taqueros, tortilleras & makers; we’ll also explore food cultures & people while exploring issues like Taco Gentrification, roots of Barbecue and Migrant Farmworker rights. We’ve got some muy rico conversations coming up in season tres and this season we’re reconnecting with the roots and history of nuestra gente including Mexican Hands, Redefining Tex-Mex, Black Mexicans, Taco Tuesday in School Cafeterias y más!
How to catch a wave in Waco
The president of Texas A&M has resigned amid turmoil over the botched hiring of a journalism professor. We’ll have the latest.
Amid record heat, Texas prisoners struggle to cool down in facilities that lack air conditioning.
Harris County has sued the state over a new law that will eliminate its elections department – and, officials say, cause problems for voters.
Texas-raised filmmaker Taylor Sheridan is getting kudos for boosting the number of Native Americans on screen.
The Austin Outlaws, a women’s tackle football team, celebrate a historic season.
Some of the state’s best-known towns for surfing include Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, South Padre Island and … Waco. Yes, Waco.
And taco expert Mando Rayo with top summer sipping tips.
Texas House committee recommends impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton
As the Texas Legislature moves into the final hours of the 88th session, a Republican-led House committee has issued 20 articles of impeachment against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, alleging a yearslong pattern of misconduct by the state’s top law enforcement official.
What happened to the $30 billion+ surplus lawmakers started out with this session?
Revenge of the Swifties: A bill signed into law this week cracks down on robot ticket scalpers.
And Mando Rayo on the art of the taco truck.
Has Texas cracked down on protest after 2020’s racial justice demonstrations?
Do Texans support raising the minimum age to purchase firearms? We’ll hear the results of a new study by the Texas Politics Project.
The struggle to find staffing for the state’s psychiatric hospital system as needs for mental health support post pandemic have grown.
In response to the murder of George Floyd and police brutality broadly, people across Texas headed out to protest. A few years after those demonstrations, there’s been a backlash, writes the Houston Chronicle’s Jeremy Wallace.
Fusion … or something more? Taco journalist Mando Rayo on the similarities between food from Mexico and the Philippines.
And the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin on what may be emerging as the front-runner to replace Twitter.
What Texans think lawmakers should prioritize this legislative session
Texans say the border should be the top priority for the state Legislature this session, according to a new poll. We’ll dig into the results.
Questions about how the Center for Law and Human Behavior at the University of Texas at El Paso selected two Border Patrol agents for fellowships.
Taco expert Mando Rayo talks about his favorite traditional mom-and-pop eateries across the Lone Star State.
Piano music fills the air as El Paso hosts the Borderland Chopin festival spotlighting the beloved composer.
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 rock stars and unsung heroes of Texas guitar playing
2 years after the insurrection on Capitol Hill the implications of the event and its aftermath for Texas and Texans. We’ll have more. Also on this January 6th, a look at concerns about extremism among some who previously served their country in the military. And order in the court? Despite discrepancies in representation between men and women in many fields, Texas bucking national trends with what some have called a golden age of elected female judges. And taco journalist Mando Rayo serves up some tips for home cooking. Plus the greatest Texas guitarists of all time, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 8, 2022
From the Governor’s office to the Attorney Generals race and other statewide contests plus 38 congressional seats, it’s decision day in Texas. With early voter turnout reported low across the Lone Star State, turnout at the polls today could be make of break in several key races. We’ll be checking in with reporters to see how it’s looking at ballot locations across Texas. Other stories we’re tracking: concerns about voting observers and fears among election workers over voter intimidation. Also, an F.A.Q. for those voting today. Plus world series victory celebrations in Houston and much more today on the Texas Standard: