The 86th session of the Texas legislature is history, but is it one for the history books? We’ll take a look at the highs and lows, the winners and losers and more on a special edition of the Texas Standard. At a time of bitterness and division in national politics, a funny thing happened on the way to the Texas legislature in January: the three most powerful figures in Texas politics resolved to get things done without playing to the political extremes. From property tax and school finance reform, mental health care and beyond…we’ll look at who won who lost and how it affects all of us on our special edition of the Standard:
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Texas Standard: May 16, 2019
Are church officials hiding information related to sex abuse claims? We’ll look at how police are explaining a raid of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Also, diplomatic families sent home, energy companies battening down the hatches, amid reports of contingency plans for a possible military confrontation with Iran. A long time White House adviser helps us understand what’s happening. Plus, a modern day home on the range? Why Midland has become a magnet for millennials. And top tips for movie searching in the age of multiple streaming services. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 7, 2019
Is a cut in property tax worth the hike in sales tax? A would be swap gets more scrutiny as an important vote looms on the horizon, we’ll do the numbers. Also, what would be a major expansion of the Texas medical marijuana program gets a big boost in the Texas House. And over on the Senate side, lawmakers take action on school finance fixes, we’ll have details. Also, the emergence of a video sparks calls to reopen the investigation into the arrest and death of Sandra Bland. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 30, 2019
To be or not to be a Senate candidate. Democrats puzzled why an expected challenge to John Cornyn is slow to materialize, we’ll have the latest. Plus, amid what appears to be growing support for gun control efforts in other parts of the U.S., the nation’s biggest gun rights group takes aim against itself? A leadership struggle at the NRA poses one of the most serious threats to the organization in years. And a Texas senator moves to stop publishing the final words of prisoners facing the death sentence. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 18, 2019
Russian election interference and ties to the Trump campaign. We’re tracking the release of the Mueller report. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re following: what may be a preview of the upcoming Texas senate race unfolding at the Texas capitol…results of the census are in. Though it’s probably not the one you’re thinking about, it could nonetheless have a big impact on the Lone Star State. Also, we’ll explain the car of the future will be self driving they tell us. What’s taking so long? Plus, this weekend’s Trip Tip and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 6, 2019
The senate approves pay raises for Texas teachers. The House has a bill of its own. What does it add up to for school reform in a larger sense? We’ll try to reconcile the differences between two approaches for fixing Texas public schools. Also, here’s a sentence some thought they’d never hear: the push to decriminalize marijuana gains momentum in Texas. We’ll get the how and why. And after a wicked cold snap, your forecast for bluebonnets. All those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 10, 2018
The White House Chief of Staff is leaving. The president’s being cagey about the reasons, but there were clear signs this was coming. Earlier this year, NPR’s Texas based correspondent John Burnett landed an exclusive interview with John Kelly, and there were signs of a rupture with his boss even then. Coming up John Burnett joins us to talk about a break long in the making. Also, the Victoria Advocate sues to stop former congressman Blake Farenthold from collecting his paycheck as a lobbyist, we’ll hear why. And the Texas Ag commissioner wants to let farmers grow hemp. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 10, 2018
As a Category 4 hurricane bears down on the Florida panhandle, parts of Texas Hill Country try to recover from flash flooding. Also, after family separations at the border, a new concern grows: an AP investigation finds deported parents in danger of losing kids to U.S. adoption. Plus, do student athletes have a fundamental right to be protected from concussions? We’ll hear of a closely watched civil rights lawsuit filed by parents of an injured player. And a claim from the campaign trail: is marijuana really legal in most states? We run it by Politifact. All that and more, today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: October 3, 2018
Before an important NATO meeting, the Texan representing the U.S. fires off a startling threat to take out Russian missiles. And GOP leaders vow a vote on Kavanaugh by the week’s end, but where do senators stand right now? Also, Politifact does a double take on a claim in the U.S. senate race concerning police force and what’s called a modern day Jim Crow. Plus, the slaughter of pelicans along a stretch of South Texas highway: state officials have a theory on what’s causing the massive bird kill, but will the fix fly? Those stories and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 21, 2018
The president didn’t like the optics, he said, so he signed an executive order. Smoke and mirrors? We’ll take a much closer look at the presidential directive to end family separations and explore what its does and likely does not do. Also the impact of family separation on kids, and how this major story in the U.S. is playing in papers south of the border. And Texas democrats gather for their convention, we’ll have a preview. Plus a look over our shoulder at what the Texas GOP just did. A major change of position on the question of marijuana. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 22, 2018
Your vote does not count! …So think millions of Texans who are going to let a handful of others pick winners and losers. We’ll dive in to what you should look for in the runoffs. History tells us the vast majority of registered voters will not be casting a ballot in the primary runoffs today, and yet there are several key races open and someone will get to decide. Piggy Fikac of the San Antonio express news on 5 things to watch for as the votes come in tonight. Also, after the Santa Fe High School shooting, the Governor called for roundtables on gun violence. Today they get underway. And the return of a baseball legend. In his mid 50’s Palmeiro returns to pro baseball. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 15, 2018
Harris County’s bail system treats the rich differently from the poor. An appeals court affirms that ruling. We’ll have the latest on what’s next and what it could mean for taxpayers. Also, a Texas lawmaker is leading an effort to roll back some requirements aimed at helping the disabled. We’ll explain. Plus, two native Texans are part of a suit that wants the feds to drop marijuana as a schedule 1 drug. What a ruling could mean. And we’ll explore technology as it’s being used in groundbreaking ways at the Olympics. Plus, LBJ did not like his presidential portrait. We’ll tell you why and what he did about it. Those stories and a whole lot more on todays 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: November 30, 2017
A one way ticket back to Texas for Rex Tillerson? A new report details plans for a major cabinet shakeup by year’s end, we’ll have the latest. Also, she was a 25 year old school teacher, a former beauty queen, found dead in April of 1960. Her case: never solved. More than a half century later, a media circus descends on McAllen as opening arguments get underway in the murder trial against a former priest, the last person to see her alive. Also, a case of failure to launch? Why’s progress been so slow at the much ballyhooed SpaceX Texas launch site? And what’s in a name? A whole lot more than most, if the name is maverick. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 12, 2017
As Congress gets ready to approve hurricane aid money, governor Abbot sends a message to the Texas delegation: get a spine! We’ll hear why the governors so angry over the hurricane relief package set to a vote in the house. Plus, why lots of folks in hard hit Victoria are feeling left high and dry by relief efforts so far. And a win for opponents of solitary confinement in Texas and why some say it doesn’t go far enough. Plus outside a rural Texas town perhaps best known for kolaches: the first legal cannabis dispensary in the Lone Star state… not quite like those in California. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 27, 2017
A decades old backlog of evidence gathered after sexual assaults and the Houston lawsuit that could shake things up, we’ll have the story. Plus our question of the day: can a former punk rocker from El Paso stage a Texas sized political upset? The ballad of Beto vs. Ted, and the battle for the US senate. Also, a harvey-sized hit to Texas hospitality? Why there’s no room at the inns. And a little known defense department program has been discovered at a major Texas installation: what is the mission of Starbase Kelly? And why is everyone so small? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 10, 2017
Nixonian or something else? Texans and their political leaders come to terms with an historic move by the White House, we’ll explore. Also more on the surprise firing of the FBI director, reaction from across Texas and what comes next. Plus, new medical facilities sprouting like weeds across Texas, but are they really good for Texas’ health? We’ll hear the controversy. And a law in force since the mid sixties, one which has been largely ignored by cities across the lone star state for decades.Although now, some are speaking a different language. We’ll explain. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 28, 2017
Cities to lose federal dollars for hindering immigration, says the Justice Department. So what does Austin do now? We’ll ask the mayor. Also, want to live in the US? Get in line, or so say those who want stricter enforcement of immigration laws. But where is that line anyway?
We’ll go looking for it. And you’ve heard of the religious right. But now some are pointing to the rise of the religious left. We’ll hear what that means and whether it’s real. And the players know the score, the rhythm is familiar: adagio working up to allegro and a grand finale. You know we’re talking about the Texas legislature, right? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 23, 2017
It used to be the wall, now a new nightmare for Mexico city: where to put thousands of deportees and refugees, we’ll explore. Plus not one, not two, but five new bills aimed at countering campus sexual assault including one that could lead to criminal sanctions against college professors and administrators. And cranes and construction projects crown the skylines of Texas cities. Why a white house order might make half-finished projects permanent fixtures. And help! I’ve fallen and I can get tech. How the digital age is coming to the aid of older Texans. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 21, 2017
Before the highest court in the land: the case of the killing of a teenager at the border, and the question where do we draw the line? Plus first came the Tea Party, then complaints about RINO’s-republicans in name only. As Trump opponents adopt the tea party strategy, a call for the fall of the Dinos? And new numbers on support for the legalization of cannabis in the lone star state. As attitudes change, why does the resistance refuse to go up in smoke? Plus Texas schools turning down federal food money so they can hang on to aid for academics. But if students are too hungry to work, then what? All that and more on the national news show of Texas: