If a gun is sold to a mass shooter, can the gun store be held accountable? A lawsuit against a Texas based sports shop is in the spotlight, we’ll explore. Also innocent until proven guilty, but those with money often get to walk before trial: now a move to change the rules on cash-bail statewide. We’ll talk to the Texas senator behind the effort. And what’s behind increased political polarization? According to a Texas researcher, it’s the demise of the local newspaper. If she’s right, now what? All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Mental Health
Texas Standard: December 28, 2018
The border remains the top issue in national politics, but in Texas it’s also a local issue. We’ll hear from a state representative on the latest in her district. Plus, Texas is once again one of the deadliest states for law enforcement officers. We’ll break down the numbers including a disturbing trend involving firearm deaths. And if one Texas lawmaker has his way the severance tax could get a bit of a makeover in the next legislative session. What it is and why you should care. Also, the Texan believed to be the country’s oldest man has died at 112. We’ll take a look back at his life. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 24, 2018
9 people dead, 22 others injured, since 2006 because of natural gas leaks. What are Texas regulators doing about it? An investigative reporter with the Dallas Morning News tells us about dangers facing homeowners due to natural gas leaks and the failure of Texas regulators to to hold companies accountable. We’ll hear details. And going up? Normally gas prices drift lower as we move into fall, but a 4 year high in the price of crude today has some worried. We’ll look at what’s behind it. And our attitude toward doctors: bad for our health? All of that and then some coming up today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 24, 2018
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announces millions in grants to address school safety concerns after a recent shooting, but what about mental health? We’ll take a look at the details. Also, Texas headlines have been dominated by the upcoming one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. But Harris County voters seem unmotivated to make a trip to the polls to vote on future flood prevention plans. We’ll look at why. And the smallest shrimpers on the Texas Gulf coast may have taken the biggest hit from Harvey. We’ll hear their stories. Also, what was your most uncertain moment during the storm? That’s the question we asked Texans. Plus a top tier college football coach briefly sidelined. What it says about the state of sports leadership. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 7, 2018
The state Senate has some suggestions to combat school violence. We’ll take a look at what they mean for students settling into the new school year. Also, separated from her three-year-old without any explanation. A Mexican woman who legally sought asylum in California four months ago is telling her story desperate to be reunited with her daughter. And one of the largest home developers in Dallas continues to operate in the red. But a new CEO for Dallas Habitat for Humanity has a plan to turn things around. Plus, a new book tells the story of the Texas doctor who created the artificial heart. And Austin is looking to score a major league soccer team. What it means for San Antonio’s chances to do the same. Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Framing Discourse
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in a debate that it doesn’t occur to us to change the frame of the conversation. However, as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, it’s always important to find new ways to talk about and think about things.
Texas Standard: June 25, 2018
Are Texas election maps racially gerrymandered, designed to dilute minority vote? It’s a case that’s been 7 years in the making: a challenge to Texas’ redistricting maps claiming that when those lines were drawn, the intent was racially discriminatory, Unconstitutional. A lower court agreed with the plaintiffs, but today the US supreme court overturned that ruling in all but one district. What does this decision really mean? Who’s affected? And what does this mean for the midterms if anything?
That’s just our top story on this Monday, but we’ve got a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 21, 2018
A Texas GOP lawmaker says the governor should call a special session on gun violence. Has Santa Fe become a turning point in Texas? Governor Abbot has long opposed gun control, but after Friday’s massacre at Santa Fe high school south of Houston, the governor now he says he wants to lead a discussion on how to stop school shootings. Will gun control be on the table? Two Texas lawmakers, one a Democrat and the other a Republican weigh in. Also, veterans going hungry at unusually high rates. What’s being done and what isn’t. And comedian Mo Amer on being proudly Texan, proudly Muslim, and sharing a first class plane trip with Eric Trump. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 3, 2018
Who will be the next speaker of the Texas house of representatives? The answer could have a big impact on you. We’ll look at how the race is shaping up. Who’s the next Joe Straus? That is: who’s likely to take over as the third leg in the triumvirate of Texas politics, and what will that mean for the rest of us? We’ll explore. Also, guess who’s coming to Dallas: the National Rifle association in the spotlight. And the Texas school that gave out too many scholarships- UT tyler struggles with a perfect storm. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 23, 2018
The state’s political maps: will they need to be re-drawn? The stakes are high in a case to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, we’ll have the latest. Also in Texas there’s a lot of love for Southwest. But today, lots of frustrated travelers as the Dallas based airline grounds nearly a hundred planes for engine inspections. We’ll hear what inspectors are looking for. And the nation’s biggest psychiatric ward also happens to be a county jail. How did the criminal justice system become the biggest provider of services to the mentally ill? We’ll explore. And a new wave of National Guard troops arrive at the border. How’s this playing out down in the Valley? We’ll take you there. Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 30, 2018
Through hail and high water, communities in Texas stand again because the weather is NOT gonna keep us down. Join me for a virtual tour. We’ll hit Refugio, Port Arthur, Austin and even Washington DC. Plus, the bombs that destroyed the facade of racial harmony: we’ll tell you more. And who exactly is Ronny Jackson? And can he manage a 200 billion dollar budget? Also oil, cattle-ranching, big hair and Cadillacs. Nothing better than a good soap opera! Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 16, 2018
Texas educators carry the dual burden of comforting students after yet another school shooting, and coming up with prevention plans. We’ll hear from some of them. Also, sales are flat or even falling in the motorcycle industry. We’ll break down why. And the Houston Astrodome will live on. After years of back and forth a real plan for it’s future, a look at the optimism and skepticism. Also, a new building on the University of Texas campus opens up to the public this weekend. We’ll take you inside what’s not a classroom or an athletic facility but a one-of-it’s-kind art masterpiece. The story behind it. And it’s Friday! That means the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap up of the big stories this week in Texas Politics. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 24, 2018
Is Texas an epicenter for human trafficking? A bust in Texas’ biggest city points to how bad the problems become, we’ll explore. Also after California, Texas has more military bases and active duty servicemen and women than any other state: now a groundbreaking study on what can be done to help those with Post Traumatic stress. Plus Texas senator Ted Cruz says he’s consistently opposed government shutdowns. If you don’t like green eggs and ham, you may want to hear today’s fact-check of the senators claim. And three things many Texans can’t live without: caught in the crossfire over NAFTA? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 17, 2017
It was introduced two weeks ago, and without a single hearing, it’s passed the house. Tax reform of some form seems likely, but at what cost?
The president’s plan for rebuilding America’s infrastructure: price tag? 1 trillion dollars. But who’s gonna pay for it? One expert says the answer should be obvious: China. And Texas could be at the center of it, we’ll hear why. Also, first do no harm, goes the maxim of medicine. But are med school costs hurting the profession itself? Why more prospective doctors are turning to Texas. And surviving a historic storm and emerging world champions, heroic enough for ya? The folks behind Superman and Batman come to Houston to talk superheroes. Those stories plus the week in politics and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 29, 2016
A front row seat to history? We can do better than that. Dallas sheriff Lupe Valdez on the view from the podium. Plus disorder in the court? A federal challenge to the way Texas picks its top judges. And the aging population of the lone star state are Texas towns and cities ready? Plus, in some state facilities, levels of lead as bad at Flint Michigan: what’s being done and what isn’t. Also 50 years after the Texas tower shooting, what’s changed when it comes to guns? Plus the week in Texas politics and much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 8, 2016
A deadly day in Dallas. At least 5 killed, four police and a DART officer, and several others wounded. What happened in North Texas last night? Details continue to come in. We’ll try to paint a picture of what we know of events and how they unfolded. And reactions to Dallas, the governor offering up backup law enforcement and regular Texans offering up sentiments of shock and sorrow. Plus carrying while black. Does the right to carry arms put some people at greater risk than others? And veteran suicides. New numbers out this week that make clear the issue is serious. We’ll break down the statistics. We’re following these stories and more… today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 7, 2016
The Texas trooper who pulled over Sandra Bland has been indicted…for perjury. It was one, simple sentence that got him in trouble. Plus how can you tell if someone is mentally healthy enough to buy and use a gun? Also, we’ll talk about the future of football and yes, virtual reality has a role here too. Plus, what Krispy Kreme and a Texas hospital chain have in common. All packed in to todays Texas Standard:
Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson (Ep. 03, 2016)
Host John L. Hanson speaks with Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, MD., Harvard and Emory-educated physician specializing in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic psychiatry, and founder of the Lorio Psych Group, an Atlanta-based mental health practice.
Texas Standard: October 12, 2015
Is it a mental health issue or a gun problem? Mass killings spark a move by the Texas senior senator to tighten the law. Following the money: when major events across Texas claim to have major economic impacts, do the numbers add up? Also, Houston known for its hip hop but it wasn’t always. One Texas writer says that one song in 2004 changed history. We’ll talk about it. Plus, who’s an immigrant and who’s an expat? And how do you tell the difference? Those stories and more on the national news show of Texas:
Texas Standard: October 6, 2015
Cruz missile: in targeting a seat in the white house, has the junior Senator from Texas torpedoed his current career in the senate? Plus, these days Americans are encouraged to talk about treatment for mental health…but are the rules different if you’re a politician? Some say A high profile case in Dallas raises questions about a persistent stigma and the price to be paid by coming out of the shadows. Also, the rising demand for facial feminization-what makes a woman look like a woman? And Texas researchers discover the secret ingredient for a less lethal mattress. All of that and lots more, turn it up its Texas Standard time: