The pot is sweetened: a proposed path to citizenship for 1.8 million. But is the overall flavor of the deal too terrible for many lawmakers? We’ll explore. Plus, the hub of Harris County’s criminal justice system has been closed because of Hurricane Harvey flooding, and could be for years to come. And in Marfa a secretive company opens up to school kids. And in Montreal NAFTA negotiations that could have big effects on Texas. All that plus the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap of the week in Texas politics, today on the Texas Standard:
Military
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: December 22, 2017
Before Harvey, developers were allowed to build homes inside reservoirs. How did they get the green light? And did anyone warn the buyers? The story today on the Standard.
Texas based AT&T giving 200,000 workers $1000 bonuses. The company says it’s thanks to the tax cuts just passed by congress. Now other companies are joining in the bonus giving spree. We’ll hear what may be the corporate calculation behind the bonus boom.
And with fewer than 1% of all Americans on active duty- a growing divide between the military and civilians
Also remember small town Texas? For those who may have forgotten, a writer in Abilene on seven pressing issues.
Texas Standard: December 1, 2017
The last man standing from the class of ’84 says goodbye to congress. Is this a start to a sea change in Texas Politics? We’ll have the latest. Also, a bill to authorize the army and navy to take over law enforcement south of the border. An essential step to stop the cartels or a militarization of security in Mexico? We’ll explore. The children’s health insurance program set to shut down for the first time in Texas, why letters may be going out at the first of next week. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 20, 2017
As millions of Texans hit the highways for the start of holiday season, new signs that the bell may be tolling for toll roads. But with costs and complaints and traffic all up, are we nearing a tipping point when it comes to Texas’ free market philosophy for transportation? We’ll explore. And in a small Texas town turned upside down by a church shooting, Thanksgiving arrives early. Also, the homeless often get more attention this time of year, now the spotlight turns to what some say are laws that keep people homeless. And with miles of pipeline connecting oilfields to Corpus Christi, a plan to pipe something back west, and maybe around the world, too. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 31, 2017
You know about the looting as Harvey struck Texas? You sure about that? We’ll explore why the numbers and the narrative don’t match. Also, With Joe Straus not returning as house speaker, social conservatives in the Texas GOP are cheering, but some politics watchers out west wonder if that’s not premature. Why some think a race in the panhandle could reverberate across Texas. And veterans from the fighting in Afghanistan blame military open burn pits for health care issues, but their options for seeking relief are closing. Also, a fix for hackable voting systems developed in Texas and why it may never be deployed. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 26, 2017
Some see it as the start of a new chapter in Texas politics, but some so-called moderates fear it could turn into a horror story. Joe Straus was seen as a voice of the republican establishment, a defender of business who steered the house chamber clear of some of the most contentious issues raised by social conservatives. In a state where republicans already hold the reigns of power, what happens next? Also, how much do Texans value a college degree? And with education costs rising, is it still a good value? The results of a new statewide survey. And members of the military in a fight for the right to sue Uncle Sam. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 19, 2017
Looking for bipartisanship? Look in the direction of the Pentagon. Lawmakers take a big step toward a massive boost for the US military, we’ll have the latest. Also, President Trump makes his first foray into the UN club he once made fun of. What’s his message, and what does it tell us about the relevance of the United Nations? And quick: name the last president who really delivered on his campaign promises. A Texas scholar says modern presidents are doomed to failure because of what the office has become, we’ll explore. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 11, 2017
Hurricane directly affected roughly one in three in Texas, but for kids in the state’s troubled foster care system, special concerns, we’ll have the story. Also- Houston and its environs are especially car dependent. So what happens to what may be half a million cars flooded by Harvey? We’ll find out. Plus the gasoline shortages are disappearing. How long till prices return to pre harvey levels? and why one fossil fuel was spared by the hurricane. And a new survey reveals what many have long suspected about where the big bucks go in high school salaries. We’ll explore who gets em and why. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 15, 2017
Did someone just blink? What a North Korean announcement may or may not tell us about how to deal with a dictator. Also, submarined in the fury over Charlottesville, two major protests in South Texas: the biggest yet against the border wall. But a reporter who was there says it wasn’t just about a wall, we’ll hear more. Plus the Texas Central rail teams up with two big companies to get on with building the bullet train. So is it full speed ahead? We’ll check the brakes. And in what some are calling a post-factual world, can we talk? How to have a meaningful political conversation when you’re not on the same page. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 26, 2017
A new transgender ban for the US Military? A presidential proclamation on social media this morning sparks a scramble for answers, we’ll explore. Also, the mayor of Corpus Christi tells us he’s got a question for the man he voted to be governor: why the assault on cities? We’ll talk to mayor Joe mcComb as he and more than a dozen of his mayoral colleagues from across the state get ready to meet with Governor Abbott. Plus, file under not fake news: is Snopes, the original fact checking site of the world wide web, in danger of going dark? And what do Texas cities sound like? Our commentator on the greatest songs about Texas towns and a whole lot more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 2, 2017
A stabbing incident at the flagship campus of the university of Texas: and an unexpected source helping to break the news, we’ll have the backstory. Plus the eyes of Texas are upon Pasadena? Why a local election east of Houston may have implications across the lone star state. Also, if you’re a non citizen putting your life on the line in service to the US, the law puts you on a fast track to citizenship, but now there’s a roadblock. We’ll hear what’s happening and what isn’t. Also: he was a young man building a website in his Texas bedroom who became a billionaire and then one of the most wanted men in all of America. We’ll hear the story of the search for the Dread Pirate Roberts. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 14, 2017
An enormous bomb dropped in Afghanistan, tensions high with North Korea, and what about Syria? We’ll check-in on global relations. Also over the years of debate about the federal budget deficit. Texas has built up a huge nest egg. But are we making the most of that money? And it could soon be a little too quiet on the set when it comes to the Texas film and TV industry. Efforts to keep business in the Lone Star State. Plus: what do you think about speed bumps? Is it time to think again? And we’ll introduce you to a figure of Texas history that’s not likely to have an elementary school named in his honor. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 8, 2017
Obamacare, but for how much longer? How does what’s been called repeal and replace stand to affect Texans? Answers and more questions today. Also as many servicemen and women once stationed in Afghanistan return to Texas, new boots on the ground over there: Chinese boots. We’ll explore. And give me your tired, your very poor, your huddled masses yearning to be able to afford a grocery trip. What new numbers tell us about why Texas has become a beacon for California migrants. And the latest weather forecast. Same as it ever was? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 7, 2017
The bathroom line gets long outside the senate chambers as lawmakers hunker down to take care of business, we’ll have the latest on a controversial move just ahead. Also is there something Texas democrats and republicans can agree on? Quite possibly. We’ll hear about rumblings over criminal justice reform. Plus 11 professors for how much? Why the governor’s plan bring the best and the brightest to Texas may be on the chopping block. And Aggies making school a safe place for former soldiers…how and why? Plus the white shaman of the lower Pecos arrives in the big city: could this be a sign? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 30, 2016
Should the size of your wallet determine whether you stay in jail or get set free? The answer maybe a matter of life of death, we’ll explore. Plus on this Memorial day, the unemployment rate hovering at what’s considered to be a healthy 5 percent, unless you’re the spouse of someone in the military where the rate’s closer to 20 percent. We’ll do the numbers. Also, after Georgia O’Keefe came to Texas, she ordered some of her early destroyed. Now 60 years later, and against all odds, a rediscovery now on display in West Texas.. We’ll hear the backstory. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 5, 2016
She was the first openly gay mayor of any major metro city. Now, Annise Parker tells us what’s next, and what’s off the table. Coming up an unusually candid conversation with the former mayor of Houston also how the energy capitol of the world might weigh in on the presidential race. Also a child sex abuse problem in the military… plus, holiday twisters reveal shoddy construction issues, and how lessons of Waco from 20 years back might be a factor in the Oregon standoff. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 29, 2015
The eyes of Texas are on a military and political showdown between global superpowers in the south china sea. Who’ll blink first? And a Texas city ordinance on the ballot- getting national attention as battle lines harden over Houston’s anti-discrimination plan. Also a 19th century problem for cattle ranchers now a 21st century crisis? Where’s the beef, indeed! The app called Yik Yak? Yuck, say civil rights groups, we’ll explore the controversy Plus Jurassic park on a much smaller scale: as Texans try to resurrect a long gone chicken. All that and more today on the Texas Standard: