With just days to go before the start of the Texas legislative session, a long awaited report on maternal mortality finally sees the light of day. We’ll have details. Also, with 2500 migrants a day lining up to turn themselves in to the Border Patrol here, and numbers expected to rise, we’ll look at how local officials are hoping to manage the situation. My conversation with the El Paso County Judge. And after dozens fall sick, Louisiana Health Officials warn about Texas Oysters. We take a deep dive on what’s causing the problems and the impact on the industry. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Mortality
Largest teacher prep program in Texas at risk of losing accreditation
A long awaited report on Maternal Mortality in Texas is now two months delayed and may not be available for the next legislative session. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: amid a statewide teacher shortage, the biggest teacher accreditation program in Texas now facing the possible loss of accreditation. We’ll hear more. And after several local ordinances to decriminalize marijuana pass on the November ballot, a pushback from many local officials. Also a singer from El Paso who’s new release, Frontera, is turning a spotlight on latino voices in country music. Our conversation with Valerie Ponzio, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 19, 2019
The President launches his re-election bid. How strong is his support in Texas? Who do Texas Democrats favor in 2020? A new UT-Texas Tribune poll offers an updated snapshot of where Texans stand on a variety of political matters as we head into the next election cycle. We’ll break down the findings. Also some claim that the cycle of boom and bust in oil country is a relic of the past. Is it? We’ll take a closer look. And claims about high maternal mortality rates in Texas: The governor says they’re lying. But what does Politifact say? Those stories and so much more 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: June 8, 2018
Never before has help been more readily available and yet suicide numbers continue rise. What’s going on? We’ll explore. Also, the disappearance of 43 Mexican college students in 2014 is considered an international scandal. Now a court has ordered a new impartial investigation and a truth commission to get to the bottom of it. It’s a move some are calling historic, we’ll hear why. Also, remember the lore of lopping off a rattlers head to kill it? That wasn’t enough for a Texas man, who barely survived getting bitten by the snakehead. What you’re really supposed to do in the event of a snake encounter. Plus actor musician Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael stop by the studios, the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 26, 2018
More than a billion dollars green lighted for a physical barrier on the Texas border. The start of the new wall or something else? We’ll take a closer look. Also, after traveling the world in support of the Trump administration and fighting with his boss, what’s Rex Tillerson’s next move? Why Tillerson may be on the short list to head up the state’s flagship universities. And is west Texas literally losing ground? What’s behind a certain sinking feeling. Also the student anti-gun marches across the lone star state, and the pushback too. Plus, notes for the president’s big meeting with North Korea from a Texas scholar. Those stores and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 16, 2018
Now more than 300 federal agents join police in the Texas capitol city to get to the bottom of a mystery over package bombs left on front stoops. Three bombs, two dead and a whole lot of questions, we’ll explore. We’ll hear about the first fatality, a talented 17 year old en route to UNT’s celebrated music program. Also, water scarcity in El Paso at the heart of a case before the supreme court. And in east Texas, the explosion that occurred 81 years ago this weekend. An event so traumatic people didn’t talk about it for generations. Now they’re trying to make sure the victims aren’t forgotten. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 4, 2017
A big deadline approaches in Congress, this one affecting more than 120-thousand Texans. We’ll explore why the so-called Dreamers are in limbo. And another big issue in Texas: the high rate of moms dying during or shortly after giving birth. We’re getting new information about the problem. Also, if you’re decluttering for the New Year you may find old technology that’s no longer useful. We’ll look at what you’re using now that could be next to fall by the wayside. And a plate of Texas BBQ just isn’t complete without a cold glass/can or bottle of… what? A discussion on the best B-B-Q beverages. Plus we’ll introduce you to a Texas superintendent who has turned around a district despite some real challenges. Those stories and more today on the Standard:
Texas Standard: August 1, 2017
It’s been one year since students with concealed handgun permits have been allowed to bring weapons on campus. We’ll explore what’s happened since. Plus, what skipping to the front of the security line at Texas airports might cost you in privacy. Also, a glimpse inside the personal notes and snapshots belonging to playwright and actor Sam Shepard. And, how hard is to change a birth certificate in Texas? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 5, 2017
North Korea has launched a rocket that can reach the United States. It’s a game changer, says a top Texas expert on national security, we’ll have the latest. Also, if you’re a retired teacher living in Texas, stay healthy, because the other option is about to get a whole lot more expensive. Troubling holes in a statewide safety net. And the comments that rocked college station: 5 years after an A&M professors remarks about race and violence, the dust is far from settled. We’ll hear the what and why. And a Grammy winning troubadour on leaving Texas in the rear view mirror and the close ties that bind him to home. You might second the emotion…all those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 31, 2017
Lawmakers have left the building. But what did they accomplish in the 85th Legislative session when it comes to criminal justice? We’ll take a look. Also, a soldier commits a crime on a battlefield, maybe even murder, but should we re-think how we hold someone in a combat situation accountable? At least one Texas lawmaker thinks so. And business is booming. Texas seeing the strongest manufacturing numbers in years. We’ll look at why. Plus some Spanish words our commentator says ought to be included in the vocabulary of every Texan. And a visit to a Texas spring with spiritual significance, and why it’s receded. Those stories and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 19, 2017
A police pension crisis creating big problems in Dallas. Now has a solution that appears to make all sides happy, we’ll explore. Also legislation being pushed by Texas Republicans could benefit Democrats, so why do Dems oppose it? We’ll check it out. And a new music festival in San Antonio that may be the first like it anywhere… how “Good Vibrations” is reaching an otherwise under-served audience. Plus it’s Friday so that means we’ll hear from the Typewriter Rodeo and wrap up the week in Texas Politics. All that and more today on the Standard:
Texas Standard: April 13, 2017
For decades, Texas has had hate crimes laws on the books, but of hundreds of reports in the past 5 years, only 8 convictions? We’ll explore. Also one of the top financial services companies in Texas does the math and decides to boost its minimum wage. What it means for Texas and perhaps for you personally. And his break with his former employer at the White House made headlines. Now commentator Matthew Dowd making the case for a better way than politics as we know it. Our conversation. Plus, can you find the oldest library in Texas on a map? Yeah, neither could google. But we found someone who can and will. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas standard:
Texas Standard: August 28, 2016
A billion dollars for the border? A request from Texas law enforcement raises eyebrows and more than a few questions. Plus could it be Nullification nation? More than two months away from the election, a Texas elector says no Trump, no way…raising the prospect of an electoral college uprising against the popular vote. We’ll explore. Also, maternal mortality spikes in Texas but experts can’t figure out why suddenly so many pregnancy related deaths…we’ll hear what’s behind the data…and what isn’t. And oh Give me a home and an aerial drone: why some say today marks the start of a revolution on the Texas range. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 12, 2016
Curious what a Trump presidency might do for the Texas economy? We’ve got answers, An economist who worked for Rick Perry says, that wall he’d build? Texas would pay for it. Also it’s been more than six years since Obamacare went into effect. We’ll look at the law’s legacy in Texas. Plus, if you want a taste of whitetail deer in Texas, you need to know where to look. And we’ve got the the week on politics, and Pete’s Dragon, in Dallas. All that and much more on today’s Texas Standard: