Muslim

As one special session ends, the next one begins

Has the Texas border become like the Iowa State Fair, a mandatory stop for Republican presidential candidates?

It’s a long, hot summer for Texas lawmakers as the governor calls another special session, focusing solely on property taxes.

Rethink35, the organization questioning another expansion of the interstate highway that cuts through Austin, has given up its legal battle – at least for now. Why other cities in Texas
are watching closely.

Also, how Muslims in Texas are celebrating a holiday often referred to as Big Eid.

An Earth Day appreciation for the Texas Hill Country

What’s behind a bill that would remove Texans from voter rolls if they miss two federal elections? We’ll hear from a UT Law voting rights expert on what’s behind the push for a law that proponents say is designed to clean up messy voting registration lists, and what opponents see as voter suppression.

After five decades studying the Hill Country, biologist David Hillis has authored a new book on the area’s immense biodiversity.

Could Texas become the next comedy hub? We’ll hear from “Saturday Night Live” cast member and native Texan Devon Walker, who’s performing at the Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin.

Plus, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

What’s in San Antonio’s ‘justice charter’?

Yes and no signs proliferate in San Antonio over Prop A. What’s behind the city’s so-called justice charter?

In Kyle, a corrections officer indicted in the shooting death of a person awaiting trial, and a family’s struggle to find answers.

Taking the STAAR tests online. Should there still be a paper option?

A push for more transitional housing for Muslim’s recently released from incarceration.

The story of a world premiere in Dallas for one of the most downloaded poets in the U.S.

And the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

WNBA star and Houston native Brittney Griner freed from Russian prison

Houston native and WNBA star Britney Griner freed in a prisoner swap with Russia. We’ll have the latest. Also the dismissal of charges against an Ecuadoran migrant at the center of a controversy over federal and state authority. Laura Rice talks with Katie Hall of the Austin American Statesman. Plus a focus on a photography app that’s gone viral and why tech expert Omar Gallaga has some serious concerns about it. Also the joint effort by the U.S. and Mexico to bring back the Gray Wolf. And tis the season, and not just for tamales. Taco journalist Mando Rayo with more holiday tastes and some food for thought as well. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 11, 2022

A state commission votes to extend the life of a Texas department under federal investigation for civil rights and abuse violations. More on what comes next for the embattled Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Plus this week Texas voters elected the first South Asian and Muslim state legislators. We’ll talk with Salman Bhojani, Representative-elect from District 92 in North Texas. Plus Fort Hood set to be renamed for a four star General from South Texas, the first Hispanic to reach that rank. Also On this Veterans day, the story of Harold Brown, one of the first Black military aviators. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 16, 2022

Many high marks and persistent challenges as Texas schools start off a new academic year with report cards from the state. For the first time in three years, the Texas education agency issues report cards for Texas schools. We’ll hear details. Also, what health officials are telling school teachers and administrators as a virulent strain of COVID-19 takes hold and experts try to tackle the spread of Monkeypox as well. And who’s pushing to ban books at school? A months-long investigation by the Houston Chronicle comes up with answers. And state senator Roland Gutierrez on how the state could and should better support Uvalde. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 7, 2021

Changes to the states election laws approved by the house in the wee small hours of this morning. So what happens next? Richard Pineda of the University of Texas El Paso on the battle in the Texas legislature over more restrictions for what some voting rights groups claim are already some of the toughest voting rights rules in the nation. Also in a state with one of the biggest muslim populations in the U.S., not a single state lawmakers is a Muslim. How some in the Texas Muslim community are trying to offset a lack of direct representation. Plus a Grammy winner’s tribute to coastal Texas and more today on the Texas Standard:

A Holy Month In The Time Of Pandemic

Many Texans are celebrating Ramadan differently this year than in the past. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: January 16, 2019

Dallas and Houston both reporting slowdowns at airports as unpaid TSA workers call in sick. Now a call for airport screeners to go on strike. We’ll explore. Also, what’s worse than a partial government shutdown? Ask someone living in the UK right now. Why an impasse over Brexit could leave a mark here in Texas and what happens next. Also the discovery of three new species of salamanders in Texas, what it means for Texans of the human variety. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 8, 2018

A bunch of attorneys shined up their shoes this morning, they’re heading to court to for Texas v Nielsen, we’ll look at the details. Plus, Houston cops are learning to speak Mandarin, hoping to fill a huge void. And I know you’ve heard about Mexico’s drug war, but you’ve never heard it this way? A new book called Don’t Send Flowers from Corpus Christi and a woman on a quest to hear what it means to live in a black body. Plus, 8 hour lines at the DMV?? Weren’t super centers supposed to fix those? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 18, 2018

The Homeland Security chief tweets that the U.S. does not have a policy of separating families at the border: is that fact or fiction? Over the weekend, outrage grows over the so-called zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration, a drama playing out across south Texas. We’ll talk with the Houston Chronicle’s immigration reporter to hear what she’s learned about how families are separated and what is and isn’t done to get them back together. Also an unusual death penalty appeal: not a plea to spare a life, but for a different method of killing, we’ll explore. Plus: does your teenager know what he or she needs to when it comes to Texas law? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Ramadan in Texas

Hundreds of thousands of Texans have been fasting this month in honor of Ramadan. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: January 16, 2018

From San Antonio to Tyler, the capital city to Corsicana, schools, businesses and roadways closed thanks to Inga. Though Dallas mostly spared, much of the rest of the state to the east and the south dealing with or bracing for a thin layer of ice causing major disruption. We’ll check in with reporters across the affected region…Also, 2017: the deadliest year in immigrant detention centers in almost a decade. What’s happening and why? And separation anxiety: the law struggling with who gets the frozen embryos after a breakup. Plus the Texan writing a new chapter in the rise of the Black Panther. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 27, 2017

2018: the year of the underdog? With two weeks left for filing in next years elections, why it may turn into the year of the under card. Also- the emergency within an emergency. As Harvey’s rains hammered Houston, a chemical plant fire created the potential for an explosive catastrophe. What a new report says about disaster preparation in one of the world’s petrochemical capitals. Also the keystone pipeline once again takes center stage after an oil spill. And pushing back against the bullies. A north Texas mosque trying to help young muslims. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 19, 2017

Are republican politicians in Texas paying a price for the scandals surrounding their party leader? We’ll measure the Trump effect. Plus, almost one year away from midterms, a new poll on political attitudes in Texas and the impact of the oval office occupant. And a Mexican governor arrested south of the border, and why the US wants him in the states. Also medical professionals in the military say post traumatic stress is hard to treat. But that may be about to change, we’ll have the latest. And the election is one thing: but is Moscow messin with Texas secession? It appears the answer is da, ya’ll. All those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 29, 2017

As the president’s travel ban takes effect at airports today who’s in and who’s out, and who’s watching the gatekeepers. We’ll talk to one of em today. Also a dramatic helicopter attack on Venezuela’s supreme court, caught on video. The images so surrealistic some wonder: did this really happen? We’ll explore. And you thought space was the final frontier? Nasa relaunches a program that got stalled in the 60’s: an all american supersonic airplane. And the rockets red glare: the view from the other side of the roadside fireworks stand. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 10, 2017

A proposal to fix the state’s broken foster care system that could get more adults involved in the temporary care for kids in need. We’ll hear why the idea is personal for one Texas lawmaker. Plus gas prices could go up a lot under a proposal from a Texan in Washington. Not so good for drivers but how about the oil and gas industry? We’ll explore. And love thy neighbor. How a fire at an Islamic Community Center in Central Texas actually sparked new friendships. Plus how a song about a little boy in South Texas connects two generations of a legendary music family. And a reminder to never to read the comments from the Typewriter Rodeo. That and more on this Friday edition of the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 31, 2017

One of the most important announcements yet, with potential implications for generations. We’ll explore the short list for the Supreme Court. Plus a fire destroys a mosque in Victoria and another burns down an Islamic center in central Texas. Unconnected events? We’ll hear what officials are saying, and not saying. And Texas two step? Texas lawmakers detail a proposal to use public money for private school tuition. Also a plan to cap property taxes, but do the numbers add up? Plus motherhood, musicianship and memories of Mineral Wells. A conversation with the current queen of americana: Amanda shires. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: