National Guard

Food banks prepare to fill the gap as SNAP runs out

SNAP food assistance benefits are set to run out at midnight, and across the Lone Star State, food banks are bracing for unprecedented demand. How Texans can best help their neighbors in need.

Of the 17 constitutional amendments to be decided by Texas voters, at least four go straight to the heart of a major effort to transform Texas into a world-class business and finance hub. With Election Day fast approaching, we’ll hear what’s at stake.

Texas author Fernando Flores discusses his new novel, “Brother Brontë,” a dystopian story set in the town of Three Rivers.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Morning Newscast for June 12, 2025: Central Texas is under a Flood Watch until 7 tonight

Central Texas top stories for June 12, 2025. A Flood Watch is in effect for much of Central Texas until 7 p.m. Austin’s Mayor Kirk Watson says he was notified that the Texas National Guard will be ready to respond to protests this weekend. A report says the TCEQ permitted three new natural gas power plant projects in violation of the Clean Air Act. A judge has ruled a redevelopment of the former Statesman offices can go forward after a challenge from Save Our Springs Alliance.

Protests erupt over immigration raids as Abbott calls in National Guard

Gov. Greg Abbott is calling National Guard troops into Texas to respond to immigration raid protests in the state.
Texas had a new speaker of the House this legislative session. So how did Rep. Dustin Burrows handle the job?
Flights out of the busy, and getting busier, Austin airport have been increasingly delayed because of staffing shortages. How it’s affecting passengers.
President Trump reportedly wants Texas to re-draw district lines to favor Republicans – but some in his party aren’t so sure that’s a good idea.
And: We’ll introduce you to Los Pink Cheese Green Goes, a three-piece band making its unique mark on the Spanish-language pop scene.

Texas air pollution monitoring scaled back by TCEQ

As Hurricane Milton takes aim at Florida, a new report raises questions about Texas’ efforts to curb gases linked to climate change.
As we continue to track the category 4 hurricane bearing down on Tampa, emergency resources are already spread thin, partly due to ongoing efforts to recover from Hurricane Helene. We’ll take you into the air with troops taking part in recovery efforts in North Carolina.
Also, several cities are fighting back against a new law few Texans have heard of that allows property owners to get out from under development regulations.
And meet the “Godmother of Mariachi Education,” who brought the music to schools across Texas.

Is prosecuting librarians the next front in Texas’ book wars?

You’ve heard about library book bans in Texas, but behind the scenes there is a campaign underway to prosecute librarians for putting certain books on the shelves of school and public libraries.

After four decades, Texas politician Ben Barnes comes clean about his role, and that of former Texas Gov. John Connally, to delay the release of 52 American hostages held in Iran in order to ensure the election of Ronald Regan. Peter Baker of the New York Times joins us.

Also Texas gets a new professional sports franchise – not football or basketball, but Major League Cricket.

Why a brand-new mental health hospital is sitting empty

There is a critical shortage of mental health care professionals amid surging demand statewide, with almost 99% of Texas designated as a shortage area for mental health professionals.

With heightened demand for mental health treatment, you’d expect the Kerrville State Hospital – a new, $30 million state-owned inpatient mental health facility – to be full. Instead, it’s completely empty.

A professor at Texas Woman’s University says Chat GPT and other AI tools present an opportunity to teach and learn in new ways.

And the story of Herman Barnett, a Black veteran who desegregated a Texas medical school.

A look back at the stories that shaped Texas in 2022

New laws that took effect, decisions from the courts that made history, the fight for social justice and more; it’s 2022 in review. With the Texas Legislature set to reconvene in just days, it’s worth looking back at how much Texas changed over the past 12 months, and what those changes may tell us about what’s to come in the new year. We’ll turn a spotlight on politics and a campaign season that didn’t turn out as expected, the economy, technology and much more as we reconsider the year that was across miles and miles of the Texas, today on the Texas Standard:

The latest on Texas’ winter freeze

As temperatures plummet with a major cold front bearing down on the lone star state, down into the teens in many parts, we continue to monitor conditions across Texas. Eric Berge of Houston’s Space City Weather joins us with an overview, the dangers ahead, and when we can expect to thaw out from this last big chill of 2022. Also a rethink of ways to address the mental health crisis. And the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. These stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

There’s a growing push to recycle fracking wastewater in Texas

As temperatures fall, a humanitarian crisis in El Paso deepens as there is a scramble to find shelter for thousands of migrants. Now Texas National Guard troops have been called in to maintain order at the scene. We’ll have the latest on a tenuous situation along the border. Plus, what to do with all the water used in fracking. Recycle it, maybe? We’ll hear why the idea is catching on now. And we’ve got one-on-one interview with a broadway star who’s got south Texas roots. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 8, 2022

Congress is on the cusp of passing climate legislation that has major implications for the Lone Star State. The multi-billion dollar package does quite a lot of things, but focuses on measures that will slow global warming. We’ll have the details today. Plus Houston’s food scene bows to no one. Why one new writer in the Bayou City says it’s among the most exciting food places on the planet. And putting artificial intelligence to good use: a new Texas partnership is trying to figure out how. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 7, 2022

A new report finds police missed multiple opportunities to stop the Uvalde mass shooter before he entered the school building. The report from the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center, at Texas State University says at one point police had the gunman in their sights outside the school in Uvalde, but did not act. Investigative reporter Tony Plohetski with what we’re learning. Also, with new abortion restrictions, the Texas Standard’s own Shelly Brisbin with growing concerns about the use of period tracker apps and access to sensitive personal data. Plus an historic moment on the Texas Gulf coast for a critically endangered species. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 13, 2022

White house flags ordered to half staff as the U.S. reaches what President Biden marks as a tragic milestone in the pandemic. As public health efforts against COVID-19 continue to scale back, deaths from COVID-19 in the US approach the 1 million mark, and Texas has the second highest number of those deaths among the 50 states. We’ll take a closer look. Also the Texas Supreme Court overturns the statewide injunction on investigations of parents providing gender affirming care to transgender youth. We’ll have the latest. Plus a Texan’s journey into the kitchens of Mexico becomes a rapturous revelation. And the effort to give an endangered Texas toad a fighting chance at survival. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 14, 2022

Romancing the voters on this valentines day, Texas politicians in local and statewide races try to win over early voters in the nation’s first primaries. We’ll hear from the elections official of the state’s most populous county on a recent court decision in a fight against new voting regulations. Also, a Texas-based expert weighs in with the latest on what the US says is a rapidly advancing danger of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 2, 2022

With a winter storm warning set for much of the state, and the memories of last February still fresh, Texans brace for what’s coming. Also, vaccinations for the very young? A Texas-based expert on vaccine trials underway and what parents and caretakers should know. Plus, across Texas, a record number of books being banned from Public school libraries; why the push right now and who’s pushing back. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 28, 2022

How did a British foreign National on a security watch list obtain the gun used in the North Texas synagogue attack? The FBI says it has arrested the person who supplied the gun used by the hostage taker in the attack on a Colleyville synagogue two weeks ago. But many questions remain. We’ll have the latest. Also- a federal judge puts the brakes on planned strike by BNSF Railway workers. We’ll look at the implications and what comes next. And as more Texans seek COVID-19 tests, more scammers crop up taking money and personal information. A San Antonio health official on how to spot COVID-19 test scams. Plus the week in politics and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 7, 2022

As hospitals struggle to deal with rising COVID-19 caseloads amid an Omicron surge, what about long term care facilities in TX? We’ll have the latest. Also, almost 20% of Dallas firefighters are out sick with COVID-19. We’ll look at how the city’s trying to deal with staffing shortages. And Governor Abbott taking bipartisan heat over suicides, and low morale among National Guard troops at the border. We’ll hear more. Plus a Texas expert on communication and rhetoric revisits President Biden’s speech marking the one year anniversary of the capitol insurrection. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 13, 2021

The Texas secretary of state asks for detailed information on the 2020 presidential election from 4 Texas counties. Why? We’ll have more on whats described as phase two of a controversial audit of voting in Texas in the November 2020 elections. Also the national guard’s involvement in an ongoing border mission, and new concerns about soldier deaths, car crashes and other issues. And Texas grapefruit growers grow concerned over the future of their industry with a lifting of rules on imports. Plus an artist committing the tastes of her Texas community to canvas. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 19, 2021

More than 20 Texas representatives say they won’t be seeking re-election next year. The latest to announce, one of the most senior members of the house. Our conversation with Garnet Coleman of Houston on why after 30 years, he’s stepping aside. Plus from natural disasters to COVID-19, Army and Air National Guard troops have been on the front lines. Now signs of strain in the ranks of the guard. We’ll have the latest. Also a more complicated history of Thanksgiving than the story so often retold and how to talk about it with kids. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 27, 2020

There’s some hope from the left Texas could go blue in the presidential election, and some likelihood it could when it comes to the state house. We’ll explore. Also, the divisive state of politics right now has many concerned about the risk of violence on or after Election Day. We’ll dig into news Texas Army National Guard troops will be deployed. Plus, misinformation going out before an election is nothing new. But evidence it’s targeting Spanish-speaking communities. Also, when counties can turn any building into a polling place it often means many of those buildings won’t be fully accessible. And a small-town Texas story is getting its shot on the big screen. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 5, 2020

More than two million Texans showed up to vote, but some of them had to wait for hours to cast a ballot. Voter suppression or mismanagement? We’ll explore. Plus now primary results are in, how useful were the polls leading up to the election? We’ll hear from one of the pollster at the University of Texas. Also, the growing number of Democrats who say Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders needs to pick a woman as a running mate, we’ll explore. And Coronavirus fears harming business from Houston’s Chinatown to Austin’s SXSW. And what’s it like to be a U.S. soldier deployed to the U.S. border with Mexico? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: