Official summons is what the envelope says. Would you open it? An election year fundraising letter triggers outrage and questions of legality: we’ll explore. Also our era of political coarseness and division, how will historians see us tomorrow? Pulitzer prize winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin tells us how history may be able to help us get thru our times today. Also a breakthrough curriculum for latino/latina studies. And electric scooters swarm the streets of Texas big cities, some see them a public nuisance, but could they signal better times for Texas bicyclists? We’ll take a look. And the tale of the last town crier in America and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: August 27, 2018
Nearly a million Texans without representation in the Texas Legislature? Why is the governor refusing to call an election for a soon to open seat?
Amid concerns over sexual misconduct on campus, Texas A&M promises to overhaul how it handles complaints. We’ll take a closer look.
Also, exactly one year after the storm, Houston approves a bond referendum to help it deal with the next Hurricane Harvey- and why much, much more might be needed to fix its reservoirs.
Reversal of an EPA rule designed to push renewable energy. What does it mean for Texas?
And the seasonal superstition seizing many in the Rio Grande Valley. What is the canicula?
Texas Standard: August 20, 2018
Hurricane Harvey broke almost every record. What it failed to break: a certain spirit. A year after Harvey’s landfall we’re live from the gulf coast today on the Texas Standard.
Coming to you live from Rockport- the first Texas town to be hit by Hurricane Harvey when it made landfall August 25th 2017.
It was a category 4, causing damage estimated at 125 billion dollars. After Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in US history. At its peak, a third of Houston was underwater 39,000 people were forced from their homes into shelters. And though in many ways recovery has been remarkable, the pain and the scars still show. Today we revisit Hurricane Harvey one year on.
Texas Standard: July 10, 2018
With a Kavanaugh on the court, what does that mean for Texas?
Coming up, a scholar on politics and the law from Rice University weighs in on how the new Supreme Court nominee might tilt the balance on issues that have become hot buttons in Texas politics.
Also, Todd Gilmann on the Dallas Morning News, with more on what happens next and the role for Texas’ two senators…
Is Texas too small for two vet schools? A&M says yes, Texas Tech says rubbish- or something quite like that.
Also, songwriting legend Radney Foster, conjunto like your grandad never knew- and the rest of what’s making news in Texas on this Tuesday.
Texas Standard: July 9, 2018
The president announces his choice for the Supreme Court -but is it his pick or someone elses? A brief history of high court picks and how tonight fits in- today on the Standard.
The Attorney General spends half a million dollars on expert testimony defending the state’s abortion restrictions. How much bang for the buck? You might be surprised –the Houston Chronicle’s Alejandra Matos joins us.
Help wanted signs dot the oilfields, not enough men to fill the jobs, the push is on for more women. And now something that may make the work a bit for comfortable for those new female roughnecks.
Plus, what a so-called failed school in Houston could teach the rest of Texas.
Texas Standard: July 6, 2018
Washington imposes tariffs on its biggest trading partner, China fires back with duties of its own. This means trade war–but what does it mean for Texas? That’s today on the Standard.
As Stevie Ray might say, “stranded caught in the crossfire”. We’ll explore possible collateral damage to the Texas economy as the result of this new trade war.
South Korea invaded- by fire ants. Now officials are calling on some expert advice- from Texans, of course. How A&M’s hoping to soften the sting on the Korean peninsula.
All that, plus the week that was in Texas politics, Dave Alvin of Blasters fame along with celebrated Flatlander Jimmie Dale Gilmore and more and more.
Texas Standard: June 21, 2018
The president didn’t like the optics, he said, so he signed an executive order. Smoke and mirrors? We’ll take a much closer look at the presidential directive to end family separations and explore what its does and likely does not do. Also the impact of family separation on kids, and how this major story in the U.S. is playing in papers south of the border. And Texas democrats gather for their convention, we’ll have a preview. Plus a look over our shoulder at what the Texas GOP just did. A major change of position on the question of marijuana. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 15, 2018
A huge lawsuit targeting an entire range of abortion restrictions in Texas. An organizer calls it the big fix, the state says it’s going nowhere. The story coming up on the Texas Standard.
Cities across the lone star state have instituted plastic bag bans–are those laws about to be trashed? A whole lot rides on three little words. We’ll hear why–and what they are.
Also, one year after America’s biggest online retailer announced it was purchasing Texas based Whole Foods- what’s happened to the store’s foodie culture? And what changes are happening in the grocery biz?
Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: June 14, 2017
File under “Texas Two Step”: Texas sues to terminate DACA, the federal government says it won’t fight back. Any guesses who’ll win? The story today on the Texas Standard.
Pete Williams of NBC News tells us about the lawsuit playing out in a Texas courtroom that could do a stealthy end run around orders to keep deferred action for childhood arrivals the law of the land.
Hurricane help from above? The Texas-made satellite that might save lives.
As the World Cup kicks off in Russia, a Texas researcher claims he can tell you the champion today. We’ll hear what’s in his algorithm.
And the virtual battle for your video box getting all too real at E3. Digital savant Omar Gallaga joins us and a whole lot more today on the Standard.
Texas Standard: June 13, 2018
A Texas-based company wins approval for a deal that could remake media as we know it. What does it mean for Texas? More on the AT&T-Time Warner merger.
A plan to provide armed marshals at Texas public schools. Will it help prevent more school schootings like the one at Santa Fe High School?
Also, from College Station to Los Alamos: what Texas A&M brings to the table as it wins a contract to help at the nation’s oldest and biggest nuclear research facility.
And the President’s claim that the Coast Guard rescued looky-loos in the gulf during Hurricane Harvey. A politifact check and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: June 12, 2018
For those seeking asylum in the US, a change in the rules. A change some think may effectively close the door for thousands. The story today on the Texas Standard.
At the Texas capitol a senate panel takes up the issue of public school security in the wake of the Santa Fe shooting. We’ll hear what they’re proposing.
Also, Southern Baptists face a “me too” moment, as they meet in Dallas.
Sanctuary cities. Slapped down in the last legislative session. But how will state lawmakers react when they hear about the rise of freedom cities? We’ll hear what those are.
Fear of a brown planet? A fresh reimagining of Public Enemy’s rap classic, albeit with a distinctly Texas twist.
Texas Standard: June 11, 2018
Singapore for the win? Leaving flustered allies in his wake, Donald Trump begins what some think could become a “Nixon in China” moment. The story today on the Standard.
Tomorrow, the world’s media landscape could change in an instant. So say many closely watching a decision expected in Texas-based AT&T’s planned takeover of Time Warner. We’ll hear why the stakes are considered so high.
Is there life on Mars? A skeptical Texas scientist says even she’s surprised by new findings which suggest the answer may be yes.
The family of a former Longhorn sues the NCAA. Why the case could become a landmark over the issue of head injuries. All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: April 20, 2018
Look! In the skies over Galveston. It’s a bird, it’s a plane… No, it’s a plane. And it just might be the next Concorde. NASA’s mission- today on the Standard.
There’s a new policy for meetings at city hall in Amarillo. If you’re caught clapping you might get thrown out. An unusual policy to be sure—but is it constitutional? An SMU legal scholar raises a red flag.
Remember the Alamo? Sure you do. But never like this. Virtual reality comes to the cradle of Texas liberty.
Also why a Texas city ranks #1 for black homeownership. You might be surprised which city it is. Plus the week in Texas politics and more.
Texas Standard: April 13, 2018
Though you may have heard about James Comey’s book, have you heard how the president may be planning to fire back? The scoop on Scooter today on the Texas Standard.
Long before President Trump claimed to be the target of a witch hunt, the ally of a powerful Texan complained he too was the target of one. Why Dick Cheney’s onetime teammate Scooter Libby is making headlines.
Also, you’ve heard of the calm before the storm, what about the storm that follows the storm? Why Texas lawmakers are worried about economic blowback post-Harvey.
And one of the best known actors in Hollywood keeps his heart and his home in Texas. Matthew McConaughey talks about Wooderson, guns and the samurai way.
Texas Standard: April 12, 2018
California and Texas may be miles apart philosophically but when it comes to troops at the border, there may be more in common that you think. The story today on the Standard
A New York Times reporter, embedded with Texas forces at the border, tells us what he’s seeing about military operations. And how this show of force is staying largely invisble to residents.
Women working as reporters tell their own stories to Texas researchers, and the findings point to physical dangers and an impact on the news. We’ll hear how and why.
And what if they threw a party, and it changed an iconic Texas city? It happened 50 years ago- and its ripples are still felt today. Those stories and much more, we’re just getting started.
Texas Standard: April 11, 2018
Texan Kevin Brady may not be a household name in the rest of the US, but after a surprise announcement on Capitol Hill that could quickly change.
What House Speaker Paul Ryan’s unexpected decision to retire from congress may mean for Texas. Kevin Diaz of the Houston Chronicle joins us.
Also, with the Facebook CEO set for more congressional questions, why the interrogation from a Texas senator yesterday is being called one of the more interesting moments.
You Tube Kids-just how safe for youngsters?
And what a massive new study tells us about the implications of holding schoolkids back a grade, come counterintuitive conclusions.
Texas Standard: April 10, 2018
A case of clerical error? A peer reviewed journal questions conventional wisdom on the record setting number of maternal deaths in Texas. Details today on the Standard.
Are military cuts causing more US military flyers to lose their lives? A first of its kind investigation connects the dots between cutbacks and crashes.
Lubbock drawing national attention post-Parkland- for what may be a revolutionary way to spotlight mental health needs among students.
And the “decade of malaise” they called it, what’s it got to do with Donald Trump? A presidential scholar says more than we might think. Grab your platform shoes and crank up that Hi-fi….because it’s time for the national news show of you know where.
Texas Standard: April 9, 2018
A congressman leaves Washington well ahead of schedule. What are the options for a short term replacement to represent his Harvey hit part of Texas? The story on the Standard.
After a scandal involving a teacher convicted of domestic abuse, the University of Texas orders employees to report all future arrests –and the dispositions of their cases. Does it strike the right balance between safety and worker privacy?
Also, why state parks are going dark this week.
TXDOT issues a warning for roadside picture takers during bluebonnet season. But wait- who put those bluebonnets there in the first place? We’ll find out…and a whole lot more.
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: March 2, 2018
With primary day fast approaching, reporters reading the Texas political tea leaves are seeing more blue. Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post joins us today on the Standard.
Southeast Texans remember trying to get around during hurricane Harvey. Doesn’t have to be a storm that big, sometimes heavy downpours make Texas roads impassable, but you don’t know know about it until it’s too late–now there may be a fix in the works.
A growing scandal over college basketball players accepting money- and a proposal to fix it that’s getting a lot more attention: What about letting them accept the money?
Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and and much more.