Back to school? How’s that going to work with Texas now a top state for the spread of a new COVID variant. That and more on today’s Texas Standard.
Rates of COVID infection are back up near pandemic highs in Texas and younger and unvaccinated people appear to be more vulnerable to the Delta variant. And schools are scrambling to get ready. We’ll talk with reporters in Dallas and El Paso and get the latest.
Also, Governor Abbott’s executive order restricting the transportation of migrants is dealt a blow by a federal judge. And what is it that makes Texas gymnast Simone Biles the greatest of all time. Those stories and more.
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Texas Standard: August 3, 2021
A call out for more nurses to respond to a health care crisis in the coastal bend as hospital reach a critical point in caring for COVID patients. More today on the Texas Standard.
As many parts of Texas sound the alarm over the rapid spread of the Delta Variant, local officials scramble to come up with answers. We’ll hear from the judge of Nueces County issuing an all cal for nurses, and from a doctor in Temple who says she’s seeing more severe cases among pregnant women than at any time in the pandemic. Also, an effort to deal with food insecurity through food literacy. And the search for true history of the battle of Medina. All those stories and more.
Texas Standard: August 2, 2021
The expiration of an eviction moratorium. What comes next for hundreds of thousands of Texans behind on rent? A closer look today on the Texas Standard.
Other stories we are tracking: the federal government sues the state of Texas over a new order from the governor restricting the transportation of migrants. We’ll have details. Also a new chapter for a legendary Texas publishing house. The impact of the switch to the SEC for student athletes. Spiritual healers from the borderlands and their often overlooked impact and legacy. And a surprise victory for a Texas republican whose challenger was endorsed by Trump. What happened? Those stories and more.
Texas Standard: May 31, 2021
It’s Memorial Day and we have a special show for you. “Overlooked No More: How Asian Texans Shape the State”. Here on the Texas Standard.
We’ll talk about How the Asian American community has changed from 1870 – the first time the US census counted people from China to today.
We’ll meet a group called the “Pershing Chinese” – a story of Chinese immigration through Mexico.
Then, we’ll travel to the border where a vibrant Filipino community settled.
Is it time to re-evaluate the holidays we celebrate in Texas???
Plus, K-Pop and activism. And, the state of jobs and healthcare during COVID.
Texas Standard: May 28, 2021
There’s been many memorable Legislative sessions in Texas. This one promises to go down in the history books, too.
An observer with the quorum report calls the session “a buffet of red meat”
Jumping off to COVID-19 news: no one is rushing to get vaccinated anymore. How can the state of Texas motivate people to get the shot?
Also the US Energy Secretary is visiting Texas and she made a stop at the Texas Standard.
And, could a complete re-framing of Israeli-Palestinian relations finally lead to a solution in the region?
It’s a a new mindset with a Texas perspective.
All that and more.
Texas Standard: April 23, 2021
As rates of vaccination rise in Texas, the number of Texans seeking vaccines is tapering off – raising concerns. A closer look today on the Texas Standard.
Some parts of Texas are now closing vaccination hubs as demand falls. Though, a majority of Texans have yet to be vaccinated at all. We’ll find out why this is happening and what it could mean for efforts to reach herd immunity.
Also who’s minding the militias? A push to update and enforce Texas laws against private militias in the wake of the January 6th storming of the US capitol.
And a question many Texans are asking: why so many caterpillars? Those stories and more.
Texas Standard: April 2, 2021
Voting during the pandemic brought a specific set of challenges. Now, Texas lawmakers are considering measures that would restrict workarounds. Today on the Texas Standard.
Another much-watched issue in Austin right now is what lawmakers are going to do about problems with the Texas electric grid revealed during February’s deadly winter storm. We’ll have the latest.
Plus, along with the huge numbers of valid unemployment claims Texas has seen during the pandemic, there’s an uptick in fraudulent claims made by folks who are stealing identities. We’ll break down the challenge.
And, a big award nomination for a little library out west and the latest in our effort to track COVID-19 vaccination distribution.
Today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: February 26, 2021
The deregulated electric market was set up to save money for Texas consumers. So why did Texans end up paying $28 billion more? That story coming up on the Texas Standard.
A Wall Street Journal analysis shows the Texas electrical grid not only failed during the storm, but failed consumers for decades by leading to higher bills. We’ll hear what happened and why. Plus the latest on hearings by Texas lawmakers.
With a disaster declaration in Texas, what comes next? The nuts and bolts of accessing federal aid.
The University of Texas RGV in hot water for turning away eligible people seeking vaccines.
Plus the week in Texas politics and much more.
Texas Standard: January 25, 2021
And so it begins: the Attorney General of Texas files a lawsuit against the Biden administration over immigration enforcement changes. The story today on the Texas Standard.
Coming up- new findings on pregnancy and COVID-19. We’ll talk with a Texas-based maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
Also, should funding for Texas public schools be based on attendance, or enrollment? A democratic lawmaker calls for a shift from the former to the latter.
And, though the push for racial justice has brought down statues across the U.S., a new one is going up in College Station. We’ll hear from the student leading the push to honor a founding figure at Texas A&M.
Texas Standard: January 21, 2021
The executive transition-from pardons to new executive orders President Joe Biden takes action to undo much of his predecessor’s legacy. The story today on the Texas Standard.
In all some 17 executive acts, orders, and directives in the first 24 hours of the Biden Administration. We’ll explore some of the top line changes, many of which stand to affect Texas and Texans in a big way.
Also, a top Texas expert in political rhetoric decodes the many messages of a Made-for-TV inauguration.
A sense of home: a new book explores the quest for belonging among ethnic Mexicans.
The new millennial millionaires powered by snapchat and much more.
Texas Standard: December 31, 2020
No matter where you are we’ll bet you’re ready to say goodbye to 2020. This hour, the year in review in the Lone Star State. From extremes of partisan politics to a pandemic to protests and a reckoning over race…2020 will go down in history as a turning point for millions statewide and beyond. But what are the lessons of the past year and how might 2021 be different? Our roundtable with reporters. Also a shakeup at Fort Hood this year, one considered by many to be long overdue and some of the stories that didn’t make the front pages but nonetheless marked the end of an era. It’s a special year in review of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 17, 2020
It’s being described as an act of cyber espionage so big it is hard to overstate its impact, and a Texas company is in the crosshairs. That story and more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas is distributing the COVID vaccine in tiers of priority. But what happens if someone tries to cut in line?
Also, the holiday shopping season’s not what it used to be and certainly not at the border right now, where Texas merchants are feeling the pressure from pandemic rules and a loss of customers from Mexico.
Also, the student debt crisis: is there a better alternative than loan forgiveness? We’ll hear about some of the options that could be on the table and much more.
Texas Standard: December 16. 2020
Senate leader Mitch McConnell congratulates Joe Biden on his election win. So why are many fellow republicans, including from Texas, staying silent? Today on the Texas Standard
As a movement to declare so called sanctuary cities for the unborn takes hold statewide, the push gets a major boost in Lubbock, the biggest Texas city to consider such a measure so far. We’ll hear all about it.
Also, 1.7 trillion and rising: the total amount of student debt currently owed. The President-Elect’s under pressure to offer student debt forgiveness–the first of a two part look at what that might entail. Also, a Politifact check and more.
Texas Standard: December 14, 2020
A big red letter day for Texas as the first COVID-19 vaccines roll into the Lone Star State. Where the vaccines are going and what happens next- today on the Texas Standard.
Four health care centers in Texas today set to receive the first batches of Pfizer’s just approved two-dose vaccine. How to find out who’s on top of the vaccination list and the latest on distribution.
He’s not green lighting a political career just yet, but he’s not ruling one out either. Actor and author Matthew McConaughey on the search for a middle ground. And reflections on the groundbreaking musical path of the great Charlie Pride.
Texas Standard: November 17, 2020
As coronavirus numbers continue to surge in Texas – health care providers are desperate for resources and energy for the battle ahead. Today on the Texas Standard. We’ll check in with communities across the state about the specific challenges in their neck of Texas. Plus, how one Texas university has cracked down on compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures. It’s not without controversy. And, the Irving-based Boy Scouts of America facing an uncertain future after tens of thousands lobby sexual abuse allegations. Plus, some smart brains here in Texas have figured out we can investigate the very first stars. How? I’ll go ahead and say it — it’s pretty out of this world. Today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: October 20, 2020
Politicians often hope that political coattails can boost their chances, now it appears republicans are trying to cut them off as fast as possible. The story today on the Texas Standard.
We’ll hear why John Cornyn is trying to distance himself from the White House and what may reveal about how the GOP sees its’ chances for November. Also, Governor Abbott concerned too, digging into his own political pocketbook to back Texas republicans down-ballot.
Cutting the cord, involuntarily- pandemic protections against utility disconnections slip away leaving many in danger.
And you’ve heard of the “sleeping giant” in Texas politics? It maybe time to put the metaphor to rest…
Those stories and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: October 19, 2020
Millions of Texans turn out for week one of early voting in a state notorious for low turnout. A hint of a more fundamental change in Texas politics? That and more today on the Texas Standard.
In this most unconventional election season the state to watch is Texas: so declares veteran political journalist Dan Balz of the Washington Post. We’ll ask him what makes Texas the most intriguing place in politics in the nation right now.
Also, a rule change for social workers in Texas dialing back anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. Many social workers call it a gut punch.
Texas Standard: September 16, 2020
Despite less money and name recognition than the incumbent, some think MJ Hegar has a strong chance of making political history in November. Many political analysts think air force veteran and teacher M.J. Hegar has the best chance of reclaiming a seat in the US senate for Texas democrats for the first time in two decades. Also what losing a newspaper means for a Texas town, a teachers’ struggle to wear a Black Lives Matter mask at school, and 80 million unrequested ballots sent to voters? A Politifact check of that claim by the president and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 14, 2020
Primary care physicians on the front line of a health crisis now asking for a primary care “Marshall Plan” to survive long term. That story and more today on the Texas Standard.
El Paso, long a democratic stronghold, but also with a history of low turnout among Latinos and young voters. A closer look at what issues might get them to the polls with election day now 50 days away.
Also, how one of the biggest legacies of the Obama administration echoes in this election season.
And colleges and universities trying to get in good with social media influencers- but at what price? Those stories and more.
Overlooked No More: How Asian Texans Shape The State
It’s Labor Day and we have a special show for you- “Overlooked No More: How Asian Texans Shape the State. Here on the Texas Standard.
We’ll talk about How the Asian American community has changed from 1870, the first time the US census counted people from China to today.
We’ll meet a group called the “Pershing Chinese”. A story of Chinese immigration through Mexico.
Then we’ll travel to the border where a vibrant Filipino community settled.
Is it time to re-evaluate the holidays we celebrate in Texas???
Plus, K-pop and activism. And the state of jobs and healthcare during COVID.