Hundreds of thousands of people in Texas and Louisiana without power as Hurricane Laura makes landfall overnight. Despite warnings of an unsurvivable storm surge and record setting sustained winds, many along the northern gulf coast of Texas breathing a sign of relief, despite power outages and reports of property damage. Our conversations with people managing emergency efforts in Orange and Jefferson counties. Also what’s next in the aftermath of the storm. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Pandemic
Poem For A Rising Freshman
Students are headed back to school. For many, that’s in a virtual way. For almost all, it’s different than last fall. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Willie’s Always Right
The pandemic and its toll on lives and livelihoods cause many to feel strong negative emotions: fear, anger, stress, depression. Those feelings are valid. But a reminder from a dream version of one iconic Texan might be just what some need in these dark moments. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Work Meetings in the Time of Coronavirus
In a period of high unemployment and great risks with some in-person work, being able to connect remotely is a privilege. But it’s not always without its problems. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: August 6, 2020
Republicans versus Republican. Five conservative lawmakers are suing the Governor, over contracts for Coronavirus tracking. At issue: a nearly 300 million dollar deal for contact tracing that five state lawmakers say should have been vetted by the legislature, but wasn’t. Also, remember that border wall that dominated the last general election. Three miles of private wall built by Trump supporters is already coming down and mother nature’s playing a role. Plus the fight over facial recognition heats up. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 28, 2020
COVID-19 cases are plateauing in the Lone Star State. But that’s not the end of the story, we’ll have the latest. Also, how Texas A&M is strategically positioned to mass produce a COVID-19 vaccine. And how racism also occurs within communities of color. Plus Disaster declarations after Hanna and what the governor is doing to restore the Valley. And neighbors trying to remain neighborly. How the U.S. and Mexico share the waters of the Rio Grande River. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Cabin Fever
Some might usually be on a summer trip this time of year, visiting friends or family, or at least taking advantage of summer activities such as going to the community pool. Those options are fewer this year. Instead, many are spending extra time at home. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Love In Quarantine – GGOOLLDD “Long Distance Pandemic”
Episode 3 of the “Love In Quarantine” mini-season features Milkwaukee/Baton Rouge-based dance pop trio GGOOLLDD and their new summer bop, “Long Distance Pandemic.” You’ll hear the confession that inspired it—a budding romance suddenly turned long distance because of Covid-19 as well as how Nick and Margaret (from GGOOLLDD) navigated the early stages of their own long distance relationship.
We Can Be Heroes
The everyday looks different for everybody right now. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Short-Term Focus For Long-Term Change
It can be hard to think in terms of the long game when there is so much that needs our attention in the moment.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss strategies for focusing in the short-term to make informed decisions that will affect the future.
Trust and Cooperation
There is a certain amount of trust build into systems that work well, but when times are uncertain and tensions are running high what we trust can change.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of trust and cooperation.
Creative Masks
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has mandated most Texans wear masks for most activities outside the home. What that mask looks like — is up to you. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: June 30, 2020
A plea to Governor Abbott as COVID-19 cases set new records in Texas: do more to curb the spread, or let us take steps to do it. A return to stay at home orders? That’s one thing leaders in Travis county are asking for the power to enforce, as hospitalization rates in and around the Texas capitol city approach 70 percent. Also the pandemic sparks extended food benefits for millions of Texas kids. And though the current plan is for many Texas schools to reopen in the fall, many teachers may not be in the classroom. We’ll hear why plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
In Praise Of
The pandemic revealed something interesting about which jobs are really “essential.” It opened a dialogue about priorities and it’s a conversation that’s not over. That was the inspiration for this week’s poem.
Texas Standard: May 29, 2020
As much of the Lone Star State reopens, many prisoners in Texas eligible for parole are remaining behind bars. Why the hold up? We’ll explore. The governor says officials are monitoring the state for possible flareups and outbreaks but that effort’s overlooking many parts of Texas, notably communities of color. We’ll have details. Also, Texas hospitals that received bailout cash are suing a growing number of poor or unemployed patients. And rethinking the mythology surrounding the Texas ranger, the week in politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 22, 2020
Potter County in the Texas Panhandle is seeing more than its share of Coronavirus cases, at least population-wise. We’ll get a look on the ground. Also, what’s voting going to look like in Texas come November? Turns out folks have very strong opinions about this. We’ll hear from some. And we’ll hear again from our go-to doctor for questions about the Coronavirus. One question for today? The risk of sending kids back to childcare. We’ll explore. And if your thumb has become a little greener during this pandemic, you’re not alone not now, and not historically. Those stories and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 19, 2020
Bars, tattoo parlors and rodeos. What a return to normal is shaping up as in Texas as Governor Abbott moves to the next stage in reopening. Reopening dates vary by industry and rules aren’t being relaxed everywhere at once. Tony Plohetski of KVUE and the Austin American Statesman spells it out. Also, is the U.S. Government fast tracking child deportations? And why are so many small businesses having trouble getting promised aid? Plus the Hill Country spider that caught the attention of the Texas Supreme Court. Those stories and more today on the National News Show of Texas:
Texas Standard: May 14, 2020
How to make up for lost time: reopen school for a full year? Texas educators struggle with what to do in the fall and thereafter, we’ll have the latest. Plus, a new phase in the battle against the spread of the Coronavirus as businesses try to reopen. We’ll hear more on the state of testing in the state of Texas. And Dr. Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes up more of your COVID-19 questions. Also, who’s in charge, where? The back and forth over seemingly contradictory safety orders from state and local officials. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
What To Do If You Run Out Of TP
It was one of the first signs that life was going to get strange for a while: toilet paper started flying off the shelves. The supply still doesn’t seem particularly stable. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: May 5, 2020
Add to the latest Coronavirus hotspots: Texas prisons. Some 70 percent of those tested have the Coronavirus. What happens next? Jolie McCullough of the Texas Tribune talks about how Texas prisons are trying to tackle COVID-19 behind bars, and what their options are. Plus, federal stimulus money for small businesses and Native Americans. Have both missed the mark? We’ll explore. Also, why university of Texas researchers think the llama could be a pandemic hero. And revisiting the border wall and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: