As ICE raids are planned for the weekend, a so-called “Sanctuary Cities” lawsuit targeting San Antonio loses some steam. We’ll explain. Also, when we talk about Texas politics we always talk red and blue. But what about green? Purple? An effort to get more options on the ballot. And Texas is becoming just the second state to require high school seniors to fill out the form for federal student aid. But the path to accomplishing that is unclear, we’ll look at why. Plus, when most Texans hear the word cricket they think insect, not sports. That might be changing. And it’s Friday: that means the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap of the week in Texas politics. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Patrol
Texas Standard: April 3, 2019
Just two weeks after the petrochemical disaster in Deer Park, another chemical fire at a plant outside of Houston: this one deadly. We’ll have the latest. Plus: 9 dead, 20 injured, nearly 200 arrested and 4 years later, all cases dismissed yesterday without a single conviction. What happened after the Waco biker shootout? And what are the lessons? Plus, a warning about a quarter of Texas’ dams, we’ll take a look. And they call it the Rio Grande Valley, but where are the mountains? Our commentator W.F. Strong on an etymological mystery and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 7, 2019
Alarming figures from the border show an 11 year high in the number of migrant families apprehended. But do the numbers add up? Just a few weeks ago, we were hearing that the claim of a border emergency was overblown, but now mainstream news outlets report what sounds like, at the very least, a crisis overwhelming customs and border patrol. We’ll try to get a better sense of what’s happening. Also, a first of its kind effort in Texas to be prepared for wildfire season. And a top doctor warns of a looming crisis in Texas health care. All of those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 6, 2019
The senate approves pay raises for Texas teachers. The House has a bill of its own. What does it add up to for school reform in a larger sense? We’ll try to reconcile the differences between two approaches for fixing Texas public schools. Also, here’s a sentence some thought they’d never hear: the push to decriminalize marijuana gains momentum in Texas. We’ll get the how and why. And after a wicked cold snap, your forecast for bluebonnets. All those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 14, 2019
A year and a half after the worst natural disaster in Texas history, 55 counties are still waiting for relief funds. What’s the hold up? Some counties in Harvey hit Texas say they stand to lose billions in federal funds if they can’t match what’s on the table, and the clock is ticking. We’ll have the latest. Also, property tax relief now on the fast track, we’ll have details. And plans for a new energy facility in Brownsville getting complicated because of a cat. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 1, 2018
Along a major bridge in south Texas, welders putting barriers in place. We’ll get a first hand look at steps being taken in an apparent effort to shut down the border. We’ll be talking with a reporter from the McAllen monitor about unprecedented work on a bridge spanning the Rio Grande and what it could mean in practical terms. Also, the FDA green lights what could be a life saving new flu drug even though the researcher behind it says it could have happened long ago. Why the wait? Think: money. And a deal by IBM turns the nation’s attention to Texas farms, and not the kind that grow crops either. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 18, 2018
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:
Texas Standard: July 12, 2018
Buzz builds around a charismatic democrat running for statewide office in Texas, bringing free media and money from Hollywood. Sound familiar? Beto O’Rourke has the sort of charm and charisma that’s drawn the attention of the national press corps, as new fundraising numbers show him leaving his rival, incumbent Ted Cruz in the dust. But is it moving the needle when it comes to winning over voters? We’ll take a closer look. And bag bans statewide have been sacked by the Texas Supreme Court, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got a right to a bag. How are retailers responding to changes in the law? Also the maker of plans for a 3d printed gun scores a court victory that could have ripple effects. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 23, 2018
The state’s political maps: will they need to be re-drawn? The stakes are high in a case to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, we’ll have the latest. Also in Texas there’s a lot of love for Southwest. But today, lots of frustrated travelers as the Dallas based airline grounds nearly a hundred planes for engine inspections. We’ll hear what inspectors are looking for. And the nation’s biggest psychiatric ward also happens to be a county jail. How did the criminal justice system become the biggest provider of services to the mentally ill? We’ll explore. And a new wave of National Guard troops arrive at the border. How’s this playing out down in the Valley? We’ll take you there. Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 14, 2017
A Texas GOP congressman isn’t pulling punches: the Russians he says, are actively interfering with… fracking? We’ll have the latest. Also Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has had a lot to say at rolling back property taxes, but not so much about what those taxes cover: education. But on the eve of the special session he’s changing his tune, offering bonuses to teachers, money for schools and help to retirees, we’ll hear why. And its been a long time since military base closures made headlines, but Texas, brace yourself. A coming fight that could be a matter of survival for some Texas towns. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 6, 2017
Marathon: more than a city in west Texas, a description of a drama unfolding at the capitol right now. Also the number of people apprehended at the border hits a 17 year low. History says they’re supposed to be on the rise. What’s up? Some answers from the front lines. And as fears escalate over deportation in Spanish speaking communities, some Texas businesses try adaptation: the new rules of engagement with customers. Also a spike in disability claims in rural America has researchers asking how ya gonna keep em down on the farm, or the ranch. And if internet companies are gonna share your info, what can you do to keep it to yourself? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 28, 2016
A switch in time saved nine remember? If Ted Cruz holds his ground, what might save a nine person Supreme Court today? Also, it may sound strange with record numbers voting early, but history tells us, Texas ranks near the bottom when it comes to voter turnout. Why? We’ll explore. And the big shakeup for the Border Patrol, NPR’s John Burnett previews an in depth report on a cultural shift for the federal government’s biggest law enforcement agency. Plus after Shamu, whither Sea World? Hint: more rollercoasters may not satisfy protesters. All that plus the week in politics and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 13, 2016
What could have been done to save the life of Sandra Bland? Nine months on, an independent commission releases its findings. We’ll explore. Also the state reverses a conviction…you’re free to go, but are you free? The complicated state of exonerations. Plus, t minus two days? Not exactly. A tax break this year you may not remember and few more practical considerations you should bear in mind before tax day. Also, when it comes to Texas, who’s representin? A reality show raises questions about lone stars on the Texas stage, and whether the state has lost the plot. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 29, 2015
10 thousand migrant kids and families apprehended last month those numbers sparking fresh concerns of a second immigration crisis. We’ll explore a new surge down at the border, thru two perspectives: that of a border patrol officer-as well as the mayor of McAllen. Also- At age 14 he was convicted of murder. He’s free today, he says, thanks to what happened to him in Giddings…we’ll hear his story and why he thinks it could help others. Plus with age comes wisdom…and in Texas, free college tuition too? It’s for real…if you can pass a few tests. All that and much more on todays Texas Standard: