No matter where you are, tis the season to be shopping. But if you’d rather be reading, or giving the gift thereof, you’re gonna enjoy this special edition of the Texas Standard. They are, as Stephen King once wrote, a uniquely portable magic. The quietest and most constant of friends, the most accessible and wisest of counselors, the most patient of teachers, wrote Charles W. Elliott. And a lot of them focus on or are written about the greatest place we know. This hour, we’re talking about books, albeit with a distinctly Texas accent:
poetry
Texas Standard: November 28, 2019
The Texas Legislature has recently taken up charges focused on mental health. Can those priorities maintain momentum into the next session? We’ll explore. Plus, mental health has been used in the same sentence a lot lately as mass violence. We’ll break down that connection. And as loved ones gather this holiday, one discussion point might be family history. Digging deep into what that means for one Texas family. Also, don’t ask don’t tell: it seems that’s still largely the policy when it comes to mental health at work. We’ll look at how to change that. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 22, 2019
The public part of the House impeachment inquiry is over. Did it have an impact? A former White House adviser says yes, in ways that may not be obvious, we’ll explore. Plus: 2020. It’s closer than you think, especially if you’re in the business of running an election. How much more secure are systems now, with less than a year to go before presidential balloting? Also, over objections of native americans, environmentalists and others, three new natural gas export facilities get the green light…What will it mean for texas and the economy? All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Autumnal Elegy
It took its time to get here — but that fall feeling is now in full swing. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: November 15, 2019
A show of resilience in El Paso: for the first time doors re open at the site of the August mass shooting at a WalMart, we’ll have the latest. Also, the Supreme Court hands a rare victory to plaintiffs trying to hold gunmakers liable in mass shooting cases. And how to make democracy better? Smarter ballots. We’ll hear one professor’s big idea. Plus the week that was in Texas politics from the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
The New Vocabulary
The impeachment inquiry hearings going on this week have been a reminder that many of us are using different words — including some Latin ones — than we have in the past. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: November 8, 2019
It’s been a long time coming, but now that a state takeover of Houston ISD is happening… We’ll look at questions that remain about how it will unfold. Vetting migrants has always been a talking point for President Trump. Now a new facility is giving border agents access to classified information they haven’t had before. Plus Texas voters passed a measure supporting tax money for parks. We’ll look at how that money will be spent. And remembering a Puerto Rican astrologer who crossed borders of all sorts. Also, have you ever felt a song is about you? Taking that to the next level. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Soup Weather
A cold front has cooled much of Texas — at least temporarily. One way to celebrate the fall temperatures is with a bowl of soup. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: November 1, 2019
In one of the top fundraising states for Donald Trump, what does impeachment add to the political mix for Texas? We’ll take a look. Plus, NPR’s John Burnett previews his story of how one of the nation’s biggest pro-Trump regions, the Texas panhandle is dealing with its fastest growing demographic… immigrants. And the Texas Tribune joins us with a look at the week that was in Texas politics. Also, a taste of this weekends 10th annual BBQ fest. Texas monthly’s barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn stokes our appetite and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
The Horror
Halloween costumes often reflect the news cycle. When that happens, the results can be disturbing. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: October 25, 2019
The Trump Administration is testing A secretive program in El Paso to speed up deportation of asylum-seeking migrants. We’ll look at what we’re learning about something called the prompt asylum claim review and what it means for asylum seekers. Also, the Texas based airline in special need of a soft landing in light of all the trouble with the 737 Max. And the tape continues to unravel… Fallout from the Bonnen recording and the rest of the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Looking For Fossils
Fossils might be right under your feet. It’s just a matter of looking in the right place at the right time. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: October 18, 2019
This time it seems it’s for real: the Energy secretary caught up in an impeachment inquiry, is coming home to Texas. We’ll have the latest on the return of Rick Perry. Other stories were tracking: Fort Worth is the biggest city in Texas without a police oversight board. After last weekend’s police shooting of a resident lawfully in her own home, people are asking if greater oversight would it have made a difference. Plus the week that was in politics with the Texas tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Small Town Festivals
Almost every Texas town has at least one — and they happen almost any time of the year. So, really, it’s always “festival season” in the Lone Star State. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Dog Parks
Going to a dog park can be a singular experience for a human — let alone a dog. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: October 11, 2019
What are Pete Sessions and Rick Perry’s Ukrainian connections? Amid impeachment questions, two prominent Texans get caught in the spotlight. We’ll have details. Also, after just a month on the job, the so-called homelessness czar in the Texas Capitol City steps down following a threat from the governor to force Austin to change controversial homelessness policies. We’ll have the latest. And award winning Texas author Tim O’brien breaks from telling war stories to address the home front. Also, the week that was in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 4, 2019
He’s been one of the longest-serving members of President Trump’s cabinet, but sources say Rick Perry will soon step down, we’ll explore. Also, did you get a census in the mail? No, not that census. We’ll explore some confusing fundraising tactics to keep an eye out of for. Plus, it was a personal moment between the brother of a victim and his brother’s killer. But it’s sparked intense debate. We’ll explore. And a new documentary brings to light a long overlooked piece of Texas history. Those stories and then some today on the Friday edition of the Texas Standard:
The Thieves of Delight
The last crops of the season are being plucked from gardens across Texas — at least if human gardeners can get to them before the other creatures! That’s the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Brisket
Not all meat dishes can inspire a poem. Brisket has no trouble.
Texas Standard: September 20, 2019
At least two dead, nearly 4 feet of rain and some parts of southeast Texas calling it worse than Hurricane Harvey. Our own Michael Marks joins us with the latest on tropical storm Imelda’s toll in Texas. Also, you’ve heard the phrase ‘it takes a village’, but to go to Mars? Why SpaceX is offering to buy an entire south Texas community. And Houston says Howdy Modi as the Indian Prime Minister makes Texas a centerpiece of his U.S. visit. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard: