Wildflowers are dotting the highways, fireflies are flitting about during dusk and it’s still cool enough to sit outside most days. The telling signs of the spring season — and the anticipation of summer — inspired this week’s poem.
poetry
Fireflies
Whether you call them fireflies or lightening bugs, these little insects were the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo segment.
Texas Standard: April 14, 2017
An enormous bomb dropped in Afghanistan, tensions high with North Korea, and what about Syria? We’ll check-in on global relations. Also over the years of debate about the federal budget deficit. Texas has built up a huge nest egg. But are we making the most of that money? And it could soon be a little too quiet on the set when it comes to the Texas film and TV industry. Efforts to keep business in the Lone Star State. Plus: what do you think about speed bumps? Is it time to think again? And we’ll introduce you to a figure of Texas history that’s not likely to have an elementary school named in his honor. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Gerrymandering
A federal court ruled recently that Texas lawmakers were intentionally discriminatory when it came to drawing congressional maps. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: April 7, 2017
After US cruise missile attacks on Syria, whose move is it next? A one time event, or the start of something bigger? We’ll explore. Also, after a 15 hour budget battle royal, a 218 billion dollar spending plan for Texas, paid for in part by tapping the rainy day fund. We’ll tally the winners and losers. And depressing numbers on new jobs today, and yet in Texas, the construction industry says there aren’t enough workers to meet demand. What’s going on here? All that and much more turn it up, its Texas Standard:
H-E-B
The Texas-based grocery store chain and its unique offerings was the inspiration for today’s Typewriter Rodeo.
Hail in Texas
Spring weather in Texas can mean damaging hail. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: March 31, 2017
He said he would blow up NAFTA. But maybe not so much? Border leaders react to a surprise softening of the US position: details today. Plus two countries, one community, and a wall. In south Texas, protestors stake out positions on a bridge. Also changing the rules of engagement: for us forces fighting the war on terror, will it make a difference? A former white house security chief weighs in on a shift in when to pull the trigger. And after the fail on repeal and replace, states find a new health care opening under Obamacare. Will Texas be text to give it a go? Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more, its Texas Standard time:
Statewide Ban
The Texas legislature is considering a statewide ban on texting while driving. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo poem for the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: March 24, 2017
A vote on health care? Or something else? As republican leaders scramble for votes, what does it mean to be a republican? We’ll explore. Also, 15 percent of UT Austin women have been victims of rape according to the accidentally released details of a landmark study. We’ll hear about the survey and how the numbers got out. And prayer rooms in public schools: does Texas have a problem with that? Why a side of soy sauce might come with that next southwestern dish. James Brown with a dash of Jimi Hendrix? How Black Joe Louis is messing with Texas music is a very good way. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
St. Patrick’s Day
Grab your green beer and your friends to enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day-inspired poem by the Typewriter Rodeo.
Waiting for Spring
There comes a time of the year when spring just can’t come fast enough. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo.
Texas Standard: March 17, 2017
It’s called a ‘declaration of taking’. Tho you might call it something else: the first tangle steps toward a border wall. Also a rough landing for US air traffic controllers? Why the FAA may not be in charge of managing the highways of the sky much longer…we’ll explain. And the New York stock exchange. The Chicago Mercantile exchange, the Texas gold depository? A Texas lawmaker polishes up plans to make an official Texas gold repository open for business. Plus saving Texas dance halls, a certain madness seizing Texas, the week that was at the capitol and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 10, 2017
Should a joint land you in jail? Thats the pot law on the books now in Texas: up to six months, in theory. But we’ll hear from a republican who’s fighting to reduce that penalty. Plus historic antiquities swiped from Mexico and intercepted by park rangers on a smuggling route through Big Bend. We’ll hear from the chief ranger about why it’s a big deal. And a self-driving shuttle bus making a slow tour through Texas cities – could this be the vehicle that convinces us to give up the steering wheel? Plus, fitbits on cows, the typewriter rodeo, a wrap of the week in Texas politics and so much more coming up today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 3, 2017
Put aside who’s gonna pay for it, who’s gonna build it? As companies start lining up, a hidden price for doing business? We’ll explore. Also, farmers and ranchers may have turned out for Trump back in November, but with new numbers and NAFTA on the line, what you might call ‘growing’ concerns…We’ll have the story. Plus in a time for belt tightening in Texas, one state agency comes up with a plan: ask for more of it. We’ll hear why they think it’s a winning strategy. And that’s the way it is: a pioneer of public radio, Cokie Roberts, on the state of the media in an era of fake news. And Waco get’s its wings, with the help of a flying W. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Haunted House
Some people believe in ghosts, others stand their ground and say they don’t exist. And some don’t quite believe in ghosts – but cautiously respect them when the lights go out at night. No matter what kind of (non)believer you are, we can all agree that spooky clowns are worse.
Texas Standard: February 10, 2017
A proposal to fix the state’s broken foster care system that could get more adults involved in the temporary care for kids in need. We’ll hear why the idea is personal for one Texas lawmaker. Plus gas prices could go up a lot under a proposal from a Texan in Washington. Not so good for drivers but how about the oil and gas industry? We’ll explore. And love thy neighbor. How a fire at an Islamic Community Center in Central Texas actually sparked new friendships. Plus how a song about a little boy in South Texas connects two generations of a legendary music family. And a reminder to never to read the comments from the Typewriter Rodeo. That and more on this Friday edition of the Texas Standard:
Never Read The Comments!
It’s never been easier to share opinions – political or trivial – with the public. Sometimes those opinions inspire productive, civil conversations, and other times…well, it’s just safer to adhere to the motto of the internet.
Texas Standard: February 3, 2017
The president takes aim at a decades-old law preventing tax exempt churches from engaging in politics. But there’s more to the story – we’ll explore. Plus: After hours of public testimony, a controversial bill banning sanctuary cities moves on to the full senate. We’ll have the latest. Also: The wall’s not up yet, but another barrier’s already rising, hitting Texas border cities: the surging dollar versus the peso. We’ll have the view from main street. And new life for an old idea: Teachers are telling students to learn what ever they want. All those stories and more, on today’s Texas Standard:
Ode to the Break Room Donut
Tupperware with leftovers, salads from around the corner, candy from the vending machine – office food can get boring. Some of us try to eat healthy, waking up an extra half hour early to prepare a midday meal, others go for the multi-snack approach. And every now and then, a magical thing happens in the breakroom: someone brings donuts.