Tasers are supposed to be a less-lethal tool for police. But sometimes they still result in deaths, we’ll explore. Also the double-s word is getting thrown around again: special session. We’ll check in on the Texas Legislature as lawmakers set to wrap up. And Texas sheep and goat ranchers are losing animals to predators. How an old-world solution could help. Plus a job interview in Houston like you’ve never heard of before. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
poetry
Severe Weather Alerts
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for parts of the state over the weekend. Texans also know to keep there eyes and ears out for anything that could be more severe. That was the inspiration for this week’s poem.
Texas Standard: May 19, 2017
A police pension crisis creating big problems in Dallas. Now has a solution that appears to make all sides happy, we’ll explore. Also legislation being pushed by Texas Republicans could benefit Democrats, so why do Dems oppose it? We’ll check it out. And a new music festival in San Antonio that may be the first like it anywhere… how “Good Vibrations” is reaching an otherwise under-served audience. Plus it’s Friday so that means we’ll hear from the Typewriter Rodeo and wrap up the week in Texas Politics. All that and more today on the Standard:
Back To The Nest
College commencements are taking place across Texas over the next few weeks. That was the inspiration for this week’s Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: May 12, 2017
D-day at the Texas lege: as lawmakers hit deadlines, hundreds of bills fall by the wayside. We’ll explore what made it and what didn’t. Also Washington’s asking federal immigration judges to leave detention centers in South Texas. The reason might surprise you. Plus, no sanctuary cities in Texas? Try telling that to the mayor of El Cenizo, the first Texas city to challenge the new sanctuary city ban. And we’re number one! In wage theft? Efforts to crack down on crooked employers yield uneven results. Plus a unique ephemeral film archive gets ready for its closeup. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Marfa Lights
Visitors to far West Texas usually make a point to visit Big Bend, the McDonald Observatory and to try to catch a glimpse of the mysterious Marfa Lights. Those unexplained lights were the inspiration for this week’s poem from the Typewriter Rodeo.
Texas Standard: May 9, 2017
Mere hours after the governor signed it into law, his attorney general sues a Texas county over the sanctuary cities bill, we’ll explore. Also: they say robots will eventually take your job. For one Texas town, that day could be around the corner. We’ll have more. Plus billions on the table and less than three weeks to decide how the state spends it. The hangups in the budget negotiations at the capitol. And speaking of billions, Sinclair Broadcast just made public its plans to buy another major broadcast company. What will it mean for TV watchers here in Texas? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 5, 2017
Repeal and replace? Republicans are halfway there. Next stop the Senate. Who’ll pay the price, literally and politically? Plus in a state notorious for its use of the death penalty, a convicted killer is removed from death row. We’ll hear why, and what it means for capital punishment in Texas and beyond. Also fidgety kids? Some experts are recommending little hand held gadgets called spinners to help with focus. But some teachers say its a fad that’s gone too far. We’ll hear more. And you remember Waylon and Willie, right? Now Waylon’s better half breaks her silence: Jesse Colter on life as a musical outlaw. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Spring
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.
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.