politics

Dustin Burrows wins race for Texas House speaker

In a session-opening battle for speaker of the House – one of the most powerful positions in state government – Rep. Dustin Burrows won the role in a blow to a rising faction in the Texas GOP, and a victory for what many call establishment Republicans.

Elon Musk, Texas’ richest resident, is turning his eyes to a vastly different venture: education. Lauren McGaughy of The Texas Newsroom has the story, plus a look at her plans to dig into how Musk’s massive wealth and business ambitions are affecting his new home.

And: As the Standard celebrates our 10th birthday in 2025, we’re kicking off a year of Top 10 lists with a beloved story from commentator W.F. Strong.

UT Dallas student journalists fight for press freedom

As lawmakers begin their work at the state Capitol, money is at the center of it all. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar shares a look at the current state of the Texas economy.

After a Venezuelan woman died violently in Texas, her body was sold for scientific research without her family’s consent. An investigation into the state’s trade in body parts.

The newspaper at UT Dallas faced retaliation from administrators for reporting on protests. How those reporters are fighting for a free student press.

And: Why January 6 rioters are coming to the Hill Country.

What’s a wolf moon?

It’s go-time at the Texas Capitol as the 89th legislative session opens tomorrow, running through June 2. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom has a preview of what to expect.

War on drugs? Or drug users? How a mass overdose event underscores what critics say is wrong with Texas’ anti-drug strategy.

You’ve heard of a super moon, blood moon, harvest moon. But what exactly is a wolf moon?

Also: an artistic linkup between San Antonio and Havana, Cuba.

Could Houston send water to West Texas?

With temperatures on the rise, beware the temptation to let down your guard: a waning winter storm and what it means for drivers today.

Gov. Greg Abbott is keen on an idea to pipe Houston’s surplus water to drought-stricken West Texas.

With the U.S. inauguration just 10 days away, what’s in store for the relationship between Washington and Mexico City?

Plus: 2025 taco hacks from taco journalist Mando Rayo.

It’s cold outside, but politics are heating up in Austin

As cold as it is in some parts of the state, politics are heating up in Austin. As the next legislative session nears, there’s intense infighting over who will hold one of the top spots.
Abortion access in this country has changed, especially in states like Texas, since the effective overturn of Roe v. Wade. But pregnancy terminations are actually up across the U.S.
Meta will no longer fact-check. What’s that mean for the user experience on platforms like Facebook and Instagram?
And the semifinal round is here in the College Football Playoff. Texas will face Ohio State. Can the Longhorns win it all?

The polar vortex is complicating Northeast Texas farming

Rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow are sweeping across Texas, with the Panhandle and DFW areas bracing for the worst. We’ll have the latest on this week’s forecast – and how it’s complicating life for farmers and ranchers between Dallas and Texarkana.

With the Texas Legislature set to reconvene in a few days, some lawmakers preparing to fight again for Medicaid expansion in Texas.

As the president of UT Austin announces plans to lead Southern Methodist University, a years-long fight between SMU and the United Methodist Church over a potential split is set to reach the Texas Supreme Court in just days.

Also: President-elect Trump is getting pushback from car manufacturers on his plan to roll back EV incentives and mandates.

How one woman is helping revitalize Matagorda Bay

State lawmakers want to tackle the rising cost of renting or owning a home in Texas.

Why more white-collar office workers are facing long-term unemployment.

Diane Wilson waged a legal war against the company that was polluting a stretch of Gulf Coast and won. Now the shrimper is using the settlement money to help her fishing community.

Plus: Talking with the co-authors of a new book about Bill Hobby’s life in journalism and public service.

What to expect as polar vortex hits Texas

We have the latest on what’s shaping up to be the first real winter storm of 2025 in Texas – and we’ll also turn to energy and what the winter weather adds up to for consumers and the industry.

Houston mayor John Whitmire marks one year in office. How’s it going so far?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2024, Texas gained over half a million new residents, more than any other state.

Iconic Austin venue Antone’s celebrates 50 years of Texas blues. Co-owner Will Bridges and booker Zach Ernst reflect on its legacy and what’s next.

Ted Cruz to chair powerful Senate committee

The FBI now says it believes the suspect in the New Year’s attack in New Orleans acted alone. We’ll have an update on the latest.

Ted Cruz is poised to take over leadership of the powerful Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

As of Jan. 1, works published in 1929 and sound recordings from 1924 have entered the public domain. The Standard’s Shelly Brisbin shares some notable highlights of what’s now freely accessible.

And: Opposition mounts against an LNG export terminal along the Texas Gulf Coast.

What we know about Texas ties to deadly attack in New Orleans

The FBI has identified the suspect in a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans as Texas resident Shamsud-Din Jabbar. We’ll have the latest on the rampage that left 15 people dead.

Ahead of next week’s national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, a look at his impact on the Lone Star State.

What steps should lawmakers prioritize in the upcoming legislative session to address the state’s water crisis?

And: Scientists have identified a new bee species found only in Texas and Oklahoma.

A look ahead at the 89th legislative session

As the 89th session of the Texas Legislature looms, here’s a preview of some of the marquee issues that will likely hold the focus of lawmakers.

The W.F. Strong Power Hour

Ring in the new year with a countdown of our beloved commentator’s most mesmerizing tales.

Our top music stories for the year

Queue up some jams for your New Year’s Eve party with this roundup of some of our favorite music segments from 2024, featuring Beyoncé, the Jesus Lizard, Bayonne and more.

A year of travel across Texas

Every corner of Texas holds a certain kind of unique magic. We’re hitting the road, exploring hidden history and checking out plans for some new trails.

Diving into Texas history

Through the years, countless Texans have made history, though some are far less remembered or memorialized. We’re bringing some of those stories to light today, from the far reaches of space exploration to the farmworkers who fought for change with the Texas Farm Workers Union.

Some of our favorite stories of the year

We asked our team of journalists at the Standard to reflect on some of their favorite stories of the past 12 months. Today we remember efforts to save animals during the big Panhandle fire, a Texas runner heading to his final marathon, prospects for a WNBA franchise in a city that’s long gone without a pro team, and much more.

Tour the Texas Museum Map

This year we kicked off the Texas Museum Map, exploring and highlighting museums big and small, traditional and weird.

Today we’ll take a tour of the state, with stops at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, the Rangerette Showcase & Museum in East Texas, and Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, among others.

The best of The Texas Newsroom

We’re taking a look back at some of our favorite stories of the year from our public radio reporting partners across the state, including:

A Dallas ISD program that’s getting more Black and Latino men into classrooms.

Mobile health clinics rolling out to provide vital medical services as the state loses rural hospitals.

And: A visit to the traditional Mexican rodeo in San Antonio.

Inside the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum

At least five bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature so far to require Texas voters to show proof of citizenship. A look at the implications.

How education could take center stage in the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session.

Attorney General Ken Paxton files a motion to prevent testimony at the Capitol from death row inmate Robert Roberson.

And: Kristen Cabrera visits the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum for the Texas Museum Map project.

Remembering Melinda Wickman Swearingen, ‘the Annie Leibovitz of outlaw country’

It’s Republicans vs. Republicans to decide the speaker’s race in the Texas House of Representatives.

Photographer Melinda Wickman Swearingen, who died earlier this year, captured evocative images of outlaw country musicians. Her work will soon be on display at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.

And: What’s the deal with these mysterious drones? Should we be worried? Omar Gallaga has answers.