Could what critics call Florida’s “don’t say gay” law be coming to Texas? The Texas Lt. Governor says it’s a top priority. Also, the end on an historic union lockout dubbed the “Battle of Beaumont”; what it says about organized labor in Texas. And, a collection of artifacts sheds new light on one of Texas’ most celebrated musicians. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: April 1, 2022
The release of oil from the nation’s strategic reserves; an effort to lower gas prices but also turn up the heat on Texas oil and gas producers? Also, what’s believed to be a first of its kind conference for Texas’ nine historically Black colleges and universities set for Austin. And, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. All this and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 25, 2022
The Supreme Court rules in a case involving death row inmates and the involvement of spiritual advisors at executions. We’ll look at the implications. Other stories were tracking: after a court ordered stay, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton appeals to the Texas supreme court to permit child abuse investigations into parents who help their transgender kids access gender-affirming care. Also, with the expiration of pandemic bans on evictions, something somewhat unexpected happening in some courtrooms. We’ll hear the backstory. Plus the week in Texas politics and the search for the ultimate roller coaster. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 18, 2022
High winds, low humidity and dry conditions fuel wildfires in Texas. In Abilene authorities have ordered evacuation. We’ll have the latest. Also, extradition can ensure those who flee to another country face justice. A judge in Scotland though ruled returning a man would be a human rights violation because of poor conditions in Texas prisons. Plus a trailblazing Secret Service agent talks about being one of the first women hired to do the job. Also, the Texas border chef nominated for a prestigious national award three years after opening his restaurant in El Paso. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 11, 2022
Governor Abbot’s orders to investigate parents proving gender affirming care for transgender kids. We’ll have more on the legal fight. Plus the fight to win popular support: a University of Texas propaganda researcher war being fought over Ukraine, and how to tell fact from fiction. Also, how the conflict is putting pressure on a prestigious Texas based music competition. And Texas is a leader in renewable energy. The problem? How to store it. San Antonio buys in to a novel solution that borrows from lessons learned in fracking. And the passing of Willie Nelson’s longest running music partner, his sister Bobbie. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 04, 2022
What more should the US do to put the squeeze on Russia? Former Texas Congressman and ex-CIA officer, Will Hurd, on whether we should impose a no-fly zone. Also, a bipartisan push for Texas pension funds to divest from Russia. And, we’ll meet the Jeopardy player from Texas who brought home the college championship prize. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: March 03, 2022
A state judge tells Texas it must stop its investigation of a family suspected of providing gender affirming medical care for their transgender teenager. President Biden’s weighing in on the matter too. Plus, legally mandated efforts to get Texas public school students back up to speed after pandemic disruptions; schools say they simply don’t have the tutors to do it. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 02, 2022
Abbott vs. O’Rourke, that much was expected, but some key races hang in the balance. The race for attorney general and a big test for Progressives in South Texas appear headed for runoffs. Also what, if anything, the first in the nation’s primaries may tell us about the midterms this November. Those stories and much more on a special post-primary day edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 01, 2022
We’re tracking primary day in Texas as voters head to the polls on this first day of March. Also, the effects of a new policy by Governor Abbott to classify gender affirming medical treatment for transgender kids as child abuse. And, what the Russian invasion of Ukraine could mean for continued cooperation in space. Plus, a conversation with country music’s Carson McHone. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 28, 2022
It’s being called Ukraine’s Alamo; a moment that has underscored the country’s spirit of resistance and has inspired more sanctions against Russia and demonstrations across the west. Also, the latest on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and why energy has been largely left off the table amid rising sanctions. Plus, with Texas primary elections tomorrow, the once mostly-obscure county officials who now find themselves in the spotlight. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 25, 2022
More sanctions, more troops to Europe, but how adequate is the US response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Congressman Colin Allred of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is recently back from Ukraine; he’ll weigh in on the US response. Also, the ripple effects on oil and commodities. Plus, the week in politics, and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 24, 2022
We’re keeping a watch on the situation in Ukraine and the ripple effects for Texas. Plus, with early voting ending tomorrow, what to watch for in Texas’ first-in-the-nation primaries. Also, Governor Abbott’s role in keeping energy prices high during last year’s deadly statewide freeze. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 23, 2022
A political revolution in South Texas where Latinas are leading a rightward push; Jack Herrera of Texas Monthly with more on who’s behind changes in a longtime democratic stronghold. Also, Jeremy Suri of UT on escalating tensions in Ukraine. And, should Wordle get a Texan accent? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 22, 2022
He’s been called Trump’s favorite cowboy; why Sid Miller’s attempt to hang on to his job as Texas Agriculture Commissioner is drawing a lot of national attention. And, a longtime democratic congressman in South Texas faces a repeat challenge from the left–a former intern. Also, why biorefineries could be the next big thing in Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 18, 2022
Nineteen indictments of Austin police officers in what appears to be one of the biggest indictments of a single police department in connection with the racial justice demonstrations of 2020. Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 17, 2022
Looking back at the winter storm of last February and why one year later disparities in the death toll persist; Mose Buschele, of KUT Austin, has more on that story. Also, efforts to secure federal recognition for Texas’ emancipation trail. And, the state’s legal challenge to the company formerly known as Facebook. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 16, 2022
As many watch for the next moves in Ukraine, Europeans are turning to Texas for more of their energy; it could come with strings attached. Also, six Texas congressional races to watch. And, an auction for wild horses…why some see it as a betrayal. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 15, 2022
As early voters begin to cast primary ballots, Black Voters Matter activists draw attention to what they call a crisis of voter suppression. Also a snapshot of political sentiment as voters prepared to pick nominees for statewide offices. The results of a new UT-Texas Politics Project poll. And student journalists report firsthand on the effects of the pandemic on Young Americans. Plus a homecoming of sorts for one of Texas’ best known rock and roll exports. Our conversation with Spoon frontman Britt Daniel on his band’s new release. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 11, 2022
The Texas attorney general files a legal challenge against the Biden administration’s plans for a minimum wage hike. Also, why are witnesses being instructed not to talk about race as they come before a Dallas grand jury to testify about police actions in the George Floyd protests? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 10, 2022
A government investigation into the death of a migrant teenager in 2019 puts blame on the Border Patrol–what happens next? Also, some 18 Austin police officers could face charges involving the use of so-called less lethal munitions during protests in the summer of 2020. Plus, the future of the post office. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard: