Hundreds of asylum seekers released in El Paso with little warning, straining resources and highlighting big issues at the border. We’ll talk with Bob Moore in El Paso about the latest. Also, race and criminal justice: we’ll take look at just how different America’s prison population is from the population at large and why. Plus a Texas lawmaker tells us why he’s fighting for the expansion of medical marijuana. And did you unwrap a new gadget for Christmas or Hanukkah? Our tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us what to do with the old one. Also, the calls for civility in politics and online have come from every corner. But some say it’s not enough. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: December 21, 2018
Another high profile resignation shakes the Trump administration, we’ll explore what Jim Mattis’ departure means. Plus, there’s a cost associated with being behind bars, but getting released also comes at a cost. We’ll run the numbers. Also one expert shares his ideas for the perfect children’s gift that won’t cost you a penny. And when it comes to holiday traditions, do you break a piñata? All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 19, 2018
Texas requires contractors to sign a pledge against boycotting Israel. Is that a violation of the First Amendment? A legal challenge to a new state law today on the Texas Standard.
This time yesterday we told you about landmark legislation on criminal justice–with passage in the Senate last night, we’ll hear why some behind bars in Texas choose to stay there.
Also, history meets what planners call the future of El Paso as preservationists fight to save a neighborhood from the wrecking ball. We’ll hear what’s at stake.
Plus the editor in chief of Kirkus Reviews with some last minute gift tips, and more.
Texas Standard: December 18, 2018
After Obamacare, then what? The governor’s suggesting he’ll push for a Texas healthcare plan. But what would Abbottcare look like and is it for real? The story today.
Texas’ senior senator, the number two man in the Senate, delivers an impassioned plea for a criminal justice bill. And it looks like it could be one of those rare opportunities for something resembling real bipartisanship. What John Cornyn said and why he’s now in the spotlight.
Also, a creature long rumored to roam the swamps of the south–turns out it’s for real. We’ll talk with the Texas researcher who helped discover a new species. And much more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: December 17, 2018
After the death of an undocumented Guatemalan girl, politicians return to tour what was once called a temporary tent camp at Tornillo. The story today on the Standard.
A Trump administration proposal to deport certain Vietnamese immigrants sends shock waves through parts of Texas: home to some of the largest Vietnamese communities in the US.
Also, the year that was in energy. Plus, a tumultuous year in review from the previous century- and why a Texas museum is turning a spotlight on it.
All those stories, plus the changing face of Texas politics and more coming up today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: December 14, 2018
Weeks of meetings on climate change come to a close, but what’s changing? Other than the climate? We’ll explore today on the Texas Standard.
Reduce, reuse, recycle, they say…but now what? What’s there to show for a conference on climate and what role can individuals play today?
Also, ’tis the season for graduation? A 19 year old gets her PhD in North Texas and we get schooled on her story.
Space the final frontier? What about that frontier separating Texas and Mexico? How Elon Musk may stand in the way of a border wall.
Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: December 13, 2018
A food fight on Capitol Hill may be coming to an end, what’s in the massive farm bill and what isn’t? That story and more today on the Texas Standard.
As much of the US is focused on disarray in DC, why dramatic European disunion right now should be on our radar here in Texas.
Also, how the recent wild ride on Wall Street is hitting the home front.
How pop-up PACs are skirting campaign laws.
And is there an echo in the room? If not, there may be a few under the tree. How the hottest gifts of the season, those smart speakers, really stack up against each othe
Texas Standard: December 12, 2018
Could be some hard lessons for lawmakers who say they want to fix Texas schools in the upcoming session. We’re doing the math and more today on the Texas Standard.
A state panel is suggesting an overhaul in how our public schools are paid for–long an issue of contention in Texas. We’ll hear the latest ideas. Tell us what you think online @texasstandard.
Also, how 3D printers are putting teeth in prison dental care.
And a claim that after a decade of progress, the rate of uninsured children on the rise: is that true? The Politifact team is on the case.
Texas Standard: December 7, 2018
Over a 10 year period, 90 deaths, 32 hundred incidents of abuse and neglect statewide: Alarming findings about the safety of Texas day care centers in a year long investigation by the Austin American Statesman: one that has led to a legal battle with state officials. We’ll hear from the investigative team behind the report. Also, healing harmonicas? What a Texas researcher discovered to help people with COPD. And the week that was in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 30, 2018
The next version of NAFTA now signed by all three countries, but it’s far from a done deal. On Capitol Hill, the push back’s bipartisan, we’ll hear why and whether it could cause the pact to unravel. Also picture this: you’re pulled over at the side of the road and the trooper asks to see your smartphone: how close are we to digital IDs in Texas? Closer than you might think. Plus the week that was in Lone Star politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 28, 2018
Here we go again? As the clock ticks down to the end of the year, a top ranking Texas lawmaker poses 300 pages of tax changes – we’ll hear why.
South of the border down Argentina way, President Trump headed to meet with world leaders for a so called G-20 summit. Why that could prove a tipping point for Texans worried about our economy.
Also, how much are you playing for gas? As prices fall, why some in oil country might welcome a bit of a slowdown.
And commentator W.F. Strong offers some tips for Texas time travelers.
Texas Standard: November 21, 2018
Danger! Slippery road ahead: as Texans hit the holiday highways with cheaper gas at the pumps, falling oil prices could still hit us where it hurts.
The oil and gas sector lose one trillion dollars in value as prices plummet: what’s happening and how it could affect everyday Texans.
Also, thinking about 2020 already? Why Jonathan Tilove of the Austin American Statesman suggests: don’t bet against Beto’s return.
Plus, how the changing of the guard in the U.S. House of Representatives hits home for Texas farmers.
Texas Standard: November 20, 2018
Backing away from the border: the Pentagon plans a drawdown of active duty forces there…mission accomplished or something else?
You’ve heard of the wall of separation between church and state—could the church stop a wall between Mexico and the U.S.?
Also, a death at a North Texas jail turns the spotlight on untrained guards at lockups statewide.
A proposed transition from an Obama era policy stokes fear among transgender Texans. We’ll hear why.
And a large scale attempt to woo migrating monarchs back to the Texas capitol city—did it fly?
Texas Standard: November 19, 2018
Texas may be losing its hold in the US House, but it may play an outsized role in who the next speaker will be. That story and more today on the Texas Standard.
Will Nancy Pelosi remain Speaker of the House? Why Texas democrats in congress are a house divided, and what that means for the leadership contest.
New standrds for public school curriculum in Texas set to change how students are taught about the causes of the Civil War.
And with the start of the Texas legislative session just weeks away now, a warning to Texas republicans–don’t mess with a bluer Texas.
Texas Standard: November 16, 2018
More than just a me too moment: the Texas House holds hearing on how to crack down on sexual harassment at the capitol, we’ll have the story. Also, the face of Texas politics is changing, and both political parties would like to win over the fastest growing ethnic demographic in Texas. Why California might be able to Texas a thing or two about how to get them. And as the Fed considers another interest rate hike, should you buy or rent your next home? Why hurricane Harvey’s made the calculation more complicated for some. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 9, 2018
Migrants entering the U.S. illegally can request asylum according to U.S. law, but not according to the President. We’ll explore the emergency order on asylum seekers. Also, a federal court orders Texas to pay back millions after a scandal involved special education, we’ll take a look. And a Texas-sized problem for folks with disability parking privileges. Plus an effort in Dallas to get more women conducting symphonies: are their neighbors listening? We’ll explain. And what a week in Texas politics: we’ll look back with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 26, 2018
What some are calling the most drastic move to date against would be immigrants: a shutdown of the southern border. Preparations underway to send up to a thousand U.S. troops to the border to stop a caravan of thousands of would be migrants, all this days before midterm elections. We’ll hear what the leaders of Texas border cities have to say. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 25, 2018
As the latest bomb scares appear to underscore, the political center isn’t holding. But what about here in Texas? And what does it mean for the long term? That’s today on the Texas Standard.
Coming to you live today from the studios of Texas Public Radio- celebrating 30 years on the air in San Antonio – as the city marks its 300th birthday. We’ll explore a bit of the Alamo City’s less well known backstory. Also, are Texans really as divided along party lines as the rest of the nation? Our project “Texas Decides” takes up that question. Also, the search for Maria Moreno, and a story of a Texas born farm movement hero almost lost to history. All that and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: October 19, 2018
As Midterms approach, so do thousands of migrants from Honduras and Guatemala en route to the U.S. We’ll have the latest on not one but now two caravans of Central Americans headed north. Mexico sends its military to stop them, as many in the U.S. ponder the political implications in a heated election year. Also the Khashoggi affair hits home for a Texas based journalist and author. Lawrence wright on the death of a friend and the threat to freedom. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 12, 2018
Turkey says it has tapes of the murder and torture of a Washington Post columnsit at the hands of the Saudis. How should the U.S. respond? The disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is creating geopolitical ripples, as Turkey works with U.S. officials over the Khashoggi affair, and this morning, orders the release of a U.S. pastor detained there. Also, counting casulaties in the wake of Hurricane Michael: after Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, why the numbers don’t seem to add up. Plus, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more. No matter where you are, it’s Texas Standard time.