politics

Texas Standard: August 3, 2020

One year after the deadliest attack against Latinos in recent history, Texas remembers those lost in El Paso during a day of reflection and healing.
Democrats beating republicans in fundraising for Texas congressional races- a closer look.
Also, a battle in Midland before and after a vote to rename a city high school.
The storm before the storms. What Hurricane Hanna might add up to for Texas’ energy sector.
And packets of mystery seeds from China raising concerns–a Texas A&M expert is on the case. Those stories & much more.

Texas Standard: July 31, 2020

Ready for the new school year? School administrators across the Lone Star State say wait a minute. We’ll explore. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton offers guidance but, it’s not enough. What school administrators are asking for. Could local police academies be scrapped? Are they a natural place to trim city budgets? We check in with one of Texas’ top police academy experts. What Title 42 Expulsions mean, our report from Mexico City. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 29, 2020

To apply or not to apply? Is DACA on or is it off? Wait, didn’t the Supreme Court say it was on? We’ll have the answers. And speaking about the Supreme Court, a refresher on voting by mail. Also the story of two survivors of the Walmart killings in El Paso and their reunion almost a year to the day. And did you hear commissioners in Harris County are thinking about suing the state of Texas? Plus did you know the census and healthcare outcomes could be interconnected? All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 24, 2020

Storm clouds gathering along the Texas coast as a tropical depression bears down on the Lone Star State. We’ll have more on the weather situation and what south Texas should be prepared for this weekend. Also as schools scramble to assemble reopening plans, high school football teams prepare to return to the field. We’ll have the latest. Plus, a cyber truck factory cruises into Texas, the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 17, 2020

For many school districts: competing mandates from state leaders and local health officials leaving teachers parents and kids in limbo. Our conversation with superintendent of EL Paso ISD on the practical challenges of reopening public schools. Also, more on a newly unveiled proposal to cut 130 million dollars from state health services as the Coronavirus fight continues. And 5 years after the death of Sandra Bland, the mark she left at her alma mater, and on a movement. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 15, 2020

Results from primary runoff day in Texas are setting the stage for a general election like few others in Texas history. We’ll take a look at the outcomes in some closely watched runoffs statewide and what the balloting hints at for election day in November. Also many companies asking for and getting getting a pass on environmental regulations in Texas. And in Lubbock: a test run for a return to campus in the fall, a Politifact check of a claim about the Texas education agency and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 10, 2020

As COVID-19 hospitalization rates hit new levels, an alarming trend spotted in Texas’ largest city: a rising number of at home deaths. We’ll have more on the new report from ProPublica and NBC news on at home deaths and Dr.Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio is back to take up more lister questions on the Coronavirus. And he was, for years, typecast as inmate number one. Now he’s embraced by kids and critics alike as a bonafide star. A new documentary on the rise of Danny Trejo. Our conversation with the actor, the week in Texas politics and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 3, 2020

After days of resisting calls from local leaders, governor Abbott imposes fines for those who refuse to use facial coverings in public, saying it’s a necessary step to avoid a return to another lockdown as virus cases set new records in Texas. We’ll have the latest. Also, a first person story of becoming a U.S. citizen in a period of pandemic. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 22, 2020

As President Trump tries to get his campaign restarted after lockdowns nationwide, what to make of polls suggesting the rise of Joe Biden in Texas. That and more today on the Texas Standard.

Stay at home rules are supposed to promote safety but for many, home is anything but safe, as concerns mount in some communities over rates of domestic violence.

Also, Texas restaurants on the front line of enforcing face mask rules. And, dropping “The Eyes of Texas”. The case being made by athletes and others against the University of Texas at Austin’s official alma mater song.

Those stories and more.

Texas Standard : June 19, 2020

The meaning of emancipation and the ongoing struggle in the spotlight as millions in Texas and across the nation mark Juneteenth. More today on the Texas Standard.

A Juneteenth that has taken on special prominence amid a rising chorus of demands for racial justice and equality. Voices from across the state on what Juneteenth means to them.

Also, governor’s orders: Texas public schools to reopen in the fall–this announcement as COVID-19 cases continue to spike. We’ll hear how plans currently stand, and when we might get more details. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more.

Texas Standard: June 12, 2020

In Dallas, President Trump calls for force with compassion in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests in Texas and around the nation. We’ll hear from Gromer Jeffers of the Dallas morning news who was there. Also as COVID-19 hospitalization numbers rise to new records in Texas, concerns that hospitals may not be able to meet even relaxed guidelines for personal protective equipment. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard : June 8, 2020

What began as protests over George Floyd mark something larger: a shift in Texas and nationwide over the use of police power. A closer look today on the Texas Standard.

In cities in Texas, as elsewhere, demonstrations against the inequitable use of police force sparks calls for defunding and or dismantling police departments as we have known them. We’ll look at the use of police force in demonstrations across Texas and demands for change.

Also, the nexus of demonstrations and a global pandemic.

Plus a profile of the man whose killing sparked this historic moment.

Texas Standard: June 5, 2020

Several Texans said to be peacefully protesting seriously injured by so-called less lethal police force, what are the rules of engagement? We’ll explore and more today on the Texas Standard.

How public perceptions of the events of the past several days may well turn on word choice.

Also, some now say the time is right for a truth and reconciliation commission concerning race in America, we’ll look at how they’ve worked in North America in the past- and whether one could make a difference now.

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. Those stories and much more.

Texas Standard: May 29, 2020

As much of the Lone Star State reopens, many prisoners in Texas eligible for parole are remaining behind bars. Why the hold up? We’ll explore. The governor says officials are monitoring the state for possible flareups and outbreaks but that effort’s overlooking many parts of Texas, notably communities of color. We’ll have details. Also, Texas hospitals that received bailout cash are suing a growing number of poor or unemployed patients. And rethinking the mythology surrounding the Texas ranger, the week in politics and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 22, 2020

Potter County in the Texas Panhandle is seeing more than its share of Coronavirus cases, at least population-wise. We’ll get a look on the ground. Also, what’s voting going to look like in Texas come November? Turns out folks have very strong opinions about this. We’ll hear from some. And we’ll hear again from our go-to doctor for questions about the Coronavirus. One question for today? The risk of sending kids back to childcare. We’ll explore. And if your thumb has become a little greener during this pandemic, you’re not alone not now, and not historically. Those stories and more on today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 15, 2020

Record spikes in Coronavirus cases as Governor Abbott sets plans to further relax state rules on reopening. We’ll take a look at what’s behind the numbers and more. Also, remember when oil prices went into negative territory? All signs point to that happening again. We’ll hear why and what it really signals. And the future of higher education is what, exactly? Colleges and universities scramble to figure out the best way forward for the fall. Also high school graduation at the local drive in, your best best for live music this weekend and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 8, 2020

New data in one of the most closely watched political contests in an ongoing Texas election season, we’ll have the latest. Also, honoring Moms in the biggest border city in Texas. Why this year is doubly special. And dealing with a deadly and highly contagious virus, not the one you’re thinking of, that’s affecting other mammalian populations in Texas. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 1, 2020

A may day like few others in recent memory as the Lone Star State begins a slow reopen. Texans get back to work, or perhaps, not. We’ll have the latest. Also, its May 1st: due day for millions of renters. Dallas and Austin among cities offering relief. We’ll look at why Texas’ biggest city hasn’t joined them. And the Texas Attorney General weighs in on property rights, in Colorado? Why? And the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune, the Typewriter Rodeo and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 24, 2020

Are you ready to get back to normal? Attitudes in Texans on a planned return to business as usual or something closer to it. A new UT Texas Tribune poll on how Texans are feeling about efforts to curb the impact of the Coronavirus. Also, how the school lockdown is playing out on the other side of students’ laptops. And the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: