Something big might happen in Texas politics this November. There’s a good chance that Texas Democrats will win control of one lever of power for the first time in almost 20 years. If Democrats win a majority in the Texas House of Representatives, it would mark a huge shift in state politics. In this first episode of The Big Flip, we take a look back at Texas politics, the LBJ days and how we got to where we are–total control by the Republicans. Will the winds of change be strong enough in the November 2020 election to change our red state?
politics
Texas Standard: October 2, 2020
Governor Abbott orders no more than one drop off point for absentee ballots per county. The official in charge of elections for Travis county is pushing back against the governor saying all options are open. We’ll have the latest. Also, how the president’s positive test for Coronavirus has the potential to move the needle in a big way for Texas come election day. Plus Texas doctors concerned about chronic Coronavirus. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 25, 2020
Setting the stage for the next legislative session, Governor Abbott proposes new sanctions he says aimed at shoring up police. We’ll hear more on what battles appear to loom for lawmakers: from Coronavirus cutbacks to issues surrounding policing and protests. Also a Texan brews up a beer proclaiming Black is Beautiful. And its going down better than even he expected. And with the announcement of a Supreme Court nominee imminent, judicial philosophy and gender politics. Plus the week that was with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 18, 2020
We are open for business is the latest announcement from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, we’ll have the latest. Nursing homes gear up to receive visitors next week. And protests are part of civic life and so is voting. Will summer protestors turn into fall voters? Also when contact tracing is lost in translation. How that affects in the fight against COVID-19. And how a photojournalist’s life is marked by a loss she experienced as a baby. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 16, 2020
Despite less money and name recognition than the incumbent, some think MJ Hegar has a strong chance of making political history in November. Many political analysts think air force veteran and teacher M.J. Hegar has the best chance of reclaiming a seat in the US senate for Texas democrats for the first time in two decades. Also what losing a newspaper means for a Texas town, a teachers’ struggle to wear a Black Lives Matter mask at school, and 80 million unrequested ballots sent to voters? A Politifact check of that claim by the president and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 14, 2020
Primary care physicians on the front line of a health crisis now asking for a primary care “Marshall Plan” to survive long term. That story and more today on the Texas Standard.
El Paso, long a democratic stronghold, but also with a history of low turnout among Latinos and young voters. A closer look at what issues might get them to the polls with election day now 50 days away.
Also, how one of the biggest legacies of the Obama administration echoes in this election season.
And colleges and universities trying to get in good with social media influencers- but at what price? Those stories and more.
Texas Standard: September 11, 2020
A prescription for Coronavirus relief? Congress hasn’t come up with it, and there’s a major political price that could be paid in Texas, too. Less than two months till election day and the message from constituents: we need relief from the economic effects of the pandemic. Politicians on both sides of the aisle say they get it, so where’s the relief package? We’ll explore. Also what’s in a name: the push to identify heatwaves as we do hurricanes. And American gothic reimagined in a Texas of today. The week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 10, 2020
The politics of policing part two: the mayor of Austin pushes back against the governor’s call to take a pledge not to defund police. Coming up our conversation with Austin mayor Steve Adler who says characterizations of major cutbacks in the Texas capital city’s police funding amount to GOP politics as usual. We’ll hear more Also, changes to the sex ed curriculum in Texas, LGBTQ students say proposals are woefully inadequate as social conservatives push an abstinence only message. And the threat to a burgeoning industry, Texas wineries teaming up. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 9, 2020
As many Texans struggle to make ends meet in a pandemic, politicians debate what sort of relief to offer. We’ll talk with Senator John Cornyn. Also, among the biggest cities in the US, residents of Houston appear to be facing the toughest challenges when it comes to personal finance and health. We’ll have details from a new survey by NPR and Harvard. Plus the politics of medicine amid a pandemic, how college campuses are trying to curb the spread amid rising COVID-19 numbers, the Fed changes its position on curbing inflation, what that might mean from most everyday folks and more today on the Texas Standard:
Overlooked No More: How Asian Texans Shape The State
It’s Labor Day and we have a special show for you- “Overlooked No More: How Asian Texans Shape the State. Here on the Texas Standard.
We’ll talk about How the Asian American community has changed from 1870, the first time the US census counted people from China to today.
We’ll meet a group called the “Pershing Chinese”. A story of Chinese immigration through Mexico.
Then we’ll travel to the border where a vibrant Filipino community settled.
Is it time to re-evaluate the holidays we celebrate in Texas???
Plus, K-pop and activism. And the state of jobs and healthcare during COVID.
Texas Standard: September 4, 2020
After major cuts in the budget for police in the capitol city, Texas’ governor warns of a possible takeover of policing by the DPS. That story and more on the Texas Standard.
Children are dying- so says a federal judge warning Texas isn’t doing enough to protect kids in foster care. The latest from Bob Garrett of the Dallas Morning News.
A border wall–about to fall? A new engineering report warns a three mile section built in south Texas could tumble, as a legal fight to bring it down rages on.
Also the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more.
Texas Standard: August 28, 2020
On the day after Hurricane Laura’s assault on the northern gulf cost of Texas, what’s the view from local hospitals already dealing with a pandemic? We’ll have more on the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Also, it’s a wrap for the Republicans as they close their 4 day convention. We’ll explore whether the message moved the needle in what many consider to be a more politically competitive Texas. And concerns about a looming eviction crisis, we’ll have details. Also border smuggling and the demand for bologna, the week that was in Texas politics and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 24, 2020
As Marco and Laura bear down on the Gulf Coast, the governor issues disaster declarations. Our conversation with the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service covering Houston and Galveston on possible evacuations plus impacts already to the energy sector. Also, the the grand old party’s turn: how Texas Republicans are gearing up for the national convention this week. And remaking the political maps of Texas. What lessons can be learned from the past? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 20, 2020
A very different political convention for an unprecedented time in the US. But has this weeks big political event moved the needle in the Lone Star State?
As the democratic national convention moves into its final night, a look at the role of Texas. Or the relative lack thereof, and whether the event could change the calculus in November.
Remembering Ann Richards big convention moment and the significance of how she said what she did.
Also, an epic battle in the online gaming world that’s more than a game.
Texas Standard: August 19, 2020
Calls for defunding police now getting pushback from Texas’ top three elected officials, setting up a major fight between state lawmakers and cities.
A vow from Texas GOP leaders at the State Capitol to cap property tax revenue for cities that move to make cuts in law enforcement budgets. We’ll have details.
Also, how the senate race in Texas could be a factor in calls for reform in sexual harassment policies in the US military. Plus, Madlin Meckleberg with a Politicfact check about who votes republican in the Lone Star State and much more.
Texas Standard: August 18, 2020
Sisters in Texas, Brothers in Texas! Today we commemorate and reflect on 100 years of women voters and we do it on the Standard.
Voting by mail and some challenges facing Texans. How the army helps Texans fight against COVID-19. And one scientist who’s painting a more accurate picture of the past and future spread of the virus
Is it possible to have it all at 15? Including a book deal? A Texas story that is sweeter than honey.
And we lay a virtual wreath at the feet of the graves of the suffragettes. Wear a white dress- this is the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: August 17, 2020
Lovers of the political theater get two extra hours of screen time today as the Democratic National Convention kicks off.
COVID cases in children are steadily increasing , says the CDC. And yet, in-person classes have resumed in some Texas school districts.
Airlines are losing money — but airlines are hoarding money? How those two can be true.
Join us as we re-imagine the US postal service. This reimagining has to do with healthcare and wellness checks that could come along with your mail.
Texas Standard: August 14, 2020
A new bill coming before Texas lawmakers next year addresses police action and accountability. It’s called the George Floyd Act, we’ll have the latest. Also, a Texas federal prison has more COVID-19 positive inmates than any other facility in the country. What’s being done about it. And what are you still wondering about the Coronavirus? We put your questions to a doctor. Plus, what Kamala Harris said about Texas in this election season before she became the VP nominee. And 50 years later… why it’s still worth remembering a long-gone Austin music venue. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 13, 2020
Defunding the police: It’s gone from a phrase on a protest sign to a real discussion as cities finalize their budgets, we’ll have the latest. Also, Hispanic communities have been especially hit hard by the Coronavirus. But why? We’ll dig in. Plus a contact tracing technology experiment of sorts in a perhaps unlikely venue: the GOP convention. What it might mean for the general population. And one of the darlings of Sundance this year was a documentary about a bunch of Texas boys. We’ll have the story. That plus more on schools and COVID-19, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 7, 2020
With under three months until election day, the Biden campaign getting pressure to pull out the stops in Texas to seize an historic moment, we’ll have the latest. Also, face to face with an interface: in an era of zoom meetings, Child Protective Services takes family visits online. And presidential rhetoric reconsidered. The Texan author of Demagogue for President makes the case that some of it is genius. Plus listeners have more questions about COVID-19. Dr. Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio has answers. Plus the week in politics from the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard: