politics

Texas Standard: January 6, 2020

Iran warns of retaliation in the aftermath of the US assassination of its revolutionary guards chief. Where are we most vulnerable? That story and more today on the Texas Standard.

As security officials take steps to fortify the US against expected retaliation from Iran, how Texas may to some degree insulate the rest of the US in at least one form of potential retaliation.

Also Texas: a longtime leader in the resettlement of refugees. Is that about to come to an end? Texas’s governor faces a deadline.
Those stories and more when the national news show of Texas gets started.

Texas Standard: January 3, 2020

The killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and the US’ dramatic escalation in the Middle East. What it means today on the Texas Standard.
The end of Julian Castro’s presidential bid may signal the beginning of his new political career. We explore.
How the cost of housing has prompted a new era of student activism in the Capital City.
We look at 150 years of construction at the US/Mexico border. One of the most dramatic transformations of our landscape…
And a story so wild one prosecutor called it “the most lavish scam” he had ever seen.

All that and more- this is the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: January 2, 2020

The race for democratic presidential candidates started with two Texans. Now there are none. Julian Castro drops out – that’s today on the Standard.

What’s next for the former San Antonio mayor and former US Housing Secretary? We explore some options.

With the new year – come new laws. What are they and how do they affect you?

The woman, the myth, the legend – Emma Tenayuca. A tribute.

How can an organization that started entertaining troops during World War 2 remain relevant with today’s military?

And the best of West Texas. Tips for your next trip.

Start your year with the right sounds in your ear. This is the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: January 1, 2019

No matter where you are, it’s 2020 and this hour, we’re taking a look at what the New Year may have in store for the Lone Star State. Thanks for joining us and a happy new year to you and yours. Texas’ first international allies have a saying: “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”… The more things change, the more they stay the same. And though issues like immigration, natural resources and politics may sound “par for the course” 2020 looks to be a banner year for change on those fronts and more. We’ll explore on this special edition of the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 30, 2019

It’s time to take a look at what Texas’ political parties are planning for the year 2020. A sneak peek to their strategies today on the Standard.

With heavy hearts we bring you the latest on the shooting at a house of worship in White Settlement, Texas.

What if what was once a symbol of hatred could be transformed into a symbol of unity? The arts organization that tryign to do just that.

Some numbers at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice are not adding up. How did TDCJ so drastically reduce the number of attempted suicides?

And the poetry of a young Syrian boy. Today on the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: December 27, 2019

Oh, when a number tells a story and leads to an investigation. The Texas Education Agency says some numbers are not adding up, we’ll explore. Plus: “Red State Blues”. Sounds like a song but it’s a thorough analysis on how red are red state policies. And we’ll be talking to the directors of “Confession Killer” the docu-series that has Texas written all over it. Also the challenges aging parents face when caring for an adult child with mental illness… And let’s talk about power, geothermal power. All of these stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 24, 2019

It’s beginning to look a lot like 2019 all over again? On this Christmas eve, we’re telling some of our favorite stories from the year that was. From the Texas Capitol City, this hour we’ll be criss crossing the state. From deep west Texas, to the Rio Grande Valley, up and east to the Piney Woods. Along the way, hearing marching bands and matadors and contemplations of our sense of place. It’s a yuletide gathering of stories hand picked by the staff of the Standard. Grab a cup of hot something and pull up a chair for this special holiday edition of the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 23, 2019

He calls it powered by people, but there’s one ex presidential contender clearly powering the group to prominence. What it could mean for Texas in 2020. Also, law enforcement warning that there’s a certain type of trafficking on the rise in the borderlands and its causing cacti to disappear. And why 2020 could turn into a banner year for renewable energy in Texas. Plus the story of some last minute angels helping out a short-handed Santa in some parts of of the Lone Star State. That and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 20, 2019

The president promises 400 miles of border wall within the next year. But something’s in the way: miles and miles of private property. More today on the Texas Standard.
What were the takeaways for Texas in last night’s democratic presidential debate? And what might it mean for Texas’ lone remaining contender in that race?
also, as traffic backs up on Texas highways- are bigger roads better roads?
One of Texas’ most celebrated museums reconsiders Norman Rockwell. Plus, the week that was in Texas politics and more when the National News Show of Texas gets started.

Texas Standard: December 19, 2019

The impeachment of a president- for the third time in history. Where did Texas’ lawmakers come down? The lowdown on how it all went down today on the Texas Standard.

In November a bond proposition failed in Midland. But wait, there’s more: suddenly a box of votes turns up and what do you know- it changes the outcome. Old style Texas election shenannigans or something else?

Social media monitoring–are workers paying the price?

Also Texas Monthly issues this years “Bum Steer Awards”. And there’s tie for first place, or is it last place? All those stories plus a whole lot more when the Texas Standard gets underway.

Texas Standard: December 18, 2019

A major victory against the US Army Corps of Engineers by home and business owners hard hit by Hurricane Harvey. How, and what happens next- today on the Texas Standard.

Another lawsuit, this time coming in the aftermath of tropical storm Imelda raises questions about how the Houston region is grappling with climate change. We’ll explain.

Plus, Texas reputation as the top state for the death penalty may be receding. How new attitudes about capital punishment appear to be leading to big changes.

Plus, a somewhat timely Politifact check of a claim by Ted Cruz. And a whole lot more when the Texas Standard gets started.

Texas Standard: December 17, 2019

A vote to impeach the President of the United States. As the hour approaches, the Texas delegation comes to terms with an historic vote. The latest coming up on the Texas Standard.

How are Texas representatives voting on impeachment? The latest from Benjamin Wermund of the Houston Chronicle.

Also the NBA tries to score big in Mexico- though this won’t be a easy layup, that’s for sure.

And countdown for the President’s much talked about military space force. Almost ready for launch? Or still the stuff of science fiction? All those stories and more as the the Texas Standard gets started.

Texas Standard: December 16, 2019

A behind the scenes drama involving a Texas senator could have major implications for the U.S. and Iran. What’s happening and why it matters, today on the Texas Standard.

Student athletes getting kicked out of college following complaints of sexual assault but getting to start over at other schools. A new report about a “sexual predator pipeline” claims the NCAA is looking the other way.

Also, a new initiative in Cowtown to preserve those wide open spaces Texas is so famous for- before they disappear.

All those stories and then some on the National news show of you know where.

Texas Standard: December 13, 2019

Houston’s police chief blames the boyfriend loophole for the on duty death of an officer. What is the boyfriend loophole? We’ll explore. Plus, the president appears to be hours away from impeachment: where are other presidents getting impeached? Why many western democracies don’t have it. Also, what could be the next boom industry in Texas: rare earth mining. And a new law clears the way for a new crop: what’s holding back hemp? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 6, 2019

The system that’s normally entangled in scandal has a couple of highlights to report. We’ll talk about Texas foster care. Also, what happens when the University Interscholastic League tweaks its guidelines? We look at three major implications. And what Texas is willing to do when it comes to vaping and e-cigarettes, we’ll tell you more. Plus, it looks like the stuff of action films: buried walls that come out to shield a building from floods! That’s happening in Houston. And a new LGBTQ task force, the week in politics, and poetry for the soul. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 27, 2019

Flu season is back in full swing… and some experts are concerned about one especially vulnerable population. Why they’re not getting shots- today on the Texas Standard.

The man behind a 3D gun blueprint company is taking the reigns again after a brush with the law. We’ll explore the legal grey area.

Landowners in the Texas Hill Country continue to fight plans for a pipeline- what they’re up against.

Plus, a language update that was 75 years overdue. The new art exhibit meant to challenge what we mean by communication. And the little-known story behind one word also used as a measurement.

Texas Standard: November 26, 2019

Mergers. Layoffs. Cuts to coverage. We’ll take a hard look at challenges to the newspaper industry and how it’s affecting Texas- today on the Texas Standard.
Hemp to eat, hemp to wear, hemp as medicine. The agricultural product seems to offer unlimited possibilities. But the hype may be moving faster than the infrastructure.
Plus, a new book about Texas politics in the late 20s and early 30s just might offer some parallels to today. What we can learn from “The Biscuits, the Dole and Nodding Donkeys.”

And, a look at the real impacts of deportation.

Texas Standard: November 22, 2019

The public part of the House impeachment inquiry is over. Did it have an impact? A former White House adviser says yes, in ways that may not be obvious, we’ll explore. Plus: 2020. It’s closer than you think, especially if you’re in the business of running an election. How much more secure are systems now, with less than a year to go before presidential balloting? Also, over objections of native americans, environmentalists and others, three new natural gas export facilities get the green light…What will it mean for texas and the economy? All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 15, 2019

A show of resilience in El Paso: for the first time doors re open at the site of the August mass shooting at a WalMart, we’ll have the latest. Also, the Supreme Court hands a rare victory to plaintiffs trying to hold gunmakers liable in mass shooting cases. And how to make democracy better? Smarter ballots. We’ll hear one professor’s big idea. Plus the week that was in Texas politics from the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

The New Vocabulary

The impeachment inquiry hearings going on this week have been a reminder that many of us are using different words — including some Latin ones — than we have in the past. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.