The November elections suggested it wouldn’t be business as usual at the state house, unless of course, lawmakers changed the rules, we’ll have details. Also, when republicans lost a key seat in the Texas senate, they lost their supermajority… a tool they’ve used to keep democrats from blocking their priorities. We’ll hear what a new rule change means for the status quo ante. And snow in Texas. Fun for kids, but farmers hope a harbinger of wetter and better days as they struggle with drought conditions. And the Latino voices of the pandemic in Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
politics
Texas Standard: January 14, 2021
In a long list of unprecedented events theres another one. For the first time two of the three highest offices in the land will be lead by women. Women make better leaders in a time of crisis, so says the Harvard Business Review. We’ll tell you why. Plus, how are teachers taking current events and turning them into teachable moments? And how Texas Tech companies are pulling their dollars away from politicians. Plus, what’s going on with the COVID-19 vaccine? Stay tuned, it’s Texas Standard time:
Playing and Losing By The Rules
It can be hard to lose, and at times, to play by the rules, but as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, politics is more than just a game.
Texas Standard: January 8, 2021
Will prominent Texas politicians who sided with unsubstantiated election fraud claims pay a price for that position after Wednesday? And what is a coup? It’s a question many Americans are asking about and arguing over after the invasion of the capitol. We’ll talk with a Texas scholar whose focus includes authoritarian regimes. And she’s one of the few health providers for miles around in a rural part of east Texas. And right now she’s overwhelmed with demand for vaccinations, we’ll talk with her. Also the impact of the pandemic on the future of Texas public schools, the week in Texas politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 31, 2020
No matter where you are we’ll bet you’re ready to say goodbye to 2020. This hour, the year in review in the Lone Star State. From extremes of partisan politics to a pandemic to protests and a reckoning over race…2020 will go down in history as a turning point for millions statewide and beyond. But what are the lessons of the past year and how might 2021 be different? Our roundtable with reporters. Also a shakeup at Fort Hood this year, one considered by many to be long overdue and some of the stories that didn’t make the front pages but nonetheless marked the end of an era. It’s a special year in review of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 18, 2020
As families reunite for the holidays, worries grow for kids in the Texas foster care system. An update today on the Texas Standard.
In what sounds like a return to the worst days of the state’s foster care crisis, a new report finds foster kids sleeping in state offices. We’ll hear details.
Also, why a COVID-19 treatment being touted by state officials doesn’t seem to be making much of a dent in helping patients in one of the hardest hit parts of Texas
Oyez! Oyez!… oh boy! With the legislature set to reconvene, how’s this going to work with social distancing?
Plus, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and more.
Texas Standard: December 17, 2020
It’s being described as an act of cyber espionage so big it is hard to overstate its impact, and a Texas company is in the crosshairs. That story and more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas is distributing the COVID vaccine in tiers of priority. But what happens if someone tries to cut in line?
Also, the holiday shopping season’s not what it used to be and certainly not at the border right now, where Texas merchants are feeling the pressure from pandemic rules and a loss of customers from Mexico.
Also, the student debt crisis: is there a better alternative than loan forgiveness? We’ll hear about some of the options that could be on the table and much more.
Texas Standard: December 16. 2020
Senate leader Mitch McConnell congratulates Joe Biden on his election win. So why are many fellow republicans, including from Texas, staying silent? Today on the Texas Standard
As a movement to declare so called sanctuary cities for the unborn takes hold statewide, the push gets a major boost in Lubbock, the biggest Texas city to consider such a measure so far. We’ll hear all about it.
Also, 1.7 trillion and rising: the total amount of student debt currently owed. The President-Elect’s under pressure to offer student debt forgiveness–the first of a two part look at what that might entail. Also, a Politifact check and more.
Texas Standard: December 14, 2020
A big red letter day for Texas as the first COVID-19 vaccines roll into the Lone Star State. Where the vaccines are going and what happens next- today on the Texas Standard.
Four health care centers in Texas today set to receive the first batches of Pfizer’s just approved two-dose vaccine. How to find out who’s on top of the vaccination list and the latest on distribution.
He’s not green lighting a political career just yet, but he’s not ruling one out either. Actor and author Matthew McConaughey on the search for a middle ground. And reflections on the groundbreaking musical path of the great Charlie Pride.
Texas Standard: December 11, 2020
“Build the wall”. Those words that helped usher President Trump into office seem to still be guiding him as his time winds down- today on the Texas Standard.
We know the coronavirus pandemic will shape the upcoming Texas legislative session. Another hot topic will be medical marijuana. But how about casinos? Some will be betting big. Those pushing for much tighter restrictions on immigration often point to crime by unauthorized immigrants. But a new study packs a big challenge to those claims. We’ll hear from one of Texas’ top infectious disease experts on the path towards getting and distributing a COVID-19 vaccine. And we’ll circle back on some of the top political stories this week.
Texas Standard: December 9, 2020
“Deeply dysfunctional.” Part of the findings of an investigation of Fort Hood. We’ll look at actions taken — and what’s left undone. Today on the Texas Standard.
I’m Laura Rice in for David Brown. Learning during the pandemic. It’s been among the major challenges. So should it be business as usual when it comes to standardized tests?
Back to the ballot box. Some Texans are voting again. What the particularly contentious contest could tell us about the Texas Republican Party.
Plus, as the new Texas legislative session nears, we’ll examine a lawmaker’s claim on medical marijuana. And we’ll introduce you to the spider who saved Christmas.
Texas Standard: December 4, 2020
As hospital ICU units statewide again fill with COVID-19 patients, new restrictions are taking hold. Judge Clay Jenkins of Dallas county issues new orders curbing business activity, but admits it won’t be enough and calls on Texans to embrace a wartime patriotism to combat the virus. Our conversation with him coming up. Also, some Houston families in limbo as their loved ones remain locked up in Venezuela, the latest chapter in the story of the CITGO 6. And Selena returns to screen, this time with a distinctly Texan flavor, thanks to a producer who hails from The Valley. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 20, 2020
Is the presidential contest still a real contest? Texas’ senior senator says it’s still too close to call, we’ll have the latest. Also, he pledged to heal the soul of the nation, but when it comes to immigration, some wonder why that topic doesn’t make it too Joe Biden’s top 5 list of policy priorities. We’ll hear about the concerns of advocates of immigration reform. And airlines may be hard hit by the pandemic, but some Texas towns with ties to the skies are taking off. We’ll hear why. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 17, 2020
As coronavirus numbers continue to surge in Texas – health care providers are desperate for resources and energy for the battle ahead. Today on the Texas Standard. We’ll check in with communities across the state about the specific challenges in their neck of Texas. Plus, how one Texas university has cracked down on compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures. It’s not without controversy. And, the Irving-based Boy Scouts of America facing an uncertain future after tens of thousands lobby sexual abuse allegations. Plus, some smart brains here in Texas have figured out we can investigate the very first stars. How? I’ll go ahead and say it — it’s pretty out of this world. Today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: November 13, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to tear through El Paso, an appellate judge lifts shutdown orders and more Texans pin their hopes on news about a vaccine. With hopes building around word of a covid vaccine said to be 90 percent effective, what’s next? A closer look at next steps and a realistic timetable. Also, not Biden his time: concession or no, the president elect must move forward with assembling a new administration and cabinet. Any Lone Stars set to make the short list? And in a season like no other, can the homecoming mum, and the many businesses built up around the tradition survive 2020? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 6, 2020
The magic number is 270. Is this the end of the general election of 2020? Texas-based political analyst Matthew Dowd joins us for an overall look at where we stand in the presidential contest and what it means long term for Texas. Also as COVID-19 spikes once more, it’s not just El Paso and more rural hotspots that need to be concerned. We’ll have an overview of the state of the virus in the Lone Star State as we approach the holidays. And new findings about covid spread among Texas contruction workers raising danger signs nationwide, plus the week that was in Texas politcis with the texas tribune and a whole lot more when the TS gets underway right after this.
Texas Standard: October 29, 2020
Early voting numbers in Texas have been high. Texas still leading in the raw numbers of youth turnout. But what’ll that mean come ballot counting time? We’ll explore. Plus, what’s going on at Texas Juvenile detention centers? A new complaint indicates some big concerns. We’ll have the details. And 5G is coming. You’ve probably heard it means faster speeds, but will it, really? And staying at home to watch your favorite scary movie is a pandemic-friendly option this Halloween. We’ll examine why The Texas Chainsaw Massacre might be the top choice in many homes across the state. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 23, 2020
News of the first FDA-approved COVID-19 treatment comes at a time when cases in Texas are starting to spike. We’ll explore the details and what’s next. And: Did you get a chance to watch the presidential debate last night? What are your thoughts? We’ll have a recap. Also: A new documentary about the life of Horton Foote who won an Oscar for his screenplay adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Plus: The week in Texas politics with our friends from The Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 20, 2020
Politicians often hope that political coattails can boost their chances, now it appears republicans are trying to cut them off as fast as possible. The story today on the Texas Standard.
We’ll hear why John Cornyn is trying to distance himself from the White House and what may reveal about how the GOP sees its’ chances for November. Also, Governor Abbott concerned too, digging into his own political pocketbook to back Texas republicans down-ballot.
Cutting the cord, involuntarily- pandemic protections against utility disconnections slip away leaving many in danger.
And you’ve heard of the “sleeping giant” in Texas politics? It maybe time to put the metaphor to rest…
Those stories and a whole lot more.
WTF Ice Cube?!?
This week on The Breaks
- Hosts Confucius and Fresh discuss Ice Cube’s decision to work with the Trump campaign on the “Platinum Plan” for Black America
- Both hosts continue their discussion from the last episode about the lack of rap at this year’s virtual ACLfest. They state that even if no national hip-hop acts agreed to allow their performances to be aired, the organizers could have looked to Austin’s local rap scene to have some hip-hop on the bill.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh implores listeners to do their research when it comes to getting involved in politics.
- In his Confucius Says Segment Confucius encourages people to remember that life is short, and they shouldn’t involve themselves unnecessarily in other people’s problems.
Listen to this episode of The Breaks