A federal appeals court hands the state of Texas a major victory in its fight to defund planned parenthood, we’ll have details. Also, after spending millions fighting civil rights lawsuits over cash bail, Harris county does a dramatic about face, pledging to end a system critics say discriminates against the poor. And what’s in the water beneath our feet? If you live near a coal power plant in Texas, quite possibly very scary stuff. We’ll hear about hidden dangers in the h2o. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: January 11, 2019
Day 21 of a government shutdown. The end in sight? Short answer, no. But a freshman congressman from Texas remains optimistic. We’ll hear why. Also, you wanna build that wall Mr.Trump? Texas will get ‘er done. That appeared to be the message from Lt. Gov Dan Patrick when the president visited south Texas yesterday. Was that a serious suggestion? If so who pays for that and with what exactly? We’ll take a closer look. And a new space race of sorts: now its quantum computing. Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 4, 2019
U.S. Representative Will Hurd of Texas is a Republican but he sided with Democrats yesterday in a vote to reopen the government. We’ll ask him why. Also, volatility: It’s a term investors don’t much like to hear in talks about the stock market. Why the last several weeks have been so up and down. Also, security is a term houses of worship are reconsidering after sanctuaries have become targets. We’ll hear from church and mosque leaders in Texas. And federal employees suing the government, the latest on court battle over the Affordable Care Act, and a little arts and poetry today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 2, 2019
More migrants sprayed with tear gas as money for a border wall remains at the center of the government shutdown. We’ll have the latest. Also, the measure to allow Texans to donate to address the huge backlog of untested rape kits passed with bipartisan support. But now it’s reached a real-world roadblock, we’ll tell you why. Many who live in the Big Bend area have spent their whole lives there, except for their last days. The challenge of access to hospice care. Plus debunking myths about mental health, the country band bringing two Texas towns together and what an onion says about this year’s forecast. All that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 1, 2019
The ball has dropped launching 2019, now gavels set to drop in the Texas state capitol. Are you ready for the 86th session? Every two years it happens: members of the Texas house and senate gather under that building they call the pink dome in Austin launching a season of debates over laws and spending that affect most of all of us. In 2019, what should we expect, or brace for? That’s our focus this hour as we take a long hard look at the lege, set to get underway in earnest just one week from today. It’s a special New Years Day edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 31, 2018
No matter where you are, it’s beginning to look like New Years. But before we say ta ta to 2018, we look back at the year that was on a special edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 28, 2018
The border remains the top issue in national politics, but in Texas it’s also a local issue. We’ll hear from a state representative on the latest in her district. Plus, Texas is once again one of the deadliest states for law enforcement officers. We’ll break down the numbers including a disturbing trend involving firearm deaths. And if one Texas lawmaker has his way the severance tax could get a bit of a makeover in the next legislative session. What it is and why you should care. Also, the Texan believed to be the country’s oldest man has died at 112. We’ll take a look back at his life. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 27 2018
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:
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?