politics

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?

Texas Standard: November 19, 2018

Texas may be losing its hold in the US House, but it may play an outsized role in who the next speaker will be. That story and more today on the Texas Standard.

Will Nancy Pelosi remain Speaker of the House? Why Texas democrats in congress are a house divided, and what that means for the leadership contest.

New standrds for public school curriculum in Texas set to change how students are taught about the causes of the Civil War.

And with the start of the Texas legislative session just weeks away now, a warning to Texas republicans–don’t mess with a bluer Texas.

Texas Standard: November 16, 2018

More than just a me too moment: the Texas House holds hearing on how to crack down on sexual harassment at the capitol, we’ll have the story. Also, the face of Texas politics is changing, and both political parties would like to win over the fastest growing ethnic demographic in Texas. Why California might be able to Texas a thing or two about how to get them. And as the Fed considers another interest rate hike, should you buy or rent your next home? Why hurricane Harvey’s made the calculation more complicated for some. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 9, 2018

Migrants entering the U.S. illegally can request asylum according to U.S. law, but not according to the President. We’ll explore the emergency order on asylum seekers. Also, a federal court orders Texas to pay back millions after a scandal involved special education, we’ll take a look. And a Texas-sized problem for folks with disability parking privileges. Plus an effort in Dallas to get more women conducting symphonies: are their neighbors listening? We’ll explain. And what a week in Texas politics: we’ll look back with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 26, 2018

What some are calling the most drastic move to date against would be immigrants: a shutdown of the southern border. Preparations underway to send up to a thousand U.S. troops to the border to stop a caravan of thousands of would be migrants, all this days before midterm elections. We’ll hear what the leaders of Texas border cities have to say. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 25, 2018

As the latest bomb scares appear to underscore, the political center isn’t holding. But what about here in Texas? And what does it mean for the long term? That’s today on the Texas Standard.

Coming to you live today from the studios of Texas Public Radio- celebrating 30 years on the air in San Antonio – as the city marks its 300th birthday. We’ll explore a bit of the Alamo City’s less well known backstory. Also, are Texans really as divided along party lines as the rest of the nation? Our project “Texas Decides” takes up that question. Also, the search for Maria Moreno, and a story of a Texas born farm movement hero almost lost to history. All that and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: October 19, 2018

As Midterms approach, so do thousands of migrants from Honduras and Guatemala en route to the U.S. We’ll have the latest on not one but now two caravans of Central Americans headed north. Mexico sends its military to stop them, as many in the U.S. ponder the political implications in a heated election year. Also the Khashoggi affair hits home for a Texas based journalist and author. Lawrence wright on the death of a friend and the threat to freedom. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more on today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 12, 2018

Turkey says it has tapes of the murder and torture of a Washington Post columnsit at the hands of the Saudis. How should the U.S. respond? The disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is creating geopolitical ripples, as Turkey works with U.S. officials over the Khashoggi affair, and this morning, orders the release of a U.S. pastor detained there. Also, counting casulaties in the wake of Hurricane Michael: after Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, why the numbers don’t seem to add up. Plus, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more. No matter where you are, it’s Texas Standard time.

Texas Standard: October 1, 2018

A deal between the U.S. Mexico and Canada goes down to the wire with agreement reached at the eleventh hour, and yet it’s NAFTA no more. What used to be called the North American Free Trade Agreement has a new name and some new rules. We’ll walk thru the changes in what’s now being called the USMCA. Also, did you catch the Texas gubernatorial debate Friday night? Don’t worry, we’ve gotcha covered. And two years after a new law and protests over the concealed carry of firearms on Texas college campuses, what’s happened and what hasn’t? We’ll take a look at that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: September 28, 2018

It’s a who’s who of Texas politics and it happens over one weekend each September. And we’re there- broadcasting live from the Texas Tribune Festival.
Today we’re coming to you from one of the most iconic streets in Texas: Congress Avenue in Austin. Where thousands of political movers and shakers from across Texas and the nation, have descended to discuss the state of the Lone Star State and our future. From immigration to criminal justice, voter participation, local control and the shrinking political center… it’s all on the table. So, pull up a chair for a special edition of the Texas Standard.

Midterms

As newscasters and other political junkies are fond of pointing out, only a few weeks remain until November’s midterm elections. And fewer reamin until the deadline to register to vote. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: September 19, 2018

You’ve heard of the Friday night lights? On this September 21st, the main event across Texas: the Friday night fight: Cruz versus O’Rourke. It’ll be live nationwide, will you be tuning in? R.G. Ratcliffe of Texas Monthly joins us with a cheater’s guide to tonight’s first of three debates between democratic congressman Beto O’Rourke and the GOP incumbent, Ted Cruz. Plus, you’ve heard about the wall? As arguments continue over funding, legal walls go up in the nation’s most diverse city: we’ll explain. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: