politics

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.

Texas Standard: November 8, 2019

It’s been a long time coming, but now that a state takeover of Houston ISD is happening… We’ll look at questions that remain about how it will unfold. Vetting migrants has always been a talking point for President Trump. Now a new facility is giving border agents access to classified information they haven’t had before. Plus Texas voters passed a measure supporting tax money for parks. We’ll look at how that money will be spent. And remembering a Puerto Rican astrologer who crossed borders of all sorts. Also, have you ever felt a song is about you? Taking that to the next level. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 1, 2019

In one of the top fundraising states for Donald Trump, what does impeachment add to the political mix for Texas? We’ll take a look. Plus, NPR’s John Burnett previews his story of how one of the nation’s biggest pro-Trump regions, the Texas panhandle is dealing with its fastest growing demographic… immigrants. And the Texas Tribune joins us with a look at the week that was in Texas politics. Also, a taste of this weekends 10th annual BBQ fest. Texas monthly’s barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn stokes our appetite and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 25, 2019

The Trump Administration is testing A secretive program in El Paso to speed up deportation of asylum-seeking migrants. We’ll look at what we’re learning about something called the prompt asylum claim review and what it means for asylum seekers. Also, the Texas based airline in special need of a soft landing in light of all the trouble with the 737 Max. And the tape continues to unravel… Fallout from the Bonnen recording and the rest of the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 24, 2019

A former Texas governor makes his first public comments on his role in the issue at the center of the impeachment investigation. We’ll have more of Rick Perry and the growing scandal surrpundo9ng President Trump. Plus, more fallout from the so-called Bonnen tape: what’s behind the animus between state GOP lawmakers and local government in Texas? And is it really possible to be addicted to video games? The World Health Organization weighs in, and so does our tech expert Omar Gallaga. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 18, 2019

This time it seems it’s for real: the Energy secretary caught up in an impeachment inquiry, is coming home to Texas. We’ll have the latest on the return of Rick Perry. Other stories were tracking: Fort Worth is the biggest city in Texas without a police oversight board. After last weekend’s police shooting of a resident lawfully in her own home, people are asking if greater oversight would it have made a difference. Plus the week that was in politics with the Texas tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 11, 2019

What are Pete Sessions and Rick Perry’s Ukrainian connections? Amid impeachment questions, two prominent Texans get caught in the spotlight. We’ll have details. Also, after just a month on the job, the so-called homelessness czar in the Texas Capitol City steps down following a threat from the governor to force Austin to change controversial homelessness policies. We’ll have the latest. And award winning Texas author Tim O’brien breaks from telling war stories to address the home front. Also, the week that was in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 10, 2019

A stern warning from the federal judge overseeing reform of Texas’ foster care system: further resistance will be worse than futile. We’ll have the story. Also, the president makes it clear he won’t be cooperating with the house impeachment process. What’s less clear: what this means for what many have predicted to be a transitional election season in Texas politics. We’ll explore. And skyrocketing heat-related injuries in the military. Now there’s an attempt at a radical ‘about face’. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 7, 2019

Election day draws near, perhaps nearer than most Texans think. We’ll take a closer look at what Texas voters are being asked to decide this November. Also, it’s a Texas border more dangerous than the one that gets the lion’s share of attention. How a boom in the Permian has made for perilous times along the line with New Mexico. And missing notes rediscovered: a long forgotten manuscript recounting the story of how the blues came to Texas, revived after decades in limbo. Also the effort to clamp down on the dangerous storage of firearms. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 4, 2019

He’s been one of the longest-serving members of President Trump’s cabinet, but sources say Rick Perry will soon step down, we’ll explore. Also, did you get a census in the mail? No, not that census. We’ll explore some confusing fundraising tactics to keep an eye out of for. Plus, it was a personal moment between the brother of a victim and his brother’s killer. But it’s sparked intense debate. We’ll explore. And a new documentary brings to light a long overlooked piece of Texas history. Those stories and then some today on the Friday edition of the Texas Standard: