Repeal and replace? Republicans are halfway there. Next stop the Senate. Who’ll pay the price, literally and politically? Plus in a state notorious for its use of the death penalty, a convicted killer is removed from death row. We’ll hear why, and what it means for capital punishment in Texas and beyond. Also fidgety kids? Some experts are recommending little hand held gadgets called spinners to help with focus. But some teachers say its a fad that’s gone too far. We’ll hear more. And you remember Waylon and Willie, right? Now Waylon’s better half breaks her silence: Jesse Colter on life as a musical outlaw. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: April 28, 2017
Berkeley, Auburn—what about Texas colleges and universities? Should unpopular even offensive speech be protected on campus? The proposal today on the Texas Standard
How do you fix a broken political map? Here’s a hint, it’ll take more than tape. What’s at stake as a court takes up minority voting power in Texas.
Are the democrats on Capitol Hill really looking for a government shutdown? a rejoinder to the other side of the aisle from a prominent Texas congressman.
Where’s our flying cars? In two years, Uber promises they’ll be all over Dallas.
And buckle up for what basketball fans are calling the I-10 series.
All that plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: April 27, 2017
After a long night at the capitol, looks like a statewide ban on so-called sanctuary cities is all but a done deal. What happens next? That’s today on the Texas Standard.
There’s more than a government shutdown to worry about: a prominent Texas lawmaker says what really on the line in the budget impasse: military readiness.
Are people who cross illegally into the US really criminals? In Del Rio, at least, the answer is an overwhelming yes. We’ll hear why the Attorney General wants to make it a model for the rest of the country, and meet the judge at the center of it all.
After streaming a live murder and several acts of criminal violence…can Facebook save face?
Plus, a finding that upends decades of science about how we wound up in North America.
Texas Standard: April 26, 2017
If a picture’s worth a thousand words, what’s the value of a word? How the future for thousands could turn on a single definition: the story today on the Texas Standard.
Texas lawmakers begin what could be a marathon debate over forcing Texas towns and cities to enforce federal immigration laws. We’ll have the latest.
When you wish upon a staar—dreams of fewer standardized tests for Texas school kids may soon come true. We’ll get the backstory.
Victim or a villain? A business owner accused of harboring workers illegally finds himself at the center of growing debate across Texas.
And El Paso–said to be the safest city in the country. Is that a fact?
Texas Standard: April 25, 2017
Feeling the sting: Texas officials worry about the return of a major health threat, and why those most at risk aren’t paying attention…The story today on the Texas Standard.
If you build it they will—sue? NPR’s John Burnett tells us how a 40 year old treaty could be a brick wall for the wall…
People used to worry about high school dropout rates–these days it’s more and more middle schoolers. What’s being done to reverse a troubling trend in Texas.
Want a cut in your property taxes? The Dallas Morning News watchdog says don’t wait for politicians, join the protest. We’ll hear about his plan–and the pushback.
Plus, think of it as Formula One with a distinctly Texan accent: later this hour we’re off to the lawnmower races.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, the Texas Standard is on the air.
Texas Standard: April 24, 2017
A possible government shutdown, the fate of the border wall, what could make the week busier? How about renegotiating NAFTA? The story today on the Texas Standard.
It’s not just Donald Trump who’s ready for a NAFTA redo: we’ll talk with the Mexican Economic Minister who says he think’s it needs a revamp, too…and soon.
Also, when a bill becomes law and you don’t like it, blame it on the author…unless, the author didn’t really write it. Who did? We’ll lift the curtain on the ghost writers lurking near the Texas capitol.
And a Texas Democrat warns of massive voter fraud —this time, he says, warnings need to be taken seriously.
Those stories and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: April 20, 2017
Texas is number 1- for reports of improper teacher student relationships- and the numbers continue to rise. Why and what can be done today on the Texas Standard.
An alternative to the much debated senate bathroom bill does not require people to use the bathroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate. We’ll hear why that’s not a “fix’ for many bathroom bill opponents.
A power plant that diverts carbon before it gets into the air. Sounds great–but how’s that working out?
We love our smartphones and such, but is there such a thing as too much tech?
And the only Spanish speaking mosque in the US…and what it says about America’s most diverse city. You bet it’s in Texas.
Texas Standard: April 19, 2017
An upset or not so much? As political pundits argue over the the significance of Georgia’s special election, is there fallout closer to home? The story today on the Texas Standard.
The president calls for tightening H1B visas: how that might affect the state with the most H1B applicants outside California- you know the one.
Federal law prohibits employers from engaging in age discrimination against people 40 and older. But does it protect older job applicants? A Houston Chronicle columnist says it shouldn’t- and boomers need to get out of the way. We’ll hear the reasoning.
Plus, if you wait in line to testify at the capitol, is it first come first to speak? Or something else?
Texas Standard: April 14, 2017
An enormous bomb dropped in Afghanistan, tensions high with North Korea, and what about Syria? We’ll check-in on global relations. Also over the years of debate about the federal budget deficit. Texas has built up a huge nest egg. But are we making the most of that money? And it could soon be a little too quiet on the set when it comes to the Texas film and TV industry. Efforts to keep business in the Lone Star State. Plus: what do you think about speed bumps? Is it time to think again? And we’ll introduce you to a figure of Texas history that’s not likely to have an elementary school named in his honor. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 7, 2017
After US cruise missile attacks on Syria, whose move is it next? A one time event, or the start of something bigger? We’ll explore. Also, after a 15 hour budget battle royal, a 218 billion dollar spending plan for Texas, paid for in part by tapping the rainy day fund. We’ll tally the winners and losers. And depressing numbers on new jobs today, and yet in Texas, the construction industry says there aren’t enough workers to meet demand. What’s going on here? All that and much more turn it up, its Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 31, 2017
He said he would blow up NAFTA. But maybe not so much? Border leaders react to a surprise softening of the US position: details today. Plus two countries, one community, and a wall. In south Texas, protestors stake out positions on a bridge. Also changing the rules of engagement: for us forces fighting the war on terror, will it make a difference? A former white house security chief weighs in on a shift in when to pull the trigger. And after the fail on repeal and replace, states find a new health care opening under Obamacare. Will Texas be text to give it a go? Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more, its Texas Standard time:
Texas Standard: March 24, 2017
A vote on health care? Or something else? As republican leaders scramble for votes, what does it mean to be a republican? We’ll explore. Also, 15 percent of UT Austin women have been victims of rape according to the accidentally released details of a landmark study. We’ll hear about the survey and how the numbers got out. And prayer rooms in public schools: does Texas have a problem with that? Why a side of soy sauce might come with that next southwestern dish. James Brown with a dash of Jimi Hendrix? How Black Joe Louis is messing with Texas music is a very good way. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 22, 2017
Is this the end of what’s been known as Obamacare? The Texas delegation split as a vote comes down to the wire. Plus, they say no one’s above the law, but is the FBI above politics? Not if history is any indicator. Why James Comey’s command performance at the capitol this week may be seen as part of a larger pattern. And an unexpected partnership between a pipeline and police as both sides celebrate a payoff. Plus a bill with a distinctly Texan accent and our commentator reckons there are some words we Texans use more than they do anywhere else…think of any? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 17, 2017
It’s called a ‘declaration of taking’. Tho you might call it something else: the first tangle steps toward a border wall. Also a rough landing for US air traffic controllers? Why the FAA may not be in charge of managing the highways of the sky much longer…we’ll explain. And the New York stock exchange. The Chicago Mercantile exchange, the Texas gold depository? A Texas lawmaker polishes up plans to make an official Texas gold repository open for business. Plus saving Texas dance halls, a certain madness seizing Texas, the week that was at the capitol and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 10, 2017
Should a joint land you in jail? Thats the pot law on the books now in Texas: up to six months, in theory. But we’ll hear from a republican who’s fighting to reduce that penalty. Plus historic antiquities swiped from Mexico and intercepted by park rangers on a smuggling route through Big Bend. We’ll hear from the chief ranger about why it’s a big deal. And a self-driving shuttle bus making a slow tour through Texas cities – could this be the vehicle that convinces us to give up the steering wheel? Plus, fitbits on cows, the typewriter rodeo, a wrap of the week in Texas politics and so much more coming up today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 3, 2017
Put aside who’s gonna pay for it, who’s gonna build it? As companies start lining up, a hidden price for doing business? We’ll explore. Also, farmers and ranchers may have turned out for Trump back in November, but with new numbers and NAFTA on the line, what you might call ‘growing’ concerns…We’ll have the story. Plus in a time for belt tightening in Texas, one state agency comes up with a plan: ask for more of it. We’ll hear why they think it’s a winning strategy. And that’s the way it is: a pioneer of public radio, Cokie Roberts, on the state of the media in an era of fake news. And Waco get’s its wings, with the help of a flying W. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 24, 2017
What does the Trump administration really have in store for the next 4 years? Don’t say nobody warned ya. The story today on the Texas Standard.
Social media and text messages suspected behind skyrocketing numbers of inappropriate stident teacher relationships in Texas. What to do? The Texas legislature now stepping in.
Also: a rare conversation with the judge who’s likely to be at the center of a forthcoming wave of lawsuits over a southern wall. NPR’s John Burnett joins us with his one on one.
Texas leads the nation in windpower, but it’s been so successful they’re having to give away power…what if they could store it? What could be a breakthrough.
Texas Standard: February 22, 2017
Picture this: the US orders new deportation camps set up along the Mexico border. Unrealistic? Mexico doesn’t think so, we’ll have the latest. Plus with the Trump administration announcing new deportation orders, where does that leave Mexican nationals in the US previously permitted to stay under deferred action? The view from a place called limbo. Also, why are so many Texans getting hit with surprise medical bills? And what’s being done about em? Plus, going whole hog: the man behind the plan to shoot feral swine from helicopters has a new plan:poison. This can’t be good, can it? All that and much more on the national news show of Texas:
Texas Standard: February 17, 2017
An undocumented woman seeking protection from domestic violence arrested in an El Paso courtroom–the shape of things to come? That’s today on the Standard.
The pushback on sanctuary cities inspires a throwback strategy: the return of sanctuary churches. We’ll meet a pastor who’s behind an effort in Texas–one that could lead to his own arrest.
Also, an army burn center sees action on the home front: how a San Antonio military team is saving civilians
And what do Neiman Marcus, Radio Shack and Chuck E Cheese have in common? We’ll explore some of the top brands in Texas and count down the 5 most iconic.
Plus the week in politics with the TexasTribune and more…
Texas Standard: February 16, 2017
At campuses across Texas, posters and flyers calling for white people to take their country back. We’ll explore the recruitment campaign and the pushback. As a white supremacist group called the American Vanguard expands its college recruitment effort, demands grow for college leaders to take action. The president of the state’s flagship university joins us. Plus, after a defeat in the high court, Texas lawmakers bounce back with a new round of abortion-related bills. We’ll have the latest. Also, how high tech is getting political close to home. And the forgotten pieces of an underground railroad that ran…south. All that and much more just ahead on the Texas Standard: