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politics

Texas Standard: April 10, 2018

A case of clerical error? A peer reviewed journal questions conventional wisdom on the record setting number of maternal deaths in Texas. Details today on the Standard.

Are military cuts causing more US military flyers to lose their lives? A first of its kind investigation connects the dots between cutbacks and crashes.

Lubbock drawing national attention post-Parkland- for what may be a revolutionary way to spotlight mental health needs among students.

And the “decade of malaise” they called it, what’s it got to do with Donald Trump? A presidential scholar says more than we might think. Grab your platform shoes and crank up that Hi-fi….because it’s time for the national news show of you know where.

Texas Standard: April 9, 2018

A congressman leaves Washington well ahead of schedule. What are the options for a short term replacement to represent his Harvey hit part of Texas? The story on the Standard.

After a scandal involving a teacher convicted of domestic abuse, the University of Texas orders employees to report all future arrests –and the dispositions of their cases. Does it strike the right balance between safety and worker privacy?

Also, why state parks are going dark this week.

TXDOT issues a warning for roadside picture takers during bluebonnet season. But wait- who put those bluebonnets there in the first place? We’ll find out…and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: April 6, 2018

There aren’t enough people willing to work, so say’s Texas shrimpers. Now the Texas agriculture commission is asking the Feds for help. We’ll hear what he’s hoping for. Also: a year ago, nearly 250 people were laid off from a factory in Ft. Worth. Now they’re being asked to come back and the factories on the rebound. A locomotive company rediscovers it mojo and what it means. Plus the week in Texas politicism, and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 30, 2018

Through hail and high water, communities in Texas stand again because the weather is NOT gonna keep us down. Join me for a virtual tour. We’ll hit Refugio, Port Arthur, Austin and even Washington DC. Plus, the bombs that destroyed the facade of racial harmony: we’ll tell you more. And who exactly is Ronny Jackson? And can he manage a 200 billion dollar budget? Also oil, cattle-ranching, big hair and Cadillacs. Nothing better than a good soap opera! Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 23, 2018

It’s been more than half a year since harvey and is anyone testing the water near Houston? Some reporters just did, and what they’re finding is alarming, we’ll explore. Also, much is being made of why officials aren’t calling the Austin bomber a terrorist. We’ll hear an explanation. And after a church shooting that stunned the world, Texas offers grant money for recovery. How will the millions help Sutherland Springs. Also, the often overlooked coastal safe rooms that may have saved hundreds of Texans lives, plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 16, 2018

Now more than 300 federal agents join police in the Texas capitol city to get to the bottom of a mystery over package bombs left on front stoops. Three bombs, two dead and a whole lot of questions, we’ll explore. We’ll hear about the first fatality, a talented 17 year old en route to UNT’s celebrated music program. Also, water scarcity in El Paso at the heart of a case before the supreme court. And in east Texas, the explosion that occurred 81 years ago this weekend. An event so traumatic people didn’t talk about it for generations. Now they’re trying to make sure the victims aren’t forgotten. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 9, 2018

For the first time in history a US president will meet with the leader of North Korea. Vindication of a strategy or something else? We’ll explore. Also, an accused pedophile has his conviction thrown out because a judge used electric shock to coerce testimony. What happens to the judge? Nothing, so far. So who’s policing the bench? And a new vision for computing as apple reaches out to visually impaired coders in Texas. Plus fangs for the memories: 60 years of the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup.That and the week in politics from the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 2, 2018

With primary day fast approaching, reporters reading the Texas political tea leaves are seeing more blue. Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post joins us today on the Standard.

Southeast Texans remember trying to get around during hurricane Harvey. Doesn’t have to be a storm that big, sometimes heavy downpours make Texas roads impassable, but you don’t know know about it until it’s too late–now there may be a fix in the works.

A growing scandal over college basketball players accepting money- and a proposal to fix it that’s getting a lot more attention: What about letting them accept the money?

Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and and much more.

Texas Standard: March 1, 2018

Texas based Academy Sports sticks to its guns, but fans of the AR 15 face a new backlash, including perhaps from the White House. The story today on the Texas Standard.

Lloyd Doggett & Beto O’Rourke among the Texans in Congress writing a letter to the Speaker of the House. The message: time to rethink the blank check for the US military in Syria. There’s a reason this push may have traction, and we’ll hear why.

Attention Texas home renters, have you double checked your contract? A warning about so called landlord’s liens.

Also, sworn to secrecy: Army vets come out of the shadows claiming health problems tied to top secret experiments.

Texas Standard: February 27, 2018

Turnout looks up at the polls and some political rallies draw big crowds. But what does excitement about the primaries really mean for election results? We’ll explore. Also, there’s been a lot said about more women running for office and more minorities. Today a look at what veterans could bring to the race. Plus federal legislation on sex trafficking is getting some pushback from technology companies. Why they’re concerned about culpability. And another delay on DACA: It’s continued protection from deportation for those enrolled in the program but also continued uncertainty. What all the back and forth could be doing to their health. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 26, 2018

The headlines are disturbing. In the wake of a Florida school shooting there have been threats in Texarkana, Houston and more. Unpacking the apparent uptick on today’s Texas Standard.

Linemen from the Texas Panhandle deal with conditions they never encountered in the high plains in efforts to restore power in Puerto Rico. We’ll hear from one of them.

Plus,Central Texas bats have changed their migratory patterns ever so slightly. We’ll try to get at why.

A Mexican college could soon join the NCAA. What’s in it for teams on both sides of the border.

And, understanding the Supreme Court’s ruling on DACA.

Texas Standard: February 23, 2018

A death sentence commuted to life in prison. We’ll talk with the Texas dad who fought to keep the state from executing his son. Today on the Texas Standard.

The firearm industry is in the news these days for possible restrictions on what can be sold. We’ll take a closer look at the business itself.

A Texas State Senator found guilty on 11 felony charges. What happens next?

Country singer Lee Ann Womack has a different sound from her “I Hope You Dance” days. We talk with her about how Texas helped shape her new album.

Plus… it’s Friday- that means another custom poem written for us on a vintage typewriter… and a wrap of the big stories this week in Texas politics.

Texas Standard: February 20, 2018

86 cents of every dollar donated to state-level campaigns in Texas went to Republicans. We’ll do the numbers. And it’s here: early voting is underway for the Texas primaries. We’ll explore the rules behind where you can cast a ballot and why. And a city on the Texas coast is making plans to become the first new cruise ship port-of-call in about half a century. We’ll talk with the mayor leading the effort. Plus, a big U-S company is changing the way they do healthcare and it’s turning some heads. It may surprise you which company it is. And we’ll also hear from the filmmakers behind a new movie about an event that thrust one Texas city into the national spotlight a few decades ago. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 16, 2018

Texas educators carry the dual burden of comforting students after yet another school shooting, and coming up with prevention plans. We’ll hear from some of them. Also, sales are flat or even falling in the motorcycle industry. We’ll break down why. And the Houston Astrodome will live on. After years of back and forth a real plan for it’s future, a look at the optimism and skepticism. Also, a new building on the University of Texas campus opens up to the public this weekend. We’ll take you inside what’s not a classroom or an athletic facility but a one-of-it’s-kind art masterpiece. The story behind it. And it’s Friday! That means the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap up of the big stories this week in Texas Politics. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 15, 2018

Harris County’s bail system treats the rich differently from the poor. An appeals court affirms that ruling. We’ll have the latest on what’s next and what it could mean for taxpayers. Also, a Texas lawmaker is leading an effort to roll back some requirements aimed at helping the disabled. We’ll explain. Plus, two native Texans are part of a suit that wants the feds to drop marijuana as a schedule 1 drug. What a ruling could mean. And we’ll explore technology as it’s being used in groundbreaking ways at the Olympics. Plus, LBJ did not like his presidential portrait. We’ll tell you why and what he did about it. Those stories and a whole lot more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 9, 2018

A budget deal reached, but it took a while to get there and it’s STILL not a long-term fix. We’ll look at how Texas lawmakers voted. Also, suing the federal government: It’s not something that went out of fashion for Texas when Obama left office. Why the state continues to file lawsuits even with a Republican in the White House. And, tequila! A shortage could be on the horizon for the liquor that goes so well with Tex Mex. We’ll look at what’s going on in the industry that’s causing some crisis. And Texans may not be natural snow bunnies, but a few have still jumped to the highest levels of winter sports competition. We’ll tell you who to keep an eye out for in the Olympic action. Those stories plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune, today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 6, 2018

ISIS: mostly defeated. But is the Taliban gaining ground? Military engagements may be changing overseas but the message to troops here in the US: deploy or get out. We’ll take a closer look at the situation. And a new TV series is retelling the story of the FBI siege on the Branch Davidian compound outside of Waco. Why it wasn’t filmed in Texas. Plus… What’s the deal with that proposed Dallas to Houston bullet train? We’ll check in on that and on the state of the state’s private space industry. And pinning down the shakeup that is Texas High School UIL realignment. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 2, 2018

Have you seen maps of political districts that just look like they were drawn to achieve some certain result? We’ll explain how math could identify and prevent gerrymandering. Plus Mexican-American Studies are slowly gaining traction in school districts across Texas. We’ll look at why it’s been delayed at the state level and how some school districts are forging ahead on their own. And we’ll take you inside the business and passion of raising and breeding Texas Longhorns. Plus it’s Friday, that means the Typewriter rodeo and a wrap of the biggest political stories of the week. Today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 26, 2018

The pot is sweetened: a proposed path to citizenship for 1.8 million. But is the overall flavor of the deal too terrible for many lawmakers? We’ll explore. Plus, the hub of Harris County’s criminal justice system has been closed because of Hurricane Harvey flooding, and could be for years to come. And in Marfa a secretive company opens up to school kids. And in Montreal NAFTA negotiations that could have big effects on Texas. All that plus the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap of the week in Texas politics, today on the Texas Standard:

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