The state’s largest school district has plans to start the year online and could extend that a little more. Houston ISD’s interim superintendent joins us to talk about the weight of planning this school year. We’ll also hear from teachers who are frankly afraid for themselves and their families, but also love being in the classroom. And a Texas law expert joins us to parse out exactly what’s going on with federal agents arresting people in Portland. Plus a harrowing story about COVID-19 and Texas ICE detention centers. That and more today on the Texas Standard:
Politifact
Texas Standard: July 15, 2020
Results from primary runoff day in Texas are setting the stage for a general election like few others in Texas history. We’ll take a look at the outcomes in some closely watched runoffs statewide and what the balloting hints at for election day in November. Also many companies asking for and getting getting a pass on environmental regulations in Texas. And in Lubbock: a test run for a return to campus in the fall, a Politifact check of a claim about the Texas education agency and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 8, 2020
As Texas reports 10,000 new COVID-19 cases, the state education agency announces guidelines for going back to school in the fall, we’ll have details. Also, with unemployment high, the special struggle to keep up with demand for food in remote parts of west Texas. And Texas Senator John Cornyn claims the last top to bottom criminal justice review was more than half a century ago. Is he right? A Politifact check. Also a new documentary on a flamboyant fortune teller who became a cultural icon for many in Texas and beyond. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 1, 2020
In what would normally be the height of the summer season for Corpus Christi, new restrictions go into effect. But do they go far enough? Our conversation with the mayor of Corpus Christi as regional ICU bed space reaches single digit levels, and also an update on the situation in Dallas. Plus a surprising backyard trend during the pandemic: and why it has some Texans crying fowl over the mesh of rules. And another profile in one of the key races during primary runoff season plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 24, 2020
The U.S. city on track to be the hardest hit by COVID-19? A dire warning from one of the nation’s top infectious disease experts. We need to proceed to red alert: so says Dr.Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine who warns face masks may not be enough to prevent the Houston region from rivaling what we’re seeing now in Brazil. Also a downturn like no other: what job losses in the oil industry may tell us about the future of the Texas economy. Plus a broader forecast from Texas economist Angelos Angelou and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 17, 2020
One size fits all does not work for Texas, so say the mayors of nine cities imploring the governor to help them get Texans back to safety guidelines. El Paso mayor Dee Margo, one of the signatories to a letter to governor Abbot tells us why he and his colleagues are asking for the power to get more people to wear face coverings in the fight against COVID-19. Also Texas student athletes leverage their power for social change. A look at how their latest moves fit into the larger picture. And is purple the new orange? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 10, 2020
As George Floyd is laid to rest in Pearland, a remembrance and calls never to forget. We’ll have more on the funeral of a man whose Killing sparked a new chapter in a long running struggle. Also, another death of a black man, repeatedly tased by police after he failed to dim his headlights at an oncoming police car. And the first African American ever elected to serve in public office in the Texas capital city reflects on then and now. Plus debunking an ugly conspiracy theory making the rounds in Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 3, 2020
Though a more peaceful evening across Texas, voices continue to rise over police force against African Americans and people of color. Amid days of demonstrations over policing, a former Texas mayor and one-time presidential candidate decides it’s time for a full throated endorsement of Joe Biden. Our conversation with Julian Castro on what was, for him, a tipping point. Also, the return of the Brown Berets to El Paso. And an attempt to get back to normal at Texas A&M. We’ll talk with the system’s chancellor and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 27, 2020
Is it too dangerous to vote in person? New safety guidelines for election season and how they’re connected to the fight over mail in ballots in Texas. Also, how a pandemic is an unseen player in congressional races statewide. And an innovative program in Bexar county to help tens of thousands furloughed and fired, with payments plus retraining. Plus apprehensions at the border, the lowest ever? A Politifact check plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 20, 2020
In a state with one of the lowest health insurance rates in the nation, a dangerous dip in coverage for many more Texans, we’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re covering, the Texan in line to become the nation’s next top intelligence official. We’ll hear what’s at stake as the Senate takes up the nomination of Republican John Radcliffe of Heath to be the next director of national intelligence. Also, despite a ban on such events, a small group in Texas gets one of the nation’s first live in person graduations of 2020. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 13, 2020
What next? A new report says it’s time to think big about a post-pandemic Lone Star State. We’ll look at a just released roadmap for a more inclusive, resilient Texas. Former state senator Kirk Watson of the University of Houston and Steven Pedigo of UT unveil a joint nine point proposal for a stronger Texas after COVID-19. Also dangers in the fields of the valley where essential workers labor unprotected. And can you run a railroad with no tracks? An implausible sounding question with major implications for the Texas Bullet Train. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 6, 2020
The Governor moves forward with a phased in re-opening as Coronavirus cases spike in West Texas. We’ll have the latest on new rules and growing concerns. Also, strike forces are moving in to curb outbreaks at meat packing plants in Texas. And how do deaths due to COVID-19 in Texas rank against other leading causes? A Politifact check of that. Plus, Donald Trump and Joe Biden tied in Texas? An intriguing picture of the presidential contest in in Texas. Gromer Jeffers of the Dallas Morning News explains. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 29, 2020
Tho COVID-19 seems to be receding in larger Texas cities but a rise of cases in smaller cities has those on the front lines getting hit especially hard. We’ll hear more on a Coronavirus outbreak among first responders in Abilene. Meanwhile in the biggest county in Texas, certain neighborhoods finding themselves most at risk. We’ll hear what they have in common and what’s being done. Also its not your imagination: why fire ants do seem to be getting nastier. And the Texas actor who’s found a role as home state cheerleader during this crisis. Matthew McConaughey and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 22, 2020
50 years ago today, what many people mark as the start of the modern environmental movement. What is the state of the Earth today? During a time of global pandemic, a pause to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Also, testing for Coronavirus ramping up in the most populous counties, whats holding back similar gains elsewhere in Texas? Plus how COVID-19 is keeping em down, way down, on the dairy farm. And a Texas congressman’s claim about a German powder that kills Coronavirus: a Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 15, 2020
National trends suggest people of color disproportionately affected by COVID-19. But in Texas, a data gap is leaving health officials empty handed. African American leaders call for the state to address concerns about a lack of data that could be the difference between life and death in some Texas communities. Harris County Commissioner and former State Senator Rodney Ellis joins us. Also, a much anticipated forecast ahead of hurricane season. And it’s only a game, or is it? How many Texans are spending their downtime online and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 8, 2020
If you’re a nonessential worker and you’re out for a drive, what happens if you get pulled over? The realities of police work during a pandemic. Today, our conversation with the chief of police of the Texas Capitol City on enforcement of stay at home orders, and how police are dialing back some of what they do to keep officers safe.. Also state parks and historic sites now shuttered. We’ll hear from the head of Texas Parks and Wildlife. Plus the boom in urban bear hunts: teddy bears that is. Some practical tips for first time hunters and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 1, 2020
The governor issues new orders on social distancing. Just don’t call em shelter in place. We’ll take a closer look at the packaging of a statewide pandemic response. And religious gathers now considered essential in the Lone Star State. Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune with more on the Governor’s latest guidelines. Also rapid turnaround deportations. How the Coronavirus crisis has changed the rules at the U.S. Mexico border. And stay at home-schooling tips from homeschooling veterans. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 18, 2020
More than just a health crisis. City mayors and county judges across Texas contemplate how to ease the pain of a severe economic downturn. Coming up, the mayor of Austin and the judge of Dallas county join us with the latest on what they’re learning about the spread of the Coronavirus and steps to counter the ripple effects on the Texas economy. Also, a Coronavirus catch 22? The testing bottleneck and the connection with the number of diagnosed cases. And a mass mobilization that echoes the second world war. Plus a Politifact check and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 11, 2020
How ready is Texas when it comes to the spread of the coronavirus? We’ll talk with the state representative leading a hearing on that question. Also, when it comes to Coronavirus preparedness, how much does the high number of uninsured Texans complicate matters? We’ll explore. And voting delays in Texas last week last week. Was Hillary Clinton right in laying the blame where she did? We’ll have a Politifact Check. Plus the school district shutdown that at the last moment, didn’t happen. We’ll hear why, what happens next plus a lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 4, 2020
Joe Biden may have won the popular vote in Texas, but it wasn’t a bust for Bernie Sanders. What are the top Takeaways from Super Tuesday in the Lone Star State? Texans Matthew Dowd of ABC news, Karen Tumulty of the Washington post and Victoria de Francisco Soto of the LBJ school among the experts helping us decode the many messages from the ballot box. Plus Bloomberg’s big bet on Texas goes bust, debunking some dubious coronavirus claims and much more today on the Texas Standard: