presidential

New survey reveals bipartisan concern over Texas housing affordability crisis

With Kamala Harris in the spotlight, there appears to be a major momentum shift in presidential politics. Is it moving the needle in Texas?
A new survey indicates that 90% of Texans believe housing costs are too high, with Democrats and Republicans in agreement.
Schools are struggling to grapple with a rise in vaping among students.
A conversation with Oscar nominated actor Colman Domingo on his new movie “Sing Sing.”
And: the week in politics with The Texas Tribune.

Why Will Hurd didn’t make the cut for the first Republican presidential debate

The Feds push back in court over Gov. Greg Abbott’s deployment of buoys in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass.

The City of Dallas has received $1.5 million in federal dollars for a major cleanup of contaminated sites. But will it be enough?

Researchers in El Paso are trying to tap another source of potential alternate energy, inspired by the prickly pear cactus.

There are growing concerns about challenges faced by deaf kids in the Texas foster care system.

Plus, San Antonio native Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post shares the latest on tonight’s GOP primary debate – and why former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd of Texas won’t be there.

The odds on a Greg Abbott presidential bid

During his run for reelection as Texas Governor, many speculated Greg Abbott had his sights on a presidential run. So why the silence? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: the return of the Orion Capsule and the end of the Artemis I mission: where are we now? Plus the impact for Texas as plans get rolling to serve as a World Cup 2026 host site. And holiday TV movies: a part of the season for many Texas families. We’ll talk to a fan of these films who found herself on the other side of the camera. All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 22, 2022

Ukranian refugees at the southern border being told do not enter as of Monday. A change in policy from the Biden administration. Dallas morning news D.C. bureau chief Todd Gilman with more on U.S. plans to change the policy for Ukrainians feeling the war in their home country. Also, you’ve heard of Iowa’s early role in picking presidential nominees? Maybe not much longer. Texas expected to make a bid to move into the top slot. We’ll look at why and what it means for picking presidential candidates. And the father daughter duo that became an international sensation with a twist on one of Texas’ favorite foods. The story of the travel taco and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 15, 2022

The business of border security. Who’s making millions, and who’s paying the price tag? An investigation by the Houston Chronicle takes a closer look. Also, new commercial checkpoints at the border set up by Governor Abbott now opening back up for business? We’ll have the latest. Plus presidential debates and their impartiality. How debatable? The GOP says Republicans running for president will have to sign a pledge not to participate with the Commission on Presidential Debates. Ricard Pineda of the University of Texas at El Paso talks about the implications. And Kristen Cabrera cracks open the story of an Easter tradition especially widespread in south Texas and northern Mexico. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 22, 2020

Across the Lone Star State, Texans expected to be tuning in tonight for political fireworks show, but what about policies? We’ll set the stage for a final debate. Plus, Texans looking for unemployment benefits will soon have to once again prove they’re looking for work, but what constitutes a work search in the eyes of Texas officials? We’ll take a closer look. And in Collin county, it’s the academy versus free speech as a professors’ tweet roils a college campus. And a freeze frame on a music scene almost forgotten from 40 years back. Plus, fake news for real? A warning about a rising force in local news that has experts advising don’t believe everything you read. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 21, 2020

As Texas’s Governor takes steps to lift pandemic restrictions on businesses, worries grow for a Texas hotspot nearing critical levels, we’ll have details. Plus, 2020 has left tens of thousands in the oil and gas industry unemployed. Now many in the energy capitol of the world looking to Thursday nights debate and what the candidate will have to say about changes in policies. Also, reports of involuntary sterilizations among women in immigration detention. We’ll have a talk with the Texas representative calling for a congressional investigation. And as voters try to limit contact with others due to COVID-19, a method of casting a ballot less talked about than the mail in option. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 16, 2020

As Coronavirus cases tick upwards again in Texas, some schools are returning to laptops and tablets. But others are going the opposite direction. Coming up our conversations with the superintendents of two Texas school districts where back to school is the rule, despite concerns about an uptick in Coronavirus cases. We’ll hear the rationale. Also you’ve heard of the great recession. Now the spotlight turns to what Texas researchers are calling the economic “she-session” of 2020. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 13, 2020

Texans get in line to cast their ballots in one of the most consequential election years in modern memory. Polling the polling places as our reporting partners statewide check in on day one of early in-person voting in Texas’ election 2020. Also, Texas restaurants brace for a new post COVID-19 normal. What’s on the menu won’t be the same as it was before the pandemic. And the debut of a new book and documentary: Driving While Black. And under the dome in Austin, a call for more women in leadership posts. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 8, 2020

At least you could hear the candidates actually speak, but in a nation so politically polarized, did anything said in the vice presidential debate have the potential to affect the outcome? Also, the governor set to reopen more of Texas as COVID-19 cases stabilize. And one of the largest stock exchanges in the world moving from the Big Apple to the Big D? To be fair it’s only part of NASDAQ in talks with Texas, but it could be part of a seismic shift in high finance. Those stories and so much more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 20, 2020

Did Mike’s appearance move the needle in Texas? If so, which direction? We’ll asses the debate as we barrel toward Super Tuesday. Other stories we’re tracking: how reactions to the coronavirus have created what doctors are calling an infodemic thanks to social media. Omar Gallaga on viral takes about a medical crisis. Plus, Amarillo by morning? Not if by that you mean a break in a big time labor deadlock there. Plus- why some flights out of Brownsville have asylum attorneys alarmed. Those stories and a lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 19, 2020

Democrats duke it out over who’s best to battle John Cornyn: Bob Garrett of the Dallas Morning News will join us with the takeaways from debate night. Plus, the one presidential candidate striking fear in the hearts of some Texas democratic politicos. Here’s a hint: he’s a democrat. Also, using federal gun laws to help battle domestic violence. Plus a new report on widespread flaring in west Texas: how bad is it, and will it lead to tightening regulations? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 14, 2020

Texas offers one of the biggest delegate prizes in all the U.S. Are the democrats in this years presidential contest taking Texas seriously? We’ll take a closer look at how far the candidates are going to win over Texas voters, and what’s at stake. Also, as candidates focus their energies on places like Iowa, should Texas consider taking a stand as the state with the first primary? Plus a state historic site reopens after devastating tornadoes: a return to the Caddo Mounds plus a whole lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 14, 2019

The 15th democrat and the second Texan has made it official: he’s running for President. But do the numbers add up for Beto ‘O Rourke? We’ll have more on the announcement by a former congressman from El Paso who wants to take on Donald Trump for President. Also, in conservative Midland, a test for the Castle Doctrine following the shooting death of a policeman. And the east Texas mayor who’s banning the STAAR test, and hoping other mayors will follow suit. It looks like some just might. Plus Omar Gallaga with the tech buzz from SXSW, and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 18, 2018

A shooter situation at a school in Galveston county. Santa Fe High School goes on lockdown, we’ll have the latest from our reporting partners. Also, what could be an important moment in U.S. Mexico relations: a televised debate in the contest for the presidency of Mexico. The front runner? One way to think of him is as a Trump of the left. And a wildfire in the panhandle spawns a rare phenomenon that creates more fires from above the story behind an unusual pyro cumulus cloud formation. Also, they called him the Tex Mex Elvis, now Freddy Fender’s daughter is fighting to preserve her father’s legacy. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Threatening To Leave The Country

When elections don’t go your way, you might be tempted to seek out a change of scenery, perhaps a change of citizenship. But it’s important to remember that you are what makes this country so special. So put down your visa application and look around – this can still be your home.

Texas Standard: November 11, 2016

The supreme court’s docket could get much lighter with a few strokes of the pen, and the impact for Texas could be profound. Plus the President elect promised to drain the swamp. But a Texas republican with first hand experience staffing the white house says that’s gonna be messier than Mr.Trump might imagine. We’ll hear why. And in the wake of Tuesday, how are conversations going around your dinner table? We’ll have some words of wisdom on how to keep the heat in the kitchen when relatives want to talk politics. Plus the week that was according to the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 1, 2016

Inaccurate signs, incorrect information. Reports of problems at the polls balloon as to concerns about the impact on voting, we’ll explore. Also: what would Dan do? Amid the campaign chaos, the longtime voice of the CBS evening news warns our focus should be shifting to what happens after election day. Plus more than just a hobby: the new owner of the Texas Monthly tells us change is on the horizon for an iconic brand. And we’ve heard a lot about payday lending and some churches have heard enough. Now some communities of faith are taking action. And what shape is Texas in? That of a swimming pool? Or maybe it’s the other way around? We take the plunge today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 11, 2016

The law says police must report officer involved shootings. So why are hundreds of police involved shootings missing from records? We’ll explore. Also, trust the polls? Want another measure for how the presidential race is going? Why some are looking to the peso as a proxy. Plus on this final day of voter registration in Texas: is there not a better way? Also, The Feds order Texas to remove caps on special ed services ..unless they can show no kids are losing out. Now a Texas lawmaker wants to go a step further. We’ll hear the plan. And the recent passing of a Texas music legend…a new book explores what we’ve lost. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Third Party Candidates

Many voters are asking each other, Republican or Democrat? Clinton or Trump? But they aren’t the only options, no matter what the talking heads say. This year, more people are considering the often-overlooked third party candidates and asking themselves, is this the election where I break the cycle?