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Texas Standard: February 22, 2019

A botched drug raid in Houston sparks an FBI civil rights inquiry and a push to curb so-called no-knock police raids statewide.

After the Las Vegas shooting, a ban on bump stocks has some Texans worried the feds are coming for their guns. Forget the guns, the feds will have a tough time coming for the banned bump stocks.

Is zombie deer disease spreading to humans? So goes the viral headline–and ‘no’ goes the formal answer. Still some say the sensationalism has an upside. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: February 21, 2019

Two top Republicans in the House put their names behind a bill that could change how Texas handles capital crimes. That story coming up on the Texas Standard.

9 to nothing: rare unanimity in the US Supreme Court on a issue that some call policing for profit. We’ll hear what it might – or might not mean for Texas.

Lawmakers pledging property tax relief – but let’s face it: how many folks really know how property tax is calculated in the first place? A primer from the Texas Tribune.

And, the Texas researcher who plans to launch a new space project: a clean up project.

Texas Standard: February 1, 2019

The harmonic convergence at the State Capitol: Texas’ top three power brokers get on the same page over property taxes. But something’s missing.
Coming up: Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune on the missing link between efforts to limit property taxes while promising to boost education. Which is largely paid for by…property taxes.
Also, a look at the week that was in politics and a cautionary tale for those demanding more made in America goods: the case of the Texas-made-Mac- that didn’t take off. All those stories plus a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: November 28, 2018

Here we go again? As the clock ticks down to the end of the year, a top ranking Texas lawmaker poses 300 pages of tax changes – we’ll hear why.

South of the border down Argentina way, President Trump headed to meet with world leaders for a so called G-20 summit. Why that could prove a tipping point for Texans worried about our economy.

Also, how much are you playing for gas? As prices fall, why some in oil country might welcome a bit of a slowdown.

And commentator W.F. Strong offers some tips for Texas time travelers.

Texas Standard: November 21, 2018

Danger! Slippery road ahead: as Texans hit the holiday highways with cheaper gas at the pumps, falling oil prices could still hit us where it hurts.
The oil and gas sector lose one trillion dollars in value as prices plummet: what’s happening and how it could affect everyday Texans.
Also, thinking about 2020 already? Why Jonathan Tilove of the Austin American Statesman suggests: don’t bet against Beto’s return.
Plus, how the changing of the guard in the U.S. House of Representatives hits home for Texas farmers.

Texas Standard: November 20, 2018

Backing away from the border: the Pentagon plans a drawdown of active duty forces there…mission accomplished or something else?
You’ve heard of the wall of separation between church and state—could the church stop a wall between Mexico and the U.S.?
Also, a death at a North Texas jail turns the spotlight on untrained guards at lockups statewide.
A proposed transition from an Obama era policy stokes fear among transgender Texans. We’ll hear why.
And a large scale attempt to woo migrating monarchs back to the Texas capitol city—did it fly?

Texas Standard: November 19, 2018

Texas may be losing its hold in the US House, but it may play an outsized role in who the next speaker will be. That story and more today on the Texas Standard.

Will Nancy Pelosi remain Speaker of the House? Why Texas democrats in congress are a house divided, and what that means for the leadership contest.

New standrds for public school curriculum in Texas set to change how students are taught about the causes of the Civil War.

And with the start of the Texas legislative session just weeks away now, a warning to Texas republicans–don’t mess with a bluer Texas.

Texas Standard: October 25, 2018

As the latest bomb scares appear to underscore, the political center isn’t holding. But what about here in Texas? And what does it mean for the long term? That’s today on the Texas Standard.

Coming to you live today from the studios of Texas Public Radio- celebrating 30 years on the air in San Antonio – as the city marks its 300th birthday. We’ll explore a bit of the Alamo City’s less well known backstory. Also, are Texans really as divided along party lines as the rest of the nation? Our project “Texas Decides” takes up that question. Also, the search for Maria Moreno, and a story of a Texas born farm movement hero almost lost to history. All that and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: September 28, 2018

It’s a who’s who of Texas politics and it happens over one weekend each September. And we’re there- broadcasting live from the Texas Tribune Festival.
Today we’re coming to you from one of the most iconic streets in Texas: Congress Avenue in Austin. Where thousands of political movers and shakers from across Texas and the nation, have descended to discuss the state of the Lone Star State and our future. From immigration to criminal justice, voter participation, local control and the shrinking political center… it’s all on the table. So, pull up a chair for a special edition of the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: August 27, 2018

Nearly a million Texans without representation in the Texas Legislature? Why is the governor refusing to call an election for a soon to open seat?

Amid concerns over sexual misconduct on campus, Texas A&M promises to overhaul how it handles complaints. We’ll take a closer look.

Also, exactly one year after the storm, Houston approves a bond referendum to help it deal with the next Hurricane Harvey- and why much, much more might be needed to fix its reservoirs.

Reversal of an EPA rule designed to push renewable energy. What does it mean for Texas?

And the seasonal superstition seizing many in the Rio Grande Valley. What is the canicula?

Texas Standard: August 20, 2018

Hurricane Harvey broke almost every record. What it failed to break: a certain spirit. A year after Harvey’s landfall we’re live from the gulf coast today on the Texas Standard.

Coming to you live from Rockport- the first Texas town to be hit by Hurricane Harvey when it made landfall August 25th 2017.

It was a category 4, causing damage estimated at 125 billion dollars. After Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in US history. At its peak, a third of Houston was underwater 39,000 people were forced from their homes into shelters. And though in many ways recovery has been remarkable, the pain and the scars still show. Today we revisit Hurricane Harvey one year on.

Texas Standard: July 6, 2018

Washington imposes tariffs on its biggest trading partner, China fires back with duties of its own. This means trade war–but what does it mean for Texas? That’s today on the Standard.

As Stevie Ray might say, “stranded caught in the crossfire”. We’ll explore possible collateral damage to the Texas economy as the result of this new trade war.

South Korea invaded- by fire ants. Now officials are calling on some expert advice- from Texans, of course. How A&M’s hoping to soften the sting on the Korean peninsula.

All that, plus the week that was in Texas politics, Dave Alvin of Blasters fame along with celebrated Flatlander Jimmie Dale Gilmore and more and more.

Texas Standard: June 15, 2018

A huge lawsuit targeting an entire range of abortion restrictions in Texas. An organizer calls it the big fix, the state says it’s going nowhere. The story coming up on the Texas Standard.

Cities across the lone star state have instituted plastic bag bans–are those laws about to be trashed? A whole lot rides on three little words. We’ll hear why–and what they are.

Also, one year after America’s biggest online retailer announced it was purchasing Texas based Whole Foods- what’s happened to the store’s foodie culture? And what changes are happening in the grocery biz?

Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: June 14, 2017

File under “Texas Two Step”: Texas sues to terminate DACA, the federal government says it won’t fight back. Any guesses who’ll win? The story today on the Texas Standard.

Pete Williams of NBC News tells us about the lawsuit playing out in a Texas courtroom that could do a stealthy end run around orders to keep deferred action for childhood arrivals the law of the land.

Hurricane help from above? The Texas-made satellite that might save lives.

As the World Cup kicks off in Russia, a Texas researcher claims he can tell you the champion today. We’ll hear what’s in his algorithm.

And the virtual battle for your video box getting all too real at E3. Digital savant Omar Gallaga joins us and a whole lot more today on the Standard.

Texas Standard: June 13, 2018

A Texas-based company wins approval for a deal that could remake media as we know it. What does it mean for Texas? More on the AT&T-Time Warner merger.

A plan to provide armed marshals at Texas public schools. Will it help prevent more school schootings like the one at Santa Fe High School?

Also, from College Station to Los Alamos: what Texas A&M brings to the table as it wins a contract to help at the nation’s oldest and biggest nuclear research facility.

And the President’s claim that the Coast Guard rescued looky-loos in the gulf during Hurricane Harvey. A politifact check and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: June 12, 2018

For those seeking asylum in the US, a change in the rules. A change some think may effectively close the door for thousands. The story today on the Texas Standard.

At the Texas capitol a senate panel takes up the issue of public school security in the wake of the Santa Fe shooting. We’ll hear what they’re proposing.

Also, Southern Baptists face a “me too” moment, as they meet in Dallas.

Sanctuary cities. Slapped down in the last legislative session. But how will state lawmakers react when they hear about the rise of freedom cities? We’ll hear what those are.

Fear of a brown planet? A fresh reimagining of Public Enemy’s rap classic, albeit with a distinctly Texas twist.

Texas Standard: June 11, 2018

Singapore for the win? Leaving flustered allies in his wake, Donald Trump begins what some think could become a “Nixon in China” moment. The story today on the Standard.

Tomorrow, the world’s media landscape could change in an instant. So say many closely watching a decision expected in Texas-based AT&T’s planned takeover of Time Warner. We’ll hear why the stakes are considered so high.

Is there life on Mars? A skeptical Texas scientist says even she’s surprised by new findings which suggest the answer may be yes.

The family of a former Longhorn sues the NCAA. Why the case could become a landmark over the issue of head injuries. All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: April 20, 2018

Look! In the skies over Galveston. It’s a bird, it’s a plane… No, it’s a plane. And it just might be the next Concorde. NASA’s mission- today on the Standard.

There’s a new policy for meetings at city hall in Amarillo. If you’re caught clapping you might get thrown out. An unusual policy to be sure—but is it constitutional? An SMU legal scholar raises a red flag.

Remember the Alamo? Sure you do. But never like this. Virtual reality comes to the cradle of Texas liberty.

Also why a Texas city ranks #1 for black homeownership. You might be surprised which city it is. Plus the week in Texas politics and more.

Texas Standard: April 13, 2018

Though you may have heard about James Comey’s book, have you heard how the president may be planning to fire back? The scoop on Scooter today on the Texas Standard.

Long before President Trump claimed to be the target of a witch hunt, the ally of a powerful Texan complained he too was the target of one. Why Dick Cheney’s onetime teammate Scooter Libby is making headlines.

Also, you’ve heard of the calm before the storm, what about the storm that follows the storm? Why Texas lawmakers are worried about economic blowback post-Harvey.

And one of the best known actors in Hollywood keeps his heart and his home in Texas. Matthew McConaughey talks about Wooderson, guns and the samurai way.

Texas Standard: April 12, 2018

California and Texas may be miles apart philosophically but when it comes to troops at the border, there may be more in common that you think. The story today on the Standard

A New York Times reporter, embedded with Texas forces at the border, tells us what he’s seeing about military operations. And how this show of force is staying largely invisble to residents.

Women working as reporters tell their own stories to Texas researchers, and the findings point to physical dangers and an impact on the news. We’ll hear how and why.

And what if they threw a party, and it changed an iconic Texas city? It happened 50 years ago- and its ripples are still felt today. Those stories and much more, we’re just getting started.