T minus 12 days and counting: are you ready to cast a ballot in Texas’ general election? We’ll have a list of practical steps to take now if you plan to cast a ballot in one of the most contentious elections in our history. Also the COVID-19 wake up call: why was Texas caught flatfooted even though plans had been in the works to deal with a pandemic? A Houston Chronicle investigation finds some surprising answers. And harsh lessons in reality for some just starting college in Texas during COVID-19. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
race
Texas Standard: September 16, 2020
Despite less money and name recognition than the incumbent, some think MJ Hegar has a strong chance of making political history in November. Many political analysts think air force veteran and teacher M.J. Hegar has the best chance of reclaiming a seat in the US senate for Texas democrats for the first time in two decades. Also what losing a newspaper means for a Texas town, a teachers’ struggle to wear a Black Lives Matter mask at school, and 80 million unrequested ballots sent to voters? A Politifact check of that claim by the president and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 1, 2020
DIY vaccines? Groups of scientists going their own way to try to develop new tools to combat the pandemic, But is it legal or ethical? We’ll have more on DIY vaccines. Also Dr. Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio is back to answer more questions from listeners about COVID-19. And with renewed scrutiny on long standing racial disparities, the spotlight turns to interpreters for the deaf in Texas. Plus 75 years after V-J day, how veterans and a Texas museum dedicated to the war in the pacific are marking the moment. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 11, 2020
Half of Houstonians rent their homes but the city hasn’t passed protections against eviction in this current economic situation. We’ll take a closer look. Plus- to play ball or not. The field of college sports is starting to look very different as we near the start of seasons. And another uncertain future? American agriculture. Actually, the future looks certainly dire unless there are some changes. Then there’s school reopening. We’ll hear from a former U.S. Secretary of Education about why we have to try and how to do it safer. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 4, 2020
New numbers on COVID-19 testing in Texas tell us what, exactly? An investigative report by the Houston Chronicle says many Coronavirus test results are not included in official counts trying to chart the spread of COVID-19. We’ll hear why not and what it means for efforts to stem the spread of the virus. Also, El Paso students reflect on the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern U.S. history, one year on. And newsman Dan Rather on a plan to improve education. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 2, 2020
As new COVID-19 cases continue to set record highs in Texas, another statistic isn’t tracking the trend. Why are COVID-19 death rates in Texas moving lower? We’ll have the latest. Also, Texas teachers getting prepared for the first statewide public school elective on African American studies. How the past and present come together in the curriculum. And just how difficult is the process for obtaining a mail in ballot in Texas? Our own Shelly Brisbin puts it to the test. Those stories and 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: 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: March 5, 2020
More than two million Texans showed up to vote, but some of them had to wait for hours to cast a ballot. Voter suppression or mismanagement? We’ll explore. Plus now primary results are in, how useful were the polls leading up to the election? We’ll hear from one of the pollster at the University of Texas. Also, the growing number of Democrats who say Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders needs to pick a woman as a running mate, we’ll explore. And Coronavirus fears harming business from Houston’s Chinatown to Austin’s SXSW. And what’s it like to be a U.S. soldier deployed to the U.S. border with Mexico? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Part I: Being Black at UT 63 Years After Integration
400 years ago, a group of 20 enslaved Africans were brought to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay for the express purpose of working the land, thus beginning one of the most shameful periods in America’s history.
Although Diversity and Inclusion have become a mission of so many academic and corporate entities, the vestiges of that tragic day still haunt us, and in our current political climate forces us to grapple with the question: how far have we actually progressed when it comes to race in this country?
Join guest host Ya’Ke Smith in a candid conversation with Virginia Cumberbatch, Kathleen McElroy, and Roger Reeves as they discuss this pivotal event and how it still affects the way African-Americans are viewed today.
Diversity is not just about buzz words, but it’s about America grappling with her history, facing it head-on, and making earnest efforts to repair the insurmountable damage that her original sin still causes today.
Audience Q&A: Being Black At UT 63 Years After Integration
400 years ago, a group of 20 enslaved Africans were brought to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay for the express purpose of working the land, thus beginning one of the most shameful periods in America’s history.
Although Diversity and Inclusion have become a mission of so many academic and corporate entities, the vestiges of that tragic day still haunt us, and in our current political climate forces us to grapple with the question: how far have we actually progressed when it comes to race in this country?
Join guest host Ya’Ke Smith in a candid conversation with Virginia Cumberbatch, Kathleen McElroy, and Roger Reeves as they discuss this pivotal event and how it still affects the way African-Americans are viewed today.
Diversity is not just about buzz words, but it’s about America grappling with her history, facing it head-on, and making earnest efforts to repair the insurmountable damage that her original sin still causes today.
Texas Standard: September 20, 2019
At least two dead, nearly 4 feet of rain and some parts of southeast Texas calling it worse than Hurricane Harvey. Our own Michael Marks joins us with the latest on tropical storm Imelda’s toll in Texas. Also, you’ve heard the phrase ‘it takes a village’, but to go to Mars? Why SpaceX is offering to buy an entire south Texas community. And Houston says Howdy Modi as the Indian Prime Minister makes Texas a centerpiece of his U.S. visit. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 2, 2019
The Governor says The status quo is unacceptable in the aftermath of the second mass shooting in West Texas in a month. We’ll have more on reaction to this weekend’s mass shooting in the Midland Odessa region and the mounting sense of frustration over what to do to end what the governor calls the status quo. Also, a closer look at a possible end to America’s longest military conflict. And a Texas-sized balancing act between climate control and historic preservation. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 6, 2019
And the results are in from cities across Texas. Is there a message voters are sending on the eve of a major national election season? We’ll explore. Also, the White House and Democrats in congress agree on infrastructure needs, at a price tag of 2 trillion dollars. Crazy money you say? If the sky’s the limit, what does Texas need most? And the effort to arm more marshals at Texas public schools, but some minority students say it makes them feel less safe, not more. Plus the Texan making maps for hoops and transforming the game of basketball. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 26, 2019
It was a perp walk with the TV cameras rolling as the mayor of Edinburg and his wife were led to court in handcuffs. An attorney general’s investigation into allegations of election fraud result in charges for the top official in Edinburg as city officials say they’re standing by their mayor, we’ll have the latest. Also, sea turtle season returns as researchers declare a long term effort to learn more about the critters. Plus, understanding the hype over the new Avengers movie, the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 24, 2019
A Texas democrat enters the race for U.S. senate, facing a 3 term incumbent with a massive war chest. Veteran M.J. Hegar throws her hat into the ring for the Senate seat held by John Cornyn. What are her chances and what does it mean for another much talked about potential challenger? Also, the Dallas D.A. getting pushback from the governor and others over plans not to prosecute some petty thefts. The D.A. says its criminalizing poverty. And one giant leap for legalized hemp in the Lone Star State. All those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 10, 2019
Texas is in the spotlight again over race in higher ed admissions. What a settlement with Texas Tech Medical School means for affirmative action. Also we’ll take a look at the links between health and wealth. And just in time for tax season, a bill to keep the IRS from providing online free tax filing. Plus the matador fighting to keep both the bulls and the sport alive and a Politifact check about the criminal activity of migrants here illegally. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Trailer: Held Back
In most urban school districts across the country, black and Latino students don’t perform as well on standardized tests as their white and Asian peers. KUT’s Claire McInerny explores the reasons for this gap and looks at one teacher’s possible solution.
Texas Standard: November 13, 2018
Is there a Speaker in the House? Texas lawmakers rally around a replacement for Joe Straus and introduce a raft of new potential laws. More than 400 bills already proposed to kick off the 2019 legislative session, we’ll hear about the big ones. Also, Helen Keller and Hillary Clinton out of the classroom? Proposed new standards for Texas public school history classes. And Historian H.W. Brands on why the generation after the founding fathers matters today. And remembering Stan Lee: the passing of a hero maker hits home for a Texas writer. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Running
The Typewriter Rodeo takes requests — and this one came from a Texas Standard listener training for a marathon.