Rick Perry

Alamo Trust battles to keep Ferris wheel out of historic neighborhood

Rick Perry, the longest-serving governor in Texas history, is returning to the Capitol as an adviser for House Speaker Dade Phelan. What it means for Texas politics.
Five years after a mass shooting in Odessa, a new sculpture rises in hopes of helping the city heal.
Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the State Fair of Texas and the city of Dallas over a gun ban at the fair.
A fast-spreading disease is threatening grape harvests and vineyards across the state.
And: The Alamo Trust is working to block the construction of a proposed Ferris wheel near the historic site.

A visit to the traditional Mexican rodeo in San Antonio

One year later, a survivor of the Allen mass shooting talks about his long road to recovery.
New water rules take effect in the Rio Grande Valley as some border cities cope with historically low reservoirs.
With the rise of cloud-based services and AI, the demand for power has soared. What it means for the state Texas.
A new book by University of Houston professor Brandon Rottinghaus takes a look at the political life of Rick Perry, Texas’ longest-serving governor.
And we’ll go to a charreada in San Antonio where Mexico’s rodeo skills are on display.

Texas Standard: February 16, 2022

As many watch for the next moves in Ukraine, Europeans are turning to Texas for more of their energy; it could come with strings attached. Also, six Texas congressional races to watch. And, an auction for wild horses…why some see it as a betrayal. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

The Electricity Game

How did we get the power grid we have today? Andrew Weber has the story — and it involves football, subterfuge and a whole lot of lobbyists.

You can find a full transcript of this episode here.

Texas Standard: October 23, 2019

It’s a closely watched case involving bail reform in Harris County. Now, the state’s attorney general wants to weigh in – against the change. Plus, he’s the longest serving governor in Texas history, he’s run for president, he’s been serving as energy secretary and now he’s leaving the Trump administration. What’s next for Rick Perry? Fellow Texan and ABC political analyst Matthew Dowd has an idea or two for the outgoing secretary. Also, decoding the accent of a major film star from Katy. And an overdue honor for a hero from the Texas tower shooting. Those stories and more on today’s Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: October 18, 2019

This time it seems it’s for real: the Energy secretary caught up in an impeachment inquiry, is coming home to Texas. We’ll have the latest on the return of Rick Perry. Other stories were tracking: Fort Worth is the biggest city in Texas without a police oversight board. After last weekend’s police shooting of a resident lawfully in her own home, people are asking if greater oversight would it have made a difference. Plus the week that was in politics with the Texas tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 11, 2019

What are Pete Sessions and Rick Perry’s Ukrainian connections? Amid impeachment questions, two prominent Texans get caught in the spotlight. We’ll have details. Also, after just a month on the job, the so-called homelessness czar in the Texas Capitol City steps down following a threat from the governor to force Austin to change controversial homelessness policies. We’ll have the latest. And award winning Texas author Tim O’brien breaks from telling war stories to address the home front. Also, the week that was in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 4, 2019

He’s been one of the longest-serving members of President Trump’s cabinet, but sources say Rick Perry will soon step down, we’ll explore. Also, did you get a census in the mail? No, not that census. We’ll explore some confusing fundraising tactics to keep an eye out of for. Plus, it was a personal moment between the brother of a victim and his brother’s killer. But it’s sparked intense debate. We’ll explore. And a new documentary brings to light a long overlooked piece of Texas history. Those stories and then some today on the Friday edition of the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: September 4, 2019

How well do you think democracy is working in America? Texans weigh in and talk about about what poses the biggest threat to democracy. We’ll have details from the just released annual survey of political attitudes in the Lone Star State, the Texas Lyceum Poll. Also, what we’re learning about how the Permian Basin shooter obtained his weapon and how that’s putting Texas lawmakers in a politically precarious position. Plus is the U.S. not only the top oil and gas producer but tops in cutting emissions, too? A Politifact check and more when today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 9, 2019

Texas officials raising lots of eyebrows after taking quick action to sue the companies involved in recent chemical disasters. A change of heart? We’ll take a look. Also, who’s helping the growing numbers of people crossing the border right now? Highly strained resources for migrants in the valley as their numbers mount. And is the STAAR test aimed too high for Texas students? New complaints getting a hearing at the state capitol. Plus a closer look at the possibility of a former Texas governor taking over as head of Homeland Security. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 26, 2018

Another Trump Administration official in the hot seat today after a slew of bad press. One who’s avoided negative attention? Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, we’ll explore. Also, the largest school district in Texas in turmoil? No permanent leader at the top and facing a potential state takeover. What’s going on with Houston ISD? Plus, you upgrade your TV or your phone but what do you do with the old stuff? Recommendations from our resident tech expert. And what the devil is devil sauce? We’ll take a little jaunt through BBQ history. We’ll also explore the history of a Texas town often overshadowed by the likes of the Alamo and a whole lot more on today’s Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 9, 2018

It’s a 12 billion dollar solution that could prevent many more billions of dollars in damage. So why can’t Texas put up a hurricane barrier? We’ll explore. Also, the frontrunners in Mexico’s upcoming presidential election have already emerged. How the many Mexican voters living in Texas could effect the outcome. Plus, Texas is taking steps to re-think and re-design state mental health facilities, we’ll have the details. And the views from outer space are quite literally out of this world. But many astronauts have vision trouble in zero gravity. Texas researchers are on the job. Also a 5 to nil vote shut down a plan proposed by U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry. We’ll take a look at why and what’s next. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 19, 2017

Rick Perry in the hot seat today as new questions swirl over whether he really understood what job he was nominated to do. A degree in animal husbandry is not a prerequisite for energy secretary, but will his resume as Texas’ longest serving chief executive convince the senate Rick Perry’s the right person for the job? Also, a promise from the president elect: to undo scores of Obama era orders with a few well placed strokes of the pen. What’s really on the chopping block, and what isn’t? And a cartoon controversy gets serious: who’ should really get credit as the birthplace of Popeye? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 4, 2016

The GOP in disarray, they say, over Donald Trump. The fix? Remember Rick Perry? The name that keeps coming back and why today on the Texas Standard. Plus the wage gap between men and women: narrowing on the national front…but in Texas government, it’s actually growing. David McSwane of the Dallas Morning News with the numbers. Buddy, can you spare a dime? Toll roads hit a stumbling block, as a top Texas lawmaker says the arguments for ’em don’t add up. Find out what it’s like to be homeless and pregnant in Texas. And, you know those local elections you likely didn’t vote in? A wake-up call. All that and much more, on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 24, 2016

It was an allegation that torpedoed the political career of Texas’ longest serving governor. And now -all charges dropped. Allegations of abuse of power hung over former Governor Rick Perry’s presidential bid. Today Texas highest criminal court tossed the final felony charge. We’ll explore the implications. Also…a ship pulls into a harbor today between Texas and Louisiana—an historic moment for energy? The start of a boondoggle, or both? And Texas going batty in the winter…how the weather’s changing more than just moods.
all that and more on the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: December 30, 2015

10 million, 50 million, do I hear 7 times that figure? Taxpayer dollars for state bonus checks, but where are the checks and balances? Plus- you thought Rick Perry had left politics? Think again. Jim Malewitz of the Texas Tribune reports on what’s drawn him back. And imagine Uber for gasoline…oops, someone beat cha to it. Also we take the wraps off our first ever Texas Freedom Index…and lots more. Its the national news show of Texas, the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 7, 2015

Rick Perry said it was impossible but his successor disagrees. A dramatic 180 on the issue of ending rape in Texas prisons. Plus, only days after an explosion which sent four to the hospital at an east Texas chemical plant, the company says its returning to business as usual despite a safety investigation that’s far from finished… we’ll have details. Also what do you call a chicken crossing a road…in Bastrop it’s poultry in motion, stopping cars, waking the neighbors and sparking national headlines. And Texas has never had a world series parade…this year, we’ve got two shots at it…that and much more today on the Texas Standard: