A Texas electricity company acknowledges its role in the largest wildfire in state history, a Panhandle blaze still only partially contained. We’ll hear more from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Despite objections from Brownsville and Rio Grande Valley residents, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department voted to move forward with a plan to swap land within Boca Chica State Park to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga has an update on the Facebook/Meta outages shutting down services for many on Super Tuesday.
And: Actor Thomas Haden Church on his latest film, “Accidental Texan,” a title that also describes his journey to the state.
Rodeo
The best of the year in arts & culture
Today we’re turning our attention to the world of arts and culture, from a riveting film featuring the audio diaries of Lady Bird Johnson, to the startling impact of a singer named Taylor Swift.
What if it is your first rodeo? We’ve got you covered there with what to do – and what not to.
And Austin-born actor Gabriel Luna talks about his role in the hit HBO series “The Last of Us.”
Legislature takes up ban on vaccine mandates at private businesses
Years after peak COVID, Texas lawmakers are taking steps to ban vaccine mandates by private businesses.
Amid a nursing shortage in Texas and beyond, the journey of a new nurse trying to make a difference.
An award-winning novel set near the border takes the western genre to a whole new place. We’ll talk with ‘Valley of Shadows’ author Rudy Ruiz.
Also: As a new NBA season approaches, there are big expectations building for the San Antonio Spurs’ 19-year old Victor Wembanyama.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 12, 2022
Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2022. Austin ISD bond package. Cedar Park Rodeo. Austin FC. UT Volleyball. Back to school.
Texas Standard: March 01, 2022
We’re tracking primary day in Texas as voters head to the polls on this first day of March. Also, the effects of a new policy by Governor Abbott to classify gender affirming medical treatment for transgender kids as child abuse. And, what the Russian invasion of Ukraine could mean for continued cooperation in space. Plus, a conversation with country music’s Carson McHone. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 28, 2022
It’s being called Ukraine’s Alamo; a moment that has underscored the country’s spirit of resistance and has inspired more sanctions against Russia and demonstrations across the west. Also, the latest on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and why energy has been largely left off the table amid rising sanctions. Plus, with Texas primary elections tomorrow, the once mostly-obscure county officials who now find themselves in the spotlight. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 28, 2021
Hundreds of kids in Texas’ Child Protective system sleeping on office floors. Will a new panel find a way to fix the problem? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: an effort by a state lawmaker and candidate for Attorney General to inventory books about race and sexuality in Texas schools. And Texas jails pushed to the brink by the pandemic. Also, an effort to build a better house with a 3D printer, Texas could be home to the biggest development of its kind. And a seasonal ritual comes to Williamson county, a firsthand view from its inaugural fair and rodeo. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 1, 2020
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:
Texas Standard: February 8, 2019
The confirmation of a republican Governor Secretary of State nominee: a slam dunk in the republican led Texas senate? Not this time. David Whitley facing an uphill battle to be confirmed as Secretary of State after questioning the citizenship of almost 100 thousand Texas voters, we’ll hear the latest. Also, Senator John Cornyn set for easy re-election in 2020, wanna Bet-o? Cornyn himself not taking any chances after seeing what happened in 2018. All that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 4, 2018
Two years after Fisher vs. University of Texas, the Trump administration urges colleges to drop consideration of race in admissions, we’ll look at the implications. Also, how a debate over water flowing from Georgia to Florida is trickling into Texas. And 20 years ago this summer, a Texan trying to save his job not only struck paydirt, his little well would change the world, we’ll hear how and why. And a modern day dinosaur from Texas who took over TV screens around the world. Fire up the grill and grab a lawn chair, the Texas Standard is back on the air:
Custom License Plates
Putting a personalized license plate on your car could be about you, or it could be about a team you love, or maybe one you hate. They’re also a win for the state treasury.
Wind
Alternative energy sources were the inspiration of this poem. Along with what you might call alternative alternative energy sources.
Texas Standard: March 15, 2017
Two Texas lawmakers may have discovered a cure for what ails our political process. The catch: someone’s gotta pay for the gas. Also all across the US the numbers grow to nearly 500 so-called sanctuary cities and jurisdictions. That number may be about to shrink: lawmakers hear from everyday Texans on a bill to draw the line in TX, we’ll explain. And at the rodeo, more than just fun and games: leather chairs and wheeler dealers–we’ll peek behind the curtain at the big show in Houston. Plus can a single citizen make a difference in politics? A texan puts that question to the test. Those stories and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 8, 2017
Obamacare, but for how much longer? How does what’s been called repeal and replace stand to affect Texans? Answers and more questions today. Also as many servicemen and women once stationed in Afghanistan return to Texas, new boots on the ground over there: Chinese boots. We’ll explore. And give me your tired, your very poor, your huddled masses yearning to be able to afford a grocery trip. What new numbers tell us about why Texas has become a beacon for California migrants. And the latest weather forecast. Same as it ever was? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Willie Nelson
It’s a common misconception that all Texans love country music. Sure, a lot of us do but you’ll find plenty of Texans that just don’t care for it.
Unless it’s Willie Nelson. We all love Willie.
Texas Standard: October 10, 2016
On the weekend of apparent armageddon for the GOP, howls of outrage, but any change in Texas support for Donald Trump? We’ll explore. Also our roundtable of editors from some of the cities in Texas that don’t often get heard in the national conversation. And with mere hours to go before the voter registration deadline, a reality check. Just how close is it?. And we say there’s never been a political season like this one, but perhaps that shows just how short memories can be…especially if you lived in Texas a couple of decades ago…we’ll have a refresher, if that’s the right word. Also, are they predators, or credit repair services? What’s in a name for payday lenders? More than you might think. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 23, 2016
Did a Texas DA instruct a prosecutor to strike jurors on the basis of race? How do you define “instruct”? We’ll explore. Also if you want to be big in business you could get an MBA or you could watch what the drug cartels are doing south of the border. We’ll hear about Narco-nomics. Plus, its not exactly a cure for concussions but its not snake oil either…more like fish oil. We’ll explain…And, Spotify, Uber, you’ve heard of the disruptors…now they’re saddling up at the rodeo too. Those stories and lots more on todays Texas Standard:
Learning to Two-Step
So you think you can dance? In Texas, you don’t really know how until you’ve mastered the Two-Step. That was the inspiration for Typewriter Rodeo’s Sean Petrie as he wrote this week’s poem.
The Texas Legislature is Back in Session
Tuesday marked the beginning of the 84th Texas Legislature. Thousands of lawmakers returned to the State Capitol in Austin for the 140-day session.
Typewriter Rodeo’s Jodi Egerton wrote a special poem to welcome the legislators and a hopeful 2015.