Tornados, damaging winds and hail wreak destruction across Texas. Several state agencies still responding to storm damage in north and central Texas and tens of thousands are reported without power. We’ll have the latest on the weather front. Also, the head of investigations for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services resigns as questions mount over allegations of sexual exploitation at a shelter in Bastrop. Plus efforts to secure the return of a Houston native and WNBA star now held in Russia. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Russia
Texas Standard: March 21, 2022
Historic confirmation hearings begin for the first Black woman nominated to sit on the highest court in the nation. What to expect in the confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson. A Houston-based legal scholar weighs in. Also, the U.S. repose to the invasion of Ukraine. With President Biden set to go to Europe this week, Texas democratic congressman Mark Veasey of Fort Worth joins us to talk about what comes next. And a Johnson Space Center Historian on Making Space for Women in the story of NASA. And big trouble for small airports across the Lone Star State. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 17, 2022
Helping Ukraine and avoiding war with Russia. An expert in Texas talks about the delicate balance. Also, after World War Two Nazi Scientists made their home in West Texas. And their children were enrolled in public schools. A new book explores this little known chapter of history. Plus closing the gap for Latino students seeking higher education in the state. And just how many mail in ballots were rejected during the primary? We have the number. Also tech at SXSW: Crypto Coin, NFTs and streaming Lizzo. All that and more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 14, 2022
The awful images of war and civilians caught and killed in the crossfire. As concerns about war crimes mount, what are the options? A Texas-based specialist in international law on the potential for war crimes trials over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We’ll explore the question what is a war crime and how would allegations be prosecuted? Also, what exactly is gender affirming care? A Texas board certified Pediatrician explains. And a celebration for the winningest coach in NBA history. Plus a look at who’s who from Texas in the March Madness brackets and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 11, 2022
Governor Abbot’s orders to investigate parents proving gender affirming care for transgender kids. We’ll have more on the legal fight. Plus the fight to win popular support: a University of Texas propaganda researcher war being fought over Ukraine, and how to tell fact from fiction. Also, how the conflict is putting pressure on a prestigious Texas based music competition. And Texas is a leader in renewable energy. The problem? How to store it. San Antonio buys in to a novel solution that borrows from lessons learned in fracking. And the passing of Willie Nelson’s longest running music partner, his sister Bobbie. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 9, 2022
Gasoline prices hit new highs and activity stirs in the oil fields. We’ll have more on the impact on Texas of energy sanctions against Russia. Also, why are so many Texas teachers leaving the profession? A task force formed to answer that question, we’ll have details. Plus, has SB8 lead to a dramatic drop in abortions? A researcher says some might be surprised by the answer. Plus after a sit down dinner with Attorney General Ken Paxton, the family of a transgender teen now targeted for investigation. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 8, 2022
A Houston native and American basketball icon arrested and detained in Russia. What can the U.S. do to secure her release? We’ll have more on WNBA star Brittney Griner and concerns she’s being held as a political prisoner in Russia as western pressure over Ukraine swells. Also, decades after NASA’s big move to Texas, economist Ray Perryman sizes up the space industry’s multi-billion dollar trajectory. And the Rolling Pines Fire reconsidered: a report on what caused the most recent big fire near Bastrop, and what it could mean long term. And the case for the face of the new right in Texas. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 7, 2022
The first big test of new changes to voting rules and restrictions in Texas. What did the primaries tell us about SB1? We’ll take a closer look. Other stories we’re tracking: a Texas challenge to a federal law designed to keep indigenous kids removed from parental custody with their families and tribes. We’ll hear the story behind the story. And the war in Ukraine already hitting the home front with Texans paying more for gasoline, and pump prices could reach record levels within days. We’ll have the latest. Also the search for the anonymous person paying tribute to Sam Houston with an annual offering at his gravesite. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 04, 2022
What more should the US do to put the squeeze on Russia? Former Texas Congressman and ex-CIA officer, Will Hurd, on whether we should impose a no-fly zone. Also, a bipartisan push for Texas pension funds to divest from Russia. And, we’ll meet the Jeopardy player from Texas who brought home the college championship prize. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard.
United
With the primaries just behind us and mask mandates continuing to lift, the rifts between us all seem very evident — Who will you support come November? Will you still wear that mask? What do you think of X, Y, or Z major issue? But looking overseas to Ukraine, we can see evidence of what it looks like when people from the same country come together despite all those other differences. What would it look like if we decided to do the same? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: March 03, 2022
A state judge tells Texas it must stop its investigation of a family suspected of providing gender affirming medical care for their transgender teenager. President Biden’s weighing in on the matter too. Plus, legally mandated efforts to get Texas public school students back up to speed after pandemic disruptions; schools say they simply don’t have the tutors to do it. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
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:
The Return of SXSW
Confucius and Fresh talk about the return of in-person SXSW and debate whether bloggers like DJ Akademiks are actually journalists.
In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn why Andre 3000 said “The South got something to say,” how Queen Latifah was once Monica’s manager, how Bow-Wow got discovered & more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that top rapper lists are needed. And in Confucious Reads the News, Confucius talks about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kodak Black’s comments on fatherhood, Governor Abbott’s push to criminalize the families of transgender children, and more.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
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: February 25, 2022
More sanctions, more troops to Europe, but how adequate is the US response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Congressman Colin Allred of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is recently back from Ukraine; he’ll weigh in on the US response. Also, the ripple effects on oil and commodities. Plus, the week in politics, and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 24, 2022
We’re keeping a watch on the situation in Ukraine and the ripple effects for Texas. Plus, with early voting ending tomorrow, what to watch for in Texas’ first-in-the-nation primaries. Also, Governor Abbott’s role in keeping energy prices high during last year’s deadly statewide freeze. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 23, 2022
A political revolution in South Texas where Latinas are leading a rightward push; Jack Herrera of Texas Monthly with more on who’s behind changes in a longtime democratic stronghold. Also, Jeremy Suri of UT on escalating tensions in Ukraine. And, should Wordle get a Texan accent? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
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:
Texas Standard: February 14, 2022
Romancing the voters on this valentines day, Texas politicians in local and statewide races try to win over early voters in the nation’s first primaries. We’ll hear from the elections official of the state’s most populous county on a recent court decision in a fight against new voting regulations. Also, a Texas-based expert weighs in with the latest on what the US says is a rapidly advancing danger of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 25, 2022
As the U.S. places troops on high alert, Texans continue to track developments in Ukraine and whether there are yet ways to stop a war. Texas-based geopolitical scholar Jeremi Suri joins us to talk about whether there’s still a diplomatic option as tensions rise over Ukraine. Meanwhile, The standard’s Jill Ament reports how Ukrainian Americans here in Texas are congregating in solidarity. Also, Texas among the top states for eviction filings, even as unspent dollars or pandemic rent relief go back to Washington unspent. Plus when you turn off location tracking, is Google still following you? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard: