Schools are, once again, overwhelmed by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this current stage, some districts have shut down for days at time, others are asking parents to serve as substitute teachers. All that was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
school
Texas Standard: January 4, 2022
As Texas students return to a post holiday footing some are finding it’s not ‘back to the classroom’ just yet. The latest pandemic spike punching holes in back to school plans. We’ll talk with a panel of education reporters with the latest from across Texas. Also, beef prices skyrocketing, but that money’s not making it back to Texas cattle ranchers. Now the Biden Administration’s stepping in: what Texas rancher’s have to say about the Feds’ new plan. And a new Texas law takes effect trying to put renters on an even footing with homebuyers when it comes to knowing if you live in a floodplain. All those stories and more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: December 3, 2021
The Trump era policy for asylum seekers to resume after talks between the Biden administration and officials in Mexico. The so-called remain in Mexico program is coming back, despite promises of change. We’ll hear why. Also the push to preserve the history of a formally segregated school in West Texas. And El Paso’s ban on planting Mulberry trees. Now that the existing ones are dying off, what will take their place? Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune, and remembering the Texan getting tons of attention right now for his role in keeping the fab four together. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 1, 2021
Four new laws aimed at improving the lives of almost a million and a half Texas residents who served in the military. We’ll have Details. Other stories we’re following: young authors and librarians weigh in on the Governor’s attempts to purge what he calls pornography from public schools. Also big news for a small city: what the decision to locate a new multi-billion dollar semiconductor facility means for the town of Taylor in Central Texas. Also what’s in the name “Brackenridge” and a Politifact check of a claim that U.S. households are on track to spend 19 billion dollars more on energy by 2030. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 12, 2021
Roads, bridges, electric charging stations… in all some 35 billion dollars earmarked for Texas in the infrastructure bill. So what comes next? San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg joins us. Also, a new law aimed at preventing deaths due to drug overdose has a policy expert warning about the fine print. Plus the week in Texas politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 5, 2021
Two Black members of congress give testimony at the state capitol. At stake: political maps that would break up communities of color. We’ll have the latest on the fight over representation and redistricting in Texas. Also, it started as a petition to force the hiring of more police officers. Now, why a local proposition could have echoes and reverberations statewide. And an estimated 40% of Texas nursing home workers are unvaccinated. How a change in the law may create a shortage of nursing home workers, and the help that facilities are asking for from the state. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 1, 2021
A new abortion law takes effect in Texas. Not only does it effectively prohibit abortions after five or six weeks, it deputizes private citizens to enforce it. We’ll hear about the implications. Also a look at some of the less well known provisions taking effect as Texas law today ranging from homelessness to the Star Spangled Banner. Plus Boca Chica we have a problem… friction between SpaceX and the folks who live near the south Texas launch site. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 26, 2021
Quorum restored and the special session back in action, Texas lawmakers take steps on border security including funding for a wall. Though Donald Trump’s border wall plans may have fizzled, Governor Abbott’s pressing forward with his own call for a Texas version. Bob Garrett of the Dallas Morning News with more. Also as classes return online, students encountering some system errors. We’ll hear about the challenges. And a podcast about racial tensions in a Texas suburb as a microcosm of America. The story behind the series Southlake and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 18, 2021
As the Governor announces he has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, his ban on mask mandates remains in place. We’ll have the latest. Also, as one school system in west Texas hits the pause button on classes as the Delta variant spreads, what about others confined to smaller spaces for hours at a time potentially exposed to the delta variant? We’ll hear about growing concerns for nursing homes and long term care facilities for older Texans. Plus as the longest war draws to an end in Afghanistan, for many Afghans, a new life may be just beginning in Texas. Resettlement plans, the challenges ahead and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 13, 2021
Texas by the numbers: new census details for the Lone Star State kick off a new round of redistricting with major political implications. 5 of the 10 fast growing municipalities in the country are in Texas, according to the new census numbers, and Texas stands to pick up two more seats in Washington as a result of all the growth. We’ll do the numbers and discuss what that means for the state’s political maps. Also the pickup truck capitol of the world, poised to become ground zero for building the electric pickups of the future? And the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 12, 2021
As some Texas Democratic lawmakers make their way back to Texas are there signs that the special session quorum break may be breaking up? How much longer can Texas democrats hold out? Also what some are calling a constitutional crisis looming over the budget. And with the rapid spread of the Delta Covid variant and back to school pressures, what we know and what we don’t know about the spread among kids. And more listener parents weigh in on what they plan to do about the return to school. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Living The… Pants?
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our lives — including our nightmares. Now that some sectors of the world continue to open up, many are finding the details of those nightmares are shifting. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo Poem.
Texas Standard: May 24, 2021
Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston. We’ll look at why it’s not getting any federal money for flood mitigation managed by the Texas General Land Office. Also, Texas uses gas taxes to help to maintain and build new roads. So how does it make up the loss in revenue from more people driving electric vehicles? Some say the potential answer sends the wrong message. Plus, PTAs in wealthy parts of one Texas school district have actually been paying staff salaries. Why the practice is ending and what could replace it. And there’s been a lot of back and forth about how the capital city makes room for people experiencing homelessness. Austin voters said one thing, now state lawmakers may add another. Where things stand now. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 11, 2021
Greg Abbott has a challenger in 2022 Gubernatorial race. And no, his name’s not O’Rourke or McConaughey. A former state senator and prominent north Texas businessman running for Governor to the right of Greg Abbott. We’ll talk about Don Huffines’ bid for the top spot in Texas government. Also the latest in our project tracking vaccinations across the Lone Star State, the texan reaching out to the reluctant. And last falls Texas school re-openings blamed for more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 800 deaths. What are the lessons from the data, and what about this fall? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 29, 2021
From guns to immigration, green jobs and more, an historic speech by President Biden with big implications for Texas and the nation. Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News with more on the President’s speech to congress. Also a supreme court case on how far public schools can go in trying to control off-campus speech by students. And the outgoing mayor of Fort Worth on policing, the pandemic, and changes to the city she’s governed for the past decade. Plus upsetting the Apple cart: facebook pushing back big time over a new feature on iPhones. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 5, 2021
2 trillion for infrastructure. The big push from the Biden administration. But what might those big plans mean for the Lone Star State? We’ll have details. Plus, going to a concert? Baseball game? Getting on a plane? You may need a passport for that. The push for and the controversy over so-called vaccination passports. Also Dr.Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes on more of your COVID-19 questions. And new lockdowns in other parts of the world and the ripple effects on Texas and the energy business. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 19, 2021
The Asian American community in Texas and beyond demanding change in the wake of shootings in Atlanta. Also, after concerns at Forth Hood and elsewhere about sexual harassment complaints being ignored. What’s the army doing to change things? And an ongoing journey helping immigrants and refugees navigate healthcare in the U.S. Plus Texas families struggling with virtual learning. Also a film about a Texas whistleblower and the line between breaking the law and speaking out to stop violations of the law. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 29, 2020
As many anticipate the start of the New Year, many Texas public school officials fear what the stroke of midnight might mean for them. A hold harmless guarantee for Texas public schools expected to expire on December 31st. For districts facing a drop off in attendance, will there be enough money to maintain operations? Also, racial disparities in the pandemic spark a rethink of who’s most at risk to COVID-19. We’ll also look at concerns about social isolation and seasonal affective disorder. And with the launch of a U.S. Space Force, plans to find a home for the U.S. space command. Could it be landing in Texas? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 26, 2020
It’s Thanksgiving Day and we’re re-broadcasting a special show for you. Overlooked No More: How Asian Texans shape the state. Today we’ll talk about How the Asian American community has changed since 1870, the first time the U.S. census counted people from China to today. Also, we’ll meet a group called the “Pershing Chinese” – a story of Chinese immigration through Mexico. Then we’ll travel to the border where a vibrant Filipino community settled. And is it time to re-evaluate the holidays we officially recognize in Texas? All of those stories and more on today’s special edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 16, 2020
As Coronavirus cases tick upwards again in Texas, some schools are returning to laptops and tablets. But others are going the opposite direction. Coming up our conversations with the superintendents of two Texas school districts where back to school is the rule, despite concerns about an uptick in Coronavirus cases. We’ll hear the rationale. Also you’ve heard of the great recession. Now the spotlight turns to what Texas researchers are calling the economic “she-session” of 2020. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: