Central Texas top stories for June 11, 2024. Texas Health and Human Services Commission is under pressure to comply with federal SNAP requirements. Low water levels in Lake Travis might make it difficult to draw water from the lake this summer. An asphalt cooling program is about to get started in Southeast Austin. Texas ranked 43rd in education, economic well-being and health according to a new study.
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What’s in store for lawmakers’ first special session?
The gavels have fallen on the 88th legislative session, yet lawmakers are still in action, as the governor called the first of what are expected to be multiple special sessions. We’ll look at the unfinished business on the agenda, and a special focus on where we stand with several bills related to public education.
The nonprofit organization Refugee Services of Texas – the largest resettlement agency in the state – is shutting down after four decades, citing mounting financial pressures.
Also, journalist Maria Hinojosa with more on a new special on Uvalde set to debut on PBS tonight.
How the Farm Bill is about a lot more than farming
Another election day looming, another deadline to register to vote. We’ll look at what Texans need to know.
A court decision that could change rules involving gun laws and domestic violence.
They call it a farm bill, but it affects issues ranging from SNAP benefits to environmental regulations. A closer look at one of the most consequential items on Congress’ agenda.
That little blue badge on Twitter: what does it mean nowadays? Omar Gallaga with a reality check.
And as Texas lawmakers move to help with water issues for colonias, communities struggle with other mounting issues.
Do plans for a Texas business court work?
This week at the Texas Legislature: Laws aimed at making it easier to have a baby in Texas.
Under the big dome in Austin, a hearing on a proposal to ban Chinese non-citizens from buying land in Texas.
The state Republican Party censures one of its own, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, after a vote supporting a new gun law.
Is a two-tier court system coming to Texas? We’ll have more on a push for businesses to have their own legal system.
And: A gift to a major Texas museum is aimed at diversity for public art and and greater visibility for Latino artists.
What’s happening at the Cutoff in East Texas?
As cities grow, so do tensions between state and local officials over policy direction. A bipartisan coalition of 18 big city mayors team up to press state officials over top priorities. What they’re planning and more in our conversation with the mayor of Fort Worth. Also, how transgender youth and their families are gearing up to fight several new proposals in the GOP led Texas legislature. And an update over public access to a beloved east Texas body of water called The Cutoff. Plus rising grocery prices and the SNAP gap for those needing help to get food on the table. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 14, 2019
Leaders of both the Texas senate and the house promising to hike teacher salaries so more will stay in the classroom. But how much money is enough? Also, to weather the government shutdown, the state steps in to help people who rely on what used to be known as food stamps. But experts warn of a hidden hit for grocers. We’ll hear about it. Plus a prominent Texas politician pitches his hat into the 2020 presidential race. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 21, 2018
A Texas GOP lawmaker says the governor should call a special session on gun violence. Has Santa Fe become a turning point in Texas? Governor Abbot has long opposed gun control, but after Friday’s massacre at Santa Fe high school south of Houston, the governor now he says he wants to lead a discussion on how to stop school shootings. Will gun control be on the table? Two Texas lawmakers, one a Democrat and the other a Republican weigh in. Also, veterans going hungry at unusually high rates. What’s being done and what isn’t. And comedian Mo Amer on being proudly Texan, proudly Muslim, and sharing a first class plane trip with Eric Trump. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 14, 2018
Who won the first gubernatorial debate of the year? Though it was a one party affair, some pretty hard punches were landed. We’ll talk with the moderator of the Friday night fight, Gromer Jeffers of the Dallas Morning News. Also, well-heeled Texans are re-opening their wallets for the GOP, we’ll show you the money. And liftoff in Houston for a basketball matchup that could be hotter than the NBA finals themselves. And is summer already over at the Oasis called Balmorhea? We’ll dive in to that story and so much more today on the Texas Standard: