Space Junk

Fort Worth megachurch draws attention for political push

Healthcare subsidies were a central issue that led to the federal government shutdown. Now that a deal is in the works, what happens to them?
We’re still waiting to hear from courts on whether new Texas district lines will be in place for the 2026 election. We’ll dig into the potential impacts in Houston.
In Austin, voters turned down a property tax increase. What does that mean now for the city’s budget?
Plus, the challenge of envisioning a truly bikeable Dallas.
Those stories, a political push from a Fort Worth megachurch, and a sports break looking at how women’s basketball is heating up with UT, Baylor and TCU in the mix.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org.

A Texas firm tackles space junk

After national headlines and a pledge from California to offset Texas’ redistricting plans, the walkout by Texas House Democrats is over. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom has the latest on the Dems’ return to Austin and what comes next.
Old satellites, tools, even food wrappers: Space debris is piling up. Now, a Texas company’s recycling initiative has NASA’s attention.
A new fight is emerging over the sale in Texas of kratom, an herbal supplement with opioid-like effects often found for sale at convenience stores.
And: A UT Austin-led team has discovered the oldest, most distant black hole yet – 13.3 billion years old.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Texas Standard: November 04, 2022

It’s the last day to vote early in the midterm elections but Texans haven’t been showing up at the pace they did last time; we’ll look at why. And one of the races on every Texan’s ballot is for state comptroller. So what exactly does the comptroller do and what separates the two top party candidates? Also on the ballot may be a change to your city charter, what’s that mean and what’s at stake? And we’ll meet a 75-year old Texan running his 75th marathon. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 1, 2017

In politics, style doesn’t normally trump substance. Does a change in tone portend a change in policy and if so how? We’ll explore. Also two Texas congressmen, one a democrat, the other a republican, tell us what they heard and what they didn’t in the president’s maiden address to Congress. Plus, the re-making of a president the old fashioned way: we’ll chat with the man who made a reconsideration of LBJ his personal mission. Also: look: up in the sky. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard: