The end draws near for the second special legislative session: what’s left to be done? Quite a bit, actually. From a 13th check for school retirees to funding for a border wall and more, what’s left on the agenda as lawmakers try to wrap up a contentious second legislative session. Also, new laws set to take effect September first, including what some see as a surprise: new protections for Texas employees claiming sexual harassment in the workplace. And as the last plane carrying Americans departs from Afghanistan, Afghans in Texas struggle to get their families to the U.S. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Special
Texas Standard: July 8, 2021
We’ve gathered up reporters from around the state and have their expertise on how a special legislative session works and what can be accomplished. Also, what is Critical Race Theory and who is teaching it in Texas? And how the city of Abilene hopes to never lose access to water again. Plus a theater play called “Family Dollar”, how a community’s true stories of gentrification gave birth to this play. And the philosophy and goals of QAnon in Texas’ politics, from local to state-wide. Also, to unwind and relax – how about an outdoor movie and you be the host? Everything you need to know to put together your home-made theater is next. That and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 6, 2021
Today is the day when you will learn what SB7 stands for. In short it’s the voting bill that was killed but could come back, we’ll have the latest. Also, Immigration courts are re-opening today after being out for a year, we’ll have details. Plus, are you one of the 3.4 million Texans who are caring for an adult family member? It’s pricey and it’s uncomfortable to put a price tag on their care, but there may be some help on the way. And do you know your history? What about your Asian American history? And speaking of history and historic moments – the story of the first astronaut to do an untethered space walk. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
The Long Haul: Texas And The Pandemic
Do you remember that day in March when suddenly everything changed?. Since the start of what’s been called the quarantine era, tens of thousands of texans have been sickened by COVID-19, many more have lost their jobs and homes, and their friends and loved ones too. We’ll look at where the needs are in Texas’ fight against the pandemic and how those needs are being met, as told by voices from across the Lone Star State. Our Texas Standard special The Long Haul: Texas and the Pandemic:
Texas Standard: December 24, 2020
No matter where you are, you can’t escape Texas music. But as 2020 draws to a close, what is the state of the musical arts in the Lone Star State? We’ll take a look. Made here and played here, that is perhaps the simplest definition of Texas music but one that only hints at the wide range of cultures and backgrounds represented by what has sometimes been stereotyped as a genre unto itself. In a year full of extraordinary challenges for singers songwriters and musical performers, how has Texas music changed over the past year and what comes next? It’s a musical coda for 2020 on this special edition of the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 3, 2017
Salacious emails from a former Baylor University regent about victims of sexual assaults spark outrage. We’ll explore how they tie in. Also special courts for cops: a new law on the books creates diversion programs for first responders. Why counties are hesitant to set them up. Also the cochineal, a small Spanish insect and the source of the red dye in many foods we eat, the makeup we use and the focus of a new Texas art exhibit. And faced with a 19% unemployment rate, some Spaniards are looking for ways to boost their resume. Those stories and so much today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 26, 2017
The supreme court says it will hear the case of president Trumps travel ban, we’ll explore what this means in the meantime. Also republican holdouts in the senate hold up repeal and replacement of Obamacare. Today we talk with one of the most senior members of the US senate who’s task is turnaround the naysayers: senator John Cornyn joins us. Plus, Texas cities seeking sanctuary from the sanctuary cities bill make their case today before a judge in San Antonio. We’ll have the latest. And is Waco ready for its close up? Hollywood ramps up to revisit the Branch Davidian showdown. Plus how do you move a prairie dog? An expert tells us the secret: cheap dishwashing soap. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 19, 2017
What looks like the first major storm of the hurricane season building up off the coast of the lone star state. We’ll have an eye on the sky. Also as professional storm watchers keep an eye on the gulf, a coastal Texas city struggles with keeping its head about water during normal downpours. In need of a hero, Galveston turns to the sand sucker. Plus, artificial caps on kids getting special education services. An investigative story sparked outrage and calls for reform, but how’s that goin? And after years as the top settlement state for refugee families, barriers often remain. How volunteers are trying to remove language as one of them. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 7, 2017
Pink dome deja vu: Governor Abbott calls Texas lawmakers back to the city he loves to rail against. We’ll explore going in to legislative overtime. Also, after signing a bill banning texting and driving, governor Abbott pledges to go an extra mile, and some local governments won’t like it. Plus the return of the bathroom bill and a thousand dollar raise for Texas teachers? We’ll set the stage for the just announced special session. And 12 thousand new jobs in just six months. Why surprising new numbers in Texas oil and gas may not add up to what you think it does. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 18, 2017
Special prosecutor. While the country is abuzz over an investigation in Washington a case involving a lawmaker in Texas is also moving forward, we’ll explore. Plus there are still almost two weeks left in the Texas Legislative Session but talks of the double-S word: “Special Session”, are looking serious. We’ll tell you why. And one big issue before lawmakers has been changes to the Texas Foster Care System. Where those proposals stand now, it’s part of our ongoing exploration of the system’s challenges. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: