A Texas senator says there’s bipartisan support for a bill some are calling gun control. This in the wake of the attack at Sutherland Springs. Four days after the church shooting, nearby communities lock arms for the largest public gathering there since the tragedy. And after election day, time to get ready for, election day? Two different takes on the sprint to November 2018. Also, a week or so into signups, a surprise for those who might have written off the Affordable Care Act. And trouble in the virtual space as Snapchat and Twitter face some real world considerations, like revenue. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Technology
Texas Standard: November 2, 2017
One small step for a sports franchise, one giant leap for for Harvey Hit Houston. Baseball, we have a world champion. We’ll have the view from their hometown. Plus, they are prescribed to combat some of the toughest diseases out there, but are they really necessary? A new report spells out a kickback scheme: not for patient health, but for under the table profit. And if you can’t get kids to the great outdoors, bring the great outdoors to the kids? A test at a school in East Dallas. And what’s old, outdated and red hot in high tech? With holiday shopping season looming the answer may be serious business, we’ll explore. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 26, 2017
Some see it as the start of a new chapter in Texas politics, but some so-called moderates fear it could turn into a horror story. Joe Straus was seen as a voice of the republican establishment, a defender of business who steered the house chamber clear of some of the most contentious issues raised by social conservatives. In a state where republicans already hold the reigns of power, what happens next? Also, how much do Texans value a college degree? And with education costs rising, is it still a good value? The results of a new statewide survey. And members of the military in a fight for the right to sue Uncle Sam. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 5, 2017
It oversees tens of thousands of state employees, many with side jobs to make ends meet. But at the top: a different story. Health and Human Services has 11 administrations now making over 200 thousand dollars a year. 10 years ago, there were none. The agency says that’s not a fair comparison, we’ll talk with the Dallas News reporter who’s been doing the numbers. Also, several Houston schools on the do or die list this year: improve performance or get shut down, then along came Hurricane Harvey. The challenge faced by both schools and kids aiming for better grades. And you’ve heard about underground workers.. Why so little about the consumers? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 21, 2017
Two major earthquakes south of the border in the course of two weeks. Should Texans be worried about our tectonic ties to Mexico? We’ll explore. Also, a new battlefront in the debate over just how separate church and state are in the US, and Texas’ Harvey experience is a big part of that discussion, we’ll hear why. Plus the head honcho of the Texas house, Joe Straus has filed for reelection, but a veteran political watcher says the speaker of the house may not return as many think. We’ll hear why and what speaker Straus is and is not saying about the matter. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 7, 2017
After Harvey, next Rita, and another hurricane building in the Gulf of Mexico. We’re monitoring the latest on all three fronts today. Plus, for the first time in recent memory, members of the Texas delegation to the US House will do something they haven’t before: republicans and democrats will meet in the same room for the purposes of getting on the same page. And that page is hurricane relief. But if they’re successful, where will the money go? And rethinking runoff: if Texas swings between floods and droughts, shouldn’t we be banking some of the floodwater for the next dry spell? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 22, 2017
Change in plans: the president does a 180 on Afghanistan. When will the US leave? We’ll explore why the commander in chief says that’s the wrong question. Also, the navy takes a knee after another ship in the pacific fleet collides with a commercial vessel. 10 navy crew members missing. Who’s on lookout and what’s going wrong? Plus popping the cork on a controversy between grape growers and their cotton pickin’ neighbors: are pesticides killing Texas wineries? And as kids go back to school, will there be enough teachers? That depends: you live in the city or the country? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 21, 2017
As demonstrators and counter protestors take sides in cities, how’s the showdown over confederate monuments playing out in small town Texas? We’ll have the latest. Also after declaring a phase out at the federal level, the return of private lockups. Texas seems to be a magnet. And water bottles in national parks, making an official comeback? We’ll hear what’s behind it. And help wanted: an aging population sparks a booming business in stay at home home health care across the lone star state. Plus facts and fiction surrounding a certain solar event: slip on those safety specs and turn up the volume because it’s Texas Standard time:
Texas Standard: August 3, 2017
There’s a group of Texans who could see health care costs skyrocket, unless the House and Senate compromise. We’ll explore. Retired teachers across the state are hoping a proposal to funnel money into health care plans goes through, but both would be temporary fixes. Also you’ve heard of the Crips and Bloods, maybe the Texas Mexican Mafia. How about Tango Blast? A new report says it’s the biggest gang threat in Texas. Plus, heard of the town “Midnight,” Texas? We explain why you won’t find it on the map. and how to visit. That’s all coming up on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 31, 2017
Rewriting a constitution. That’s now a possibility in Venezuela. We’ll explore how the US may respond. Plus, there’s been a full reversal at The Texas Department of Public Safety: Local law enforcement won’t have to pay to send evidence to be tested at the crime lab. And we’re traveling back in Texas time to when typewriters were tech breakthroughs, and Austin landed IBM. Also what’s behind a surge in new HIV cases in San Antonio. And, advice from one mom on how to raise a Texan, in California. All that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 27, 2017
And on the eighth day the Texas senate took some time off. After passing 18 bills in one week, what happens next? We’ll explore. Plus he took an oath to serve his country. She is now wondering if she’ll be forced to leave the military. A conversation with an Air Force Staff Sergeant based in Texas bracing for a bitter transition after yesterday’s Presidential tweets on who can serve. Also, too early to talk about 2020? A veteran analyst sees a three way race already forming. Plus discovering the hidden tacos of Texas and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 13, 2017
With the senate’s latest bid to repeal and replace Obamacare, but what about Cost? Today 4 big ideas to fix health care. We’ll have the prescription. Plus, the best kind of policy, many believe, is policy driven by academic studies. But a new investigative report shows a secret program at Google:
paying big money to scholars for research that would help the company get favorable regulations, we’ll explore. Also 5 years after A&M left the Big 12, what’s the score for college football in Texas. Plus the smokier the barbecue the better, huh? Texas Monthly’s barbecue editor says don’t be so sure. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 22, 2017
The US senate lays out a vision to repeal the affordable care act. The upshot: a major revision to a half-century old safety net. We’ll explore what it means for Texans. Plus, though it was promised as a top to bottom rework of the House plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, the senate version is very similar, we’ll take a closer look. And should north Korea be on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism? We’ll talk with the Texas congressman leading a push to turn up the heat on Pyongyang. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 15, 2017
A border democrat meets President Trump in a one on one over dinner. Any questions? Congressman Vicente Gonzales joins us. Also a Texas GOP congressman calls for colleagues and everyday Americans to reset the tone control after yesterday’s shooting in Virginia. We’ll explore why that seems so hard to do. And a southern food writer calls out the lone star state for the tyranny of its brisket. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 8, 2017
Comey over everything. Texans glued to their radios and TVs as the former FBI director appears before senate investigators. We’ll take a look at reaction and more. Also, in the style of William Travis, a Texas mayor makes not-so-tongue in cheek plea, a call for people of good will to come to the defense of his city. Is he serious? You bet. And it’s all because of a new state law. We’ll hear about it. Also Harris county opening the jailhouse doors for scores of inmates–by court order. The county files an emergency appeal to the supreme court. We’ll have the latest. Also, the shopping habits of millennials drive a revolution in retail. It’s not just where and what they’re buying…but what they aren’t. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 5, 2017
After another terrorist attack in Britain, middle eastern nations take dramatic steps to cut off Qatar. How closely are the two connected? We’ll explore. Also last year, he tried to distance himself from Donald trump. This weekend, he was elected head of the Texas GOP. His message may raise eyebrows among democrats. We’ll meet him. Plus file under unfinished business: lawmakers leave austin without renewing state aid for some 300 school districts across Texas. What happens in the fall? We’ll talk to a superintendent caught in the crunch. And as the Golden State Warriors take another game in the finals, a question: what’s a coach worth anyway? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 11, 2017
It’s not just an America thing, y’all: we’ll explore the fallout from the Comey affair and the price to be paid beyond our borders. Also crunch time hits the Texas capitol along with an avalanche of unfinished business. An update from Mike Ward of the Houston Chronicle. And now hear this, because your phone just might have: how millions of apps installed on smartphones could be eavesdropping on you right now. Plus does getting a college degree really matter? A new survey from Rice University says a growing number of white Americans say no. And when is a detention facility a childcare center? When the Texas legislature says it is? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 20, 2017
Texas is number 1- for reports of improper teacher student relationships- and the numbers continue to rise. Why and what can be done today on the Texas Standard.
An alternative to the much debated senate bathroom bill does not require people to use the bathroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate. We’ll hear why that’s not a “fix’ for many bathroom bill opponents.
A power plant that diverts carbon before it gets into the air. Sounds great–but how’s that working out?
We love our smartphones and such, but is there such a thing as too much tech?
And the only Spanish speaking mosque in the US…and what it says about America’s most diverse city. You bet it’s in Texas.
Texas Standard: April 13, 2017
For decades, Texas has had hate crimes laws on the books, but of hundreds of reports in the past 5 years, only 8 convictions? We’ll explore. Also one of the top financial services companies in Texas does the math and decides to boost its minimum wage. What it means for Texas and perhaps for you personally. And his break with his former employer at the White House made headlines. Now commentator Matthew Dowd making the case for a better way than politics as we know it. Our conversation. Plus, can you find the oldest library in Texas on a map? Yeah, neither could google. But we found someone who can and will. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas standard:
Texas Standard: March 9, 2017
Illegal crossings on the southwest border down 40 percent in one month! The trump administration says, “You’re welcome” but can they take the credit? Also the tax man calculating the value of homes across Texas right now. We’ll tell you about a political effort to cap how much your property taxes can be raised and why its freaking out some cities and counties. Plus everyone loves to trash the Texas foster care system, but what about the good apples? Foster parents making big sacrifices to help someone else’s children.Also, refugees in public schools and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: