Central Texas top stories for February 14, 2025. A Texas judge is ordering a New York doctor to stop prescribing abortion pills to people in Texas. Austin ISD is instituting a hiring freeze on March 1st to try to reduce its growing budget shortfall. A new report from the ERCOT suggests there’s more work ahead to bolster the state’s energy system. The Austin City Council is updating its on-street parking rules for the first time in 15 years. The Austin marathon will cause street closures this weekend.
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Introducing Season 3 of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout
The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout is back for a third season, and Growth Machine host Audrey McGlinchy will be co-hosting some of the episodes with Mose Buschele.
In this season of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout, the podcast explores the history of oil and gas regulation, how the industry became essentially self-regulating — with the help of compliant state regulators — and how some Texas officials continue to see natural gas as the future of electricity production, despite the rapid rise of renewable sources like solar and wind.
In the first episode, you’ll hear the story of a con man and a group of hardscrabble East Texas farmers who uncovered the biggest oilfield in U.S. history — and how that discovery forced an obscure state agency to confront the destructive forces of unrestrained oil drilling.
Listen and Subscribe to The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout
Cracking the mystery of sea turtles’ ‘lost years’
A new survey gives some strong indications what Texans make of the 47th president and what that portends for Texas Sen. John Cornyn’s re-election prospects.
Apple and Microsoft have followed Google in renaming the Gulf of Mexico on their maps after a Trump executive order. Tech journalist Omar Gallaga explains what’s behind the change, and whether it fits into a broader shift in Silicon Valley.
For decades, scientists have struggled to track young sea turtles between hatching and adulthood. Now, researchers may have some answers.
And: Elon Musk is making headlines in D.C. – but back in Texas, he’s been quietly growing his business empire outside of Austin.
The Long Con
Hear the story of a con man and a group of hardscrabble East Texas farmers who uncovered the biggest oilfield in U.S. history — and how that discovery forced an obscure state agency to confront the destructive forces of unrestrained oil drilling.
Written, reported, produced and co-hosted by Mose Buchele
Co-hosted and produced by Audrey McGlinchy
Produced and edited by Matt Largey
Production help from Rene Chavez and Jake Perlman
The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.
Why El Paso Mexican food hits different
In this bonus episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast, Mando Rayo, taco journalist joins the Texas Standard, to talk about El Paso’s unique flavors.
The programming featured in this bonus episode was originally aired on the Texas Standard in February, 2024.
As we gear up for the next season of Tacos of Texas, we want to hear from listeners like you! Visit kut.org/tacosurvey to send us your thoughts about what you’d like to hear on the next season of the show. And stay tuned for Season CINCO of Tacos of Texas.
¡Vamos!
This Is My Thing: Community Singing!
During Covid lockdown, Sarah Bentley discovered the world of community singing. For the last few years, she’s found connection and a creative outlet through leading singing circles.
ICYMI: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s 2025 State of the State Address
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spoke in front of a crowd of lawmakers and supporters to deliver his State of the State Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 from Arnold Oil’s corporate headquarters in East Austin. He named his list of emergency items, which are the only issues lawmakers can pass bills on in the first 60 days of the session. This is a recording of a live presentation of the address from the Texas Standard and The Texas Newsroom.
Local Hispanic business owners are feeling the impacts of the recent immigration raids in Austin.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted “targeted enforcement actions” in the Austin area last month.
Former leader of USAID speaks out against agency cuts
Reports of massive staffing cuts at USAID are rattling the federal bureaucracy and supporters of foreign aid. Andrew Natsios, a Texas A&M professor and a Republican who once served as a USAID administrator, joins the show with his take on the claims of waste and inefficiency at his former agency.
A new historical marker stands outside Rockport building that was once the art studio of Simon Michael – a painter who founded the Fulton School of Painting and played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s artistic community.
Plus: The Standard celebrates our 10th year on the air with a look back at our top 10 film & TV interviews.
‘It impacts all of us’: A Day Without Immigrants
Earlier this week, folks in several industries participated in an event called “A Day Without Immigrants.” The focus was to highlight the contributions immigrants make every day, including to the economy.
Mando Rayo, taco journalist and host of the Tacos of Texas podcast spoke with Texas Standard about the protest and the contributions of the immigrant workforce. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below.
Why did the Mavericks trade Luka Doncic?
With a de facto North American trade war set to begin tomorrow, Presidents Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico announce a one-month delay on tariffs in exchange for added troops at the border.
What we learned in Gov. Greg Abbott’s State of the State address, where he announced some unexpected priorities.
And: A surprise deal by the Dallas Mavericks to trade away star Luka Doncic is sending waves of disbelief among Dallas fans and pro basketball nationwide.
Flu surge shuts down schools in North Texas
What to expect from this weekend’s State of the State address, where Gov. Greg Abbott will reveal his emergency items for the current legislative session.
Have you noticed the flu is going around? There’s actually more than one virus making folks sick at the moment. We’ll check in with a doctor.
One of the many ways public media organizations raise funds is through vehicle donations. But how exactly does a donated car translate into a revenue stream? Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana followed one donation from driveway to dollars.
And: The 67th annual Grammy Awards take place Sunday, and once again, Texas is well-represented among the nominees. We’ll have a preview.
The Disconnect Season 3: Coming Feb 12
One of the main causes of the 2021 blackout in Texas was the failure of natural gas infrastructure. Still, that industry has avoided increased oversight to protect against future failures.
In fact, natural gas remains one of the least regulated parts of our energy system. In this season of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout, we explore the history of Texas oil and gas regulation, how the industry — with the help of state officials— became largely self-regulating and what that means for energy reliability in Texas.
John Steinbeck (and Charley) on Texas
Steinbeck’s comments about Texas and Texans go well beyond his “Texas is a state of mind” quote. Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong explores.
This Is My Thing: Lightsaber Choreography!
As members of the nonprofit Saber Guild, Addie and Ben Ruth share a love of lightsabers, Jedi robes, and lightsaber choreography.
Trump’s first executive orders focus on immigration
Much of Texas is dealing with dangerously cold temperatures and conditions that make travel hazardous. How the state is coping – plus a look at the power grid.
President Trump declared an emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and issued several executive orders on immigration. We’ll delve into the details.
A look at the life and legacy of Cecile Richards: The former president of Planned Parenthood, and a major force in Texas and national politics, has died of brain cancer at 67.
Plus: Texas Standard intern Yoali Rodríguez reports on the designers working to make El Paso a new fashion hub.
Health and Human Services Commission employees accused in data breach
Parts of Texas that seldom see snow may well see frozen precipitation blanketing beaches tomorrow. We’re keeping watch.
Seven employees of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have been fired for improperly accessing, and in some cases, stealing, from the accounts of thousands of Texans receiving public assistance.
And: TikTok went dark for U.S. users on Saturday night, hours before a ban on the service was due to take effect. But on Sunday, the service returned, with a message crediting President-elect Trump, who said he would delay the ban. We’ll have the latest.
State targets Allstate data collection practices
We’ll have the latest on a dramatic drop in thermometers statewide and what that could mean for large parts of Texas next week. Also: How some are hoping to protect people experiencing homelessness from the worst of the big freeze.
The incoming Trump administration has vowed to make immigration enforcement a top priority, possibly including mass workplace raids. What this could mean for Texas workers and businesses.
And: After suing General Motors in August over alleged illegal driver data sales, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has now filed a similar lawsuit against Allstate, accusing the insurer of tracking drivers without their knowledge.
What Texas can learn from wildfire history
A Texas case before the U.S. Supreme Court on verifying ages for adult content has bigger implications than just whether one free speech law can stand.
TikTok users are flocking to other Chinese-owned apps as they await a ruling on whether the U.S. can ban TikTok. But a lot could still change.
Carbon capture is a growing technology in the Houston area. How it’s also now showing up in the classroom.
Texas has huge potential for offshore wind. What do bird conservationists think about the plans?
Plus: As firefighters continue to battle blazes in California, what Texas’ wildfire experts want you know about conditions here and planning ahead.
Dustin Burrows wins race for Texas House speaker
In a session-opening battle for speaker of the House – one of the most powerful positions in state government – Rep. Dustin Burrows won the role in a blow to a rising faction in the Texas GOP, and a victory for what many call establishment Republicans.
Elon Musk, Texas’ richest resident, is turning his eyes to a vastly different venture: education. Lauren McGaughy of The Texas Newsroom has the story, plus a look at her plans to dig into how Musk’s massive wealth and business ambitions are affecting his new home.
And: As the Standard celebrates our 10th birthday in 2025, we’re kicking off a year of Top 10 lists with a beloved story from commentator W.F. Strong.