Hundreds of kids in Texas’ Child Protective system sleeping on office floors. Will a new panel find a way to fix the problem? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: an effort by a state lawmaker and candidate for Attorney General to inventory books about race and sexuality in Texas schools. And Texas jails pushed to the brink by the pandemic. Also, an effort to build a better house with a 3D printer, Texas could be home to the biggest development of its kind. And a seasonal ritual comes to Williamson county, a firsthand view from its inaugural fair and rodeo. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
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Texas Standard: October 22, 2021
The Texas Attorney General, already under a cloud of legal charges, loses an appeal in a whistleblower case against him. The latest today on the Texas Standard.
Eight months after a deadly winter storm, new weatherization orders for the state’s power generators. Is it enough?
Also a Texas ban on Delta 8. And no, we’re not talking about a COVID variant, here.
A new Netflix series that’s rare in a number of ways- not least of which, greater Latin-x representation behind the scenes. Our conversation with animator Jorge Gutierrez and the inspiration behind the new series Maya and the Three.
Plus, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more.
Texas Standard: October 21, 2021
As the fight over Texas redistricting moves from the legislature to the courts, lawmakers and hopefuls are readjusting their political plans. Today on the Texas Standard.
A San Antonio non profit is drawing some unwelcome attention for its recent move into housing migrants. We’ll explore.
And as more bitcoin mining moves into Texas, what’s being done to make sure the energy gobbling industry doesn’t over tap the state’s power grid?
The longest-running indigenous radio program in Texas celebrates all native culture. We’ll highlight the story.
And there are some newcomers in the top 5 in the latest Texas Monthly list of the best BBQ. Why they stood out. That and more.
Peregrine Falcons
This is the time of year that Peregrine falcons make their incredible journey from Greenland to Argentina and Chile, a distance of over eight thousand miles. One of the most popular migration stopovers for Peregrines is Padre Island. There, they rest and eat for a few days. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong says it’s like a Buc-ee’s for birds – and then some.
Texas Standard: October 20, 2021
The third and perhaps final special session of the 87th Legislative is over. So who won and lost? An analysis going beyond the party players- today on the Standard. There’s been a lot of concern among Democrats about weakening numbers in the Rio Grande Valley. But there’s another argument that it might not matter so much in the end when it comes to election results. And there’s some evidence that not taking full advantage of redistricting power has weakened Democratic power across the country. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, staff vaccination rates at Texas nursing homes are not moving up much despite a looming federal mandate. That’s a Texas Standard special report. Plus, we’ll get up close with the mighty peregrine falcon.
Texas Standard: October 18, 2021
Raise your hands if you knew there was an election on November 2. Do you know about the constitutional amendments on the ballot? Some help- today on the Texas Standard.
Eight proposed constitutional amendments in front of voters statewide next month. We’ll look at some of the top line proposals.
Also, billions in COVID relief money- how are Texas lawmakers using those dollars?
A longtime NPR journalist sharing her journey of what it means to become a parent to your parents.
And the struggles some school districts face trying to comply with a law designed to push back against what’s called critical race theory.
Texas Standard: October 15, 2021
A likely appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court as the 5th Circuit reaffirms a decision to let Texas’ near total abortion ban remain in effect. Other stories we are tracking: in the final days of a third special session, the Texas House green lights a bill that would force transgender Texas youth to play on public school sports teams that align with their sex assigned at birth. Also, why supply chains have become a big worry for everyday Texans. And a horror film with a message steeped in the Mexican American experience. We’ll meet the star who hails from the Rio Grande Valley. Plus the week in politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 11, 2021
The 5th circuit court of appeals lifts a lower court stay on Texas new abortion law. What comes next? Doctors who performed abortions in the state during a court-ordered stay on the new Texas abortion law could be subject to lawsuits. We’ll have the latest. Also could the Woodlands become Texas’ newest city? Why the developer opposes an upcoming vote to incorporate. And what this coming winter spells for energy demand in Texas. We’ll hear a forecast. Plus, pregnancy during a pandemic: new insights from a Texas study. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Autumn In Texas
The weather is cooler — a little bit. The decorations are going up and football season is in full swing. But what are the other tell-tale signs of a Texas autumn? That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: October 8, 2021
A bill to prohibit transgender public school athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity moves closer to passage in the house, we’ll have details. Other stories were tracking on this Friday, the deadliest month yet for COVID-19 among workers at Texas prisons. Lauren McGaughey of the Dallas Morning News tells us why. And the connection between Dallas based AT&T and a controversial cable news channel that promotes false election claims and covid conspiracy theories. Plus veteran journalist Carlos Sanchez asks is Texas ready for a Latina governor? Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 7, 2021
A federal judge blocks Texas’ near total abortion ban, for now. The state has appealed, leaving abortion providers and patients in limbo. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: Governor Greg Abbott is joined at the border by 9 other republican governors, backed by an array of military vehicles and accusing the President of causing what Abbott called a humanitarian crisis at the border. We’ll talk with USA Today’s John Moritz, who was there. Also remembering a Latino civil rights champion who fought segregation in Texas schools. And how Texas music is transforming a remote ghost town. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
The Young Lieutenant Who Crossed the Wild Horse Desert
American history sometimes snuggles up close with what might be better termed American mythology. Take that story about a young George Washington chopping down a cherry tree.
But other bits of history based quite a bit more in fact are less well known — though just as extraordinary.
Texas Standard commentator WF Strong offers up one such story.
Texas Standard: October 5, 2021
Two Black members of congress give testimony at the state capitol. At stake: political maps that would break up communities of color. We’ll have the latest on the fight over representation and redistricting in Texas. Also, it started as a petition to force the hiring of more police officers. Now, why a local proposition could have echoes and reverberations statewide. And an estimated 40% of Texas nursing home workers are unvaccinated. How a change in the law may create a shortage of nursing home workers, and the help that facilities are asking for from the state. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 27, 2021
A full forensic audit of the November vote in Harris, Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties… but why? And why these four counties? The election audit was announced hours after a letter to the Governor from former President Trump. We’ll have the latest. Also, allegations of graft against Houston’s mayor results in the sacking of the person overseeing affordable housing. And call them signs of leadership: the former aide to Ann Richards finds a novel way to remind Texans of the former Governor’s legacy. The backstory on the Ann Banners. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas And The Art Of Understatement
Yes, everything may be bigger in Texas. And Texans are used to being pegged as exaggerators — the tellers of tall tales like Pecos Bill who roped tornadoes and shot stars from the sky. But Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong says a characteristic of Texas conversation that doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves is the frequent use of understatement.
Texas Standard: September 22, 2021
In what could be a test of SB8, Texas’ new abortion law, at least two private persons have filed suit over an abortion, invoking one of the most controversial provisions of SB8. We’ll hear more. Also, one of the biggest players in the energy industry sells off all its holdings in the Permian Basin. What this move might mean for West Texas, and what it may say about growing climate concerns. And on that subject a warning about a disease that could get worse as Texas gets hotter. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 21, 2021
Hundreds more federal agents are sent to south Texas as the Biden administration steps up deportations of most Haitian migrants. After promises for sweeping changes in immigration policy, the Biden administration facing heat from immigration advocates and even some democrats over its handling of a humanitarian crisis at the border. We’ll hear more. Also the numbers are in, but how will the new political maps being drawn up by Texas lawmakers reflect the growing numbers of members of minority groups and people of color that have moved to Texas since the last census? And the unusual approach to saving the ocelot in south Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 17, 2021
It is being described as a new humanitarian challenge- reporters say 10,000 migrants or more massed under a bridge in Del Rio. Details today on the Texas Standard.
A new crisis at the border, as local and federal officials appear overwhelmed by the masses in need, most apparently fleeing conditions in Haiti. We’ll have more with a reporter on the ground in Del Rio.
With the crumbling of Trump’s plans for a federal border wall, some Texans living along the border are finding getting back their seized land not a simple matter. We’ll hear about the complications and the impact.
And we’ll meet a Texas musical innovator dubbed the king of the brown sound. Those stories and more.
Texas Standard: September 16, 2021
The walkout of Texas democrats this summer couldn’t stop new voting restrictions from becoming law, but that’s not the final word on the matter. Details today on the Texas Standard.
We’ll have more on a federal bill taking aim at voting restrictions like those in Texas. One that, if passed, could have big implications for redistricting, too.
Also, a Texas law to punish cities that cut funding for police- a new investigative report goes beyond the political spin, to get at what’s actually happening on the ground. We’ll hear about it.
Also are Democrats losing Texas Latinos? A closer look at the reasons behind the claim.
And the remarkable story of the Texas woman who saved New York City’s Central Park. Those stories and a whole lot more.
Texas Standard: September 15, 2021
Mask mandates, Mask directives and the 9 lawsuits against school districts coming from the Texas Attorney General’s Office. We’ll look at the latest. Also there are no easy answers for Foster care in Texas. The state continues facing challenges. And the heart breaking reality of a rising number of young kids who struggle with suicidal thoughts. There’s some help for parents and caregivers. And a new book on Texas politics. The title? “One Star and Bloody Knuckles”… that should tell you something. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: