New York City: once considered the national epicenter in the fight against COVID-19, now health experts fear a Texas city has taken its place. Hospitals in Houston struggling to deal with the pandemic on a scale similar to that of New York City in late spring. Our conversation with New York Times reporter Dr.Sherri Fink. Also, a warning from climatologists about a coming drought that could reshape Texas for the long term. And getting schooled by Selena: a Texas University launches a first of its kind course. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
texas
Texas Standard: July 9, 2020
Calling it a clear and present danger to Texas’ biggest city, the mayor of Houston cancels the upcoming Texas Republican Convention, we’ll have details. Also, as metro areas sound alarms over the rise of Coronavirus cases, few counties have been as hard hit as one in a remote part of northeast Texas: the view from Titus county. Also in a state that likes to toot its horn as number one, new numbers from the census are nothing to brag about. Why Texas ranks near the bottom in an important census year metric, and what that could add up to. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 6, 2020
As officials confirm the killing of a soldier missing for months from Fort Hood, demands for the military to do more about sexual harassment, we’ll have details. Also, health officials in Texas concerned that finding a vaccine for COVID-19 may not be the final obstacle to a return to normal. Now some are speaking out about misinformation on vaccines. And many Texans are getting tested for the Coronavirus, but not all are getting their results. A firsthand account and what it says about the coordination of efforts in Texas to curb the spread of the virus. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Weekend – July 3, 2020
Mandatory masking ordered in counties across Texas. Plus, a call to end arrests for minor crimes in Hays County. And some of the primary runoff races you’ll find on the ballot during early voting. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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Creative Masks
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has mandated most Texans wear masks for most activities outside the home. What that mask looks like — is up to you. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: July 3, 2020
After days of resisting calls from local leaders, governor Abbott imposes fines for those who refuse to use facial coverings in public, saying it’s a necessary step to avoid a return to another lockdown as virus cases set new records in Texas. We’ll have the latest. Also, a first person story of becoming a U.S. citizen in a period of pandemic. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 2, 2020
As new COVID-19 cases continue to set record highs in Texas, another statistic isn’t tracking the trend. Why are COVID-19 death rates in Texas moving lower? We’ll have the latest. Also, Texas teachers getting prepared for the first statewide public school elective on African American studies. How the past and present come together in the curriculum. And just how difficult is the process for obtaining a mail in ballot in Texas? Our own Shelly Brisbin puts it to the test. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Weekend – June 26, 2020
Texas reverses its phased reopening. Plus, suburbs around Austin confront monuments to the Confederacy in their backyards. And what happened when Big Bend reopened? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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Texas Standard: June 25, 2020
As COVID-19 cases spike the governor hints at new local restrictions and millions of Texas parents and students remain in limbo for the fall, we’ll have the latest. Also, new visa restrictions the president says is designed to help American citizens looking for jobs during the COVID-19 economic downturn. Texas could take a major hit: we’ll hear how and why. And as demands grow for police reform, tech companies stepping in to help people monitor interactions with police. Also the beginning of the end for college admissions testing? All those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 23, 2020
Return to closing businesses is a last resort in Texas, so declares Governor Abbott even as he expresses concern about what he calls an unacceptable increase in COVID-19 cases, we’ll have the latest. Also some rapidly spreading face masks myths debunked, and the latest in the mystery disappearance of a Fort Hood soldier who’d complained about sexual harassment. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 22, 2020
As President Trump tries to get his campaign restarted after lockdowns nationwide, what to make of polls suggesting the rise of Joe Biden in Texas. That and more today on the Texas Standard.
Stay at home rules are supposed to promote safety but for many, home is anything but safe, as concerns mount in some communities over rates of domestic violence.
Also, Texas restaurants on the front line of enforcing face mask rules. And, dropping “The Eyes of Texas”. The case being made by athletes and others against the University of Texas at Austin’s official alma mater song.
Those stories and more.
KUT Weekend – June 19, 2020
The city of Austin orders businesses to require face masks. Plus, the racist roots of UT Austin’s school song. And a Texan in her 90s still working to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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Texas Standard : June 19, 2020
The meaning of emancipation and the ongoing struggle in the spotlight as millions in Texas and across the nation mark Juneteenth. More today on the Texas Standard.
A Juneteenth that has taken on special prominence amid a rising chorus of demands for racial justice and equality. Voices from across the state on what Juneteenth means to them.
Also, governor’s orders: Texas public schools to reopen in the fall–this announcement as COVID-19 cases continue to spike. We’ll hear how plans currently stand, and when we might get more details. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more.
Texas Standard: June 17, 2020
One size fits all does not work for Texas, so say the mayors of nine cities imploring the governor to help them get Texans back to safety guidelines. El Paso mayor Dee Margo, one of the signatories to a letter to governor Abbot tells us why he and his colleagues are asking for the power to get more people to wear face coverings in the fight against COVID-19. Also Texas student athletes leverage their power for social change. A look at how their latest moves fit into the larger picture. And is purple the new orange? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 15, 2020
A spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas raising concerns, we’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: troops that refused to deploy to cities during demonstrations over the killing of George Floyd now face possible discipline. Also the tweet from Texas that sparked a national conversation about life as a person of color in higher ed’s ivory tower. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
In Praise Of
The pandemic revealed something interesting about which jobs are really “essential.” It opened a dialogue about priorities and it’s a conversation that’s not over. That was the inspiration for this week’s poem.
Texas Standard: June 9, 2020
The latest chapter in the civil rights struggle and the young people at the center of it demanding change. As mourners gather in Houston to honor George Floyd, we hear from some of the voices of a younger generation who grew up hearing stories of Reverend King and the freedom riders, and now find themselves at the heart of another inflection point in the push for racial equality and justice. Also, Facebook posts and Tweets showing solidarity? A call now for action: what it means to be a real ally amid demands for reform. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard : June 8, 2020
What began as protests over George Floyd mark something larger: a shift in Texas and nationwide over the use of police power. A closer look today on the Texas Standard.
In cities in Texas, as elsewhere, demonstrations against the inequitable use of police force sparks calls for defunding and or dismantling police departments as we have known them. We’ll look at the use of police force in demonstrations across Texas and demands for change.
Also, the nexus of demonstrations and a global pandemic.
Plus a profile of the man whose killing sparked this historic moment.
Texas Standard: June 5, 2020
Several Texans said to be peacefully protesting seriously injured by so-called less lethal police force, what are the rules of engagement? We’ll explore and more today on the Texas Standard.
How public perceptions of the events of the past several days may well turn on word choice.
Also, some now say the time is right for a truth and reconciliation commission concerning race in America, we’ll look at how they’ve worked in North America in the past- and whether one could make a difference now.
Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. Those stories and much more.
Texas Standard: June 3, 2020
Though a more peaceful evening across Texas, voices continue to rise over police force against African Americans and people of color. Amid days of demonstrations over policing, a former Texas mayor and one-time presidential candidate decides it’s time for a full throated endorsement of Joe Biden. Our conversation with Julian Castro on what was, for him, a tipping point. Also, the return of the Brown Berets to El Paso. And an attempt to get back to normal at Texas A&M. We’ll talk with the system’s chancellor and more today on the Texas Standard: