Travel

Texas Road Trips

Record-high gas prices might mean many are scaling back on travel plans. But the warming weather and (currently) loosened pandemic concerns make a short escape to enjoy the outdoors somewhere in Texas sound awfully appealing. At least that was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: November 22, 2021

After earnest promises to fix the grid after last winters statewide blackouts, is Texas better prepared for the next winter storm? A new report offers answers, we’ll explore. Also Dallas and Houston among the top destinations in the U.S. for holiday travelers who are hitting the road this week despite a spike in gasoline prices. But but there may be some good news on the horizon. We’ll have the latest. Plus if you’re planning on taking the plane, how concerned are you about air rage? We’ll meet a scholar who says buckle up, there may be more turbulence in the passenger section. And a Thanksgiving feast stuffed into a single bag of candy corn? All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 8, 2021

The Biden Administration vaccine mandates put on hold by the 5th circuit. What comes next in the fight against COVID-19? Steven Vladeck of UT Law breaks apart the significance and impact of the decision blocking federal vaccine mandates and what comes next. Also SPR, OPEC, COP26 and RBOB… decoding efforts to deal with climate change and the effect on energy markets. And an historic reopening today at the border. Plus an investigative report reveals poison in the air in parts of Texas at dangerous levels…levels not usually captured by official data. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 16, 2021

A plane trip back to Austin for Texas Democrats, courtesy of the House speaker. We’ll have the latest in a huge political stalemate still unfolding. With Texas Democratic House and Senate members in D.C. right now, a maneuver to deny a quorum and stop legislation to further restrict voting in Texas. The political theatre is getting more dramatic with very real political fallout. Also, with Texas growing exponentially the state transportation department wants to spend billions widening highways, but some are wondering if that mindset should be thrown into reverse. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Summer Trips

Fewer pandemic restrictions on travel mean more Texans are hitting the roads or the skies this summer. Whether it’s a trip to see family or to get away from them — this Typewriter Rodeo poem suggests it’s a different way to rediscover ourselves and one another.

Texas Standard: May 11, 2021

Greg Abbott has a challenger in 2022 Gubernatorial race. And no, his name’s not O’Rourke or McConaughey. A former state senator and prominent north Texas businessman running for Governor to the right of Greg Abbott. We’ll talk about Don Huffines’ bid for the top spot in Texas government. Also the latest in our project tracking vaccinations across the Lone Star State, the texan reaching out to the reluctant. And last falls Texas school re-openings blamed for more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 800 deaths. What are the lessons from the data, and what about this fall? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 5, 2021

2 trillion for infrastructure. The big push from the Biden administration. But what might those big plans mean for the Lone Star State? We’ll have details. Plus, going to a concert? Baseball game? Getting on a plane? You may need a passport for that. The push for and the controversy over so-called vaccination passports. Also Dr.Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes on more of your COVID-19 questions. And new lockdowns in other parts of the world and the ripple effects on Texas and the energy business. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 10, 2020

The start of the next Texas legislative session is looming… but what will it look like during this pandemic? Today on the Texas Standard.
We’ll examine questions over how Texas lawmakers will vote and what access the public will have to hearings. Plus, Texas nursing homes will be among the first places in the state to get access to the COVID-19 vaccine. We’ll look at how that rollout will happen. And, how a Texas town dependent on tourism is faring in this time of limited travel. That plus some options for safely connecting with Santa this holiday season. And why the keepsake could be more meaningful.

Texas Standard: November 23, 2020

Cars line up for miles outside food banks in our big cities. On this Thanksgiving week, the state of food insecurity in the state of Texas. As many Texans prepare for a big Thanksgiving dinner, others struggle with the choice of whether to leave the lights on or put food on the table. We’ll explore. Meanwhile health officials worry that holiday gatherings could become super spreader events. We’ll hear about the push for safety precautions to combat COVID-19 as case numbers rise statewide. Plus as national media focuses on the Latino vote, the case that the Tejano vote could be a better indicator. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: September 22, 2020

A Beta test for southeast Texas as rains pummel the region, roads are closed, schools shift plans and officials warn to stay put, we’ll have the latest. Also, COVID-19 has hit retail hard, but what about retail politics? The pandemic’s impact on a political season like few others in recent memory. Plus, Latino political power in Texas: under lockdown or primed to make major waves on election day? We’ll explore. And the U.S. Department of Transportation gives the green light to the Texas bullet train connecting Dallas to Houston in 90 minutes. All aboard? Not quite. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 26, 2020

Political conventions are planned out years in advance, so why are people suddenly talking about the GOP convention coming to Texas this summer? We’ll explain. Plus, questions raised over a 295 million dollar contract for contact tracing to fight the spread of Coronavirus in Texas, also efforts for contact tracing at the border. And its t-minus one day and counting: Space City watching closely as Elon Musk’s Space X prepares for an historic crewed launch. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 13, 2020

What next? A new report says it’s time to think big about a post-pandemic Lone Star State. We’ll look at a just released roadmap for a more inclusive, resilient Texas. Former state senator Kirk Watson of the University of Houston and Steven Pedigo of UT unveil a joint nine point proposal for a stronger Texas after COVID-19. Also dangers in the fields of the valley where essential workers labor unprotected. And can you run a railroad with no tracks? An implausible sounding question with major implications for the Texas Bullet Train. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 11, 2020

What’s in the President’s proposed budget and what are the many ways in which it affects Texans? Maintenance for the wall in the years to come. Who’ll be paying for that? We’ll take a look. And did you know California banned state-funded travel to Texas? Well, Texas is fighting back. We’ll take a look at what that means for children in state care. Plus, machines that discriminate. Can algorithms be less biased? Also, how well do you know your Civil War History? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 27, 2020

As The impeachment trial resumes, how closely are Texas women listening? We’ll take a closer look at an important demographic in this election year. Other stories we’re tracking: Scores of Houston families on the long road to rebuilding after a massive explosion late last week: we’ll hear the latest. Also the Trump administration issues new orders to deal with so-called birth tourism. We’ll have the what and why. Plus after a seven year studio silence, a groundbreaking singer songwriter reemerges. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Lone Star Playlist

Texas has inspired many a singer-songwriter. So if you’re traveling across the state, you might consider listening to what others have seen on those wide-open roads. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: October 25, 2019

The Trump Administration is testing A secretive program in El Paso to speed up deportation of asylum-seeking migrants. We’ll look at what we’re learning about something called the prompt asylum claim review and what it means for asylum seekers. Also, the Texas based airline in special need of a soft landing in light of all the trouble with the 737 Max. And the tape continues to unravel… Fallout from the Bonnen recording and the rest of the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: July 25, 2019

Despite concerns over bias, judges rule Texas can remake its political maps without Federal oversight. We’ll take a look at what that means moving forward. Also, how did Texas lawmakers on both sides of the aisle try to score points in Wednesdays Mueller hearings? We’ll take a closer look. And danger people at work: on the job deaths on the rise in Texas. Plus Texans getting prosecuted for helping undocumented migrants. And the legacy of Freddy Fender, your latest weekend trip tips and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 20, 2019

The reddest of red states? No more! Texas’ senior Senator John Cornyn ponders his reelection prospects and issues a warning to the GOP. Abby Livingston of the Texas Tribune on her conversation with the Senate’s 2nd highest ranking Republican and what it means for Texas politics. Also, summers here, but so is a teacher shortage in West Texas. So what happens come September? And Facebook bets on a Bitcoin competitor, should you? Tech expert Omar Gallaga weighs in. That and whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 2, 2019

Reading, writing, and a rush to judgement? Some Texas lawmakers seem somewhat unsettled by a school finance bill racing to the floor of the Senate, we’ll have details. Also, the white puts in a multi billion dollar request for emergency border funds. This time, it’s not about a wall but humanitarian relief. Some in congress are unconvinced. Also the future of ugly food, why your next pet might be virtual, and actor and filmmaker Edward James Olmos is in the studio. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: