Barely half of Texas voting age population turned out for the 2020 presidential election. And the story is worse for young voters. We wondered, what can we do about that? So the Texas Standard joined forces with our home music station, KUTX, and the UT Austin student station, KVRX, for what we called a poll party. The focus was issues important to young voters. But we think there’s something here you might find interesting no matter your age.
Trump
Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett pledges full support for VP Harris
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas has thoughts for fellow Democrats who haven’t been quick to support Vice President Kamala Harris.
Prison farm labor isn’t just part of Texas history; it’s a reality today. An investigation into the practices and what we don’t know about what goes on in the fields.
A mammoth find for Texas researchers – literally. What a team from Baylor plans to do with the discovery of some ancient DNA.
We’ll take you inside some San Antonio record stores where the love for vinyl keeps going around.
And: The emerging path forward for psychedelics when it comes to treating PTSD.
UTEP scientists spot bird not seen in decades
A unanimous decision from the U.S. Supreme Court reverses a challenge to Donald Trump’s eligibility to remain on primary ballots, just ahead of Super Tuesday.
The Texas Newsroom’s Rachel Osier Lindley shares an update on wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, where the biggest blaze in state history is only 15% contained.
We’ll have more on some key races to watch, from Abilene to Dallas County, as Texans prepare to go to the polls tomorrow.
And: The yellow-crested helmetshrike, a bird long feared extinct, was discovered by a team of scientists from the University of Texas at El Paso on an expedition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Where’d the Groups Go???
After watching Xscape perform at the Soul Train Awards, Fresh and Confucius try to figure out why there aren’t R&B Groups anymore.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about what Ice Cube charges for features, who Tupac was flipping off after he was shot, and who owns the last know J Dilla beats.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the Grammys do, in fact, matter.
Confucius talks about the new House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Trump’s Tax returns, Congress’s same-sex and interracial marriage bill, and more in Confucius Reads the News.
Texas Standard: February 22, 2022
He’s been called Trump’s favorite cowboy; why Sid Miller’s attempt to hang on to his job as Texas Agriculture Commissioner is drawing a lot of national attention. And, a longtime democratic congressman in South Texas faces a repeat challenge from the left–a former intern. Also, why biorefineries could be the next big thing in Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 1, 2022
This year’s first test of the state’s power grid; what to do to prepare for wintry weather on the way. Also, the Texas politician who apparently has his eyes on a 2024 presidential bid…if Donald Trump isn’t running, that is. Plus, what to look for in the upcoming primaries. These stories and more, today on the Texas Standard:
Defensive Pessimism
We might consider pessimism to be a negative attribute, but it turns out that sometimes pessimism can give us the energy we need we need in order to help us to accomplish our goals.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about defensive pessimism.
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.
Understanding China Today
Listen back as KUT’s Rebecca McInroy along with David J. Firestein, the executive director of The University of Texas at Austin’s China Public Policy Center, economist James K. Galbraith, and Professor of Media Studies Dr. Wenhong Chen talk about China, the myth vs. the reality, lessons from China’s digital media policy, and decoding the “Trade-War.”
Texas Standard: July 9, 2018
The president announces his choice for the Supreme Court -but is it his pick or someone elses? A brief history of high court picks and how tonight fits in- today on the Standard.
The Attorney General spends half a million dollars on expert testimony defending the state’s abortion restrictions. How much bang for the buck? You might be surprised –the Houston Chronicle’s Alejandra Matos joins us.
Help wanted signs dot the oilfields, not enough men to fill the jobs, the push is on for more women. And now something that may make the work a bit for comfortable for those new female roughnecks.
Plus, what a so-called failed school in Houston could teach the rest of Texas.
Texas Standard: June 14, 2017
File under “Texas Two Step”: Texas sues to terminate DACA, the federal government says it won’t fight back. Any guesses who’ll win? The story today on the Texas Standard.
Pete Williams of NBC News tells us about the lawsuit playing out in a Texas courtroom that could do a stealthy end run around orders to keep deferred action for childhood arrivals the law of the land.
Hurricane help from above? The Texas-made satellite that might save lives.
As the World Cup kicks off in Russia, a Texas researcher claims he can tell you the champion today. We’ll hear what’s in his algorithm.
And the virtual battle for your video box getting all too real at E3. Digital savant Omar Gallaga joins us and a whole lot more today on the Standard.
Texas Standard: June 11, 2018
Singapore for the win? Leaving flustered allies in his wake, Donald Trump begins what some think could become a “Nixon in China” moment. The story today on the Standard.
Tomorrow, the world’s media landscape could change in an instant. So say many closely watching a decision expected in Texas-based AT&T’s planned takeover of Time Warner. We’ll hear why the stakes are considered so high.
Is there life on Mars? A skeptical Texas scientist says even she’s surprised by new findings which suggest the answer may be yes.
The family of a former Longhorn sues the NCAA. Why the case could become a landmark over the issue of head injuries. All those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: April 13, 2018
Though you may have heard about James Comey’s book, have you heard how the president may be planning to fire back? The scoop on Scooter today on the Texas Standard.
Long before President Trump claimed to be the target of a witch hunt, the ally of a powerful Texan complained he too was the target of one. Why Dick Cheney’s onetime teammate Scooter Libby is making headlines.
Also, you’ve heard of the calm before the storm, what about the storm that follows the storm? Why Texas lawmakers are worried about economic blowback post-Harvey.
And one of the best known actors in Hollywood keeps his heart and his home in Texas. Matthew McConaughey talks about Wooderson, guns and the samurai way.
Texas Standard: March 1, 2018
Texas based Academy Sports sticks to its guns, but fans of the AR 15 face a new backlash, including perhaps from the White House. The story today on the Texas Standard.
Lloyd Doggett & Beto O’Rourke among the Texans in Congress writing a letter to the Speaker of the House. The message: time to rethink the blank check for the US military in Syria. There’s a reason this push may have traction, and we’ll hear why.
Attention Texas home renters, have you double checked your contract? A warning about so called landlord’s liens.
Also, sworn to secrecy: Army vets come out of the shadows claiming health problems tied to top secret experiments.
Texas Standard: January 17, 2018
The big freeze—it’s not just a buzzphrase for Texans right now as congress is stuck over DACA and the threat of a government shutdown. The search for a thaw today on the Standard
The Trump Department of Justice asks the Supreme Court to intervene over a California judge’s order to keep DACA going. We’ll hear why that judge’s move has become a controversy in legal circles.
Also Governor Abbott’s opening volley in his reelection bid: property taxes.
And a solution for Texas schoolkids living in poverty: weekday boarding?
Also after a false alarm in Hawaii–parents talking about apocalypse with their children.
And what’s the key to keeping your car from getting stolen? A politifact-check and more today on the Texas Standard.
V&B – The Problem With Power: How The Office of President of The United States Is Set Up To Fail
The Impossible Presidency author Jeremi Suri joins No End Save Victory author David E. Kaiser along with the eminent economist James K. Galbraith and KUT’s Rebecca McInroy to talk about the history of the presidency from Washington to Trump, and what’s next for the role of the leader of our democracy.
Texas Standard: September 22, 2017
After Trump, after a special session, after Harvey—where does Texas go from here? From the biggest annual political event in the Lone Star State, this is the Texas Standard.
With the federal government in the hands of republicans, what kind of mark is Texas making on American politics right now?
This is the place to ask such questions: tonight’s the kickoff of the Texas Tribune festival–a weekend in the Texas capitol city devoted to all things Lone Star politics.
From what to do about interminable commutes to the role of Texas cities in climate change —and we assume, of course you can name the governor? We’ll try a little “on the street” test. We’ve got miles and miles to cover, we’re at Tribfest today on the Standard.
Texas Standard: September 13, 2017
Those Texas political maps ruled as drafted with discriminatory intent? The supreme court says they’re staying for now, we’ll have the latest. Plus, something weird happening in Waco? A certain disorder in the court as the first trials get underway in the so-called twin peaks biker shootout story, we’ll explore. And in El Paso the demolition of historic buildings despite a court order. We’ll hear about why, and the protests over the changing character of a downtown. And if the business is fighting deadly pathogens, in Texas business is very good. We’ll hear why. 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: June 29, 2017
As the president’s travel ban takes effect at airports today who’s in and who’s out, and who’s watching the gatekeepers. We’ll talk to one of em today. Also a dramatic helicopter attack on Venezuela’s supreme court, caught on video. The images so surrealistic some wonder: did this really happen? We’ll explore. And you thought space was the final frontier? Nasa relaunches a program that got stalled in the 60’s: an all american supersonic airplane. And the rockets red glare: the view from the other side of the roadside fireworks stand. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: