South Texas lawmaker, Rep. Tony Gonzales, is facing a runoff and has now admitted to carrying out an affair with an aide who later died by suicide. Now a House committee is investigating the scandal.
How the primary election turned Tejano music star Bobby Pulido into a Democratic political contender in the general election.
The taco truck: A staple of life in Texas. Taco journalist Mando Rayo on why many working in those trucks are feeling more anxious right now.
A preview of the Texas Film Awards happening tonight.
And commentator W.F. Strong on a love of Texas authors and what may be untapped wealth on your shelf.
Voting
What happens now after Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs
A major repudiation of one of the Trump administration’s signature initiatives: The Supreme Court’s tariff decision and the Texas impact today on the Standard.
A new investigative report reveals six deaths in six weeks at immigration detention centers in Texas. Other stories we’re tracking: As the first week of early voting in the Texas primaries comes to a close, what GOP voters in one reliably red district are thinking about as they head to the polls south of Austin.
Also, why Tejano’s taking center stage at a major Texas university. All that and more today.
Texas Standard 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 bats in Austin may be living rent-free in your apartment
Early voting for the upcoming primaries in Texas begins next month. Up in Williamson County, things are going to be a little different this election cycle. Voters there will no longer be able to vote at any polling site on Election Day. We’ll talk about why that is, and the impacts it could have.
Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement have continued in the Austin area this week. Demonstrators gathered outside Austin City Hall on Tuesday. We’ll hear more from those who took part.
Plus, bats have long found a cozy home here in Austin, but they’re not just nestling up under the South Congress bridge.
And living, dying and grief is the subject of a short film premiering this weekend in Austin.
How San Antonio’s MLK march became one of the nation’s largest
It may be the single election day with the greatest power to reshape the Texas political landscape, and yet most Texas voters don’t bother with it. We’ll unpack it today.
Do you know when the Texas primaries are? Plan to vote in them? The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with the often-misunderstood stakes of primary season.
Two weeks after the U.S. military action in Venezuela, why some in very pro-Trump Midland are worried about the bottom line.
Plus, the San Antonian behind one of the biggest MLK Day celebrations in the nation.
Those stories, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Texas readies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Dueling ballot challenges in Tarrant County: Why longtime Texas politics-watchers say they’ve never seen anything like it.
A look at a teacher’s alleged sexual misconduct and a new state law that could wind up costing a local school district millions. We’ll dive into whether other school districts could be on the hook as more victims seek accountability.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga explains a controversy over explicit images generated by X’s AI tool, Grok.
And a check-in on where Texas is at amid preparations for the FIFA World Cup.
Voters flagged as noncitizens may have been eligible all along
Some new Texas laws are going into effect this week, including a modified bathroom bill. Other new laws include yet another one affecting abortion access, and one changing the tests kids take in Texas schools.
Texas flagged hundreds of voters as potential noncitizens earlier this year, but county officials have already determined many were mis-flagged.
The latest AP Top 25 college football rankings are out, but the handwringing continues over which teams will make the playoffs.
And we’ll talk with Terese Svoboda, author of the book “Hitler & My Mother-in-Law.”
A Mexican government program is filling in US adult education gaps
You’ve heard about the ruling striking down Texas’ new congressional maps, but what does that mean as a practical matter for the upcoming primaries? The new ruling on Texas’ redistricting plan, and an expected appeal throws a lot into limbo.
Space shuttles once routinely orbited the earth many times over, but a plan to bring one to Texas is having trouble getting off the ground.
Plus, the Standard’s Sarah Asch looks at how the Mexican government is filling in the gaps for some adult education programs in the U.S.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Austin voters reject Prop Q property tax rate increase
Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks down what happened – and where city officials will look next for reductions in spending.
In other election news, Texans approved 17 amendments to the state constitution, touching on taxes, education, infrastructure and more.
And: The sale of Cheer Up Charlies to a Florida investment firm has been called off, the latest twist in what’s been a chaotic year for the popular queer bar.
Central Texas Food Bank braces for increased demand
The Central Texas Food Bank is preparing to help more folks with food assistance amid the government shutdown and ahead of the upcoming holiday season. Beth Corbett, the food bank’s vice president of government affairs and advocacy, shares more about their plans to handle the increased demand. Find out how you can help or get help during the SNAP delay here.
It’s Election Day, and Austin voters will give the final say on Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase that would result in more than $100 million dollars for city services. Statewide, Texans are considering 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. KUT’s Katy McAfee brings us the latest from the polls.
What is Latin music? Carrie Rodriguez explores with ‘Laboratorio’ series
Texans are voting on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution – and one of them involves voting itself. Joshua Blank from the Texas Politics Project joins us for a chat on Proposition 16, which clarifies citizenship as a requirement to cast a ballot.
KUTX’s Maile Carballo talks the Beach Boys coming to Longhorn City Limits after this weekend’s UT-Vanderbilt game.
Texas Standard has been exploring horror movies with Texas ties – today it’s “Grindhouse,” filmed in Austin.
What is Latin music? Austin musician Carrie Rodriguez is still exploring that question through her “Laboratorio” concert series and shares more about the old-timey radio show she’s planning.
ICE enforcement is ramped up at county jails
There’s lots to consider on your ballot, from state constitutional amendments to tax rate increases for cities and school districts. Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado shares some dos and don’ts for heading to the polls.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is removing people from Austin jails more frequently as the Trump administration ramps up enforcement across the country. The Texas Newsroom’s Mose Buchele joins us with more.
Austin FC enters the playoffs today at LAFC. We’ll have more on what to watch out for with KUT’s Jimmy Maas.
How much would Prop Q cost homeowners in Austin?
Prop Q has brought out early voters in numbers that are higher than usual for an off-year election. The proposed tax rate increase, Austin officials say, would raise money to improve local parks, safety and homelessness. How much would that cost that homeowners? KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber breaks it down ahead of Election Day.
Meanwhile, the city is facing a deadline to remove painted crosswalks and street murals or risk losing state and federal money for future transportation projects. KUT’s Nathan Bernier has an update on which artwork could be affected.
Plus, ATXplained Live is tomorrow! Get into the spirit with a story about the man who used to recite poetry before Austin concerts.
Will beef from Argentina bring down US prices?
It’s the biggest drop in voter registration in Texas in a decade. What’s behind it and what does it mean for the future of Texas politics? Jeremy Wallace of the Houston Chronicle joins us with more.
When it comes to beef, Texas is number one. But President Trump wants push costs down with a plan to buy more beef from Argentina. Would that work? And what about the stakes for Texas? Some serious questions that we’ll put to an industry expert.
Car loan defaults reach levels not seen since the COVID era.
Also, who’s Texas’ Sausage Sensei? Where There’s Smoke, there’s Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn.
Anti-Prop Q website raises ethics questions
With early voting underway, Austin’s Prop Q is front and center for many folks – and was the subject of an ethics complaint against a resident who created a website aiming to take down the ballot item. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks it down.
What Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest announcement of Austin cleanup efforts means for the city.
Plus: Barbara Morgan, executive director of the Austin Film Festival, previews what to expect from this year’s fest.
Austin ISD proposes 13 school closures to curb $20 million budget deficit
Howdy out there, Austin! This episode is the first live radio broadcast for Austin Signal.
We’re discussing the proposed campus closures announced by the Austin Independent School District. More than a dozen schools would be shut down ahead of next school year as AISD works against a budget shortfall. We’ll dive into those details with KUT’s Katy McAfee.
Speaking of budget: If buying meat is in yours, you’ve probably noticed the price is on the rise. Will it fall anytime soon? Texas Standard’s Michael Marks joins us to talk more.
And KUT’s Jimmy Maas talks college football with UT’s loss to Florida and more in today’s sports wrap.
Court weighs Texas redistricting fight
A court battle is set to begin over the newly drawn congressional maps. At stake is whether they go into effect for the 2026 midterm elections.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us to talk about the recent rise in political violence.
Have you heard of 7-OH? It’s the latest drug cropping up at convenience stores. Now there’s a fight to stop the sale of what’s known as “gas station heroin.”
A new book by former CDC Director Tom Frieden offers a formula for better health – potentially saving millions of lives.
And today’s Hispanic heritage moment spotlights the trio of brothers known as Los Lonely Boys.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Rodney Crowell talks new album, career
A deadly shooting this morning at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Dallas. We’ll share the latest details.
Workplaces across the state trying to calculate the implications of a new $100,000 fee for H-1B applications. We’ll hear more on the questions raised by the new policy and the possible fallout.
How college football in Texas and beyond is being reshaped by new NIL rules allowing for direct athlete pay by advertisers and sponsors.
And the return of Rodney Crowell: Music and conversation with a Texas songwriting legend.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Some Texas counties switch to paper ballots ahead of midterms
No more QR or barcodes: Why Collin, Williamson and Bastrop counties are changing the way voters will cast ballots.
Housing affordability is a big issue in Texas, and three new state laws aim to address it. Will they work?
Many are concerned new Texas congressional maps dilute the voting power of Texans of color. But others welcome the changes.
Inside an ICE job recruitment fair in Arlington.
And: the bigger meaning behind the season’s first high school football game in Kerrville.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Kerr County emergency officials were sleeping when flood hit July 4
Why weren’t Hill Country communities alerted as a deadly wall of water roared down the Guadalupe on the weekend of July 4th? In their first public testimony on the floods, top emergency officials in Kerr County said they were away or asleep.
Voting the old-fashioned way? A return to hand-marked ballots in Collin County is part of a change sweeping Texas and other parts of the country.
Red-crowned Amazons squawk through summer nights in Brownsville – and they’ve been the city’s official bird since 1992.
Plus: An update on a major scramble to defend Texas from a devastating invader, the New World Screwworm.
Texas lawmakers begin special session focused on floods, maps
Lawmakers recently ended a regular session of the Texas Legislature, but on this Monday, they’re back. They call it a special session: 30 days to complete a long list of action items including a response to the Hill Country flooding, the regulation of THC consumables, and a rare mid-decade push for redistricting that has some Democrats complaining the fix is in for next year’s midterms.
A hold on billions of education dollars sends Texas public school administrators scrambling.
Also, European sanctions against Russia’s oil industry – will there be ripple effects in Texas?
And this week in Texas music history.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org