Wildfires are burning in different parts of the state. The latest on containment efforts and on the continued risk.
President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress received an intensely divided reception. What he said that could impact Texas.
In our ongoing exploration of how Texas came to get the energy system it has today, we go back into history and the 1970s energy crisis.
We could be nearing the end of an era: that of the paperback book. Why some publishers are shying away from paperback releases.
And: It’s nearly time for one of Texas’ biggest festivals. We’ll take a look at a little of what’s to come at this year’s South by Southwest.
Wind
KUT Morning Newscast for March 5, 2025: A fire in Hays County yesterday burned around 80 acres.
Central Texas top stories for March 5, 2025. By 4 a.m. this morning, the fire in Hays County had burned around 80 acres and was 45 percent contained. Strong winds left thousands of Austinites without power. Sixth street is restricting vehicle access during SXSW. Austin City manager, T.C. Broadnax is holding town hall meetings to hear input on the 2025-2026 budget.
Abbott wants feds to cover Texas’ border costs
Gov. Greg Abbott wants the federal government to reimburse the state for more than $11 billion spent on Operation Lone Star, and some lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the request.
Texas leads the nation in wind energy jobs, but a White House executive order to pause new wind projects has some in the industry concerned.
As the Trump administration ramps up deportations of unauthorized immigrants, many farmers are bracing for the impact on agriculture.
Luring Buc-ee’s beyond Texas: Cities across the U.S. are offering the company tax breaks and other big incentives.
And: New state data shows a growing number of minors are traveling out of state for abortions.
Dungeons & Dragons becomes lifeline for some Texas death row prisoners
When it comes the electric grid, every megawatt counts during peak demand. Industrial batteries have long been seen as a potential game-changer for energy storage. We’ll have details about how they’re coming online in the Lone Star State.
A new vaccine for COVID-19 will be in pharmacies soon. An epidemiologist lays out what you and your family needs to know.
Plus, Dungeons & Dragons on death row, the latest headlines, and a school finance revolt in North Texas.
How UT scientists are using AI to read thoughts
What happens to a Republican-led plan to provide taxpayer money for private education if the Texas Senate and House can’t reach agreement in less than two weeks? The governor’s promising he’ll keep the Legislature in session.
The latest on bills aimed at banning access to gender-affirming care for young people.
Mind-reading technology? We’ll talk with a UT researcher at the forefront of the tech using artificial intelligence to interpret brain activity.
Also: Finding the best burgers in Texas.
NASA mission sounds like a reality show, but it’s gathering data for a Mars journey
One of the state’s biggest counties is looking for a new top election official amid friction over the difficulty of running non-partisan elections. With early voting underway in races statewide, why the resignation of the top elections official in Tarrant County has special resonance.
A closer look at claims of Republican voter suppression in Harris County: how does the narrative square with the data?
In parts of rural Texas, growing opposition to solar and wind farms, where Texas has taken a lead.
And a virtual mission to Mars, in a hangar south of Houston? Four people, one year, and little contact with the outside world.
Fans turn out in Frisco as U.S. wins SheBelieves Cup
On the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war with Ukraine, Valerie Hudson, international affairs expert at Texas A&M, shares a Texas perspective on where the conflict stands today.
Author and commentator David Frum on concerns about moves being made by Mexico’s president that could turn back the clock on democratic change there – and the implications for Texas and beyond.
The Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch reports from the SheBelieves Cup soccer tournament in Frisco, where the U.S. Women’s National Team
took home the title.
Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.
Here’s how you can help discover new galaxies
A record setting state surplus. So how do Texas lawmakers plan to use it? With just 40 days to go before the Texas legislature gets back to work, education and energy at the top of the list of priorities for the most powerful figure in the Texas senate. Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune helps unpack the latest. Also high drama in an El Paso courtroom where the top prosecutor in the case against the accused Wal-Mart mass shooter is a no show and the judge threatening possible arrest of the DA. And a shout out for amateur skywatchers to help Texas researchers find galaxies. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 17, 2022
Is there a big push for Governor Abbott at the Texas GOP Convention? Not exactly… Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom with the latest. Other stories we’re tracking, more warnings of record demand for electricity in coming days as Texas tries to beat the heat. While wind and solar getting credit for helping us avoid major blackouts, why these ongoing warnings? And is Texas moving quickly enough to meet constantly growing demand? Also, a new massive SpaceX rocket test cleared for liftoff in South Texas? The FAA imposes new restrictions. And reflections on Juneteenth: do Black Texans consider themselves really free? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 28, 2022
Major property damage and evacuations as wildfires spread across parts of Central Texas. We’ll discuss the ongoing dangers amid efforts to fights the blazes. Other stories we’re tracking: As the war in Ukraine drags into its second month, the push to get more Texas oil to global markets, and why that’s easier said than done. Also the impact of the war on the global food situation. Plus a new chapter for libraries? A survey of universities finds a push for what are libraries of the future. We’ll hear what they might look like. And a new documentary on the life and times of one of Texas’ most astute and ascorbic political observers. You likely know her name. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: December 6, 2021
Twas the month before an election year and all thru the House and Senate and beyond, concerns rising among Democrats in Texas. Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune reporting on a push for change at the top of the Texas Democratic Party. Also a growing list of unanswered questions one month after the deadly tragedy at the Houston’s Astroworld festival. We’ll hear about findings by the Houston Chronicle. Plus representative Donna Howard on where we stand with reproductive rights in Texas in the wake of last week’s oral arguments in a major abortion case. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 3, 2021
Eight constitutional amendments, all 8 approved by voters. And local ballot measures, too. Any way to tease out political change in Texas? We’ll explore. Other stories we’re tracking: wind turbines set to join oil rigs in along the Texas coast? We’ll have more on big plans for renewable power generation in the Gulf of Mexico. Also more people, less water. How North Texas is planning for the future and why some residents are not going with the flow. And Texas has been home to many icons, including some iconic words. Commentator W.F. Strong on a certain noun with Texas ties that’s gone global. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 2, 2021
The supreme court breaks its silence, refusing to block Texas’ new abortion law, which is one of the most restrictive measures in the nation. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: a legal challenge to Texas redistricting as two state senators members claim maps can’t be drawn in a special session, asking a judge to draw them instead. Plus memory and 20 years after 9-11. Also how Facebook hopes to take virtual office meetings to the next level… and how Texas may preserve its lead in wind energy by training a new generation to manage the growing number of turbines. All those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 13, 2020
Seemingly endless rows of cars lined up waiting for food in San Antonio: we’ll check out the strain on efforts to feed the hungry in other parts of Texas. Plus, is a tool used to recover memories lost to trauma acceptable for use in police work? An investigative report by the Dallas Morning News raises questions about the use of hypnosis in criminal cases in Texas. Also, life in the federal lockup. Now under lockdown amid growing concerns for the prison population and for staff. And how a pandemic affects a political push to flip the Texas house. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Wind Farming
Texas leads the country in wind energy production — and more wind turbines are popping up across the Lone Star landscape all the time. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: September 4, 2019
How well do you think democracy is working in America? Texans weigh in and talk about about what poses the biggest threat to democracy. We’ll have details from the just released annual survey of political attitudes in the Lone Star State, the Texas Lyceum Poll. Also, what we’re learning about how the Permian Basin shooter obtained his weapon and how that’s putting Texas lawmakers in a politically precarious position. Plus is the U.S. not only the top oil and gas producer but tops in cutting emissions, too? A Politifact check and more when today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 3, 2019
Homelessness has been a hot topic in Texas cities lately. Two of the state’s largest metros have taken different approaches, with different results. We’ll explore. Also, in another of Texas’s largest cities, an increase in domestic violence and a mission to make the city safer for women. Plus, the invasive search for new energy sources. And how even the “green” ones are impacting West Texas. Plus, Black Pumas… you may not have heard of this Austin band yet, but chances are you could soon. We’ll introduce you to their psychedelic sound. And we run some of last week’s Democratic debate claims through the Texas Truth-O-Meter. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Falling
Summer storms can be quick and devastating. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: May 16, 2019
Are church officials hiding information related to sex abuse claims? We’ll look at how police are explaining a raid of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Also, diplomatic families sent home, energy companies battening down the hatches, amid reports of contingency plans for a possible military confrontation with Iran. A long time White House adviser helps us understand what’s happening. Plus, a modern day home on the range? Why Midland has become a magnet for millennials. And top tips for movie searching in the age of multiple streaming services. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 2, 2019
The price of a would-be border shutdown? We’ll do the numbers and talk with the mayor of one of Texas’ biggest border cities, Laredo. Plus, 2020: it’s not just about counting votes, but counting heads, too. We’ll look at what’s at stake for Texas in the upcoming census. Also, after previous fits and starts, prospects get real for for full day pre-k covered by the state, we’ll have the latest. And San Antonio goes all in on a plan to let outside organizations run their schools. Also, a fiddle playing son pays tribute to his father and his role in shaping Texas music. All of those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard: