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November 15, 2024

A closer look at the country music Grammy nods

By: David Brown

As lawmakers prepare to take up a school voucher-like plan, many state public schools are struggling with more cutbacks.
Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking an extension of a tuition freeze for public colleges and universities.
What the tiny town of Rockdale, Texas, could teach us about the energy transition and rising demand.
Mando Rayo of the Tacos of Texas podcast breaks down the state’s new Michelin-recognized restaurants.
And: What the Grammy nominations tell us about the changing landscape of country music – and why it’s sounding a lot more like an increasingly diverse Texas.


Episodes

December 19, 2024

Remembering Melinda Wickman Swearingen, ‘the Annie Leibovitz of outlaw country’

It’s Republicans vs. Republicans to decide the speaker’s race in the Texas House of Representatives. Photographer Melinda Wickman Swearingen, who died earlier this year, captured evocative images of outlaw country musicians. Her work will soon be on display at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. And: What’s the deal with these mysterious drones? Should […]

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December 18, 2024

After its buyout, has Whataburger lost its spice?

There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus. How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism. […]

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December 17, 2024

A&M’s next giant leap is the Texas Space Institute

It’s still election season in the Texas Legislature, where there’s a race for speaker of the House of Representatives. We’re taking a close look at the top two contenders this week, starting today with Rep. Dustin Burrows. Billy Bob Thornton, who’s long been an honorary Texan, has earned his eighth Golden Globe nomination for his […]

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December 16, 2024

YouTube cleaning sensation AuriKatariina heads to Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit claiming a New York doctor illegally prescribed abortion pills to a Texas resident. A state plan to provide incentives for affordable housing: A Houston Chronicle investigation finds little affordable housing being built – and taxpayers holding the bag. Two Texas families take legal action against an […]

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December 13, 2024

A special broadcast from Abilene

Today we come to you from one of Texas’ once great railroad towns – and though the trains aren’t so much a central part of life here anymore, something else has happened that’s been bringing people, prosperity and a sense of renewal back to Abilene. An AI-focused facility could transform the Big Country region. Ahead […]

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December 12, 2024

Trade schools thrive as electric vehicle demand grows

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued two giants of the chemical business, 3M and DuPont, over so-called forever chemicals contained in household objects.A new kind of car needs a new kind of mechanic. The Standard’s Kristen Cabrera goes inside a school for hybrid and electric vehicle repairs.The old art form of tintype photography is […]

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December 11, 2024

Big Bend seeks artists to capture park’s rugged beauty

Last night’s chill has many Texans asking how the state’s power grid is looking for the winter. How much has changed since the freeze and blackouts of February 2021? Mose Buchele of KUT News has been keeping tabs.The Texas legislative session hasn’t even started, yet more than one representative claims to be the de facto […]

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December 10, 2024

Cold snap grips West Texas and the borderlands

What possible cuts to Medicaid under the new Trump administration could mean in Texas, which already limits coverage.A cold front is blowing through El Paso, bringing high winds and freezing temperatures.Princeton’s growing pains have led to tension in its mayoral runoff election.Most of those involved in high-speed chases by state troopers going after suspected smugglers […]

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