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March 1, 2024

A special broadcast from the Houston Rodeo

By: David Brown

It’s considered by many to be the hub of Texas’ official sport. And no, you don’t need knowledge of football. We’re live from Rodeo Houston.

In a state known for doing things big, there’s no bigger rodeo in Texas than the one we’re at. This hour we’ll be rounding up the stories and sounds of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo which is kicking off this week in Texas’ biggest city – an event that’s seen as something of a centerpiece in the sport of rodeo.

It’s rich in Texas traditions and history and considered an A-list event in the Lone Star State each year. Why its drawing in millions, what accounts for its continued appeal, and what its popularity says about Texas today.


Episodes

December 19, 2025

Dallas’ Longhorn Ballroom marks 75 years

Politicians can raise a lot of money running for election. But what happens to it when the campaign trail ends? Elected officials in Texas have a loophole to help them spend the money they raise on campaigns after they retire. How many concert venues have made it 75 years? We’ll take a tour of Dallas’ […]

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December 18, 2025

Tejano music mourns two foundational figures

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says a Wisconsin-based electronic health records company has a monopoly over the industry. We’ll have more on the AG’s fight against Epic.Remembering a couple of major figures in the Tejano music world who we lost this past weekend: Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla.Plus, counties are getting new equipment to warn […]

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December 17, 2025

Protecting monarch butterflies on Texas highways

He’s been an elected Democrat for over 50 years, but now local party officials in Houston are refusing to endorse Mayor John Whitmire. Unwinding the political drama, today on the Texas Standard.Texas’ new bathroom law effects schools and government-owned buildings, but one reporter found enforcement depends on exactly where you go.Texans Michael and Susan Dell […]

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December 16, 2025

Texas collects data on trans residents through state IDs

Texas does not allow people change their gender on driver’s licenses. Those who still try are now being tracked.How the Trump administration is reorganizing the Army to reflect a new focus on Latin America.Professors caution students about relying on AI, but some universities are doing just that to review course content.And a new memoir by […]

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December 15, 2025

Tiny Texas town’s library could be adult education template

Houston, Fort Worth… Now three more Texas school districts are expected to be taken over by state education officials. Where, why and what comes next?The son of Texas A&M’s campus rabbi is among those critically injured in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.Mexican citizens who routinely cross into the U.S. at Texas’ […]

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December 13, 2025

Texas Extra: The challenges and opportunities ahead for the Austin-San Antonio ‘Megaregion’ 

Austin and San Antonio have long been home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Together, they are becoming what the authors of a new book are calling a “Megaregion.”

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December 12, 2025

A special live broadcast from the McDonald Observatory

The Geminid Meteor Shower is happening, and we’ll have tips for your stargazing in a special live broadcast from the McDonald Observatory. Today we’re focused on space science, including the history of this West Texas research gem – and how it’s continuing to contribute to what we know about the universe and beyond. Dark skies […]

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December 11, 2025

Tamales in Texas: A holiday debate with deep roots

Millions of student loan borrowers are bracing themselves for big changes. We’ll have details on the end of the so-called SAVE program and why experts worry millions of student loan borrowers may be forced into default. As some Texas cities cut funding for homeless services, a look at one approach from nonprofits: giving cash directly […]

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