Episodes
September 12, 2026
Texas Extra: Texas political history and intrigue with politico Ben Barnes
There’s a lot to talk about in Texas on a daily basis and Texas Standard wants to get to as much as we can. But sometimes that means taking a great conversation and making it much shorter than we’d like. Such is the case with one this week with longtime Texas politico Ben Barnes. Our […]
Listen
September 11, 2026
Remembering a Houston family’s loss 25 years after 9/11
25 years since 9/11, in which a series of coordinated attacks on the U.S. marked the end of one era and the start of another. We’ll share some stories of Texans whose lives were impacted.A first-of-its-kind midterm political convention wraps up in Dallas. Did Republicans move the needle with just two months to go before […]
Listen
September 10, 2026
New novel ‘The Beauty of Days Gone By’ tackles the Texas frontier
How might AI-generated images affect a high-stakes political contest in Texas? Rice University political professor Mark Jones joins the Standard to talk about how Ken Paxton’s campaign is hoping to win votes with AI-generated images of his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.Also: Some top-line takeaways from the first day of a first-of-its-kind GOP midterm convention underway […]
Listen
September 9, 2026
High electricity costs contribute to senior heat deaths in the RGV
Costs for air conditioning are so high that some on limited incomes are trying to do without. But with temperatures also at extremes, that’s leading to some grave outcomes for seniors, in particular.The GOP’s unconventional convention is in Texas for a reason — and part of that is the state’s fundraising power. We’ll take a […]
Listen
September 8, 2026
Texas political legend Ben Barnes looks back on career
While all eyes are on the upcoming midterm election, there are signs one particular Texan is looking at running for president again. Is Ted Cruz gearing up for 2028? Also, why Democrats see James Talarico’s Senate run as an opportunity to gain votes in parts of West Texas that have been reliably red for decades. […]
Listen
September 7, 2026
Forged in flames: An oral history of the Labor Day wildfires
This Labor Day holiday marks 15 years since the most destructive wildfire in recorded Texas history — measured not by acres burned, but by homes lost.The Bastrop County Complex Fire was just one of more than 30,000 that ignited in 2011 — by far the worst year since the Texas A&M Forest Service has been […]
Listen
September 4, 2026
San Antonio husband-and-wife team talks ‘Pitmasters’ win
Following the money: What are super PAC donations telling us about Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate race? Democrat James Talarico is outfundraising his Republican rival Ken Paxton big time. Who’s writing the checks and what does the money add up to in a high-stakes midterm?Also, as the GOP puts finishing touches on next week’s national […]
Listen
September 3, 2026
A mysterious kidney disease is hitting Central American migrant workers in Texas
Tarrant County, a big Texas county seen by some as key in the upcoming midterms, cuts the number of polling places. We’ll have the backstory.It’s not political convention season — or is it? What looks like an unconventional convention set for Dallas.Also, more on a mysterious kidney disease that’s arrived in Texas hitting young men […]
Listen
