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June 4, 2026

First case of New World screwworm found in Texas since 1960s

By: David Brown

It’s considered by many to be the marquee race of the midterms: Paxton versus Talarico. But if you think that’s all there is to it, think again.
Shades of Ross Perot? Why a third-party candidate could upset the calculus in this year’s big Senate race in Texas.
And they’re back: For the first time in 60 years, a New World screwworm has been detected in Texas livestock. Now, an emergency quarantine in parts of South Texas. We’ll have details.
Also, a last-minute surge puts the Knicks over the Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA finals. Today: 20 things New York can’t win over San Antonio.
Plus, a top 10 moment in Texas music and more.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.


Episodes

November 11, 2026

Texas Extra: Prairieland 22 Episode 3

As the trial date arrives, friends and family gather outside the courthouse in protest of the arrest of the Prairieland defendants and the ongoing criminal proceedings. But a lawyer’s shirt turns the proceedings upside down.

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November 11, 2026

How Clayton Tucker prepares to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture

Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is promising an education overhaul, but what will that mean for state takeovers of failing school districts? We’ll talk with Michael Hardy who’s been looking into this for Texas Monthly.Also, with the political winds changing in Texas, some cities are changing policies on police cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Plus, a conversation […]

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November 10, 2026

Lawmakers file bills on Medicaid, data centers, THC and more

Nearly 1,300 bills were filed in the Texas House and Senate as lawmakers began preparing for the 2027 legislative session, with Democrats reviving a push to expand Medicaid. Investment group BlackRock went from being blacklisted to partnering with Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration. What does that mean now that Democrats are returning to statewide office? Part […]

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November 9, 2026

Why Texas Republican voters broke with their party

After a historic Election Day last week, more history is set to be made in the Texas House of Representatives: Senfronia Thompson says she has the votes to become the first woman and first Black Texas House speaker. Texas Republicans’ loss of statewide power has prompted questions about fractures within a party that had dominated […]

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November 6, 2026

Nathan Johnson lays out his plans as Texas attorney general

Promising bipartisanship, Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa talks transitions and first steps for her administration. As she promised when she spoke with us before election day, Hinojosa is already taking steps to bring about change in Texas education. What does she plan to do, and what might limit the reach of her plans? We’ll take a closer […]

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November 5, 2026

How Texas’ Democratic sweep could change the state’s political identity

A bolt from the blue: Many Texans are still trying to absorb the implications of the midterms, but now a clearer picture is forming of what happened. It appears turnout made a big difference — not in terms of raw numbers, but where those Democratic gains happened. The Democrat who’s promising to take the politics […]

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November 4, 2026

How Texas Democrats scored historic wins across the state

For more than three decades, Republicans ruled Texas politics. This morning, that era is over.Historic gains for Texas Democrats — a political earthquake has shaken the Lone Star State, sending shockwaves across the country: a new governor, a new U.S. senator, and a dramatic shift in the balance of political power. How did it happen? […]

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November 3, 2026

Midterm Election Day arrives as Texans head to the polls

It’s Election Day and all eyes are on Texas with several races polls are showing could come down to the wire. We’ll check in with our reporters across the state. We’ll also get some insight from one of our go-to political analysts about what to keep an eye on as results come in this evening. […]

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