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February 21, 2023

Lawmaker Gene Wu using Reddit to explain Texas Legislature

By: David Brown

The clash between city leaders and state lawmakers is set to reach a new level at the Capitol. How state lawmakers are trying to crack down on policies by local prosecutors not to pursue certain cases.

A Texas researcher is pursuing a key to fight aging with the help of small monkeys.

We talk with Rep. Gene Wu, whose videos about how Texas politics actually works have blown up on social media.

In West Texas, concerns about growing tourism and the environmental impact spawn a plan to expand Big Bend National Park by purchasing adjacent land and giving it to the park.

Plus the legacy of San Antonio businessman B.J “Red” McCombs.


Episodes

February 16, 2023

Famed San Antonio artist Jesse Treviño dies at 76

We have a preview of tonight’s State of the State Address, Gov. Greg Abbott’s chance to lay out his agenda for lawmakers. The governor’s address comes amid calls to do more on gun violence, and just a day after another shooting in El Paso. Julián Aguilar of the Texas Newsroom joins us with the latest […]

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February 14, 2023

How Ro-Tel became a staple of Texas cooking

Lawmakers at the Capitol are considering changes to how Texas handles bail. The push would give judges more leeway to deny bail for violent offenses – and Democrats may have a considerable say in what happens. More fallout from this month’s ice storm: why the Texas capital city may be looking for a new city […]

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February 13, 2023

What happened during the Southwest Airlines meltdown?

What are the top priorities of Texas’ top officials? Gov. Greg Abbott delivers his State of the State address this week, and in the next few days we’re likely to hear which bills are set to take up priority slots for the Senate and possibly House. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom shares details. A […]

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February 10, 2023

Soy de Tejas art exhibit highlights Latino artists in the Lone Star State

Black lawmakers in the Texas Legislature are pushing colleagues for changes to key Texas laws. Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds, chair of the Black Caucus, joins us to discuss top priorities in the 88th session on issues ranging from criminal justice reform and environmental justice to voting rights. The Standard’s Kristen Cabrera on an effort […]

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February 9, 2023

What Texas House committee assignments say about this session

Two prominent names in Texas politics get key assignments on Capitol Hill in a pushback against GOP investigations. Democrats lose top slots on influential Texas House committees. What could that mean for some hot-button issues before the Texas legislature? A directive from the governor’s office to state colleges and universities to consider employment on merit […]

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February 8, 2023

How Austin has changed

Last night’s State of the Union touched on immigration, inflation, gun violence and other issues. Richard Pineda of the University of Texas at El Paso joins us with analysis of the annual message by the president to Congress. A legal challenge to an abortion drug and a possible decision from a federal judge in Amarillo […]

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February 7, 2023

How are Texas ranchers dealing with a hay shortage?

Two prominent scholars weigh in on what Texans should be listening for in tonight’s State of the Union address. School vouchers or something quite similar promise to play a big role in the Texas legislative session now underway. After a drought and ice storms, many Texas ranchers are facing a hay shortage and are fighting […]

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February 6, 2023

What zoos are doing to stay safe

Funding for public education is set to take center stage at the Capitol. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom joins us with what to expect this week as the Senate finance committee takes up education funding. Some Texas lawmakers say student mental health is a top priority this legislative session. We’ll take a closer look […]

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