Texas Standard

Texas Standard > All Episodes

July 27, 2026

Texas foster care rulings strengthen parental rights

By: Laura Rice

Policies in Texas over when children should be removed from their parents are shifting. What do experts say about the changes?
Ken Paxton just lost a step in the first major case against an alleged violator of Texas’ abortion ban. We’ll dig into what the ruling may indicate about the law.
There have long been talks about connecting parts of Texas by rail, but a route between Austin and San Antonio is unlikely to happen anytime soon. We’ll explore why.
Oil prices are down but gas prices aren’t likely to fall as quickly. A look at the factors at play behind the pump.
Plus, why it matters that father figures are involved in reading programs.


Episodes

October 28, 2026

What changed for women in Texas politics after Ann Richards

It’s been three decades since Texas had a Democratic governor — or a female one. We’ll have a conversation looking at what we can learn from when Ann Richards held the office. Texas leads the country in oil production. We also lead in wind energy. But how far away is Texas from a hydrogen-fueled economy? […]

Listen

October 27, 2026

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders form a union

With just a week to go before Election Day, a look at how the governor’s race will make history no matter who wins. Also, how the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders got a raise and formed a new union. And is there a conservative takeover of the University of Texas at Austin? A Texas Monthly article digs […]

Listen

October 26, 2026

Mysterious transgender mailers prompt criminal investigation in West Texas

An attempt to empower LGBTQ+ students or a bid to agitate Texas voters ahead of election day? A Republican district attorney in West Texas has opened a criminal investigation into pamphlets received by households across the state purporting to be from a transgender rights group. Also, a reporter uses Friday night lights to try and […]

Listen

October 23, 2026

Gina Hinojosa makes her case for Texas governor

On the eve of the midterms, Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa is running neck and neck with incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in many polls. Hinojosa joins us on today’s show to make her case.Also, a closer look Vikki Goodwin, the Democrat giving Dan Patrick a run for his money in the lieutenant governor’s race.Plus, a […]

Listen

October 22, 2026

Texas women bring homegrown horror to ‘Beneath the Bluebonnets’

Record voter registration numbers point to what appear to be new records set in early voting. What do they tell us about the midterms in Texas?Also, Meta blocks an Instagram account for a No Kings protest, stoking fears of online political shenanigans — or worse — from a major social media company. Omar Gallaga joins […]

Listen

October 21, 2026

Texas Extra: The Prairieland 22 Episode 1

The Prairieland 22 is a podcast from our partners at KERA News and NTX Now. We’re sharing these episodes Wednesday nights. Episode 1: “4th of July Party!” July 4, 2025. A protest, the shooting of a police officer, and a case the government cites as an example of a growing domestic terrorism threat: “Antifa.” Over […]

Listen

October 21, 2026

Texas autism therapy program could lose its funding

Democrat Bobby Pulido is leading a poll in Texas’ Congressional District 15 that had heavily favored Trump. The district’s Latinos may be leaning even further left.Some Texas school districts shifted toward a four-day school week during the pandemic. Now there may be legislation to discourage that.Texas is considering doing away with a program meant to […]

Listen

October 20, 2026

‘Redemption’ explores faith and sisterhood on Texas death row

Early voting is underway. We’ll go over five things to watch for as Texans cast ballots in races that are too close to call.Is the state of Texas trying to sell a beloved beachfront state park to Elon Musk?Plus, how school cafeterias are coping amid rising costs and cuts to federal food assistance.And why out-of-state […]

Listen