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August 11, 2021

Texas Standard: August 11, 2021

By: Laura Rice

ICU bed capacity is slim to none in most parts of the state. What that means on a practical level and why adding more beds isn’t really the solution. And as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the state, the messages about the protection of getting vaccinated and wearing masks continue. But do we need to change what we’re saying or how we’re saying it? And how safe is it to go to a concert right now? Musicians and venues weigh the risks. Plus we’ll take a closer look the infrastructure bill in Washington and how much money could come to Texas. And we’ll examine national identity and sports as we talk with a Texan who competed at the Olympics under the Puerto Rican flag. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:


Episodes

August 24, 2026

What’s behind the recent surge in food recalls?

Texas youth prisons go on lockdown after assaults on correctional staff, with one official saying young detainees are “becoming more violent and more aggressive.” We’ll hear about the effects of the lockdown and what happens next.Why are we seeing a surge in food safety concerns and outbreaks of illness in Texas and other states? We’ll […]

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August 21, 2026

Virtual public schools expand across Texas

How rising childcare costs and shrinking funds to help families is costing the state dearly, and why some fear a change at the federal level could make things worse. Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s flooding the airwaves with ads. Meanwhile, striking silence from his Republican challenger. Is Ken Paxton just keeping his powder dry in […]

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August 20, 2026

Judge appoints monitor for migrant children detained in Texas

A federal judge orders answers to the question of why families are being held so long at a detention center in South Texas. We’ll have the story. After a state takeover of schools in Houston, officials tout rising scores for schools, but are those grades being artificially inflated at the expense of students themselves? We’ll […]

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August 19, 2026

California/Texas surrogacy case tests abortion and parental rights

At what some have described as Texas’ flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, a proposed change in core requirements for graduation. We’ll delve into why now and what it means. In a North Texas city, some backyards are said to be disappearing with every new rainfall. We’ll hear about what’s happening in Arlington […]

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August 18, 2026

New developments in Big Bend border wall fight

Border construction in Big Bend National Park is paused — for now. We’ll have an overview of the damage done and what’s next.Texas received billions from a federal program meant to help provide high-speed internet to underserved communities. But why is it pausing new projects?Texas is home to the largest detention camp in the country. […]

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August 17, 2026

State ratings put Austin schools at risk of Texas takeover

The report cards are in — not for students, but for Texas public schools, inching some districts closer to a state takeover. We’ll have details and more.Paxton v. Roblox: Why the Texas attorney general — and Republican senate candidate —has put a popular gaming platform in his legal crosshairs.Also, what some describe as a little […]

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August 14, 2026

Mike D’Antoni talks NBA coaching career ahead of Hall of Fame induction

Tens of thousands of Texas families who received state money to send students to private schools are giving it back. We’ll explore why.Texas cities are watching the back and forth between the Trump administration and the courts over a federal program critics say could put thousands of Texans at risk for re-entering homelessness.John Cornyn and […]

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August 13, 2026

Migrant children held for months at Texas detention center

Children are being held in Texas detention centers far longer than legal limits allow. We’ll have a check-in on the immigration crackdown.People and politicians have rallied around their dislike of data centers. What does this PR problem mean for tech companies?We’ll check in on why an El Paso project might not be affected by Gov. […]

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