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August 3, 2018

Texas Standard: August 3, 2018

By: Laura Rice

Pope Francis says the Catholic church no longer supports the death penalty in any case. Will that influence policy here in Texas? We’ll take a look. Also, immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. have different odds of having those requests granted depending on where they’re asking. We’ll explain. Plus, one of the most dangerous places to work is a place where people go to get help. How Texas researchers want to make hospitals safer. And Texas used to be covered by water and there’s ancient shark teeth under your feet to prove it. Also we’ll find answers to questions surrounding the namesake of one of the state’s largest cities. Do you know whom Dallas is named for? Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:


Episodes

August 29, 2025

Educators face new risks under inappropriate material law

Three new measures are set to take effect aiming to “Make Texas Healthy Again.” Political sloganeering or genuine change? A closer look at the laws that prompted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s visit to Texas.As we approach Sept. 1, more than 800 new laws are set to take effect. We continue our close-up of some of […]

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August 28, 2025

Elon Musk looks to build tunnels under Houston

Texas’ newly drawn congressional maps are aimed at helping Republicans in 2026, but they’re shaking up the political landscape already. We’ll hear just how today on the Texas Standard.Rice University’s Mark Jones on the musical chairs among Texas’ congressional Democrats, and whether these maps are likely to survive scrutiny as legal challenges proliferate.Over 800 new […]

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August 27, 2025

Austin Butler, Darren Aronofsky talk Texas, filmmaking & ‘Caught Stealing’

President Trump is using the threat of legal action to push his policies forward in Texas and beyond.We continue our series about new state laws taking effect with a look at one that prevents people from certain countries from buying land in Texas.20 years after Hurricane Katrina, how the New Orleans residents who found a […]

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August 26, 2025

College football arrives in the Rio Grande Valley

President Trump signs an executive order ending cashless bail. We’ll dive into what that means for cities like Houston.We’re also tracking new state laws set to take effect Sept. 1, including one that aims to attract more film and television productions. Another increases the penalty for assaulting a utility worker.Plus, could the San Antonio Spurs […]

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August 25, 2025

California weighs in on Texas redistricting fight

A much-talked-about redistricting battle starts to take a back seat to other legislative priorities at the Texas capitol.As the battlefront over redistricting shifts to a multistate fight with Texas and California setting the pace, top California Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger has a message for his fellow Republicans in Texas. The Houston Chronicle’s Lisa Falkenberg tells us […]

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August 23, 2025

Texas Extra: Asleep at the Wheel celebrates five decades with new album

Asleep at the Wheel are celebrating 50 years in the business with their latest album out this week, “Riding High in Texas.” Longtime frontman Ray Benson joined Texas Standard to talk about the band’s legacy and the music of the Lone Star State in this extended version of a conversation that first aired in June.

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August 22, 2025

Noah Hawley talks ‘Alien: Earth’

At the Texas Capitol, a big shift in focus as the spotlight swings from bare-knuckle politics to long-delayed flood relief.Food is labeling set to change in Texas as a sweeping new law takes effect aimed at, among other things, alerting shoppers to ingredients long the focus of concern in other countries.Austin-based filmmaker Noah Hawley likes […]

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August 21, 2025

The Texas House passes new district map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress

President Trump claims a big win in Texas as the state House passes new congressional maps giving the GOP an edge in 2026. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom and Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media share what it means for the political landscape going forward.Are Americans falling out of love with their credit cards? […]

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