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December 26, 2016

Texas Standard: December 26, 2016

By: David Brown

What were the top stories of 2016? This hour, we’re revisiting the people and events making news across the lone star state. Plus in 2014 people called it the surge. This year, as the numbers of Central American families crossing the border broke new records, what was being done to keep them from coming in illegally? We’ll take a look. Plus what used to be a US monopoly, we’ll revisit the national helium reserve as it runs out of gas. And a cure for what plagues central Texas? We’ll meet the man who sends in the hawks. And playing possum – the backstory of a legendary musician…all that and much more today on the Standard:


Episodes

August 28, 2026

Texas-Minnesota extradition fight tests limits of federalism

Texas frees immigration officer Christian Castro, who is wanted for a shooting in Minnesota, raising critical legal and practical questions about federalism.An attempt by the Trump administration to lower beef prices has many Texas ranchers upset.Also, a look at what appears to be a groundbreaking new treatment in Texas for people with Parkinsons using ultrasound […]

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August 27, 2026

Meta agrees to massive settlements over teen social media harms

Ottawa and Washington may seem distant to many Texans, but increasing rhetoric between the two has Texas in the crosshairs. We’ll examine how a trade war between allies could wind up costing Texas billions.Other stories we’re tracking: A historic multibillion dollar settlement from Meta has been reached over the use of social media by young […]

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August 26, 2026

A Texas remembrance of Dolly Parton

Tens of thousands of acres are burning in West Texas. We’ll check in on containment efforts and the ongoing wildfire risk.Republicans from all over the country will be gathering in Texas soon to drum up support for the November election. We’ll have a look at how the Texas GOP has evolved.Chinese biotech firms have become […]

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August 25, 2026

West Texas power line fight grows as data center demand surges

The data center backlash has lawmakers rolling back plans to expand high-power transmission lines. We’ll have a look at what it means for rural residents.Also, how seniors are coping with the high cost of food.Plus, if you have pet, you know veterinary care can be costly. That has some families skipping a trip to the […]

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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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