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December 9, 2020

Texas Standard: December 9, 2020

By: David Brown

“Deeply dysfunctional.” Part of the findings of an investigation of Fort Hood. We’ll look at actions taken — and what’s left undone. Today on the Texas Standard.
I’m Laura Rice in for David Brown. Learning during the pandemic. It’s been among the major challenges. So should it be business as usual when it comes to standardized tests?
Back to the ballot box. Some Texans are voting again. What the particularly contentious contest could tell us about the Texas Republican Party.
Plus, as the new Texas legislative session nears, we’ll examine a lawmaker’s claim on medical marijuana. And we’ll introduce you to the spider who saved Christmas.


Episodes

January 12, 2026

Minneapolis ICE shooting prompts protests in Texas

The killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week sparked protests around the nation this weekend. We’ll look at what happened here in Texas.The state of Texas has handed over voter registration rolls to the Trump administration Justice Department. Why Texas Democrats and some experts fear that could have violated […]

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January 9, 2026

What to know as flu season ramps up in Texas

Concerns about the flu are making headlines in many places across the country. Where do we stand in Texas?Our conversation with the state’s epidemiologist to hear how concerned Texans need to be as flu season ramps up.Also, more and more Texas parents are crying foul over the rising cost of their kids playing in youth […]

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January 8, 2026

Uvalde school shooting trial is underway

Over three years later, the first criminal trial over the police response to the Uvalde school shooting is underway. We’ll have a live report with the latest in the trial of one of the first police officers to arrive at the scene of the deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary.With a big meeting set at […]

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January 7, 2026

Venezuelan Texans react to Maduro’s removal

The legal case against Nicolás Maduro and his wife has begun, but how’s that going to work exactly?Venezuelans living abroad, including here in Texas, continue to react to the capture. Why Austin-based “Freedom is a Feast” author Alejandro Puyana says it’s so important we keep including their voices in the news coverage.The U.S. military might […]

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January 6, 2026

What entered the public domain in 2026?

The latest from inside Venezuela as the Trump administration takes over and an interim president is sworn in.A look at the on again, off again immigration status of Venezuelans seeking asylum in this country – and Texas, in particular.Dallas County prosecuted its first fentanyl dealer, so how did the case fall apart?Birders have been busy […]

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January 5, 2026

Venezuela’s future and what it means for Texas oil

A historic U.S. military operation has extracted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from the country. What are the implications, both for Texas and the U.S.? University of Texas global affairs expert Jeremi Suri weighs in on this weekend’s events, including the legality of the Venezuela operation and whether it was about narcoterrorism, oil, or something more.Speaking […]

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January 2, 2026

Encore presentation: A special broadcast from San Antonio 

As we celebrated 10 years of the Texas Standard in 2025, our yearlong tour of the state recently took us to our partners at Texas Public Radio, based in San Antonio.  Though its many landmarks bring in the tourists, new residents are rushing in, too – putting pressure on resources like energy and water.  We explored those growing pains but […]

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January 1, 2026

Encore presentation: A special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory 

Texas Standard had the best seat in the state for the recent Geminid meteor shower. We’re revisiting our special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory earlier this month.  We’re focused on space science, including the history of this West Texas research gem – and how it’s continuing to contribute to what we know about the universe and beyond.  Dark skies are essential for observation, but […]

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