Texas Standard

February 6, 2023

What zoos are doing to stay safe

Funding for public education is set to take center stage at the Capitol. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom joins us with what to expect this week as the Senate finance committee takes up education funding. Some Texas lawmakers say student mental health is a top priority this legislative session. We’ll take a closer look […]

Listen

February 3, 2023

Answering your tree questions in the wake of the ice storm

Insurance claims are about to spike as Texans try to recover from storm damage – a Texas insurance specialist advises how best to move forward with claims: what to do, and what not to do. We’re also answering your questions about trees and ice damage. We take a look at what winter storms have done […]

Listen

February 2, 2023

Marfa art exhibit honors the railroad’s Chinese laborers

Nearly 400,000 homes and businesses are still without power in Texas, but the worst of the freezing rain may be behind us. Mose Buchele of the Disconnect podcast and KUT Austin joins us with more on the power situation. A new poll suggests a disconnect between the headlines and what Texans really think of the […]

Listen

February 1, 2023

Why Fort Worth ISD is canceling sex ed this year

Fallen trees and branches, downed power lines and more as Texas weathers the first statewide winter storm of 2023. The worst of the weather stretches along a line west of I-35, but most Texans are feeling the impact one way or another, with driving extremely hazardous and scattered outages leaving hundreds of thousands without power. […]

Listen

January 31, 2023

What would property tax relief from the Legislature mean for Texas renters?

Winter storm and travel advisories across much of Texas with some forecast models indicating things could get worse. Victor Murphy of the National Weather Service with more on the icy situation that’s already led to many school closures and stranded motorists overnight. Our closeup on property taxes continues as the Legislature sets its sights on […]

Listen

January 30, 2023

What do Texans think about expanding legal gambling?

As Texas senators hold hearings on a new budget, they may get an earful from everyday Texans. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom shares his look at the week ahead in the Texas Legislature, and how you can weigh in on the budget. Reducing property taxes is likely to be a big part of the […]

Listen

January 27, 2023

What Texas’ school safety inspections found

A test of Texas public schools against potential intruders shows a 95% pass rate. But what about that other 5%? Megan Mangrum of the Dallas Morning News with more on the findings from inspections ordered by the governor after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary. LBJ, Robert Caro, and a new documentary on the challenges […]

Listen

January 26, 2023

Plan to prevent the next blackout heads to the Legislature

Historic job growth, but how sustainable? Economist Ray Perryman weighs in on the latest numbers. As lawmakers prepare for bruising legislative battles ahead, one thing some Texas Republicans and Democrats agree on? Dislike of a new proposal to prevent future statewide power grid blackouts. Watch your wallets online: our go-to tech expert Omar Gallaga with […]

Listen