Texas Standard

August 14, 2025

Why police are ditching a popular gun

Redistricting seems like the entire political conversation in Texas right now, so it’s probably no surprise it’s influencing the U.S. Senate race.Texas received millions in federal funding for adult education programs, but it was uncertain and came several weeks late.What are the impacts of programs that give money, with no strings attached, to people and […]

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August 13, 2025

Virtual public school enrollment surges

Gov. Greg Abbott threatens a concurrent second special session with a Democratic walkout still underway. Is there any end in sight?Details from a new release of materials withheld by Uvalde County and the Uvalde school district in the wake of the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting.What’s behind a massive growth in virtual schooling in Texas?W.F. […]

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August 12, 2025

No phones, devices in classrooms as Texas students return to school

Undocumented college students in Texas are no longer eligible for in-state tuition. As the new semester starts, many are in limbo.As we keep an eye on the special session where Texas Democrats broke quorum, a look at another state – Oregon – where Republican lawmakers staged a walkout.A new state law that bans cell phones, […]

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August 11, 2025

Dinosaur tracks uncovered near Austin after floods

Just one more full week is left in the Texas Legislature’s special session, and with House Democrats away, what happens next?Some of those Democrats have decamped to California, which is now mulling a possible redistricting effort to offset potential Republican gains in the midterms.The IRS says churches can now endorse candidates, a move that could […]

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August 8, 2025

Charley Crockett talks new album and recent success

Texas’ redistricting fight is has spread past state lines. New federal legislation aims to ban mid-decade congressional redistricting, and the brawl looks likely to impact upcoming elections and the 2028 presidential race.San Antonio is planning a massive sports and entertainment district, including a new arena for the Spurs, a convention center expansion and more – […]

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August 7, 2025

State parks are getting bigger and better

While the Texas House remains stalled due to a quorum break, the Senate continues its work, advancing a key education bill that could eliminate STAAR testing statewide.Texas is seeing a boom in data centers driven by AI and crypto – but the growth comes with major energy and water demands.Thanks to a $1 billion voter-approved […]

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August 6, 2025

Muleshoe Refuge expansion plan scrapped

Texas Democrats are facing legal threats and potential action from the FBI for fleeing the state during the special session.Concerns about artificial intelligence are coming to a head with the most recent round of college graduates. How it’s disrupting the job market.A proposed expansion for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in the Panhandle had been […]

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August 5, 2025

A century of redistricting fights in Texas

The high-stakes battle over redistricting continues. Why Democratic Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins took the risk and left the state.Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to remove Democratic lawmakers from their seats for leaving during a special session, but can he legally do that?The history of partisan gerrymandering in the Lone Star State.Why Texas has become a professional […]

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